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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1939-02-09, Page 6PAGE SIX In the morning Mayor Wood in- troduced me to the Duke ,of New- castle, who in turn presented me to the 'Prince . of Wales—then a slim, blue eyed youngster of nineteen, as gentle mannered as any I have ever met. It was my unpleasant duty to keep as near as possible to :the royal party in all the festivities •of that week. The ball, in the Prince's honor, at the Academy of Music, was one of the great social events of the cent- ury. INo fair of vanity in the western hemisphere ever quite equaled it. The fashions of. the French Court had taken the city, as. had the Prince, by unconditional surrender. Not in the palace of Versailles could one have seen a more generous exposure of the 'charms of fair women, None were admitted without a low-cut bodice, and many came that had not the proper accessories. Bat it was the most brilliant company New York had ever seen. Too many tickets had been distrib- uted and soon "there was an elbow on every rib and heel on every toe," as Mr. Greeley put it. Every miss and her mamma tiptoed for a view of the Prince and his party,who came in at ten, taking their seats .on a dais at one side of the crowded floor. The 'Prince sat with his hands folded be- fore him, like one• in a reverie. Be- side him were the Duke of New- castle, a big, stern •man, `with an ag- gressive read beard; the blithe and sparkling Earl of St: Germans, then Steward of the Royal Household; the curly Major Teasdale the gay Bruce, a ntajoregeneral, who had behaved himself always like a' lady. Suddenly the floor sank 'beneath the .crowd. of people, who r-etired an some disorder. Such a compression of crinoline was never seen es at the moment, when periphery pressed .up'on periphery, and held many a man 'captive in the cold embrace of steel and whalebone. The royal party retired to its rooms again and carpenters came in with saws ,and hammers. The floor repair- ed, an area was roped off for dancing —as much as could be spared. The Prince opened the dance with Mrs, Governor Morgan, after which atter THE SEAFORTH NEWS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1934 ladies were honored with liis gallant- ry. I saw Mrs. Fuller in one of the, 'boxes and made haste to speak with her. She had :just landed, ,having left Hope to study a there in the Conser- vatory ,of Leipsi'c. 'Mss. Livingstone is with her," said she, ',and they will return together in 'April." Mrs.' Fuller, did she send any word to nue?" 'I inquired amelou'siy. "Did she give you Go message?" "None," she said ,coldly, "except: one to her mother and 'fattier, which I have sent in a Setter"to theist." I left her heavy hearted, lent' to. the reporter's table .and 'wrdte iny, story, very badly T must admit, for I' was cut deep' with sadness. Then I came away and walked for 'hours, not caring whither: A great homesickness had come •over. me. I felt as if et talk with Uncle Eb or Elizabeth Brower would have given me the 'com'fort • I needed. I walked rapidly through 'dark, deserted streets. .A. steeple .clock was striking two, when I heard' some 'on,e coming .hurriedly on the walls !behind me. I looked over any shoulder, but .could not make Whim ,out in the darkness, and yet there was something familiar in the step. As he came near I felt this hand (upon any shodder. ' "B'et'ter go home, Brower," he said, as I recognized the voice of Tsaanbull. "You've been out a long time. 'Passed you before tonight" "Why didn't you speak?" "Yoe were preoccupied." 'Not 'keeping good hours yourself," I said, "Rather late," he answered, "hut I love the night. It is so still in this part of town." We were passing the Five Points. 4"When do you 'sleep," I inquired. "Never sleep at night," he said. "Unless •uncommonly tired. Out every night more or less. Sleep two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon -that's all I require. Seen the hands o' that clock yonder on every hour of the night." He pointed to a lighted dial in a near tower. . Stopping presently he looked down at a little waif asleep in a doorway, a Conies& and made no answer. Ibundie of evening, papersun'd'er his arm, He lifted •hini tenderly, 'Here boy," he said, dropping coins in the pocket of the ragged litt'ie coat, "I'11 take those papers—you ‘go home now." We 'walked to the river, ypassing few save members of ""the iorce," who always . gave Trumbull a cheery "helico Capl" We +passed wharves where the 'great sea horses' lay stall- ed, 'MO harnesses hang' high above. them, their noses nodding over our heads; we stood awhile 'le,okingjup at the locating ,masts, the eights of .the fiver :craft: "Guess I've ,done some good," said h'e turning into Peak Slip, 'Saved two young women. Took 'em off the streets. Fne women now both of them — respectable, proeperous, and one is