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Neo Yor1< U609 (716) ♦82 - 0300 - Phone (716) 288 - 5989 - Fax I The * riMrig of a Canadian The Making of a Canadian BY JOSEPH ALLEN Illustrated ij ELMER RACHS ALLEN PUBLISHING 00. NEWARK, N. J. 1918 PREFACE A PREFACE IS usually about as useful to a book as a fifth wheel to a coach. For few readers ever take Vmt J^li x/f'^^'^'r' 5"^ writing this book, entitled The Making of a Canadian/' I think it only fair to myself that I should make a few explanations, and I will make them in as brief and concise a manner as possible-as a slight balm to ease or relieve my own rather sensitive conscience. For many of my numer- ous fnends have inferred that in writing this book of stones, that they are nothing more nor less than bio- graphical episodes in my own experience. This is true to a certain extent, but not altogether. The stories, with one or two exceptions, describe incidents in which I took an active part. And the exceptions were related LT ^-^^ P"^^"P^"^«'' with whom I T.as quite tamihar. The characters F.-crrrayed in my book were all hvmg, moving, animated beings, with whom I was personally acquainted. I have introd-ced them scnbed them just as I found them. But for fear of causing pam or offending their sensibiUties, I have given them ficritious names. I also draught the book would read better if written in the fi«t person, and therexore was compelled to have a narrator, and have pvcn him the name of "Jack Arling" (who is aHve PREFACE to-day)» and can vouch for the absolute truthfulness di the stories; also, that the people, places, and incidents are faithfully described and that the conditions o^ life then existing in the different parts of Canada, as por- trayed by me in the pages of this book, were absolutely true at the time. I have written "The Making of a Canadian" at the urgent request of many of my most respected and honored friends, consisting of ministers of the gospel, lawyers, doctors, business men, and a prominent author. I was traveling through Louisiana, Texas, and other Southern states some time agc^ and this particular author was my traveling companion. He had traveled extensively in all parts of the world. As my wanderings had carried me over a good part of Europe, as well as the United States and Canada, naturally our omversadon drifted into reminiscmces of personal experiences in y arm in hi. strong gnp to keep me from (Mnf Lhns. Die Snow-shoe Races * But when we jumped the stoiie will "^i' j^U " •kunmed through the air . . . '« Wha I h«I fimshed d„ „cital, d,e «lked'ove; " to me and held out her hand It must have been midnight when k da;,n«i upon fo^ T'.""' let in tW. Wg And^^d. tha^ grabbed'one of my revolvers and "* from that h.gh rock into the .«ahing, tyrb^ lent waters of the chasm below. . ' ,„ dZ!"°^^i^.'°°",°''"' '"<' as I «ooped ' Now you are nqr own sweet wile.". jgg THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN CHAPTER I OUR FAMILY Dragoon Rqpm«t1^X^' and decided S retire fmJlJT <>f Canada •he City of Mo„ "eal Tmfn "1 ^ » named WiHUm A^iL rl^"^ ^/""^ father). He h"d rn^t i't ?ri"1"''^ t""" ""^ «>n,e of tl,em aided him fi«^'lS? ^-^ out into life at'b^M^^aji'r 2 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN For several years father devoted the whole (tf hit time and attention to his business, and became very prosperous. But whenever he could spare an evening, he would usually wend his way up to the home of a family named Durand, consisting of Mr. and Mn. Durand, their two sons, Alfred and Charles, alto two daughters, Tilly and Mary — Mary being the youngest. Mary was a charming young lady of eighteen sum- mers, a very light blonde of medium height, and, like all Canadian girls, the very picture of heddi. She was particularly noted for her beautiful complexkm and rosy cheeks, which flushed into a deep carnation at the slightest provocation. She had light blue eyes, and a wealth of light brown hair, slightly tinged with gold, all of which made her very attractive, and her friends pronounced her "a very beautiful and charming young lady." She and father had been engaged for over a year, and as soon as he realized that success had crowned his efforts, he built a neat and comfortable little home. He and Mary Durand were married at the Methodist chapel. Father was an honorable, sincere Christian gentleman; a man whose word was as good as his Ixmd. He was revered by all for his sterling, upright, and Christian character, for all through his years of service in the army he received more requests to call and administer religious consolation to the sick and the dying soldiers than the chaplain of tJie raiment, for he had the confidence of both officers and men. And now, in private life, he carried his religion into his home and lived it out in his family and with his friends and neighbors. He was always kind, courtecMis anc^ OUR FAMILY j f^mll,, cu ner time and thought to her fanuly She ™ •crupulously neat and tidy a finl housekeeper, a great worker, and zZ^yn Lt j never remember seeing her idle ^u. ^ ^ given .he nrJ^f advent into our familv T , roiiowed her »d «l«.ed in her Tst, of i^l.T"'' mTried A. superintendent *d ^LlTrfT, - busmess enterprise, and la»r ^ k?*?^ . * oldest boy in the uX 'h. Z ^^ZS'^'-f' Kr/'go^-'n^e 1 "•""-V-^t'S a constant companion Wk rn,^ "wyhood days my I ««. »»V."°U^^'^,'^»'-y«-oId wiuM once constituted 4 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN himself my pers^« covered with table oilcloth to keep the candy from being spoiled when It rained. This same oilcloth had likely done good service on the family table all through the former decade, and perhaps lon'^er, for a Habitant is very trugal and makes every penny tell. As rime passed, I grew up to be a strong, husky lad and was twelve years old at this rime, and with my ^ sister bophie (of whom I was very fond) attended the same school. She was two years younger than I but we w«e always great chums. The school was a large building of brown granite with two wings. The eastern wmg was occupied by the girk and the western by the boys. The central building was used as a con- cert hall, or music room. We lived a mile and a half from the school and had to walk each way every day s^TZ^"" «ot a lift by climbing on the tail end li some wagon or sleigh. Sophie couM run and climb as 8 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN well as a boy, so she was no hindrance in an enter- prise of this kind. A constant feud existed between the English- speaking boys and the French-Canadian boys, they calling us "Paddys" and we calling them "Canucks." Whenever a Canuck caught a Paddy alone (for they would always run if they met several Paddys), they would attack him at once, so that a fight on the way to school or return was a weekly occurrence, for we had to pass one of the Canadian suburbs both going and coming from school. We always carried our books bound together with straps and whenever we saw a couple of Canucks making for us, I would hand the books over to Sophie, and, as we expressed it, "wade right into them." I could usually handle one or two of them for I was considered a pretty good scrapper, but if they once got me down and it looked as if they were getting the best of it— this is where Sophie's fine work would come in, for she would belabor them over the head with the books until they were mighty glad to jump up and make a run for it. After she had beaten all the dust out of my clothes and helped smooth my hair, to make me a little more presentable on entering the school,We would then continue our journey, chatring as though nothing of an unusual nature had happened. The motto in all schools at that time was: "Spar^ the rod and spoil the child," and the rod was not spared to any great extent— so that you could notice It— but was in evidence a good part of the time during school hours. For the most trivial offense the boys were beaten and sometimes in a most brutal manner. EARLY SCHOOL DAYS 9 always with a rawhide whip, and on the bare hands. The boys all prided themselves on being able to stand a good liclcin', as they called it, without letting out a angle whimper, and taking their medicine like men. My chum, Herman Hager, who sat at the same desk with me, was a nice fellow and I was really fond of him. He was just twelve years old, but quite tall for his age and had jet black hair and eyes, was always nicely dressed and neat and clean, and was blessed with a very kindly disposition but was a very delicate boy and very nervous. He and I were fast friends; he was a good student and helped me frequently with my lessons and I reciprocated by sharing with him any fruit, candy, cake, or anything that I had which I thought he would like. One morning I brought some very fine apples to school with me, and I might digress a little to say that in all my travels I have never tasted finer apples than are grown on the Island of Montreal— beautiful m appearance, luscious, filled with juice, and the flavor unsurpassed. As usual, I divided with Herman (it was against the rules to eat anything in school hours). Our mouths were full and our jaws were working overw time, when we thought Mr. McGinger was not looking m our direction. Mr. McGinger was the head master. Poor Herman, trying to get another apple out of his desk, pulled his slate out instead, and it fell with a crash to the floor just as McGinger was concluding the morning worship. He certainly brought that prayer to "A^^*^ a*>"»Pt conclusion, hardly taking time to say Amen," and jumping to his feet demanded that the boy who had made that terrible distrubance at prayer W THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN rime stand up at once. I really thought that poor Wwman would die of fright; his face had a sickly, jwhy appearance, and be was trembling aU over as if he were gomg to faint. I did not know what to d<^- 1 was so sorry for him, and I could not utter a sound for my mouth was so full of apple I could not even [TwaBow ,t, but at last succeeded in dropping it into my t^ifTr ^ r?*"^ being tru hful frank and smcere. and I was, for father had drilled that mto me from my earliest recollection, but I could not bear to see the pain and anguish as expressed on my chum's face,— so I stood up. McGinger was in a towering rage by this time, his face was beet-red, his hps were abnost white and he was bitmg them to keep them from twitching. He had a scowl of wicked cruelty, which changed eveiy feature of his face to one of demoniac ferocity, and, looking down at me, as soon as I stood up, roared out: "Arling» are you the boy that made that disturbance?" I did not reply as I did not wish to tell a deUberate falsehood, but stood there looking him straight in the face, not trom bravado, but his eyes were so piercing they held my gaze and cast a charm over my senses in the same way that a snake does before striking its victim with Its fangs. McGinger, absolutely beside himself with uncon- trollable passion, said: "Come up here, sir, and I wUl make you answer me when I ask you a question!" bo I walked up to tiie platform with all the Dutch courage I could muster, stiU looking at him in a sort of helpless way, but gritting my teeth and firmly resolving never to flinch. * EARLY SCHOOL DAYS 11 The boys were very much excited and were watching the performers in this little tragedy with the most heartfelt sympathy for me, knordng I was in for a terrible "lickin*." As soon as I stood in front of him he took the long rawhide out of his desk and said, "Hold out your hand, sir!" which I did, and with all the wicked venom in his nature, and all the strength of his arm, he brought the rawhide down on my hand. I could just fed the flesh and skin swelling up into a great welt. There was perfect stillness all over the school, with the exception of a suppressed sob which came from one of the lady teachers, with whom I was quite a favorite. I looked at her and smiled, but her face expressed the most intense pain and mdignation. "Now, sir," said McGinger, "hold out the otherl" and he brought the rawhide down on my left hand with the same force he had used on the right. "Now, the other!" he said, and so on until he had struck me eight '«jws, four on each hand, and the most vicious blows . aad ever witnessed, but I never allowed a whimper or a sob to escape my lips, nor a tear to even well up into my eyes, although suffering the most intense pain. But the boys had worked themselves up to such a pitch of excitement by this time, they had to give vent to it, or explode. It started with a few stray hisses, which gradually increased in volume until it culil^ted in a wild cheer, when they realized that I had not cried but took my medicine, and was game. This outburst acted on McGinger like a red rag to an infuriated bull, and he stumped up and down the platform like a caged tiger, beside himself with suppressed rage, when all at once a heavy fall was It THE MAJBSQ OF A CANADIAN heard at the rear end of the schoolroom and a rush TO made by the boys and teachers to the place where Herman and I sat, and they picked up the Kmp form of my dear chum, Herman. He had faUen from his seat m a dead faint. They carried him out to the hallway and It was quite a long time before the doctor (who had been sent for) was enabled to restore him to conscious- ness. McGinger tried every way in his power to bring the school to order, but failed. The boys had become uncontrollable. As he could not quiet them down, he had to dismiss them and allow them to go out to the playground until their indignation had subsided. McGmger was glad enough to have an excuse to retire himself, which he did at once, and just as soon as he had gone, Miss Southeriand, who had expressed sym- pathy for me, came over at once, putting her arms around my neck, hugged and kissed me, saying it was "wicked ! wicked I" This act of sympathy and kindness 80 affected me that I broke down and cried like a baby and said between my sobs, "Miss Southeriand, please excuse me for crying, I can't help it. I am not crying because of the lickin', I wouldn't have cried if he had killed me, and I don't know what is making me cry now." She held me tight in her arms and said, "Don't cry, dear, I know, I know! He is a brute and should be locked up in jail; he is not fit to have charge of a school." My sister Sophie and her companions heard of the beating McGinger had given me, for it was whispered around unril it reached the giris* department. Poor Sophie was almost beside herself with grief. I found EARLY SCHOOL DAYS 18 her, and her little girl friends, watting for me outside, when the school closed for the day. When they saw my fwollen hands, cut in places where the end of the rawhide had penetrated, their indignation knew no bounds. They swarmed around me like a lot of little ministering angels, trying in every way to let me tee how sorry they were and how deep was their sympathy, and if McGinger had only been near enough to hear their opinion dT him, he would not have felt very much flattered. There were to many girls in the crowd that I felt a little bit embarrassed and tried to pass it oflPai something that could not be helped and not worth making a fuss about, but failed in impressing them. Of course both father and mother were highly in- dignant, but did not like to express themselves in my presence, although they and my sister Laura talked the matter over and arrived ?t the conclusion that I had committed some boyish pi^nk, or great breach of discipline, for I had not tried up to this rime to excuse myself in any way, nor did I intend doing so; for by this time I really began to think that I had committed some great crime by baiting McGinger, refusing to answer his questions and acting so stoically during the time of punishment. Father felt very keenly the disgrace that (as he thought) I had brought upon myself by my acts, and as soon as supper was over and family worship concluded, he said, "My son, come into the library; I wish to have a little talk with you!" My heart began to thump, for I thought I was certainly in for another pun- ishment. As soon as we were seated (he in his big arm- chair, and I on a little stool by his side) he bent down. 14 TBI MAKINO OP A CANADIAN and in his kind, fatherly way, drew me close to his •ide and said: "Now, Jack, my son, tell father all about It." I said, "Well, I was eating apples." "But surely," he said, "he did not give you such a seme punishment for eating apples? Now, my son. what else did you do?" "Well," I said, "Herman dropped his slate during prayers." " But son, what had that to do with it?" My eyes and throat were beginning to fill up by this time, and the "crime" I thought I had committed looked bigger than ever. "Well, you know, McGinger ordered the boy that had made the disturbance to stand up, and when I looked at Herman he was so white and trembling so hard, I thought he was g-wg to die; and,— and,— I said,- -Mc- Gmger looked so wicked, I,— I was afraid he'd kiU poor Herman, for you know Herman couldn't stand a lickin', and,— and I just stood up, and then McGinger •houted, 'Are you the boy, Jack Arling, that made the disturbance during prayers?' But I never said a word, for you told me never to lie, and I didn't, but I just stood there, and then he called me up and licked roe." Father looked at me for quite a while, and I saw two big tears in his eyes. After a while he said, "And so, my little son, you took the punishment that Herman should have had." But I said, "You know, father, he couldn't stand it!" Father did not reply. He was looking down at the floor, and the tears were running down his cheeks; but suddenly lifting me on his lap, folding me in his arms, and kissing me on both cheeks, Mid: "My dear, dear little son, you did a mighty brave thmg, and I love a brave boy, and, under the dtcum- stances, I think I would have done the same thing KABLY 8CB0OL DAYS u mjn^ Yet you came pretty near telling a lie by ■tanding up, but I know God will forgive you." I felt tremendoualy relieved, for I really thought 1 was in for another punishment— not looking at in the light father had, but never for a moment thinking I was entitied to any praise, having a confused idea in my mmd that I had only done what any other boy would have done under the aame ciicumatancet. My hands were pretty sore, though mother and Laura had washed and bathed them in warm water, rubbmg them with liniment and binding them up nicely in bnen bandages at toon as I returned from school; but I scarcely felt the pain, I was so delighted tliat father was not angry with me, for I had such a desire never to do anything that would in the slightest degree cause him pain or sorrow, for the greatest ambi- tion of my hfe was to show him by my acts the great love for him which dominated my heart and life. Father, mother, and Laura had quite a long talk after our interview in the library, and as soon as I went back into the big living-room ! was treated with evegrmark of affection by every one of the family. When Sophie and I returned to school, she told her companions what I had told father, and it veiy soon spread all over the school. The boys tried in tbdr crude way to let me see that they approved of what I had done by all kinds of little attentions and kindnesses, by giving me apples, candy, and cake, offering to loan me a new ball, cricket bat, Uicrosse, or anything they possessed that they thought I would Uke; in fact, I was quite popular not only with the small boys of my own age, but with the big boys who did not usually 16 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN pay us youngsters much attention, but now, when I passed them, they would pat me on the back and call meaUttle"brick." I could hardly understand die changed conditions, for my conscience had really been troubling me, think- ing I had done something terribly wrong in being so obstinate, refusing to answer McGinger, and thought I deser^'«;d some punishment, — but not quite so severe as I had received. I did not think for a moment that by standing up and taking the punishment for a crime I had never committed was anything out of the way, reasoning in my boyish fashion that somebody had to do it, — that Herman was so delicate he could not stand it, and I knew I could, and being his chum it was up to me to do so. Herman had not been to school since. Some of die boys told me he was very sick. There was nothing very unusual about this, for he was frequently laid up. So, after school one day, I called to see him. His mother met me at the door and as soon as she saw it was I, put her arms around my neck and hugged and kissed me, calling me all kinds of pet names, and saying I was the bravest little man she ever knew. Then she told me that poor Herman had such an attack of nervousness and fright when it happened, that he was unable to speak, although he had tried hard, and had absolutely become tongue-ded and could not utter a sound. His nerves were so completely unstrung, as he realized the great injustice of it all, that he simply collapsed and fell from his chair in a dead faint, and had been so sick ever since, the doctor ordered that he was to be kept perfecdy quiet, for- EABLY SCHOOL DAYS 17 bidding him to talk to any one, and on no account to allow me to sec him for some time. I went home, and . i!d mother all about it. She kissed me and said J had bette. run out and have a play with the boys I efcre supp ei. and, at the same time, telling me not to talk any mere about it. She was beginning to be afraid that all the petting and praise which I was receiving would turn my head and make me vain; but it did not, for I really did not under- stand what it was all about. But it did have this effect: Receiving so many expreraions ng fnnge or tassels to hang down the left side. We wore kmckerbockers and two or three pairs of heavy knitted stockings reaching above the knees, held up by straps of the knickerbockers buckled tightly around the leg just below the knee, and last, but not least, instead of boots or shoes, soft buckskin moccasins, with fancy designs worked on the tops, or vamps, with colored porcupine quills. The moccasms, of course, were made by the Indians. This was a picturesque costume, purely Canadian, and just suitable to the climate. Betnc so well protected from the cold, we spent most ofour ttme outdoors and ha^ * 3 to dig the snow away from the front and back of tl,e house to Uberate the inmates we coMtdered nothing strange or unusual, for we were THE BIG BLIZZARD 97 itrong, husky ladt» thoroughly mmtd to the rigon of the climate. An immense plain stretched for over a mile on each tide of our house, and extended for fully two miles in the rear, perfectly level, not a single tree standing until you reached the woods, which hedged in the plain on three sides, with the factories and canal forming its northern boundary. This was called the "Priests' Farm," and had been occupied by some priestly order for many years, during the time the French were in pottession, but when the Enghah conquered Canada, it reverted to the Crown. On one very -ormy Sunday, a blizzard had been raging for the previous twenty-four but had moderated a little by the time we usually .started for the morning Sunday-School wttioii. Father thought it would not be wise for aay of ut to venture out and take the risk across the open plain, but my elder brother, Chris, four years older than I, said he would go if father would agree, and I induced father to allow me to go with him, so we bundled up, put on our snow- ahoes, and started. Of course it would have been impossible for horses to travel, as the snow had piled up in great drifts ten to twelve feet high in some places. The road, or trail, was completely blotted out and buried under an ava- lanche of snow. The snow was dry and feathery, and rvtn widi snowshoes we sank down quire deq> at •c^nes, and it was hard traveling. There was what we called the "Half Way House," midway between our home and the fringe of the woods at the edge of the plain, a tramp of about three-quarters ies THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN of a mile. It was an old abandoned log hut of one story, with a door and one window. We made straight for this hut. The snow was so deep that it made the tramping very heavy, but fortunately the storm was at our backs. For all this, we were pretty well tired out and mighty glad to reach this crude shelter and uke a much-needed rest. After resting for a while, Chris asked me if I thought I could stand it until we reached the church. Although a little bit exhausted, I assured him I could pull through, so we made another start and plodded on, tumbling at times into big crevices in the snow, which we were unable to see, as our eyes were almost blinded by the snow and ice clinging to our eye- lashes, but as soon as we reached the first house it was easier going, for the road had been cut through with a primitive snowplow and we soon reached the church. When we arrived I was pretty well used up, and felt more like lying down on the floor and having a good sleep than taking part in the services. The teachers of the Sunday School, also the boys and girls, helped us remove our snowshoes and outer clothing, beating and shaking them until all the snow and ice had been removed and hanging them up in the outer hall. All were unstinted in their praises at the plucky tramp we had accomplished in the teeth of the worst storm we had had that winter. It made me feel a little bit proud upon overhearing a remark which the Superintendent made, when one of the teachers remarked that she thought father and mother made a mistake in allowing us to come across the plains on such a terrible day. He said, "Why, those Arling boys were made out of the right kind of THE BIG BLIZZABD 29 stirfF and a bit of a storm could not phase two such boys as Chris and Jack." He said that Major ArKng kntw what he was about and was making men out of us. By the time church service was over I was feeling better, although I must say I had not heard much of the sermon. When the time arrived for the return tnp, some of the ladies suggested we had better not make the attempt, as the storm was not over and they thought It a little heavier; but we overruled aU their kind objections. I shall never forget the look of anxiety on Chris's face; he was looking at me very intently and I knew he was greatly perplexed, wondering in his own mind whether I could pull through. You know I was only twelve years old at this time. Chris was sixteen and had been trammg all winter for the annual Snow-shoe Kaces which were to come off on the fifteenth of the fol- lowing month and was in fine condition. I was tremendously fond of Chris, and looked up to him widi all the proud admiration that a small boy usually has for a big brodier. I did not want to drop in his estimation, so brushed aU objections aside and assured him that I could make it if he could, and also said that if we did not go home fatiier and mother would be very anxious. This settled it, and we made the start. We reached die plain safely, but the storm was increasing in intensity aU the time; great masses of heavy black clouds were piling up in the west; the wind, or gale, driving the snow and sleet strait into our faces, almost blinding us and piercing the exposed parts as if with needles. The snow was swirling through 80 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN the air, twisting into great columns like water-spouts, but we breasted it, Chris walking in the front beating a trail for me and keeping up an incessant volume of encouraging talk, calling me all kinds of a "brick," urging me to stick to it, for we would soon reach the hut and then would have a good rest. Whenever I fell down, he would pick me up and with the greatest show of affection, which he tried hard to suppress, would give me a good shaking, as he said, "to rid my clothes of all the snow which seemed to envebp me like a shroud." But his real object was to shake new life into me by assisting circulation, for he saw that I was losing my grip (as the boys expressed it) and tried to put new life into my ffrooping spirits. I was simply walking in a daze, and each snowshoe felt as though it weighed a ton, and I had an overpowering desire to lie down in the snow and go to sleep. Chris was ac- quainted with all the symptoms of death by freezing, and was greatly alarmed and kept urging me on by every word at his command. He walked beside me, holding my arm in his strong grip to keep me from fall- ing; almost carrying me unril we reached the hut, and we reached it just in rime, for as soon as I got inside the door I collapsed, falling on the floor completely ex- hausted. Chris gave me a very careful examination and dis- covered that one of my hands and part of my face and nose were frozen; but after rubbing the affected parts for some rime vigorously with snow, gradually re- stored circulation. As soon as this was done he lifted me up and forced me to walk up and down the floor of the hut, shaking and pounding me all the time to keep off the drowsiness which I seemed to have no power to THE BIG BUZZARD si shake off. At last he succeeded in bringing me around, so that I could speak, and from that time on he kept up an mcessant flow of talk, especially on the snow- shoe races, for that was the most interesting subject ot conversation to me at that time. It was now four o'clock, three hours from the time we had left the church, and ahnost dark. Poor Chris was almost bereft of his senses, not knowing what to do; he had taken ofl=" his blanket coat, putting it on me over my own, binding it tight to my body with his sash, as well as mine, but just as he had almost given up horj he heard the shouts of a party of men and the barking of a dog—my great Dane dog, " Y nkee " Yankee came bounding into the hut a Kttle ahead of the searching party, headed by my dear father. Father and the men wore the wide snowshoes used for walkmg, and even with these, sank deep at every step, for the snow was light, but very deep. They brought along two large toboggans loaded with blankets, buffalo robes, provisions, and tea, which they brewed over a small alcohol stove which they brought with them. The food and tea soon revived me, for I was almost famished with hunger. Father, on his arrival with the men, said but little, but, used up as I was, I could see that his heart was very full of love for us. and thank- fulness to God for our providential escape. He folded me m his arms and kissed me several times, and did V f*"f.7»* ^"s. But if the others kept quiet, Yankee did not, for he and I were great chums. He was simply bubbling over with joy, for he had taken in the situation at once, and I think his barks of delight as he jumped around that little hut, did as much 82 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN to put new life into me as all the efforts of father and the men. He would lick my hands and shove his big snout in my face, jumping around and barking, trying to give expression in his own dog fashion at his delight and happiness in finding me safe,— for it was really he that found me. . He piloted the searching party through the blinding storm and the drifts, keep- ing up an incessant barking for fear they would lose their way, and brought them safe to the hut, and I really believe he knew it. Well, they arrived just in the nick of time. I was pretty nearly gone, and all agreed that if they had been a few minutes later in arriving, they would have been too late. Up to this time, all the attention of father and the men had been paid to me, but now they thought that perhaps Chris might need a little help. The poor fellow had been laboring under such a terrible nervous strain that he was nearly all in. He was sitting on the floor in the comer of the hut, with his head between his hands and his heart filled to the point of bursting. They told him diat I was coming through all right, to cheer up, and put on his coat and they would all make a break for home; but the tension had been too great; the reaction had set in, and he burst into tears and cried like a child. It was very cold in the hut, fully twenty degrees below zero, so father bundled me up in the blankets, took me up in his arms and carried me out, laying me down flat on one of the toboggans, covering me with the buflf"alo robes, and aften strapping me in safely, all started on the back trail for home,— Yankee leading the procession. CHAPTER V THE SNOW-SHOE RACES Our thoughts now were all on the coming Snow- Shoe Races which were to be pulled off in two weeks. The event was called, "The Montreal Annual Snow- Shoe Mee'." Of all outdoor sports, this was the most popular. Every man, woman and child was interested, for this great event had beoi the topic of conversation for months. Father had always encouraged us to go in for all kinds of athletic exercises, especially where they took us outdoors, for he believed that of all places Canada needed strong men and women. Snow-shoeing was his hobby, and although a very consistent member of the Methodist Church, which to a certain extent tried to frown down public races, yet I could see, as the time approached for the races to come off, he was getting a little more excited each day; especially so as Chris was to be one of the performers. At last the long-expected day arrived, and at one o'clock sharp on time, John Baptist, our driver, drove up to the door with our spanking pair of gray horses, hauling behind them a very large box-sleigh. It took alj the muscle he could bring into play to hold them still, as they were champing their bits, bobbing their heads up and down to make the bells on their heads and 3S M THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN harness jingle, and pawing the snow up with theii hoofs until they covered us with a feathery white bknkrt. The bottom of the sleigh was covered with a deep bed of straw. Father, mother, Chris, the girls and myself all piled in and nestled down in it and covered ourselves well with the buffalo robes. When John Baptist loosened his grip on the reins and gave a shrill whistle, the horses just bounded off with the greatest glee. "Yaw Bateece" (as that is the way he pronounced his name) said, '* By Gar, dese horse 'e e 'ees fly fordem race for sure, e'ees youst ron, ron all de tam, youst lak de diable, an' hevare stop. By Gar, e'ees ron vara fas' for sure," and we were off to the music of the sleigh bells, and a happier family party never went for a sleigh drive. Yankee, as usual, headed the procession, bounding through the snow and barking with delight, jumping up at the noses of the horses as if trying to kiss them. The horses were very fond of him and he of them, for he always slept under the manger of one or the other, preferring it to his own house. The race course was out at Point St. Charles, about three miles away. The track was laid out on a piece of level prairie, part of the Priests' Farm,— a dense woods ran along one side of the track, which made a fine shelter when storming. ' The committee had marked out a circular course of a half mile, and a number of snow-shoe clubs had tramped over and over the course, until the snow was bedded down as flat and as level as the top of a bilKard table. A small stand had been erected at one end of the course for the judges. The day was fine, the glass THE SNOW-SHOE RACES 85 standing at about eight to ten below zero, with no wind; a more perfect day could not be had; the sun was shming brightly, and not a cloud was to be seen. Sleighs were arriving on the grounds from all parts of the aty and from all the suburban towns and vil- lages; a more cosmopoUtan crowd could not be found anywhere. Bankers, merchants, manufacturers, pro- fessional men with their families, coming from all parts of Montreal Habitants from long distances and dressed m their homespun suits, with their wives and children, arrived in their box-sleighs, deeply bedded down with straw and buffalo robes, looking comfortable and happy. Then there were Indians, squaws, with their children, and the papooses were held in the arms of their squaw mothers, sheltering them under their blankets, making a very picturesque part of the assemblage, wearing their varied-colored bhnkets. beaded leggings and moccasins. Everyone that could get an afternoon off was there, for each one ui this big crowd had some favorite runnel going to take part in the great Annual Snow-Shoe Races. Sleighs of every description; in fact, everything that ran on runners was pressed into service and was in evidence, all loaded down with happy, healthy-looking occupants mtent on having a good time. The sleighs were aned up aU around the circular half-mile track and in p aces two and three deep, while those on foot niled in all the intervening spaces. Everyone was welcome to come and look on, free of charge, and it looked as though all that could come had wme It was a great crowd of happy, good-natured tookmg people of both sexes and of all ages, from the M THE ICAKING OP A CANADIAN gray-haired grandfathers and grandmothers to the little babies in their mothers' arms. All had come for a good tune, and were going to have it. Chris had been training faithfully for aome weekf, coached by an old snow-shoe racer who was so sure he would win that he was ready to risk his last dollar on him. Chris never boasted of what he expected to accomplish, but he had an expresricm st ited nd enthu- naittc crowd I ever saw .4t ute . , -yar. post they were runmnf n^k an »ck as in the fim h-at, using up evcTo. .ce fore. >ir bodies, and going at a flying ce; >e - -ard post, Chris stubbed the toe ot „.s s w- .oc hich gave the Indian a slight advantage and he cr ssed the upe a few inches ahead of Chns- The >wd irr v sboated themselves hoarse, kr ig at -h, c h-zt would ecUpse all other races^ iorjthe . ex< itement, as it would decide wieAer Chns Indian was to be the champion for rhe year. n woe both carried to their tents as before,^ adiar doing the honors for White Feather, wh Th: was well cared for by his trainers, who jisist h lould be kept perfectly quiet for the half hour t ween leats; so everyone was pac out of the ten hue die in- rs and myself. Chris asked that I raie,nt r jmain. The bugle sounded at the end of the alloted time. Lhns sprang up from his mattress with fire in his eyes, saymg to me in a whisper, "Don't get scared, Jack, for 42 THE BiAKING OP A CANADIAN I'll win sure." Chris had the inside of the line for this heat, and at the crack of the pistol was off like a deer, taking the lead from the very start, the Indian dogging his steps every inch of the way. The strain was a heavy one, for they were well matched, and full of grit. Do what he could, the Indian could not gain a single inch, but as they advanced Chris was making the gap between them a little wider all the time. Every atom of energy in both of their bodies was brought into play, they were both wet with perspira- tion and it was dropping from their faces in beads; but Chris never lost the lead from the start and dashed under the tape a winner by three yards. Oh! how that crowd did roar, shout and hurrah, following Chris in hundreds, as diey carried him to his tent mounted on the shoulders of a few of his most enthusiastic admirers, the band blaring out as usual, "Here the Conquering Hero Comes." I think I was the proudest boy in the crowd that day, for my big brother was the champion fast runner for that year; and my! but how they did praise Chris, slapping him on the back and telling him over and ova: again he was the finest boy in the land, and his father ought to be proud of him. Chris was tremendously elated at winning the race but quiet and modest under all the praise that was heaped upon him. Ladies and gentlemen coming from all parts of the field to shake him by the hand, congratulatmg him on his success. Father and mother also came in for their share of attention; and I can assure you they were very proud of Chris as we all were. As soon as Oins wsu drened, CMie gentleman cum THE SNOW-SHOE RACES « forward and insuted that he should wear his Persian Iamb coat as he was afraid Chris would take cold: but Chns had to decline the honor as the coat was miles too b,g for him. Chris asked to be taken to the tent of his opponent, White feather, the Indian; and srill surrounded by a big crowd of his admirers, they con- ducted him to the other side of the field, where the Indians had formed a little colony by themselves. When Chns entered the tent, he grasped White Feather by the hand, and said: « White Feather, I am glad to know you. Although I won the race, you are every bit as good a runner as I am, and I only hope we wiU be able to have another race before long." AU the Indians, squaws, and papooses flocked around chns and thought vhis a very gracious act on his part; At the close of the races, aris was presented with a very handsome, large silver tankard, suitably in- scribed, as the "Champion Runner in the Hundred- yard Snow-shoe Race" for that year, and the Indian with a sUver goblet, for second prize. CHAPTER VI SPORTS ON THE ICE The winters in Lower Canada, at the time of iK^idi I write, were so severe that by January of each year the St. Lawrence River, in spite of its Swift current, would freeze to a depth of from four to eight feet, forming a natural ice bridge from the city to the opposite shore. To test the ice and its safety for traffic, an old Habitant had been empbyed for many years to break die trail for the first road across to St. Lamberts, when the ice took, as he expressed it, and the way he accomplished the feat was to procure an old worn-out horse and putdrig a bridle on him with very large blinders, and long light ropes attached to the bit, to be uMd as r^s, so that the horse would be about twenQr feet ahead of him, and with the aid of a whip with a very long lash, which by dextrous manipulation he could keep whirl- ing through the air in great coils circling around his head like an immense snake. At the right moment, he could force it forward with great velocity and make a straight bee-line for that poor old horse, and couid make it strike him on any part of his anatomy, and at the same time frightening the poor brute out of its wits by the loud report or crack which it produced, and for the moment infuse a little more life into him. Of course this was very slow traveling, but die old SFOBTS ON THE ICE 4S Habiunt knew his job thoroughly, and "ikm but sure" was his motto. He kept his eyes fixed at the point on the St. Lamberts shore, which was his objective, urging the poor old beast forward both by whip and voice, but making headway all the time. Hundreds of people were gathered on each shore watching his progress and expecting every moment to see the old horse drop through some air-hole or thin spot in the ice and carried down by the current to certain death. This nearly always happened on the first attempt in crossing; when it did, the Habitant would immediately let go the ropes for fear of being dragged down himself, and allow him to go, but carefully marking the place so that he would know it the next trip and then retrace his steps to the Montreal shore and give the weak spot a chance to freeze soUd during the night. The next day he would repeat the same performance, and if he was successful in making the crosdn^ would repeat, but this time with a heavy sleigh harnessed to the horse, and dri^e him ahead of him as before. If he succeeded in reaching the opposite shore without any mishap, would then load the sleigh with stones and if he accomplished the journey safely, would rest for a day or two to make sure the frost had made the bridge firmer. A number of sleigh loads of cedar trees would then start across the trail under his supervision and the men would plant them into sockets in the ice, filial with snow broth, and hold them in an upright position -mtil the stems were frozen in solid. They were o d on each side of the road at intervals of ten t,. ,enty feet apart, from Montreal to St. Lam- berts. When this was all done and he had made a 48 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN great mi^iy tests by boring through the ice and measur- ing its tiiickness at different places all the way across, a few men were allowed to cross with their teams, grad- ually increasing the number until perfectly assured that the road was safe; then it was declared open to the public for travel. Freight trains are used every winter in crossing the river, and the same care is used in opening up the road for railroad travel as is exercised in opening up the road for horses, vehicles, and pedestrians, with this exception: The tracks are never laid until they are absolutely assured that there is a great depth of ice, and it is some time after they are laid before they will risk testing the carrying po,/er of the ice with plat- form cars. TTie ties are laid down on the ice at the same intervals as they lay them down for an ordinary ballasted road, but instead of filling them in with gravel, they fill in with snow, pouring on water and packing it down tight as they fill it in, until it becomes almost flush with the surface of the ties, and frozen into solid ice. No railroad track has as solid a bed as this. As soon as the ties are laid down and frozen in, they lay the rails, fastening them on ;v^ith spikes in the usual way. Next, they test its carrying power by dragging across a flat-car by the aid of long ropes; next, a box- car, then a loaded box-car, and gradually increase the weight and pressure on die ice, until they send an old, obsolete engine across, — of course not under it» own steam, but hauled over by men with long ropes and a good distance intervening between them and the engine. Finding the ice strong enough to carry this weight, they then allow trains to pass over; a few empty SPORTS ON THE ICE 47 cars first, mcreanng the wdght until the road is de- clared strong enough to carry ordinaiy freight trains. As soon as the ice is thick enough, the river become, d^e great mecca for all the young people who are fond Fr^^' V"^* enterprising IWKCanadians lay out skating rinks close to the face of the ice and forming it into banks or walls in- c^o mg a space of about three hundred by two hundred co«/"r/"™,?'"^,^*''' °" ^^"5 ""til they be- come sohd walk of ,ce; they then decorate the tops of he walls or bank, with cedar tree, and flags, gfving the nnk an attractive appearance, both from if out! side as well as on the inside. At one end would be both sides so that no one could enter the rink without pacing trough the shack. This was heated by a f r^;T »>ox tove which threw out a The ice'on " comfortable. 