The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-04-28
From the PENNSYLVANIA Democrat
TIE ORPHAN WOOD CuOppEp

er OF whom died Of an epidemic then prevalent
leaving three children, two sons and daughter
III i1iorn ana destitute situation. BY this mel.
\ hhcno'y event, the management and support of
the family chiefly rested on the eld2r brother
'hch ABOUT eighteen years Of age Brought M
10 industry by his poor and pious parents, he
ana not for moment despnir, but believed that
the Almighty who had deprived them of their
earul'y protector, for purpose known ONLY to
h'uSe'i, would watch over Them in friendess
and destitute situation, and provide for them
| win proper industry on fheirpart At that time
the choppug of wood at the furnaces, offered
! me most constant employment, nHd he could
nave the company Of his little brother and sister
10 Whom he WAS much attached. Having left
the sma II log cabin which had been for many
years occupied by their parents, and which was
| ehdeared to them by the recollection of many
past events, they heiook themselves with their
litiie all, to the cooling ground ola neighboring
farmer, and become the tenants of cIeerless
tenement, compared with the one thew had lett
during the day, the elder chopped wood, and
me younger, assisting, MS far as his strength
would permit, while the sister attended to the
domestic concerns of their hut. In the evenings,
ana on days when the weather would not admit
OF outdoor employment the elder brother who
had received tolerabe English education in
the lite time ofhs parents, taught the brother
and slster-and his exerons were not spent in
VAN as the sequel will show.
With economy and proper management nj
inc expiration OF few years, they had accunu.
lated small fund in money, and upon consul.
talion, they determined to invest it in piece of
Western Lind. At TINT lime the attention OF
emigran's was directed principally to Indiana,
as offering the greatest inducements. Thither
then, the elder brother was to go, for the Dur.
pose of locating home.
Having taken an atfectonate leave ofthose he
most dearly loved on earth, departed 10 the Mo-
nongahela river, where he obtained passage on
flat boat bound for Cincinnati, and in due time
a of hat
to seek the Wabash country, for the most fertile
lands IN the state. Early the next morning he
set out for Vincennes, where the princip pal Land
Office Tor that region was located. Little ex-
perlenced in Journeying on foot, and buuyed up
with the pleasing idea of getting "A home for
himself and those whom he had left some hun
dred miles behind but whose welfare and hap.
pness, identified with his own, kept n plnce in
his recollecon-he pushed on at rate too
great 7even for an accomplished Pedestrian
TO Withstand. His ankles became swollen and
his feet much blistered. Aware of his scanty
means, and his great desire TO accomplish his |
end, he felt unwilling to lose time, and continu-
ing, aggravated the ilnpedimenr. until he was
THUS situated, he became depressed in spirits,
and almost ready to sink under dependency,
when he was overtaken on the road by plain
farmer locking gentleman on horseback. The
horseman, on coming up, thus accosted him in
benevolent aud kind manner, "Young man,
you appear lame and not well calculated TO
make much progress on journey" To which
the young man replied, informing him of the
cause of his ameness-that he was bound for
the land Office at Vincennes, for the purpose Of
entering piece of land as home for hmselfI
and a younger brother and sister, whom he had
left orphans in Fayelle county. Pennsylvania,
but that he had almost despaired reaching it in
his present crippled situation The gentleman
on horseback quickly replied-''We have the
same destination, l am also bound for Vincennes
it is yet twenty miles-here mount n,y horse
ANA ride from hither. | am much more able ito
walk than you, in your disagreeable situation"
The young man after urgent solicitation, placed
himself in the saddle and the plain gentleman
took it OH foot the rest of the distance to Vim
cennes where they arrived about nightfal. In
the morning, the stranger again accosted the
young man,-"You told me yesterday on our
Journey, that your ohect to enter piece of
land ! have some knowledge Of the country,
its location and advantages--if yon will accept
my aid, will go with you to the land office an,
select piece for you. 1t will save you good
deal OF trouble and some expense" The offer
was cheernlly accepted, and they proceeded to
the Office and made the entry. But mag inc the
chagrin and disappointment Of the young man,
when he came to paythe money 10 the receiver,
to learn the amount was deficient five dollars,
owing to Il counterfeit to that amount GA friend
in need is friend indeed The stranger per'
ceiving the dilemma of the young man, imnetli-
ately sad-"Be of good cheer-you informed
me that you were an orphan-that you have
come several hundred miles in search of a home
for yourself and brother and sister. You shall
not be disappon ed-it gives me pleasure to as.
sis, the orphan and destitute. Here ten dol.
lars which will enable you to clear out your
land and pay your way, until you can Obtain
employment, and rs have acquaintances here,
shall seek out place for YOU" He did so and
Obtained one-and the young man continu
ed in it until he had accumulated some money, {
which he RENTED to his brother and sister, and !
enabled them to join him. The piece OF land {
proved TO he valuable one-now finely i'm
proved and occupied by the elder brother and
his famy-respected and esteemed by their
neighbors. The sister was happily married,
and is enjoying the comforts Of lite, on a farm
in the same neig hborhood. The younger broth
or possessing the confidence of his fellow citi-
gems has been elected and is now performing
the duties of highly responsible office.
Reader! who was the stranger, that good man,
that plain republican, who disinterestedy
slept forward, and in the hour of need assisted
Al