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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1935-02-14, Page 7THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE THURSDAY, IlilillU.WY 11, I a 35 Our Letter Box < Dr. Margaret Strang-Savage Writes Interesting1Letter Dixonville, Alta., January 16, 1935 Dear Caven Church, and 6. S„— I don't 'know where the mercury hovers in the thermometer tonight, but it won't be far from forty be­ low. There is a high-hung moon, dimmed with flying frost and snow, and the smoke from Peace River chimneys, rolls away to the south. Yesterday we were prepared to etart for Peace Rivei* at daylight, but a storm was blowing up out of the north, We waited till noon. The storm was worse. And we’re still here, very glad'that we never started. His Majasty’s mail is ma­ rooned in the snowdrifts somewhere to the south and we have no idea when it will arrive. Peace River Crossing is only a matter of thirty miles away,—five or six hours with the Manse team of blacks. But fifty miles is too far in a raging wind and over heavy roads. Fortun­ ately our business was only a col­ lection of errands and not.an urgent case of sickness. ..Since the middle of December, we have had cold and stormy weather. One night the mercury dropped to sixty four below zero, but only once. And that month of cold and snow has been a. record breaker for ill­ ness and accidents. An epidemic resembling the old Flu of 1919 and 1920, has swept the valley and is still raging in the distant parts of the settlement. Last Sunday we toured most of the west county. Went over to hold service in the morning at 'the most distant schoolhouse, but spent the day visiting Flu stricken homes in­ stead. They hadn’t sent for the doctor, but were overjoyed to see her none the less. We were back at Dixonville in time to take the late afternoon service, and to doctor a horse!! I daresay if Veterinary Surgeons remain for the next ten years, as they are now, we will be fairly proficient horse doctors by that time. Our Christmas Conceits and trees were grand occasions, and if half the crowd had not coughed the other half into imitating them, they would have been really enjoyable. Everybody came, from far and near. Babies and all. Some of the babies were louder than the .program, but young Teddy Strang Sorensen was a mode of good behaviour!! There were stacks of presents, and no lack of candies and nuts. The Dixonvil­ le concert and tree were duplicated in four other schoolhouses 4n the valley and in two away north of the Battle River. After the gifts for our own trees1 had been attended to, the news came in that about one hun­ dred kiddies in the North Star dis- Diet were going to be very minus if some kind Santa Claus did not re­ member them speedily. Back we went to our supplies that never seem to run dry and within six hours of receiving the news the answering boxes crammed to the top with Xmas joys were on their way north. There were gifts and to spare. The Exeter boxes were here in plen­ ty of time, at least ten days ahead.1 Two -of her good neighbors and the• doctor went to work on the day ap- painted. Sorted, wrapped and la-, belled, discussing no end of things in between whiles. The Manse was waist deep in boxes, toys, paper and string but by midnight we had re­ duced tihe chaos to something like order. While I sorted, called out names and made suggestions for gifts to this one and that one, I was seeing in my mind’s eye Gift Sunday at Caven Church. And wondering if all the boys and girls coming forward with their gifts, could possibly know how much joy they were storing up for -tihe Xmas seaison in the Peace River, My words of thanks are poor things to express that joy, and appreciation, though those same words are none the lees sincere and heartfelt. But I do know that you, one and all, would glow with a little of tihe light of that great torch that lights the world at Christmas time bad 1 you been here to see. The two little Olson boys at the concert, their- arms full of parcels, their eyes big with wonder. It was their first tree. The little lads have no mother, but a cheery old grandmother looks after them. Or little Bobbie Schilling, fight­ ing pneumonia on Christmas Day, hs picture book from the tree, clut­ ched in hie arms, and hi§ Teddy Bear beside him in bed. Or Nellie, a little half-breed girl who was terribly scalded with boil­ ing coffee. Up under the roof in that dark comfortless shack went some of tihe Christmas joy. Only once during those frequent painful dressings did Nellie cry out. Usual­ ly she just whimpered softly, her big eyes full of tears, but her Xmas dollie hugged to her breast. Poor mite, we had to supply her with everything from a nightgown to bedclothes, and everlastingly din it into her careless nurse that ishe must be kept clean and dry. Nellie is up again now, just able to walk slowly and painfully, a few steps at a time. And I must not forget to mention the splendid array of clothing that came in the Exeter boxes. Much of it, that was good, even though sec­ ond hand, went on to the tees for’ we always 'try to remember each >child with something wearable. And for