Village Squire, 1976-11, Page 21•
�i�ae,helrQ
On The Square
Goderich
* Discount Health and Beauty Aids
* Tobaccos
* Confectionery
* Games and Hobbies
* Giftware
* Exclusive Dealer in this area
for BRIGHAM PIPES
BOOKS GALORE
* Magazines * Paperbacks
* Newspapers
OPEN EVENINGS
AND SUNDAY
1
bueame instant pupils of hers as she made every situation a
learning experience. By the time I was in High School, I
owned a vast library from her book gifts as well as many
special copies of her own personal classics. 1 had only to
mention or show an interest in an author or poet and I
instantly became the owner of his or her books.
Many seasons 1 met her at the station myself after I learned
to drive the car and our summers took a new turn as I
chauffeured her around to various events. We chatted
together and often got involved in long discussions on world
affairs and politics. The summer 1 was eighteen we had a
federal election coming up. Wm. Lyon Mackenzie King, our
present Prime Minister was making a stop and speech in our
local town in the arena. Being a staunch Liberal, she wished
to attend and asked me to drive her. My family was just as
staunch. only they were Conservatives. My Father wouldn't
dream of listening to Mackenzie King, so 1 was elected to go.
It was a memorable experience and coming home Dr. Mary
reminded me that this had been an historic occasion and she
hoped I would never forget it. And indeed I have not.
At the end of my High School days, Uncle Bill died in the
old home. from a long and serious illness in March. Aunt
Annie suffered a stroke in April as a result of caring for her
brother, That year Dr. Mary arrived home two months earlier
than usual. My Father went every day to help chop wood and
pump the water. I vent often too, to chat with Dr. Mary in the
glass porch outside the bay window from where Aunt Annie's
bed looked out. One afternoon. under the honeysuckle, over a
cup of tea and lemon biscuits. she told me she had planned to
sell her property in Washington and come home to fix up the
old home. She v. -anted to help her sister and brother to have
an easier life. but she had procrastinated and now it was too
late. I felt sadly as 1 looked at the drooping shoulders and now
dejected look in her eyes. Then I mentioned that I was
registering in Teachers' College in S-eptember and needed
her signature for someone who had known me all my life. She
looked so happy as the old glint carne back in her eyes. Indeed
I had chosen the best profession of all. We recalled many
summers and laughed over incidents. like the time I learned
to spell "hippopotamus" when I was six years old; the day we
buried the robin who had failed to rally from our special care;
and the time 1 named all the flov:ers in her front garden.
correctly and even included some weeds.
Autumn came. 1 left for college. Aunt Annie quietly passed
away and Dr. Mary prepared for a sale. She gave Dad the Mr.
Pickwick pitcher from the old china cupboard. That mystical
figure that I had gazed at through the glass for so many years
%.as finally mine to hold and own.
Dad bought the farmand later my second brother moved
there v. ith his bride. It was a sad morning when Dad drove
Dr. Mary to the station but she promised she would return
as soon as she could terminate her attachments in
Washington and find a small home in our community.
1 wrote to tell her about my work at College for I knew she
would be keenly interest in what 1 was doing. I never heard
from her again.
Early in November. my family received a telegram that she
was dead and cremated remains was being sent to our local
town for burial.
My dear Dr. Mary had passed away. sad at heart and very
lonely. Her home was gone. She was no more. Never again
would I meet her at the station and no more would we share
those country summers. on the other side of the orchard.
That was thirty-five years ago. yet Dr. Mary lives on in my
life. 1 hear her hearty laugh every summer in the joyous songs
of the birds in my trees. I see her face in the flowers and trees
as they sway in a gently breeze. Her wise and patient hands
open the cover of books to me. The joys and happy
expectations of the whole world that she once taught me are
now mine to share with the children 1 teach.
Her special gift of love and encouragement and concern for
a splendid and wholesome way of life is much needed to build
up our hopes in the generation we are involved with. May God
grant us all a little of Dr. Mary's simple philosophy and
wisdom and help us to spread it out to cover the whole
universe.
p
COUNTRY CASUAL LIVING
fes`--
1
t46
INE FCIRNISHINGS
HOUSE OF 11
KILGOUR. TROISTER
BRAEMORE iL
Blackstone
Furniture
34 West St. GODERICH
Village Squire/November 1976, 19