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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1937-05-06, Page 2
THE EXETERT1MES-ADVOCATETIIGBSMYt. MAY <hli, looming just beforeTHIRD INSTALLMENT SYNOP0JS: Ellen Mackay, on her way from school at Winnipeg, to join her fathei’ at Foi’t Edson, misses the boat by which he was to travel. Hearing that another boat is to start north in the morn ing, Ellen goes to the ownex*, John Benham, and begs him to give her a passage. To hex’ surprise he ly refuses. Angry and puzzled, Ellen Pat McClatchney, a kindly storekeepex’ of hex’ difficulty, Pat with the help .of one of Ben-j ham’s crew, succeeds in getting Ellen on board as a stowaway. flat- • at last, lass,” he said, and his voice ; disgraceI was thin and high. "I was afraid—' afraid ye had forgotten me, when De iSoto passed without ye.” Ellen looked at hex* wide-eyed. ' "father—could .you believe that?” There was hurt reproach in her voice. “I cam© immediately. I am a Mackay,” she finished proudly. “Thank God for that, lass. Andf who was it that brought, ye?” “ Before she thought the name slipped out, "John Benham.” | The old factor seemed to reel in jhis chair. His sagging head came I up. His hands gripped the arms of the chair in bloodless intensity. He stared at her like a man glimpsing some fearsome ghost. His tongue ' flickered ovex* his lips, j “Ye came Something len’s heart. "With John he was very had reason, perhaps, to v’ise,” The old man started and began to laugh, in senile cachinnations. The low, sturdy log buildings which comprised the Hudson Bay Post of Fort Edson, were spread out against the rising slop© of a low, thickly-wooded ridge which mount ed from a short beach of shingle on the west shore of the Mackenzie River, the last and mother river <of those three great streams Which car ried 'the brigades of the fur traders into the vast bosom of the North. Down th© Athabasca River to j to and fro across the confines of Lake Athabasca, from there along the room. Suddenly the laughtei’ the broad smooth reaches of the j ceased and he began to course-curse Slave River to Great Slave Lake, with a venom that was [ghastly. ,then at last into the twisting flood Damn him!” he shilled “Damn of the Mackenzie John Benham’s i him! He’s taken everything from brigade had found its way. Long,' dreamy days and still, mysterious nights had passed in number since the day of the start, and now, at th© death of still another day, the brigade tied up there on the beach below Fort Edson. Side by side on the leading scow, Ellen Mackay and John Benham stood in silence and watched with—who?” icy closed about El- Yet she had to answer. Benham, father. He— kind to me, where he be other- to his feet high, thrill, He stumbled L Damn him!” Benham’s J him! He’s taken * me now. All he had left to me was a wee bit of pride—and now he has taken that. You—daughter of An gus Mackey—travelled from yon dis- that free- fool, Why the end of the journey materialize ictut _ A strange camaraderie had .grown be tween these two. Time, enforced companionship and (youth, had worked slowly but surely upon them They were not lovers in any sense of the word. If such fires burned within them, then such fires were smouldering ones, hidden, banked fires which would need to know the ache of absence before and consciously realized, recognized in the other spirit, an understanding The parting was commonplace enough. Ellen steppe’d to the shore and her baggage was placed beside her. At the head of the slope by the fort buildings a group <0if dians were gathering. Benham tured towards the group, "They will take care of your gage,” he said slowly. “It is that I leave immediately.” Ellen hestitated. "That first below Cascade Rapids—the morning you discovered that I had stowed away—you spoke of exacting pay ment. I—what is that payment, John Benham?” The look he bent upon her was fathomless. "I would save you from that payment if I could now. But I am afraid that you must pay, just the same. Not to> me—but to others. “—q don’t understand.” “You will.” He held out his hand. "Good-bye, Ellen Mackay.” For a moment her hand trembled in ‘his. Then he had stepped back on to the scow. His deep voice called orders. The Crees bent to the sweeps and a moment later the hun- • gry river current was wafting him off into th© mists. Something gathered in Ellen's throat. She looked away and start ed feverishly up the slope. And now coming towards hex’ from the build ings was a little group of Indians, led by a stooped shambling, white- haired man. Ellen looked aghast. "Father!” she cried. '“Father!” iS;h© flew to him, to this stooped and gnarled patriarch. What had happened? When she had left, four years before, this fathex' of hers had been tall, ruddy and stalwart, almost as tall and stalwart as John Ben ham. And