The Caledonian

From the Pennsylvania Democrat.

THE ORPHAN WOOD CHOPPER.

About fifteen or eighteen years ago, a family residing in Fayette County, the father and mother of whom died of an epidemic then prevalent, leaving three children, two sons and a daughter, in a forlorn and destitute situation. By this melancholy event, the management and support of the family chiefly rested on the elder brother, then about eighteen years of age. Brought up to industry by his poor and pious parents, he did not for a moment despair, but believed that the Almighty who had deprived them of their earthly protector, for a purpose known only to himself, would watch over them in a friendless and destitute situation, and provide for them, with proper industry on their part. At that time, the chopping of wood at the furnaces, offered the most constant employment, and he could have the company of his little brother and sister, to whom he was much attached. Having left the small log cabin which had been for many years occupied by their parents, and which was endeared to them by the recollection of many past events, they betook themselves, with their little all, to the coaling ground of a neighboring farmer, and become the tenants of a cheerless tenement, compared with the one they had left.

During the day, the elder chopped wood, and the younger, assisting, as far as his strength would permit, while the sister attended to the domestic concerns of their hut. In the evenings, and on days when the weather would not admit of out-door employment, the elder brother, who had received a tolerable English education in the life time of his parents, taught the brother and sister--and his exertions were not spent in vain as the sequel will show.

With economy and proper management, at the expiration of a few years, they had accumulated a small fund in money, and upon consultation, they determined to invest it in a piece of Western Land. At that time the attention of emigrants was directed, principally to Indiana, as offering the greatest inducements. Thither then, the elder brother was to go, for the purpose of locating a home.

Having taken an affectionate leave of those he most dearly loved on earth, departed to the Monongahela river, where he obtained a passage on a flat boat bound for Cincinnati, and in due time arrived at that place in safety. He was directed to seek the Wabash country, for the most fertile lands in the state. Early the next morning he set out for Vincennes, where the principal Land Office for that region was located. Little experienced in journeying on foot, and buoyed up with the pleasing idea of getting a home for himself and those whom he had left some hundred miles behind, but whose welfare and happiness, identified with his own, kept a place in his recollection--he pushed on at a rate, too great even for an accomplished Pedestrian to withstand. His ankles became swollen and his feet much blistered. Aware of his scanty means, and his great desire to accomplish his end, he felt unwilling to lose time, and continuing, aggravated the impediment, until he was so much stunned, he became depressed in spirits, and almost ready to sink under despondency, when he was overtaken on the road by a plain farmer looking gentleman on horseback. The horseman, on coming up, thus accosted him in a benevolent and kind manner, "Young man, you appear lame and not well calculated to make much progress on a journey."

To which the young man replied, informing him of the cause of his lameness--that he was bound for the land office at Vincennes, for the purpose of entering a piece of land as a home for himself and a younger brother and sister, whom he had left orphans in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, but that he had almost despaired reaching it in his present crippled situation. The gentleman on horseback quickly replied--"We have the same destination, I am also bound for Vincennes --it is yet twenty miles--here mount my horse and ride from hither. I am much more able, to walk than you, in your disagreeable situation."

The young man after urgent solicitation, placed himself in the saddle, and the plain gentleman took it on foot the rest of the distance to Vincennes, where they arrived about nightfall. In the morning, the stranger again accosted the young man,--"You told me yesterday on our journey, that your object was to enter a piece of land. I have some knowledge of the country, its location and advantages--if you will accept my aid, I will go with you to the land office and select a piece for you. It will save you a good deal of trouble and some expense."

The offer was cheerfully accepted, and they proceeded to the office and made the entry. But imagine the chagrin and disappointment of the young man, when he came to pay the money to the receiver, to learn the amount was deficient five dollars, owing to a counterfeit to that amount. "A friend in need is a friend indeed." The stranger perceiving the dilemma of the young man, immediately said--"Be of good cheer--you informed me that you were an orphan--that you have come several hundred miles in search of a home for yourself and a brother and sister. You shall not be disappointed--it gives me pleasure to assist the orphan and destitute. Here are ten dollars which will enable you to clear out your land and pay your way, until you can obtain employment, and as I have acquaintances here, I shall seek out a place for you." He did so and obtained one--and the young man continued in it until he had accumulated some money, which he remitted to his brother and sister, and enabled them to join him. The piece of land proved to be a valuable one--now finely improved and occupied by the elder brother and his family--respected and esteemed by their neighbors. The sister was happily married, and is enjoying the comforts of life, on a farm in the same neighborhood. The younger brother possessing the confidence of his fellow citizens, has been elected and is now performing the duties of a highly responsible office.

Reader! who was the stranger, that good man, that plain republican, who so disinterestedly stept forward, and in the hour of need assisted these orphans, and enabled them to fit themselves comfortably in life. Does not your bosom swell with gratitude for so noble a deed?

My friends, that stranger, that good plain republican was Gen. HARRISON. He who had been governor of a State, the commander of armies, had fought many battles in his country's cause, and never lost one, did not acquire the supercilious demeanor, which those in power too frequently do. He is still the plain republican, ever ready to assist the poor, and needy with his purse and his counsel.

Reader--the above is no fiction. There are those yet residing in Fayette county who remember these poor orphan children, and should you ever meet with them, they will relate to you, from overflowing and grateful hearts, this worthy deed of the good Gen. HARRISON.

This is the man whom the "people" are about to call to preside over the destinies of this great Republic. Is he not worthy of it?

ORPHAN.