History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 24

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506

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"She smiled as she went back to her apples and said, 'Your father used to say the same when I was young.'

" Mike folded up the paper and put it in his pocket. 'Got any arrants up town?' he asked.

" 'Not to-night! What makes you go out when it is so windy and cold ?'

" ' Left one of my cowhides to the shoemaker's this mornin'. He said I could have it by eight o'clock.'

"He went out and set his face toward the town, talkin' all the way to himself as he. went. "Tis all fixed right now, and

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mother'll git that forty pounds, for didn't they promise it for any information on him dead or alive? and ain't she told 'em if they'll come and dig under her arly apple tree, the fust on the right side of the house, and ask her no questions, they'll find what they're lookin' for, dead enough, I guess! I'm awful sorry I hurt the wrong feller, but it can't be helped now. The post-rider will take the letter to Philadelphy short of a week, and by that time I can git mother's wood cut up for winter and be ready to step out afore they come to sarch.'

" Poor Mike, like all boys foolish or witty, loved his mother ; and all that week he went around doin' everything he could find to do for her, and she so happy! never dreamin' what sorrow the next week would bring, when her boy was found dead on the arly apple tree, hung by his own hands, for that was the way Micah Rood died."*

NO BLOOD-RELATION.

A good story is told at the expense of one of the Elderkins, whose position and popularity in his native town was assured, but whose habits of conviviality were a little too marked even for those festive days. On town meeting occasions and sea- sons of general muster it was not uncommon.for him to be escorted home by some boon companion of firmer poise. On one of these occasions it was necessary that he should have two such supporters. When they reached his door they were met by his wife, one of the proudest and most aristocratic of the Windham dames, who said to them with great dignity of manner, " Bring him in, gentlemen ! Bring him in ! But thank the Lord he is no blood-relation of mine."

THE FINE.

Some people are always prating about the "good old times," as though the world had been moving crab-wise all the years of the nineteenth century instead of marching triumphantly on from good to better. But my dear old-time worshippers, let us say respectfully, those times were not all good; only to you they may seem so, standing out as they do, memory-crowned, on the blessed hills of youth. We like to hear you speak of them, although we look on the Past with the eye of the Present, and

* The Rood apple is still found in many orchards with the mysterious red spot, which has given rise to so many homely stories.

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regret not the days of pain and penalty gone to rest with bar- baric ages. The following is a simple, unvarnished tale of the eighteenth century.

A hundred years ago the young people of one of the parishes of old Windham went on a whortleberry expedition to " Tolera- tion Hill." It was on Saturday, a very bad day in those times for pleasure going, inasmuch as the Sabbath, commencing at sun- down and continuing until Monday morning, might not be ap- proached in lightsome mood nor the hem of its sable garments be touched by week-day fingers with impunity. Nevertheless the grand berry party of the season came off on Saturday in order to accommodate the village schoolmaster, who was always allowed a portion of the day for shaving, shoe-blacking and other needful preparations for the "Day of Rest."

The schoolmaster was a new comer to Connecticut, and was already a great favorite in the little inland village which he sought the spring previous for the benefit of his health, as well as to visit the resident physician, who was a friend and classmate of his father. Either the climate suited him or some local at- traction detained him beyond the period of an ordinary visit ; and when it was proposed to him to take the Center school for a year, he accepted the offer, and at the same time commenced the study of medicine with his father's friend.

Young Sears was just the person to take in a rural community, not altogether on account of his good looks and polished man- ners, but for a genuine heartiness that recommended itself to the plain common sense of the people. The young folks liked him, and drew him out as often as possible to their evening par- ties and merry-makings, and no one enjoyed a primitive game of forfeits better than he, no one could sing "Rose in the gar- den " with such fullness of expression or richness of tone, and not the best player of them all could sooner detect the magic " button" when flying rapidly through maiden fingers.

The young teacher had made many friends, and but one en- emy ; that was the son of the first tithing-man, who was also one of the wealthiest farmers in the parish. No one except the young man himself had any suspicions of his feelings toward the stranger until the whortleberry party began to be discussed, when his aversion and its secret cause became too apparent to be mistaken. The proposition to have the party on Saturday instead of Thursday, as heretofore, brought Enos Webb to his

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feet. He said the schoolmaster counted but one anyway! They had always managed to get along without him, and could again. His words met with no favor, the young men all declaring that Doctor Sears should be one of the party, if they had one.

