Overview

Joseph Shorey of Maine: On the Kennebec is a coming-of-age story set in Maine in the 1820's. It's a story about real people and how they really lived. Joseph paddles up the Kennebec River with his best friend George, spends the winter driving a team of oxen dragging huge logs down icy roads, and the summer trading along the Kennebec in a freight wagon pulled by six horses. He meets Mary, the mysterious older woman that George wouldn't talk about, and The Lady Roxana, who captures his heart. Here's an excerpt: Hiram Orchard Willey had a long sharp nose, small squinty eyes, and a sharply pointed chin. He was so thin that he looked unhealthy, and he was short, even shorter than Jim. But that didn't stop him from stepping boldly in front of Jim and his Devons and commanding, Hey you, stop right there! Whoa! Jim stopped his team, but he wasn't happy about it. It was cold, it was late, and he'd walked a long way that day. The Shean's farm was just around the next turn, and he was looking forward to sitting down and having some supper. He glared at Hiram. And just who might you be? Never mind that! I want to look at these here cattle. You're Brackett, right? Ayuh, my name is Brackett. What's your interest in my oxen? Well, some of 'em might be mine. Are you accusin' me of stealin' my own cattle? Nothin' like that. They're kind of small, ain't they? Jim was starting to boil over. He reached out and poked Hiram in the chest with his ox goad. What's that to you, youngster? You better start explainin' yourself, or they're goin' to be findin' your poor bruised body by the side of this road. Hiram knocked the goad away. Don't be pokin' me with that thing! Joseph and his team had been slogging along about a hundred feet behind Jim. He saw a small man stop Jim and engage him in conversation. Their voices got louder and Jim poked the man with his goad. Joseph quickly stopped his own team and raced forward to help. As he ran he saw the man take a swing at Jim that missed and then saw Jim break his goad over the little man's head. Coming to a stop, Joseph stood there in the road by Jim, staring down at the small man lying motionless in the snow. What happened, Jim? Jim unconsciously waved the broken remnant of his goad. I'm not sure! That bufflehead stopped me here and accused me of stealin' my own oxen! Well, I hope you didn't kill him. Jim looked concerned. Would ya check and see if he's still breathin', Joe? Joseph squatted down. In the cold air, he could see faint puffs of breath coming from Hiram's open mouth. Ayuh, he's breathing. Now, what do we do with him? We'll take him to Betsey and see if she knows where he belongs. As crazy as he is, he's gotta have a keeper somewhere.

Full Product Details

9781499207125

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Countries Available