Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-12-05
SELECT TAI b.
From Sdrtain's Union MAGAZINE.
The kennebec Captive.
BY REV. JOHN TODD, D. D.

some OF the most beautl1ul scenery 10 De
found in this or any land, is to be found in the
State of Maine. Her rivers are numerous
and great, her mountains lofty and imposing,
her sea coast iron bound and rough boldly
looking out upon old Ocean as he sweeps
along with tides and storms, and saying, 'Come
on, sir, and III give you hearty welcome :
her inland lakes still sleeping in the wilder
ness, are large and magnificent, her valleys
are warm and fertile, and her forests have
Welded to none in the world for the abundance
and goodness of their timber. Even now, her
rivers send out salmon and lumber for the use
of every part of the nation At very early
period in the history of our country, settlers
began to push up her beautiful rivers, and drop
down singly or in small groups, as they liked.
She was a wild province of Massachusetts
then; and her population, graphing with all
the hardshps of the wilderness, and of her Sc
we're climate, was very sparse. Far up the
enchanting kennebec, at very early day,
were two families who had emigrated from the
same neighborhood and who had long been
faithful friends. Old Mr.. Redfeld lived in a
comfortable, but in no way imposing log house
on the banks of the river. He was a kind
hearted, benevolent man, never believing the
world to be wicked enough to cheat him.
though almost every week taught him the op-
posiie doctrine. He labored hard, was a good
staband and father, a warm-hearted and hum
ble Christian and loving all men much, but his
God more. He honestly earned property, but
could aeEer make it stick TO his fingers. Ills
wite was noble-hearted woman, who had re-
Iinguished brighter prospects that she might
be happy with the man Of her choice. And
she had been happy. One by one their chl!-
drcn had sickened in the wilderness, and they
had carried them TO the little opening in the
forest which they had cleared for bnrying-
place. Ii was the first clearing he had made.
after reaching their new home; the briers and
Wild weeds were not allowed 10 grow there
At the time my story commences, Mr.. Redfcld
had reached the age of sixty or more. His
wife was len years younger. Only one child
remained 10 them, siaid, sober, quiet, yet
courageous boy, Of about ten years of age, and
he went By the plain name of Daniel Redicld.
Somewhat further up The river was house
Of greater prctensions. 1t was built Of brick,
glmbrcl rooted, and was surrounded by fruit
trees and gardens, spacions barns, and out
houses. Ii stood in a pleasant valley, under
the shadows Of a lofty mountain. The vale
had been cleared up, and the fields Of wheat
and corn, and the rich meadows of grass caused
the passer-by to stop and say, Squire Ord
way is well to do in the world The Squire
was man, who like his neighbor, Redfeld,
was honest and kind but in worldly wisdom,
he was far his superior. They had both come
into the wilderness poor; but one was rich,
and the other still dwelt under the shadow of
the hill Of wealth, without being able to climb
it. lis golden sands never seemed TO roll
down near him. But the Squire was up ear
" and late; and the man who sold him a poor
article, or a bad lot Of lumber, or a salmon not
of the first quality, must rise very early in the
morning to do it. Mr.. Ordway had a large
family of boys. They were not very polished,
for they had to rough it from their very infan-
cy. Mutual dependence and common priva-
lions, teach the pioneers of the forest to be
ready for any act of kindness which neighbor
needs and no kinder neighbors than the Ord
ways could be found on the kennebec. The
parents were proud of their boys, for none
could PROSTATE the forest, get out timber-logs
for the mills, hunt the moose, or catch salmon
with more skill than they. But the pct ofthe
flock was an only daughter, about four years
old. She was the youngest and last child,
wild as the forest blossoms about them, and as
beautiful too. Little Susan was the idol ofthe
family The father and mother early discov-
cred that she was "a remarkable child and the
boys received it as a fact not TO be questioned.
Hence they gathered flowers in the Spring,
berries and fruit in the Summer, nuts in the
Autumn, and planned slides and sled-drawings
on the ice in the Winter, for little Susan. :
grew up, she found a will of her own, and
that her little foot sometimes came down with
decision that was unbendng.
AS the two families advanced, it was plair
that the Ordways were to increase and spread
and grow wealthy 1t was as clear that tht
Redfelds never would. Daniel took to books.
Not that he disljked work, bnt he yearned 70
knowledge so that there was not book il
the whole region of whose contents he was no
perfect master, Happening to light upon
stray Enclid, the parents wondered much owe
the beautiful figures which he drew on th'
white birch bark gathered from the forest
Every pitch pine root which he found wa
carefully saved to give him light for study
after the labors of the day At the age Of sew
enteep. the father of Daniel began to droop.-
II was evident that he must die. Lake wis
man. he had set his house in order; and tn
only regrets which he had on TIE conviction
that he must die. were that he left his widow
and child so poorly endowed. But he kne'
the promises of God to be faithful, and his ey
of faith did not grow dim.
few days before he died, Squire Ordwa
came to pay his friend a visit. They had ney
er quarreled and had no malice to overcome
They had lived and loved like brothers, an
the tears which they now shed were of the tru
currency of the heart.
Il do not doubt it, said the dying man; {