1 he ,ce on the nnk was always in fine condition and r^^lh"^ I^^^"'"*".' ^ little bit rough, all they needed to do was to pump on a little more water and in a Aort half^uV the ice would col '^"^ ^ ~nts you could enter the shack, put on your skates in the warm ''''^"S^ ^^^^ door directly onto the ice, where you would always find throngs of young men, women, boys and girls skating round and round m an endless procession on the outskirts of the middl^ * " ^''^ ^ » On certain occasions they would have a small bnu. 48 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN band to enliven the proceedings with music; when a waltz was played, the skaters would soon find part- ners and in a moment would be whirling them round, as you can only do on skates, gracefully, to the lively strains of the musicians. A little further up the river you would find a Curling Rink, belonging to some one of the many curling clubs of the city; for it is a very popular winter sport, espe- cially with the Scotch citizens. This is laid out in a similar manner to the skating rink, minus the flags and entrance fee. Everyone is allowed to stand around the edge of the rink and look on, free of charge. Here you will find, on a fine day, all the leading Scotchmen of the city, with a sprinkling of English and Irish; the French- Canadian somehow does not care for curling. The players all wear Tam o' Shanter caps and heavy woolen sweaters, each one armed with a broom and are usually in a great state of excitement, souping her up— to their hearts* content. This rink is always surrounded by crowds of on- lookers, as there are no walls. Farthe. along the river's bank is a fine circular race-track for snow- shoers,— a half-mile track,— always in use for practicing, although races take place on this river track frequently. It was always a fine level track and well patronized by both ladies and gentlemen, and sometimes a scratch match was gotten up, and you would see as fine a bit of snow-shoe racing as anyone could widi. Races for ladies were frequently run on tiiis track, and many of them were fine runners. They were a fine, healdiy, robust, rosy-cheeked, wholesome-looking lot of giris, dressed in the usual snow-shoer's conventional costume. SPORTS ON THE ICE ^ which consisted of white blanket coats and bloomers, with toques, sashes, and stockings of various colors. Every girl was an ardent devotee to snow-shoeing and enthusiastically doing her level best to succeed at this magnificent Indian sport. Good-natured repartee, laughter, fun, and innocent frolic was in evidence all the time at this particuhir race-course, making it the most popular place for sleigh-driving parries to resort to when m search of entertainment and amusement. Ihe ice bndge has no sooner formed on the river than a race-track for trotting horses is laid out; this IS usuaUy a two-nfle straight-away course, and always has the patronage of aU lovers of horses. French- Canadians are all ardent sportsmen, and it would be hard to find any one who loves a horse more than he does, and no one of any nationality is kinder to his beast. But he does not look upon his horse as a beast, for the Habitant's horse, like the Irishman's pig, is part and parcel of the family and beloved by all. The great ambition of every French-Canadian is to own a trotting horse, and to accomplish his desire will deprive himself of many of die luxuries and sometimes some of the necesriries of life to attain diis end, and when he has accomplished it, you will see him, especially m winter, with his horse, always well groomed, and a light but strong cutter; with his cap well pulled down over his ears, and a warm fur coat of buffalo or coonskm with the collar turned up and a bear-skin robe over his legs, well tucked in at the sides, and last, but not least, the inevitable pipe in his mouth, filled with home-grown tobacco so strong that it would peel the skin from off the tongue of any other man but 80 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN a French-Canadian who tried to smoke it. This is the picture of the ordinary French-Canadian when he has succeeded in owning a horse; a picture of happy con- tentiiieiit» holding the reins in hit hands, allowing the horse to jog along with the little mincing, dancing gait peculiar to the racehorse going to a meet, the French- man apparently holding a very tight grip on the reins as though he could hardly hold him back from flying over the road; at the same time, the horse had no particular desire to fly, but if left to himself would be more than pleased to jog along at a quiet gait. But the French-Canadian is very fond of attracting the attention of everyone to his horse, and if he notices the slightest sign of drawing a look of admiration to his outfit from any of the passers-by, he becomes greatly elated and proud as a barnyard rooster. The only time he ceases to smoke (for they are all incessant smokers) is when he has his horse lined up with a score of others at the starting point for the big race on the river. Then he is all excitement; he examines his horse's legs, hoofs, and shoes, the long calks of which have been sharpened to a point to prevent slipping, and to get a firm grip on the ice or snow. Finding everything in good shape, he takes his place in his cut- ter, tucking the robe well in around his legs, and with legs extended, his feet pressed tightly cpainst the foot plates, braces himself firmly against the back of the cutter, with a firm grip on the reins, and at the word "go!" or at the crack of the pistol, they are off! every one of them shouting, yelling, urging their horses on by cracking their whips, aided by the vociferous cheer- ing of the crowds who line the track from end to end, SraSTB as TBB ICE n ' tZ'"^u *.* " * "hirlwind of blinding «ow cast up by the h<»f. rf,h.ha«.. The «pj "n 2 «hc faces o the driver, wid, d,dr v« with funous ghstenmg int«,sity of derive, mikes ™ a picture of oveq»wer,ng human excitement impos«Me » be dupl.ca.ed outside of a Fr«,ch^,„adii, rac^ Language can hardly dcKribe the one who succeeds m wmnmg .he race and express the fedings rf p^ which almost consume him and completed rendm hun speechless with an overpowering sense of wt o™ NeC"^, ^ Nap!''""' wLung^™ Nelson, and all other victorious commanders in his^ tory smk ,„to utter insignificance, in hi. mind c«^ covet, hi. horse from head to tail with one, two and «.me.,mes three blankets, puts his arms arotnd Ws and dilT"' ^ » exuberance of joy and dehght, and then sttnds back with hi. arm, folded hb Sr"^ 7 ""t" ""8«tula.ions fnen,k and listen to the acclamations of the wwd, for th» „ the happiest day of his Ufe. But when he renims to hi, home and tdU his wife i,d children of his wonderful victory, they rimply ^ and look at him m speechless awe and treat himfor «m. ome to come with a degree of respect alidTv^! «« which diey usually accord only to the priest i . At the time of which I write, long before the ereat .mprovements had been made on ZMontreThaA^J front, some mile, bebw the dgr we,. «v^ at THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN islands, and on account of the strong current, the water rushes with great velocity through the spaces between dieie itlaiida, and in winter causes serious ice jams, bkcking up the channel When this occurs, the water backs up and causes the whole body of ice, covering the river facing Montreal, to rise, lifting this plain of ice several feet higher than usual, overflowing the wharves and piers to a depth of several feet. If freezing hard at die time, and no snow falls during the night, the water covering the wharves and pien would freeze over, making ice as clear as a mirror, and extending for miles. Thousands of skaters of both sexes, and all ages, would then flock to the river to enjoy skating on this long stretch of ice. On one such occarimi, my sister Sophie and I, with crowds of boys, girls, men and women, were skat- ing over one of the long piers which had been sub- merged by the rise in the river the day before. The ice was like glass and Sophie and I were enjoying our- selves to our hearts' content, skating hand in hand and performing all kinds of evolutions on the ice. The ice was so fine that hundreds of skaters had congregated and were skating over this particular pier, when all at once the ice began to bend, and without the slightest warning, sank beneath our feet. It did not break, but simply sank like a great sheet of rubber, sinking lower and lower, the water rising as it sank. The sensation was simply indescribable, the crowds were paralyzed with fright and for a moment speech- less, and then arose the most horrible shrieks and ■creams from the diroats of the panic-stricken women and children, coupUd with the hoarser shouts of the SPORTS ON THE ICS u mm, a< if pandemonium were let loose. I grasped Sophie by the arms and made her cUmb onto my back. The ice was still sinking, but it stopped suddenly when the water had reached up to my waist, and I found that we had settled quietly down on the pier about three feet below the surface, and reaUzed at once that we could sink no further, for I knew the locality very well. My hmbs were so cold it was almost impossible to move them, but by superhuman exertion, brought on by excitement, I managed to slowly move through the ^ter, carrying Sophie on my back until we reached the wharf which had not been submerged, a few hun- dred feet away. Thousands of people had rushed to the water- front from all parts of the city as soon as the news spread abroad that the ice had broken through over one of die piers. The crowd was so great they inter- fered with those who were systematically helping to save the struggling people in the wat« to reach diy land, but every assistance was given us. and we were safely pulled out of the water; but the moment we were Mted ou^ and came in contact with the dry frosty air. our dothmg was frozen stiff and solid, and it was im- possible for us to bend our legs. We were as helpless as marble statues. Standinp perfectly erect, and stiU with our skates on, some of the boys with ready wit won solved the problem by taking oflF their sashes, taottmg diem together and forming a couple of long ropes. They fastened one around Sophie's waist and another around mine, and with a boy on each side to taking hold of the ropes, towed us over the ice at a 64 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN great pace, the ice reachinc to within a few hundred yards of our home. When we reached the end of the ice field, they tumbled us on to a toboggan and landed M at the houM. It was the fastest tow either Sophie or I had ever had, over snow and ice. The boys carried us into the big kitchen, and supported ui on each tide, standing in front of the open fireplace until tile ice melted and mother and Laura were able to remove our clothes. Then they rubbed us thoroughly, bringing the warmth back into our bodies by restoring circula- tion; but strange to say, neither of us were frozen and we were all right in the morning. The newspapers that evening, and the next morning, had their columns well supplied with exciting news, describing the disaster and the marvelous escape of so many hun&edt of people from drowning, but not a single case of the death of any of the skaters was men- tioned, for all were accounted for. But a great deal of sickness followed among the hundreds who were so suddenly precipitated into the icy cold water, and it is possible that many of them never recovered from the shock and fright they received on the fatal day of the disaster. It is needless to say that the excursions which Sophie and I were in the habit of taking together, were subsequently confined to safer localities than piers in the St. Lawrence river covered witii new-formed vet. CHAPTER VII MONTREAL IN WINTER Fifth Avenue, New York, has earned a reputation the world over, for its marvelous display of fashionably dressed people, who on certain occasions promenade on both sides of the street on the sidewalks of this noted thoroughfare, notably on Easter Sunday when the weather is fine, and in fact eveiy Saturday afternoon, taking part in what has now become one of the fixed customs, or established institutions of the city, and called by the masses, "Dress Parade." It has well earned its reputation, for neither the Champs Elysee, of Paris, nor Regent Street, London, can produce a more wonderful kaleidoscopic, panoramic display of magnificently gowned women and well-dressed men, than can be seen at one of these dress parades in New York City, when the air is balmy and the atmosphere clear. Dress parade in Montreal u of a different character, but to my mind much more impressive and imposing. To see it to advantage, you require to be there on a Saturday afternoon in winter, when the atmosphere is bright, clear, and bracing, with an azure blue, cloud- less sky overhead, the sun shining brightly and a good bed of snow, well beaten down oo the streets and roads of the city. 56 56 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN Yean ago^ before the advent of the street can in Montreal, it was the custom after the fint heavy fall of snow had formed a good solid bed for the roads, for the mayor of the city to issue his usual proclamation, "No More Wheels," and this proclamation would be posted up on all the streets and roads in and about the city, ^ich prohibited the use kndor of the sleighs, for no city in the world, not even St. Petersburg, Russia, can com- pare, or compete, with Montreal in the luxurious com- fort and costly magnificence of her winter equipages, lie trappings of the horses alone always drew out the •dmiraaon sad encomiums of the crowds who con- gregated along the sides of the leading thoroughfares to see the lordly pageant pass. Gold and silvetw mounted harness, manufactured out of all kinds of the roost costly leather, principally black patent, white •wmrt, ornatural ^n color, were the favorite leathers round the necks of the horses, and extending down over their breasts and fastened to one of the bellybands: arches of tinghng silveiy-toned bells erected on the top 6B THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN of the saddle, with high plumes of long horsehair dyed into bright, fancy colors, surmounting the arch; smaller arches with bells and plumes on the tops of their heads, also long plumes fastened to the rosettes on the sides of the bridle, and the dnkluig and jingling of thousands of bells making sweet mtmc from one end of the procession to the other. The horses taking part in this parade were of fine- bred stocky the owners, principally o^ the wealthier classes, took the greatest pride in diem, and vied with each other as to who could turn out the finest exhibit and receive the greatest plaudits from the crowds, who were not at all bashful in shouting out their prefer- ences in clear, audible, distinct tones, so that none could mistake thdr preferences. From the high- stepping military charger, to the chunky well-bred French-Canadian pony, were in evidence, and all doing their level best to win out. But the great majority were high-mettled, thoroughbred carriage horses, with heads erect, beaudfuUy arched necks, their small, shapely ears pointing straight forward taking in every sound, high-steppers, bushy manes and tails, when not cropped, sleek, well-groomed hides shining in the sun and showing every vein pulsating with ex- citement, and thin shapely, high-stepping legs with •mall hoofs on which they pranced up and down with the pride of the "equine aristocrat," champing their bits and scattering the foam from their mouths, bob- bing their heads up and down to make the bells jingle, and the plumes wave, as they pranced along the streets, but kept well in hand by the pressure brought to bear on their bits by their watchful and skillful MONTREAL IN WINTBB 59 drivers, they made a marvelous and stunning exhibit. Both drivers and horses alike were proud of the part they occupied in the display, and at the admiration expressed by the crowds. But the eyes of all were centered upon the occupants of the sleighs, consisting of the youth and beauty of the city, and beyond my humble powers of description. The languid, fragile, delicate, drawing-room beauty was conspicuous by her absence; but instead, the charming young women of Montreal, bubbling over with good nature, with rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes, and muffled up in their fur coats, caps and gaundets, sitting in their slei^s well tucked in with heavy lined bear-skin robes, were in evidence all along the line, drinking in the pure ozone of this crisp, sliarp northern atmosphere, as they did every day of dieir lives, for all tiieir leisure hours were spent in invigorating exercise and outdoor sports, the results of which were seen in their bright, cheerful, happy faces, strong, well-developed figures, and the very pictures of health, happiness ana contentment. The young men could be described in the same way, if not in the exact language, but dieir characteristics were the same. Determination and character writen on every face, strong, well-knit frames, well-mu cled arms and limbs, clear, sparkling eyes, well-developed chests, and fresh, healthy complexions, inherited by both die young men and women, from good, hardy ancestral stock, which made diem wholesome in appear- ance and good to look at. The older men and women were a strong and sturdy-looking lot, their years sitting lightly on their shoulders, and they exhibited just as keen an appetite 00 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN for all outdoor pastimes and sports as the younger folks did. And this is the das^of men and women, with their magnificent hones and sleighs, which made possible the *' Dress Parade" which was to be seen every Sat- urday afternoon in Montreal,— weather permitting and the sleighing good. They usually assembled on the "Champs de Mars," a very large military parade ground at the rear of the courthouse, and at the sound of the bugle the hand- somest equipage drawn by a well-matched, double team of four horses, driven by some well-known whip, perched up on a high front driver's seat, similar in design to the driver's seat of a four-in-hand coach, was selected to lead the cortege. The sleigh, or equipage, drawn by these four mettlesome equine thorough- breds, was large and capacious, sometimes carrying as many as sixteen to twenty ladies and gentlemen. The moment the bugle sounded the start, the driver would swing the lash of his long tandem whip, making it cut circles through the air and crack like the sound of a pistol; the horses were off in a moment, rearing and dancing up and down, held in and guided by the driver as they made their way toward the exit to the street, making the bells jingle and the plumes wave, acting as thou^ they were conscious of the honor of being selected to lead the procession, one team after another followed and passed through the gate to the street, and there were so many of them, one would think that the end would never be reached. When the long parade of beautiful sleighs, with their charming occu- pants, drawn by such a vast number of thorough- bred horses had gotten fairly under way, and k)oking MONTREAL IN WINTER q It became a perfect dream of animated splendor and color, as ,t moved through the streets receiving the sidewalks and filled the wmdows of all the buildings along the hne of march. But there was one exhibit, not down on the programme, that must not be omitted. On one occasion, the officers of the different clubs, who superintended the Dress Parade, decided to have a Saturday afternoon display that would far outdo and surpass m splendor anything that had ever been accom- phshed up to that date. And I with a number of boy and girl friends met one evening, about twenty or twen y-five ot us ,n all, and decided that we would like to take part m the wonderful display contemplated by the management I received permission from father sleigh, the body, or box, of which was very long and ITf • '^^;^^"^^?°n> trimmed with gold stripes, and furnished with a fine pair of bobs underneath; of t^J^ll ' "^^.^V^ 'P'^"^'^ P^'^ °f "bottled iron^yhonies, dcscnbed in a previous chapter, and dnven by that incomparable whip, "Yon Bateece," K made an ideal turnout for boys and girk to celebraJe We started in by borrowing every sleigh beU horse plume, and colored ribbon that we could induce any of our friends to loan us, and we trimmed the har- ness of the horses from the bridle, to the cruppers with bows of varied-colored ribbons, rosettes, aJplumeT so that the harness could hardly be seen for the mass of color under which it was hidden; in fact, the h^^ M THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN were loaded down with bells, waving plumes, and wherever there was room for a rosette or bow of rib- bon the girls saw that it was not neglected, for both the boys and girls were enthusiastic over the j. Even the reins had colored ribbons decorating them, at equal distances apart, from the bits of the horses to Yon Bateece's hands where he held them. The next thing we did was to rig up Yon Bateece like a father Santa Gaus, and all die boys and girls dressed in fancy masquerade suits. The girls' cos- tumes were very fancy, only they made them look a little bit plumper than usual, for they had to put their fancy costumes on outside, or over their regular winter garments, for the weather was quite cold. But a little thing like that did not phase diem; we were all going out for a good rollicking time (and we were going to have it), and to make the outfit a little bit more impressive and relieve the minds of the crowds by a change of scene, every last one of the girls and boys had provided themselves with long dn horns painted in all the colors of the rainbow, and as every one of them was blessed with a good strong pair of lungs, the noise we contemplated making would at least reach the ears of the onlookers and attract a little bit of attendon to ourselves. Of course an outfit like ours was not allowed to go through the gates and onto the parade ground, so we had coached Yon Bateece to get a position as near the exit gate as possible, and at the very first interval he discovered when the parade was passing out on to the the street, to drive our outfit right in and fill up the gap. When the day of the parade arrived, the pro- MOI^TTREAL IN WINTER 9$ gramme was carried out to the letter, and we itruck a position right in the middle of the piocetsion. We fully expected that after a while, the master of cere^ monies would be informed of our presence in the parade and mitnict the police to have us removed and then we would be relegated to the rear. We were certainly havmg the bme of our Uves and getting more applause than any exhibit in the parade, when, sure enough, the master of ceremonies came charging down on us astride of his beautiful horse, but when he saw us and our wonderful outfit, and the fun we were having our- selves, and the entertainment we were furnishing the crowds who seemed to be enjoying themselves by their hilarious laughter and cheers which accosted him at every turn marking their approval and appreciation of some sally of wit, or some grotesque performance by one of the ^rls or boys of our party, he burst out laughing, and, at the intercession of the occupants of the sleighs who were members of the parade, he allowed us to remain where we were. The boys and girls in our party were all good singers, and accustomed to smg in chorus on our long snow-shoe tramps and to vaiy the performance, at stated intervals we would dis- card the horns for a while and entertain the crowds and ourselves at the same time, by singing in chorus one of the popular songs of the day. This would always meet with the most enthusiastic approval and we would receive thunders of applause-not only from ^l^ose taking part in the parade. Ihe kindly acknowledgments of our efforts to please «> fiUed us aU with such happy pride, that we re- doubled our efforts and allowed no interval to lapse THE MAKING OP A CANADL\.\ between the fun and the songs which we saw were giving such pleasure to our large and enthusiastic audi- ence. So we kept it up without intermission, from the •tart to the finish of that "never-to-be-forgotten" Dress Parade, which waf booked to disband at the Tally-ho club house, just outside the city limits. As Yon Bateece was in the act of turning his horses' heads homeward, we were greatly surprised by a number of goitiemen and ladies, members of the club, surrounding our sld^ and thanking us for the very unique and novel entertainment we had furnished them with, and gave us a very cordial invitation, including Yon Bateece, to come right into the clubhouse and get warmed up and have supper with them. As it was now six o'clock, and having been out in that beautiful, bracing atmosphere all the afternoon, shoutii^ blowing horns, yelling, and singing at the tops of our voices, without intermission for nearly six hours, it goes without saying that we were quite ready to accept their kind hospiulity, for we were all as hungry as a lot of young bears. They had pre- pared a long table for us at one end of the big dining- room, and it was loaded down with the finest viands that the Montreal markets could furnish, and the French cooks in charge of the kitchen had surpassed themselves in their efforts to make every dish as attractive and palatable as their great skill could accom- plish, and your imagination can picture what twenty or twenty-five strong, healthy, ravenously hungry girls and boys from fourteen to sixteen years of age, who had not had a bite to eat since noon, could do to a layout ot that kind, and you can further imagine that after we had partaken of that sumptuous repast, there were no ^'QNTBEAL IN WINTER es •WdFe baskett full of fragments" to be taken up. Wh«i wt thought that justice had been done to that ecquinte tupper, and to oar digeMi've faculties, at the niggetoon of our hosts we entertained them with a tew longs and rousmg choruses, and after thanking them for their kind hospitality, were about to leave: but thqr would not part with us until we promised to repeat the performance at some future Dress Parade, and assured us that our outfit would be admitted to the parade grounds and assigned to a prominent loca- tion m the procession. When we had tumbled into our sleigh and had started for home, it was the unani- mous opmion of both girls and boys that we had not only done ourselves proud," but that we had had the time of our lives, and were the happiest bunch of young people in the city, for the whole ".how" had been a rousing success. Two very beautiful mountains, adjoining each other, torm an imposmg and picturesque background for the Uty of Montreal; the city proper, stretching from the foothills in a gradual descent or slope until it reaches Uie banks of the St. Lawrence river, before the face of the mountain had been encroached upon and utilized as choi^ buildmg sites for the many sumptuous homes surrounded by their lovely gardens and hedges; and the stately mansions overlooking their park Umds of many acres, owned by the wealthy magnates of the aty. These hills extending all along the face of the mountam when covered with snow in winter were the rendezvous for all the young people of the city, dressed m blanket suits, sashes, woolen toques and moccasins, and on every fine, clear winter day, could be seen b 08 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN droves hauling their toboggans up the beaten path to the right of the slides, and on reaching the top of the hill, would pile onto the toboggan, four to six persons on each sleigh. The one in front would have his or her feet in the hood of the toboggan, the next behind, with feet resting on the lap of the one in front and holding him or her round the waist to prevent falling off, and so to the last one, who did the steering, and guided the toboggan with sharp-pointed hickory sticks one in each hand, and by digging the sticks into the snow on either side, could steer the toboggan in a straight course down the hill with such velocity that it would carry them for a long distance after reaching the level surface. Toboggan after toboggan, at short intervals, would start from the top of the hill with its happy, cheerful load of boys and girls, young men and women, swishing down the slide at a terrific pace. A more happy, joyous, cheerful lot of people could not be found any- where than on one of these toboggan slides. The officers of the army became extremely fond of this sport, particularly the younger set. Almost every day you could see them driving their tandems, with toboggan dragging behind, on their way from the barracks to one of the hills. On arriving at the foot of the hill selected for the day's sport, they would leave their teams in care of the footman, and dragging their toboggans after them, would soon be among the happy crowds. The younger officers were a dare-devil lot, but a nice lot of fellows and very popular, especially with the ladies. Sliding down the regular channel, or slide, was a little too tame for them, and they liked to take chances, or MONTREAL IN WINTER 07 ntrl'I'V^l"'^^ tobogganer did not see the necessity of taking. At the top of the hill was a stretch of level ground, or thousands of feet that were tramping it all the time, and was about sixty or seventy feet in extent each way ^.s was the starting-point for the regular slide; this backed up m the rear by a stone wall or fence v^ T °'/°"[.^" j;?^^' -«de of rough stones and vej thick and sohd. On the other side of this fence was the foot of the mountain, and the ascent from here was very steep and hard to climb, so these officera S^e mo«^;- '"Z'^^'iT P^^'^"^ -" on spnnkhng ,t with water and letting it freeze over night to make the surface soft, they could climb up the face dll%r"J'T ^""^^^^ come ^J^J'tj'^'f ^^^'Vol'ogg-ns, and, mounting the aiow^anked side of the stone fence with such atStH '"?\' *^ff«Sgan leap through the a r from the top of the waU for a long distance before alighting on the level space or starting-point of Ae ;hfoi"ef ' Of courae aU the people on the hill stopped sKding. and gave them the right of way, and they successfully accomphshed the feat several times and then to make k a Uttle more interesting made small bets among them- tl ' 7"' r s and skipping ropes; and, a little later on, lacros . and cricket bats. Gradually the grass began to sprout, the buds to burst on the twigs and brav,rhes of the trees, and the birds arrivinjr dail> great fi xks from the Su.th, bringing with them the soft, balmy air from their southern homes, and all nature seemed to take on a new lease of Ufe, typical of the resurrection from the dead. Everything in nature had been buried under a blanket or shroud, of deep snow, and now, at a word from the great Creator of all things, the shroud is removed, the graves are opened, and nature asserts 78 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN herself, and, like Lazuras, comes forth, her veins pul- sating with new life. The cold, penetrating frost and the biting chill of winter give place to the soft, fragrant atmosphere of spnng, and the daisies, violets, daffo- dils, the yellow dandelions and hedge roses, permeate the air with their sweet perfume, and the odor of the cedar trees, the pines, birch, and the tamaracks of the woods, fill the forest with sweet fragrance. As the spnng advanced, the ice on the river broke up and silently floated down the river, carried away by the swift current, and finally reaching the Gulf of St. Lawrence, was disgorged into the Ocean. Then the waters in the river receded and fell to their normal level. All is now busy life on the wharves, the warehouses and freight sheds are again erected on the piers, and every- thing made ready for the arrival of the first ship from England. Captains of sailing vessels plying between the Mother Country and the Port of Montreal, vied with each other to secure the prize that was awarded to the captain of the first ship reaching the Montreal harbor, each spring, and some of them beat around the Gult of St. Lawrence for days, waiting for an opening in the ice so as to sail through and secure the prize. Crowds of people could be seen on the revetment walls and docks, widi spy and marine glasses, gazing through them, trying to catch a glimpse of the first vessel which hove in sight, and the vessel that succeeded was always sure of a hearty welcome by the waiting crowds who would make the welkin ring with their cheers, from the time she arrived opposite the city and was tied up snugly at her dock. When the captain walked down ENTER SFRIN6I 79 the gangplank he was the recipient of congratulations and applause from every one present, and eveiy man, woman and child would rush forward to shake him by the hand, and many an old salt said that the proudest day of his hfe was the day he brought his ship into port at Montreal and found out that he was the first to amve. One of the most popular hoUdays in Canada is the Queen s Birthday, which falls on the twenty-fourth of May. All the British soldiers stationed at Montreal, and the volunteer forces as well, joined in a great mil- iary parade and sham battle on this day, every year. Eveiy branch of the service was represented,— artillery, cavalry, mfantry, military train, rifle brigade, com- missary stafl^ corps, hospital train, and supply wagons, and, with their magnificent bands of music, Highland pipes, bugle bands, and fife and drum bands, would march to Logan's Farm, about a three-mile march from the city This farm was in a long narrow valley, with high hills on both sides, and good-sized clumps of woods at both ends and on some of the hills, making it an ideal spot for a review and sham battle. The Irish and French-Canadians always assembled here m great numbers every Queen's Birthday, both boys and young men, to have their annual fight after the parade. The Irish crowd would assemble on the eastern hill and the French crowd on the western, and the leaders would line their men up on the crest of each hill, with a fringe of woods at their backs, ihe Irish wore red caps, and the French, blue caps, and were named after the color of their caps. The Insh were called "Red Caps." and the French, "Blue 80 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN Caps." They were not allowed to uie firearms of any kind, but every man on each ride was armed with a good-sized club. Just as soon as the sham battle and parade concluded with the Royal salute of twenty- one guns, exactly at twelve o'clock, the French Cana- dians would come out of the woods and take possesricm of the top of their hill, and the captain wmild line his men up and give them their final instructions; the Irish captain doing the same on the opposite hill, the two mobs facing each other with the valley between, sep- arating them one from the other. Then the captains of the two mobs would shout across the intervening space to their opponoits, threatening to exterminate them as soon as they clashed, and in language more forcible than polite; and at a given signal, both mobs would rush down the slopes of their resp ective hills, shouting and yelling at the tops of their voices, and clashed together on the level ground in the valley below, and the fight was on, both sides doing their level best to put the other to flight. One could hear the thuds of the sticks as they brought them down on the heads of their opponents, something like Donnybrook Fair, "whenever a man found a head, he hit it." The battle waged fast and furious; thousands of people finding positions on elevated ground where they could get a good view of the fight, keeping up an incessant racket, cheering the side they favored. All kinds of military tactics were resorted to by the captains <^ both teams, to secure the advantage over their opponents; man were assigned to carry the wounded, or knocked out, to the rear, and when any section of either side was getting the worst of it, the bugle sounded and rein- £NTER SFBINGI gi forcements were furnished at once. At times, you could see dozens of men who had lost their sticks fight- ing It out with their fists, or wrestling with each oSier for all they were worth, and when two well-matched men came to grips, you could sometimes see as fine a bit of boxmg or wrestling as you want to look at. The fight would usually last for an hour, and if neither side was beaten, they would run up a white flag, a truce was called, and it would then be called a draw until the next yean But ,t was always a hard job to stop the fighting, at the men on both sides had their fighting blood u^ «,d wanted to see it through to a finish. At other tinges one of the belhgerents would succeed in a charge and drive their opponents right out of the vaUev- when this was done they were declared the winners. Of h^.!' K T'^T '"^"^^ °f the com- batants on both sides were very severely hurt and wounded at this annual scrap, but I never heard of any fatalities, but such bitter feelings were engendered that the authorities at last took the matter up and put a stop to It for all time. ^ "uputa .n^^K* »^08phe-e got warmer as the season advanced, and the water lost ite ,cy coldness as we entered the month of June, so that all the boys and young men were enabled to mdulge in their favorite sport of swim- ming and the Lachine Canal was largely patronized for this purpose. Any hour of the day you could see scores of youngsters and young men having a fine time divmg, swimming, and floating in the placid waters of this canal, as it was wide, and deep enough to allow the ^ge passenger steamers to steam through on their way to Upper Canada. The canal was nine miles b M THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN lengdi, and the steamers had to pass through several locks before they reached Lachine and entered Lake St. Peter on their way to the upper lakes. The swimmers would be on lookout for them as they passed through the locks, and as soon as the great paddles churned up the water into billcfwy foam-crested waves, we thought it great sport to dive into the water neai the stem of the steamer as she passed, and swim out into her wake and rise up and down with the big waves until they subsided. I was very fond of diving, and had the reputation of being able to stay under the water for a longer period of time than any of the boys of my own age. One day I was swimming with a lot of boys, and we were vying with each other as to who could stay down the longest, and one of them suggested I should dive from was a fin: T 1"^"^^' ""^ ^""^ ^^^^^ '"^«>^ «ves, brought some blankets from his factory, and they rolkd me up m these and placed me in a factory wagon bedded dowS with straw and drove me home, where I was laid up for some time, and ,t was a good many days before I was able to agam mdulge m my favorite sport. CHAPTER IX PUNISHING A BULLY All this time we had been living on the outskirts of the City of Montreal, just outside the city limits in the vicinity of father's factoty. Father had opoied a large warehouse, with salesrooms and offices on one of the principal streets in the heart of the city, and decided it would be more convenient for him to be nearer his office, and therefore we moved down town. One of Montreal's leading and wealthy citizens had erected a vety large college building at the eastern end of the city; it was a very large, imposing edifice, or three buildings adjoining each other; the center was a handsome structure three stories high, with a two-storied tower, and above this a tall spire tapering to a point supporting a flagstaff with the Union Jack always flying at the masthead; the two stories of the tower formed two very large rooms, one of which was used for band or orchestra practice, and the other for dancmg. The ground floor of the main building was fitted up more like the auditorium of a church, con- taining a vety fine organ, large platform, place for orchestra, with comfortable seats semicircular in form, and was used every morning by the teachers and scholars of the school for divine worship, and was also utilized for concerts and public examinadons. The two upper floors were used as classrooms and oflEices. 84 boys. »f r^htfrilS' '■Tlfe':?^""-'^ ««« mpr Doys, and the same number of eirU read a chapter from thTfiihi? ^""^ ^^"W not beine allowMl u- °^^» ^oys ve.y fond of e"h1tht^(^°^«'.*"' ^ Ais time, and I looked un«i^ « to thdr b^g Emh^ »P «» km. « ,11 ™an boy. do wme 8CI100I as Chnsj and now that I was 86 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN really going with him, my heart was filled with pride at the thought I was at last one of the big boys and would no longer be classed as a "kid." I was up bright and early the morning we started «)getber to tdiodl for the fint time, and all the way to school, for it was a mile and a half walk from our house, Chris kept posting me up as to how I should act, and among other things, told me that the monitor of my division, the intermediate, was a boy named Metcalf, and he pronounced him a bully and a cad, and said that the boys of the division simply hated him for the way he treated them, and for making their lives miserable by his overbearing conduct; but, at the same time he thought him a coward, and if a boy could be found who had the nerve and pluck to stand up for his rights and thaw that he was not afraid of him, and at the same time be able to stand a little punishment for a while — for he knew that Metcalf would fight to save his face, Chris said he was satisfied that he could lick him, and said he thought that I was the boy to do the trick, and diat one of the reasons he had for training me to box was for the purpose of meeting a condition of this kind, and be able to take care of myself and not have to knuckle to a bally like Metcalf. Chris had been giving me boxing lessons for a long time. Chris said, " Now, Jack, this bully will likely pick a quarrel widi you the very first opportunity that presents itself, and die very first time he interferes with you, let him have a swift right-hander, and let it land right between the two eyes. I will be on the watch to prevent him from taking any mean advantage, for he is capable of resorting to anjrthing, and I will make FINISHING A BCILT g, Mia much heavier, for he wu fimmiM t i thirteen year, of a^. ' ""'^ d-S.™!''?' ."Now, Jack, my boy, here m, „ tlie ichool; don't misuke me: I never want to see^ a itu f" 3™" right.- Now, a htde man; don't show the white feather. ««J tf you «n only hck him, you will be the mo., popular Z m*. ^vision, and will do a great service toAe ^hde •Aool, for even Ae senior, havejiad their eyes on this cad for a long „me, but can't do anything, for it is 4e With this partmg advice I went into KhooL and after a short examination by two of the teacht« wa. -ignj^ to the sixth class in the intermediate d"'is™ The big gong funded and we all stood up; when the «e,^nd gong sounded, we all stepped out intt Z lt »d at .he sound of the third 'gong, we m^rft ddiTr-d 7 T ^ ■""'hed along kI/ f ^ '^'?J' >«, for I tnew that Chri. j ^hi. did not frighten «.«M watch «^n^ "e an^ fr'u."' mean advanta^^^ """^ «> «ke any When we got back to our desks P.„i 'Arling, I can't tell you how m,Sh!Sw °L1''' " ™' bitter ^^^^ t^^^^^ great bodily i„ju,y, «, .hat y«,'S be kLi^ a good Punishm«f^;h„"S""''"L""'''"''^ depend on «e,nr^ ro*g?'^^tni^h re~ft'Str « -ethtfwas'^; that they were awar*- of .V . shghtest sign win's fac; I tL\7ht i°Vo':i r j:«t"C- •mile or 4^k^^ t f k„ 7" .'T' ^ '■"'f "-i-HishUfortt^'l:.:-'^Pi:-Met- 94 THE B£AKIN6 OF A CANADIAN long time and knew of his mean, bullying, tyrannical conduct towards the other boys, and would be mighty glad to hear of his getting a good thrashing from some one of the boys. Well, at last the four o'clock gong sounded and we were dismissed for the day. When we passed through the gates into the street, we made at once for the lumber yard, or, as the boys called it, the fighting grounds. The word was passed round by the seniors that every boy must keep perfectly quiet; no shouting or any loud talking, for fear it would excite the suspicion? of the police, with whom we were always scrapping, so went very quietly to the fighting grounds. These were in the center of a very large lumber yard, filled with high piles of lumber, but the boys had found a way into the very center of the yard, which for som' reason had been left vacant, leaving an empty spa:e of fully a hundred feet square, and as the ground was covered with a deep bed of sawdust well trampled down, it made an ideal place to hold a meeting of this kind, for it was surrounded on every side with piles of lumber twenty to twenty-five feet high, and perfectly secluded. A large ring was marked out, by placing boards, or scantlings, around the inclosure, and no boy was allowed to pass inside this ring; then Johnson, the biggest boy in the school, was selected as referee, and two others as seconds: Morgan as Mctcalfs second, and Belcher as mine. Thej' first of all took a pair of scissors and clipped our nails down almost to the quick, to prevent scratching, took our shoes off and replaced them with buckskin moccasins, and then stripped us to the waist, fastening on our trousers with belts which they PUNISHING A BULLY gs buckled up mighty tight. The referee placed us in ^"^ «^^»"e ^he word to Jght, asked us how many rounds we wanted to fight I rephed I wanted the fight to go to a finish no matter how many rounds we fought. Tliis seemed to please Metcalf, and it was agreed to. Then the referee told us to advance from our separate comers to the center u ^""^ Metcalf refused to Shake hands, saying I had struck him that morning before he had had a chance to defend himself, and would not shake hands with me; he said this with a look of intense hatred showing on his ugly face, and I was satisfied he had made up his mind to half kiU me before he had got through with me. Chris whispered to me, "Look out, Jack! don't get excited; keep perfectly cool and tire him out before you lead out strong." The referee gave the word, and the moment It was uttered Metcalt made a spring at me as though he had intended to knock me out with the nrst blow, but being pretty nimble on my feet, I stepped aside, and ..s he passed me I let him have a straight right-hander full in the neck, which nearly staggered him; he turned and rushed at me like a mad dog, but I evaded him znd kept him on the rush all around the nng, for he was so much bigger than I that I was afraid to let him get to close quarters, and kept sparring and dodging round, making him waste a lot of wind chasing me round the ring, and whenever I got a chance, landed a blow wherever I thought it would do the most good. He got in a few decent cracks at me, but nothmg to hurt much, for I very soon found out he did not know much about handling his fists, so I M THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN kept up the sparring and dodging game; but at hut he made a sudden rush, not minding the blow I gave him, and grabbed me round the neck to get my head under his arm, but I gave him the foot, and he went sprawling onto the sawdust. He then grabbed me round the legs, trying to upset me and get me on the ground, but the rdferee soon stq>pe 1 diat, and we were pulled apart, and were allowed a few moments to get our wind. I was none the worse, save for a few bad scratches on the face and arms. Chris gave me a most encour- aging smile and this helped me a lot, for he looked as though he was proud of what I had done. The second round was called, and as usual he made a sudden rush at me, perfectly blind with anger, and I had to do a lot of side-stepping to save myself from his terrific lunges, but in doing so my foot sUpped, and he was on me like a panther and gave me two pretty bad punches; but before he got in cue third, I gave him such a crack under the left jaw that it shook him from head to foot, and before he recovered I let him have another in the same spot, and over he went. It is a strange thing to say, but, recalling the experience, I was not angry with him up to diis time, but if anything I was sorry for him, knowing that it had to be done, and that I was the one appointed to do it, and that I was righting a great wrong, and was only used as the instru- ment to accomplish this purpose. He got up again and made for me straight, with his mouth wide open, and grabbed me round the waist and just as a mad dog would do, he sank his teeth into my arm and the blood spurted out in a stream. The boys, PUNISHL^G A BULLY ^ teeing what he had done, hissed him to the echo. Now I was mad for the first time; I tore him off my arm and getting his head into chancery under my left arm, I played a regular tattoo on his face until he simply yelled for mercy. We were then pulled apart. His face looked pretty bad and nriy arm was bleeding a perfect stream, but I did not mind it for a moment; I was only anxious to hear the referee call time, so as to get at him again, and as soon as we did, I did all the rushing this time, and I pounded him all around the ring, for my blood was up and I believe I would have finished him up right there so that he would never fight again, when the seconds had to forcibly pull me off; but I struggled even then to get at him, when one of the seconds said: "You infernal little fighting cock, if you don't keep quiet when you are told, I'll have to punch your head my- self." When we faced each other again, it looked to me as though Metcalf had had about all he could stand, and had the look or fear in his eyes, for now I could see he was afraid of me, but acted as though he was going to do something desperate; I could see it in his eye. I was getting pretty tired myself by this time, and simply kept feinting at him, and also I was afraid to get another dose of his teeth, but, as a last effort he made a savage lunge at me and seized me by the throat, and before they could tear him off had almost choked me, leaving the marks of his fingers on each side of my neck. Ihis made me so mad I mustered all my remaining strength and landed a blow right under his chin, and he dropped as if struck by a hammer, for I had knocked 98 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN him clean out, and he could not rise; then pande- monium was let loose, and the way those boys did yell and shout, you would think they had gone crazy. Belcher, my second, and Chris, took hold then at soon as I was declared the winner, bathed my face, neck, and badly lacerated arm, for I was covered with scratches and blood, but only had the marks of a couple of blows on my face and body. I felt mighty proud at having the honor of knocking all the fight out of this tyrannical bully and paying him with interest for all his past cruelty to the boys of the schooL CHAPTER X ADVENTURE OF CAMPING trac^ly ? was a government con- mctor and hved at Quebec, which was the capital city Lower Canada and the seat of government. He hZ etnlov'r/" *t80vemmSt bookbinding and empbyed a large number of men, and wa. supposed to be very well off. He was very popular with aU the pubhc men who made that city their headquarter^ good-natured man, "hail good fellow. He was my mother's brother. His «stei, my Aunt Tilly, also Jived at Quebec. She wa il" °f Artillery, and the d^d^t member of my mother's family. She lived at fnd f^r -Vu" ^« barracks, and was a jolly, buxom woman of forty-five and ver^ popular with the people of the army, especially wiA the officers and their wives. wpeaauy witli Mother received a letter from Uncle Charles, giving me an mviution to spend my two months' vacation to let me go. Of course I was greatly delighted at the on board the steamer "Montreal," and I Started on ^ fiwt journey alone, on this night-boat for Quebec, a 100 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN sail of one hundred and eighty-five miles from Mon- treal, and arrived at Quebec the next morning at seven- diirty. Uncle was waiting for me at the dock, and as •con at I landed, engaged a "calash," a two-wheeled vdiide drawn by one horse, and we started up die mountain hill — the steepest hill I ever saw a horse climb, and I expected every moment to see that small Canadian pony lifted bodily into the air and hurled backwards over our heads, for my uncle was so heavy and stout I thought surely hit great wd^t wmdd lift that pony off his feet as he climbed that ahnott per- pendicular hill, but by skillfully tacking from one side of the road to the other, back and forth all the way to the top, we at last reached the street in what they called Upper Town, and had easier going. Uncle amused me all the way by laughing, joking and directing my attention to all the different points of interest on the way to his office, where he had a suite of -'vims which he occupied alone, for his family lived distance from die city, and I toon found out tha and diey were not very congenial. He had a nice little room fitted up for me in his suite; I lived with him, and we took our meals at the hotel near by. After breakfast at the hotel, Uncle took me down to visit my Aunt. She had no children, and was very fond of me, and insi^ied that I should remain with her at the barracks, for at least that day. She took me for a walk on the parade grounds, and all over the fortifications, which were situated at the very top of the immense rock from which we could look straight down into lower town, gave me a peep into the tubterranean tunnek which lume)rcombed the under- ADVENTURE OP CAMPING 101 Wl'^a?