Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-10-11
LITTLE JOEL.
BY GEORGE w. CHAPMAN.


In the autumn of 1885 there might be
seen, in that part of the "Western Re
serve" lying some twenty miles south OF
Lake Erie, where the uniform level of the
land begins to break down towards the
CuyahOga valley, q small dwelling house
of rather more than ordinary prctcnslons,
standing by the roadside and partly sur
rounded by a young apple-orchard just
coming into bearing. That it wis afrlnle-
house made 1t an exception to the general
rule of the neighborhoed a coat OF red
paint gave it its air of pretension.
Ii was, in fact. country store anu
dwelling combined; and Il small frame
barn, and horse-shed opening towards
the road for the accommodation OF custonl-
crs, gave the place an appearance OF busi-
ness prosperity quite III advance OF the
surrounding country.
That part of Ohio was then compare
lively new. A few .'clearings," scattered
at intervals along the lines of the future
highways, might be traced by the smokes
that arose from burning log-hcaps; be-
yond and around lowered the prineval
forest, dense, hOary. unbroken, and un-
veXed by AK or brand since the departure
of the mOund-builders.
Joel Wait, the owner of the red store,
was one of the earliest immigrants. lie
was born i'm Massachusetts, not far from
the Connecticut River, of Puritan ances-
tors in whose blood was no cross. He was
the only son of pious father. who con-
ferred on him his own name and world OF
godly counsel and little else. The family
had been respectable from the time old
Ben. Wait, the fifth of that name-count-
ing upwarls-had invaded New England
and waged an mcompromising wal
against wolves, witches and Indians; but
like many other good families, having ell
joyed its period of prosperity, 1t was tllei
on the wane.
Being the youngest of the family ard an
only son, Little Joel''-fOr SO he wa:
called to distinguish him from his father
was humored and caressed rs only only
sons are, and became the spoiledchild of thu
family. His education was neglected be
cause he disliked to go 70 school; an'
finding useful employment of any kin'
irksome. he was permitted by his over
indulgpnt father to r;unblc about TN
fields and woods, with an old rusty gun il
his hands, under the pretence of hunting
OF course Little Joel married early; bu
no children were born to him rs the resul
of his marriage. and the love that ha'
been temporarily transferred to Martin
Gray-that was the name of the girl VIII
consented to join her fortunes with his
was again returned to his dogs and hi
gun. And when at length his good oil
father ended his earthly pilgrimage am
went to Join the ransomed, his only so
gathered together his loose property an
made a ..vendue.' 1t was already befor
this time custom among the young me
Of New England who sought to bette
their fortunes. to ''eo West;" but the az
nmplishment of so considerable an under
liking by one possessed of so little energ
al perseverance as Little Joel, was
narvel to all his acquaintance. fo
having procured canvas-covered sled,
which he yoked pair of Oxcn- he bestowe
therein his remaining worldly effects an
his little. submissive wife. and Calling n
two dogs, he departed. one stormy Januar
day. on journey which extended frol
the banks of the Connecticut River
Northern Ohio. which, weary and foots0r
he accomplished just as the last SHOWS I
March were melting. m
Little Joel did not invest largely in re;
estate. He had come to Ohio to hun
but he must have a homestead, and Ian
was cheap. He purchased few acres
the forest-indeed, | believe he had COZ
traeted for il with a Yankee speculator b
lore leaving New England-and, with Il
a'u oi few neighbors. he erected lC
nousc, INTO which he moved while 1t W
III an diminished state. The building
s'cil mouse was the work of little mo
man single day. The settlers We're
gl.d 10 welcome an arrival that they 7
nneu nun with open arms. and it W
'ieir custom 10 turn out and donate the