A Day in the Life of of Gideon Ardall the Colonial Printer

By: Caleb KB

Chapter One: Gideon Ardall

I wake up. The sun streaming through the windows, forcing me to wake from my deep slumber. I get up, my feet brushing against dirty wooden floors. I slowly get dressed and tumble down the stairs to the first floor. The press is still set with the type I was using the day before. I look out the window. It is still dark outside. I walk to the stack of paper on the table and grab a sheet. I have to make 300 more copies of this page. I look out the window expecting my apprentice Silas to be there. I got him to be my apprentice almost a year ago, but he still has a lot to learn before he owns his own shop. His persistence reminds me of my own. Back, when I was his age, I would go to my dad’s shop and he would teach me how to print. While I reflect I attach the paper to the tympan and folded it, along with the frisket, onto the chase which I had just inked. I push with the ink balls until I knew I could put it under the platen. I twist the bar three times, just to make sure that the ink would show. I pull out the paper, covered in letter and smelling like ink and pinned it to the overhead rope to dry. I look at all the work I have completed. The sun has just risen and it makes me realize how long I have been printing today. I realize, I have completed the pamphlet. When Silas comes, I’ll have him run this over to the book binder, I think to myself. I walk outside to get a breath of fresh air. I feel the air press against my ink stained hands. I walk down the the short street. As I walk, I pass the book binder. I am about to enter before I realise that Silas is supposed to be at my shop. I turn around and walk back to the shop. I walk inside as the musty air blows in my face. Than a man walks in, “Are you Gideon Ardall.” I nod my head “ Well I would like to have you print a book for me. I need 500 copies. I have it all right here. I need it buy next friday and I will pay you when I get it than.” “I’m sorry sir, but you need to pay me now. That will be 10 shillings.” The man’s looks up confused, then reaches into his pocket and pull of half the money. “I’ll pay you the rest when I get my books,” Then he walk out of the door. As he does that, Silas runs in.

Chapter two: SiIlas

I run out the door, “I’m late I’m late,” I think to myself. I burst into the door, “Hello sir, I’m really sorry that I’m late but I tripped on a rock and..” He cuts me off.

“You’re late,” He says “ Go over to the casing and take the stick, I have a new order of books to print and you need to make the first three pages, when you done, bring these to the book binder,” He says gesturing to a row of hanging pages. I nod and slowly walk over to the casing. I scan the casing. “Eyes on the book,” He says. I focus in on the words. On the first day of infection, you must take the mint. Than soak it in hot water and radish peels. I look up from the book having completed my first line of the stick. I walk over to the chase and place my stick besides the others. Gideon gets up and pulls a stack of inked paper down from the line above my head where they were hanging. He hands me the stack, “ Sillas, I need you to give this Theodosia the bookbinder.” I nod and run out the door. I run down the block, the stack of papers pushing against my face but I know that I can’t stop now. The faster that I get there, the faster that I can finish my work. I get there and I am greeted by the familiar scent of books. Theodosia meets me at the door and I hand off the stack of papers to her. I hand her the four shillings that Gideon gave that were meant for her. She smiles and walks into a different room. I walk outside and back to the press. Gideon sometimes talk about how he knows Theodosia. They grew up together. I think of this as I run into his door. “Here you go,” He says handing my a stick. I nod, then run over to the casing and finish the page. I look out the window and see the setting sun. I watch how the colors blend and realize, it is time to leave. I look over at Gideon. He nods signifying that I can leave. I run out the door and all the way to my home.