The Republican journal., 1896-06-04
UNCLE SAWYER,

Uncle Sawyer was man who lived in the |
''long ago" He was quiet unassuming |
man, who seemed to enjoy life in attend !
ing to his own business He was not a |
wealthy man, but gained livelihood by !
the sweat of his brow. 1t could we'll be |
said that he was the noblest work of God |
for he was an honest, upright man. He
was Familiarity called "Uncle Sawyer"
alike by the aged and youthful The last
of his life l lived near him nearly a
score of years, ard never knew what his
given name was. In early manhood he
built home, and selected ''life partner
to share his joys and sorrows. AS the
wheels of time rolled round, five sons and
two daughters gladdened their home.
One Of the daughters passed away in the
bloom Of youth: the surviving one settled
and was one of the women who helped to
make the world better. The eldest son
was minister in the Free Baptist de-
nomination. The second son was a promi-
nent man in the town where he resided
anu dlI OlllCtl III lut ClNll wal. lut UHlIu
son resided at their home to care for his
parents The two youngest sons sought
their fortunes in the ''far West
Uncle Sawyer never publicly protested
religion, that | know of; but no doubt he
had living faith, and he certainly had
works to 60 with it. He did what st.
tbnca n, Il
who professed to love the Master, - he
added to his faith virtue and to virtue
knowledge and to knowledge, temper
ance; and to temperance patience; and to
patience godliness; and to godliuess,
| brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kind
ness, charity. Uncle Sawyel's virtues
shone brightly in the family circle; he
was kind and pleasant there His COM
panon was an invalid the last years of her
life; he treated her tenderly, and spared
no pains for her comfort. After giving
up the cares of his farm, his busy hands
found plenty of work to do Every spring
he engaged in making maple sugar, and
while the season of making it lasted he
lad as many callers as Job had in tile days
Of his prosperity.
Near Uncle Sawyer's home was an old
| time grist mill. The owner Of it had
| large family Of children. The older ones
belonged to the feminine gender. When
old enough they We're very useful in tend
ing the mill for their father. as he had
large farm to look after. The girls Of
those days were interested in helping their
parents to bear the burdens of life In
the haying season it was not uncommon to
see girls in the fields ral1ing and loading
hay. In planting time they made them
selves very useful in dropping the seed to
be covered.
The old time farmers went in for home
made cloth. The girls would do the
| spinning and weaving. They felt that it
was no disparagement to engage in any
kind of honest labor The mothers of
many of our smartest men We're farmers
daughters, who thought it an honor to
help tighten the burdens of their parents.
lit tlti MIN lids IolS ago gone 10 tie
cay. The placid waters of the little stream
where it stood are gently flowing some
distance away where the stream unites
with a larger brook. The owner of the
mill and his companion and most all of
the children have gone to that bourn
from which no traveller returns.
Uncle Sawyer and his invalid wife were
cared for by their son and his companion,
but no grandchildren gladClened their
hearts by their winsome ways in the old
home. For some years time brought but
few changes to the aged couple; but after
while uncle Sawyer was taken suddenly
i'll and in a short time he reached the end
of life's journey. | shall never forget the
calm, peaceful look on his countenance as
he lay shrouded for the grave. His COM
panion soon joined him Cover there"
After the two youngest sons returned
from the golden regions" they moved
with their brother, who resided at their
early home) to distant town and engag-
ed in mercantile business They We're
successful and became wealthy men. All
of uncle Sawyer's family have been ferred
across the dark river except the two
youngest sons and the widow of the eldest
son, who has reached the four score limit
of human life. The sons have reached
their three score years and ten.
Stockton Springs.