Morris tribune., 1881-01-27
BIG WOOD SLED.
How the Newly Converted Miser Was Over
reached

HOW the NeWiy-COnverted Mlser was over,
reached
Probably the largest wood sled ever built
in--county, says an exchange, was one
devised by Squire John Mcclellan, o great
uncle to Gen. George B. Mcclellan.
For number of years it was one of the
local curiosities Of the town of Woodstock,
Conn.,, the early home of the Mcclellan
family. The narrators father, who saw it
frequently when boy, says it was
nigh thirty two feet in length by three in
breadth. The beams were of squared eight
inch timber, with studs to match, and the
shoes" or runners, were over foot in
width. For drawing it there were two
tongues" or poles, in the forward end.
1t was never used save on one special oc-
casion, when the team consisted of fifteen
yokes of oxen.
The story of its origin is as follows:
In the parish where Squire Mcclellan re-
sided it was the custom every winter for
such of the men who had wood lots to give
the parson cord Of hickory wood each, and
thus make up to him winters supply of
fuel. The squire, in particular, was always
punctual in December with his cord of nice
" prepared hickory.
In that parish there was man who had
the reputation of being "snug," niggardly,
and apt to shirk his due share Of The burden
of paying the minister Indeed, mis- remiss-
ness in the matter had been a standing
grievance in the place for many years.
One autumn there was revival of relig-
ious interest in the church and many men,
bers were stimulated to earnest labor, and
live more strictly. Among these was the
penurious man above alluded to, whom we
may conveniently designate as Brother T..
| Not little to the establishment Of his
neighbors, who had had ample experience
| of his misery dealing, he arose in prayer
meeting, and exhorted to liberal giving, not
| only TO the parson, put to all benevolent
| objects. Waxing exceedingly earnest in
| language and tone, he declared, among 9TH
er things, that he would that winter give
the minister a load of wood. "Yea, breth-
rem, " he exclaimed, sThe Lord has opened
my heart! will give him load of wood,
and big one. Twill give him the biggest
load you can draw from my woods to his
yards"
This unexpected outburst from SO drouthy
source was the parish wonder for q
week. Many thought that Brother z
must be near his end.
Truly" said Squire Mcclellan at the
| deacons' meeting, "the Lord must have
opened Brother Is heart; but, " he added
with Characteristic Scotch shrewdness, 1T
may soon close, and may never open again
1t behooves us, in the parsons interest, to
avail ourselves Of it. Let us build sled that
will carry ten cords-and do it at once.
So thought the others. The monster sled
was privately hut expeditiously framed in a
back yard, and, early one snowy morning in
December, Brother WAS amazed to see
in town, drawing the titanic Sled accompa-
MED by shouting throng of teamsters, and
all the small boys in the parish.
The Squire was riding on the sled.
We've come for the parsons load of wood,
Brother T." he called out. You babe us
haul the biggest load we could, and I am
glad to hear that you have lately had fine
lot of hickory chopped"
Brother z, however, seeing the magni-
tude of the sled, tried to explain and to de-
muir, but in vain. The crowd roared him
into acquiescence, and with wry face he
finally led the way across the snowy fields
to his freshly corded tiers of hickory in the
lot.
1t is said that fully ten cords of wood were
loaded upon the big sled under the 'squires
supervision, and then, to the tune of most
vociferous gee having, the enormous load
doorway.
The worthy minister, equally amazed, but
more agreeably so, issued forth to learn the
cause of the uproar.
| Good people, good people," he cried,
rubbing his hands. what meaneth this:
Have the windows of heaven opened?"
NAY, nay, parson!" exclaimed the squire
"But the Lord has opened Brother Us
heart, and that to great gift could have
; issued from SO small receptacle is one OF
} the wonders of saving grace. Question not
but take it, and keep We warm"
The minister had roaring fires that winter
but it was long before Brother T. recov.
cred his equanimity.