College Papers - 'The Wise Men of Haddam Consider Uncle Ezra'

 

I should suggest good chapter heads

to all the chapters. H.V.A.

 

                                                     Chapter  1                    

                               The Wise Men of Haddam Consider Uncle Ezra

 

 “Wa’al Cap’n Joe, what’s yer prognostication in regard ter the weather termorrer?”1 challenged Uncle Ezra Pelham, as he finished tucking away his numerous    T  bundles of provisions2 in his trim little cutter and joined the group of Hadden patriarchs on the steps of William Jones’ general store. 3

“Had some idee of getting out ’bout half a cord of stove wood from the lot4 in the mornin,” continued Uncle Ezra stroking reflectively on his clean shaven resolute chin.5 C ¶ The moon had gone behind  T   a cloud and the wind coming over the snow clad hills made the6 old sign boards creak. Captain Joe Peters, retired master mariner, lighted a flaring7 Portland match and accepted the challenge by studying with dubious eye the barometer C that hung inside the sheltered porch. 8

“The wind’s pullin roun’ ter Nor’ard an’ breeze up and yer can cal’late9 F on a big storm termorrer Ez – this pesky glass has gone down more’n three notches since I looked at her ’fore supper.” 10

Uncle Ezra lifted his eyebrows whimsically and pointed in the direction of the11 ice bound Connecticut River which had been closed to navigation since the New York boat12 T made its last trip late in November and leaving the hamlet no other link with the outside13 world except the stage line to Langdon.14

“Right yer are Commodore Peters, yer observations from the bridge are15 confirmed by the chimneys on the fisherman’s shanties over there in the cove. The old16 F seed-folks uster say when I was a boy, look out for rough weather when the smoke from17 the chimney goes south. I guess I better be getting’ out Willer Road way, snow and Nor’easter allus come tergether.”18

With a cheery goodnight he jumped lightly as a boy into the sleigh and responding19 to the flick of his whip his clean limbed Kentucky mare sorrel colt starts on a lively space20 up the winding village street that followed the east shore of the river and off into the night.21

The patriarchs of Hadden resumed their seats in the nightly forum around Bill Jones’ big store.22

 

                                                                  _______________________

 

 

                             C = Character            T = Time element       F = Forecast

 

 

line 1 Introduces Cap’n Joe

line 2      “      Ezra

line 3{gives winter suggestion

       {location

4 and 5 C touches

6 Time element

7 and 8 C  touch re: Cap’n Joe

9 and 10 Forecast Blizzard

 

11-12-13-14 Time element and Setting

13-16-17-18 Forecast and  glimpse

of setting

19 C touch re Uncle Ezra

21 More of the setting

22 Transition  -