Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-05-21
MISCELLANY.
FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRAT.
THE ORPHAN WOOD Chopper


About fifteen or eighteen wears apo. a FAM
lily residing in Fayette County, the father and
mother OF whom died of an epidemic then
prevalent, leaving three children, two sons
and daughter, in forlorn and destitute sit
nation. by this melancholy event. the man.
agement and support of the family chiefly
rested on the elder brother, then about eiqht-
cen years Of age. Brought up to industry
by his poor and pious parents, he did not for
moment despair, but believed that the Al
mighty who had deprived them of their earth
y protector, for purpose known only to
himself, would watch ever them in their
triend,ess and destitute situation. and provide
ton them, with proper industry on their part.
At that trne, the chopping of wood at the
furnaces, offered the most constant ernuloy-
ment, and he could have the company and as
sistance OF his little brother and sister TO
~<whom he was much attached. Having left
the small log cabin which had been for MANY
years occupied by their parents, and which
was endearsd to them by the recollection of
many past events, they betook themselves
with their little all, to the coaling ground of a
nelgnboring farmer, and became the tenants of
cheeTiess tenement, compared with the enc
they had left. During the dav, the elder
chopped wood, and the Younger. ASSISTING as
lar as his strength would permit, while the
sister attended to the domestic concerns Of
tneifhut. In the evenings, and on DAYS when
the weather would not admit of outdoor en-
pioyment, the elder brother, who had receiy-
ed tolerable English education durjnG the
lie time OF his parents, taught the brother
and sister-and his exertions were not spent
In vain as the sequel will show.
with economy and proper management, at
the expiration OF few years, they had accu-
mulated small fund in money, and upon
consultation, they determined to invest it in a
piece oil Western Land. AT that time the at
Iention OF emigrants was directed, principal
~ to Indiana, as offering the greatest induce
ments. Thither then, the elder brother was
TO 60 Tor the purpose of locating home.
Having taken an afectionate leave of those
ne most dearly loved on earth, he departed to
the Monongaheia river, where he obtained a
passage on HAT boat bound for Cincinnati
ana in Que time arrived at that place in safety.
lie was then directed to seek the Wabash
country, for the most fertile lands in the stste
Early the next morning he set out for Vincen-
mes, where the principal land office for that
region was then located. Little experienced
IN Journeying on foot, and buoyed up with
me pleasing idea OF getting home for him
sell ana those whom he had left some hundred
miles behind, but whose welfare and banni-
ness, identified with his own, kept a place in
ms recollecton--he pushed on at a rate foo
great Tor even an accomplished pedestrian to
Withstand. His ankles became swollen and
his ieet much blistered. Aware of his scan
~ means and his great desire to accomplisb
MS END, ne felt unwilling to lose time. and
continuing, aggravated the impediment. until
he was scarce able even to hobble alone.
Thus situated, he became depressed i,
spirits, and almost ready to sink under dos
Pondency, when he was overtaken on the road
by plain farmer looking gentleman on horse
back. The horseman upon coming M. thus
accosted him in benevolent and kind man
he[ ;, oung man, you appear lame and not
wen calculated to make much progress on a
Journey 10 which the young man replied.
informing hlm OF the cause of his laueness
that he was bound for the land Office Of
Nneennes, for the purpose of enterino =
piece OF land as home for himself and .
younger brother and sister, whom he had Iect
orphans In Fayette county, PennsvIvania
but that ne almost despaired of reaching il in
MS present crippled situation. The gentle
man on horseback quickly replied. eve
nave the same destination, am also bound
for Vlnccnnes--it is yet twenty miles-here
: mount my horse and ride from hither. am
Yuch more able to walk than You. in vour
dlsagreeable situation.'' The voIno man
after urgent solicitation, placed himself in the
saddle, and the plain gentleman took it afoot
the rest OF the distance to Vincennes. where
they arrived about nightfall. In the rnorn;rcr
the stranger again accosted the Young man
GU told me yesterday on our journey. that
your object was to enter piece of land. |