that clothing we want to toan'k you all right heartily. Although the calls for relief clothing were many and urgent in December, the need is not as great this year. Most of the homesteaders have a little grain to sell, or were able to get some work on the roads before the snow came, with the fine result that many of them are trying hard to get atong on their own slender resources. We were supposed to attend the other Christmas concerts in the val­ ley, but just that week all the ac­ cidents happened, and the Flu start­ ed and we were far too busy day and night with sick folks to take in the festivities. We were at one home visiting a little lad with a broken shoulder when 'the rest of the fam­ ily reached home after their Christ­ mas tree. Pandemonium broke loose and we had to stop all opera­ tions and could do nothing but laugh helplessly in the middle of the up­ roar. A few nights ago there was a de­ monstration at the Manse on the Mysteries of the- Microscope and a breathless audience hung around while the doctor did a blood count on a strapping homesteader about six foot three, weighing no less than two hundred and twenty. There -was nothing wrong with his quantity of red blood corpuscles! She tried to get another count on her husband, Douglas Savage, who claims he is Irish. But it looks suspiciously ■like as he were more Scotch than herself. She stuck him twice and he wouldn’t bleed a drop ! There are a few pianos in the val­ ley, but several of them sadly -out of tune and there are small hopes that a professional piano tuner will venture out this way. The doctor tuned one of them once but it was a slow process with only a monkey wrench with a pry on it and tuning hammers are too uncertain in the matter of expense, so 'the big six foot by three homesteader who bled so generously for the demonstra­ tion, is going to make her one at his blacksmith shop. If old man de­ pression rides us much longer we will soon become rather indepen­ dent. Our budget allocation we reached and passed by a email margin. Our (Ladies Aid, with great zeal find in­ dustry put on a- -Fowl 'Supper and Bazaar in November, and to their own astonishment, took in over six­ ty dollars, two ‘thirds of which was clear. There was no question about falling down on our Budget allot­ ment after tWat. Our infant W. M. >S. too, which was only organized last May, out of their hard-saved nickles and dimes achieved the sum of eight dollars to send away for Missions. There are only ten members, One of them, a. little Ukrainian woman who lives in the bush west of Dixonville in a mud-plastered ehack, had two ba­ bies and a rather useless- husband to look after. I can still see her at one of the meetings flipping her dime into the box. What that dime only guess. In her I saw again the widow at the temple treasury* put­ ting in her two mites, Our usual schedule of church cer­ vices has been sadly disarranged this past month, due to the widespread Flu. extremely cold weather and bad roads, but we are hoping for better -health and warmer weather soon. Last Sunday afternoon, as the short winter* day darkened into night, in the little tog church at Dixonville, we read again of the immortal lave of the father as it is told in the stories of the lost c-heep, the lost coin, and the lost hoy. And how it came home to jis,—our uselessness to all the world and the grief we are to the Father, when we are away from Him. A story just as true in the little homely derails of every day a-s in the big momentous things of life, I can still see the look of wonder on the face of a lad who is easily led away into the wilderness places, who was in church that day. The sermon continued into a free- for-all discussion in the Manse af­ terward. And now, may I send, you all, our deepest and sincerest wish that good health, true happiness and prosper­ ity in all good things be your glad portion of the New Year. Yours sincerely, Margaret Strang Savage Huron Presbyterial The Presbytery of Huron held its regular February meeting in Wes- ly-Willis ■ Church, Clinton, on Tues­ day of last week. On account of the storm of the night before and the morning, the attendance wa6 not as large as usual. The different committees made their reports which were as follows: The Committee on Christian Edu­ cation reported that there were two applications for reception as candi­ dates for the ministry, Mr. Robert Passmore, of. Hensalli and Mr. J. Barnard of Swift Current Presby­ tery. Three of the students who attend­ ed the Stratford ’Winter School last week, in the persons of Miss Mar­ jorie Jennison, Mr. Wilmer Harris­ on and Mr. Stanley Todd, gave their impression of the work of the school. Rev. Mr. Anderson and Rev. Mr. Stewart spoke of different phases, of Christian Education, the former on Boys Work and the latter on the Coaching Conference for Sunday ■School Workers held in St. Thomas last fall. The committee on Evangelism and Social Service brought in a ree­ elution deploring toe increasing use of cigarette by both young men and young women. A committee was reported to co­ operate with other denominations in the matter of holding a series of meetings for the deepening of