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Home My WebLink AboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1979-08-01, Page 7will never forget the day that Eric Neilson came to the Hungry Hundred looking for Angus. His name was Swedish. and ,likely to bring to mind the tough blonde people of that country,Lbut in actual fact, the dark hair and distinctive features could only originate in one part of the world - the highlands of Scotland! He was a mystery the first time I met him - a well dressed man driving a new Cadillac! "I'm looking for Mr. MacCrimmon," he told me. "Is hp at home'?" Angus was ploughing the north 10 acres. He resented being interrupted in his work, by me or anybody else. "No, he's ploughing at the moment," I said. "Perhaps you could come back later - he likely to get angry with anybody who stops him working." The stranger smiled. "I heard he is a pretty tough old guy." "You could say that," I agreed. "Tough on the outside and inside the kindest man on earth." I didn't know what business the man had with my old friend, and I had no intention of giving 'him the wrong' impression, before he could form his own opinion. suppose every newspaper man is inquisitive by nature, and Iwas intensely curious to find out what this wealthy man's business was with Angus. Living In the rural areas for so many years, I had learned the technique of extracting information' from strangers without appearing to be nosey.. If you've lived in the country, you will know that you might as well give a history of your life at the outset. Sooner or later everybody gets to know your business and a lot more besides! "Are you the insurance agent from Pantown?" asked for openers. This was a ridiculous question. I've known many rural insurance agents in my time and have yet to see one drive up to my door .in.a brand new • Cadillac! The stranger shook his head, smiled andneatly side-stepped what he knew was the beginning of an interrogation: "My name is Eric Neilson and my business with Mr. MacCrimmon is strictly private." He slipped back into his car and the prosperous smell, of new upholstery greeted my nose. The engine purred into life: "I'll' be back this evening, if that's convenient. Perhaps you will tell. Mr. MacCrimmon I called." had been diplomatically snubbed and, of course, deserved it. I nodded and the:sleek shiny black vehicle whispered its way down the driveway. I looked., at my old '39 Dodge, Molly, and then, •back at the disappearing luxurious car. It was one of those times when 1..wondered why ' 1 battled to save 'a dying newspaper - there must be an easier:, way.;ta.make a buck, and that guy in the Cadillac had found it! '� When Angus returned from the field$, I told him. about the stranger's visit. • "Don't know anybody who's got enough dough ter waste on fancy cars," he told. "No matter wot 'es sellin' he sure ain't gonna'keep on bein' richby taikin' ter me. That's all Angus had to say. He picked up a couple of buckets out of the summer kitchen and painfully limped his way down to the barn. When the stranger returned that evening, Angus Receive Win.tario. Grant Recreation chairman Bill Hunter has announced the Lucknow Recre- ation Committee has received' a Wintario grant , of $810 to offset expenses incurred by the Midget and Juvenile Hockey teams when they competed • in the provincial championships last season. The grant is to assist with travel and accommodation expenses and a team must be competing for a provincial title to qualify. Local businesses made donations and the teams conducted a 50-50 draw to raise money for expenses. The hockey mothers' booth donat- ed $400 to the teams for their expenses. Wintario then matched the antount raised locally. Mr. Hunter also pointed out that spectators •donated the use of their cars to transport team members to the games. . came to find me. It was about .this time that he had decided he could take me into his confidence. We had indeed become very close to each other. "I want yer to sit'in on the. conversation," Angus said in rather an embarrassed tone. "I 'ain't used ter taikin' ter educated men. I wanna