/ ^'-^V Abraham, then through the We then vUited 27affir • ^ everything to me. hearty, jXcro^rfl!!!,''"^/"' » good-natured. of the OfEccrs .old W „rd 5?„ ttcTr r™' I woidd lose mv wav .'n • j- <«" Unci. «»rr^:iS.trto''srrerfor'^''^- and«ud,4inel- Tt hrfK u '^''^.^"^ my breath take you do™ to a fri4d W^h J"""""""" ' men's outfitdng establishrnr, ^dT^i^tif ^ reteeitrrrnr-'^j" ^ P«f«tly waterproof, strong boots laced up » 108 THE BiAKING OF A CANADIAN the middle die calf of my leg, and heavy woolen stockings reaching above the knees, and a canvas hat made of the same material as the suit. He then sup- plied me with a small, double-barreled shotgun, fidi- ing rod and tackle, fitting me out completely for a two weeka' stay in the woods. The next morning sharp at six o'clock we started for Lavaltre. There were just six persons in the party — Uncls and three of his friends, the driver of the team, "Jacque Cartier," who was also a fine cook and all- round man about a camp, and myself. Uncle rode in the canvas-covered wagon with Jacque Cartier; his three friends rode on horses, and I was supplied with a chunky Uttle Canadian pony. The wagon contained two good-sized tents, a fine cooking outfit, and pro- visions of all kinds; our guns, fishing tackle, and changes of clothing. I was as happy as a lark, and could hardly contain myself, making the very woods ring with my songs. Uncle and his chums laiH I was the Ufe of the party, and the very best thing they ever did was to bring me along. I enjoyed every minute of the trip, but they made me sing so much I became so hoarse that I could hardly speak; then Uncle ordered me not to sing another song until I got better, for his chums were urging me to sing all the time. The roads were very heavy with sand in some plac^, and very rough in odicrs; we had to follow the trail over mountains, ford small rivers and streams, but it was all a delight smd pleasure to me. Toward evening, we arrived at the first camping ground, half way to Lavaltre, and Jacque Carder's team of horses were mighty glad of it, for the day had ADVXNTDBB OP CAMPING los been very hot and sultry. As soon as we arrived. Jacquesardtr unhitched the horses and tethered them with long ropes to a tree, and took the .addles and bndles off our horses hobbled them and ucund th^ m the same way with long ropes to trees, giving them a plenQT «>f « w the viamty, but just as soon as they were Ini '^^'^ «n« of them laid down on the grass and rolled over and over again until they were tired, ^en got up and shook themselves and began grazing Jacques Cartj.r was a never^nding wonder to^ Z/^H^ «"tJ«"dy at everything; in a ve^r •hort tmie after we had arrived he had the two tents up, a fine camp fire burning, water boiling in the kettle, and slices of bacon on the end of a .harp stick sizzUng over the fire, and the odor smiting our nostrils in a most p-arfymg way, for we were all as hungry as a lot of bears. .nA""* Carrier did all the cooking himself, and he wa. a good cook, and very «x,n had the supper ready; It was spread out on a very white canvas r^r th^ A' '^"^ p^^^' wmer, the dishes were all made of enamel metal, and Ae dimking cups of the same material; the knives and fork, were aU .teel with horn handles. I never saw a meal prepared more quickly and never ate one I enjoyed more. The supper he provided consisted of ginger ale English Breakfast tea, fresh bread, toast, bacon, boiled eggs, fresh lobster, sardines, and crackers andchcese,— and plenty of everything. to -T^ 7^' ^'^^^^ ^ ""^^^ grove* and just Ik- u rT' °^ """P a beautiful waterfaU, which M into a good-sized pool, or small lake, flowing 104 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN into a wide i tream. After supper, Jacque, at wt called him for short, took the dishes down to the stream and washed them thoroughly and put them all back care- fully into their own boxes, covering all the boxes with a waterproof, in case of rain during the night. Then we an sat around the camp fire, the men smoking their pipes and cigars, and I occasionally entertaining them with a song, for I had memorized a great many, both comic and sentimental, as well as sacred, so I supplied them with a good assortment of all kinds. The moon was at its full, shining brightly, and lighting up the waterfalls, the lake, and rapids in the distance, and forcing its way through the thick foliage of the forest trees, it illuminated the landscape for quite a distance. The silence and srilhiess of the forest became almost oppressive at rimes, and was only broken by the cr«>aking of the frogs, the crickets, the hoot of an owl, or the barking of an occasional fox, which our two hunting dogs always resporded to, and as the night advanced the forest noises increased. I did not go into the tent, but lay down outride on a spare mattress covered over widi a thick blanket; I could not go to sleep for a long time, but just laid flat on my back looking at the bright moon and the myriads of stars which spangled the whole of the great vault of heaven, and let my imagination run loose. I thought it the most romanric spot in the universe. The picture was so beautiful it has never fad«;d from my memory, and I can see it all now; the burning logs on the camp fire, shooting up their millions of sparks like an army of fireflies, the men sitting around the fire in a circle, smoking their pipes, telling stories or talking politics. *'*'»'TimE OP CAMPING • m Beads remai oa thor pawt. I looked at it all and wai perfectly enttanced, but a. I wm only a th^y«" old l«y ,„d had riding in the fre.h air rfdSi^^ Jtefiily picturesque ™u„,ry since si,.thi„"X "wmni, and much a. I admired it, I could not keen Z^:T rf'T'""."'' aJ-riration for any grH? length of nme, for m spite of my be« efforts, my eyes «»n closed and I went fast asleep. I awoMy n«t mommg, and found that uncle had kta^^! • J* *^'; " 'triPP^J off and t«* a header nght mto >t. Oh, but that was a great nrim^ the water was a, clear as a sheet of glass, and" ZL' ZS r»r^l ""^ /'''•■k on the botZ^ ««"«h It was fully ten feet deep. After the swim f came out and dressed, and a. it ^ only ialfirfoul o doc.. «H>k a Uttle walk to the foot of Ae fX 3 «t down on the bank gazing down into the wa«!^^t TsiTn '<> it. I discovered aT.rfft^f'?,r',™""^8 around lazily fishem,;r f .'l'"^ I ™. a most enthusiastic beauties, and m such numbers. t.«t'^''rv''(!* "" ""^o" told Jacques Cartier « once, and I was back at the foot of the falls in a few mom«,ts, and had hardly made a cast whenT^tl fiB. bite, and then the fun bepn. I p|,y«, ^ i 106 THE SIAEING OF A CANADIAN friend for a little while, and gradually reeled him up, and landed the finest and largest speckled trout I had ever caught. He weighed fully a pound, and at the end of a half hour I had as fine a mess of speckled beauties as I ever saw. Jacques Cartier and I cleaned them, and he cooked them, and we surprised uncle and his friends with as fine a breakfast of speckled trout as they ever sat down to. My! but how we did all enjoy that breakfast. Uncle and his chums said I was the finest boy in the land, and when on any subsequent occasion they went on a hunt or a fish, if I was five hundred miles away, they would send for me. They told Jacques Cartier his wages were raised from that minute. Everyone was in good humor after filling his stom- ach with these delicious speckled trout, and I made uncle promise that if we did not find good fishing at Lavaltre, that on our return we should camp here for at least one or two days, for I was most anxious to catch a good string of these speckled trout for aunty and the officers' wives at the garrison. It did not take Jacque long to get everything packed up, and in a short rime we were again on the trail for Lavaltre. It certainly was hard going, for the trail wound along through long stretches of deep sand, and the wheels of the wagon had to churn through it, some- times up to the hubs; at other rimes we had to climb up the sides of mountains where the roads were composed of rocks and lome stones, for the rains had washed all the sand away, and left the rocks perfectly clean, which made mighty hard pulling for the team. Well, ADVENTURE OP CAMPING 107 thank . tn T '""'TT^i '^"^ difficulties all right- thank, to Jacques's splendid abilities as a driver to ford « W a small river and stream, forge our way through thr deep sand roads and cUmb many a molTain wkS o. t even an upset, or an accident of any kind At last as we were creeping down the side of a mountam, Jacques Carrier pointed outLavaltre in the distance on the plains below, and we arrived at our destmanon m the evening. It was named after Lake Lavaltre and situated on the banks of this lake but there was no village or settlement, nothingTut one rambling shack and a few outbuildings, o^eS and occupied by a man named Moore, his t;vo grown-up sons and two daughters; all strong, healthy, husky looking peopK., with very little of the appea ance of «X I ^r^" ^^^^ ^'''^y good-lookin& ^ 1 V''" "'f'^ ^'''''^ hair af: mi^ more becomingly, they certainly would have made a more attracj^ve appearance than what they did on our arrival. They both took a great fancy to me and began to mother me at once, and they did so 2f, mothering ,t bothered me, but still they we« c^lV^r" T"^^ eveiything they could think of to please and amuse me. ^ small island about twenty feet from the mainland. A v«y large tree had been blown down by a humcane •wne years previous, and it had formed a natural bridge between the island and the mainland. The Mc^re boys had leveled off the surface of the tree with an adze, and it made a very wUd bridge to walk on. 106 THE BCAKIN6 OF A CANADIAN without having to balance yourself to keep from falling into the turbulent waters below. The second night that uncle and I slept in our tent for some reason I laid awake f r quite a while, watching the smoke curling up from the camp fire, which was between us and the log bridge, and only a few feet away. The fire was burning low and gradually dying down, and I must have dropped off into a li^t doze, when I was awakened and startled by a strange noise that sounded much like the cry or wail of a baby. I jumped up immediately without disturbing uncle and looked out just as the cry was repeated, and a little distance away, about the center of the log bridge, I thought I saw a moving object, but very indistinct, as the moon was hidden behind a cloud; then I saw two small bright lights — like two balls of red fire, and then that dismal wail came again. I certainly was startled, and just a little bit frightmed, for I was now sure that it was a wild animal of some kind, and very quietly woke uncle up, and whispered to him telling him what I had discovered. He was a good hunter and a crack shot, and was on the alert in a moment, warning me to keep quite still. He picked up his repeating rifle and bid down flat on the ground — on his stomach — and I laid down in the same way a little behind him. He caught sight of the two eyes glaring at him, and pointed his rifle directly at them, when the animal gave out that dismal wail, or cry, once more, and just at the very moment that it did, unde fired, and of all the unearthly yells or screeches I ever heard, that animal surpassed, as uncle fired; then a deathly stiUness fol- lowed. ADVENTDBE OP CAMPING io» Of course this woke up the whole camp, and everv shout«l to them not to come too close until we had Ught as he wa. not .ure whether the animal was deadj a out from behmd the cloud, and we all saw the animal lymg nght across the big log and stone dead, a^ t«ned out to be the largest wolverine that had ever been shot m th,t locality. The ball had hit *e wolverme nght between the two eyes and had ne™! tiated the brain and killed it at once Every one in the party pronounced it the finest P^ of marksmanship they had ever witnessed a^d ut-^ t ■?»"""«• J'^l-'^ Carrier and the Moc , boys skinned the wolverine veiy carefully, and •tS ?r " uncle L". •nrf-ed and mounted by the best taxidermist in Quebe^ and pre«fflted ,t to the Natural History Museum It cmauJy looked vety ferodou. and lifeUke when mounted, and the museum was crowded wirvisT^r" for many days, who came to see it I did no^do S ana we naa tresh fish for our meals all th*. at th» ramn Tu ^ ^® Were at the aimp. The women never tired looking after my comfort, and they certainly made my stj"e and the first rea hunting trip I ever had. It gave ml wmethmg to talk about all the time I was at SLb^ and for a long time after I reached home. CHAPTER XI FIRST BUSINESS EXPERIENCES As all things have an ending, so the vacation season, with all its wonderful experiences of travel, sight- seeing, making new friends, hunting, fishing, living in camp in the open, and everything combined, making that two months' holiday the most enjoyable and long to be remembered that I had ever experienced up to that time, at last came to a close and, on the first day of September, I went back tc school alone, for Chris was not with me this time. My uncle, Mr. Alfred Durand, one of Toronto's prominent merchants and manufacturers, had visited Montreal in my absence and induced father and modier to allow Chris, of whom he was very fond, to return with him to Toronto and make his home in the future with him and aunty. They had no children of their own, and it was his great desire and ambition to per- petuate the large business which h,e had built up. Uncle's idea was to take Chris into the business and make him acquainted with it in all its details so that in time he could manage it, and eventually give him a partnership, and, when he was satisfied that Chris was capable of conducting it successfully, would redre and leave it in his hands. I had a very lonely feeling on the way to school the first day after the holidays. I certainly missed Chris very much, but made up my 110 ™ST BUSINESS EXPERIENCES m o ho d my own „i,h boys who were M m!d, old« d.an I none of them le« than founeen, a"d tomTrf f«ded, and at the age of fourteen was promoted awm ■nto the next dividon higher, where the boys were from two to three years older than myself ^ I was forging ahead and doing splendidly but just word from father to come home at once When I amved, father. moAer «,d the girls we e all in "he they had been weeping; I did not know what to ,^e of .t all. for eveo' member of the family, except fathw w«wlZr '7,">'»6 "hck. my son, it was with much sorrow of heart 1 was compelled to ask you to return from college; but the fact iTmy dear C I was forced to do so, for I have had a sua« 'o„ rf faanaal reverses in business; I was unable trme^Tthe away and I have been forced into bankruptcy and will have » begu. hfe all over again, and in ' yjy,^ t^Vt ^raine direct from father's lip% unutterable sorrow.-not for myself.-that thought never ««. ^t«td my mind, bl(j„yt»h<^ 118 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN and mother, who had always been so kind, loving, and generous to me and to every member of the family. A short time later, I met Mr. Yardly, a prominent member of our church, and the manager of one of the largest wholesale dry-goods houses in the city, I told him of father's misfortunes, and he expressed his deep sympathy and heartfelt sorrow; for every one respected and loved father. He said he was deeply impressed with what I had told him and wanted to know if he could be of any use in any way, either to father or myself. I told him I was anxious to find employment so that I could be of some service to the family, and, knowing that he had a great deal of influence in busi- ness circles, I thought that perhaps he would speak a good word for me and help me find employment. He said: "Jack, I will do anything in my power to help you; and also, I should like you to call at my office to- morrow morning at nine o'clock and by that time I think I will have some news for you." Of course I was on hand, sharp on time, the next morning. He was waiting for me in the office, and as soon as I entered, he took out his watch and remarked, "Jack, this is a good start; you are here right on the tick of the watch; keep this up — always be on time, for time is money." He told me he had talked, since seeing me, with Mr. Clayton, the head of the firm, and they had decided to offer me a position in their establishment; but to bear in mind that it meant hard work from the very start. I assured him I was not looking for a sine- cure, but for a position where I could show by my efforts that I was willing and able to work, and work hard, and had fully made up my mmd to do my very FIRST BUSINESS EXPERIENCES ns best, no matter how hard I had to work, and make fid K ""^ I undertook to do. He said he d^^rn? " r '^'^ ""^y^ if I had that determination I ^, sure to succeed, and if at any time I wanted advice how to act, to be sure and. come him and he would give it to me gladly. So I was en- gaged at once but only at a small salaiy to start ^ but Mr. Yardly assured me if I proved by my effom to be worthy, they would advance me as^^a^a! p^l! at e^ht o clock, and went to work on my first job. mv,llf T °f or lads, like f«m fiVr^ this establishment, ranging in age from fifteen to twenty but very few of them seemed fo Uke much mterest m their work, and only did what they real y had to do, and did this in a perfJnctory wly ^ 1 was put into the packing department under the S^dlr^'V ^r"^ Scotchman, but who thoroughl^ start, that if I wished to learn how to pack cases and make up bales, he would teach me afl he kne^ but he could not force me to learn. I told him I ™ ver^ Uke a httle pains to teach me, I would do all I could to pl^ him and would try to lighten his burdens as much as possible, and he soon found out I was as good as my word and that I was an apt pupil. Ue fim fnd b V Tt""' learn how'to mark cas« mk and a brush, and then showed me how to form the planed inwrd, and with some addresses to copy, told 114 THE liAKING OF A CANADIAN me to go ahead. I worked at this for two days and I became very much interested in th-^ work, and the following day he allowed me to mark some cases and bales which were ready for shipment, but insisted they had to be lettered almost equal to a signboard. I fin- ished them to his satisfaction, and from that time on I marked all the cases and bales that were shipped. One morning, Mr. Clayton, the head of the firm, walked into the packing-room. He visited every department in the warehouse each day; he stood behind me and watched me closely as I marked a case which was ready for shipping, and when I had finished marking it, he said: "^ling, this is a nice, clean piece of work; always do your work in that way; take time and do it well, and remember this obtains in everything you do." He then walked away. In a few weeks* time, I had not only learned how to mark cases, but how to pack them; also how to make up bales, par- cels, make out the biUs of lading, and ship the goods as well as the head packer himself. I was then put into the entry department and taught how to make the entries in the day book and make out invoices. As soon as I had become pro- ficient at this work, I was advanced a step further by being assigned to die ribbon departmoit, and in time I was made the manager of it and then advanced to the shawl-room, and from that on until I had completed the rounds of the establishment and was thoroughly grounded in the details, qualities, and values of every article of goods in the warehouse and made rapid progress, worked hard early and late, and before I was dghtMn ytua dd, was in the receipt of the largest mW BUSINESS EXPEBIENCES u« S'J^™S:'LT " ' fellow otmy^ I was venr f„„j„7? >» n*. «n""" »« W^i"* me too much ^" for .h. par. played i„ ,he e^I^.. f„ ?5S "at any gentleman would have dor < under the •«;«t«nc.^ and would he gUd ,„ do." ** re '^,">": ' Mr. Almy, "but you gentleman that Jio it What I wi,, ,0 know n ^p„ cularsdowntothe.malle.tdeoul,oryour ^ « ,, upturned deeper y,„ here^ rIIS! ^''5 """^ " ' ""^ h!r!:if J *>*i not heard aU the detail. Ae ome I was engaged giving the detaik to Jfe ^ WW ''f"'' ^ -^o™"" eyes nev.; oHm,^,- u "-'«'• I took, com- pbrn^ong her on her rapid recoveo^. She said. -iS. ^ I was not able to speak and thank you for ycm iWit md never-to-be-forgotten kindness ,0 me I nervousne" and S that K ^'""'f' ' f" I "^ly Mm TOuId have survived the shock." I said, "Miss «l»ut It, and. rf poerf,]^ drive it out of our thoughts 182 THE liAKING OF A CANADIAN and think of something more pleasant. It was cei^ tainly a painful episode which crept into our lives, but we had better banish it from our minds altogether." I was grateful to Mr. Almy for changing the subject by saying he thought we had better drive out to Rox- buiy as Mrs. Almy would be getting anxious about . them. He then ordered the carriage, and insisted that I should drive out to Roxbury with them, as Ruth's mother would certainly be anxious to c-c me. I tried very hard to excuse myself from accepting his kind invitation, but neither he nor Ruth would take "no" for an answer, but overruled all my excuses and objections. It was a beautiful day, and the drive to Roxbury was delightful. On our arrival at the Almy residence, and the cause of the delay explained to Mrs. Almy, she gave me a very cordial welcome and very warmly seconded Mr. Almy's kind invitation to make dieir house my home during my stay in Boston. I could not refuse to comply with their request, as it was given in such a kindly way. I remained a^ their guest for four days. I never in all my life was treated with such wholehearted hospitality as was meted out to me by these good people, and from that time to the present, they have been numbered among my dearest friends. Mr. Almy was a man of forty or forty-five, and was in the prime of life. Mrs. Almy was not in very good health and could not go out with us as often as she would like to have dut to the Grand Tnmk station, the inhabitants of Griffintown, both men and women, seemed to admire us or our nerve, and did not •BOW any hostility with the exception of a few who jeered us and threw a few stoeei, but this was done by a few half-drunken rowdies, whoM cffbrti to make trouble were frowned on by the great mass of onlookers. When the train arrived at Point St. Charles, and Mn McGee stepped down on to the station platform hif private car, he met with a rousing reception. He attempted to say a few words to the reception a>»- mittee, but cheer after cheer rent the air, and it was a long time before the wild tumult of applause died down so that his voice could be heard. But as soon as silence waa obtained, he said: "Gentlemen of the committee, I am mdeed grateful to you and this splendid body of young men for taking such a deep interest in my efforts to promote a kindlier feeling between all clats^js and t^t^ds ,n our beloved country. The very first essential need. the ground work on which we construct, and the carr,f;„tone that mm be laid, ig that of respect for law and obedience to inthorty. No common- wealth can remain in exi= c^n* , no government can succeed where mob law exists. The Government must, and shall, be supreme. Mob law spawned by buotiy, ifi; .'ice, fanaticism axid intolerance, must be pot down for ever. This must be done, and it is just to such splendid specimens of educated physical manhood as I see before me to-day, that the Govern- ment is looking to accomplish this purpose. "Gentlemen, i thank you for your sympathy; I thank you for your support; I &ank God for it, 140 THE IfAKING OF A CANADIAN for I now see success crowning our efforts, not in the far distant future, but now; for I also see that I am not alone in diit fi^^ and with die oontdousness oi having such men as you bdiind me, I am strengthened with renewed courage, and you can rest assured that I now consecrate my life afresh, and if necessary will lay it down willingly, at any time, to accomplish my purpose, and that is to make our beloved Canada the most law-abiding, and bot-govemed colcmy tinder the British Crown." The different athletic clubs, composing the volun- teer bodyguard, formed themselves into a hollow square, the men standing shoulder to shoulder, from ten to twenQT deep, Mr. McGee and the recepdmi com- mittee occupying the center, completely preventing any one from getting within fifty feet of the party. Detectives mingled with the crowds outside the square and kept a sharp lookout for suspicious characters, and if they cau^t a glimpse of a man putting his hand to his pocket as if attempting to draw a pistd, he was seized at once and searched, and if a gun was found on him he was handcuffed and locked up in a box car which had been prepared as a lockup, with police guards. Mr. McGee was escorted by the committee of Montreal citizens who were to entertain him, to a very handsome open carriage drawn by a magnificoit pair of thoroughbred dark bay horses. As soon as he was seated, the marshal in command of the bodyguard placed his men in position. This had aU been pbuined and mapped out beforehand, so that every man knew exactly where to go. Mr. McGee's carriage was surrounded by a sdid MOTS AND PREPABEDNESS 147 body, or wall, of fine stalwart men, who would have fought to the death for him, had it been necessary to do 80. Several clubs led the procession and marched to a quickstep played by the band. Mr. McGee's car- nage was m the center of a hollow square composed of members of lacrosse clubs, marching in close order, about ten deep on each side of the carriage, so that no one could get near him unless they broke through the ranks— and a disorganized mob could hardly do that. The procession headed for WeUington Street, and to do so had to pass over Wellington Bridge. The bridge was well guarded, but just as soon as the pro- cession had passed over, we entered Wellington Street and, instead of the crowds being orderly as they were on the way out, the hoodlums had congregated at the street comers all along the route and had supplied themselves with all kinds of missiles to throw at the procession as it wended its way to the St, Lawrence Hall. Numberi of detectives and others who had been •worn in as deputies by the sheriff, mingled with the crowds all along the route and as soon as they spotted a man about to throw a stone, he received a crack on the head from a short club held in the hand of one of these men, and was bowled over at once and thrown into one of the vans that had been provided for just such an emergency and carted off to jail. The thugs tried time after time to break through the ranks, but the lacrosse sticks wielded by such skillful hands as the men of the different lacrosse clubs, that ■cores of these aggressors were knocked out and left n>nwling in the mud, with broken and sore heads that 148 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN ipould remiiui diein for tome time to come that mob rule was never going to be allowed a free hand in Mon- treal. And it taught them another lesson, namely, that the law-abiding element were in a strong majority. And to their great credit, the respectable element of the Irish Catholic population were with die law-abiding citizens in their dForts to put down mob rule. The march through Griffintown was short and swift, and we landed Mr. McGee at the St. Lawrence Hall with- out a hair of his head being injured. St. James Street was packed with men who had sworn that Mr. McGee would never be illowed to make a ftMk speech ui Montreal. But to their chagrin and surprise, a few moments after entering the doors of the hotel, which were closed and guarded as soon as he and the com- mittee had passed through, Mr. McGee went up to the second story mi stepp«4 through one of the mtd&wt onto a small Inlcony ov«k>oking a perfect sea of iatm, and stood there with arms folded waiting for the torn of voices to ceaM irfiich greeted him as idchi as he was recognized. He stood for a few mim^ with head uncovered, a perfect mark fv «i assMsia's bi^at. Sane my time several shots wtn firml, but the sennds wnt drowned in the thunderous roar of the enraged crowds. Mr. McGee was as brave as he was eloquent, and not in the least daunted at the show of hostiUty by the mad- dened thrnig wliadi hm hmi, Tkm he nused hk ri^ haod, asking for sdsace, aai wited until the uproar ceased. As soon as quiet was obtained, \m ^manded ris his right, as a British subject, the privilege oi free speech. The shouting, jeering and hissing RIOTS AND PREPAREDNESS crowd gradually became quiet and Mr. McGee made one of the most brilUant speeches he ever made in his We. Hit braveiy, matchless eloquence and mag- netitm at last captured the crowd, and before he had spoken ten minutes, he held the crowd breathless, fearing they would lose one single word which fell from his hps. Mr. McGee's address lasted for over an hour, and It was the best lesson the disturbing element of Montreal ever received and the better class of citizens emphatically proclaimed that from that time forward the law must for ever be upheld, and mob rule put down for ever. It goes without saying that many of the body- guard who escorted Mr. McGee from Point St. Charles G. T. R. station to the St. Lawrence Hall were pretty badly hurt. I received one bad crack on the side of the head, and a few minor bruises, but we did not have anything like the big fight we expected; the mobs were cowed by the show of determination and by the class of men who took part in the demonstration. The fact is the whole city was roused as never before, and the respectable men of all denominations and creeds were united for the first time in the history of Montreal and decided to sink all diflrerences, and unite on one common phitform, founded on Law and Order for the good of all. After Mr. McGee's memorable speech from the balcony m front of the St. Lawrence Hall had been deUvered, the better element of the citizens of Mon- treal thought that at last quiet and peace would obtain mthe dty, but they were mistaken. The poUtical wmiOKuei renewed with frcdi vigor their insidious 150 THE MAKING OF A CANAIXAN propaganda in enticing the baser element or classes of die people to renewed eflPort, and the McGee riots broke out again in different parts of the ciQr, and cul- minated IB a vast mob taking pof^scssion of Victoria Square, armed with pistols and clubs, and pockets filled with stones and missiles of all kinds. The authorities, finding that the mild measures they had adopted up to that time were of no avail, decided that the rime had now arrived to use harsher means, and put a stop, for all time, to anything like mob rule in the city. The troops were called out, and after the reading of the riot act, the crowds were ordered to dis- perse and go to their homes, but instead dP doing so, they fired a voll^ oi stones and pistol shots at the troops — wounding several of them as wdl as scmie ot the onlookers. The commander of the troops, an old Crimean vet- eran, ordered his men to load with blank cartridges, and dien gave the conunand to fire. But as diat had no effect, but to incite the rioters to further effort, he ordered the troops to load with ball cartridges, and gave the soldiers orders to fire low, and shoot to kill. This they did, and when the smoke drifted away and the mobs discovered that large numbers of their men had been shot, for they were dropped all over die square, a wild scramble took place for shelter, and the mobs from their leaders down were seized with fright and in a perfect frenzy of terror trampled each other down in their mad rush to get away from the soldiers. The troopers were then ordered to charge right into the crowds and seize the leaders, handcuff them and throw them into the police vans and rush than off to jail RIOTS AND PREPAREDNESS ui It was all done so quickly and tywematically, that m a very short time a rioter was not to be found, and Victona Square became one of the quietest spots in the A number of dead were picked up and carried off to the morgue, and a great many wounded were con- veyed to the different hospitals. Among the number was a personal friend of mine, who was shot through tht kneecap and had to have his leg amputated above the knee. He was not a rioter, but simply one of the crowd Kke myself— an onlooker, but many of whom were wounded. The salutary lesson which the mobs received on this occasion, took all the fight out of them and the political demagogues who were responsible for the riots, but who had not been captured, were conspicuous by their absence; and it would have been anything but safe for one of them to show his face in the City of Mon- treal for a long rime to come, for the very men whom they had incited to violence were now their* bitterest ene- mies, anrl swore to kill them on sight the first rime they laid eyes on them. But aU this rioting and fighting helped to fan the fire of patriotism into a flame in the hearts of the youth of the country, and the young men of the city, especiallj , flocked to the military schools and enrolled for service, and every volunteer regiment had Its ranks filled to full strength. I had always had a dtnn to join the service, for my father was an old soldier, and many of my uncles were military men, and last, but not least, my eldest brother Chris was a lieu- tenant in the Queen's Own, at Toronto. A number of my companions and myself enrolled at the barracks, took the necessary oath, and became m THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN members of the military school and the very next day began our nulitaiy training to fit us for officers in one of the volunteer legtments connected with Her MajesQr'f service. Our measurements were taken and we were sup- plied with the regulation cadet uniforms, scarlet tunic with brass buttons and gold braid, blue trousers with wide gold stripes, and forage cap with gold band. We all thought we looked very smart and chic when we donned the uniforms for the first time. I had been working at a desk in the warehouse for some months back, and the constant bending over the books began to round my shoulders, so the first thing the drill ser- geant did was to take a stout oak stick and pass it through my arms and across my back, fastening my hands at the wrists across my chest, compelling me to stand very erect, and throw my chest forward so as to release die tension on my wrists. I was only kept in this posirion for an hour at a time; I thought it a great hardship at first, but after wearing it for some time it took all the hump out of my back and shoulders, and I became as straight as a ramrod. Many a rime from that day to this I have blessed that old drill sergeant for forcing me to wear that oak stick, for it made me carry mywdf perfectly erect and straight, and I have been so ever since. The constant drilling was very fariguing, but I got accustomed to it in rime. We were taught all kinds of athletic exerdset and sports, anything to make us strong and fit; boxing and wresding were the two principal and most popular exercises. Large air mattresses or cushions were provided for these two BIOTS AND PREPAREDNESS 15S •ports, so that the contestants would not be hurt^ when thrown or knocked out by a blow. 'Die boxing master was a very tall Englishman from the Grenadier Guards, and must have been at least MX feet four indict tall, very strong, and a magnificent boxer, and wai constantly telling us: "If you ever expect to put up a good fight, you must first learn to take a good punishment," and that the two things that counted most in a fight were skill and endurance. And he certainly tried to impress us with these two facts; for many a time as I stood up to him with the gloves on, he would say, "Now, Mr. Arling, guard you face weU, for I am going to hit you right on the left jaw," and, guard as I would, his right fist would connect with my left jaw and with such force I would almost turn a back somersault as he knocked me off my feet, and landed me flat on my back on the mattress, so that I could see stars scintillaring all over the drill hall. With- out moving a muscle of his face, and as if nothing out SVr A?*^*"*''' ^""^ happened, he would continue, Mr. Arbng, that is a very pretty blow for a knock- out-now just get up and I will show you how it is done. For, if it is accomplished with the regulation hght gloves, It usually results in a knockout." I agreed with him perfectly when I was the recipient and he was the one who administered the blow. Anyhow m time he made me a fairly good boxer and taught me how to take punishment without flinching. In after years I was more than thankful to him for teaching nie how to use my hands in an emergency, and many a time this knowledge saved me from a bad beating, or IM THE MAUSQ OP A CANADIAN What with the drilling, boxing, wrestling, vaulting, jumping and other oerciMs, we soon found we were becoming strong, ttihrart men, in perfect i^yekal con- dition, capable of enduring a great deal of hardship and at the same time it imbued us with confidence in our ability to take care of ourselves, making us absolutely lelf-reliant; but, unfortunately, it also made us just a little bit proud. When the school was dismissed in the afternoon, it was our custom to break up into batches of say four or six to the squad, and take a stroll around the city, or at other times uke quite a long hike through the country. There were about leven thousand British troops stationed in Montreal at this time, and as we were only cadets, it was our duty whenever we met an officer in uniform to salute him, but as some of these officers were very young men like ourselves, we got it into our heads that it was a little bit lowering to our dignity to be compelled to do this, and we resorted to all kinds of evasions and expedients to avoid saluting particubrly the younger officers of the service. On one particular occasion, six of us were strolling leisurely along St. James Street, die most fashionable promenade at that time, chatting and swinging our small canes, for we all considered ourselves great dandies in our well-fitting uniforms, and all carried canes. We stopped for a while to chat with some friends, who were seated in armchairs in front of the St. Lawrence Hall, as this hotel was the great rendez- vous for all die well-to-do idlers in the city, and on a fine afternoon the front veranda was always crowded with them, and sometimes a row of armchain extended RIOTS AND PREPAREDNESS iffff along the sidewalk next the hotel, all intent on gazing at the fashionably dressed ladies and gentlemen prom- enading along this most fashionable thoroughfare. All at once, I espied a number of British officers in uniform coming up the street; I gave the signal to my companions and we walked on to the window of a sporting goods shop next door, and pretended to be greatly interested in the window display,— the six of us all intently gazing into the window with our backs to the street. In a few moments the officers arrived; they halted and stood at the curb, looking straight at our backs. We could see their reflection plainly in the plate glass window, and we became a little bit alarmed, for we noted that they were all officers of high rank and an at once became aware that it was Major General Windom, the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in Canada, and his staff. They halted for a short time, and the longer they remained looking at our backs the more we became embarrassed; but the silence was broken by the mil- itary command uttered in stentorian tones: "Mil- itary School Cadets, At-ten-tion!" We immediately came to attention. "Right about face!" and we wheeled about facing the General and his staff. "Ad- vance two paces — ^forward ! " We advanced two paces. "Ease off from the left!" which we did. "Halt!" and we halted, standing as stiff as ramrods. The General then gave the next command (for It was General Windom who was putting us through the exercise): "Military School Cadets, Salute by numbers! One!" Our arms flew out straight from the shoulder with palms down. "Two!" our right 156 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN hands flew back touching the rim of our forage caps. "Three!" and our hands dropped to our sides. He then gave the commaiid: "Dote up fron the kStV* and we closed up, standing in rank at attentioii. He then addreb-^ed us: "Gentlemen, it has come to my ears that the members of the military schools have a decided objection to saluting when they meet officers of Her Majesty's service from time to time. Now, young gentlemen, I do not wish to hurt your fedinfi by this public exhibition of discipline, but amply want to say that when you salute an officer you are not salut- ing the man, but you are saluting the uniform and the cobri of Her Majesty's service. So do not think for a mcmient you are lowering your dignity by ddng so, for you are not. I sincerely trust you will profit by this lesson," and then issued tht following command: "Stand at ease!" and we did. "Now good day, gen- tkmen, dismiss!" and we did, for we were mighty glad to get away. Just at soon as the General and his staflT started up die street, a perfect roar of laugh- ter greeted our ears from all the loungers in front of the St. Lawrence Hall, as well as from the great crowd of onlookers who had witnessed the episode; and I can assure you we got away from that vicinity as soon as we possibly could. Our pride received a great shock, but we profited by the experience and never again refused to salute an officer from that time on. For the six months that I was connected with the military school, I studied and worked hard, for I was anxious to pass my examinations with credit. I had pored over my book, "The Queen's Regulations," RIOTS AND PREPAREDNESS M? until late every night to acquire a good and perfect knowledge of military tactics. I remember as a raw recruit, along with many others who enliited on the same day that I did, that we were toed up before the sergeant who was to be our drill mstructor; he was an immense big burly EngHthman with a voice like a foghorn, and who knew his book by heart, for it was said he never read any other. On giving ui our first lesson of instructions, he handed each one of us a book about one inch thick, and five inches long by four wide, bound in red morocco, with flexible covers and fastened with a brass clasp, and said: Gentlemen, the books I have just handed you are called 'The Queen's Regulations.' They contain every atom of information required to fit you for sol- diers and officers in Her Majesty's service. I require you to study this book carefuUy, faithfiiUy, and con- stantly, every moment you can spare when off duty. In fact, I want you to eat it; so that you will assimilate every word. I will refer you to several very important and necessary facts recorded in this boo^ and it will be your duty to make yourselves familiar with them as soon as possible. Please turn to page 157, and four lines from the bottom of the page you will find these words written"; and then he would repeat from mem- ory the words quoted, for he had no book in his hand, and all through this first lesson would give us instruc- dons as laid down in the book entitled, "The Queen's Regulations," and would give us the page and the loca- tion on the page for every reference as above. He had really "eaten the book," as he had instructed us to do. All through my term of six months in that miUuiy MKROCOrV RBOIUTION TEST CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) ^ APPLIED IIVMGE Inc 1653 East Main Street Rochester, Nc» Yorh 14609 USA (716) 482 - OJOO - Phone (716) 288 - 5989 - Tok IBS THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN school, he interspersed his talks and clinched his argu- ments with quotations from The Queen's Regulations, but I never in all that time saw him look at the book <»ice, for he had a most marvelous memory. At last the day arrived that I and several of my comrades were to be examined by the commanding officer; we were all in a great state of excitement, fearing we would be plucked. Some of the boys were, but some of my most intimate friends and myself succeeded in passing the exan inations and received our certificates, and were then mustered out of the military school. A few days after leaving the school, I received a letter from the proprietor of a large wholesale establish- ment, one of the largest in the City of Toronto, making me the <^er of a very nice position in his establish- ment, with a very much larger salary than I had ever received up to that dme for my services, and I decided to accept his offer if father and mother thought well of it. That evening, when we had all gathered in the living-room after supper, I took the letter out of my pocket and read it to them, and asked father and mother what they thought I should do. We talked the matter over all the evening, and all thought the proposidon was such a generous one that I should accept it. So the next morning I wrote to Messrs. Glatsman & Company accepting their kind offer, and wmild kave for Twmto in a few day§. CHAPTER XV BEGINNINGS OF A COMMERCIAL TRAVELER I WROTE my letter of acceptance to Glassman & Company and one week later was ready to start for the West. Father, mother and the girls all came down to the G. T. R. station with me to say farewell, and see me off. It was a sad leave-taking for all of us, but a most affectionate one. I had embraced and kissed each one of them, and was just stepping on the train, the con- ductor was shouting out "All aboard!" when dear mother ran f<»rward and put her two arms around my neck and kissed me again and again, and said, "Be a |ood boy, Jack, as you have always been. Remember we will be praying for you at home. God bless you, my dear, dear son." And, as the train pulled out I caught a last glimpse of her, with her head buried on fiidier's shoulder and weeping as though hor dear heart would breaL I woke up early the following morning, as the train pulled into Coburg, where we had breakfast, which I enjoyed immensely, and then started again for Toronto. It was a beautiful May morning; everything along the line was fresh and bright, the dew was sparklipg like silver on the leaves of the trees and the grass, and die morning air was sweet. I was only a lad of nineteen at the time, and was wondeiing what the future had store for me, for I was very ambitious, and there- ~ " l» 160 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN fore was just starting out and on my way to seek my fortune in the West. I was also feeling a bit home- sick, for I had been thinking ever since I woke up that morning, that perhaps I had left my dear old home for ever. I was also thinking of the last interview I had had with my dear, sweet*laced mother in her nxmi, just before leaving for the West; she put her arms around my neck and kissed me, and told me of her great love for me and that no matter where I went her heart and prayers would be with me all the time; to be sure at all times to commit all my ways into God's hands and that he surely would direct all my steps. She told me all this through her tears, which she was trying so bravely to hold back, and at the same time I was struggling with a big lump in my throat which I found imporaibk to swallow. These, and oAer experiences ccmnected widi my fifib in the dear dd home, paned before my mind in pan^ oramic procession as I sat at the window of the train that morning, every moment increasing the distance between those whom I loved so dearly, and myself. But my reverie came to an abrupt ending, for the trainman was shouting at the top of hli voice "Toronto! All change!" I got my thbgs together as quickly as possible, and grabbing my bag, walked out of the train with the other passengers. I was thinking at the time what a pity it was that I was not going to meet Chris as I stepped off the train. Chris was in England at the time, as die buyer for my uncle's firm (Alfred Durand & Company), but instead of receiving a hearty welcome from Chris, I heard a deep, raspy voice right at my elbow say, "Well, sir! so you BEGINNINGS OF A COMMERCIAL TRAVELER 1«1 have arrived at last, have you? It's about time I twenQT minutes late! trains are always late." I turned and found that the voice belonged to my Uncle Alfred, or, as he liked to be called, "Mr. Alfred Durand," or, better still, "Alfred Durand, Esq." He was a tall, saUow-complejctoned man, standing fully six feet three, very erect, and not very stout. He was dressed in a black frock suit, a tall silk hat, with a high standing collar, the ears pointing straight out on each side of his face, and this was encompassed with a large black .stock, or cravat. He was a hard worker and expected every man in his employ to be the same; he had made money and was a high pillar in the church, and, in his own opinion, one <^ the most important members of the community. As my brother Chris was in Europe, my Aunt Rebekah, his wif(^ a very lovable woman, had insisted on his driving down to die train to meet me yrhm f arrived and bring me up to the house. Just as soon as we were seated in the buggy, he thought it a good time to give me some sound advice, and at die same time impress me with his great impor- Unce. I was in a very receptive mood at the time, for I was feeling very lonely and homesick, and a few kind words would certainly have found a ready response in my heart. Instead, he started right in to give me a lecture on the wickedness pervading all classes of society, and that everytme, especially the young men of die day, were going plumb to perdition, and wound up by saying: "And I sincerely trust, young man, that you have not come West to disgrace your relatives." I had not replied to him up to this point in his lecture, 162 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN and was growing more indignant every nKHnent; bat just as soon as he made this pointed allusion to myself, I seized the reins and drew the horse up with a jerk and grabbing my traveling bag, jumped out of the buggy. Turning to him, I said: "Mr. Durapd, when you find* me disgracing my relatives, I think it will be ample time for you to remind me of that fact. Good day, sir!" I then left him, and walking up the street found wiyself in a strange city, with but few friends. Fortunately, I met a young man whom I recognized as having met on my previous visit, and he gave me the address of a very nice, neat and clean temperance hotel on the next block where I engaged a room with board, and made this my home for some time. It was a fortunate thing for me that I was directed to this particular hotel, for there were several fine young fel- lows boarding in this house,— some of them I had met, and they soon made me acquainted with the others and we all became very good friends. Two of them, par- ticularly, I took a strong liking for, and was veiy much attached to them. We became dose companions, and the friendship lasted for many years. Like mjrself, they were fond of all kinds of outdoor sports, more especially boating and swimming. We were strong, husky lads, brimming over with health and good nature, light-hearted, and constantly living on the sunny side of the road. They very soon procured for me the "entree" into some of the most hospitable homes in the city, and I became acquainted with a great many young ladies and gentlemen who were just as fond of outdoor spofts as we were, and among the people we called on were the "Ralstones" and I again BEGINNINGS OP A COMMERCIU, TBJlVESXB. m had the pleuuie of renewing my acquaintance witi, Sus,e the young lady I had met in July, to whom I thought my brother Chm was eni A tamly expressed her pleasure at the thought that I had d^ded to make Toronto my home, and ^ve me a mSt «<»d«J mviut.