The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-06-01
,snnire Mmallan,s Sled.

Probably the largest wood sled ever
built in--counfy, says an exchange,
was one devised by Squire John Me-
Clellan. a great uncle Of Gen. George
Is. Mcclellan.
For o number of years il was one of
the local curiosities of the town OF Wood
stock. Conn. the early home OF the Me-
Clellan family. The narrator's father.
who saw 1t frequently when a boy, says
1t was nigh thirty-two feet in length by
three in breadth. The beams were of
squared eight-inch timber, with studs
10 match, and the .'shocs'' or
were over a foot in width. For draw
ing Ii there were two Tongues" or
poles. in the forward end.
II was never used save on one special
occasion, when the team consisted of
fifteen yokes of oxen.
The story of its origin is as follows:
In the parish where Squire Mcclellan
-esidsd IL was the custom every winter
ior such Of the men who had wood lots
% give the parson n cord Of hickory
wood each. and thus make up to him II
winter supply of fuel. The squire, in
particular, was always pnnctual in
December with his cord Of nicely-pre-
pared hickory.
In that parish there was a man who
had the reputation of being snug"
aiggardly, and apt to shirk his due
share of the burden of paving The
minister. Indeed, his remissness in
This matter had been a standing eriey-
sncc in the place for many years.
One autumn there was a revival OF
religious interest In tho place. and
many members of tho church were
stimulated to earnest labor, and TO live
more strictly. Among these was the
penurious man above alluded to, whom
we may conveniently designate rs
Brother l.
Not a little to the establishment of his
neighbors. who had had ample expert
snce Of his misery dealing, ho arose in
prayer-meeting ono night. and exhort-
cd to liberal giving, not only TO the
parson, but to all benevolent objects.
Waxing very earnest in language
and tone. he declared. among other
things. that he would that winter give
he minister n load Of wood. yea,
brethren" he exclaimed, Tho Lord
has opened my heart! / will give him
. load Of wood. and a big one. l will
rive him the biggest load you can draw
from my woods to his yardsr'
Truly" said Squire Mcclellan Of
he deacons' meeting. 'the Lord must
have opened Brother z heart; but"
,,e added. with characteristic Scotch
shrewdness, sit may soon close. and
nay never open again. 1t behooves us.
In the parsons interest, TO avail our
.elves of it. Let US build 4 sled that
will carry ten eords-and do it at once"
So thought the rest. The monster sled
was privately but expeditiously franz
I'd in q back yard. and. early ono snowy
morning in December. Brother Z
nas amazed to sec drive to his door
apparently all the OK teams In town.
drawing the titanic sled, accompanied
by q shouting throng Of teamsters, and
I'll tho small boys in the parish.
The Squire vas riding on the sled.
wood. Brother p" he called out.
You babe us haul the biggest load we
,ould. and i am glad to hear that you
have lately had u fine lot Of hickory
chopped"
1t Is said that fully ten cords Of wood
wcre loaded upon the big sled, undcr
tho 'squire's supervision, and then, to
Tho tune Of a most vociferous gee-haw-
ing, the enormous load was successful
" ledded to the parsons doorway.
The worthy minister, equally amazed.
but more %agreeably SO, issued forth to
learn the cause Of the uproar.
''Good people," he cried. rubbing his
hands. ''what meanoth thisp Have tho
windows Of heaven %openedr
may. nay. parsony' exclaimed the
squire; .'but the Lord has opened
Brother rs heart, and TINT SO great
o gift could have issued from so small .
receptacle is one Of the wonders Of
saving grace. Question not, but teke
II, and keep ye warm"
The minister had roaring fires that
winter, but it was long before Brother
q recovered his equanimity.