The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-07-28
THE WARRENTONS.
BY MRS. s. H. HOWELL, AUTHOR OF 1.-THE
YANKEE sCHooLMIsTREss."
CHAPTER /.

forward; but to look back, how short
it seems
Fifty years ago Azariah Warrenton
died; and all Bridgewater turned out,
to show respect for the old man, and
their sympathy Tor the bereaved fami-
ly in their affection. Country fune-
rails then were very different affairs
from the pageantry and pomp of
the present time. Death was en-
phatically the King Of Terrors, and
when his shaft brought down victim,
a shock ran through the entire CON-
munity; and as the bell toled its
solemn knell, all labor was suspended
till the last solemn vibration was
echoed back from the hills.
Seventy-five years before, Azariah
Warrenton came to Bridgewater, with
his axe on his shoulder, and pair
of strong, willing arms to WELD it.
He came alone. One or two settlers
had ''made a pitch before him,
felled a few trees, and constructed
log cabins as protection against the
inclemency of the winter. A new
conner was welcome, and the hospi-
talities of the rough cabins were
heartily urged upon him, till he
could erect one for himself. He
had his gun and ammunition, to pro-
vide game for sustenance, as well as
to defend himself from the attacks
of wild animals. An unbroken for
est was before him. The first pio-
neers on the New-Hampshire grants
were men of iron nerves and sinews,
and never recognized failure in their
creed. Warrenton's axe did good
execution, and by the time the snow
was fairly gone in the spring, some
two acres of the dense forest lay
PROSTATE on the ground. His neigh
bors owned a yoke of oxen, and on
the first of May, Warrenton's log
house was completed and his "slash"
was piled, ready for burning. Shaw
and Burnap were married men, and
had families, and as soon as the
ground was settled they started with
their oxen to go to Connecticut to
bring their wives and children to
their new homes, leaving Warrenton
in charge OF their claims, with no
other human being in the region.
1t was a lonely life for weeks, but
he kept himself employed by day
and slept soundly at night 1t was
happy hour, however, when he saw
his friends return, and he tried by
every means in his power to make
things as easy and comfortable as
circumstances would admit for the
women and children.
He boarded at Mr.. Burnap's, which
was nearer his land, and there were
not SO many children to provide for.
The youngest was six months old
baby, a delicate child; while two
boys were aged four and six years.
The children soon learned to love
Warrenton, who was never so happy
as when he had them with him.
Shaw had six children, and it was
hard work to get food to fill their
mouths, but many a string of trout
and a haunch of venison was carried
to their house by Warrenton, who
was successful marksman and
angler.
As yet no mention had been made
of the young mans having house
keeper of his own; he seemed con-
tented and happy, and was always
busy, sometimes making convenient
articles of HOUSEHOLD use, with which
to add to the scanty conveniences of
Mrs. Burnap's kitchen; there was
always, however, a duplicate for his
own cabin, which was really more
cheerful and commodious dwelling
than those occupied by his neighbors.
SO three years passed; cultivated
fields of grain now covered where,
short time before, the giants Of the
forest stood in majestic array; the
axe and fire had made quick work in
these forests, and each of the settlers
had log barn for securing their
crops. Early in November, Warren
ton babe his friends farewell, and
left for the haunts of civilization; and
did not return till the sun had dried
the dampness from the earth, and the
leaves we're budding on the trees.
He went out empty handed, but re-
turned laden. A horse, two cows,
a woke of oxen and a few sheep
came with him, and wife sat in the
we'll loaded cart, as it drew up to
Burnap's door.
For the next ten years they lived
in the log house. No one ever
knew where Azariah Warrenton and
his wife were born. People only
saw that they were good, kind neigh
bors, and Industrious. and we're get