the spiritual JiU of the Church. A letter of sympathy was ordered to be sent to Rev. C. C. Kaiue who is at present very ill in a London h -spital. The Temperance situation in the Presbytery was discussed at some length, but no definite action was taken until the status of the Cana­ da’s Temperance Act in the County is fully ascertained, Rev .C. A. Malcolm acted as chair­ man and Rev. W. A. Bremner as se­ cretary. The executive of the Presbyterial of the W. M. S. met at the same time and place, sixteen ladies being present, Arrangements were made for the spring Presbyterial which will be held in Main Street church, Exeter, on Tuesday, 'April 30th, next. The ladies of the Women’s As­ sociation of the church served lunch­ eon to the members of Presbytery and the Executive at noon, also tea to all who wished to remain over for when the meetings were conclud­ ed. WILLIAM STEWARDSON After a prolonged illness the death occurred in Lucan on Wednesday, February 6th, of William Steward- son, in his 56 th year. Deceased wais born in McGillivray Township son of the late John and Sarah J. Morgan Stewardson. At an early age he went with parents to live in Lucan, where the most of his life had been epent. .Foil* several year he was a resident of Exeter. His wife, who was Jessie Montgomery, of West Lome, died four years ago. Surviving are two daughters; Mis® Isabel, of Luoan, public school staff and Mrs. Frank McGowan, of London, and sisters, Mrs, R. DeCoureey, Lucan and Mrs. S. A. Gooey, London. The funeral took place Friday to Holy Trinity Church i’oir service with in­ terment in St. James cemetery. Dr. Wood’s Norway Pine Syrup SS’’ 'lieutenant* governor ENDORSES ROY’S CAMPAIGN “May toe splendid work being done by the Ontario Boys1 Work Board never lack the support of all those who recognize that those who shape and mould the character of our ’boys are doing the most import­ ant work, in the world,” is toe re­ commendation which the Lieutenant- Governor is giving the financial cam­ paign of the Trail Ranger and Tuxis organization. , The remarkable thing about this appeal is the fact that the boys them selves raise the money and have done go for thirteen consecutive yean?. In this period they have raised over one hundred thousand1 dollars. The campaign is to be launched on February 9 th and will continue for three week. The bud­ get Is $8,890 and is to provide for the services of a secretary, an office staff, which gives leadership to thirty district camps, two training camps for leaders, supplies .program materials and various helps for twelve tho;u)sand 'boys. The Boys’ Parliament is again accepting chief responsibility to raise this mopey for the movement of which they are a part. Mr. Ray Pryde, local mem­ ber of the Boys’ Parliament is ac­ cepting contributions. STROKE PROVES FATAL The death occurred on Wednes­ day last of Miss Mary Crooks, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Archi­ bald. Deceased suffered a paraly­ tic stroke a few days previous from which she never rallied. Mise Crooks was born in the Township of Wawanosh seventy years ago com­ ing to reside with Mr. and Mrs. Archibald 37 years ago. HIT BY TREE Gordon Williams, 20-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Feltoam Williams, of McGillivray, was injured while felling a tree sand was removed to St. Joseph’s Hospital suffering from severe head injuries and a jaw frac­ ture. As 'the tree struck the ground the butt end flew up and struck Mr. Williams on the side of the head. The Croupy Cough Worries the Mother Mothers should never neglect the first sign of a cold or cough where their children are concerned} if they do some serious trouble of the bronchial tubes may develop. .Half the battle in doctoring children is to give them something they will like; something they will take without any fuss; this the mother will find in Dr. Wood’s Norway Pine Syrup. It acts promptly by soothing the irritated parts, loosens the phlegm, and strengthens the bronchial tubes, thus fortifying them, against what might turn into serious trouble. „ For sale at all drug and general stores. ''J Til DRAW WILL BE MADE ON SATURDAY I at 9 o’clock p. m. Only three days left to pay your subscription and get in on the draw for prizes. Reeve Thos. Pryde will make the draw. lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillllllllllmlElllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll FIRST PRIZE $5.00 FIVE PRIZES OF $2.00 EACH TEN PRIZES OF $1.00 EACH • ■ li I llllmmmimmimimmmmmmlllmllmimmmimmmlllllllllllllllll These prizes will be given to the subscribers of the TIMES-ADVOCATE who pay their sub­ scriptions before February 16. Coupons will be issued for each years’ subscriptions. On February 16 a draw will be made and the holder of the first number drawn will be given a prize of $5.00 The next five will receive $2.00 each and the following ten will receive $1.00. Only one prize to a subscriber We club and Subscription $2.00 a year 3 years for $5.00 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHI RENEW NOW! lllllllll with all papers magazines IIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIII min * llllllllllll h-