Village Squire, 1978-06, Page 27Many hands are ready nolo receive the boy from, the old
spare woman and ,she is momentarily forgotten. as every one
turns to him. His mother is there and out of pure nervousness
administers a licking that makes the mud from his little bottom
splat into her face. Soon someone helps Mrs. Gladstone out of
the swamp and quietly she retires to her home for clean and dry
clothing.
Arthur is bewildered- by all this. He knows that he wasn't
supposed to go behind the sheds, but the big boys went there all
the time. Now his mother takes all his clothes off and rinses the
niud off him right outside in the yard. Brr, that's cold. Now she
puts him to bed and that right in the middle of the day. Without
wanting to, he cries himself to sleep and when he wakes up, his
mother lets him get up again. After she dresses Mini in clean
clothing. she takes hint by the hand and together they go to Mrs.
Gladstone, to thank her for saving his life. Arthur doesn't quite
know what it is all about, but he is impressed with the solemn
behaviour of his mother. Mrs. Gladstone doesn't say very much.
She just hugs the little boy and gives him the photograph taken
that afternoon. "is that me" he thinks. All he sees is a stubby
little boy. sitting on a table with hair standing on end. His father
says later that the photographer made a boo-boo. for part of Mrs.
Gladstone can be seen. But the photo is carefully put away for
the family album.' Photos are scarce.
Mrs. Gladstone loves the little boy more than ever. Doesn't
she own a part of him, now that she has saved his life?
Arthur loves her too. What does he care if she is not considered
to be right in the head? She is good to him. She is the grandma
he never knev.. She is the one that gives him candies, and him
alone.
His dad says that it is a shame the way the villagers let their
children tease the old woman and threatens all kind of
punishment if Arthur's brothers ever indulge in such behaviour.
She is a good woman who doesn't harm anyone, "But," he says.
hello .. .
may we invite you to drop in to
PH ATE -111
hair fashions
there are four hair stylists to pamper your hair ... a
cosmetician offering facials, manicures, pedicures, eyelash
application and depilatory work ... and for ladies, massages
you'll find a unique boutique ... handcrafts, handmade
sportswear, jewellery and many other unusual gifts
do come in and browse ... we're close to downtown
68 nile street, at albert...
STRATFORD
or call for an appointment... 271-3401
( 11PR5HPLLS
Ct51 maav5
Q CL^� ST.
!..11.4- D CENTRAL HOTEL %47 - I•i7
•AA L't
y iz
=tri` s
- -_
2. j' 5,
W I1
The Grand Central Hotel built in
1843, was for decades a welcom-
ing place to spend the night.
Today it is a group of three
connecting shops. What was once
the lane for horses & buggies to
reach the stable at the back is now
a charming CARD & CANDLE
SHOP. The original bar is now the
LADIES WEAR with its handcraft
section. Browse on into the GIFT
SHOP, once the dining room.
where full use has been made of
the charm of this old building.
Many of the original antiques are
used to display imports from
ffl fi R 3 H H L L '3 „f S1. ffiHRYS around the world.
"WHERE THE UNUSUAL IS USUAL"
GIFT SHOP LADIES WEAR CARD SHOP
150 QUEEN ST.
"DO COME VISIT US SOON"
284-3070
VILLAGE SQUIRE/JUNE 1978. PG. 25.