By Laura Chase Smith, Dutton Press, 1903 Chapter IX DIFFICULTIES AND DANGERS Mr. Chase remained in New Orleans for six months before returning to his home in Poughkeepsie for his family. Meantime he had received the assurance of a competent support from the newly organized parish of Christ Church, New Orleans. Mrs. Chase then went with her husband to bid adieu to her parents and friends in Vermont and New Hampshire. Yet so frail was her condition and so strong her impressions of her brief tenure of life, that she finally consented to leave both her little sons with their uncle, Dudley Chase of Randolph (Center), Vermont. The children were nearly of an age, George was eight and Philander seven, interesting and beautiful lads. Judge of the grief of the mother's heart when she bade them good-bye, as she feared, for the last time upon earth. >From Randolph, on a hot summer day, Mr. and Mrs. Chase drove down the White River Valley to Cornish, the home of Mr. Chase's youth. Here were more farewells to be spoken; then on they went to Hopkinton, the home of his beloved brother, Barauch, where he baptized his two young nephews, and then onward to Haverhill, New Hampshire, where Mrs. Chase was seized with an alarming hemorrhage of the lungs. Fortunately the physician's skill relieved her from present danger and the young couple soon arrived at Boston. Mr. Chase in his brief visit had an opportunity of meeting with the "Johnsonain club, " (?), which must have been managed on the plan of that immortal genius whose name it had taken. Here were met the Elliot's, Dexters, and the Warrens of that day. September had passed before the couple reached New York. One must bear in mind the difficulties of traveling at that time. A journey from Boston to New York involved many days of continuous coach or wagon or horseback riding over rough roads, which, for a delicate, invalid woman, must have been exhausting, even dangerous. The brig "Friendship", whose Captain Mr. Chase knew and which had been selected fort he voyage, was found upon their arrival to have cleared all ready for sea, and he had only time to carry his invalid wife on board in his arms, leaving all his earthly possessions to be shipped on the "Polly Elisa," the next vessel "up" for New Orleans. Mr. Chase speaks of this circumstance as providential, as the latter vessel was wrecked, and its crew and passengers rescued after great suffering for many days. The cargo was entirely lost, including all of Mr. Chase's goods. "Happily the sea air, in spite of the great storm proved most beneficial to the invalid, and when the ship approached a milder climate, she who was so lately languishing under the effect of a wasting disease, was now in fine spirits, able to comfort those who had been of late caring for her, cheering all by her smiles, and alive to the beauty of the ocean voyage." Upon arriving at New Orleans Mr. Chase had the satisfaction of knowing that his wife's health was greatly improved, and he began his sacred duties under favorable auspices and with good courage. In the mean while their household goods had already been destroyed by the shipwreck of the "Polly Eliza." It was March before this misfortune was made known to Mr. Chase, -- when he met a little boy, a former pupil in his Poughkeepsie school, who was wearing his own son's clothes, which had been packed with the expectation that one of his little boys would come with his parents. To explain: The brig "Polly Eliza" had been wrecked upon the shoals of Point Sacco, the crew and passengers escaping to the shore. For many days there after these unfortunates were kept alive by the provisions made by Mr. Chase for his family, and kept from perishing by cold by the clothing in the boxes cast ashore by the waves. They were rescued from their dangerous position by a party of wreckers from Cuba, and finally, after months of suffering, brought to New Orleans. Mr. Chase lost his all -- books, furniture, maps, globes, provisions clothing. His purse was empty and his salary had been anticipated in expensive lodging ; he had no resources from abroad, or in the land whence he came, for at that time there were no benevolent societies nor generous missionary aid to help in such serious disaster. Under God, he must depend upon his own exertions. It was well that Mr. Chase was a born teacher. He did not lose any time in idle regret. He hired a small house, borrowed a little money, and began to receive pupils. In this undertaking the greatest difficulty was the impossibility of obtaining domestic service. Where all are owners of slaves, none can keep house without them. He must own them or hire them from others. If a man owned a good servant, he would not part with him, and a poor one was not worth having. To borrow money and purchase was the only expedient, except to give all up and leave the country. Aided by Mr. Dow, afterwards one of the wardens of the church, he was able to borrow of the bank, and as his school soon proved to be profitable, he was not under indebtedness. The Negro Jack was brought for $500, proved to be a model servant, was put into good clothes, waited upon the family for three months, and was both modest and manly; then he shipped himself upon the "Thomas Jefferson", just ready to sail for Liverpool, went with a fair wind and swift current down the river and out to sea, and was seen no more by Mr. Chase or his friends. This, under the circumstances, was a hard blow and humiliating as well, but it was not the end of the story. It was impossible then to predict that this insignificant event would, long years after, raise him from deep distress and be the means under God of greatly benefiting His Church. The school grew apace and larger quarters were soon needed. It thus became necessary to move into town. While these changes were in progress, a dear friend proposed for the sake of health and recreation an excursion after Mr. Chase's long confinement in school and public duties. Therefore, with his hired servant Jim and Captain C., he started gaily out in the pleasant month of May, 1808, for a short trip across the lake to Bookters Springs. No doubt the young men enjoyed the bustle of providing the tent, cooking utensils, and provisions fort his unusual picnic excursion with boyish pleasure, -- at least we hope so, in view of the "denouement" (?) of the story. With all things needed to make themselves comfortable, they passed though Bayou St. John's to the Lake Pontchartrain. Here at the military post of St.John's, they meet with great civility from the officers and the captains of the gun-boats on the lake, which is really a part of the Mexican Gulf and a beautiful sheet of water, abounding with excellent fish. >From thence the friends went on a board a small schooner to the Tickfaw River. A fine wind soon carried them through into Lake Maurepas, where they pitched their tent upon its shore, as the schooner could take them no farther. Here their pleasure ended and their trials began. The story from this time became distressing, all owing to the unlocked -for presence of a most disagreeable person. Life, in all times, and places, has people who are especially intended by nature and training to be the kill-joy of society. Here they were joined by a friend of Captain C., with his servant, who urged them to change their plans and visit him at his new plantation. The uninvited and disagreeable guest joined in urging this plan, as it coincided with his desire to show his own lands, and offered to bring his horses to aid the party on their way to Bayou Barbara, also promising to pilot them thither by a much shorter route by help of his compass. This person was "J," in the story, and the owner of Bayou Barbara was "Mr.D.," who strangely enough, although a charming and cultivated gentleman, yielded to the offensive patronage of J without protest. Then the order of march was taken up, first the intruder J. on horseback with a bag of Indian meal, under him and a compass in his hand, then Mr. D.'s servant with a ham on one shoulder and an axe on the other, then the hired yellow man, Jim with large tin cup, knife, and hatchet, flint and "spunk" to strike a fire. No matches in 1806. The rear was brought up by Mr. Chase on horseback, enjoying the pleasant company of Mr. D., who, with rifle over shoulder, walked by his side. Captain C.. had remained to attend to his business at Bookters Springs. (this story goes on; too long for one posting: to be continued!) Harriet M. Chase hatchase@uswest.net

Sorry folks. that should be # 14, 2 is right next to the one ^;^ Harriet