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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1986-05-28, Page 4Page 4—Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, May 28, 1986 P.O. Box 400, Lucknow NOG 2H0 Established 1873 Thomas Thompson Alan Rivett Pat Livingston Joan Helm Merle Elliott 528-2822 A -Advertising Manager -Editor -General Manager -Compositor -Typesetter NL.P1FICO ClPCULATION PAM Subscription rates in advance: $17.aa Outsiae Canada $60.00 $14.ao Outside Canada $58.°A Senior Citizen Second class mailing reg. no. 0847. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, the portion of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged , for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid at the applicable rates. More controversy brewing over wine, beer sales in stores With all the controversy surrounding the .ban on extra -billing by doctors, the govern- ment has opened up another hot topic in Ontario - the whole question of having beer and wine sold in corner grocery stores. And, like the doctors' dispute, the wine and beer issue has the same type of "double- edged sword" appearance. There, again, are two, well-defined camps being either for or against the sale of beer and wine in convenience stores. The government, on one hand, argues the whole idea of an open system of beer and wine distribution would be a boon for small grocery store owners, with some owners estimating sales could go up by as much as 30 per cent with the addition of beer and wine on the shelves. Furthermore, the convenience this system would bring is another point being taken into consideration by the Liberals. Consumers could pick up a six-pack just about any time of the night or day, rather than be limited by the hours of the Brewers Retail outlets. The politicians also point out beer and wine sales have been, going on in the states and in six Canadian provinces for years with very little negative effects. Consumer Minister Monte Kwinter, in a recent Toronto Star article, said a number of studies have revealed there is "no correlation between increased availability and increased consumption." However, on the other side of the fence, the whole idea of lessening the controls on beer and wine sales has fervently been opposed by a number of groups, municipalities and police forces. In the forefront of their opposition is the effect the increased availability of booze would have on teenage drinking. Most say the accessibility of wine and beer not only could have grave implications towards increasing teenage alcoholism, but especially on drinking and driving. The proposed legislation certainly runs contrary to the current campaign being waged against drinking and driving. Also of concern is the policing of beer and wine sales. Most feel the system under the Brewers Retail is better able to detect minors, thus controlling, to some extent, under=age drinking. The Liberals have vowed in their election campaign to bring about beer and wine sales in corner stores in Ontario. The rumblings now indicate they're now ready to move on this promise. But, before anything can be passed into legislation,the government must prove that this type of distribution system will work for Ontario. And, most of all, this system must provide sufficient safeguards to keep the beer and wine out of the hands of minors. Gone to the doggies Tuesday evenings at the Rivett household are kinda crazy to say the least. It's the time of the week when our resident rover is whisked off to Bayfield for his obedience training ,class. It all started with an ad in the Clinton News -Record for the obedience course. Since our playful pooch was only seven months old and could still learn a trick or two, Mrs. R thought it might be better to have a smart mutt, rather than end up with another dumb, unruly canine which has become a Rivett trademark over the years. Upon returning from work, mother bursts through the door, and before you can say "gravy train" she rushes up the stairs to retrieve the dog from his exile in one of the bedrooms. You see, when the dog is isolated for an hour, he becomes bored and is more willing to learn doggie -type tricks. After his chain and leash are rounded up, Mr. R is recruited to take the pet for his walk around the neighbourhood to enable the dog to "DO HIS DUTY". Then, without further adieu, it's off to Bayfield for the weekly learning ses- sion. Our little ball of fluff is called Squig- gley (don't ask me how he got that name) and he's a Japanese Chin. According to some literature. I've read about these dogs, they are originally bred for the ancient Japanese rulers. The Chins, classified as a Toy breed, ALAN come in three sizes with the