™ to come up to their house whene^r I «t hke .t. ««i at any time I felt the least bit lonely or homesjck to come right up at once and both she, h„ smer and the rest of the famfly would do aU in didr power to mate me happy. Miss Ralstone and her sister were typical of the young ladie. of Toronto Since that time^^I have trav! and ""I have virited cities and towns, and hved with and become well acquainted with the Umted States, England and the Continent of Europe! but have never m all my travels met a more wh<5e^ «.me kt of young people than I had the good fortune citrom;:."^~ » *e I cJw'f ""Ti"* 'f'" ' """^ " Toronto, 1 caUed at once on Messrs. J. G. Glassman & Co firm I had had the cor«n»ndence with, and who had en^ged my services. I met Mr. Gla«m,an for At fi«t dme, as I had carried on all the negotiation, by mul. He was a tall, good-looking, welWressed man. alei ml 'n 1"^ "« h". <„„ch to say. He simpb^ 1 told hinj that of course it was a new line for me. but I thought I could. He point«i u, three UtgeMmpfc IM THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN trunks, packed, locked and strapped, and, handing mt. the keys of the trunks and one hundred dollars for expenses, said: "There are your trunks, I think you had better talrjs the seven o'clock train to-morrow morning, making Guelph your fint stopping place, and cover the western ground. It will take you about two months to finish the trip, and I hope n your return you will have done some good busine He then shook hands with me and said, "Goor' .ack to you; let us hear from you every day or two," and then vanished into his office. One of my new acquaintances at the hotel was Charley Hurd. He also was a commercial tr ler. He and I sat for a long time in the hotel that evening mapping out the western route and giving me all kinds of pointers, which I found very useful. As instructed, I caught the seven o'clock train the next morning, and started on my first trip as a traveling salesman. On my arrival at Guelph I took the bus up to the hotel. A good-natured looking clerk stood behind the counter and, shoving the book over, asked me to register. He asked me at the same time if I needed a sample room. I told him I did. After a few words of greeting, I asked him if he would kindly give me the name and address of the largest and most prosperous hat and fur dealer in the city. He replied, "Why, that's easy! Granger & Company are the largest, the wealthiest, and the most progressive firm in this line of business in the West. But I will tell you right now that I hardly think you will be able to do anything with them, for they never buy from traveling salesmen. Mr. Granger himself does the buying and BEGINNINGS OP A COMMEBOAL TRAVELER m he goes to Toronto, Hamilton and Montreal every two months and buys first hand from manufacturers and jobbers, and traveling men all say it is simply a waste of time to call on that firm." I thanked him very much for the information and requested diat he would have my sample trunks put mto a good sample room. I made my way at once to Granger & Company's, and handed my private card to a young man at the entrance and requested that he would ask Mr. Granger to accord me an interview in his private office. He returned in a short time and said Mr. Granger would see me. I was ushered into Mr. Granger's offic and found him to be a rather good-looking, heavily Suilt, fair- complexioned German Canadian. He was in his shirt sleeves, seated on a large swivel armchair and smoking a big black Havana cigar. He looked up from his desk as 1 entered and said very pleasantly, "Well, young fellow, what can I do for you?" I said, "Mr. Granger! . w -n do a good deal for me if you wiU, and perhaps I wiprocate and do something for you. If you will ^ «dl/ give me a few moments of your valuable rime, for I know you arc a very busy man, I will explain." Herephed: "My time is rather valuable just now but go ahead." "Mr. Granger," I said, "I fiLd myseTf m rather an embarrassing position; I am a dry goods man and not a hat man. The fact is, the only hats I have ever handled are the hats that I have used on my loronto have hired me to travel for them at a very Bood salary; in fact, the best wages I ever had. When 1 arrived at the warehouse in Toronto, I found the 166 TBB MAKING OF A CANADIAN trunks already packed, locked and strapped. I had a short interview with Mr. Glassman in his office and I found him to be a very nice, courteous gentleman, but he timply handed me the keyi of the trunks and an envelope containing one hundred doUan for traveling expenses and a short note, telling me to go West making my first stop at Guelph. I have just arrived, and have been told that you are the largest dealer in hats and furs m this part of the country and I want to know if you would be good enough to spend an hour or two in my sample room to-night. It will of course be an act of charity on your part, but, at the same time, it will be of the most inestimable value to me. I will give you the private mark; all the samples are marked with it so diat you can see the prices for yourself, and I will also give you a special price list giving the lowest pos- sible prices that we can name for goods in large quan- tities, also giving special terms and discounts to large buyers. In fact, I will provide you with all the infor- mation I have myself, and if you will take the trouble to look over the samples, you can be your own salesman and buyer at the same time. All I will ask you to do is to post me up a little bit on my own line, showing me how to pack and unpack the samples, how to lay them out and show them off to the best advrjitage. If you will kindly do this, I will promise on my part that whenever I have a line that I am allowed to close out less than the regular figures, you will be the first to hear of it." He listened very carefully to all I had to say, but just as soon as I was through, do you know he just sat back in his chair and laughed, and laughed, until his sides shook. My 1 but how he seemed to enjoy that BEGINNINGS OF A COMMERCIAL TRAVELER 167 laugh. He had not been at it very long, when I caught the contagion and joined in, for I am a pretty good laugher myself. ux^^^A ^^^^^ ™ Mr. Arbng, I have been in thii business for thirty years, and, do you know that you are the very first travehng salesman that has called at my warehouse to sell me goods, that did not know it all, and that did not come in to give me some very valuable advice and iirformation? And you candidly admit that you are absolutely ignorant of the goods you want to sell and are frank enough to tell me so and throw yourself on my hands and ask for help." »wn»u 'T°" diagnosed my case exactly." Wel^ he said, "I will come up to your sample room at eight o'clock and you leave the sample trunks just as they are until I arrive; I will open them, and lay the samples out myself, for perhaps you do not know it, but I am an old traveling salesman myself. I will not promise to buy anything; but, my boy, you can depend on me to give you a thorough posting on how to handle the line." Promptly at eight o'clock he walked into my sample room and began at once like an old hand to open the trunks and lay the samples out on the tables, so that they would show up to the best advantage, for he thoroughly understood his business. He was talking all the time he worked, showing me how to handle the different lines, and explaining the difference in quality, style and finish. His explanations were so lucid that I was enabled to comprehend everything, and every bit of information he imparted to me, and I soon had 168 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN enough knowledge to give me a fair start at a talea- man in these lines and a gnmndwork to build up further knowledge as I went on. I had given him the price lists, the special quota- tions for large buvers, and the discount sheet. These instructions were \try carefully written out, giving me authority to fix prices for small, medium, and large buyers, and sn extra inducement to capture die trade of the customers of any of our compedtora in buaineia» especially where I found there was keen competition. Of course, as we said on the road, I had given away the whole snap; in fact, had thrown my cards on the table with the faces up. All the time he was posting me up on my own goods, he was diligently making memoranda on a pad which he had with him. He remained with me until eleven o'clock that night and at the end of that time he had given me a pretty fair knowledge of my own line ci goods. I was an apt scholar and took in every atom of information he had so kindly imparted to me, and not only this, but I had made a good friend in the trade, and one who never lost an opportunity to do me a kindness. After giving me all the information he could think ofy regarding the quality, style and finibh of the different grades of goods, and instructing me how to display my samples to the best advantage, he said, "Now, I will show you how to pack your samples and place them in your trunks so that they will thnya come out neat and fresh looking." When he had finished giving me this last lesson, he locked the trunks and handed me the keys, telling me not to open the trunks again, nor allow BEGINNINGS OP A CX)»IMERriAL TRAVELER 16P any one to see them, nor the samples, until I had seen him in the morning, and then he would explain his retsom for making the request and make me a proposi- tkm which he thought would be to my advantage; but at it wat now to hte he would let everything rest over night and for me to be at his office at nine o'clock the next mcTiing. You can be sure I was on hand at the time appointed and he was there to meet me; he was smiling all over his good-natured looking face when I entered his office. He shook my hand warmly and said, "Now, Jack, my boy, I have certainly taken a fancy to you for being so frank with me and I never did anything in kny life that gave me more pleasure than I derived from helping you out last night. I have made it a rule for a bng time back, not to buy from traveling salesmen, but rather to go to the markets direct and select my own goods. But I am going to make an exception in your case, and I have made you out a krge order. fact, the largest order I ever gave to a traveling n . i. I am giving you this order on the conditions that you do not sell to any one else in this city, and that you confine your trade directly to Mcsi '\ Grange, k Company fo. the city of Guelph, for I do not like direct competition in the city, if I can avoid it. I will always be your cus- tomer here and will buy more goods from you than all the rest of the hat trade put together." Of course I agreed to his proposition at once, and thanked him over and over again for his great kindness and told him it was simply impossible for me to express in words the gratitude that I felt welling up in my heart and going out to him for taking all the pains, time and 170 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN trouble that he had taken with me, a perfect stranger and only a young hd at that, and added to diis his great kindness in giving me this splendid order which would certainly put me on my feet at once with the firm, and at the same time it had Ufted a big load from my mind, for I was afraid that on account of my ignorance of the goods I was trying to sell, I would fail in making sales. In spite of all I could do, the warm tears of gratitude had forced themselves into my eyes. I held out my hand to bici him good-bye, but instead of releasing my hand, he held on to it, and said to me, "Jack, you are only a young boy yet, and have not wen much of the world. I would so much like to see you make a suc- cess of life. I am not much of a preacher, but Jack, just take this from me, an old business man: Be per- fectly truthful in all your dealings with your customers and be sure and win thdr confidence by bong abso- lutely sincere, and when this confidence is established, it will not only pay, but it will be a satisfaction to your- self, knowing that you have done the straight thing." I promised him that I would certainly try to prove to him that I was worthy of his confidence. My heart certainly went out to him for his very great kindness to me and I was so grateful for the kind, fatherly inter- est he took in my welfare that I determined right there to do mv level best so that the next time I called on him, I could look him in the face and tell him I had won out and had kept my promise. He walked to the front door with me, still holding my hand, and as we parted he waved his hand to me, shouting "Good luck to you, Jack!" and I walked back BEGINNINGS OF A COMMRBCIAl TEAVBLEB 171 Tard »!l!f * '^^^-"y throat that I found «^„1 •• \^ .""-P'rine «he difference be- tween the reception I received from Mr. Alfred Durand (my uncle) on my arrival at Toronto, and the whol^ «.uled hearjy and kindly manner n whS, 7^ ««ttd by Mr. Granger a perfect stranger, and Z I had never met una] the day before, and even then without the prestige of an introducrion, but haS s.mply walked mto his office, presented m^ card and urd-br^m!'"'' - " r«,«^'' *e West and r«um«l my joumey. To me it to. Uke Uunching out ZV? T J" ' """^ *« «i» with a Tit ^ Ta ' ''f' ■^o™"". for now I had confidence m myself and was sure I was going I „r;ni?" T"*™ '7. '"""^ '■"^ months and I not only made many friend, in the trade, but did a line busincM all along the route. On my arrival at Toronto, I was met in a veiy dif- ferent manner by Mr. Glassman from the w^. he ^^^.Ttvl^"' V'" ^'i."* °" tim^e he raw me at the front door of the warehouse, shook hands with me heartily and taking my arm, conducted me mto his private office, handed me a chair and «id. Now sit down and tell me all about the trip, for »o« cmainly made good as you said you would try „ Why, my b^, do you know we have had men go over that „u,e who have been on the road for twenty years. But "lu "''" '? " " done- But tell „e! how m the world did you manage to land ttat magnificent order from Granger U Company— 17« THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN that was a corking fine order you took from them. I can't understand it; and all in the warehouse have had tlieir heads together ever since) trying to make it out ever since you sent the order in. Of course we ao* knowledged the order to Granger & Company at once, and expressed our thanks and shipped the goods according to instructions and the goods have been paid for. But still we can't fathom it. Why, we have had men on the road traveling for us "who have grown gray in the service and they could not land dd man Granger for a hundred dollar order, and here you come along, a nineteen-year-old boy, and sold that firm a bill amounting to over three thousand dollars. It was simply great! It was immense!" The odier members of the firm and the heads of die different dq>artments flocked in to see the — ^boy salesman — as they called me, and aknost spoiled me with their praises. But I kept my own counsel and did not say very much uhout the trip, particularly die way I got ac- quainted with Mr. Granger, nor did I mention this to any of my friends, nor did I satisfy any of the curiosity in the warehouse as to how I managed to land the big order, for I discovered that Mr. Granger had not said a word about it in any cf his correspondence. One thing I did feel morally sure of, however, was that if I could keep the good work up for some rime, I could see a good-sized salary looming up in the "not far distant future." As it would be fully a month before it was rime to take the fall trip, Mr. Qanman Kud to me and here I had to stay with no chance of leaving for some time. At the end of a week the first mail arrived, brought in on sleighs. The train that carried it was stalled about ten miles down the track and was completely buried in the snow. The farmers in the vicinity came to the rescue and volun- teered to carry it through as soon as the storm abated. Then they dug out the mail car and two of the farmers with their helpers hitched up two four-horse teams, loaded on the mail-bags and started. How they ever managed to get through was a mystery. In some places they had to dig channels through the snow- A TRIP THHOUGH FROST AND TEMPEST IW drifts for i^t dinancet before they could get their four-in-hand teami to flounder through; but they did. for both horses and men had lots of pluck and in thirty- six hours after getting the maiU they landed them at the post office in Collingwood. In my mail, I received a letter from Mr. Glassman, written nx days previous to its deUveiy, instructing me to start at the earliest possible moment for Pen- etanguishene. I found that I would have to return to Barne by tram and then drive over thirty miles with horses to get there. I wrote Mr. Glassman of the pre- dicament I was in, that I had been locked up in Col- hngwood for six days, storm-bound; but just as soon as the weather cleared and the roads were opened up, I would start. I dismissed my driver and his norsei and managed to get away on .he train the next day. It took all that day to negoriate the forty miles between CoUmgwood and Barrie, but as soon as I had had supper 1 went around to the livery stable and secured a fine pair of horses and bobsleigh. Both horses were snow white. I had an early breakfast next morning, started at seven o'clock for the town of Penetanguishene, and expected to arrive there that evening. But, "Man proposes and God disposes," and I did not get there that evening nor did I arrive there for several days later. It took me unril two o'clock to reach a road- house at Whites Corners. Up to ten o'clock that mornmg it had been threatening to storm again. I was m hopes that it would blow off toward noon but instead the weather was growing thicker all the rime and about ten-thirty great black clouds were looming up in the northwest, and sharp gusts of wind kept 180 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN hurling the snow into the faces of myself and horses. The fences and all road-marks were completely buried under the avalanche of snow that had fallen in the fonner storm utd it was very hard to guide the honet even in a clear atmosphere, but under present amdi- tions it was doubly hard, for I could plainly see that we were in for another big storm, because right ahead of us and making straight for us, was a solid black wall of storm and clouds reaching from the very heavens to the earth, advancing widi terrific fury and shutting off every bit of the landscape ahead and shrouding everything in the darkness of night. At last it broke right over our heads and came down with a roar, gathering great momentum as it advanced in its fury, sweeping up the ^^naw in its great maw and twisting it into immense columns like water spouts. It was now '•Imost cwo o'clock and my poor horses had been plodding tnrough the deep snow since seven o'clock that morning — seven long, weary hours — and we had only covered fourteen miles out of the thirty. It now began to look a little bit serious. The storm was still raging in its bitterest fury and although numbed with the cold and chilled to the very bone, I kept moving my limbs constantly to keep from freezing and at the same rime keeping a sharp lookout for some place of shelter or habitation. But what I could not see through the dense atmosphere the horses, by some instinct or intuition, discovered, for they pulled right up in front of the road-house at Whites Comers. I was so stiff with cold, I almost fell out of the sleigh as I attempted to get out — my limbs absolutely refusing to act. I succeeded in getting inside the door of the A TBIP THBOUGH FROST AND TEMPEST 181 iMd-bouse, to find that it was crowded witU a regu- lar mob of drunken, iwearing lumbermen. The pro- prietor, an enormously big, huiky-loudng man, came over to me and said, "I am sorry that you have arrived in this storm, for I have not a single inch of spare room m the house. This drunken bunch has swarmed down on me and have simply taken possession of the house and everything in tight and in fact are just running things to suit themselves and I am powerless to pre- vent them." I told him of the predicament I wat in, that my horses were half dead and must have attention at once, or I would be stranded. He called the hostler over to where we were talking— he was a little bit drunk himself, but not so bad as the rest of the mob, and said to him, "Pat, you help this gentleman.** Pat and I went out into the storm and drove the team right into the bam and unhitched the horses and gave them a good rubbing down, blanketed, watered and fed them, for they surely needed the attention. I said to the hostler, "Now, Pat, I wani you to stay by me while I am here; I am almost famished myself, and need something to eat right away; so you rustle around and find the cook and get me something to eat for I have not had a bite since six o'clock this mornmg. He braced up at once when I handed him a dollar bill, and certainly did all he could to help me. The forced exertion and exercise, looking after the horses, brought back circulation and I could feel the blood pulsaring through my body and limbs, giving me a fresh grip on life. Pat called me into the kitchen— the only quiet room in the house. He had pressed the cook into service by 182 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN dividing.my tip with him, and between them they got me a very good lunch of ham and eggs, toast and tea. I felt much better after I had partaken of the lunch, and particularly so after drinking three cups of the hot tea. Hiis helped to brace me up wonderfully and I began to feel Uke myself again. I remained at this place until four o'clock and then made up my mind I could stand it no longer on account of the pandemonium that those drunken lumbermen were kicking up in the bar- room. The drunken orgy was increasing in intensity every moment and I was fearful that before long it would end in murder, for the more they drank the more they became like wild beasts and no sooner was one fight over than another one began. So I decided to face the storm and take my chances on reaching Penetanguishene, for to stay in that drunken hole another hour was simply an impossibility. I said to Pat (who was now staying right by me), "Pat, I can't stand this any longer; that drunken bunch will drive me crazy if I stay here another hour. I am going to make another start for Penetanguishene, so come on out to the bam and help me hitch up the horses." He tried hard, and I believe he was honest and sincere in his aborts, to dissuade me from making the attempt. He said that the storm was still raging as fierce as ever and was very much afraid that it would last all night. But all his persuasive Irish eloquence fell on deaf ears, for I had fuUy made up my mind to get out of that hell- hole, no matter what the consequences were. I handed him 'some money and told ^im to go into the bar and pay my bill. As soon as he returned we went out to the bam and A TBIP THROUGH FB06T AND Tl T 18S found the horses in fine fettle after their fine feed of com and hay. We hitched them up and I started for Penetanguishene right in the teeth of as bad a storm as I ever faced. The horses were feeling good after their two hours' rest and we made straight for the big woods, as the road ran in that direction, and I expected we would not have as hard going, as we would have the benefit of being sheltered by the forest trees. It was six o'clock before we struck the timber line, but no road nor fence was visible; everything was cov- ered with a deep blanket of snow, which wiped out every landmark. Fortunately, the wind had shifted and was now blowing from the northwest and did not strike us straight in the face as it did when blowing directly from the north. I could now see a little bit better and was enabled to pick out certain trees at a distance ahead and drive straight for them, then pick up an- other mark and make a bee-line for that, and so on. But as it was almost dark and the atmosphere filled with driving snow, it became harder to do this, as night came on. By this time I was beginning to get a bit nervous, for I was now convinced that I had lost the road and did not know where we were. I then decided to let the horses have their heads and see if they could not pick out the roads themselves, so slackened the reins and urged them to go ahead. I kept talking to them all the time cheering them up a^s well as I could, al- though I certainly needed cheering up, and a good deal of it, myself. Well, we plodded along, the horses stumbling, and sometimes falling, but they always managed to r^ain 184 THE MAS3NG OF A CANADIAN their feet without my help. I had completely lost all track of the time, for my hands were altogether too cold to take my watch out of my pocket, but I knew it must be getting very late, for we had been trudging along, plowing our way through the heavy roads and drifts for a long time. All at once the horses came to a full stop, and on examining the landmarks, I found to my utter dismay that we had been traveling in a circle and the horses had brought me right back to the place from which we had started when I allowed them to have their heads and find the way themselves. It must have been midnight when it dawned upon me that we were hopelessly lost in this big forest, and to add to my terror, I could hear the baying and howling of the timber wolves; but their voices sounded as though they were a long distance off. It had a mighty stimulating effect on the horses, for the moment they heard the sounds they seemed to recognize them at once and they were off, and nothing could hold them. Cold and numbed as I was, I now kept a good grip on the rans; my eyes were accustomed to the darkness by this time, and I saved the horses from some pretty bad fsdls, and the sleigh from being upset several times. The harking and howling of the wolves was becoming mpre distinct every few moments, but instead of filling me with terror as I always thought it would, all my fitting blood was up in a momentj; for the more they howled, the more angry I became, and I wanted them to come on. I was well armed, with two large Colt's revolvers, and cold as I was I managed to get them oMt of their holsters and saw that every cylinder was loaded with ball cartridge — they were seven-shooters. A TRIP THROUGH FROST AND TEMPEST 185 line and automatic repeaters at that. I placed them on the seat of the sleigh, one on each side of me, where I could get at them in a moment, but had them pro- tected from the weather by covering them with the buffalo robe. When all this was done, I waited for them to catch up and begin the attack, and promised myself if they did pluck up courage enough to do so, those fourteen bullets would be planted where they would do the most good, for I was a dead shot with a gun— but they never came. What caused me the most concern was the intense cold which penetrated my whole body; my limbs were getting more stiff every moment, and I had but little sense of feeling in my hands and arms, and was so numbed with the cold I began to be afraid that if the wolves caught up, I would be so helpless I would be unable to defend myself and they would find me an easy victim. The only thing which kept life in my poor horses, for they were almost ready to drop in their tracks, was the occasional howling a id barking of the wolves; these sounds would start them into a perfect frenzy of excitement, and also helped me by keeping my thoughts off myself, for I fully realized -hat I was gradually but surely succumbing to the cold and that if help did not come very soon it would be too late. The storm was now so great,— more like a cyclone than an ordinary wind storm or blizzard, that the snow seemed to advance in solid banks, or walls, and blot everything out of sight and when one of these extra outbursts of fury would pass and you could again see a Uttle bit ahead of you, even the trees took on fan- 186 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN tastic shapes and appeared like great giants or like ferocious animak of aU lands ready to attack and rend you to pieces. Weird fancies were passing through my mind; my brain, like the storm, was in a whirl of excitement. But a sudden sharp jolt of the sleigh brought me back to my senses, for the horses, more than ever excited, had given a sudden plunge forward and had almost jerked themselves free from the sleigh. Their heads were hdd high and their ears pointed straight ahead as they plunged through the snow, for they saw some- thing in the distance that I could not discover and were making all the headway they could to get to it and using every bit of energy left in their poor wearied bodies to reach something they saw through the storm. After concentrating my gaze ahead for some time, I at last, to my great relief, saw a twinkling light in the distance and very shortly afterward the horses pulled up in front of an old-fashioned country inn. I tried to get out of the sleigh, but found I could not move hand or foot. I was simply numbed, or frozen, into the fixed position I had occupied so long on the seat of the sleigh, with my arms stretched forward and the reins grasped tightly in my hands, but was powerless to move. Fortunately, I had not lost my voice, so I shouted as loud as I could and at last they heard me, and a man came downstairs and opened the front door. He seemed to be annoyed at being wakened out of his sleep at that unseemly hour, for I found out later that it was three o'clock. He yelled out: "Why don't you get out of your sleigh and come in ? Do you want me to come out into the storm and carry you in?" I said, A TRIP THROUGH FROST AT^D TEMPEST 187 "I guess that is about the size of it, for I am unable move." to As soon as he found out that I was really in need of assisunce, he ran upstairs and called several men and women, and they were soon on the scene to do all they could to help me. They lifted me out of the sleigh, still in the fixed position I have described, and carried me into the barroom and laid me down on some buffalo robes they had spread on the floor. I asked them to have the horses looked after at once, for I was afraid they would die if left unattended to. Mr. Ward, for that was the name of the hotel- keeper, told me not to fret about anything, but to keep perfectly quiet and try to get my nerves back; that his men had taken both the horses and sleigh into the big bam and that the horses were being well looked after. They stripped me and began rubbing, trying to get the frost out of my body, and found that both my hands were frozen and parts of both arms, and one of my legs. It took them a long time to rub the frost out, but as soon as they had succeeded I felt like a pincushion, and as though my whole body was filled with pins and needles puncturing every part of my anatomy, and I was filled with pain of the most excru- ciating description. They were extremely kind and left nothing undone to add to my comfort and help my recovery. All the work of rubbing the frost out and restoring circulation was performed in this cold barroom, and as soon as they thought it safe to do so, they wrapped me up in blankets and carried me up to a warmer room. Mrs. Ward brought me in some hot tea, fried eggs and warm 'r'-'l 188 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN toast. I thought it the finest total I had ever eaten. As soor as I had eaten, and drank the hot tea» I fell into a sound sleep and did not wake up until noon. T found Mrs. Ward sitting beside me. She was very sympathetic and a kind, motherly looking woman. As soon as she saw that I was awake she asked me how I felt. I told her I never felt so sore and stiff* in my life, and that every joint in my body was racked with pain and if I tried to move I felt as though I was going to break apart. She said, "You must remember, Mr. Arling, you have had a very narrow escape and we are all sure that you could not have held out much longer. It was certainly providential that you saw the light in the window of our inn just when you did, for in another hour it would have been too late. We have sent for the doctor who lives five miles from here. He is a very good man and a very skillful physician and as soon as he arrives and you are placed in his hands, we are satis- fied you will be all right in a few days." Just then Mr. Ward came into the room, and seeing that I was awake he said, "I am mighty glad to see you looking so much brighter. You are going to get well and pull through all right, but, my boy, you had a mighty close call." These people were kindness itself. I had cer- tainly fallen into the hands of good Samaritans. T^f^y had carried me upstairs as soon as I fell asleep ai ' ^^ut me into a most comfortable bed in their best bed- room, a cheerful, neat, and nicely furnished room; a log fire was sending out warmth and comfort and the whole atmosphere of the place was rf tful and com- fortable. Mr. Ward told me afterwards that I had slept so soundly after I had eaten the little supper they A TRIP TBBOUGH FBOSr AND TEMPEST 189 had given me, that they carried me upstairs and put me mto thw comfortable bed and I had slept through the whole performance. While we were talking, the doctor walked into the room. He was a kind, but dignified-looking elderly man, one of the old school and type of family doctor He gave me a thorough examination, feeling my pulse and takmg my temperature, which he found very high and told the Wards that I must be kept very quiet for several days, that my nervous system had received a very severe shock, and, without absolute quiet, it might take a considerable time for me to recover I told them the only thing that worried me was to know where I was; that I had left Barrie at seven o'clock the previous morning to go to Penetanguishene. "Why " said the doctor, "you are a long distance out of yoir way. ^ You are fully twenty miles from the Pene- tanguishene road; you are in the village of Coldwater not far from Orilia." ' I also told the doctor that I was very anxious to get word to my firm at Toronto, for I knew they would be anxious to know where I was, so the doctor sat down and wrote a long letter at once to Mr Glass- man, telhng him of my experience from Barrie to Whites Comers, and, after leaving there at four clock m the teeth of the big blizzard, losing my way in the forest and turning up at three o'clock in the morn- ing at Coldwater, more dead than alive, that I had received every attention at the inn and that I was gradually gaining strength and that it was his opinion 1 would be able to resume my journey in about one week s ame. 190 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN Mr. Glassman replied immediately, thanking the kind doctor and Mr. and Mra. Ward for their great kindness and instructing them to spare no expense but to do everything in their power to help me back tc my normal condition and on no account to permit me to resume the journey until perfectly satisfied that I was physically fit to undertake it without further risk to myself. I was laid up at Coldwater for seven days, and for nx days of this time confined to my bed, and during the best part of this time suffering with severe pains in all parts of my body. The doctor was untiring in his efforts to make me well and no one could have had better care and nursing than I received from the Wards. If I had been their own son I could not have been treated better. On the eighth day after the blizzard, I began to feel like myself again and the doctor gave me a clean bill of health and permission to resume the journey. I could hardly find words to express my thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Ward for the kind, tender care they had given me from the rime I was carried into the inn until the rime I was able to leave; also to the doctor for the successful way he handled my case. And, last but not least, to the hostler for his kindness and for the wonderful way 'le treated the horses, for they were almost dead when he took charge of them and would have died if left in the hands of a man less skillful in the knowledge of horses than he was. He hitched them up to the sleigh and drove them up to the front door of the inn as I was saying good-bye to the Wards. Every one in the house, down to the kitchen help, turned out to see me A TRIP TBS0U6H FBOST AND TEMPEST 101 oflF. Jack, the hostler, brought the horses up to the door on the jump; they were so full of life, they acted like a pair of young colts. 1 got into the sleigh, and waving them all a farewell with my whip, drove off, makmg a straight bee-line for the woods where I had all my troubles just one week back. I had no difficulty in finding my way this time, as Ae weather had settled and had been fine ever since the blizzard in which I had nearly lost my life. I had aheays, up to this time, experienced a thorou^ loath- mg and horror for wolves, and thought of them as the most bloodthirsty and treacherous beasts that prowled through the forests, but now, in traveling through the same woods in which they had given me and the horses such a scare, I felt like taking my hat off to them and thankmg them for saving my life, for had it not been for their incessant howling, barking and yelping, both the horses and myself would have succumbed, but they put new life and vigor into our veins and muscles by inspiring us with terror and the fearful horror o' falling into their clutches, that they filled both myself and the horses with such a powerful fear that it enabled us to put forth almost superhuman efforts to save our lives, and the fright never left us until we reached the inn at Coldwater. And, strange to say, all through that night of dreadful fear we never caught sight of a single wolf, but hearing them was enough and all that was required to frighten us into Herculean efforts to escape. Therefore, I forgave the wolves for frightening us almost out of our senses and at the same rime thanked them for saving our lives. After all the drawbacks, I arrived safely at Pene- 192 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN tanguishene and transacted the business satisfactorily, although two weeks late in doing it. The weather was now delightful, the sun shining brightly by day and the moon by night. I started South on the home- stretch, having visited all the places on my irineraiy, and had the sarisfacrion of knowing that I had accom- plished my purpose in making a successful trip through the North. The drive to Barrie, this time, was perfectly delight- ful, especially so in passing through the virgin forests. The trees were weighted down with snow and the branches had the appearance of endless chains of mag- nolia blooms festooned so that they formed beautiful arches over the roads, the rips of the branches drooping from the arches like ostrich plumes, waving back and forth, silently aided by the gentle breeie which caused them to sway so gracefully. On my arrival at Whites Comers I was met at th 2 door of the hotel by the proprietor, who made a most profuse apology for the condition I found his house in on my way out, when the drunken lumbermen had taken possession of it. "But what in the world kept you so long in the back country" he asked. When I told him, he said, "Mr. Arling, I was never so glad in my life to see anyone drive up to my door as I was to see you to-day, for I was, and have been, afraid ever since diat you had been lost in the big storm." Both he and his wife insisted that I should remain overnight with them and resume my journey in the morning, which I was glad to do, as I was very tired. I got an early start in the morning for Barrie and reached there in two hours instead of seven hours, A TRIP THROUGH FROST AND TEBIFEST IM which it took to negotiate the distance on my way out, in the big storm. I returned the hones to the Kveiy man at Barrie and he was mighty glad to get them back in such fine fettle, for he said he had almost given up finding them, thinking both they and myself had been lost during the big blizzard. I paid his bill and boarded the noon train for Toronto. I went at once to the warehouse and met Mr. Glass- man in his office. He was mighry glad to see me. Before talking business, he and the other members of the firm made me give them all the details of my trip through the storm from Whites Comers to Coldwater. When I had finished relating my experience, and the others had retired, Mr. Glassman said, "Arling, you did fine on this trip— better than any other salesman covering the same groun^' for us, and your returns equal anything I ever accomplished myself. As you had such a strenuous time, I think you ought to take a rest for a week or two. We are not very busy just now, so go and have a good rime and just let business drop out of your mind. As soon as I find we really need you, I will drop you a line at your hotel." I thanked him and as I was shaking his hand prepara- tory to leaving, who should walk into the office but my brother Chris. He had only arrived the night before from England. He had met Mr. Glassman that morning, but Mr. Glassman was so much taken up with my adventures in the North, he had forgotten to teU me of his arrival, but he had told Chris that I was expected that afternoon, and also of my success on the '>»?estem trip, and that I had repeated it in the North, tie also told hir' of my experience in the big blizzard IM THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN Mid how nearly I came to loring my Ufe. Of courw, Chrit and I vere mighty glad to see each other again. He took one of my bags, I took the other, and we walked over to my hotel together. We sat chattmg with each other until dinner time— we had so much to talk about. He told me that on hia arrival, the day before, he had made his reports to Mr. Durand and had informed him that he was going to take a couple of weeks ofF to rest up, and, much to Mr. Durand s cha- grin, he was compelled to agree. Chris said that he was getting, mighty tired of Mr. Durand's high and mighty, seL-opinionated way of acting, and another thing was that he had met my friend Charlie Hurd that morning, and Charlie told him of the way uncle had treated me the Piorning 1 had arrived from Mon- treal. This, and other things, rankled in Chris's mind, and he made up his mind to assert himself, giving Mr. Durand to understand that he was no longer .1 small boy, but a full-grown man and deserving of a certain amount of consideration at his hands and expected to have it from that time on. Chris knew that I was anxious to hear of his travels m Europe, and I certainly was, for I was most anxious to travel there myself some day, and, after listening to his recital of travel and adventure in the different countries of Europe, my mind was more firmly made up than ever to seize the first opportunity that presented itself and go. The weather was exceedingly fino the following two weeks and the roads good, so Chris and I spent a good part of the time sleigh driving, and as we drove talked of the old times in Montreal. The evenings were A TRIP THBOUGH FROST AND TEMPEST 185 prindpany spent u the hornet of our many lady friendi, where we were always lure of a hearty welcome, and enjoyed ourselves singing, dancing, or listening to stories told by the humorous members of the party. Of cottrie large fleighing parties were very popular, and conddered one of the winter's chief attractions, and we managed to enjoy many of them during our vacation. The two weeks soon sped away and one evening on my return to the hotel I found a note from Mr. Classman asking me to report the next morning at the office, as he wanted me to start at once for Owen Sound and Kincardine, to look after some business which needed immediate attention. This brought my vacation to an abrupt ending. I called at the warehouse next morning, and Mr. Glassman informed me of the business that needed immediate attention at Owen Sound, Southampton, and Kincardine, giving me full instructions and a power of attorney to act in his place. So I took the train that afternoon for Colling 'ood, at the end of the Northern Railroad, and that evening called on my old friend Chessman, the livery-stable keeper, and he fitted me out with a fine pair of Canadian ponies and a com- fortable bobsleigh with bearskin robes, one covering the seat of the sleigh, and another, a large lap-robe lined with red flannel, and very warm. In the box under the seat was a water-pail, halters, blankets for the horses, and all necessary supplies for a long journey through the back country. The next morning I made an early start, reaching Meaford, the first stop on my itinerary, at noon, in time for dinner. I booked two good orders here and 196 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN the nott morning was up bright and early and off for Owen Sound, which I reached in time for supper. It took me two days to finish up the business Mr. Glass- man had intrusted me with at Owen Sound, as well as taking some good orders, and I packed up before going to bed, so that i could get off early the next morn- ing for Southampton. The roads were still heavy and the traveling was hard on the horses, but they were full of grit as all French-Canadian ponies are. This particular pair were jet black, with long tails and manes, chunky built and very strong; they were a perfect pair of beauties, good travelers and willing workers. I became very much attached to them — so much so that a short time after- wards I purchased them, for I found it much cheaper to own my horses than to hire them, and another good reason was that you get to know your own horses and they very soon begin to know you, and if you only treat a Canadian pony well, he will grow very fond of you and become a great pet. After a while this pair of Canadian beauties would follow me around like a pair of dogs and were as pla3rful as kittens, sticking their noses into my face, begging for sugar. I always carried a few lumps in my pocket for th-^m and they soon be- came acquainted with the pockei 1 carried them in, and when I passed in front of them or allowed them to run loose in the barnyard, or pasture, they would try to get their snouts into my pocket and help themselves. I was in the habit of talking to them as we drove along, and they almost understood every word I uttered. I never used a whip on them, but if I wanted them to put on a little more speed, all I had to do was to crack A TRIP THROUGH FROST AND TEMPEST 197 the whip and whistle, letting the reins slacken a bit and say Now, kitten-, get a rak on," and away they would go as ha- py as iarks, .nd take as much fun out of It as ,f the, apd I v ei . out on a regular spree. 