now . , . How thin were his pinched shoulders' How feeble his Step! She began to sob. It seemed that neither could speak intelligently now. Slowly they climbed the slope together and en tered the factor’s cabin. It was dusky in the cabin. The. door closed behind them and the old man sank into a chair with a deep, quavering sigh. “So y© have come of the gathering river mists. been and thoroughly Yet each a kindred ’.heart. In- ges- lug best day tant landing to this fort with squaw’s whelp, that thieving trader. And mark ye, little he’ll boast of it. Great God! did not the sickness of last winter take me off? I would have spared this—spared this.” Ellen was both sickened frightened. There was something ghastly about this old man’s wailing rage and his imprecations. And this father of hers, who lhad wasted away to such a shell, seemed almost like another person to her. But she drew upon her young strength, and went to him. Quietly but remorse lessly she forced Ihim back into his seat and dropped upon her knees beside him. She attempted soothe him with words such as would have used on on a child. “You must rest, father. You not well. You have been to.o> long alone. I am young and strong. You must let m© take most of th© I have the to she are grave.’ It was late when she kissed father good-night and went to room, the cozy little cubby that been hers since a babe in swaddling clothes. A .shaded lamp, suffused it with a gentle, homely glow. It was carpeted with deep, rich furs, even to the enormous hide of a po lar bear, in the gleaming pelage of which she sank to her slender ank les. Prepared by the loving bands of Gitchie, hex’ bed lured hex’ beneath a spotless counterpane. On a little table in one corner was a bowl of wood violets, which Moosac had gathered and which filled th© room with fairy incense. Swiftly she dis robed, blew rout the light and slip ped between cool, caressing sheets. But as she relaxed the darkness brought many thoughts and many images. Try as she would she could not keep a certain picture from drifting before her closed eyes. It was that of John Benham, as she had seen him many times. He stood before hex’ again, clean, splendid, powerful, his strong, still face grinx and purposeful; his bril liant eyes adream with the mystery of the wilderness. Twice had her father called him a “Squaw’s whelp”—a "half-breed” and somehow this thought was like a daggex’ thrust in Ellen’s heart. It seexned beyond all reason that such a, thing could be so, for John Ben ham's eyes were blue and clear and his hair was rickly brown. Yet . . . She thought of her father, broken and discouraged and by his own words brought to such a state by the evil machinations of this half breed. And now Ellen had taken her stand by her father’s'side. His battle was to be her battle; his hate was hex' hate. It was long before she finally slept and when she did so, there was the moistness of tears upoix her cheeks. In the week that followed. Ellen Mackay learned the reason for her father's despair and broken pride. (Long hours she spent over, the books iO'f the post. A hundred lengthy tallies she drew up, studied and destroyed. Her thoughts were driven to an inevitable conclusion. The fur trade at Fort Edson was no trade lynx, other but a and ele- load .from your shoulders, not forgotten how to handle Indians or to grade a fur.” Again the old factor laughed it seemed to Ellen that all the ments of despair were in that lautgh He was shaking; a man palsied by the scalding outpourings of rage and hate. Over and over again he muttered the name of John Benham cursing and reviling. It was long before he quieted, and the reaction left him weak and shaken. His eyes, staring out beneath shaggy brows were glazed and bloodshot. He panted for breath. At that moment all the murky shadows in the world seemed to close in on Ellen Mackay. During those thoughtelss, carefree years which she had spent at school, some great tragedy had been enacted here in the fastnesses of the North. Alone and in silence this father of hers bad fought some great,over whelming misfortune, to be slowly beaten down and shattered until it seemed that even his reason was tottering. And the cause of his mis fortune had been John Benham, John Benham. Something stirred and surged through her veins. Be hind her was a long line of fighting ancestors, a lineage reaching to the far, gorse covered highlands of Scotland. Here before lher lay battle of another sort, yet battle none the less. With a click of her white teeth she caught Up the Gone in an instant were all ories of that thousand-mile from the north. In a flicker eyelash she placed John Benham in new status, An enemy now—an enemy who had shattered and brought near to death—her father. At last th-e insanity Of rage left Angus Mackay. One thin hand came out and rested