That same evening Enos, in his Sunday clothes, was seen directing his steps toward the home of Sallie Bingham, the ac- knowledged belle of the parish. It was the occasional walk of the teacher in that direction which had aroused the young man's jealousy and ill will. A few days before, he had spoken to her of the anticipated party and expressed a wish to join it, adding at the same time that as he was a stranger to such gatherings he hoped she would teach him the etiquette.

Nothing would have given her more pleasure; and now, be- fore anything had been said, Enos must step in to interfere. While the young man was making his bow and getting at the subject, Sallie was resolving in her own mind not to join the party at all if it came off on Thursday.

" I've come to ask you to go a-huckleberrying," he said at last, taking the offered seat.

"It will not be convenient for me to go on Thursday," she replied, coolly.

"Then I'm happy to tell you 'tain't till Saturday, though I, for one, opposed its being put off so till the heel of the week. But there's some folks round here that think nothing can be done without that city chap. Furthermore, I told 'em in the store this morning that we allus had got along without outsiders, and I guessed we could agin. The fools wouldn't listen to me, and if some on 'em don't git fined afore the scrape is over I'm mis- taken, Miss Sallie."

"I wouldn't go if I felt as you do, Enos," she replied.

" Wall, I don't care much about it, nohow. So if you'll stay to home I will; and see then how much they'll make out of their spark. What do you say, now?"

"I make no promises."

"You don't, hey? Then we'll go! You'll ride behind, I s'pose ?"

"No, indeed !" she answered, sharply. "If I go at all I shall ride my own pony. Fret loves the woods as well as her mis- tress."

"But she's too young and frisky for such a scrape. Better have your pillion buckled to my saddle and go safe. My mare s sure."

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Sallie preferred her own way, and said so; which ended the colloquy.

Saturday dawned bright and pleasant. As soon as the dew was dried the young people began to gather around the village inn, their place of rendezvous. Their hands were full of bas- kets, some of which were filled with "good cheer; " for never did a New England party go forth to the fields without plenty of refreshments. The berry-pickings of the last century were the picnics of an utilitarian age, when pleasure subserved use. The whortleberries were the plums of the Thanksgiving pies and cakes in the early history of our country.

The departure of the company was watched with interest by the villagers, who were curious to see what young lady's pillion was strapped to this or that saddle, for thus were more lasting alliances often foreshown. Some exclamations of surprise had been indulged in before Sallie Bingham stepped on the horse block and poutingly took Fret's bridle-rein from the hand of Enos Webb, Doctor Sears standing near to see her safely mounted. Webb was not at all pleased with the idea of a part- nership, and said gruffly : "I say, now, doctor, if you ain't got a girl of your own to look after, you ought to had. I can take care of mine, anyhow !"

" If you have no objection, Enos, I would like to have Doctor Sears take this heavy basket from the horn of my saddle," Sallie said. "Fret won't bear the pounding of it against her side, and I see you have a number of your own to carry while he has none."

" Didn't I tell you at the outset the critter was too coltish for a scrape like this? Better have her turned to clover now, and borrow a pillion and go sensible like other folks."

The mirthful expression of Sears's face, as he quietly took the basket and mounted his own horse, restrained the tempest which was ready to burst from the indignant girl, and the three rode on in silence.

It was a merry cavalcade, certainly, and slightly grotesque, as it wound along the road and up the rugged hill to the far-famed berry pasture. Shouts of merry laughter fell back on the ears of the disaffected Enos, who exclaimed at last : "They're having fun alive ahead there, and that's the way to go a-huckleberrying."

"You are right!" Sallie responded, ashamed of her own ill humor, and her merry laugh soon rang with the loudest. Be-

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fore the pasture was reached they were at peace with one an- other and with the whole world.

