John Todd was born in Rutledge, Vermont, into a family of several children. They later moved to the village of Killingsworth back in the early 1800s. At a very young age, both John’s parents died. The relatives wondered what they would do with so many children, how they could parcel them out to other friends and relatives. One dear and loving aunt said she would take little John. The aunt sent a horse and a slave to get John, who was only six at the time. The slave, Caesar, came and put the little boy on the back of the horse. On the way back an endearing conversation took place:

John: “Will she be there?”

Caesar: “Oh, yes, she’ll be there waiting up for you.”

John: “Will I like living with her?”

Caesar: “My son, you fall into good hands.”

John: “Will she love me?”

Caesar: “Ah, she has a big heart.”

John: “Will I have my own room? Will she let me have a puppy?”

Caesar: “She’s got everything all set, son. I think she has some surprises, too.”

John: “Do you think she’ll go to bed before we get there?”

Caesar: “Oh, no! She’ll be sure to wait up for you. You’ll see when we get out of these woods. You’ll see her candle shining in the window.”

When they got to the clearing, sure enough, there was a candle in the window and she was standing in the doorway. She reached down, kissed him, and said “Welcome home!” She fed him supper, took him to his room, and waited until he fell asleep.

Read the rest of this entry »