be sure I gits things right. This guy says 'es a lawyer from out west." The three of us gathered in j',hat special room we called the parlour. It always seemed like a part of the house which should not be disturbed - filled with old relics of days gone by, where pictures of bearded men stared down at us across the years The stranger looked apprehensive when I came into the yom. "his is extremely confidential, sir," he told Angus'. "You—should know that before I say anything." Angus jerked his head, like he always did in a moment of decision. "There ain't nothin' I don't want Don ter 'ere - besides I feel better with 'im 'ere, especially if it's as important as yer make it out ter be." The stranger settled into a chair and reached into a brief case, withdrawing a document. "'This is a copy of the will of Mary Neilson - I am not only a lawyer, I am her son, She directed that a number of handwritten books, diaries, be given to you on her. death." He smiled sadly. "My mother was quite a writer and it seems, you were one of the subjectsof her writings." Angus looked puzzle- they dwhole thing was Greek to him. "Long ago sir, and please prepare yourself for what I am about to say, you knew a girl called Mary --Mary MacLeod. This lady was my mother!" Angus was suddenly seized with emotion but he.. tried to contain himself. The stranger tried to be as gentle as he possibly could. "I was born in 1915 - June 1915. So you see, sir, this meeting is a traumatic occasion for both of us." There were tears in the eyes of Angus. He looked pale and drawn and when`hespoke it wasin a sad soft voice. "Then you`- you're tellin' me that the child she was carryin' when I were fightin' in France, were you. Then you, you... "Yes sir, I have a .different, name, but by blood, I am your son." -• Tjiere are times when even a close friend has no business in the deep personalfeelings of blood relations.' I excused myself and left the two men alone. Throughout the night, I heard Angus limping about the house. Once or twice I was tempted to go to him, and help him with his tormented thoughts, but I let • him be. Angus was a strong character and he would sprt it allout in time. A few days later he came to me with–some 'old books, hand written in a bold and almost childlike handwriting. "Will yer do me a favour? he asked, knowing 'full well I would do anything for him. "Could yer sort all this out on yer typewriter. No 'urry, but I'd like ter git it. set down right in proper order, just the wayit were - it's real important ter me, so it is." During the months which followed, I waded through the hand written story of a woman's life, and as you will realize later, Mary MacLeod flowered and indeed, still lives upon my acres of memory! Lucknow. Sentinel, Wednesday, August 1, 1979—Page 7 Olson's Gravel Pit DUNGANNON, ONT. 529-7942 WHOLESALE 100 T. B 1 Gravel ' 40 B 2 Gravel 35 C Gravel • 30 Fill 25 600T 400 T 200 T LOAD 60 65 70 75 60 65 70 60 65. 60 Above price include delivery up to 3 Km. Below prices include delivery up to 4 Km. Sand, S'.Dust Crushed Gravel Cement Gravel 110 4" Under Stone 100 3/4 stone' 160 140 145 140 145 150 155 ..140 145 200 205 For -further prices call Freeman Olson Dozer and Scraper available for a good job done • veseAtediAsea cath 1979 FORD F 100, pickup 1977 FORD LTD., 4 :doo wi h. air 1977 GMC, 1/2 ton pickup, V , standard transmission 1977 GRANADA, 2 door with air 1977 BUICK LA SABRE, custom, 4 door -with air 1977.GRANADA, 4 door 1977 ASPEN, 4 door V8 with aii 1977 PONTIAC PARISIENNE, 4 door with air 1977 CAMARO 1977 PONTIAC LeMANS, 2 doorwith air 1977 GMC, 1 ton pickup 1977 CHEV BELAIR, 4 door 1977 PINTO, 3 door runabout 1977 CHRYSLER, 4 door 1977 DODGE, van 1977 ASPEN, 2 door, 6 cylinder automatic • 1977 DODGE ASPEN, stationwagon, V8 with air • 1976 .FORD CUSTOM 500 1975 FORD LTD, 4 door 1975 FORD F150, pickup 1975 DODGE CORONET, 4 door 1975 DODGE ROYAL MONACO, 4 door hardtop 2 - 1974 BUICK CENTURYS 1980 Polaris Snowmobiles in Stock 11 ., SEE THESE AND OTHERS ON OUR LOT SEVERAL OLDER CARS TO CHOOSE FROM HAMM'S CAR SALES LTD. 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