smallest size aptly called "Sleeves", as they were carried in the wide sleeves worn by these rulers. He's black and white with a small pushed -in nose and large eyes. Yeah, he's ugly, but we like him anyway. He may be a Chin, but I call him a "doggie alarm clock" as he wakes me out of my golden slumbers each morning. It's almost a ritual now. I hear the door slam behind mom and dad as they leave for work. Then, the sound of little feet come scampering up the stairs and, upon entering the room on the dead run, he leaps on my stomach. After running around the bed a few times, stopping intermittently to lick my face, he,dashes back downstairs. I musadmit, he's learned more at classes than I ever thought he could. After six weeks, he's an accomplished "sitter" and well on his way to being a "lay down and stay" dog. After lessons, there's no telling what that dog will get next. Perhaps weekly visits to the doggie coiffeur or a mono- grammed food dish? Afternoon fun By Alan Rivett "I shouldna worry ye wi such things at this time," Hamish Murdoch said to Allan Livingstone a few days after Annie's death. "But did ye ken there was a wee bag o' gold amongst the lassie's belongings?" Although Allan was surprised by this revelation, the gold itself did not really interest him. His departed wife could not possibly have obtained it by moral means and he did not wish to contemplate how it had come into her possession. He remain- ed silent. "Whether ye wish it or no - tis yours legally," Hamish said in a sad sympathetic voice. "And there is one i know of who will try tae take it from ye." "I have no looked at her clothing or the carpet bag it was carried in," Allan replied. "I had a mind tae pass them oft to - anybody who could find a use frae them." "Then ye'd best take a look soon and make sure ye find the gold before ye gi her things awa!" Hamish advised. When he had plucked up sufficient courage, Allan searched through his dead wife's clothes and in a pocket of one of her skirts, he found the little leather bag. He felt extremely guilty when he took it - as if he was Fobbing the dead. But he needed time to think how he should hest dispose of it. Without even counting the gold, he hid it under a loose floor board in one corner of the cabin, beneath a rough chest of drawers. It was not long before he found, out who else was aware that Annie had .gold. On the pretence of asking after his welfare, Katie Murdoch paid him a visit. When she had exhausted all of her hypocritical dialogue, she arrived at the moment of truth. "I dinna suppose ye'lI be wantin' any of Annie's things," she . said sheepishly. " ' veuld .be best if I took 'em away wi me an' gi 'ern tae some poor deservin' soul." Allan had never liked Katie and although he was Ita a Manto seek revenge, he felt a twinge of satisfaction when he said: "Ye'll find ye daughter's clothes .in a carpet bag upstairs. Frae what good they'll do ye, yecan take them ,awai" It took a',loiig; time for Katie to gather up her daughter's meagre belongings. Allan heard her talking to herself as she moved abt ut in the upstairs room. Obviously she was looking for something. When she came downstairs she confronted him. "Did ye take a look through my lassie's belongings?" she asked in a peeved tone. "Aye, that I did," Allan replied. "And was there nothing else besides wha I've got here?" "Whether there was or no is none o' ye're business," Allan said angrily. "Take what ye got and gae - I've had enough o' the likes o' ye!" "The likes o' me, indeed!" Katie said vehemently. "What are ye yesel except a ragamuffin o' a stonemason?" She moved near to Allan and thrust her face close to his. "I know my Annie had gold, because I gave it to her," she lied. "And dinna forget it - that money is Mine!" Allan did not offer -to carry the carpet bag and Katie stamped out,.of the cabin. He was quite sure the gold would bring him no good. Money which is not earned is never fully appreciated. For hours Allan wrestled with his thoughts andwhen he had come to a concltsion, he took the bag out of its hiding place and made his way to the house of the Reverend Duncan MacLeod. "Ye must hae been praying tae the Lord frae a special blessing," Allan said. "Was it something frae the church?" "It was indeed," MacLeod said. "For some time I have been asking God for the wherewithal! to build a driving shed for the congregation's horses and carriages, when they attend services." Allan handed the money to the minister. "Then the Lord has answered ye're prayers, sir. But I must ask ye tae save a little o' the gold tae hae a marble stone placed on the grave o' mi wife." "And what shall we put on it besides her name?" "Rest in Peace," Allan said quietly and sincerely.