Alighting under the shade of the tall oaks, they turned for a moment to gaze on the magnificent panorama of field and forest spread out in the surrounding distance. No lovelier landscape can be found in all the country. The hill was soon dotted all over with industrious gleaners, but as the sun grew warmer the gentlemen insisted on the ladies sitting beneath the oaks, while they loaded their arms with bushes and bore them thither. A huge pile was reared, and two or three of the gentlemen in turn were detailed to preserve its dimensions. Sears was ready to go with each band of marauders, always asserting his fingers were too clumsy for picking.

"Let him go if he wants to," Enos said ; when the ladies pro- tested against his cutting another bush. "He's got a first-rate knife-a real two-blade."

" He's wanted here now, to help spread the cloths for lunch- eon, hand down the baskets, and pare the cucumbers," they said ; and the young man was soon following directions. The repast was worthy the fair hands that provided it, and they lingered over the tables, toasting in the currant and gooseberry wine the mothers at home, until it was suggested there was more work to be done. Then the broken food was voted to the " Mooches," a family of Mohegan Indians, whose cabin was was in the neighborhood, and labor was resumed.

Before the baskets were all filled the tall oaks cast long shad- ows eastward, and they must hasten home before sundown-a moral necessity, beside which the winter berries were of little consequence. The gentlemen went to saddle the horses, and it was soon announced that Sallie Bingham's pony had slipped her bridle and was missing. Enos wore a look of blank dis- may.

"Didn't I tell you in the fust place the critter warn't fit to come to a place like this," he said, tartly. "We're in a pretty fix now, Saturday night and almost sundown! What's to be done about it ?"

" Fines to be paid !" returned Sallie, with as grave a face as she could command. "You know you said, Enos, some one would get fined before the scrape was through."

" I never was fined, Miss Sallie, and more'n that, I never mean

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to be. If you can ride home behind me bare-back, say so, and we'll be off."

" I cannot," she replied, curtly ; "but I can walk." There was mischief in the young lady's eyes. She had little fear for the safety of Fret, who had been known to slip her bridle before.

"I think the matter can be arranged comfortably," the doctor said, with his customary gallantry. "I will put Miss Bingham's saddle on my horse, and walk beside her with the baskets. We have a full moon and I can return for my saddle in the even- ing. Will this suit?"

" Not me," growled Enos, who perceived he was getting the worst of it.

" I think it a slight improvement on riding home bare-back," Sallie said, archly. "But I don't mind the walk in the least my- self ; I am fond of walking."

The young lady's saddle was brought and put upon the doc- tor's horse without delay. The others were mounting in hot haste, for the shadows of the oaks were stretching longer and longer with a warning to transgressors. Heavily laden, the horses descended the rugged hill very slowly, but as soon as the level road was reached they were put to as great speed as the safety of belles and berries would admit of. It was of no use. The sun was nearing the edge of the horizon, and before they reached the village was quite lost sight of. Enos rode all the way in dogged silence. They had fallen some distance behind their companions, notwithstanding the doctor's best endeavors to keep up, for Sallie refused to ride forward and leave him on foot and alone, and Enos determined not to leave her behind with his rival. The situation was ludicrous. Sallie enjoyed it, and rode slower and slower every moment, joking about their forlorn appearance. "Don't you see, Enos, there is Constable Hibbard keeping a vigilant eye upon us, as the law directs? I dare say this very minute he is saying to himself, to hear how it will sound, 'Be it enacted, that if any young persons shall con- vene, or meet together in company, in the street or elsewhere, on the evening next before or on the evening next following the Lord's day, or on the evening next following any public day of fast, and be thereof convicted, the same shall suffer the pen- alty of three shillings, or sit in the stocks not exceeding two hours.' Which will we do, Enos? I don't think there is much choice."

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The doctor laughed heartily, and inquired how she had learned so much statute law. "It is the first thing taught us after the catechism," she said; "taught, you know, by express legislation, and comes under the 'Act for educating and gov- erning children.' My father was a justice of the peace."

The fear of stocks or fine did not rest heavily on the young lady's mind as she rode leisurely along, attended, as she de- clared, by both horseman and footman, the eight o'clock bell ringing all the while. Aunt Zipparah, who had reared the mother- less girl from babyhood, met them at the door, wondering what had happened to detain them, and thankful it was nothing more serious. Fret was in the pasture. The good lady insisted on the gentlemen coming in to supper, as the doctor must be tired after his long walk, and Sol should go back for the saddle mean- while. The invitation was accepted by both, Enos remarking he wasn't in the habit of being out Saturday nights but seeing as the doctor was going to stay, he guessed he'd jine him, adding " he didn't s'pose it would hurt a fellow any more to be hung for an old sheep than for a lamb."

