The Lucknow Sentinel, 1979-12-05, Page 7I never had any intention in these stories to dwell
upon the events which took place .during the first
World War, except as they affected the lives of the
people of Redtrees. So perhaps we can skip through
those years, and return once more to the rolling land
as it was in the Spring of 1919. In doing so however, I
mention in passing, that many young men never
returned to work the soil and some who did, bore the
scars of their patriotism for the rest of their lives.
Angus MacCrimmon survived many battles includ-
ing Vimy Ridge, where, it is said, Canada became a
nation, When he carne back to the Hungry Hundred,
he took over the operation of the farm from his father
James. The neighbours saw a great change in Angus.
He was more serious and withdrawn, as if he were
harbouring a deep hurt. They said he was quick to
anger and never engaged in small. talk. Social
functions were avoided and he rarely attended the
new church. Many girls would have liked -to start a
romance with the young handsome MacCrimmon, but
they were never given any encouragement. Angus
was 'a loner.
On the other side of the concession road, another
veteran of the war began to pick up the threads of the
old way of life. His name was John Mathieson.
Occasionally, Angus took time out to discuss the pros
and cons of farming with his neighbour. Perhaps he
felt that he had something in common with John, or
maybe he just felt sorry for him. John Mathieson.
knew no other way of life except farming, and each
day's labour"was a challenge. John had sustained a
leg injury and even to walk was a'painful process. In
spite of his handicap he struggled, -,with ith the land in
quiet desperation.
It was nearing the end of May when Angus looked
anxiously towards the Mathieson place: John was
.trying to finish his spring plowing so that he could get
his,,seed into the ground. His progress was slow.
Angus was not a man to stick his -nose into anothe-r,_
man's business but as he watched John limping
behindthe plow, he knew what he had to do. Another
horse drawn plow arrived at the Mathieson property
and without a word,. Angus began to work the other.
side of the field. After three or four days they met and
the plowing was finished.
The horses nuzzled each other and the 'two men
stood together for a fewmoments.
I'm obliged Angus - I was only plowin' 'alf an acre
a day till you showed.. I'm sure glad it's .finished.
Angus looked across at the Hungry Hundred where
• the black and white cattle were gathering in the
barnyard. He jerked his head.
"I gotta go an' domi chores, .but -we ain't finished.
I'll be back termorrer, so I will. We got .a heap o'
workin' up ter do before we can git the ' seed in the
ground."
It was a quiet but strong friendship the two had
formed and it lasted for many years. What did they
have -in common? A dogged determination to survive
against all odds; the pride .in fighting for one's own.
These are the two inherent characteristics of the true
farmer and the true soldier. Angus said little about his
war service but he was once heard to say.
"A man must decide 'imself whether 'is country is
worth fightin' fer - that's between 'im and 'is
conscience!
There was another wound. in the belly of Angus and
it was not as obvious as theknotted flesh of the scar
left by a German bayonet. The community.of Redtrees
understoodonly too well that something was gnawing
at his innards; but only old James MacCrimmon knew.
for sure what ailed his son.
Since his return, James had made no reference tc
the letter he had sent to Angus. in France. He waited
for the right time and right place to approach the lad.
One day they sat together on stools in the driving
shed, slicing potatoes ready for planting.
"Taint none o' my business really, but I figured yer
might 'ave old me what 'appened to Mary MacLeod."
Angus was taken completely by surprise and he
paused in his task. For a moment it seemed as if he
was about to speak, but when he continued cutting
between the eyes 'of potatoes, old James realized he
had drawn a blank. He tried again.
"Yer mother an' me - we're gettin' old, so we are.
Kinda figure you should be gettin' a woman ter look
after yer - yer can't go on forever mopin' about
Mary." -
,Umg Visease
th Christmas Seals
It's a Matter of Life and Breath.
BY D.A. CAMPBELL
Angus placed his cutting knife on the ground and
wiped his hands on a potatoe sack. There was no
anger on his face, only a look of puzzled thought.
"I never telled yer about Mary. 'cause I don't know
where she is." He shook, his head from side to side in
sorrow, "If 1 knew, I'd go and find 'er, so I would. You
know sornethin' - that baby will be nearly five -years -
old!"
Old James was pleased he had been successful in
getting Angus to talk and he was determined to carry
on the conversation.
"Did yer ever think, even if yer found 'er, she'd be
married? Taint likely she'd still be by 'erself - a
woman needs a man to protect 'er."
• Angus got to his feet and carried a sack of sliced
potatoes to the door. He placed it together with other
sacks which had been filled and ready to go to the
field. This gave him a chance to formulate his reply.
When he came back' he sat on the stool and picked up
the knife. He jerked his head as he always did when
he wanted to emphasize a'point.
"I thought a whole Io' about that," he said and
there was a sob in his throat. ''Seems like I don't think
about much else. I feel real bad, so I do - it were me
who caused all that trouble. Mary 'avin' ter leave her
father an' everybody. Maybe Douglas MacLeod might
never 'ave died if she had stayed with 'im."
Angus looked at his father as if expecting a' reply
but the old man just shook his head and squeezed his
son's arm.
"I gonna wait," Angus said. 'I gotta be sure, an'
ain't lookin' at another woman till I find out what
'appened to Mary.,,
"You might have to wait a long time," old James
told his son. "Maybe you'll never know.",
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Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, December 5, 1979—Page 7
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