on Ellen’s dark hea'd caressingly. "Forgive me. lass,” he murmured. "Rut only the great God knows what I have been through, It Is .hard, at my age, to see defeat and gage, mem trip of an All-Out-of-Sorts! Nervous, Irritable, Peevish! This may be dub to lack of proper rest, the worry over business, the too free use of tea, coffee or tobacco, the keeping of late hours, the never ending drudgery of housework, but whatever the cause you have been putting too heavy strain on the nervous system. If you are tired, listless, irritable, distressed, you Will find in Milburn's H. & N. Pills a'remedy to make the weak nerves strong, the shaky nerves firm, a medicine that Will help piit you on your feet again, ’ * ber her had the of had longer paying. Where the had once been thousands of beaver, otter, marten and skins, th© present return was few scanty hundreds. The shelves of the storehouse were piled high with trade goods that had not been moved for over three years. It was simple 'to see the reason when the decline had started. Three years ago it was. Ellen probed further, Three years before had been the peak of the seven-year cycle of the rabbits, and all old records showed that when the rabbit tide was at its height, that was the rich year in returns on lynx. Yet the lynx tally three years ago was far below normal. Ellen went to the fur store room Ruthlessly she ripped opened sever al bales, and from old experience graded'the furs enclosed. They were all fax* below par, not a prime skin in the whole lot. Her lips trembled and tears came again to her eyes, How deep' the sham© of it must cut her father, for in the past Fort Edsoxx had been the boast of the company. From there had come the richest returns, finest furs. Rich in the pride achievement. Angus Mackay gloried in th© reputation of his post And now he must drink the bitter est dregs. Ellen went to the door of the’ trade room and looked out upon the open ground which surrounded the post buildings. A few Indians were there, a very few. And she could remember when, at this time of year, there would be hundreds. And what were camped there were of the poorest. Dog-ribs and Yel low-Knives and Hayriver xidtans, notoriously poor and mettffifty. Theix’ tepees Were ragged and filthy theix’ families planily undernour ished; their dogs perambulating skeletons. And the scanty furs they brought in for trade -would, in the older, better years, hardly have been considered. An overpowering discouragement flooded Ellen, particularly’ harsh be cause she was at a loss to under stand this terrible decline. John Benham was the cause, her father claimed; John Benham who, by nefarious free trading methods, had enticed th© Indians from him, who had gleaned th© richest and best furs and left to him only the ragged remnants. < Ellen wondered if such a thing Were seasonable, that one lone man could move into a territory and in three short years overthrow the re putation and prestige of stidh* a post at Fort Edson. Slie voiced this Won der to her father just once, and liis answering spasm of rage left her trembling and disheartened Angus Mackay hated all free trad era violently and unswervingly. AU his life had been spent in the em ploy pf the Hudson Bay Company. He was of the old school who, thh’ he knew full well that the Hudson Bay Company had parted with its old franchise in j.870 though in the blind fervotxr and faithfulness, that any free trader1 was still a trespass er, a despojler, and a schemex’ agaixxst the interests of the ntother company, There were many others like liixn, scattered about in the numerous posts of the North—-stern, ■uucom’’ promising men who had grown old in |he service, and to whom th© Hudson Bay Company was both life There was something this blind faitn and there was something These men, men like 4 and religion, appealing ip support, yet tragic algo’. Angus Mackay, were hurling their frail old bodies against the ponder ous, inexorable, titanic advances, of progress. It was hopeless, it was tragic, but splendid in its blind fer vour. Ellen turned back into the. dusky trading room and read, for the hun dredth time it seemed, a brusque, authoritative letter, written on the dignified parchment used in official communications. The message did not mince words. It contained less than a dozen lines. Yet -the words cf it seemed to toll like a funeral bell, In effect it stated unless An gus Mackay could, by the following spring, bring back the production of Fort Edson to something approxi mating its old-time volume, he would have to be replaced, ’Sudden, hot anger gripped Ellen A year—they .gave him—one short year to .fight ,back and recuperate. One year! To this man who had given them a lifetime of faithful treasureful service. True, the letter hinted also of a pension, a pitiful dole that was more insulting than