The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-08-07
THE TWO BRASS KETTLES

It was a queer structure-the old Minot
house in Dorchester. 1t was really brick
house incased in wood-a fort house it was
called. 1t was built in this way to protect
the jewellers against rude Indian assaults
There is but one house standing that resem-
bles 1.-THE Cradock mansion in Medford.
There were many such houses in the old col
onies, but one by one they grew gray with
moss and vanished The Minot house itself
was burned about twenty years ago, after
standing about $50 years.
The old people of Dorchester and Neponset
must remember it, 1t rose solemn and state
ly at the foot Of the high hills overlooking
the sea meadows. The high tides came into
the thatch margins near it and went out
again, leaving the abundant shell fish spout
ing in the sun. The fringed gentians grew
amid the aftermath Of the hay fields around
it. The orioles swung In the tall trees in
summer time, and ospreys circied and
screamed In the clear sky over all.
But tho orchards-here wcrc the fullness
and perfection OF the old New England or
chards The south winds OF May scattered
the apple blossoms like snow over theemerald
turf. and filled theair with fragrance The
earliest bluebirds came to them, and there
the first robins built their nests How charm
ing and airy it all was in May, when the days
were melting into summer, and how really
beautiful and full of life were all of these
venerable New England honest
After the old house was burned Visited
the place, and brought away o few bricks as
a souvenir of home of heroic memories of
happy memories, too, If we except single
tragedy of the Indian war. The great or
chards are gone, the old barns and their swal-
lows; only the well remained, and heap of
burned bricks and tho blackened outline of
the cellar wall
1t was house full OF legends and stories
wonder tales that once led the stranger to
look upon it with kind Of superstitious save.
1t had its historic lore, but the most thrilling
legend associated with the old walls was
known as "The Two Brass Kettles The
legend may have grown with time, but 1t was
well based on historic facts, and was often
told at the ample firesides of three genera
tions of Dorchester people.
.Uncle zebedee, y piped.
.Well, dearien
"Aunt said that you would tell us the story
Of The Two Brass Kettles after dinner
"Why, dearie, yes, yes I've been telling
Didn't you never hear It'll thought all little
snas ~ Ano" "N0us su"'- A"o avn Dless
Kettles, yes.
iheyre IN the old cupboard now.
Drihs .hem ouC, ana "iiiteh you all ABOUT
EN-. shant I'VE 10 tel that story many
more years maybe 1 snail never tell IL
again.
Inc servants Drought OUT the TWO kettles
INTO the sitcnen, where We could see them
through tne VIDE oining room door.
fup EN- In the mlddie Oh inc moor before
inc "inuow, SAID ohcle Aepedee. 'Ihere,
tnap WIN 90. ihat Is just where tney were
wnen the lnaian came.
GU SEQ the WINDOW no added.
~ naa great ueep set easement. Grape-
vines nun curvnineu ~ now on inc OUTSIDE,
ana tne siahting sun snone tnrough them, ITS
beams glimmerihg on tho oid silver OF the
taDie' ~ WIS past tne niiuoie OF inc AFTER
noon ssx u ,ne shortening Gays 9. autumn.
LOU pnVe nh heara Oh rniiips war De-
gan Uncle Ieoedee, leaning forward from
nischair on ms crutcn. Everybody has
si, tarro, pSi,, e'ety nsars
ava,vy,a,. No p,,a se,,d al, ,shas. '', ~
..,a,,id .t-,I,a 800 T,s ,,s.,.s - sg..,, ~
,,rrir, shont 4, t,,a woods i. ,o,,t, a,,t -
~ - $500 '.', ..aa ~ s ouso "
crea lmassac ere ''-'> '' ''''''' : ''''
ssl,na SnnJav IN Jnlv IN 1a7s tha Family
won't 70 neating iaavino two email chiidra,,y
a how and cirl az hone IN charaa - -,
maid named Ernarience The kitchsn then
uos as Won SEQ n now The window was ,,r mem
sthe two brass kattles had haan Sconrsd Ps -,
SATURDAY -and r,laced botfouo Nm, unwards ~ tba
door inst as Won SEQ Them there
al was /. l,Iazino Iuly dsv INA hav felas
were silent There was an odor ~ hay ,-t,s
IN the air and the bobo,inks I s,,n,oss tom Ton,
nled about IN the orass and red ,vI,red h,ac[-
birds mined among the wild wavsida roses
inst ms thew do now wish that Won could
have seen the old bay fields IN fhe lone .Inlv
AFTERNOONS ali scent and sunshipe. n MAKES
:. - 49, go ' ''-'''e, ~ 1.A. .S