1 had to chmb some pretty steep hills, or mountains, during the day; one of these hills which I had to nego- tiate was particularly steep and wound around the side o a mountain. In some places k had been cut or blasted out of the solid rock, leaving a perpendicular flat-faced wall of rock on the right, and looking over the left edge of the road you could look down a great dis- tance into the valley below, a sudden and precipitous drop of several hundred feet. The horses must have been over this road many times before, for they kept as far away from the edge as possible and hugged the waU of rock on the right all the way to the top. Thev took no chances of being hurled over the edge into the valley. About half way up this mountain road I saw a very beauuful natural phenomenon. It was nothing less than a perfectly formed arch of water; the stream shot out with great force from a round hole in the side or center of the perpendicular rock on the right, and about thirty feet above my head. The force or pressure was so great that It not only cleared the road, but fully twenty teet beyond the edge of the precipice on mv left, falling into Ae valley below. It was wonderful, marvelous— a perfect arch of sparkling crystal water glistening in the sunlight like myriads of diamonds, producing a lairy gossamer sheen of spray resembling the stars 01 the night as it silently kept up its steady onward course until swallowed up in the bowels of the earth, 198 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN typical of eternity,— without beginning and without end, for no man has ever discovered its nse or its source. It did not drip a particle of spray on the road, as the pressure was so powerful. I pulled up my horses and watched this wonderful freak of nature for lome time. This stream of water was about the thick- ness of a man's arm and was forced out by some unseen power from the very center of this blank waU of granite rock and hurled by some irresistible force, spanning the road and dropping into a hole in the ground m the valley below and lost or swallowed up by the earth. The view from this point was wonderfully grand and inspiring, taking in the spacious valley dotte^ witfi cultivated farms in aU the clearings, fenced m by the silent forest on every side. Great hills, or mountams, standing like giant sentinels, surroundmg, guarding and sheltering this beautiful valley from storm and wind and forming a background perfect in symmetrical beauty and majesty,-it was a sight never to be for- gotten. . J • f On reaching the top of the mountain and resting tor a short time on the broad table-land at the apex, after the weary climb, the view became more extensive and beautiful; looking backwards the eye could take m the waters of the Georgian Bay, almost covered with ice, and the winding road over which we had traveled passing in and out through the hills and trailing along through the valleys, and forests of snow-capped trees, the branches swaying in the wind like colossal ostnch plumes, and in the opposite direction the view was bounded by the turbulent waters of Lake Huron, the intervening space filled in with foretti. hills and vaUeys, A TRIP THROUGH FROST AND TEMPEST 199 dotted here and there with farms and at long distances apart, small villages. But my reverie was brought to a sudden termina- tion by seemg something I was not looking for; great masses of angry-looking black clouds looming up in the distance sweeping in from the lake. The atmos- phere had changed and it had become cold, the sun was hidden behind the dark, threatening storm clouds, and a pall of darkness settled down so that it was almost impossible to see anything but objects in the near vicinity. I realized at once that I would have to pre- pare to face another blizzard, so made haste to follow the road down on the opposite side of the mountain and strike the road on the lowlands leading to South- ampton. I had hardly descended and reached the foot of the mountain, when the snov^r came down in blind- ing sheets; the roads were still heavy from previous storms, but svm became almost impassable for travel. Inside of an hour, the horses were floundering through great snowdrifts up to their bellies and we were making poor headway. The road led through an immense cedar swamp, filled with a tangle of brushwood and cedar trees for miles. As the land was useless for cul- tivation, until drained, not a house was to be seen any- where. It was getriiig on toward evening and I had not eaten since six o'clock that morning; consequently, I was ravenously hungry and so were the poor horses, who were pretty nearly used up. It was not that bitter cold which I had experienced in the Coldwater forest during the blizzard, but the cold was penetrating and the snow blinding. It did not seem to come down 200 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN in flakes, but sheets of it were blown into my face and L facei of the horses, and simply bhnded us so Aat teyZa not see the road and I could not gmde them with the reins. I was beginnmg to lose hopeof e^r reaching a habitation and was certainly bewildered, when we came to a crossroad with a signpost on each comer. I reined up the team and cleaned the snow off the signboard with my long whip, for the snow was sticking to it like a plaster, fully four inches diick. It read- "Eighteen miles to Southampton. So I con- eluded I was a long way out of my course As I was examining the signboard, I saw a large bam on the opposite side of the road, and I never saw a barn n my life that gave me so much pleasure to Wk at as this one, for I knew that every bam was contiguous to some house or habitation. I drove my p«)r jad^ horses over, and on the comer a few yards do^ the road was a large two-story frame buildmg. It was a country inn or road-house and supposed to be run by a man named Rondell. I yelled as loud as I could but met with no response, so got out of my sleigh and cUmbed up onto the veranda, which was almost buried in snow, but found everything closed up tight and he blinds down on the windows; I tned the latch on the front door, and found that it was not locked. 1 opened the door and walked in and there, nght was a man stretched out at fuU length on the hall floor. He was a large man and was lymg flat on ^^js face. I thought he was dead. The whole place had a dis- mal, desolate appearance, and was fnghtfidly cold. 1 stooped down and took hold of the man by the arm. Both his arms and his legs were sprawled out at nght A TBIP THROUGH FROST AND TEMPEST «01 angles with his body and I gave him a good shake, but there did not seem to be any sign of life in him, so I turned him over on his back and let him drop rather heavily on the floor and then gave him another good shake. He responded to this by a low grunt, and I discovered he was not dead, but dead drunk. I could do nothing with him, so thought I would investigate further. I went upstairs and tried several of the doors and found them all unlocked; one of the doors opened up into quite a neat and comfortable-looking bedroom. I scrambled along the dark hall to the front of the building and opened the door leading into the front room, and saw the riost pathetic sight I ever wit- nessed. The room was only partially furnished, but had a small lighted stove in one comer which threw out a little heat, slightly warming the room. But it was the group in the center of the room which attracted my attention. Seated in a rocking chair was a fairly good- looking woman of middle age, with the traces of former beauty still lingering on her delicate, attenuated face. Three young girls were in the same room with her, whom, I afterwards discovered, were her daughters. All had haggard features and shrunken faces like the mother, and were the pictures of despair. A female Irish cocker spaniel occupied a clothes- basket in one comer of the room, trying to nurse a litter of puppies, and, on my entrance, tried hard to give out a warning bark, but it was a sickly attempt. All combined to make the most pathetic picture of starvation, want and hopeless despair I ever witnessed, or heard of. The mother was the first to respond to my look of sympathetic inquiry and said, "We are 808 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN very sorry, but we have no means of entertaining you, for we have no food in the house and have disposed of one article at a time to raise means to purchase the few necessities needed to keep life in our bodies until there is hardly anything left, and we have been without food since early yesterday morning. I would not say a word, if I were the only one to suffer, but 1 can't keep quiet and see my dear daughters starve." The girb never uttered a word, but hung their heads as if con- sumed with embarrassment and shame. I at last said, "Ladies, I am profoundly sorry to find you in such a plight, and if you will tell me where I can find the nearest provision store, I will soon have enough sup- plies to keep you going for a while, at least; but I must get my horses under cover at once or they will perish in the storm. I will just drive them into the barn and be back at once, so keep up your courage for a little while longer and I will evolve some plan to assist you." The eldest daughter (Lucy) volunteered to help me, saying she was well up in the handling of horses and also knew where to put her hands on everything, "and, another thing," she said, "you look almost famished yourself and are not fit to do it all alone. " Fortunately, she still possessed a heavy blanket coat. This she put on and tied a heavy scarf around her head. We started for the barn, passing the almost lifeless body of her father in the hall below. We managed to find a supply of hay and oats for the horses, and after feeding, water- ing, and rubbing them down, I gave theih a good bed of straw and locked them up for tlie night. "Now, Rondell," I said, "how far b it to the A TRIP THROUGH FROST AND TEBiPEST 108 nearest country store?" She replied that there was a very good store kept by a Mr. Mathews just one mile down the back road, but it was bleak and barren all the way. The effort she had put forth to help me with the horses, and now realizing that I was going to the store for provisions, and saw help ahead for her mother and sisters, — for I honestly believe she never thought of her own starving condition, — seemed to put new life into her and she became quite another being. I said, "It will be impossible to take the horses out again, so I will just plow through as well as I can, for we must have provisions at once." " Do you know how to snow- shoe, Mr. Arling?" "I certainly do," I replied, "for I am a Montreal boy." "You know," she said, "we came here from Montreal and we brought our snow- shoes with us, so I will get them and go with you to the store." I was afraid to let her try it, but she as- sured me she would hold out all right. I put on her father's buckskin moccasins, and after adjusting the snow-shoes we started through the storm; it was a hard tramp, for the drifts in places were piled up eight to ten feet; however, we skimmed over the roads in fairly good time, but could not have gotten through without the snow-shoes. I certainly thought that Miss Rondell would drop in her tracks several times, but she was game, although she had not tasted food for thirty-six hours. As soon as we arrived we were greeted with the odor of ham and eggs. Mrs. Mathews was cooking them in the kitchen. I took Mr. Mathews one side and ex- plained the famished condition in which I found the family and also of my own experience that day. As IM THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN soon as he heard what I had to say he called his wife and told her to bring in everything she had that wat ready to serve. In a few moments Miss Lucy and myself were eating like starved wolves, and, while we were eating, Mr. and Mrs. Mathews were packing up as large a supply of provisions of all kinds as I could possibly carry on my back. It was pathetic to watch Miss Rondell eating the ham, eggs, hot toast, and drinking cup after cup of coffee, for it was the first square meal she had eaten in months. Of course I pretended not to notice her ravenous appetite and kept chatting, cheering her up all the time. She certainly did have a good meal» and so did I. We had eaten everything Mrs. Mathews had put on the table and at last had to admit we were satisfied. As soon as her hunger had been appeased, she turned to me and said: "Mr. Arling, I had almost lost sight of the way my poor people are suffering at the inn, in satisfying my own wants; but please let me return at once before it is too late." "Miss Rondell," I said, "do not blame yourself for one moment, for you needed all the strength you could muster up to tackle the journey back to die inn, and now, thank God, we are all right and the moment the hamper is ready we shall start for the hotel." Mr. Mathews tied the hamper on my back with a pair of shoulder straps made of strong rope. After we had put on our snow-shoes I paid Mr. Mathews and told him that if all was well I would be back in the morning, and he promised to have some chickens roasted and other provisions ready on my arrival, and added, — when Miss Rondell was out of hearing, — that A TRIP THROUGH FROST AND TEMPEST S05 if he had known of their sufferings he would have gone to their assistance at once. He also told me that Mrs. Rondell possessed a considerable amount of money at one time and that Rondell had squandered it all in fast living and gambling and was nothing but a drunken vagabond, and not worthy of consideration. But the ladies, too proud to complain, had suffered in silence. They had his sincere sympathy and he was heartily sorry for them. Our conversation came to an abrupt ending, as Miss Rondell walked into the store from the dining- room. The fine meal which we had just eaten had given us both a new lease on life. We said good-bye to the Mathews and started on the home stretch for the hotel. Miss Rondell was walking at such a fast clip I had all I could do to keep up with her, on account of the heavy load I was carrying on my back. She soon realized this and expressed her deep sorrow, and slowed down the pace to meet mine. The storm of sleet and snow was blowing directly into our faces; the snow was very deep, and the tramp- ing was hard. I ' ad all I could do to struggle along with the heavy load on my back. Miss Rondell pleaded with me several times on the way back to let her carry the load, if only for a short time; but of course I would not listen to the suggestion for a mo- ment, but I certainly was getting a little wabbly in my gait. We were only a few hundred yards from the inn by this time, but how I ever managed to cover that last lap of the journey will ever be a mystery to me, for I was just about all in as we crossed the threshold of the hotel toe THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN door. As soon as we entered the room where the ladie* were sitting, I stretched out on the sofa and clowd my eyes and left Miw Rondell to open up the hamper. She waited on them with but little ceremony, for they were simply starving, the hunger gnawing at their very vitals. I turned my face to the wall to save them from embarrassment, for they were eating more like a lot of hungry wolves than like human beings. We had not forgotten the dog, although she had nearly forgotten her puppies for the moment in her mad haste to get at the food. Mrs. Mathews had made up a little parcel of scraps and some dog biscuits and a can of milk for her. Miss Rondell had soaked some of the biscuits in the milk and the poor starved brute coul ' hardly take her nose out of the dish until it was all i e. Miss Rondell said she had not barked for days, but laid in the basket with her puppies and occasionally made a little whinej she now became quite frisky and would jump up onto the side of her basket and I rk every few moments to attract our attention. " le food had a wonderful effect on the three women, for they soon became quite loquacious and were willing to talk about anything. That evening Mrs. Rondell related to me some of her sad experiences. She said she was bom and brought up in England, that her father was a retired British officer fairly well off. He subsequently died, leaving her all he possessed, which gave her quite a comfort- able income. She had no living relatives and lived alone. Some little time after the death of her father she was introduced to Mr. Rondell. In course of con- versation he informed her that he was a man of good A TRIP TBB0U6H FROST AND TEBfPEST m family and possessed of considerable means; he wa« fairly good looking, a very fluent talker, and in a ihort time after their meeting he began to show her marked attention and became a most persistent wooer. He succeeded at last in gaining her consent to many him. Shortly after their marriage he induced her to turn over to him for investment, as he said, a number of valuable securities, making the excuse that he was a stock-broker and could easily double her income for her. But she subsequently learned that instead of being a stock-broker, he was nothing more nor less than a common gambler; but by this time he had gotten possession of the best part of the fortune her father had left her. He was away from home a great deal, espe- cially at night, but she was so engrossed with the care of her first baby (Lucy), she pretended not to notice his continued neglect, for at first, when she did expos- tulate with him for his seeming neglect, it made him very angry. He came home one night earlier than usual, in rather an excited state of mind and said they must begin packing up that very night as important business -ailed him to Montreal at once, and they were to sail for Canada in three days' time. He offered her no further explanation but gave her to understand that he did not wish her to ask any questions, but to simply do what he told her. She said she was so bewildered she did not know what to do. He had all her money and she was helpless, with no one to advise her, so she packed up all the things which they had and they took the steamer the following Saturday for Montreal. They had a fairly comfortable cabin on the steamer. 208 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN but her husband rarely came into it, but was contin- ually in the smoking-room playing card* with the other passengers. He suddenly decided to remain m the cabin with her and the baby, and spent the best part of his time there reading. She asked him for an explanation. He tried to laugh it off by saying that he had discovered that the most of the men on the ship were a lot of cads and that he preferred the society of herself and the baby, and had simply cut the smoking- room out. The thought that he was going to change his mode of living and pay more attention to her com- fort and take more interest in their child in future, made her very happy, but her happiness was not long- lived for she heard the steward and stewardess ttlbng in an adjoining cabin and the steward told the steward- ess that Mr. Rondell had been caught cheating at cards in the smoking-room, that he had won a large amount of money from the passengers, and that they not only accused him of it to his face, but denounced him as a thief and a professional gambler and pitched him head- long out of the smoking-room and left him sprawhng on the deck. She never left the cabin again until they reached Montreal and was so mortified and ashamed she had to be helped down die ccmpanionway and assisted into an omnibus which took them to their hotel. They rented a little cottage in Montreal and from that time on had been flitting from house to house and from city to city. Sometimes her husband had money, but - best part of the time they hardly knew where the ne^c meal was coming from. In the meantime her two youngest daughters were bom; the youngest was bom m Montreal, where they 1- le in ■t in at ip of 8- ge n- ■e, tie d- ds nt a id- ng ev ed nd eir nd use tad ew ere bey A TRIP THBOUGH FROST AND TEMPEST 800 had retumdl after an absence of several yean. He at last managed to purchase the farm, where I found them, and built this road-house. She thought then that she could settle down and have a home for her children, but the fifty acrea of land had long ere this been disposed of and there was nodiing left but the road-house and the barn. She said her husband was always under the influence of liquor and never came near them but to abuse them. I listened to this ter- rible story of hardship, misery and suffering, but did not know whzt to say or how to advise, for I had never in my sh'-rt life come in contact with anything approaching such heartbroken n and abject destitution as was brought upon the^^ unoffending ladies by a worthless, besotted beast of a man calling himself her husband. Mrs. Rondell had braced herself up for this terrible ordeal, for it was a heartbreak to her to have to admit her woeful position to a perfect stranger, but for the sake of her daughters she decided to tell me the whole story, for up to this time she had suffered in silence, and as I wm the only one who seemed to take any interest in them, she thought that I might evolve some plan to help them out of their misery and put them in a position to help themselves. So I bid them good- night and retired to my room, but not to sleep, for I laid awake for several hours trying to work out the sad problem. The storm kept up in all its fury for the next two days. The snow was so deep the roads were buried out of sight and impassable for man or beast. Every road, fence and landmark of every kind was buried com- ity ^ 210 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN pletdy out of sight. If it had not been for the snow- shoes we certainly would have starved to deat. . but with the snow-shoes I was enabled to make several trips to the country store and very soon Mr. and Mrs. Mathews and myself became very good friends, and they were ahrays waiting for me when I arrived and gave me a hearty welcome. Well, at last the storm abated and I took a tramp to the store for the last time. Mrs. Mathews invited me into their dining-room for a cup of tea and some- thing to eat, for I was ahirays hungry after one of these tramps, and while chatting with them I told them that if at all possible I would have to leave the next day for Southampton and that I thought it was their duty as neighbors to take an active interest in those poor deserted ladies at the Rondell Inn. I had lain awake the night before for several hours wondering what could be done to help them, for I was satisfied some- thing had to be done and done at once, and I had come to this conclusion: That they ought to see the min- ister of their church immediately and also some o( the prominoit people of that section of the country and devise some plan to help them to help themselves and to do it in such a way as not to hurt their feelings, and that they could accept the help without wounding their pride and not feel that they were the recipients of charity. Mr. Mathews promised me that as soon as I left he would take the matter up and would drop me a line occasionally, telling me how they were getting on. I told them if they would do that, I would try to raise a little fund to help them by making an appeal to the A TRIP THROUGH FROST AND TEMPEST 211 traveling men of my acquaintance for subscriptions to this fund, and as I received money I would forward it to them from time to time as it came in. When I had gotten diis far, they both became quite enthusi- astic and assured me that they would make it dieir business to do all that I thought should be done. Then I outlined the plan I had evolved in my own mind the night before which was simply this: To at once see the minister and the neighbors and call a meeting at the church and decide on holding a Furnishing Bee, every one to contribute something toward furnishing the Rondell Inn, and make it comfortable so that they could supply the traveling public with good meals and lodgings as well as accommodation for their horses. If tlus was done it would make them self-supporting, and independent in a very short time. I also advised them to make it a temperance inn by closing up the bar and cutting out the liquor altogether, and for the au- thorities to take hold of Rondell and put him in some Pja c* where he could not get liquor and try to reform The Mathews thought this a great scheme and promised that they would do their level best to put it through just as I had outlined it to them. I bid them good-bye and left them, feeling quite happy, knowing that Mrs. Rondell and her daughters would be put in a way of helping themselves. Subsequently, Mr. and Mrs. Mathews engineered the proposirion so skillfully that the whole programme was carried out to the letter, and Mrs. Rondell with her three daughters helping her, found themselves after a short time in possession of a comforttible home, and not only making an inde- 818 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN pendent living, but with hosts oi friends who took an active interest in their welfare. I then started back to the inn and felt much relieved to think that there was now a prospect diat Mrs. Ron- dell, for die first time in her married life, would be able to live comfortably and independent duce him to his mother, but she spurned him. Blizzard was so good- natured about it that she at last relented, an ! they had a great romp together that evening in the sitting room. After supper was over we sat undl late, chatting and relating our experiences since we last met. They all had so much to tell me that I allowed th' m to do the best part of the talking, for they all had som»'thing to say about their new start in life. Mrs. Rondell treated me as though I was her own son and the girls as if I were thor brother. I was more than delighted to find than looking so happy and contented. On looking at my watch I discovered that it was near midnight, and, as I wanted to make an early start in the morning, I bade them good-night and retired to my room, whir' t!und to rhe front door and before getting into th waf^i n, hanr d Mrs. Rondell the money for lodtiing, which she st ong, oh d to taking, but I sueeeeded in leaving a five- olL oill in her hand as I was bidti Jig her good-bve ^id, with many expressions of gratitude and good fro both her and he- daug! ters, drove off i, np -m standing on the Neranda o rl ^ ho efor waving their handler. hiei unt ^as!,ed the oend o rhe road and th'^y were fos to v»f But the difference at the pa rt- ii^ was mo_ marl i . the first time I left four forbm, dibvoytags^ v.orr hut this time the same women were cl eerful br ,i and happy, filled with a new faiti waving heir ban .ierchiefs in farewell and wishing c Go^ -ed m XT. journey. It certainly warmed ti e .Jes of -r eart to see it. The da. k> 'me, the roads so good, and the country 1( ^< beautiful that even the ponies ^ughi thi .i r .uon and carried me over the road to Sot /Munp jn in jig time. The next day I con- cl j4ed my business here and was enabled to leave for i xzi ie that afternoon. When I got through ardir T <^fruck across through die back country, vis ing ,)laces on my itinerary, and in due time rea .hed C n Sound. The proprietor the hotel came up to me just as Mon as I drove up to his door— he was an old ac- quaintance of mine— and asked me where I had driven THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN from. I told him I had left Kincardine about two weeks back and had driven across the back country. He looked rather surprised, and said, "Were you not afraid of meeting Townsend and his gang?" I said I was not. "Well," he said, "he and his cut-throat gang have held up a lot of people round here and the last holdup was in the big woods or forest which I had passed through. Townsend had the whole country- side scared almost to death. Even the mothers of boys who liked to stay out late at night, by telling them that Townsend was in the vicinity, could so frighten them that they were glad to uke shelter in the house. This Townsend was an outlaw and received the credit of having committed three deliberate murders and had been sentenced to be hanged, but in some mysterious way had made his escape. Since that time he had been hiding away in forests, swamps and mountain districts unril he had drawn to himself all the outlaws and murderers in his vicinity who had not been appre- hended by the authorities or had broken jail and escaped. Various estimates of their numbers were made, some saying he had as many as seventy-five in his gang, although no one knew fw a certainQr how many there were; but every crime that was committed for a long time was attributed to him, and many crimes were committed and the perpetrators escaped punish- ment by being the first to advertise the crime, putting the responsibiUty on Townsend, and stories of his crimes increased as they traveled, by exaggeration, so that if Townsend had committed one-half of the mur- ders he received credit for, it would have taken up all his time, and the poor man would not have had time to ENCOUNTER WITH A HIGHWAYMAN 223 even cat his meals in comfort. There is no doubt but that Townsend and his gang had thrown a mighty- big scare into the North Country and part of the West, for everywhere I traveled, the first question that was put to me at every town, village or crossroad that I called at, was: "Did you meet Townsend?" or, "Were you held up by Townsend?" I did not take mwh stock in the wild rumors I heard at every hand, and just travded along with my ponies and my dog Blizzard as if Townsend never existed. Well, at last I got away from the many excited people who were asking me all kinds of questions and went into the Owen Sound Hotel to get my letters and answer my tniil I received a letter from Mr. Glass- man giving me instructions to drive from Owen Sound to Guelph, over the Garafraxa Road, a splendid piece of macadam and the finest road in that part of the country, a drive of about seventy-five miles. I was mighty glad to drive over this road, as I had heard so much about it, so the next afternoon I started, and I can assure you it wat a refreshing change after the experiences I had just passed through on the mud roads of the back country. The ponies thought it fun to travel over this road, it was as level as a billiard table. I called at all the towns and villages scattered along this road and arrived at Guelph on a very fine day in July. A trunk full of fresh clothes met me here from Toronto and I can assure you I needed them after two or three months traveling over mud roads, and when dry, simply smothered in dust. After a fine bath I dcnmed my new top and had hmch. I walked m THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN over to Mr. Granger's, met him at the front of his store and he invited me into his office and gave me a very heaiiy reception. He seemed mi^ty glad to see me, as I was to see him. He slapped me on the back and said, "Now, my boy, sit down and tell me all about it. You know I am an old traveling man, and although I have not been on the road for a good many years, yet I am still very fond of hearing about everything that is going on, especially in die Nordi, for I stumped that ground for a good many moons." So I sat with him all the afternoon, telling him of my many experiences. I told him how nicely Mr. Simonds, of Newmarket, had treated me and what a good customer he had been ever since, and how well he had spoken <^ him. Then I described to him the trip to Penetanguishene aiul how nearly I came to losing my life in the great storm, of the kindness meted out to me by the hotel man and his wife at Coldwater, and what a kind reception I received from Mr. Clansman and the odier members of the firm on my return to T<»mto. I also told him of the many happy days I spent at Toronto and of the efforts of my friends to make me enjoy myself while off duty; and then I described my horror at the condition I found the Rondell family in when I was storm4>ound at the Rondell Inn for fr of die train, as soon as he learned the facts, ENCOUNTER WITH A HIGHWAYMAN tSS had a comfortable bed made up for me in the day coach, as there was no sleeping car attached to that train. Shortly after the train started I began to fed quite li^t-Jieaded, and, for the first time in my life» I fainted right away. There were some very kind4iearted ladies on board and they took charge of my case at once. When I recovered consciousness, I found a number of them standing around my bed; and to my utter sur- prise I found one of them to be Lizzy Gillman. She had heard of the accident, and called at the hotel the night before to find out the particulars. The pro- prietor of the hotel introduced her to my two friends, Moran and Jackson, and they told her all about the accident and as to my condition, but said they were both afraid to let me tra^ alnsul at Tonmto at this time, and I was a frequent visitor at his home, as his two sons and I were very good friends. When I had finally made my arrangements to start for New York, I called on Mr. Thorburn and was shown into Ittt ottct; I told him tiiat I had resigned my position m trav^ig salesman for Glassman & Company and of my mtoition to visit New York to try and secure agen- cies for certain lines, to act as their representarive in Canada. He asked me if I was sure I had been well •dMitd in taking this important step. So I outlined to koB ikm omveraticHi I had had with Mr. Glassman, word for word, as near as I could remember it. Mr. Thorbum said: "Why, Jack, I had no idea that you had made the turnover for Glassman & Company that you say you have, and I really think you are right; if fm can mke ten thousand a year profit for Glass- nan U Company you can surely make one-quarter of uo THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN that amount for yourself. I have a very old and a good friend in New York City, a Mr. Wyman, of the Dun-Wyman Mercantile Agency — he it an Tonmto boy. I will give you a letter of introductkm to^im widi much pleasure. I will also write him a personal letter and mail it to-night, which will prepare him for your coming. When do you expect to start?" I told him I expected to leave the following Monday morning. He said, "That will just work out fine, for^my letter will reach there in the Sunday morning mail and he will get it with his letters on Monday morning." I had never visited New York, but always had the desire to go there; and now that my ambidon was so soon to be gratifi^, I was all excitement until the day arrived when I was to make the start. I took a great deal of pains to see that my wardrobe was in good condition and up-to-date; for I had always worked on the principle that a well-groomed man, other things being equal, had the advantage. The foUoifdng Monday morning I boarded the steamer "Chicora," crossed the lake, connecting with the train at Lewistcm for New York, and arrived there that evening. After breakfast next morning at the Astor House, I walked up Broadway to Dun, Wyman & Company's offices; I handed my card to a page at the door and asked him to deliver it to Mr. Wyman personally. In a few moments he returned and conducted me into Mr. Wyman's private office. Mr. Wyman met me at the door and handed me a chair next to his own and said: "So you are the young man my fri«id, Mr. Thorbum, of Tonmto, has been writing me about; I have just SUCCESS AS A COMMISSION MESCHAMT Ul received his letter in this morning's mail; your name is Arling, is it not?" "Yes, sir," I replied, "and Mr. Thorbum gave me another letter addressed to you, and told me to hand it to you myself," and I handed him the letter. As soon as he had read the letter, he said: "I see by the letters Mr. Thorburn has written, that you have come to New York on some business project, but he does not say what it is. Now, Mr. Arling, what did you come to New York for? and if I can serve you in any way, it will give me pleasure to do so." So I gave him a brief outline of my business expe- rience in Canada, and to prove my statements, handed him my order books so that he could see for himself die amount of trade I had secured for Glassman & Ompxny. He dien suggested that I should jot down <»i a piece of paper the classes of goods I thought there was a large demand for and that I was sure I could place in quantities in Canada. When I had fur- nished him with this memorandu'n he told his mes- senger to call Mr. Anderson, the chief clerk, into the office; Mr. Anderson came in at once, and Mr. Wyman introduced me to him by saying: "Mr. Andersnn, this is Mr. Arling, of Toronto. He is a friend of my old college chum, Thorbum, of whom you have beard me ipeaL Thorbum has written me a very strong letter in which he says that if I can do anything to help Mr. Arling secure the business connections he is trying to form, he will esteem it as a personal favor. Now, Mr. Anderson, I want you to ttke Mr. Arling in charge while he is in New York and help him in every way that yott can; first of all, I want you to find out the names m THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN and addresses of the leading manufacturers in the lines Mr. Ariing has enumerated; they will all have offices in this city,— and invite the agent in chai^ to call at my office tonnorrow morning at ten o'clocL They can then meet Mr. Arling; he can then present his proposition, and I think it will meet with their ap- proval. I also wish you to put yourself at Mr. Arling's disposal while he is in the city, and do all you can to help him; for he has my absolute confidence — as no one coufd get my old friend Tom Thorbum to write the letter he has written me about Mr. Arling unless he was sure of his facts." "Now, Mr. Ariing, go with Mr. Anderson to his office; post him thoroughly on what you want and he will make all necessary arrangements as soon as you give him the facts to work on. In the meantime, while Mr. Anderson is doing this, you might take a run out and see some of the sights of New York; but be sure to be here at ten o'clock in the rooming to meet die gen- draioi invited by Mr. Anderson to the conference." As soon as Mr. Anderson became acquainted with my plan, he dictated letters to each of the manufac- turers' representatives whose names and addresses he copied from the files, inviting them to call on Mr. Wyman the next morning at ten o'clock, and sent the invitadons by special messengers. "Now, Arling, we have done all we can for to-day,** said Mr. Anderson, "and if you wish, I will be glad to go out with you and show you a bit of New York. What do you think of it?*' Of course I thanked him and at once accepted his kind invitadon. He had a carnage and driver waiting for us at the door. We SUCCESS AS A COMMISSION MERCHANT MS drove from one point of interest to another all the morning, and at one o'clock he took me to his club and had a fine lunch. In the afternoon, we boarded a steamer for Coney Island; took in all the sights there, dined at the Manhattan Hotel, spent the evening watdiing the fireworks and listening to the music of one of New York's best brass bands. It was a day of unalloyed pleasure and I was more than grateful to both Mr. Anderson and Mr. Wyman for their hos- pitality and helping me to perfect my business arrange- ments, wfaidi of omne I could not have accomplished unaided. The next morning I met Mr. Anderson at his office at ten o'clock. He gave me a very warm handshake and a kindly smile on greeting me, and hoped that I had had a good nig^^s rest after die strenuous day he had helped to give me the day before, trotting me around New York. I told him that I would always feel in- debted to him, for I had never enjoyed a day's outing so much in my life and it would give me something to think about for many a long day. In a diort time, the ax representatives of the man- ufacturing companies to whom Mr. Anderson had written the day before, arrived. Mr. Anderson intro- duced me to each one as they entered the office. They all looked a little bit surprised at my youthful appear- ance. Mr. Anderson asked me to step into the next room for a few moments as he wanted to have a few words with them alone. In my absence, Mr. Wyman walked in and had quite a talk with them and read Mr. Thorburn's letters in their hearing; also infomung them that in several M4 TBB MAKING Ot A CANADIAN conversations he had had with me, I had corroborated all Mr. Thorbum's statements by producing docu- mentary evidence which proved all he had said. Mr. Anderson also assured them that he was convinced that dieir interests would be perfectly safe in my hands. I was then called into the office by Mr. Anderson and asked to repeat what I had told Mr. Wyman and himself of my business experience in Canada; which I did — also said that by coming into close touch with •ome of the largest dry goods merchants throughout the country I discovered that a very large turnover could be made in their several lines, were it possible to sell the goods direct to the merchants in Canada at first hand, thus dimuiating the profits <^ the middle man; that I was prepared to sell their goods for them to the Canadian trade direct and all the extra profit the mer- chant would have to pay was the five per cent com- mission which I charged for selling the goods. After a short conversation among themselves, they decided my argunwnts were good, and to give me the agencies for their several lines for Canada. Mr. Anderson made out a rough draft of the agreement, which was satisfactory, and it was handed to the firm's lawyer to make out seven copies which were subse- quently signed by each d the representatives and myself. That afternoon, six bundles of samples arrived at my hotel; a complete line from each one of the man- ufacturers for whom I was now the accredited repre- sentative for Canada. I felt so thankful that the great problem was solved which had been racking my brain for die past twdve months. My only anxiety SUCCESS AS A COMMISSION MERCHANT MS now was to get back to Toronto as soon as possible, go to work and produce results and prove that I waa worthy of the ooofidence pkced in me by Mr. Thor- bum, Mr. Wyman and Mr. Anderwn, as well as the representatives of the manufacturers who had intrusted me with their business. The following morning I called on Mr. Wyman and Mr. Anderson to say good-bye and thank them for their great kindness. I succeeded in doing it, but not to'my satisfaction, for my heart was full to overflowing with gratitude which my lips were unable to express. But they understood how I felt, and wished me all kinds of good luck as I parted with them. Shortly after my return to Toronto I wrote letters to both of them and I am sure that on reading them they realized I was not ungrateful for what they had done for me. . #. . I very soon found an office to my satisfaction and the very next day called on the proprietor of the largest dry goods house in the city— a fine Christian gentleman— one whom I had known for some time; after explaining my business by informing him I had been appointed the Canadian agent for six of the largest manufacturing houses in the United Sutes and giving him quotations, which were to much better than he had been paying for the same goods, he be- came interested at once and called the two buyers for this class of goods into his office and between them they made out orders for goods which netted me over six hundred dollars in commissions. I was more than glad to be able to forward orders to each of my housei inside of ten days after leaving New York. THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN I mnst admit that I basaa to feel my head swell at the luccett which crowned my efforts during the following few weeks, for I had sold a much larger quantity of goods than 1 ever had anticipated and received such flattering letters from my New Ya* hoiites that I had to take mytdf to task one evening iriien sitting in my room, after liaving had a very successful day, and said to myself "If a little extra prosperity is going to swell your head and make you proud, it were much better had you not met with it," and decided that tivtamg for all time, that I was not going to allow either prosperity or adversity to make any difFer«iice in my actions, but would try to meet all conditions as they presented themselves like a man, and not allow them, in the slightest degree, to alter or interfere with my feelings or actions. A few days after this heart-to-heart talk with myself, I met Mr. Glassnan at the door of his ware- house. He shook hands with me very cordially and invited me into his office. "Why, Arling, my dear fiellow, I am very glad to see you, for I am certainly gUd to hear you are doing so wellt Now, tell me all the news, particularly as to your welfare, for I am more than anxious to see you do well." "Yes, Mr. Glassman," I answered, "I am certainly doing much better than I had any reason to expect in so short a time; I was satisfied I could make a success of it if I could manage to get hold of the right agencies; but through the kindness of Mr. Thorbum, the American G>nsul, I was introduced to Mr. Wyman, of the Dun- Wyman Mercantile Agency, New York, and through his great infauence I was enabled to accomplish in a AS A COMMISBEON BIERCHANT 247 few aiyi whit I dKNiiht would hive taken me months to achieve. Mr. Wyman and his chief clerk, Mr. Anderson, put me on a solid footing at once with the cream of the manufacturing industries in the United States, for the lines I was interested in. This jp^v« me the surt I had wiAed for to long »nd I am building up a fine connection with the large trade. I have only been working for six weeks, and yet in that time I have cleared one thousand dollars in commissions. I am trying hard to prove to Mr. Thorbum, Mr. Wyman and Mr. Anderson that their confidence has not been mupkced. But the moet beautiful part of it all is, that these gentlemen seem to be a« much pleased at my success as I am myself. ^ Mr. Glassman congratulated me on my