it was com;forting. A pension! The of the old and useless. Charity! Pure vitriol on the open wounds of lher father. Ellen lifted her head defiantly. A year! Very them what year. She to the last will she possessed. And if anyone, John Benham, in particular, opposed ber, she would bring back the meth ods of open battle the very earliest days of the fur trade had known. She was in a corner, her back to the fall. Her father’s reputation; his life; his welfare To win there would would not dare. At that moment turned savage. Her into hard, ■coljd,$nes. The youthful ness of her 'fled, somehow. She put away the books and re cords, locked the storeroom and strode off to the home cabin. As she went she bcame aware of shouts down upon the beach, From the doorway of the cabin she surveyed the scene below. Several and a York boat or two grounded on the shingle. A of Indians and rivermen grouped on the shore. Ellen saw hex’ father talking to one of them, a big, burly figure ’ above the rest like a pigmies. Presently these'two the slope towards the Mackay with a toiling brought a catch to Ellen throat and momentary dimness to her eyes; the stanger with a lithe ease which be lied the impression of clumsiness the huge bulk gave. Once, when the old factor stumbled, his com panion steadied him with one pow erful hand and after that helped the old man over the steepest part of the trail. This gesture, slight as it was, brought a warm glow to Ellen, and when the two finally reached the cabin Ellen’s eyes were bright and smiling. (To be. continued) well, slie would show a Mackay could do- in a would fight back, fight ounce of strength' and were at stake, be nothing she Ellen Mackay face settled scows were crowd were who towered l giant among advanced up post. Agnus ■effort that The King’s Broadcast Garry Allighan, writing fox’ The Evening Standard said final for th© King’s broadcast were ingham Palace i It had been allot the King speech—th© time used by King George V in his Christmas talks— but Allighan said, it was decided the broadcast would begin At 8 p.m., (2 p.m. E. S. T.) and finish at 8.05 p.m. The actual speaking time, this writer declares, would not exceed four minutes and would be preceded and followed by an impressive sil ence. "There has been the impression in some quarters that the royal broad cast is to' be from a record pre viously made,” Allighan wrote, "I am asked to correct this misappre hension. The King will be present in person before the microphone in the regency room of Buckingham Palace and will be intrpduced by Sir John Reith Broadcasting Corporation plans night Buck- i Coronation approved at conference. the original idea to 10 minutes for his head of the British me.1* credit th ’“George is crazy about “Don’t take too much yourself. Ke wae crazy before you ever met him.” ■ ■ ■ You Get 58% Longer Flexing Life at No Extra Cost I* Gum - Dipping makes Firestone tires stronger and safer. No other tire has this extra process that eliminates internal x. You Get 58% Longer Flexing Life at No Extra Cost! ■ ■ ■ make*Gum - Dipping Firestone tires stronger and safer. No other tire has this extra process that eliminates internal friction and heat—the greatest enemy of tire life. All Firestone tires are Gum«Dipped—and your local Firestone Dealer has one for every purse and purpose. Drive in and let him take care of your needs. .4 Snell Bros. & Co. Phone 100 Exeter » PORT FRANKS SWEPT BY FLOODS iSweeping away two summer cot tages at Port Franks, the Aux Sable River went on a rampage, and threat ened the safety of 300 residents of the Lake Huron resort. The 15- mile-an-hour current washed away the approaches to the bridge at Syl van and took with it 100 feet of rail way embankment at Thedford, The two summer cottages were carried from its banks out into Lake Huron, a third was lifted off its foundation and five others are in precarious position. Whenever there are flood condi tions in Western Ontario the Aux Sable can be counted upon to take its part. Residents describe the sluggish stream that has its source in the 'hills of Middlesex County as a perennial bad actor. CONTRACT AWARDED From a list of six County House of Refuge committee awarded a $1,300 contract to Sutter & Perdue, Clinton for a new water system for the coun ty home. JOHN WOOD PASSES AT ST. MARYS HOME John Wood, one of St. Marys best- known residents, a well known con- tx actor and ardent ‘sports fan died suddenly at his home on Thursday. Mr. Wood, who was in his 61st year had been suffering from a heart attack for some months, but his death was quite unexpected and will come as a severe shock to his many friends in th community and through the district. Born at Kirkton, he was a son of William Wood and Bar bara Cassie and had lived in St. Marys fox’ the past 28 years. H© was married 28 years ago to Blanche German, who survives him, with 3 sons and one daughter, John, Myron William and Barbara, all at home. There are also surviving three sisters Mr. Wood’s support will be missed by all athletic events in St. Marys. He was an ardent sports fan and never missed a football, baseball or hockey game. In the days of the famous St. Marys lacrosse teams he was ^ne Of of the foremost supportei’s of game. 