The supper passed pleasantly, their hostess helping her young guests bountifully, while inquiring as to their success, and speak- ing of the pleasure she had in such berry parties when she was younger. An open bible was on the stand, with her silver bowed spectacles beside it, suggestive of the Sabbath begun in a teachable spirit. Although reared in the strictest Puritanic school of the age, her faith was without bigotry or fanaticism, her religion full of charity and good works. Her brother's motherless child had crept into her warm heart and filled the place of a broken idol.

In the interval between morning and afternoon service the next day, the town officers consulted together in regard to the trespass of the berry-party on the holy time the night. previous. They were not agreed, the majority considering it meet subject for fine, while the minority pleaded accidental detention. As minorities do not rule, the offenders were waited upon the next day and their violation of statute law suitably impressed on their minds by the imposition of the sum sanctioned by legisla- tive authority. The fines were paid without demurring, and sixty shillings found their way that day into the public treasury.

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STORY OF ABIJAH FULLER.

Of the seventeen cousins that Hampton sent to the revolutionary army, several were athletes. Ralph Farnham was the heaviest man of the Connecticut soldiery, and the only man in the army that his cousin, Abijah Fuller, could not throw in a wrestling match. This same Fuller was Dana's orderly sergeant, and all night preceding the battle of Bunker Hill helped to draw the lines of fortification on Breed's Hill and the line of defense to repel any flank movement of the enemy. Putnam delighted to call him "one of his best boys," and their friendship was as lasting as their lives.

When at the battle of White Plains his cousin Ralph fell wound- ed, he lifted the big fellow to his broad shoulders, determined not to leave him in the hands of the enemy. Powerful as he was, he was unable to keep pace with his flying regiment, and the bul- lets fell about him like hail as he gradually fell behind his com- rades. "Leave me, for God's sake,'Bije, and save yourself !" was the earnest entreaty of Farnham. "Not while Abijah Fuller can put leg to the ground !" was the determined reply. And so the retreat went on, the hooting and shouting of the enemy in their ears.

Exhausted at last, and hearing his pursuers close at hand, he laid his wounded cousin gently on the ground, turned and shot the foremost, then took up his burden again and went on until he neared an enclosure, when, dropping the wounded Goliah once more, he loaded his musket, turned, and picked off the next in pursuit, the enemy shouting and firing continually. Entering the sheltering barn yard, he deposited his wounded relative under a cart, while he again loaded his trusty gun.

" Leave me here and fly !" once more entreated his comrade. " It will be sure death to us both if you do not. Save yourself and good-bye !" There seemed no help for it. Fuller was ut- terly exhausted, for the poor fellows had gone into the recent conflict without food or drink, hungry and barefoot. His arms felt powerless; he could scarcely lift his gun. Bidding his friend a hurried farewell, he started to flee, and his long strides would soon have put him beyond pursuit had not the derisive shouts of the enemy maddened him. Turning his steps, he sent another ball to the heart of the third man-a ball which ever after was a wound on his conscience. "I was out of their reach,"

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he would say, when telling the story, "and they had taken no notice of Ralph. It was me they were after, and I was so mad at their mockery I had murder in my heart, and shall have it to answer for at last, for it was not a shot in self-defense, like the two first." This he always affirmed.

With three of their number killed and the giant rebel too much for them, the British soldiers picked up the bodies of their dead companions and retraced their steps to the victors of the day, while Fuller conveyed his cousin to their broken regiment. Fifty years after the battle of Lexington, on the 4th of July, 1826, forty-two hoary headed veterans, under their old leader, Abijah Fuller, with Nat Farnham as drum major, Foster* and Faville as fifers, put on their revolutionary regimentals, and, with a tattered battle flag, marched up and down the main street of Hampton to the music of " '76." Some of them were battle scarred, halt and lame, but their hearts beat as high for Freedom and Independence as they had done fifty years before, when they first responded to their country's call. Persons who re- member the impressive scene assert there was not a dry eye among the numerous spectators. When the marching was done a feast was spread, and with something stronger than water in their old canteens, they drank to the memory of Putnam, Knowl- ton, Dana and others of their illustrious leaders and friends who had passed to the invisible army beyond.