bnght prospects, but warned me not to allow a little finanaal success to spoil me; for he said it had been proved that thousands of men were able to struggle along through adversity where but few could stand prosperity. I told him I had already taken myself to task on that very subject, and was going to try hard to remain normal. He bade me good-bye and urged me to call and see him again toon; and, if I needed a fnend, or advice at any time, to come to him. I liked the business and it went on prospering, so that at the end of the first six months I had cleared three times as much money as Glassman & Company had paid me for a whole year's service. If' I t MICROCOPY RiSOlUTION TEST CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART Nc. 2) ^ APPLIED IN/MGE Inc 1663 East Main Street Rochetler, Ne« York 14609 USA (716) W - 0300 - Phone (716) 288 - 5989 -Fa« CHAPTER XIX UNEXPECTED RESULT OF SYMPATHY One evening I was walking along King Street and a young man, tor boy, I should say, for he was only seventeer, accosted me. He was a nice-looking lad with a good, honest4ooking face and large blue ^es, but had the appearance of having passed throu^ hard times. I asked him what he wanted. He hung his head and said he was hungry and had not eaten a bite that day. His appearaace certainly bore out the truth of that statement. I looked him over carefully and asked him where he came from. He said he had been brought out from England two years ago, with three hundred other boys, by Miss Rye. "Miss Rye" was a philanthropic En^sh lady who picked up homeless lads on the streets of London and other large cities in England, and brought them out to Canada or Australia and bound them out to farmers; and most of them turned out well and became good citizens. But he said the fanner and his wife to whom he was bound were very cruel and treated him so badly that he had run away and had stolen rides on railroad trains and farm wagons, but at last had arrived at Toronto early that morning. He had tried hard to get a job, but failed; and as he had no money he had not had anything 948 UNEXPECTED RESULT OP SYMPATHY 249 to eat since the night before. So I told him to come along with me; I took him to a cheap restaurant on York Street and ordered a good meal for him; I watched him, without his noticing that I was doing so, and he certainly ate more like a hungry dog than like a human being. I became very sorry for him. I allowed him to eat all he could hold; and then walked along the street with him and questioned him as to his history. He was so frank, and apparently sincere in all that he said, I became greatly interested in him; and the thought came into my mind: "Other men, perfect strangers, have been mighty kind to you and have given you a good start in life; now, why not pass it along — as you promised yourself you would do, if you had a chance — and help this poor, homeless English lad." I asked him his name and he said it was "Walter Owens." "Now," said I, "Walter, if I try to help you, will you try to help yourself?" He said, "Oh, sir, if you will only give me a chance I will do all I can to please you and will certainly try my best to do what is right." So I told him I would; and if I found that he behaved himself and was worthy, I would put him in the way of making a man out of himself. I then took him to a ready-made clothing store and fitted him out with a complete outfit from his new shoes to his hat. The storekeeper told me of a clean, moderate-priced boarding house near by, where I secured a room for him with board. I told the land- lady his story and asked her to look after him. I then advised him to uke a bath at once and go right S50 THE IIAKING OF A CANADIAN to bed and have a good sleep; and in the morning to put on his new clothes and meet me at my office at eight o'clock. I paid the landlady a week's board in advance and left him in her hands. I was wondering if he would turn up in the morning and make good as he promised; but, sure enough, when I arrived at the office the next morning, there he was standing at the door waiting for me. He made a very presoitable appearance in his new outfit and was really a very nice-looking boy; he was clean and neat, his hair nicely combed and brushed, with scarf neatly tied, and his f?.ce all wreathed in smiles; he came forward and said, "Mr. Arling, I will never forget your kindness to me last night amd for giving me this chance; for if it had not been for you, I really think I would have starved." I took him up into the office and had a long chat with him and wound up by saying that I had decided to employ him; and, if he behaved himself and acted right, I would try to make a good man out of him; and then told him what his duties would be and gave him instructions how to begin. He started in with a rush and seemed most anxious to please me in everything and whenever I showed the slightest appreciation of his efforts, it seemed to nerve him on to try and do better; I never set him to do a single job that he did not do his level best to finish to my complete satisfaction. He was at my heels wherever I went, and was always pleased when I allowed him to go to the hotel with me and if I had any chores to do of any kind, he was only too glad to do them. I was living at the R<»sin House at this time; UNEXPECTED RESULT OP SYBIPATHY £51 sometimes I did certain work in my room after dinner in the evening, and when he knew that I had takoi any work home with me that I had not been able to finish during the day, he would never fail to turn up and ask to be allowed tc help me; and if I had nothing for him to do, of his own volition he would take my clothes out of the wardrobe and bureau drawers, brush and whisk them well, and as I had shown him how to fold them up and put them away, he became an expert and could do the job as well as I could do it myself. He always had my shoes and rubbers polished and cleaned, and they were ready for use at any time. He kept himself busy constantly doing something for me, without my telling him, and atuched himself to me to that extent that everybody in the hotel knew him as my boy, and called him "Arling's Tiger," and all pronounced him the most faithful lad they had ever heard of. This had been going on for mondis; he never seemed to grow tired of trying to show me that he was grateful for what I had done for him. One evening I told him I would not need him that night, as I was going to a very large affair, or, as they called it, an "At Home," at a friend's house, and as I might not get hnne until late, I wouh) not need him that night. But at Bamum's Circus was in the city, I handed him fifty cents and told him to go there and enjoy himself. He thanked me for the fifty cents and started off" in great spirits for the show. I then put on my dress suit and took a cab and started for Queen's Park, where the home of my entertainer was situated. I met some voy bvely people there, for the first time, from^Ham- 9S9 THE BfAKING OF A CANADUN ilton, Dundas, Brantford, Peterboro and other places, nearly all the near by cities and large towns had rep- resentatives at this very large function. The house and grounds were very beautifully illuminated and it was one of the most largely attended affairs I was ever invited to. There m 'st have been at least four hundred people scattered through the house, and its spacious grounds, enjoying themselves in different ways. A very large marquee with a polished cedar flooiT had been erected on the lawn, where scores of couples were enjoyincr themselves dancing to the music of an orchestra of twenty pieces. It was certainly a brilliant affair and the guests did not begin to depart until the early streaks of dawn began to appear. I arrived home at my hotel at about four o'clock in the morning, and as soon as I entered my room I discov- ered that some one had been there ahead of me and had removed, or stolen, the whole of my wardrobe and belongings; I had rather an extensive wardrobe, too, and considerable jewelry, as wett as two very fine trunks; but everything was gone, with the exception of an old trunk in which I put my soiled linen for the laundry. This trunk was partially filled with soiled linen, but underneath the things I had stowed away was two hundred dollars in silver money ^ich I had not been able to bank that day. Of course the thief, or burglar, did not get this. I rang my bell and the night clerk and night watch- man came up and were thunderstruck when they saw the condition of my room and discovered the extent of my loss. They at once woke up the proprietor of the hotel and brou^t him up to my room. I was just as UNEXPECTED RESULT OP SYMPATHY 95S much at sea as to the solution of the afFair as they were. The proprietor of the hotel immediately sent one of his men to die Central Police Station for a detective officer, and in a few moments returned with Detective Short, who began as soon as he entered the room asking me questions as to who had access to my room, when I had left it last, and as to the condition it was in when I started out the evening before. Then he sent for the two colored porters who were <»i duty the evening before, and as soon as they arrived asked them who had taken the trunks from my room; but they positively declared that no trunks had been removed to their knowledge. The detecrive was absolutely mystified. I had to borrow a business suit; fortunately my tailor happened to have one which he had just finishnl for another customer, who, on hearing of my plight, kindly allowed me to have it; for I did not have a single suit of clothes to wear to the office, as every suit was missing but the dress suit I had on the evening before. The nMasuremaits of the borrowed suit were exactly the same as mine, so the tailor induced his customer to let me retain it and he would make him up another at once. When I arrived at the office Walter was wairing for me at the door and expressed the greatest surprise when I told him of the robbery, and denounced the per- petrator of the deed as the meanest scoundrel he had ever heard of. He advanced the idea that it must have been one of the other boarders at the hotel who had stolen my wardrobe, as no one had seen the trunks leave the house and diey could not possibly have been taken out without the knowledge of the hall men, and tM THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN they had positively declared they had not seen them removed. Detective Short came in very toon, and put Walter through a regular third degree examinatici; but he stout-^y declared he had gone to the circus immediately after leaving me and never once went near the hotel. He at last began to cry and called on God to strike him dead if he had told either myself or the detective anything but the solemn tn* i And so it remained a mystery for some time. Three or four weeks after the robbery I was in a hurry closing my mail for the day and just before lock- ing up I remembered that I had to buy some under- clothing before going back to the hotel; ^^d before closing the safe, I took two ten dollar biL ut of the cash box and put them into the breast pocket of my overcoat which was hanging on the rack. I then went back to my desk, pulled the lid down and kcked it. Walter, in the meantime, had covered up all the goods on the sample tables widi the long cambric sheets which we used for that purpose; as soon as he was through I picked up the letters and we walked out of the office together, and I locked the door and put the key in my pocket. He and I went down the two flights of stairs and emerged on King Street. As soon as we got out into the fresh air, I found that it was very cold, and I had not brought down my overcoat with me; so I handed the office key to Walter and told him to run upstairs and fetch my coat. He started <^ at once and ran up the stairs, but I had to wait for quite a little while before he returned, and when he did come down I VHKXmCTBSD BBSDLT OF SYMPATHY t55 asked him what kept him so long. He said he found diat tome <^ tlie samplet were not dioroughly covered and he remained long enough to cover diem properly. I thought no more about it, but bade him good-evening and walked down town to attend to my shopping. When I had completed my purchases, I took out my purse to pay for them and found that I did not have enoi^ money, but then thought <^ the two ten dollar billa which I had put in the breast pocket of my overcoat, and found that there was only one bill in my pocket instead of two; and I was positively sure I had put two ten dollar bills into my overcoat pocket, and ccmld not imagine what had become of the second bill, for die first dme since the robbery, it flashed into my mind that Walter had taken it, for he had seen me put the bills into the pocket of th overcoat and then hang it on the rack. I immediately walked over to the Central Police Stadon and met Detective Short coming out oi die door, and told him whzt had hap- pened. He taid at once: "Do you know, Mr. Arling, T have suspected that boy from the very first, and have en watching his movements ever since the first inoming I quesdoned him at your office. Let us go to his boarding house immediately, before he has dme to change his clothes." We met Walter sitdng on the ttoc^ in front of the house, and, without any prelim- inaries, Detecdve Short said to him: "I want you to come up to your room as we want to speak to you in private." He made a movement as if going to make a run for it, but Detecdve Short grabbed him by the arm and in a very different tone of voice said, "Come in, •iri We wiU have a lot to say to you now." £56 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN We took him up to his room and the detective closti and locked the door. Walter's face changed at once from the habitual smile to one of intense anger and he •aid, "What do you want of me, anyway?" The detective said, "I want that ten dollar bill you ab- stracted from Mr. Arling's overcoat pocket; hand it over at once!" As Walter hesitated, the detective told him to hold up his hands, and without the slightest hesitation, went through his pocket. The first diing he took out of his hip pocket was a good-sized revolver, and handing it over to me, said: "Do you think, Mr. Arling, it is at all necessary for a boy like this to carry a thing of this kind in his pocket? I think notl We will now find the ten dollar bill." He made Walter strip,-— but found nothing. He then said, "Now, young man, take off your shoes and stockings." As Walter refused, he tumbled him over on the bed and soon had them off and right up in the toe of his right shoe found the ten dollar bill. "Now," said the detective, "what have you done with all the clothes and other things you stole out of Mr. Arling's room? and, I will tell you right now that if you own up to the robbery and make a full, clean breast of it, giving us all the facts, and who helped you to carry the trunks out of the room, it will go easier with you when you are tried before the magis- trate." Walter saw that the game was up, and, beg* ging for mercy, made a full confession. He said he had stood in the street the night of the robbery and saw me leave the hotel in a cab; and about an hour afterwards walked in and told die two hall men that I had revived a td^^ram to leave on the ten o'clock UNEXPECTED BESULT OF SYMPATHY U7 train diat night for Montreal, and that I had aoit him to p»ck up my two trunks and as soon as they were packed he would let them know and they could come up to the room and help him down with them. He said that every one in ihe hotel knew that he was my boy, and no one mterfered with him. The two porters carried die trunkt downttairt and loaded diem on an expren wagon which he had hired, and he got up on the seat with the driver, and they drove to his board- ing house. He found that there was no one in the house at the dme, so they carried the trunks up into die atdc; for it was seldom entered by any one and he knew th^ would not be discovered, it was so hard to get at. , Among other things which he had taken the night of the robbery was my large traveling satchel, which he left in his room for several days so that the land- bdy would get accu8tt>med to seeing it. He after- wards told her that I had given it to him; and, of course, as her suspicions vere allayed, he had no trouble in taking the clothes out, — a few at a time, in this satchel, and disposing of them or pawning them. The detecdve dien went up to the atdc and found the two trunks, but they were almost empty, but did find several pieces of my jewelry, and a number of keep- sakes which I prized; these, of course, I took away with me. Walter had stowed them away at the back oi tmt of the bureau drawers, and in the satchel. The detecdve put all the things into the two trunks, with the exception of the jewelry, and as I had the keys, I locked them. We then called the landlady up to the room and told t58 THE UkBNQ OP A CANADIAN her the whole story. She at one* tamed on Waltar Kke a wildcat and said, "So you are the thief that hat been robbing the rooms of the other boarders, are you?" She said that ever since Walter had come into her house, things had been missed by the other board- ers, and Walt<;r himself had lodged the greatest ntinber of complaints, but at the same time had acted so nica about it all, and sympathized so deepty with thoae who ha'' been robbed and was so active in trying to find out the thief, and even offered to sit up at night and watch the house while the others slept, that no one for a monvent had suspected him. She deiKNinced him as an ingrate for the way he had treated me; after lifting him out of the gutter and feeding him and clothing him when he was a homeless beggar. She was so inflamed with anger and indignation, that I really believe she would have half killed him had the detective and I not interfered. Walter was taken to die police station and locked up. The next day he was brought into court and tried for his crimes. A large part of my wardrobe had been recovered and was piled up on one of the tables in the court room. It came out during the trial that Walter was an old offender and had been convicted of theft on sev- eral occasions. The judge sentenced him to ten years at hard labor in the Kingston penitentiary. Of course I would not wear the stolen clothes again. So they were sold by one of the court atteod- ants to a second-hand clothes dealer for thirty dollars, which I gave to the detective. I visited Walter at the penitentiary several times UNEXfBCTBD RESULT OF SYMPATHY U9 during hit incaiceration, but limply scowled at me and acted as though he thought I had done him a great injustice. After serving his full time he was liberated with two other convicts, and, the very night of the day diqr obtained dieir freedom, dicy broke into a wholesale grocery wardiouM and were ou^t red-han&ed in trying to blow open the safe. Walter v/as again tried, and, on account of his pre- vious conviCtions, was sentenced to twenty-five years in the same institution he had been liberated from Mily 1 few daya prevbut; and only tatted die iweett of freedom for tw^nty^ltnir hoiin. CHAPTER XX KATY— AND HER SISTER I HAD succeeded beyond my best expectations in the commission business. The American manufac- turers, whom I represented in Canada, were more than pleased with my efforts and lost no opportunity to let me see that they were more than satisfied with all I was doing for them. I had worked up a fine connec- tion—principally with the large wholesale trade; and, as a consequence, I only visited the cities and large towns, and did not require to be on the road more than one-half the time; the other half of course was sppiit in Toronto, with an occasional run down to New York. I had become acquainted with a great many very nice families in Toronto and was invited out (but always with Chris) a great deal; for we were noted all over the city for our singing together both duets and solos, and, added to this, we were both con- sidered pretty good story tellers. On one occasion of this kind, in the course of the evening, Chris, Tom MacCutcheon, Charley Kurd and myself, were having a chat in one comer of the large parlor; we four were very great friends and always chummed together. As usual, we were talking about boating and decided that yachting was the best summer sport in the world. At last I said, "Boys, what's the matter with our owning 980 KATY— AND HEB SISTER • Ml a yacht of our own?" "Mac," for that is what we always called MacCutcheon, and Chris, became quite enthusiastic over the suggestion at once; but Charley Hard did not seem to oithuse quite as much as they did. By and by he started off and began chatting with some ladies at the other end of the room; but we kept up the conversation on boating, and yachting in particular. I told them I was going on a trip very soon to Montreal and intended calling at all the large cities and towns in the East on my way back, including Kingston. Mac said, "Jack, if you are going to Kingston why not go and see O'Gorman (he was the leading yacht builder in Canada), for I have known him since I was a small boy and if we order a yacht from him, I am sure he will turn us out a fine boat; one to be proud of, and at a reasonable price. You know Kingston is my home; mother lives there still, in the old homestead ntxt door to CyGorman's; his son and I are of the same age and we were constantly together until we grew up. He went to Montreal and I came to Toronto. When you see O'Gorman, Jack, be sure and tell him that you want a yacht for Chris, yourself and Tom MacCutcheon, and when he hears that I am to be one cS die owners, he will certainly do the right thing by us." So we decided to purchase a yacht and have it ready for the next season's boating. After this decision was finally arrived at we turned our attention to the great throng of people who were passing through the parlor in which we were sitting. For some little time back Chris acted as thou^ he had lost all consciousness of our pmence, and was THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN looking very intently at some object or person at the other side of the room; his eyes fairly glistened with the intensity of his gaze. I said to Mac in a sort of a stage whisper, "What in the world has come over Chris? He seems stage-struck." "Why!" said Mac, "don't you see that new beauty from Ottawa? I mean the one talking to Charley Kurd. Charley is fascinated with her and is at her beck and call all the time. I heard only yesterday that they were engaged to be married." I looked, as directed, and sure enough, she was a very beautiful girl of about twenty, medium height, with a wealth of light auburn hair slightly tinged with gold and done up in a high, co- quettish style by some skillful French coiffeur, which made her look much taller. She carried herself very erect, with her head thrown back, so that her hand- some face could be seen by everybody present. She had large hazel eyes, bow-shaped lips, though rather thin, but when parted in smiling or laughing, disclosed a most immaculate set of teeth, as white and even as Oriental pearls; her complexion was rather florid if anything; she was most beautifully gpwned in a white satin dress trimmed with white lace, and long train. The only thing about her appearance which I did not really like was her walk; she seemed to glide rather than walk, with very short .ight mincing steps as if her feet hardly touched the ground, but carried her shapely figure widi the air of a queen. She certainly seemed to have the faculty of drawing men to her side by some magnetic influence and held them so that they considered themselves amply repaid for their attentions to her, if they only recoved KATY— AND HER SISTER 26S a smile or a nod occasionally. But I noticed at the same time that she did not seem to have the same drawing powers, nor was she able to exert the same influence over her own sex, which she exercised to such a large d^ree over the men, for there were but few ladies in her immediate vicinity. Chris seemed to have made up his mind to a cer- tain course of action, and left us in a most uncere- monious fashion and went into the next room. In a few moments we saw him return with the hostess of the evening, Mrs. Wheaton. She was leaning on his arm, and he conducted her directly to the corner of the room where Miss White (for that was her name) was enter- taining her coterie of admiring swams. Mac and I walked over to see what was going to happen. Mrs. Wheaton said, "Miss White, I am very anxious to make you acquainted with a very dear young gentle- man friend of mine. Allow me to introduce you to Mr. Chris Arling. Mr. Arling, Miss White." "Why, Mr. Arling," said Miss White, "I am charmed to make your acquaintance. None of my lady friends have even volunteered to introduce us! I am much afraid they feared I was going to run awa> with you and steal you from them, for certainly every one I have met so far, among the ladies, at least, seem to think they have a little mortgage on the Arling brothers; isn't that so? and I really wanted to meet you." Chris was a very handsome fellow, but rather susceptible; and seemed greatly pleased that she admitted the desire to make his acquaintance. They very soon got into an animated conversation and she monopo- lized Chris for the rest of the evening, much to the 864 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN apparent disgust and resentment of the rest of her many admirers. Mac and I were not introduced, nor did we seek an introduction; but returned to the seats in the comer of the parlor where we were having such a nice cwiversation. We both noticed the intimacy which sprang up so suddenly between Qiris and Miss White; I certainly became a little bit anxious on Chris's account, for I perfectly well knew how easily he could fall to the wiles of so beautiful and fascinating a young woman as Miss White appeared to be; and who seemed to have the power to charm or cast a spell over the men who came inside her circle of acquaint- ance. So I began to size her up, as we boys used to say. She did not seem to have the wholesome, sincere charm of manner I admired so much, and possessed by so many of the young girls who made up the bulk of my acouaintancc. So I said to Mac, "What do you think of Miss White?" "Why, Jack, that is rather a poser," he replied; "I would hardly like to express an opinion, for I really am not acquainted with her; of course I have seen her several times at the houses of different friends, but have usually been en- gaged in conversation with somebody else, when there was a possibility of an introduction." "Well," I said, "that is tantamount to saying you do not want an introduction to her, is it not?" He replied: "Perhaps you are right. Jack, but somehow I have got it into my head that she is not sincere; and I abhor iiisin- cerity." "That is just the conclusion I have arrived at myself," I said; "she is certainly proud, haughty, imperious and vain. And that being the case, she must also be selfish; and aU these, in my mind, are KATY— AND HER SISTER unpardonable sins; but in saying thif I hope I am not doing her an injustice." "But," said Mac, "she belongs to a good family; her father is a celebrated physician; her mother is a beautiful woman and appears to be a very amiable lady. They are stopping at the Morrisons' and I hear that Mrs. White's sister is married to the elder Mr. Morrison; so they must be nice people, don't you think so?" "Yes, Mac," I said, "that may all be very true, but, after all, family connections have little to do with individual character. Sweet, wholesome, sincere girls are generally beloved by those of tha: own s»; and I fail to see many of oui nice girb makin^ much of a fuss over Miss White. She seems to be able to drav men to her i 11 right, but not girls — and girls know girls a thousand times better than we do." It is a strange thing to admit, that here I was twenty-two years old, and was acquainted with scores of nice girls and liked and admired them all, and was fond of their society, and yet had never fallen in love with any of them up to that time. The only time I ever came near to it was with Susie Ralston, Chris's fiancee, after their engagement was broken off, but ^he was so much older than I, it was out of the question. Yet I do not believe I was really in love with her, but allowed myself to grow fond of her for the reason i'IAN ings. "Mr. Arling, it will give me great pleasure to go driving with you if mother hat no objectiont." The moment we met her mother and sister coming out of the shop, she said, "Mother, Mr. Arling tells me he has fine pair of ponies and wants me to go out driving with him; when can I go?" Mrs. White gave her permission to go the next afternoon. So I called for her the next afternoon jutt after lunch; the poniet were in fine fettk, for they had not been out of the stable for two days and we made a fine appearance with my new buggy and harness, for altogether it made an up-to-date and stylish outfit. Katy was delighted, and was in love with the ponies at once. During the afternoon the confided to me that I was the only young man she had ever walked with on the streets unless accon-oanled by her mother, or someone else; and that I was the only man she had ever driven wlih excepting her father, and told me that he was a great bver of hot*^. I suggested that at she was only going to be in the city for a few days, I should be pleased to take her out driving every afternoon, if her mother did not object. Mrs. White came out to meet us on our return and asked Katy how she had enjoyed her drive. "Do you know, mother, I never had as nice a drive in all my life," replied Katy, "they travel so beautifully to- gether. Mr. Arling says that he goes out for a drive every afternoon and if you are agreeable, he will L«. glad to take me with him for the few days I am here." Katy was delighted when her mother gave her con- sent, and I left her feeling very happy on promising to call for her the ntxt afternoon. KikTT— >AND HSR SBBIVE ft All the way home I was trying to solve the prob- lem, how it was that such a perfectly honest, truthful, absolutely tincere young girt «• I kn*^ Kttjr to be, could ponibly grow up in the same atmosphere with such proud, haughty, imperious v. >men as Mrs. White and her eldest daughter, Mary. But I was soon enabled to account for the dissimilarity. The follow- ing Sunday I saw a rather stout but short gehtleman sttdng in Mr. Morrifon's pew; hit extremely large head and buriiy gray hair first attracted my attention; but on closer examination I noticed that his forehead was very massive, with large reflectives protruding from each side. He wore a full beard, had heavy ^ebrom and large dreamy-looking eyes, and die stooped shoulders of the student. His whole facial expreesicm denoted benevdence» sincerity and gen- erosity. \^en the service was over Mr. Morrison beck- oned me to come over to his pew. "Jack,** said Mr. Morrison, "this is Doctor Wliite, Mary's father. Doctor, let me introduce you to Jack Arling, Chris's brother." The doctor -took my outs^ tched hand in both of his and in a kind fatherly way said, "My dear boy, I am certainly very glad to meet you, for I have heard nice things about you and hope to see a good deal of you, now that Chris and Mary are to be married. I hear you travel a great deal and would be delighted, the next time you come to Ottawa, to have you as my guest." I thanked him for his kind invitarion and told him that I expected to go East in a few days and would be sure to call to see him and his family. Shortly after this conversation I went to Montreal, THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN and on my way West from diat city, I stopped cff at Otttwa and put up at the Russell House. After making a few business calls, I drove up to pay my respects to Doctor, Mrs. White, and their two dau^ters. I was received very cordially by Mrs. White and Mary. They were both very beautifully dressed, as if expectmg caUers. Mrs. White had been doing some fancy work and Mary was reading a novel which she still held in her hand. The doctor then walked into the room and seemed very much perturbed when I said that I was stopping at the Russell House and asked me why 1 had not driven straigjit to his house on my amval. I repUed that I had considerable business to transact in Ottawa and thought I could do it better in a room in the hotel, but just as soon as I was through with the business, I would very gladly accept his kmd invita- tion and would come up and stay with them for a day We were having a nice chat together, when Katy walked into the room. She wore a tight-fitung tweed suit, and over this a white apron reachmg to the end of her skirt, and dangling from— I presume in his weakened condition he thought I was going to desert him — for almost die nKMnent I touched the water, he jumped in after me landing right on my back, and clasped me round the neck with both of his arms, and twisted his legs round my body, leav- ing me quite helpless. Of course we both sank at once, but on coming to the surface after quite a strug- gle, I had sufficient presence of mind left to take in all the air I could hold in my lungs, and then allowing myself to sink, he suU clinging to my back clasping me round the neck and body with his arms and legs. We sank to a good depth, when gradually his hold on me relaxed, and I came to the surface — and just in time— for a very few moments more would have fin- ished me. I was almost suffocated, but gradually pulled myself together, and found the poor fellow floating face downwards, and again pulled him on the bottom of the upturned yacht more dead than alive. SHIPWRECKED ON LAKE ONTARIO t8S where he regained contdoutnets again after lonie time. Our situation was now desperate, for the water was icy cold, as big blocks of ice were floating all round us, and I was chilled to the bone. Wilson was hanging on to die stem of the yacht seemingly all right, and I begged him to come and help me with Mac; but instead of doing so he pulled a big clasp knife out of his belt, and with an oath declared that if either of us came near his end of the boat, he would kill us. I saw at once there was no use in looking to him for help, and therefore directed all my attention towards helping Mac myself. All this occurred in a very short time, and the storm was raging more furiously than ever; but I could still at times see the twinkling lights on the island, and oh how I did hope and pray that aomething or some one would tell the people — who were living so safely and comfortably in their homes — of our desperate condi- tion! But I also noted that the lights were growing more dim all the time, showing we were drifting further away from the shore, and that the chances for rescue were growing smaller every moment. The further we drifted away from the land the higher the waves became, as the yacht was still weighted down with the sails, which still clung to her submerged masts, instead of rising with the waves, the waves would pass right over her, and at last began to wadi us cff; this occurred several times but each time I managed to get Mac back onto the bottom of the boat. But what I dreaded most of all was surely taking place — I was gradually getdng the cramps — and just as I was pulling Mac up (mto die bottom the yacht— S86 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN and for the last time— a most terrific pain seized me in the right leg, my knee was drawn up, so that it almost reached my chest, and the foot was turned and twisted almost round— the pain was most severe— I shouted into Mac's ear as loud as I could: "Mac! you will have to arouse yourself out of this stupor (for we had not spoken for some time) that seems to have taken possession cf you, and try and help yourself more than you have, for I cannot swim very much longer, for the cramps have got me in the right leg ! Do you hear me ? " I shouted, " so hold on for all you are worth, but if you find that you can't, and see a big wave coming down on us, wait until it is almost on top of us, then jump right into it! Do you understand? for it is our only salva- tion." He did not speak, but nodded his head— as if he understood— again I shouted; " if you do this you will come up right near the boat!" Very soon I saw a big wave making straight fo- us. I immediately got up on my knees and pulled Mac up into the same position and yelled: "Now, Mac, watch out, and the moment I give the word, jump! Do this or we are lost!" In a listless sort of a way he nodded his head. The wave was rushing down onto us like a great avalanche, and just as soon as I saw it towering right over our heads I caught him by the collar of his coat and yelled: "Jump, Mac, jump for your life!" and with that I jumped and tried to push him ahead of me into it— but he pulled back— and as I could not stay the impetus I had given myself I dived headlong into the wave. I soon came to the surface, but could hardly swim, as the cramps had attacked the other leg, and only had my arms to make headway in the water; SHIPWRECKED ON LAKE ONTARIO 287 fortunately I came up close to the wreck which I grabbed, and held on with the clutch of a drowning man. As soon ? ; i goi a tirn^ grip on the boat, there was a great roar a:id crash of thunder accompanied by the most startlii g display o'" vivid forked lightning I had ever witnessed, iiluiiii;^-ating the waters of the angry sea, which looked more like a caldron of seething foam or a wild northern blizzard, with blinding clouds of snow and ice, than like anything else I had ever seen. But above the roar of the diunder and the noise of the storm I heard one piercing shriek and by the aid of the lightning I saw the head and shoulders and the upraised hands of my poor dear friend Mac hurled along with lightning speed on the crest of that dreadful wave which engulfed him in its pitiless maw and buried him under the deep waters of Lake Ontario — and I saw him no more. For the moment the dreadful tragedy I had witnessed seemed to deprive me of the little remaining strength I had left and I almost re- solved to give up the struggle, as further effort would be futile, and only prolong the agony of existence. I was in the water, and only my head and arms were exposed. My right arm was thrown over the sharp keel of the boat's prow; I held on there foi ;iome time, then the thought came into my mind that if I could only secure a rope I could tie myself on to the iron ring which was fastened to the prow, and used to make her fast to her moorings; and then at least my body would be found and give some little comfort to my friends. Then I remembered that there was an open locker right up in the bow of the yacht containing a small coil S88 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN of light rope—and I decided to secure it— the very thought of doing something seemed to give me a fresh supply of strength, and without hesitating for a mo- ment, I dived right under the bow of the yacht anc secured the rope, but came to the surface in a very exhausted condition. But thinking I had not long to live I twined the rope round my body with the most feverish haste, and then lashed myself to the iron ring in the prow of the yacht so rightly that there was but little chance of my being separated from it. Gradually the pains caused by the cramps ceased as quickly as they came on; I also felt warmer in the water than when exposed to the air, but realized that I was being pretty badly pounded by the boat striking me every rime the waves passed over her; for my body being lighter would always reach the surface first, then the sharp prow of the boat— as it emerged— would strike me in the breast, the shoulders, and some- rimes the head, and this occurred so often I was pretty badly cut up and bruised; but all this caused me no pain, for I was lost to all sense of feeling. The fact is I was in a partial state of stupor (brought on by exhaustion), and intense pain, and had I not succeeded in lashing myself to the yacht, I would have been poweriess to have exerted myself any further, and would have been lost. I had a remarkable experience at this time; for a while I was lost to all sense of my surroundings, and my brain was in a whiri, conjuring up all kinds of strange fancies, my past life passed before me in pano- ramic precision, experiences long forgotten were brought vividly to my mind in their minutest details. SmPWRECEED ON LAKE ONTARIO «80 One in particular which I have never forgotten, that I was again a small boy in the old home in Mon- treal; the family were engaged at evening worship; I could plai 'y see father, mother, Chris and my sisters in the places they usually occupied in the family living-room; father was kneeling in front of his big arm-chair, and I was kneeling beside him, with his arm round my neck, as he offered up the evening prayer. This scene was followed by experiences at the dif- ferent schools I had attended. The big blizzard — in which I had nearly lost my life — the snow-shoe race in which Chris won the prize. Hunting and fishing ocpedirions in which I had taken part. Then I saw in imagination Miss Almy introducing me to her father at Boston — and the many sights I enjoyed on my visit to that city. I mingled again with all my friends at Toronto, visited at their h ^.nes, traveled all over Canada passing through the same experiences which had made up my '*fe for the past few years, but I was awakened from my dream or reverie very suddenly, for I heard a man shouting at the top of his voice "Help! help!" and looking up I saw the white side of a large lake steamer passing us, and so close she almost ran us down. Wilson, for it was he that was shouting, and at the same time trying to L..lance himself standing in an upright position on the bottom of the upturned yacht; he was waving his arms in a most frantic manner, and yelling tike a maniac tt3dng to attract the attention of the people on the steamer. But all this commotion produced no effect on me; I could see and hear every- thing that was goi ig on, but could not utter a sound, and MO THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN did not try to, for I was perfectly indifferent. I knew that Wilson was shouting for help, but I was quite un- concerned, and did not care whether the help came or not. But in a few moments one of the steamer's boats, with the captain and four men on board, drew up alongside of our upturned yacht. The very mo- ment the lifeboat came alongside of us, Wilson jumped into her and sat down on one of the seats. I saw all this seemingly as a disinterested spectator. I had not the slightest feeling of any kind in my body. I could see and hear everything which transpired but did not have the power to utter a sound. At last the captain spoke up and said to Wilson, "Are you all alone? is there no one else here but yourself?" " There is an- other man," said Wilson, " tied onto the prow of the yacht, but he has been dead for several hours." "Weill " said the captain, " we can take his body on board any- way, for his relations will be glad to have that." Hiou^ I heard every word of the conversation it did not interest me in the least, and was quite indifferent as to whether they took my body on board or not. I cannot describe my feelings, if I had any, by any other term than indifference. "What time did your yacht capsize?" asked the captain. Wilson said that the squall struck us about seven o'clock in the evening, and immediately we capsized. "Why, man alive I" said the captain, "it is now two o'clock m the morning! Yoii have been in the water seven hours!" So I must have been in that semiconscious state for at least five or six hours. They then shoved their boat along the side of our yacht, until they came to the place where I was tied SHIPWBEC£ED ON LA£E ONTARIO 291 to the prow. The captain took his clasp knife and cut the lashings, lifted me out of the water, and laid me down very gently on the bottom of his boat, and threw a tarpaulin ever me, of course thinking I was dead. "Poor lad!