The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-07-28

to time, and they always found Mr..
Warrenton's house open to welcome
strangers, and his wife ready to COM
fort travel-worn settlers, in both
body and spirit.
Azariah Warrenton was an emerge
tic, public-spirited young man, and
his enterprise and observation-disclosures
soon established him as leader in
the community; no plan was formed
or scheme started without its being
laid before his judgement. New
settlers we're constantly arriving, and
emigrants from the more thickly
settled colonies sought the New
Hampshire grant to establish them
selves a home in the fertile country.
The Warrentons were always ready
to extend helping hand, and often
whole days were spent by Azariah in
exploring the forests with some new
conner, and marking off lots; while
the emigrant families were left in the
hospitable charge of his wife.
When the chartered town called
its first meeting, Warrenton was
unanimously elected Chairman, and
from that time, for sixty years, he
was always elected to fill some Office.
For years after the State Legislature
was established, he was chosen Repre-
sentative of Bridgewater, and for
several years sat in the Senate Cham
Der at Montpelier as Senator from
Windsor. Not until old age had
made such duties a burden too heavy,
did the voters of the town allow him
to retire from the stations of public
trust and honor. He said in town
meeting: "My friends, for fifty years
I have tried to serve you faithfully
in every station to which you have
been pleased to elect me. am an
old man now, seventy.fve. Let the
younger men assume the duties. |
desire to rest from public labors and
enjoy the quiet of my home" But
for twenty years longer he went to
both town and freemen's meetings
regularly, and cast his vote; indeed,
the meetings were not called'to order
till Judge Warrenton entered the
townhouse.
No wonder Bridgewater went inio
deep mourning when the good old
man was carried to the village church.
yard, to lie by the side of his beloved
ones, who from time to time had
been carried from his home, to rest
in dreamless slumber; for Death had
been frequent visitor in his house
hold.
Twelve children had grown up to
manhood and womanhood in his
home. The log cabin had a long
time before been succeeded by a
wo-storied house, such as the pros.
porous pioneers prided themselves on
erecting; and fertile fields had for
years yielded bountiful harvest, to
fill the capacious barns, that showed
the passer-by that their owner was
rich man. The neighboring proprie-
tor, Burnap. however, was not con-
tented with his situation, and after
few years sold out to Mr.. Warren
ton, and moved to another part Of
the State; so that the Warrenton
farm became the largest in the town.
A stream of water that flowed through
the Burnap lot was admirably suited
for milling, and its enterprising pro-
prietor had both grist and saw
mill erected, which proved an avenue
of wealth.
One day Shaw had brought grist
to mill, and while his grain was being
ground, he stood in the adjacent
lumber yard, where thousands Of feet
of boards and planks were piled
ready to be drawn offby the first sled
ding. He saw Warrenton come down
the road, and turn into the yard. He
was driving fine horse, but held up
as he caught glimpse of his old
friend, who said:
III was just thinking, Azariah, what
poor Burnap would say if he could
drop in and see these mills, and the
business that is carried on here"
Warrenton replied: 81 have often
thought of that myself. I tried my
hardest to keep him here. l told
him would help him put up' the
mills, and volunteered to build the
dam and fume at my own expense,
if he would stay"
ooh, he was bound to gol / wish
/ had his chance here" said Shaw.
"Some people are born with silver
spoon in their mouth, you know"
Warrenton laughingly replied:
"You and l, Shaw, have to buy ours
if we have them"
Well, l have not got one yet, and
probably never shall. If had been
halfwitted, l might have owned this
farm instead of mine. Burnap
wanted to change with me the first
winter; he liked mine the best, be-