'i LOGAN TOWNSHIP TAXES At this week’s meeting of Logan Township Council, William Vock, tax collector, turned in the roll with all taxes"for the year 193 6 The achievement has’ not complished for from 20 to it was said. collected, been ac- 40 years, CLANDEBOYE OFFICERS The annual meeting of the Clan- deboye W. I. was held at the home of Mrs. Guy Harrison, with the presi dent, Mrs. M. McNaugthon in change The following officers were elected: President, Mrs! James Hall; 1st Vice Mrs. Evan Hodgins; 2nd Vice, Mrs. A. Phillips; secretary-treasurer, Inez Hendrie; assistant, Doris McWil liams; district director, Mrs. M. Mc Naughton; branch' director, Mrs. W. Kilmer, Mrs. Moore Cunningham, Mrs. G. Dauncey; convenors of the standing committees, home econo mics, Mrs. Elsie Hodgson; agricul ture, Mrs. Alvixi Cunningham; Ed ucation, Mrs. Ed. Flynn; legislation Miss M-. Waugh; health, Mrs. David Henry;. Canadian industries, Mary O’Neil; immigration, Mrs. Guy Har rison; community activities, Mrs. E. Lewis; relief and. sunshine, Mrs. E- Dixon; Mrs. W. Scott; historical re search, Mrs. Harvey Dundas; pian ists, Mrs. E. Dixon, Mrs. R. Schroed er; auditors, Mrs. C. Carter, Mrs. Omar Cunningham. fxxetrr (Eunru-Aduuratr Established 1873 and 1887 Exeter, Ontario Published every Thursday morning 1UBSCRIPTION—-$2.0i0 per year In • advance . RATES—-Farm or Real Estate for sale 50c. each insertion for first four insertions, 25c, each subse quent insertion. Miscellaneous ar ticles, To Rent, Wanted, Lost, or Found 10c. per line pf six worda. Reading notices 10c, per line, Card of Thanks 50c, Legal ad vertising 12 and 8c. per line. In Memorlam, with one verse 50o, extra versea 25c. each. Member of The Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association Professional Cards GLADMAN & STANBURY BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS, &<j. Money to Loan, Investments Made Insurance Safe-deposit Vaults for use of our Clients without charge EXETER and HENSALL CARLING & MORLEY BARRISTERS. SOLICITORS, &o> LOANS, INVESTMENTS, INSURANCE Office: Carling Block, Minin Stree®, EXETER. ONT. Dr. G. F. Roulston, L.D.S.,D.D.S. DENTIST Office: Carling Black EXETER, ONT. Closed Wednesday Afternoons Dr. H. H. COWEN, L.D.S.,D.DS. DENTAL SURGEON Successor to the late Dr. Atkinson Office opposite the Post Office, ’ Main Street, Exeter Office 36w Telephones Res. 36J Closed Wednesday Afternoons JOHN WARD CHIROPRACTIC, OSTEOPATHY, « ELECTRO-THERAPY & ULTRA- Z VIOLET TREATMENTS PHONE 70 ------------ EXl'JTEBMAIN ST. ARTHUR WEBER LICENSED AUCTIONEER For Huron and Middlesex FARM SALES A' SPECIALTY PRICES REASONABLE SATISFACTION GUARANTEED Phone 57-13 Dashwood R. R. No. 1, DASHWOOD FRANK TAYLOR LICENSED AUCTIONEER For Huron and Middlesex FARM SALES A SPECIALTY Prices Reasonable and Satisfaction Guaranteed EXETER R. O. or RING 138 USBORNE & HIBBERT MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY Head Office, Exeter,. Ont. President, ., Mitchell, R.R. Vice-President .... JOHN Kirkton, R.R. DIRECTORS W. H. COATES .. JOHN McGRATH WM. HAMILTON T. BALLAN1TYNE AGENTS JOHN ESiSERY ............... Centralia ALVIN L. HARRIS .... Mitchell R. 1 TIIOS. SCOTT ............... Cromarty SECRETARY-TREASURER B. w. F. BEAVERS .......... Exeter GLADMAN & STANBURY Solicitors, Exeter ANGUS SINCLAIR 1 HACKNEY 1 AND NEW FURNITURE Cedar Chests 3 ............. Exeter ............. Dublin Cromarty R. 1 Woodham R. 1 Also furniture remodelled to older. We take orders for all kinds of ca binet work for kitchens, etc at the DASHWOOD PLANING MILL From all Stations in Eastern Canada GOING DAILY*—MAY 21-31 inclusive Return Limit r 45 days ..-■ ■■■ ..................................... .. ............ TICKETS GOOD IN S COACHES at fares approximately leper mile.? SLEEPING CARS at fares approximately iJie per mile. 9 STANDARD SLEEPING C/yXS at fares apprtiiimatelylj^c per Mild. COST OF ACCOMMODATION IN SLEEPING CARS ADDITIONAL .. * 1 '* ^Bii i j iUiil ■U li ■' '^233 BAGGAGE Chocked. Stopovers atPort Arthur, Armstrong, Chicago and west. Tickets,SlufrinR Carreservaliar}s,andallinformalionfromany agent,ASK FORBANDBILH CANADIAN NATIONAL The Best Quality of XXXXX Edge Grain Shingles to be sold at the lowest prices as We need money. Take A tip and Buy No Wo A. J, CLATWORTHY GRANTON . PHONE 12 7 “I’m in an awful predicament.” What is the trouble, t I have lost my glases and I can* net look for them until I have found them again,