** he said, " his sailing days are over, that is one thing sure." My legs were drawn up and bent so that my knees almost touched my neck, my left arm was twisted behind my back, the right arm remained in the same position in which they found me, raised and bent over the prow of the yacht, keeping my head out of the water; my whole body was perfectly rigid, my teeth clenched tight and my eyes fixed and staring. When the lifeboat reached the steamer they hauled her up to the davits by block and tackle; the men lifted me out of the boat just as carefully and gently as the;' raised me from the water, then two of the ship's crew carried me to the center of the upper deck and laid me down under a canvas awning, covering me with a tarpaulin, and left me. I saw it all and realized what they were doing but was perfectly satis- fied and absolutely indifferent; and even if I could, would have made no protest had they thrown me overboard into the lake. I heard the captain and the men talking all round me, but their conversation did not interest me in the least. I also heard them cross- questioning Wilson, and his perfect indifference to poor Mac's fate, and my deplorable condition did not excite my indignation m the least. '^^Ison was a large, heavily built, burly man; very strong and inured to hardships of all kinds, and although he had passed through this terrible ordeal and immersed TBE MAKING OF A CANADIAN in the icy waters of the lake for seven hours, it had not affected him beyond giving him a bad chill. The captain had given hir. some dry clothes and allowed him to sit beside the boiler in the engine room, where he had gotten thoroughly warmed up; added to this they had given him two or three glasses of hot whiskey, and as he said himself, "he did not feel much the worse for the wear." Of course he had had no one to look after but himself; whereas the efforts I had put forth to save poor Mac had completely used me up. Mac was a much larger man than I was, almost six feet high, strong and heavily built, and the exertion was too much for me, for after keeping him up for over an hour and then witnessing his tragic death almost finished me, and I certainly would have died in a very short time had I not been roused from the great stupor I had fallen into by the dioutf and yells of Wilson for help. I had been lying on the deck for some time, where they had placed me under the tarpaulin, when I heard the voice of a woman saying, " John! where is the body of the young man you took out of the water? I want to see it." "Why, Maiyl" the captain said (for she was his wife), "surely you do not want to look at it, the body of a drowned man is not a pleasant thing to look at!" "Yes!" she said, "I think I want to see it." So he brought her over to where they had placed mc and lifted off the tarpaulin and went away. She knelt down beside me and smoothed back the hair from my forehead, and leaning over me looked straight into my eyes, and I was looking straight into her face at the same time. SHIPWRECKED ON LAKE ONTARIO 89S As she stroked my face and forehead with her hand, in a crooning, sympathetic voice she said: "Poor boy, poor boy! some weeping mother will be breaking her heart when she hears about you." She had a small bull's-eye lantern with her, and kept it shining in my face all the time she was bending over me (she was a nice motherly looking woman of middle age and possessed a very kindly face). I could see the tnirs in her eyes all the time she talked and crooned over me with so much sympathy. I tried very hard to talk to her and thank her for her sympathy and kindness, but I could not move a muscle, either of my face or body, nor utter a single word. As she held the lantern close to my face, all at once I saw a strange repression come over her countenance, as she looked at the glass in the front end of the lantern, for she had discovered a little moisture on it, as if from my breath, and immediately without waiting to unbutton the neck band of my shirt she tore it apart with her hands and bared my chest and nde right to the waist, and bending down placed her ear right over my heart, and of course discovered that my heart was beating. She jumped up in a greatly excited state and cried out, "John! John! come quickly, this boy is alive!" The captain and some of the sailors came running to her help in a moment and lifted me up from the deck and carried me into the cabin and placing a mattress on the table laid me down on it and stripped me at once, but just as soon as they began rubbing and trying to rrausdtate me, and the very moment I bc^an to feel the blood in my body b^inning to circulate, I lost consciousness. I have no recollection of any- S04 TBE MAKING OF A CANADIAN thing which happened from the time they laid me on the dining table in the saloon of the propeller, until I opened my eyes and found that it was broad daylight. I was tingling with itching pains from head to foot, and noticed that my arms and body were all spotted over with blood, and subsequently was told that the rub- bing had continued for several hours, until they suc- ceeded in relaxing my body and limbs from the rigid condition they had gotten into from my long immersion in the icy waters of the lake. The captain (as soon as he discoverea that I was still alive) had forced his steamer ahead under a full head of steam to get her into her berth at the Yonge Street wharf as quickly as possible, so that medical assistance might be secured without delay, and the first person my eyes rested on, as soon as I had regained consciousness, was my friend Doctor Barnard, bendmg over me in a most solicitous manner, and seeing that I had regained consciousness, asked me if I could open my mouth and try and swallow a little brandy. I tried, but failed, for my jaws were closed tight, so he took a piece of pine wood and inserted it betweon my jaws, as gently as possible prying them apart, and poured two or three teaspoonfuls of brandy down my throat, and asked me if it warmed up in my throat and stomach. Although I had never tasted brandy, I felt it no more than if it had been so much water. I was just able to shake my head in answer to his question, and as a last resort he and Doctor Newman poured almost the whole of the contents of a bottle of Radway's cayenne mixture down my throat, but a litde at a time, until I had taken nearly all of it. I could SHIPWRECKED ON LAKE ONTARIO 895 just feel it, and no more, warming me up a little. I was just lapsing into unconsciousness again when my eyes wandered over the crowd which had gathered in ^e raloon <^ the steamer. I was trying to see if Qiris was there, and he was, and had been there all the time. He caught my eye and recognized my wish to have him near me, and he came over at once and sat down be- side me. I just had time to notice that his face was very white, and that he looked badly worn out when I again became unconscious. Word had been sent to him the night previous that the yacht had not returned. He immediately dis- patched messengers to all our companions to come down to the bay at once, so that he and Charley Hurd had been up all night, with scores of other young men. They divided themselves up into searching parties, and scoured the bay front from end to end, as far west as the Humber, and east as far as the Don. Six of the most venturesome procured a large lifeboat, and rowed over to the island, examining the whole of the bay shore as well as the lake front. Also a large detail of police had been sent down to help in the search. At last t^eir efforts were rewarded by seeing a big lake propeller coming through the lower gap, steaming towards the Yonge Street wharf, steaming very fast with all lights burning; it was now between three and four o'clock in the morning. My friends had been working hard for five or six hours, and were tired and worn out with their fruitless search, but now their hopes began to revive, feeling certain that the captain had something important to communicate, and ptr- h^pi had reKued us. gge THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN A thort tune previous to this Chris had dispatched three messengers to three different doctors to come down to the dock immediately, and they aU three arrived just as the propeller was tying up tor the airis and the doctors were the first to board the steamer, and they had been working over me from the rime she arrived at the dock until I had regamed con- sciousness. . . * t t -j Chris, in response to my look of appeal, as I said previously, came to my side and took my hand in both of hU (he was crying like a child), and stooped down and kissed me, and saying between his sobs, My poor dear Tack! I was so afraid last night that something was going to happen, and I really did not want Xou to eo" - was pathetic in the extreme to watch his Lotio,., it broke down aU tiie bounds of reserve, and forgetting his surroundings, he bared his heart and gave free rein to his feelings, for our love for each other was like that of David and Jonathan. I could see it aU, and hear every word that he uttered, and my heart went ov - to him and responded to every term of en- dearment which feU from his Hps, as he told me of his great love for me. u t ^ But not a tear fell from my eyes, nor could I re- spond by making a single movement of my hps or features, to let him see that my heart responded to all that he had said and done. It seemed to me that the fountains of affection for my dear Chns were dned up, and I was utterly barred from giving expression to what I felt. He knelt at my side weepmg most piti- fully, one of his hands was holding mine m a firm gnp, SHIPWRECKED ON LAKE ONTARIO 297 mi. his left arm wu thrown round my neck with his fitc>; buried in the pillow which supported my head. I took in the whole scene, and it made strong men in that saloon weep, but I I*wd lost the power of giving expres- sion to any kind of natural emotion, and simply laid there like a statue carved out of marble, but gradually, as if a great mist or cloud was settling down, the pathetic scene faded away, and I again lapsed into unconsciousness. Doctor Barnard had sent to the hospital for a stretcher, and on its arrival they rolled me up in blankets, placing me on it in as comfortable a position as possible, and I was carried to the hotel on the shoulders of four of my friends, but was unconscious and quite oblivious of all their tender ministradons. As they carried me up the main stairway of the hotel to my room, nearly all the guests were standing in the hallways or leaning over the banisters watching the men carry me up the stairs. Among the latter was a fashionably gowned lady, who had arrived from Montreal the evening before, but as soon as she caught a glimpse of my face, asked the proprietor of the hotel if I was not Jack Arling of Montreal. On bis replying in the affirmative, she said: "Why, I know him very well indeed 1 I am so sorry for him, can I do anything to help him?" It was Mrs. Kate Barring, the star actress, who asked the quesrion. She had just arrived to fill a two months' engagement at the Opera House. She was the widow of Captain Barring of the Forty- seventh Regiment, which had been stationed at Mon- treal four years pre^'iously, where I had becmne ac- quainted with them, and had taught them both to MB THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN tkate at Gtlbault't Rink. 1 had apent many a pleasant evening with them at their quarters in the barracks. In answer to Mrs. Barring's question, the proprietor of the hotel said he would be greatly obliged if rtie would kindly assist, " for he has had a very narrow escape, and lorely needi aU the help we can give him, but from what the doctors say, I am afraid he wiU not need help very long. " . , , , . e Then he told her of the wreck of the yacht, but of course all he knew was gathered from swries whidi Wilson was spreading uroadcaat, and posing as the hero of the occasion, and as the doctors had said there was slight hope of my recovery therefore he deaded to make all the capital out of the episode that he pos- sibly could, as there was no one to contradict him. Mid never would, for he was satisfied in his own mind that I would not live many hours. He kept himself in the UmeUght all the time, and told the reporters, and all that would listen to him, of the superhuman elForts he had put forth to save Mac's life, until he became abso- lutely exhausted himself, and when in this condition he had seen poor Mac washed away, and was utterly unable to help him. But just as soon as he had pulled himself together he had turned all his efforts toward saving me, which he at last accomplished by lashing me to the prow of the yacht where the captam of the propeller found me. These stories and many others were publbhed in the newspapers, and some of them with Wilson's signature attached, for the reporters refused > publish stories unless he signed them. Of course Chris and Charley Hurd posinvely refused to beUeve these yarns, and told the reporters to be SHnPWREC] ON LAKE ONTARIO «M careful what they published, for they were convinced they were pure fabrications, and to prove it said that I wai ft powerful fwimmcr, and on account of nny great love for Mac that I would never leave htm to hie fate without a struggle. Then they pointed to my pitiable condition, as proof of their contention, hovering between life and death, with bruises and scars all over my body, and my face almost unrec(^;nizable. In contrast to this ihty said, look at Wilson ! not a thing the matter with him, with the exception of being full of whiskey; his chest swelled out witF pride posing as a hero; receiving money, clothes, and gifts of all kinds, and making all the capital lie possibly can out c'Ns sudden popularity. Nearly every ant had given j - b< pe of my recovery, with one exception, and that exception was Kate Bar- ring, for as soon as I was placed in my bed she took full charge of my case, under the supervision of Dr. Barnard. Kate Barring, Chris and Charley Hurd agreed among themselves that I was not to be left alone for one nwment, and one or the other of them was to be in my room all the time. She told Chris that she had had great experience in tending wounded soldiers in the army, and had seen men lay in a stupor for days at a time, utterly oblivious to all their surroundings, given up as hop^ss cases by the surgeons, and yet by care and attentir n come round in time, and be as well as ever, and I am firmly convinced this will be repeated in Jack's case. She also said " I am having a couch brought into Jack's room, and am going to make that my bed until he ia better, for I am a very li^t sleeper. We will l«kf ■?jt"y 900 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN Uke turns about watching Jack at night, but I want you to wake me immediately at any time Jack comes out of this stupor, for I think I know ejuctbr what to do under the circumstances." Chris and Chari«=/Hurd would not listen to her deeping on the couch, but secured the room next to mine, as there was a door connecting the two rooms, and insisted on her occu- pying it, as she would be so much more comfortable, and just as convenient to call as if in my room. I had been quite violent at times dunng the deUnum, and the doctor had been forced to have me strapped down in the bed for fear I would hurt myself. One very hot Sunday morning in June, Kate sug- gested, as I seemed to be very quiet, that they should loosen the straps or bands which were holduig me down, which they did, and they aU three went over and sat down facing the open window. Shortly after this was done, I thought I saw Mac, m my deUnum, smking in the water near the upturned yacht, on which I thought I was standing. I had raised myself up mto an upright position on the bed, and had accomphshed it so noise- lessly that none of them heard me move, nor did they see me, for they were looking out of the window, and just as Mac's body was sinking, as I thought in my wild imagination, I dived, and my head came m contact with the floor with a smash, where I lay limp and motionless. Kate screamed and ran towards me, Chris and Charley Kurd lifted me up and placed me again on the bed. They all thought I was dead, for my face, neck, and shoulders were streaming with blood. Chris had his horse and buggy at ^^T' and made quick time for the doctor, landing him at the SmFWHECKED ON LAKE ONTARIO SOI hotel in a very short tun^ giving him full explanations on the way. Soon after the doctor began operations I recovered cmisciousness, and for the first time in eleven days. Then the doctor tried to adminuter a little nourish- ment, but nothing would remain on my stomach, and I gradually grew weaker until the doctor decided to have a consultation, and called in two other members of the profession the following Sunday morning. The consultation was held in the adjoining room, and when dirough. Doctor Barnard returned and sat down by my side, and in a very sympathetic tone of voice said: "Jack! I have come to the conclusion that instead of medical attention you need spiritual consolarion, for my two friends and mysdf have concluded that you cannot live very long." "My dear doctor," I said, "do not let that worry you for one moment; I am not go'ng to die, at least for some time, and I will get over this all right." "Do not deceive yourself. Jack," replied Doctor Barnard, "it Is impossible for you to recover, as you cannot hold nourishment on your stomach for a moment, but if there is anything you think you would like to have, we will get it for you." "If there is any one thing in the world that I would like to have more than another," I replied, "it would be a cigar." "A cigar! why, Jack! a cigar would mean your death, you would not live out the day if you were to smoke one." "And how long do you think I will live if I don't smoke one ? " I asked. " Well, Jack," said the doctor, hardly think you can expect to live beyond next Wednesday." "Then, if I have to die, what dif- 802 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN ference does a day or two make?" I ventured to reply, "but do not lose any sleep over it, my dear doctor, I am not going to die just yet." When Doctor Barnard went out I persuaded Kate to take one of the cigars a friend had sent me, and cut the end off of it, and place it between my Ups. She did so and held a lighted match to it until I began to smoke, for I was utterly unable to help myself, and I smoke-i that cigar until there was nothing left save the butt end. After finishing the cigar I became drowsy at once, and dropped off into a sound sleep. It was just five o'clock when I woke up and found Doctor Barnard sitting by my bedside watching me intently. I felt ever so much better, for this was the first real sleep I had smce the accident. "Why, Jack, my boy! exclaimed Doctor Barnard, "y wportwt was pubUshed that evening, word for word, in tfie newspapers When the factt became known, a number of my fciendi and sympathizers started a hunt for Wilson, but when they came upon him he was too drunk to comprehend what they wanted him for, and to waken him up, and frighten him at the same trnw^ some of them shouted out, "Let's get a rope and weTl string him up!" This seemed to bring him to his senses, for the moment it dawned on his besotted mmd that the crowd were really going to hang him he begged for mercy, groveling on the ground at their feet in an agony of fright. The leader of the crowd adled for silence, and read my story as it was prmted that day in the evening papers. , , «c a ' Then the leader turned to Wilson and said: btand up on your feet! Now, sir, answer me! Is that account of the wreck, as I have read it, true or not?" Wilson started right in to try and excuse himself, but the leader yelled at him to shut up, "as we have heard all the lies we wish to hear from you. Answer, yes or no!" Then Wilson blurted out, " If you wiU let me go I will confess!" He admitted that my story was absolutely true, but tried to excuse his conduct by saying that all through the terrible storm he was so paralyzed by fright he did not know what he was doing, and agam cried and begged for mercy. "Shut up that cant!" shouted the leader to Wilson. "What is your verdict, gentlemen?" "Hang himl hang him!" yelled the crowd (though they had no intention of doing anything of the kind, but eaSFWBSCKED ON UKB OMTABIO m WMittd to ftrike terror into the heart of the crinsiiiff coward). — Mr. Chairman! I would like to make a suggestkm," and pomting his finger at Wilson said: "This con- tonptible, lying, craven coward has admitted his guilt with his own lips; he is not fit to Uve in a respectable community, and as we do not want to stain our hands with his blood, I propose that we form two lines facing each other, and make him run the gantlet, and drive him out of the city, warning him that if ever he returns, we will tar and fea her him." This suggestion was adopted. The two lines were formed, about five feet apart, and Wilson was given rather a vigorous start, and he made a run for it, receiving many a well-merited kick and cufF to acceler- ate his progress, and amidst the jeers, hisses and yells of the crowd he was driven from the city and was never known to return. CHAPTER XXII I TELL KATY MY GREAT SECRET Six incmths after tbe events related in the pre- ceding chapter Chris was married to Mary White. It was a costly, fashionable wedding; no expense was spared to make the occasion as imposing as possible. The church was beautifully decorated; the lervicet of the most prominent musicians in the city were secured, and the large edifice was crowded with guests. Visitors from all parts of Canada were at the church to witness the ceremony; nothing was left undone by dressmaker, milliner, jeweler, or florist to make the bride more beautiful and charming than ever. Chris and Mary ceruinly made a very handsome couple, as they stood in front of the officiating clergy- man, as he pronounced them man and wife. When the sumptuous wedding breakfast was over the bridal party left for their honeymoon amidst the cheers and good wishes of all the assembled guests. Although I was still very weak and far from well I of course attended the wedding, acting as best man for Chris. I must say I did not feel quite happy, for I was sorely afraid that after the novelty of wedded Ufc had passed, they might not be congenial companions. I tried ytry hard to drive these gloomy thoughts from my mind, but they persisted in forcing themselves on my attention, in spite of the fact that I had something 308 I TELL KATY MY GREAT else to think about. For Katy was the first brides- maid-and she certainly looked bewitching. She wm beautifully but plainly dres^d, in companMn with her sister Mary, the bride. But with the same charm of manner, honesty and ■mcenty apparent in every word spoken and in every act performed, to me the seemed in a class by her- self, a perfect little woman, too good for this world of ostentatious display, pride, and shams. She was extremely sohcitous as to my welfare and comfort and kept puzzling her young brain from morning until mght to devise means to bring me back to my normal condmon of health. Both her father and mother urged me to remain with them for a few days at least, and rest; and Katy said it would be a shame to think of going, as they were all so anxious to see me become well and stronger. So I accepted their kind invitation to remain for a short rime, as I was anxious to benefit by Doctor White's advice. Of course Katy and I were together a good deal of the time I remained at Ottawa. And the more I ^^.i^'- **** "^'^ ^ became convinced that she was a perfect little rock of common sense, absolutely sin- cere, and truthful to a fault. We frequently stroUed tiirough the beautiful arbor walks at the rear of the Parliament Buildings, overlooking the Ottawa River, and from this elevation at the top of die high blufFs the view was magnificent, taking in not only the river with aU Its windings, but the Chaudier Falls and the great mountain ranges, like giant sentinels, forming an imposing background of impenetrable granite rock. From this vantage point one would never tire watching 810 IBB MAKING OF A CANADIAN the great rafts of timber shooting the slides from the upper waters, and plunging headlong into the river at the foot of the falls. One beautiful afternoon Katy and I were sittmg on one of the rustic seats admiring this magnificent view, when I said to her, "Katy, I am going away to- morrow, and I may not see you again for a long time. But before I go I want to tell you of something which . occurred, soon after I recover^ consciousness, during my late sickness. Kate Barring said to me one morn- ing, 'Jack, the doctor said to me last night that if I thought you were well enough this morning, that you might be permitted to read the letters which have accumubted since you were taken sick/ She then handed me a large package of letters; I became greatly interested in reading them, for they were all written in such a kindly, sympathetic strain, and they came from nearly all the people of my acquaintance, and I wa« greatly touched with the sentiment which pervaded them all. But do you know, Katy, that the very last letter in the parcel was from you! and I thought it the kindest and sweetest letter of them all; and so much so that I have carried that letter in my pocket from that day to this; and hardly a day has passed since that time that I have not read it, and sometimes more than once." "I am more than pleased to know that my letter gave you so much pleasure," replied Katy, "and that being the case, I will write you again while you are away, if you think you would like to hear from me." "Why, that is the very thing I was going to ask you to do, Katy, and in return I will promise to write you every week, describiog all that I see, and all that I TELL KATY MY GBEAT SECRET transpires during my travels, in fact I will send you a little story of my wanderings in each letter, for I expect to be away for some time." "I think that a splendid idea, Jack," said Katy, "for It will give me something to kwk forward to all the time. I receive but few lettert, at I have but few cop- respondents. Aunt Maggie and Aunt Harvey write me occasionally, and I also receive every two or three weeks a letter from Mary Turner— an old school friend of mine; and these are all I hear from. But now I will be looking for your letters every time the postman rings the bell." Katy had seen very little of society, and nothing of the world. She was the domesticated member of the family and the housekeeper of the home, the con- fidante of her father, and the very idol of his heart. He was teaching her the science of medicine. He told me that she was the most apt pupil he had ever taught, and had progressed so far as to be able to make up his prescriptions. In conversation with the doctor one day, he said that he had never favored women doctors. But that if ever a woman was bom to the profession. It was his daughter Katy. Therefore, he said, he was putting her through a course of study and reading, so that before very long she would be fully equipped to go before any board of medical examiners and pass a creditable examination. Of course i. y thoughts concerning Katy and her future were altogether different to his, but he did not know that. He and Katy were very much alike in one respect, they were not at all suspicious. We spent a v?ry quiet evening together in the sitting 9IS THE lAKING OF A CANADIAN room, for 1 was going to leave the n«t m- nlng. Mrs. White was trying to read a book, ^^J^'^J^^ Katy and I were having quite an animated tion, principally on my traTeli and v»no» «^ enci but at it w«f Ute. we w«e ab«n » retire, when the doctor said . "Jwk, you certainly have had a libeial educttitm, in ipite of the fact that you , id to leave school at ^ early age of fourteen; yet any man that hat had the advantages of travel Aat you have had, with the faculty of ohtervation which you possess, has had a most liberal education. I will certainly miss your •tones of travel very much after you leave us. "But, father," said Katy, "we are gomg to have the stories all right, for jack and I have agpeed to corrcK nKmd during hit abtence; he hat promised to wnte me a description of every thing he sees that he thinks wiU be of interest." Mrs. White entered in.o the conversation at this point, by asking Katy the quea- tion, "Katy, did you ask Jack to wnte yott evwr week during his absence?'* _ , ^, , "Yet, I did," said Katy, "for Jack told me th.t when he was sick the letter I wrote him pleased h i more than any letter he had ever receive ana replied that, that being the case, I wodd wnte him frequently; and he promised that he would w te me story of his tmveb every week. Isn t that the way came about, Jack?" asked Katy, appealmg to me? I could not help smiling at Katy's mgeni-ous way of explaining the way it came about, as she called it, to her mother. But the doctor simply shook t isndw with laughter at the tmtfafiil sincenty of frank I TELL KATY .lY GREAT SECH£T SIS reply to her mother s question. One could Me at a glance that her idolized father had much mon to do With her training than her mother— f.^ thete weie hit natural :harn( nstios. I left Ott aw« the next morning for Toronto. As a hit word .o Kary I reminded her of her promise to write me met long letters, and not to forget, for I certomJy wou. 1 bt lookinir for them. "Wl 3', Jack, oi ou. i will write, for I piomiied» and then y Ou know, w.nt to get yours." So I bid the «tor and Katy goodbye- aey had come dowi to the :atic to see me off— and jumped ontu the end n ,ch, here I could see them wavmg th^ir hanJKcrci . in f. iwell until a curve in itcd me from seeing them longer. fe*i«ness in first-class shape under the of Harry Haig, who had fuU charge while 1 was forced to have someone at home as dent or manager in my absence Jt I was '■ the city a great deal. Fortun; - I had ' serviMs d Harry Haig some mc prior nt accident, and I was saved a tot t oriy T was laid up. For when I was at la»t able ih office, I found everything in a flourishing coi ai jxii so that now I had no hesitancy in leaving foror to for weeks at a rime, knowing that my interests were well taken care of in my absence. The American houses wh id I represented in Canada h b n pressing me for a long rime to add to my ter- 1 y some of the larger cities in the Western States aau some time prior to this I had opened a branch iri Caucago. This particular branch now needed my tlte tiizd p> t. T £Mmd r i was supcnntt a«ay fr-^ to all tc 814 THE IIUONG OF A CANADIAN presence, and shortly after my arrival at Toronto from Ottawa, I started for Chicago. Harry Haig, in bidding me good-bye at the G. T. R. station at Torontcs pioo^ ised to write or wire me every day, keeping me thor- oughly posted as to the business during my stay in the West. My sojourn at Chicago extended from a few weeks, as I had expected, into months b^ore I was able to return to Toronto. During all that rime I kept faith with Katy by wriring her a letter — and somerimes two — every week, and received her replies, just as she had promised, never missing a week. Her letters were a great help to me, expressing the most beautiful thoughts, and filled with good cheer; emanating from a heart filled with love and sympathy for every one; for her religion was made up largely of cheerfulness and good will to all. No one with whom she came in contact was left very long in doubt as to the hold the Christian relig^coi had upon her heart, for it dominated her life. Ther^ fore her letters inspired me, bracing me up like a tonic, helping me to reach out after higher things, and a more noble and useful life than the one I had been leading. I had not seen Katy for over six months, and was thoxfore very much pleased when the bun- ness "which had detained me in Chicago for so long a rime was completed, and I was enabled to advise her in my next letter that I was about to return to Toronto. I had another strong reason for wishing to get back to Canada— I had never really recovmd from the effects of die yaditing accident, and was not feeling at all strong. On die advice of a friend I had fully made up my mind to go to the north shore of Lake Superior and I TELL KATY IftY GREAT SECRET 815 rough it in the open for a while. He told me that he had been suffering with tubercular trouble, and that die doctors had pronounced his case hopeless; but on hearing that a life in the North Woods might save his life he took the chance and went there, living with the trappers and Indians in the open all the time, and seldom under cover, and at the end of two years he returned home feeling as well as ever he did in his life. So I made up my mind to do the very same thing. On my arrival at Toronto Harry Haig was standing on the platform of the station waiting for me. I told Harry what I intended doing; he thought it an excel- lent idea, and urged me to lose no time, but to get away to the North Woods as soon as possible, if there was a diance for a permanent cure. He assured me that he would devote every hour of his time and his wfaofe attention to the business — as if it were his own — during my absence. He and I decided to put every- thing in shape at the office, and if possible I was to leave the following week for the North Woods. The hotd derk handed me a special delivery stamped letter as soon as I entered the hotel. It was from Katy, informing me that she was leaving that morning for Toronto, and asked me to meet her on the arrival the depot, and help Katy to alight from the train. As soon as I saw her I said, "My dear Katy, you are no longer the little Katy I said good-bye to six mtrnths ago, for you have changed; and changed into a beautiful little woman. 816 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN i'. -'ill > She blushed crimson at the warm reception I gave her, saying she was so glad I had received the letter in time to meet her at the train, for she heard that Chris was away on a business trip, and the very thought of arriving in Toronto near midnight alone had made her quite nervous, and had almost spoiled her trip. I reaUzed at once that conditions had changed, for in my absence Katy had been transformed into a stylishly dressed young lady. She wore a right-fitdng tailor- made broadcloth suit of silver gray; her hair was done up in a most becoming manner, and you could just catch a glimpse of its golden brown shading from be- neath the wide-brimmed Devonshire hat, with long drooping ostrich plumes, and flowing veil reaching to her waist, and ndiich she wore with tudi becoming grace. I was almost speechless at the transformation which had taken place in her appearance in so short a rime, but thought her the most bewitching little womam my eyes had ever rested on. But I tocm discovered that though Katy had changed in outward appearance, the change had not sunk very deeply, for the very first question she asked me in her usual ingenuous way, as we sat together in the carriage, was: "Now Jack, you have been looking at me for scHne time, and have not said very much. Now, honest, do you like the way I am dreswd? and the way I have my hair done up?" "Why, my dear Katy," I replied, "I think you look perfectly charming; the last rime I saw you I was looking at a very pretty and extremely tidy litde girl. But now I see you as a most beautiful and becomingly I TELL KATY MY GREAT SECRET 817 dressed young lady; and if you want my honest opinioiu 1 certainly thmk you look most charming." ur^^f^^ 7** wreathed in smiles as she replied, Jack, It makes me feel very happy to hear you say that, for I was terribly afraid you would not like me dressed as a young lady. But you know, Jack, I had to make the change sooner or later, for I am getting older aU the time, and mother thought I should make it now, and get used to it while on this trip to Toronto " It pleased me to hear Katy talk in the same un- affected, sincere manner that had ahroys been her chief charm in my estimation. When we arrived at Chris's home, Mary appeared to be to see us, and had a nice room prepared and ready for Katy's reception. We sat chatting in die sitting-room until quite late. But we had not been talfang very long before Mary began to criticise Katy's outfit, and make suggestions for alterations in Katy's dress. But much to Mary's chagrin, I said, "Katy, if I were you I would not alter a stitch; for I think die whole outf t looks fine." "If that is your honest opinion. Jack," said Katy, I certainly will not make any alterations in my dresses, tor your opmion exactiy coincides with mother's. But I have 9omt other very nice tilings in my trunk, and If you wiU come up to-monow night, I will show you all my dresses; and I hope you will like the odiers as well as you do my traveUng suit." Mary, "the very idea '•f invitmg Jack up to see your clothes! Are you not • V lie that rt IS not customary for a young eirf to boast ->i ner dothci, especially to young men?" ' !»., . 818 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN "I am certainly not trying to boast of my clothes or anything else," said Katy; "it just seems to please him, and I am very sure diat it pleases me to know that Jack likes my things, for I would rather please him dian anybody else." "My," said Mary. "You are incorrigible! What would your mother say if she heard you ulking in that way? I answered for Katy by saying, "Mary, do you know it would be a mi^ty good thing if all the girls, yes, and all the women that one comes in contact with, were one-half as ingenuous, honesty and sincere as Katy is? If such a thing were possible, what a different world this would be to live in! Bye the bye, it is nearly midnight, and I must be going; but I will be up to-morrow night, Katy, to see all your nice things." I did not wait until the evening, but drove up m the afternoon and invited Katy out for a drive. When we got outside the city and were traveling along a nice piece of road, I allowed the horses to jog along quietly, whilst we ulked about the different things which had happened since we last met. At last I said, "Do you know, Katy, that I have a great secret— one that I have kept to myself for a long time? But I think I will now tell it to you. The fact is, Katy, I have never really regained my health since I met with the yachting accident on the lake. I do not seem tc have the same amount of energy or ambition, nor anything Uke the same amount of grip on life that I used to have; so I have decided to drop business for a wfaik^ leaving Harry Haig to take my place in my absence, and go I TELL KATY MY GREAT SECRET 810 and Uve in the woods on the north shore of Lake Supe- iior for a whUe. I am told by one who has tried it that if I do this, and hve the simple life with the trappers and Indians for a year or two, I am sure to regain my strength and get a new lease on life. What do you thmk of the plan, Katy?" She Hstened very intently to every word I uttered, but did not say anything for some time; but I could sec that her heart was touched, for her eyes were brim- ming over with tears. After a little struggle she puUed herself together and said, "Jack, I have known this all along; I could read it between the lines of your saw you at the sution last ni^t. I am afraid you wiU have to put up with a lot of hardship, and perhaps suffering. But If you are convinced it will produce the results you think It will, I should say go by all means; for your health is worth more than all the money in the world. I will mm you more than I can tell you; but I will pray for you all the time you are away, and will write you reg- ularly; that IS, if you can get my letters in that great wilderness; and I want you to write me every chance that you get, for I wiU be very anxious about you aU the tune you are away." "Katy," I said, "you have spoken like the sensible ntUewomanlahraystookyoutobc. NowIamfuUy "solved to go, and get weU, and by God's help I , We then headed the horses for home, and arrived m time for supper. Mary opened the door for us, but did not invite me in nor ask me to remain for supper, but «mply walked back into the front room ind S20 THE BfAKING OP A CANADIAN curling up on the sofa continued reading her book. Katy noticed the slight Mary had subjected me to by not inviting me to stay for supper, and not even inviting me back to 8pen4 ♦he evening with them. But I toU Katy not to think anything of it, for I was coming up anyway to see her— and not Mary. Subsequently I discovered, but not until I had returned from the Northwest, that Mary had picked out a young man belonging to the more fashionable set of her acquaint- ances, and was doing her utmost to win him for Katy. He was fairly good looking, and die son of a very wealthy man— one of Toronto's leading merchants; Fred Warner- for that was hi;8 name— having been bom with a silver spoon in his mouth, did not see the necessity of exerting himself, and did not, therefore he lived the life of the idle rich young men with whom he associated; but was generally looked upon as a con- temptible cad by the young business men of the As I was saying good-bye to Katy, she said, ** Be sure and come up early this evening. Jack, for I will be looking for you!" but I noticed that the invitation was not seconded by Mary. She simply touched my hand with the tips of her fingers, saying, "Bye-bye," and walked back into the house. On returning to the house that evening I was received by Katy at the door, and as I entered Katy said, "Jack, we have another visitor to-night, a Mr. Fred Warner. But perhaps you know him? Maty says he is one of the finest young men in the dtyl" "Yes, Katy," I replied, "I know him very Well." As we entered the parlor, Fred Warner, without ris- I TELL EATY MY GBEAT SECP^ m ing from his chair said with a mon pronounced Cockney accent, "Auh! Mr. Arling! glad to see you,--8lad see you .ndeed. Working hard as usual, llS^pose. Ihey tell me you are a most indefatigable worker: but It mint be a terrible bore to have to work a. ' - ' as you do?" . 'T^'" ^ ""P^' "work must be a terrible bore - that IS, if you are not accustomed to it. I am very well acquainted with your good father-he is a great worker. He and I are of the same opinion-we both like work, and take a great deal of pleasure out of bunness I have had to work since I was fourteen years old, and further, if I considered it a bore and neglected my business, I am afraid that I would aeon De without a business to bore me." "V^ clever, very clever indeed, Mr. Arling. You »e ataost a. good a preacher as my father," he replied, with a supercilious smile on his face. Mary did not like the trend of the conversarion; her face was quite flushed; she was certainly perturbed rf aot angry, and said, "You must remember, Jack,' tt« perrons of mdependent means do not require to . shouldn't they, my dear Maiy," I repKed. Ihe more means a man possesses, the greater be- comes his responsibilities. And as a faithful steward, he li imder obh^tions to conserve and use those means by performmg his duty to society and mankind by hejp«ng those who are not quite as fortunate as him- Of course Katy knew nothing of Fred Warner, and ■aid quite innocently, "I perfectly agree with all Jack <; KffBi ait THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN haitaid; and hardly know which to do» pity or detpiM a lazy man." In a short time Fred Warner excused himself by saying he had another call to make that evening, and left. Mary was quite angry, fearing Fred Warner would never come back again, and soon retired, szying that she was suffering with a very bad headache. After Mary had retired, Katy said, "Now Jack, I will show you my new dresses." She opened her tnmk, taking them out one at a time with great care until I had seen them all. With a little consdout smile on her face, savoring of pardonable pride, she asked me how I liked them. Of course I told her I thought them beautiful, and that the most perfect taste had been exercised in their selection, and added, "Do you know, KaQr, I think everydiing you possess most diarming, and in my eyes is made more beautiful dmply from the tzct that it is owned by you. I admire not only what you wear, but I admire yourself; and have admired you from the very first day I met you. My admira- tion has now turned into love, for I love you very dearly, and Mint day I am going to ask you to be my wife, but not now. For I do not think it fair to ask yoa to engage yourself to me under existing circumstances, for several reasons. In the first place I am going into the wilderness for a long time; and the life I will lead there will be full of dang«frs,->and I may never come back; in the next phce, you are now a young lady, and yner arrived, for every trapper in the region in- trusted his skins and ordaia to Lem to dabver them to him on his arrival. The captain maneuvered his schooCKr until he reached the proper awboraga and fastenad her up to tlK buy kmy wteeh he had ancborad dm mm Mne LIFE IN THE NORTH WOODS 889 before. We then got into the schooner's big yawl, which had been trailing at her stem, and the sailors rowed us to the shore; as soon as we landed the captain lent the yawl back for my outfit, after taking on board lome bundles which Lem Hopkint deliverad to him. When the yawl returned with my outfit, and before leaving, the captain told me that as it was getting late in the season, — for the ice was beginning to form, — he would hardly be able to make another trip until spring, but if the harbor kept open to look out for him in about sixty days; for if the weather permitted he would surely come. Bidding Lem and me good-bye, he and his men went back to the schooner, and we watched her set sail for home. I must say I felt a bit lonely as I saw the schooner sailing away, and leaving me bdiind in the wilderness. Lem had camped near the shore in a beautifully sheltered spot, protected on one side by high rocks which were completely covered with moss, and on the odur side by forest trees. The horses were now teth- Topta fastmed to die tree trunks, and were peacefully grazing, having a fine feed of grass, for It was most luxuriant at this camp. It was reaUy a delightful spot, just as nature had formed it,— a most beautiful bower in the primitive forest. Lem and I •at down lacing the camp fire, but not for the last time by any means,— the only sounds to break the silence bemg the singing of the kettle suspended over the bummg logs, and our voices, as we chatted together for the first time in the great North Woods, smoking «w i»pes in front of our own camp fire. Ltm and I took to each other at once, soon becom- 830 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN ing fast friends, and for nearly two years were insep- arable companions, in fair weather as well as foul. He knew every spot in that great wildemen, uid wai juft at much at home wandering through the trackless forests of pine, birch, elm, and oak— forests which liad never been injured by the hand of man, just as they were designed by the great Architect of the universe, and had weathered the storms of untold jreart— as I would be walking through the streets of Toronto. Lem was a fine fellow, honest to a fault, simple, and at times childlike in his actions; but when circum- stances demanded a show of courage he was as brave as a lion. The only book he carried with him on his many tramps through the forest was a weU-wom pocket Testament, which he read every evening when the day's journey was over. This he never omitted, and just before turning in for the night would reverently kneel and offer up a short but fervent prayer, thanking God for His care over him during the day, and ask for His protection during the night. He was a devout and deeply idipous man; some rould thratw out Utde feelers [LIVE IN TBB NORIH WOODS 881 of questions, until he got me into a reminiscent mood, and would dt by the hour listening intently to every word, at I described my life in the dtiet of Montreal, Toronto, New York, Chicago and other cities in which I had lived. After spending an evening in this way, I could hear him for a long time afterwards,— in thinking it an over,— saying to himself, "Wonderful! Wonder- ful!** He was to grateful to me for all the information I imparted to him that he tried to show it in every act his life. When we were ready to turn in and roll up in our blankets for the night he would say, "I have fixed up a little place for you to sleep in over here," and I would find he had picked out for my comfort the mott shel- tered spot to rest in, and had carried in armsful of dried grass ;ind leaves, making me a bed that anyone might envy. Jimmy Ryan had told him in the letter he had written him that I had met with a great accident, and was not at all well, and strongly urged him to take good care of me, which he certainly did, for he watched over me like a mother would watch over her child, and was almost as tender In his care of me. I frequently noticed him getting up very stealthily in the morning, just at daybreak, stealing out, fearing to wake . me, mending the camp fire, watering the horses, anr doing all the chores round the camp, as well as preparing the break- fast; when all was finished he would come over to where I was sleeping and very gently touch me on the shoulder to wake me up, telling me that breakfast was ready. Of course we had been on the move ever since my arrival, rarely camping more than two or three days IBS MAKING OF A CANADIAN in one place. Lem knew every good camping ground in that vast wilderness, and I noticed we always camped on the banks of a running stream, small river, or lake, so that the first thing to do in the morning was to go down to the edge of the water, strip, and take a header right in. My! how I did enjoy those morning baths in the cool, clean, sparkling water, clear as crystal, the most invigoratmg and refreshing baths I ever enjoyed. When I bad had enough I would come out and have a vigorous rub with a coarse Turkish towel, which made me feel like a new man, and always ready for one of Lem's fine breakfasts of fresh fish, bacon, and flapjacks, all of which Lem could cook to a turn; so that every mouthful tasted good, flavored by the pine woods and clear atmosphere, which was a wonderful tonic, and gave me such a colossal appetite that I hardly knew myself. I had only been in the woods four weeks when I discovered that the blood was coursing tiiroi^^ my veins with a vigor I had been a stranger to for a long time; I had also accumulated a coat of tan on my face, neck and hands that would do justice, to an Indian; the old languid feeling had passed away, making me again strong and fit. The first week I traveled through the woods with Lem I felt Uke sitting in the wagpn— when we used it — and that is when we traveled be- tween Lem's log shack and the landing; but the best part of the time we rode horseback or walked. I therefore did a great deal of walking; but Lem was very ccmsiderate, for he usually walked with a long stride and at a good pace; but for a long time after I arrived he cut the gait down, suiting it to my ability to keep up. LIFE IN THE NORTH WOODS But four weeks in the North Woods had wrought wonders. I was now able to hold my own with Lem, and could walk with a good swinging gait, and Lem was at last able to let himself out without any fear as to my ability to keep up, Lem's traps were scattered all through the woods, and along the banks of streams and rivers. To visit them all meant a tramp of sixty miles to make the rounds. We would start off with two horses, but if luck was good, by the end of two days we would have to dismount and walk, using the horses as packs to carry the skins, the balance of the journey being made on foot. When the snow was on the ground we traveled on snow-shoes. I was delighted to find that I could keep up with the procession, either tramp- ing on foot or on snow-shoes, without being a hin- drance. We had just returned to the shack after tramping for several days, making the rounds of the traps; and as soon as we arrived at the shack, Lem said, in his usual kind, considerate way— ahvays looking out for my comfort, "Mr. Arling, we have had quite a long tramp to-day. I think you had better lie down for an hour or two before supper, and take a good rest." •*My dear Lem," I replied, "I can hardly under- stand it myself, for I am not a bit tired. I feel as fit as a fiddle, and instead of lying down, I am going off to the trout stream to hook a good mess of those speckled beauties which we saw in passing; and I will bring you back a fine feed for supper." I took my fishing rod, tackle and basket, and surted off whistling a lively tmie; and fyal and faithful to the trust and confidence we had placed in him from the very first day I hired him to carry the mail; rain or shine, when mail day arrived we could tell almost to the hour the time of his arrival. He was a fine young buck, a full-blooded Indian. After he had eaten a good substantial meal, we -wtte smoking our pipes, sitting in front of our camp fire, as the evening was quite cool, and I was trying to draw him out and tell me some of his experiences. He told me that when the Indian trappers returned to their camps in the late spring they had reported to Chief BigKul how justly they had been treated in IIFB IN THE NORTH WOODS $47 th«r dealings with me. And ever since that time the chief had been anxious to see me; hut or. leaving the «inp this ciiM the chief had expressed a stronger desire than usual that I ihould pay him « visit; and be had sent me a letter, which the Indian handed to me. The letter was written by a feminine hand, inviting me to come up to his camp and pay him a visit, and that both he and his family would be glad to entertain me at kmg at I could find it convenient to stay. Lem said, "Mr. Arling, that would be » fine thing to do; for I am sure you would enjoy a visit to the chiefs home. He is a fine Christian Indian, and lives m a very nice house on an island in the lake, with his two tont and two daughtert— his wife died two years ago; but they five in good shape jutt like white people." So I made up my mind to go, and told the Indian I would be ready to go with him on his return journey. It was just two weeks when the Indian mail carrier returned ftom his rounds, but I was all ready for him and bidding Lem goodbye, we started on our five days tramp, arriving at our destination towardt the evening of a most beaudful day. On reaching the lower end of the lake we came to a Wttll wharf or landing stage or which v cor j,cted a finely built boathouse; the door was uni ed so we entered, and the Indian telected a verv handsome birch bark canoe, the best one of the four found in the boathouse. We lifted it out fully and placed it in the water; the Indian p our packs, guns, and other things in the bow, . in- vited me to uke a seat in the center of the canot vhile he took bit place in the stem. Hie Indian ww c oT we . re- all •48 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN the finest paddlers I ever law, and fairly made the canoe skim over the surface of the water; it wu » raoit delightful tenndon traveling lo twiftly over the waten of that beautiful lake. It actually looked like a large golden bowl, filled with the glory of the dying sun, bidding adieu to the world for another night as it dropped lower and lower, surely and silently behind the wettem horizon, painting the irhcAt of the land- scape with opalescent hues of amler, blue, green and red, gradually sinking behind thd western hilltops to hide its face, like a coy and bashful maiden, and passed out of view as it descended in the west. The chiefs house was situated on an island at the upper aid of the lake; the island consisted of about one hundred acres of land, all under cultivation; the lake wat about two miles long by one and a half miles wide, and called "Lovesick Lake." At the upper end there were beau- tiful falls, called "Lovesick Falls," and a little beyond the falls, on the mainland, wat situated the Indian village or encampment. The borders of the lake on the other three fides were shut in with trees or forest growing to the very water's edge, and their shadows were reflected deep down into the water. It was cer- tainly a most romantic spot; the lake looked Hke a gigantic mirror, reflecting the landscape from «very tide, presenting a most beautiful picture framed >, an enormous border of emerald green; the surface of the lake was without a ripple, and as transparent as glass, so that you could look over the side of your canoe and see the pebbles and submarine growth at Ac bottom, with myriads of fish all descriptions moving lazily through the pastas^ between the rocks, or darting Un m THE NOHTH WOODS 340 ^and there after some inMct or grub with lightning well-preserved, sinewy Indian; he reached out hii hand and grasped mine firmly in his. as he helped me out of the canoe and in ve^ good English said that 7 lT.u''7 * ? personally, so that he could thank ^ r y^^^^ ^^^^ ^« honorable wa sincerely hoped that I would be able to stay . them for some time and enjoy the hospiuhty of his home; though it might not be as fine as I was accustomed to, they would aU do their best to make my stay a pleasant one. fine'il?'" introduced me to his two daughters, both fine looking prls wjth p.erdng dark eyes, raven black hair, finely formed features, and beautifullv dear b^hve complexions. The name of the eldest was Muuue, her Indian name meant "Sone Bird " Thp The two sons were fine athletic young fellows Th« Rj^LT^rb""^' ^He%t:^;tll:: .I^L. 5 *:°y^took my satchel, gun, fishing rod and tackle, and the girls escorted me to the house Ihe nouse was a large, roomy, one-storied frame bmldmg, with a deep sloping shingled roof, with a wide fro«t of the buildmg; the house was painted white with green shutters, and everything about the place was spotlessly clean. I was ushered into a lafge c^ foruble bedroom, with two windows facing L folk; 850 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN all the furniture in the room was of white oak, with homonade rag carpets on the floor, the wall* pair, she jumped from that high rock into the seething, turbulent waters of the chasm below, and her little frail body was carried out into the lake at the foot of the rapids. Ever since that time the falls have been called the 'Lovesick Falls,' and the lake the 'Lovesick Lake."