The simple and social habits of Windham county favored lon- gevity. A number of the revolutionary soldiers neared a cen- tury. Abijah Fuller is said to have become quite religious in his old age. Always somewhat opinionated, he waged war against a salaried ministry, insisting it was every man's duty to preach as he had opportunity. His fellow townsmen, loving the old man, and wishing to gratify him, urged him to go into the pulpit, and had a meeting appointed for him. Everybody went to hear what the old soldier was moved to say. A hymn was read and sung, a prayer made, and then he essayed to speak. Looking down on the eagerly upturned faces, he grew nervous and forgot his train of thought. Hemming and hesitating for awhile, the honest old fellow said at last, "My friends, if any of you think as I did, that preaching is an easy business, just come up here and try it ! I don't find it so."

* Joseph Foster was one of twelve sons, who, with their father, all bore a part in the war of the revolution. Their united service undoubtedly exceeded that of any other family in the country.

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SABBATH-BREAKING.

An early official of the town, a venerable judge, was surprised one Sabbath morning to see a man driving a small flock of sheep. This was an offense against good morals not to be overlooked, and the man was at once apprehended and informed that the sheep must be impounded, to which he quietly acquiesced. To do this was more easily said than done, as the creatures belonged to a genus described in Scripture parable, "A stranger will they not follow, for they know not the voice of strangers." The old gentleman called and called, but the animals ran the other way, baa-ing piteously. The congregation was just assembling for morning worship, and the judge shouted for help. A general hubbub ensued, the frightened sheep scattering in every direc- tion, while the Law ran hither and thither. It was an uncertain chase until the owner of the flock came to the assistance of the weary officer and his auxiliaries and quietly called the poor ani- mals into an enclosure, where they rested until the "Lord's Day" was past, and the fine for Sabbath-breaking was imposed and settled.

A later and more ludicrous story was the following, told by a well known citizen of Windham, as a warning to young officials whose zeal sometimes outstripped their wisdom.

When newly appointed a justice of the peace, he felt it his duty to enforce the Sunday laws with rigor. Seeing a stranger riding past his house one Sabbath morning, he accosted him officially, inquiring his name, place of residence, and wherefore he was breaking the Sabbath contrary to law. The man replied very frankly, giving his name, place of residence (Ashford, Conn.), and his reason for traveling that day his father was ly- ing dead there. His replies were satisfactory, and he was allowed to proceed.

Not long after, the young justice was at Brooklyn attending court. The affair occurring to him he inquired of an Ashford lawyer if he knew the person he named and described, and was answered in the affirmative. "He has lately buried his father, has he not?"

The reply was a stunner. "Why, bless you, his father has been dead twenty years."

The judge, when telling the story at his own expense, added that it taught him a good lesson, and that whenever he saw a

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person riding along quietly and peaceably on the Sabbath never to interrogate him.

STRONG MINDED WOMEN.

Strong minded women are not the exclusive product of the present. Windham county scored a few in the past. One of these was the wife of Jethro Rogers, the most inoffensive man in Canada parish. Tradition speaks of her as a virago of the most turbulent type, who ruled her husband with a tongue of flame. If a visitor approached the house, she usually managed to drive him out; but on one occasion the advent of the min- ister gave him no time to escape, so he was ordered under the bed. Weary of his hiding place, he ventured at last to look out, but her eyes met his with a " How dare you ?" For once his tem- per was up, and he exclaimed : "You may wink, Mrs. Rogers, as much as you've a mind to; but as long as I have the spirit of a man in me I will peek !"

The minister did not stop for prayer.

On another occasion, when sick to death of her abuse, he ventured on some words not found in the catechism. The wo- man's surprise was supreme, and she exclaimed fiercely, "Not another crooked word, Jethro Rogers!" But the little man drew himself up to his full height and said proudly, " Ramshorn, if I die for it ! "

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History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 24

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: New York, Preston Number of Pages: 1506

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506