* We sat until quite late on the veranda of Chief Bigsail's cottage, o*^ th^t beautiful midsummer night, enjoying the moor t a.nd the charming view from that vantage point. I found the Misses Bigsails' not only fine entertainers, but accomplished and highly educated your.g women, both graduates of eastern >eminan» of learning. 8f4 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN The two brothers were also products of one of Toronto's colleges, and both were equipping tliem- selves t, become missionaries to the Incbam m die Northwest, so that my conversation with dus dehgh^ ful Indian fanuly to not only entertaining but in- structive. . , , 1 J ^;rT Just before retiring for the night, they asked me if I was fond of owimming, and being answered m the affirmative, they invited me to join them m the morn- ing, and enjoy with them their morning plunge m the lake, which invitation I was very glad to accept; and on entering my room, I found a very handsome y knitted bathing suit lying on my bed, for my use m the morning. i „ t ^.^^ It did not take me long to go to sleep when I turned into that comfortable bed that night, for I was com- pletely tired out. I imagined I had just dozed oW, while thinking of the stirring scenes of the day, when I was roused by a succession of knocL. on die door, and heard one of die boys saying, "Mr. Arimg. it is five o'clock, and we are all waiting for you to come and have a swim." . , j i I was out of bed in a moment and donned the bathing suit, which fitted me exactly, and was yerj comfortable. The two boys and the girls were waioni for me on die veranda, and we all went at onct toth boat landing, where dicy had a fine spnngboard to div. from. They told me diere was at least twenty tee of water at that point, therefore I need not feel th least bit alarmed at hitting my head on the bottom, b; diving too deeply. So one after die other we «i out to die end of die springboard, and took headei LIFE IN THE NORTH WOODS 955 right into the cool waters of the lake; the girls were just as much at home in the water as they were on the land, and we all swam, floated, and dived to our hearts' con- tent; next we took a couple of bark canoes and pad- dled out a considerable disance into the lake, diving out of the canoes and playing tag in the water until we were all tired out and decided it was time to return to the house and have breakfast; for the str.nuous exercise indulged in that morning had given us a strong desire to eat; my stomach certainly told me it was time, for I was aknost famished with hunger. I think without exception that was one of the most en- joyable and exhilaratmg swims I ever had. We soon completed our toilets and sat down at the breakfast table. My! how good that breakfast did taste. In the center of the table was a large fruit dish, almost as big as a punch bowl, filled to the brim with wild straw- berries, the most delicious berry imaginable; and they served the strawberries in good-sized cereal dishes, covered with fresh cream; fried black bass caught the evening before, fresh eggs, coffee a id rolls. This was the bill of fare; but the i'act of sitting down to breakfast in a nicely furnished room, in a private house, the table covered with a snowy white cloth, the meal served on clean china dishes, and with well- polished silver cutlery and spoons, and added to all this a strong healthy apperite; for this was the first time m almost a year that I had had the privilege,— para- doxical as it may seem,— of eating a well-cooked and well-served meal in a civilized home, even though it was served in the home of a pure-blooded Indian family. 856 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN I certainly did enjoy it, every mouthful had the home flavor, which made it taste so good, and never to be forgotten. After partaking of this delicious meal and smoking a cigar while ritting on one of the veranda chairt for a short time, we all repaired to the landing-suge, got out the canoes, and paddled up to the romantic "Lovesick Falls," baited our hooks, cast our lines into the turbulent waters, and started fishing. I had my own split bamboo rod with me, good line and reel which had done me such good service ever since I had arrived in the North Woods. Before we arrived in the vicinity of the Falls, Miss Minnie suggested that she would paddle the canoe from the center of the boat, and allow me to troll from the stem; we had only gone a short disunce out into the lake when I got a most savage bite, the rod was almost jerked out of my hands; I allowed the line to run out for fully fifty feet, before I began to reel it in very slowly, until I had my fish almost alongside the canoe; Minnie cried out "It's a lunge! it's a lunge I and a big one; you will have to play him for some rime, Mr. Arling. But the next rime you reel him up close to the canoe, I'll gaff him sure," which she did, and landed in the canoe a fourteen-pound muskellunge on the end of her gaff. When we arrived at the foot of the falls, we had the finest kind of sport with the black bass; they were the liveliest, and gamest lot of fish I ever cast a line for. The flies had not been as numerous ss usual that sea- son, and the fish were hungry and seized the bait as fast as you could throw your line into the water. We caught a large number of bass, but threw all the small ones back into the hkc, taking home with us thirty very LIFE IN THE NORTH WOODS 857 fine ones, two of them weighing six pounds each. We storted to return by the same route we covered in coming out. I was trolling and Minnie paddling as Wore, and almost at the same point in the lake where I had captured the big lunge on the way out, I received another terrific bite-it was certainly a savage one. Minnie got quite excited, calling out, "Play him I play him, Mr. Arlingi for he is certainly a big one." ^e said this just as he jumped out of the water, not thuty feet from the canoe; and he looked like a whop- per. I reeled him in very gently, just a Uttle at a time, until I got him close to the side of the canoe, when Mmnie gaffed him right under the gills, and landed him m the bow of the canoe. There was lots of fight inhim yet, but Minnie took a short club, which they ahrays used in fishing for lunge, and struck him a shaip blow on the back of the head, and this knocked the fight out of him. He had a savage look as he lay on Ae bottom of the canoe, with his mouth wide open, Jowuig a fuU set of ivory teeth as sharp as needles. We had him baked and stuffed for dinner that evening, and he made delicious eating. Miss Minnie was a very good singer, in fact they aU sang weU, both boys and girls. But Victoria was Ae piams^ and played very beautifully for an amateur. Many of her white sisters might have copied her style with profit to themselves. We had the most deUghtful musical evenings all the time I was with them. I had remained under their roof as their guest for two whole weeks, and now that the rime had arrived for my return I was mighty sorry, and was loth to say good-bye. But the time bad come, and it was with 868 THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN profound regret that I was compelled to say the words which would separate me from people who had shown me such kindness and treated me with Mich tmerout hoipitality. I had new in til nqr travels been the recipient of eo many acta of sincere, honest friendship, and so much genuine courtesy as I had received at the hands of this Christian family of Indians. During the two weeks that I had Kved at die duefi house I had become acquainted with abnoet every Indian at the encampment, and had made arrange- ments with the chief and his council to purchase all the skins they could deliver by the following spring. I had made so many friends among them that when I surted on my return journey I was accompanied by a large flotilla of canoes, who followed in our wake until we reached the lower landing place at the beginning of the back trail. It took some time to shake hands with all of them, but every last man of them expressed a desire to shake my hand before I said my last good- bye to them, and nearly all brought me some little souvenir of Indian handy work to remember them by. But at last I got away, and started back to Lem and the cabin, carrying back with me so many memo- ries of their generous hospitality, courtesy, and kmd- ness, that time has never been able to efface. Lem was mighty glad to see me on my return from my visit to Chief Bigsail and family, and was im- mensely pleased vvhen I told him of the wonderful reception I had received from the chief, his daughten and sons. Also of the many pleawnt experiences I hac enjoyed during my two weeks* stay with them; an( last of all of the contract I had made with the chief anc LIFE IN THE NORTH WOODS 809 his council, in which I had agreed to take all their fall and winter catch; and they also agreed to send me every skin taken by the Indians. Lem and I Mt in front of our smudge fire until quite hte that night, and decided that as the Indians had agreed to hand over to us all the skins they captured in the fall and winter, that it would be wise to start in at once and erect a good-sized storehouse to protect Aem from the weather until time for shipment. Thii waa mibeequently accomplished with the aid of a number of trappers and Indians, for just as it became known that I desired to erect a bam to hold the skins, word was sent round to every trapper and Indian in the district, and between them they appointed a day to meet at our camp and hold a building bee. They arrived on the morning of the day named, with horses, heavy wagons, tools, and all necessary appli- ances and before evening the timber had been cut and hauled into camp, and the next evening the log bam was finished ready to receive the skins. The following month was consumed in visiting the traps, hunting, fishing, and getting everything in readi- ness for the winter, so that nothing would rev attention but receiving the skins, classifying the entering them up in the day book, and giving out skin diecks to die owners. I wrote a long letter to Jimmy Ryan, telling him of the arrangements I had made for skins, and that the chances were I would be able to ship him double the quantity I had shipped him the year previous; and instructed him to make preparations to finance a deal of from twenty to twenty-five thousand dollars. MO THE MAIONG OF A CANADIAN •tfoi^jr urging him to come up on the schooner hiro- •elf on her first trip, bringing the money with him. I also wrote a long letter to Katy, for I had a lot to tay to her thu time. My vmt to the Bifiaib' had been auch a dcBghtful experience. I was simply full of it, and it filled up a good deal of the letter; and better than all I was enabled to tell her that I had succeeded in all that I had come out to the North Woods to seek, and wac iAle to tell her in this letter that I had entirely lecoveied my health, feeling better and ttronger than I had Wt in many years, and if all was well would return to Toronto on the schooner in the spring. The days, the weeks and months passed in rapid succession, and I led much the same kind of a life, passing through the same experiences which I had had the prev.ous winter. Lem and his friends the trappers and Indians got up an immense deer hunt, which lasted for four weeks, bagging on the diflFerent runways over three hundred head. This provided them with fresh meat for the whole of the winter, as well as making big money on the skins. Towards the end of the winter the trappers and Indians began arriving on snow-shoes, hauling their toboggans behind them, or driving their dog- teams ahead. All the toboggans were heavily loaded with skins, so that Lem and I had our hands full checking them off and classifying them. The trap- pers and Indians all turned in and helped to pack them into bales, and after I had marked them and affixed their proper numbers, they piled them up in the bam. Each Indian and each trapper had been pven a separate number, so that diere was no chance Uil IN IBB NORTH WOODS S61 for miiuket to occur; Lem and I had become great adepts at receiving, classifying, and stowing away the skins as they arrived, so that everything now moved like clockwork. The log bam proved to be a great success, for all the sk* .s and hides which we had ceived were under cover and safe from the weather. At last the long expected schooner was sighted far out in the lake, and was making for the bay under a full head of tail It was a thrilling sight,— especially for me,— for I had been looking forward to this day ^--r ^imost two years; the day on which I could sav > by the help of a kind Providence my health h. ,n restored, and was now in condition to return om -nore to my home and friends, able and gladly willing to uke up the burdens and duties of life in civilization where I had laid them down. The schooner sailed straight through the narrows, «id the captain brought her up to her moorings without the slightest mishap. The first man to climb down the rope ladder and jun into the ship's yawl was Jimmy R>'an. As soon as he put his foot on the landing-stage, he grasped me by both hands, and expressed his great pleasure at meeting me once more and under such favorable cir- cumstances. StiU holding me by both hands, he pushed me from him at full arm's length,— so that he could get a good look at me,— and exclaimed, "Why man alive, Jack! you really look fine; you have annexed a coat of tan that might be envied by an Indian. I am so glad, old chap, to see you kMn% so strong and S62 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN After mutual congratulations had been passed, we sat down together under the spreading branches of a large tree; and I listened as he told me of all that had happened since I left Toronto. Lcm had been busy from the time we had righted the schooner, working like a Trojan to get up a meal for the viritors and have it ready when they arrived. A messenger was sent down to the landing for Jimmy and me, and we strolled together up to the cabin which had been my home for such a long time. Lem was mi^ty glad to see Jimmy once more, for they had not seen each other for six years. But Lem looked mighty proud when Jimmy gave him his full meed of praise and credit for his great kindness to me; but as there were such a lot of hungry men waiting for dinner, they had to cut this mutual admiration conversation short. Lem had certainly done himself proud in getting up that meal. It consisted of fish, game, flapjacks, crackers and cheese, with tea and coffee to wash it down; after ve had eaten until we could eat no more everyone at the table pronounced that meal as the very best they had ever eaten in the woods. As soon as the dinner was over and we had sat for a while smoking our pipes and cigars, — for Jimmy had brought me up a few boxes of fine Havanas, — we started in at once to check <^ die bales of skins, one number at a time, and pay the owner of that number for his skins, after comparing his skin checks with the invoice. As soon as a number was checked off and paid for, all the bales marked with that number were put on UPE IN^THE NORTH WOODS S6S board the yawl and taken to the schooner, and stowed away in the hold. This obtained until the last number had been checked off and paid for. It took two whole days to complete the job; when all was finished, and the last bale of skins was stowed away in the hold of the schooner, the trappers and Indians were called into the cabin, one at a time, beginning with No. i, ?.nd Jimmy and I compared his checks again with iiis invoice, and had him count his money, to see that it was right, and saw him tuck his cash away in his money belt. Every trapper and Indian was perfectly satisfied and each and all of them expressed themselves as more than pleased, we shook hands all round, and they left for their several camps. The captain and Jinmiy went back to sleep in their bunks in the schooner; so Lem and I were left alone once more. We sat round the camp fire until late that night, for I was loth to leave it, it was my last night in that camp, and I hated the thought of leaving poor old Lem. He and I had become great chums, and were very much attached to each other; I had lived with him for almost two years, and during all that time, had never seen a frown on his face, that is, as far as I was concerned; but to the contrary he was always on die lookout to find some way to do me a kindness, and for some chance to make me more comfortable. I had been looking at him and scanning his features, as we sat in front of the camp fire that last night of my so- journ in the North Woods, and I noticed how quiet he had become; his face expressing deep sorrow, it meant « lot to him to have me leave, for he loved me as 864 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN though I was his own son. I asked him to come into the cabin with me; when we got inside the shack, I said, "Lem, old partner, I am real glad to go home, but mighty sorry to leave you. You have been very kind to me, old chapl and I will never forget you as long as I live. I am going back to Toronto, and expect to get married, and have a home of my own. But Lem, always remember that Jack Arling is your friend; and if you ever need a friend, Lem, call on me, for I promise never to fail you; and whenever you call, day or night, the latchstring will be on the outside of the door for you, and you wi'l always receive a warm wel- come from me and mine." I gave him my rifle, shotgun, fishing rod and tackle, blankets, and aU the paraphernalia in the cabin to remember me by. Ke said there was no use in giving him anything to reniind him of me, for I would never be out of his thougnts, and said he was sorry he could not speak and tell me what was in his mind, for he could not say much that night, but he would promise always to make me and my dear wife special and par- ticular subjects of his prayer; and perhaps some day he might take the journey to Toronto on the schooner; if he did, the first place he would make for would be my home, pull on the latchstring, and make ut a call. Next morning bright and early I boarded the schooner, and as soon as I stepped on deck, the captain had the sails hoisted, and with a good wind in our favor sailed across the bay and through the gap out into the lake. I stood at the stem of the vessel and saw Lem standing on the top of the big rock— exactly where I saw him standing for the fint time when I UPE IN THE NORTH WOODS 9U neared the shore two years previously. I watched him standing there until I could see him no longer, and then wait forward and joined Jimmy Ryan on the forward decJ^ where we chatted and smoked until lunchtime. Nothing of an exciting nature happened on the journey, so we made a fine run to Collingwood. The skins were unloaded and placed in two box cars, locked up, and the two cars were coupled to the train Aat our coach was attached to. When we arrived at Toronto, the two cars were run into a siding, and the next mommg the skins were all carted up to Jimmy Ryan's warehouse. Jimmy was a proud man when he reahzed that eveiy bale of skins which we had brought ftom the North Woods were safely stored away in his ^rehouse, for this was the largest single shipment of •fans which had arrived in Toronto for several years. ^ It made me feel very happy as well, for my interest m the transaction amounted to over five thousand ^rs. This of course was very gratifying to me, but nothmg m comparison with the feelings of thankfulness and gratitude which seemed to permeate my whole heing, in the conscious assurance of restored health- ier I felt better than I had felt for years. * Chris was in England when I arrived from the North Woods, and Mary was visiting at her father's home in Ottawa. So there was no one to meet me at the train when I arrived; but when I drove up to the hotel, and met with a lot of my old friends, they certainly did give me a royal welcome; I was almost as bronzed as an Indian, and so strong and husky, that Charley Hurd and my other friends could hardly believe that I was the same sickly, pale, deKcateJooking chap who i t m THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN left for the North Woods just two years previous to this time; for everyone predicted at the time of my leaving that I ^ould be brought hmne in a pine box. But ci course all their predictimis had gone wrong, for a kind overruling Providence had ordered it other- wise. ' I had returned sound and well, and there was hardly to be found in the city a man in better physical condition than myself. My friends in Toronto did certainly ^ve me a hearty welcome. As soon as they heard of my return, and in such fine physical condition, they simply showered me with invitations to parties, drives, boating expedirions, and reunions of all kinds, so that if I had had accepted one-half of the invitations received, I wmild not have had rime for anything else. Even my old friends the newspaper reporters, who were so kind to me when convalescing from the effects of the boat accident, called to interview me on my experiences in the North Woods. These interviews were published in die morning and evening par ^ and <^ course read by all my friends. I mailed several copies of these papers to Katy. As I walked along the streets of the city, I was fre- quently halted by people I had never met before, and hailed as one who had alnKMt risen from the dead. I received so many letters from all parts of the country, congratulating me on my recovery, that it was usually midnight before I got through reading them. It goes without saying I received a good sized budget from Katy, expressing her sincere graritude at my recovery and at the same rime sending me a strong invitarion to come to Ottawa and pay them a visit. LIFE IN THE NORTH WOODS 867 I could not go for some little time, as my businesj^ needed my attention, and another good rea.^on for my not being able to accept her kind invitation at once, was that I did not have a single suit of clothes that I could wear with any degree of comfort, I had grown so broad- shouldered and so much heavier than when I left Toronto two years earlier, and was compelled to give my toilor an order for a complete new outfit; but at last eveiythbg being now ready I packed my trunk and took the night train for Ottawa. CHAPTER XXIV MR. AND MRS. JACK ARLING Thb good doctor and Katy were on the platform of the railroad station, when I arrived the next morning at Ottawa. Neither the doctor nor Katy could con- ceal their surprise at my altered appearance when I stepped off the train. "Why, Jack," said Katy, "this cannot possibly be you!" when she saw a big broad-shouldered, strongly built man, with a tan on his face and hands like an Indian, ac"-" her familiarly by saying "Dear Katy, I am so glad see you, how are you ? and you look fine." She certainly did; as neat and pretty a little woman as one could wish to look at. But without answering my quesdon, she said, "But, my! Jack, you have gotten to be such a big, brawny man! and you are as brown as an Indian." She could not take her eyes off me, on account of the great change which had taken place in my appear- ance during the two years of my absence. Th e docto J the same fine pair of horses, behind whi'-V t ha , oyed that beaudful drive, which I descnbed ii. - loriner chapter, but two years had elapsed since that dme, and filled with sdrring events. This dme the horses were harnessed to a handsome op«i victoria, with seats for the occupants facing each other, and a high front seat for the liveried coachman. \^en 368 MB. AND MRS. JACK ABUNG 869 we were comfortably seated I suggested to the doctor that as it was such a fine morning it would be a good scheme to take a short drive before going home. Katy thought diat a fine suggestion, saying that the lunch could wait without doing any harm, and then I could tell them all about the North Woods while we were driving. So the doctor told the coachman what route to take, and we settled back comfortably in our seats for a chat. The doctor was very anxiout to find out exactly as to my mode of living all the time I was away, fwr he said that in all his long experience he had never seen such a change for the better in any man's physical appearance as he saw in mine. Therefore I had to begin at the very beginning, tell- iag them of my reception at Lem's cabin, dcKribing everything in and about the shack; and then told them of our hunting and fishing expeditions; then described our journeys round the circuit, as we visited all the traps, negotiating the fifty or sixty miles in winter cn mow-shoes, camping out at night under the shelter ci a rock or in a cave; of the many deer hunts I took part in; and then told them of my visit to Chief Big- sail and his family, and of the fine fishing I had there, of their wonderful hospitality and their never-ending kindness to me all the time I remained with them. I also described to them the beauties of Lovesick Lake, with the romantic story I listened to; also of the Indian village just at the rear of the falls, and how that this whole tribe had been converted to Christianity. And wound up by telling them of the last roundup of the trappers and Indians, arriving at our shack, with their 870 THE BIAKING OF A CANADIAN] winter's catch of skins, and how we paid them off. And last of all of my parting with poor old Lem, and as I left on the schooner, remaining for a long time at the stem of the boat, seeing him perched up on the top of the high rock, shading his eyes with his hands so as to get a last look at me until we passed out of view as I sailed for civilization and home. We had a delightful drive that morning, and I never talked to such an attentive audience as I did diat day. Both the doctor and Katy Ustened to every won! that I uttered, and kept perfectly silent for fear d missing a single word, as I gave them an account of everything which transpired from the day I left Toronto — two years previously — up to the time of my return. When I had gotten through with the recital the doctor said, "Jack, that was worth going miles to hear; I never in all my life listened to such a graphic descrip- tion of life in the wilds of Canada. You have return- d with renewid health, for I never saw a man in mote perfect physical condition than you are in to-day. To me this is easy of explanation, for instead of leading an idle life, simply amusing yourself hunting and fishing to kill time, you have worked, and worked hard, all the time you have been away. And let me tell you that the very fact of your leading the strenuous life which you did, keeping your body and mind bodi occupied, combined with the magnificent atmosphere and wholesome food, has produced this wonderful physical change; and the result is that you now pos- sess a strong powerful physique which you can rely on, and barring accidents, should carry you through to a good old age." MR. AND MBS. JACK ARUNG 871 I never saw Katy as quiet as she was on that drive. She acted as though she was bewildered, and could not undentand it all She fittened with npt attention to every word I uttered as I related my different experi- ences in the North Woods; and was so absorbed in it all that she was lost to everything else; and gazed at me as though I had accomplished something extraordinary and had performed great deeds of heroism. We had been driving at an easy pace for at least two hours, when the doctor said, "I dunk we had better return and have lunch, for I am sure, Jack, you must be ready to break your fast; as you have not eaten since six o'clock this morning." Katy at once agreed, and asked me to forgive her for not suggesting this an hour earlier; but that both she and her father had been so intensely inter- ested in all that I had told them, that the fact that I must be hungry had entirely escaped their thoughts. So the doctor instructed die oachman to return home; Katy had superintoided the preparing of the lunch, before leaving to meet me at the train, and had left everything ready to serve. After greeting Mrs. White and Mary, we repaired to the dining-room and sat down to lunch. I could see at a glance, and very plainly, that my tanned face and hands did not appeal very strongly to either Mrs. White or Mary; for they were not nearly as enthusiastic over my experiences in the North Woods as the doctor and Katy had been. So I told them but little of my life for the previous two years; and if it had not been for Katy they would not have heard any it; but she was so intensely inter^ted in it all, that m THB MAKING OF A CANADIAN she imagined everyone ebe must be. Every few momenta she would say, "Oh, Jack, tell them about the big deer himtl" or, "TeQ them til about your cabin, and what a food cook Lem was." But I was unable to rise to the occative you, Katy, and I want you more than I want heaven. Will you be my wife?" 874 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN "Yes, Jack, I will!" she replied, "for I have always loved you, from the very first time I saw you.*' As soon as she told me that she loved me I thou^t my cup of happiness was full to the brim, :md I took her into my arms and kissed her. As we sat on the sofa that night talkir g ever our plans for the future, she said, "Jack, you have pa-^i?*] through a great deal of menul as well as physical suf- fering during the last three years; and while I have not had any physical suffering, yet I have had my share of mental distress, even more than I can tell you." She then explained by telling me that from the time I had left for the North Woods, Fred Warner had been a most ardent wooer — that is, ardent for him; for he was so lazy and indolent, it was hard for him to exert himself, even in trying to win the girl he wanted to make his wife; but as he had the entree at all times to Mary^ s house, as well as her unconditional support and sympathy, it made it hard for her to avoid him. Mary had made her life miserable by continually extolling the superior qualities of Fred at all times of the day and night, and lately her efforts had been seconded by her mother, until it almost amounted to persecution; and between them they had carried it to such an extent that she had stopped visiting her sister at Toronto. But now that we were actually engaged, and Mary heard of it, she really did not know what would happen. Katy Memed greatly distressed, and asked me what I thought was the best way to act under the ciicum- stances. I told her not to worry over that for one moment; that it was my intention to see her father the MB. AND MRS. JACK ABUN6 875 first thing in the morning, and ask his consent to our marriage; and with his permisnon granted, it would make but Uttle difference what either Fred Warner or Mary thought of it. The next morning I walked into the doctor's office, as I usually did to have a smoke with him after breakfast; when we had Ughted our cigars, I told him frankly that I loved his daughter, Katy, and had been deeply in bve with her for the past three years, but had never mentioned the fact to her until die night previous, and then discovered that she was as much in love with me as I was with herself; that she had promised to be my wife provided I could obtain his consent to our marriage. "Do you really mean to tell me that you have been in love with Katy for the past three years, and never mentioned the fact to her until last night?" said the doctor. "That is absolutely true," I replied. "What was your object in keeping such a secret from her for three years, and not giving her some hint as to the state of your affections?" "Well, doctor," I said, "you are aware how very sick I was after the yachting accident, and instead of getting better, I seemed to be growing weaker all the time; and to make matters still more depressing for me, I overheard some of my friends talking one day, and one of them remarked, 'I am afraid poor Ariing is done for, he is growing weaker every day; and if it were not for his indomitable spirit, he would have been dead long ago; but it is only a matter of rime and he will be another tubercular victim.* This made a deep im- pression on my mind, and I decided to keep my secret 878 THE MAKINO OP A CANADIAN to myself for under no circumstances would I cast a shadow over dear Katy's life by telling her of my great love for her — start for the North Woods at once, and other regain my health and strength, or die. That was my reason, Doctor, for not telling Katy 'ong ere this what I told her last night and what I have told you this morning." As soon as I had made this explanation to the doc- tor, he said: "Jack, you did the honorable thing with my Katy in not telling her your secret until you had recovered; that was the manly thing to do; but much as I appre- ciate your actions yet you have upset all my plans. The possibility of Katy's getting married has never been allowed to enter my mind. I do not usually approve of women doctors; but if ever a woman was bom to the profession that woman is Katy. She is the best-equipped, and the most eminently fitted woman to adorn the medical profession of any woman I ever n^t; and it has been the ambitl;m of my life to see her gracing it some day. With all her diarm of manner and innate dignity of deportment, she would have been admired and respected by all who came in contact with her, and receive the well-earned encomiums which I am sure would have been awarded her for her skill and knowledge. But I am not die (me to stand in the way of her happiness, and if she really loves you, she will undoubtedly live a happier life, as your wife, than she would in the practice of medicine. ''As far as you yourself are concerned, if Katy has to be married, I would rather see her your wife dian die wife a£ any man I know. MR. AND MRS. JACK ARUNG 377 "Yes, Jack, my dear boy, I give her to you; and in doing so I am giving you the most precious jewel of my heart; and may your father's God, and my God, watch over you both all through lifel" I thanked him with a very full heart, and was on the point of leaving, when Katy stole into the room. The doctor pulled her down on to his lap, and with her head resting on his shoulder, she said: "Father, has Jack told you everything?" "Yes, my dear child; Jack has told me that he loves you, — and I know that he does, — and he has asked me to give my consent to your marriage, and I have done so. But I think we ought to go upstairs to the sitting-room, and tell your mother and Mary." As soon as we entered the doctor said, "Ladies, I have a big piece of news for you. Jack and Katy have become engaged; and I have gladly given my consent to their marriage." Mrj. White's face changed color at once, and be- came a little whiter than her name; but Mary's face was dyed with a deep crimscm flush, ¥^ich she tried in vain to conceal behind her handkerchief; and at the same time making a strong effort to prevent me from noticing the angry scowl on her face and the con- temptuous sneer on her tightly drawn lips; but I observed it all. Seeing no other way out of it, they both got up with outstretched hands and smiling faces and offered us their congratulations. Mrs. White, to do her justice, I really think was glad at heart, when she saw the happy look of con- tentment on Katy's face, for she really loved Katy, but had been influenced in her actions to a very great 878 THE BCAEIN6 OF A CANADIAN extent by Mary. It was altogether different with Mary; for she was tremendously disappointed, but thought it wise policy to try and ccmceal bar morti- fication and vexation from lu. So she smiled very sweetly, and putting her arms round Katy s neck, kissed her, saying at the same time, that she sin- cerely hoped we would be very happy, though she did not mean a word of it, and I knew it. That afternoon I took Katy out for a drive. We went alone this time. We chatted all the time we were away, and were so happy in laying out our plans for the future that we were lost to all sense of time; but on hearing the methodical strokes of the hammer of a church bell striking the hour of six, and bdng a long way from home, we very reluctantly had to turn the horse^' heads and return, and did not reach the house until seven o'clock. As soon as we entered Mary said : "Katy, are you aware that it is past seven o'clock, and we always have dinner served at six? Do you not know that you have kept us aU waiting?*' "No!" said Kzty. "I did not think about dinner all the rime I was away, nor did I know anything of what time it was. All I know is that Jack and I were having a fine rime, and neither he nor I knew whether it was five o'clock or seven o'clock until we heard die clock in the old church tow«: strike rix; and thai we knew it was six o'clock and dinner rime, and turned round and started for home. But here we are, and both of us as hungry as hunters; — aren't we. Jack?" After dinner was over, the doctor and I were having a chat as we smok^ our cigars in his office, and in course conversatioD I ramarked, "Doctmr! I do not MR. AND MRS. JACK ARLING 379 know how you feel about it, but as far as I am con- cerned, I am strongly in favor of simple weddings. Tht more simple they are the better I like it; and when the time comes for Kzty and I to get married, I would like the ceremony to be performed in your parlor, with but few guests; say, your family, my '^ather and mother, and not more than half a dozen of the imme- diate relatives of the two families; and whr: , the cere- mony is over, to have a simple wedding lunch, and Katy and I to leave on the first train for a trip to Mon- treal, Quebec, and a few other cities which Katy has not visited; what do you think of the plan?" "That meets my views exactly," said the doctor; "for if there is anything X abhor more than anotl.er, it is a fashionable wedding, and more particularly when the interested parties are not fashionable people, but quiet people like ourselves; I therefore heartily agree, and am absolutelv in sympathy with your plan, and sincerely trust that Katy is also." I told him that Ka^ and I had talked it all uver that afternoon, and she heartily agreed with my way of thinking on this subject. Before I left for Toronto, Katy and I decided to be married on the 15th day of January; both the doctor and Mrs. White consented to have the wedding take place on that date. Now that everything was settled I took the train the following morning for Toronto, leaving my little intended wife standing on the platform of the railroad station, the doctor being with her, both waving me a fmd fareweli mih their handkerchiefs until the train wu out of nght. 880 THE MAKIN6 OF A CANADIAN Soon after my return to Toronto I rented a very pretQT little cottage on a quiet street, in the suburbs <^ the ci^; and without ktting anycme know anjrthing about it, I spent all my spare time in superintending its decorating and furnishing; for I was anxious to have it ready to walk into on our return from our honey- moon trip. When the decorations were completed, and the a>ttage had been thoroughly cleaned and scrubbed from cellar to attic, I made a point of making some purchase every day, to make the little home attractive. One day it would be furniture, another day china, glassware or pictures, then carpets, rugs, curtains or something else until I arrived at the kitchen, — but right there I was lost, — ^but outside the kitchen the cottage was furnished throughout with everything I thought Katy would like. I would spend hours in this little home, going over one room at a rime, trying to discover if anything more was needed to make it look more comfortable and cozy. Katy and her mother had visited Toronto several times on shopping expedirions, and I had run down to Ottawa on different occasions, between the rime of our engagement and the holidays. But as the wedding day drew nigh I thought it rime to secure a good servant, and install her in the house. So I took Susie Ralston into my confidence, — I had previously told her of my engagement, — and took her up to the cottage one day. She was perfectly charn^ed with the whole outfit, and became tremendcHisly enthusiasric over it; and promised to attend lx> the furnishing of the kitchoi, secure a good sorant, and MR. AND MRS. JACK ARLING S81 superintend the filling of the larder. She also vol- unteered to have a nice dinner all ready to serve on our arrival, if I would wire her as we neared Toronto after our honeymoon trip. On the I2th of January I boarded the night train for Ottawa accompanied by Harry Haig, who wai to act as my groomsman. We arrived next morning and put up at the Russell House. After a bath and a good breakfast, I walked up to the doctor's to see Katy— but only remained for a few moments, as the dressmakers were putting on the finishing touches to her trousseau, and needed htt presence every minute. But as soon as Katy heard that I was in the library, she dropped the trousseau, dressmakers and every- thing else and came running down the hall to meet me. We had hardly greeted each other when a voice from upstairs called out, " Katy, Katy, we need you upstairs right away. Tell Jack to go back to the hotel, and be sure and not return until after eight o'clock to-night." So I had to leave, being sure that if I did not I would certainly be run out. "Well, my dear Katy," I said, "I suppose I must obey orders and go." **0h Jack, dear," said Katy, "you know I do not want you to leave me, but I suppose I will have to let you go. So go, dear, until to-morrow, and then we will have each other for ever." Shortly after I returned to the hotel, one of the pages handed me a note. It was from Mrs. White; and in a very kindly way told me that all the bustle 888 THE MAKING OP A CANADIAN and excitement had made Katy a little bit nervous; and they were going to try and get her to retire quite early. And asked me to please defer calling until the time set for the wedding, — next morning at ten o'clock. Of course after receiving Mrs. White's note I did not call that evening; but instead Harry Haig and I went for a long walk, and on our return proceeded at once to our rooms and retired. On waking up next morning I found the sun stream- ing into my room through the windows, for it was a beautiful day, and the very first thought which entered my mind was — Why, this is my wedding day — the day that I had been looking forward to through all the hardships and vicissitudes of the past three long, weary years. — The realization that my fondest hopes had now really reached their culmination, and in three short hours I would be able to take my dear Katy into my arms as my wife thrilled me through and through, widi the supremest pleasure. A little before ten o'clock Harry Haig and I arrived at the White residence, and were ushered into the large parlor, and found myself standing in front of the Reverend Doctor Shephard, who was facing me with the open Book in his hand. My father, mother, and a few invited guests were seated in comfortable armchain and sofas chatting and smiling together, nHien Doctor White, with my dear Katy on his arm, entered the room and walked to where I was standing. Katy released her hand from her father's arm, and stood by my side. She wore a blue silk dress with a long train, and her bridal veil readied to die end <^ her kmg skirt; with a wreath <^ orange blossoms encircling hoc head MR. AND MRS. JACK ARLING 883 I thought that she made the sweetest vidon of love- liness my eyes had ever rested on. The ceremony was soon over, and as I stooped down to kut her, I whupered in her ear, "Now you are my own sweet wife." She did not speak, but I could read the response in her eyes. After the wedding break- fast was over Katy retired to her room, and returned ui a short time, wearing a handsome silver gray broad- doth traveUng suit. When all had donned their heavy wraps and furs, we entered three large comfortable sleighs, Katy and I with the Doctor and Mrs. White in the first sleigh, the guests taking possession of the others, and all drove to the depot. As the train pulled out, Katy and I sat at the window of our state- room,— at the rear end of the train,— and watched the doctor and our friends waving us a fond adieu from the station platform, wishing us all kinds of joy and hap- pmess as we started on our honeymoon for Montreal THE END