beautiferi. Man 'who's got a mother, or a sister, ,ean''t help feeling sorry for suoh people." We oame sip Frankfort to William street where we shook hands and parted and I tamed •ayp Monkey Hill I 'had made unexpected progress with Trumbull that night. He had never 'talked to me so freely :before and somehow he :had let me come nearer to 'hien than I (had ever hoped to be. His company :had lifted me ou of the slough a little and my mince was on a !better footing' as I neared the chalet. Rigg's shop was lighted,—an un usual 'thin'g at so late alt hour. Peer ing through the •window I saw Riggs sleeping at 'his 'desk. An •old tin Sant ern sat near, its candle (burning law with .a diaring 'flame, that threw a spray, of light upon him as it rose and fell. Far back in the shop 'anothe light was ,burning ,dinky. I lifted the (big iron 'latah ,and (pushed the door open. Riggs did not move. I 'closed the door softly and went back into the gloom. The boy was also sound asleep in his chair. The 'lantern Sigh flared 'and fell again as water leaps in a 'stopping fountain. As it dashed span the face of Riggs I saw his eyes half open. I went .close tohis chair As I ,did so the light went out and smoke rose above the lantern 'with a rank odor. "Riggs!" I called but he sat mo The. moonlight came through the dusty, window fighting his .f'ace 'and beard, I' put my,'hand uponIiis brow acid withdrew it ,quickly. I was in the presen'be' of !death. I opened the door' and cable+d the 'sleeping (boy. Ile rose :Oat of his chair and came toward me rubbing ,his eyes. . ` "Ypur master is dead," I< whisp- ered, "'go and call an officer." Riggs's ,dream was over—he hacl' waked at last. He was in port and I doubt not Annie ,and . this mother were 'hailing him on the shore for 1 knew now they had both died far baok in that long dream of the old sailor. My story of Riggs was now 'cam= plete. It soon found a publisher be- cause it was true. `"ATI good things are 'true in litera- ture," said the editor after he bad read it. "Be a servant of Truth al- ways and you will be sucoessfarl," CHAPTER XXXV1I As soon as Lincoln was elected the attitude of the South showed clearly that "the irrepressible conflict," of Mr. Seward's naming, had only just begun. The Herald .game columns every day to the news' of "the coming Revolution," as it was pleased to call it. There 'was loud talk of tear at and after the great Pipe. Street meeting of December 15'. ISoeth Carolina se- ceded, five days later, and 'then we knew what was coming, albeit, we saw only the dim shadow of that mighty struggle that was to shake the eanth for nearly five years; The' Printer grew highly irritable those days and spoke of Bacbanan and Davis and Toombs in language so violent it could never have been con- fined in type: Bat while a bitter foe none was, more generous ,than he and, when the war was over, his money wen .t to bail the very titan he had most roundly damned. I remember that one day, when he was sunk :deep in .composition, a ne- gro came and 'began with grand' airs to make a request as delegate from his campaign .clulb. The Printer sad still, his eyes close to the paper his pen flying at high speed. The col- ored orator went on lifting his voice in a set petition. ,Mr. Greeley bent to his work as the man waxed eloquent. A nervous movement now and thee betrayed the Printer's irritation. He looked up, shortly, his face kindling with anger. "Help! For God's sa'ke!" he shrill- ed impatiently, his hands flying in the air. The Printer seemed to 'be gasping for breath, "Go and stick your head out of the window and get through, he shout- ed hotly to the man, He turned to 'his writing—a thing dearer to him than a new bone to a hungry dog. "Then you may come and tell me what you want," he added in a milder tone. Those were days when men said what they meant•and their meaning had more fight in it than was really. politeor .necessary. Fight was in the air and 'before I knew it :there was a wild, devastating spirit in my own bosom, insomuch that I made haste to .join a 'local regiment. It grew apace but not until I saw the first troops on their way to war was 1 fully determined to go and give 'battle with my regiment. The town was afire with patriotism. Santer had failen; Lincoln has issued his first call, The sound of the 'fife and drum rang in the streets. Men. gave up work to talk and listen or go into the sterner business of war. Then one night in April, a regiment' came out of New England, on its way to the front. It lodged at the Astor House to leave at nine in the morning. Long before ,that hour the tens of thousands, crowding Broad- way for three 'blocks, stuffing the wide mouth of Park Raw and braced into +Vesey and Barclay streets. My editor assigned me to this interesting event. I stood in the crowd, that morning, and saw what was really the 'beginning of the war in New York, There was no babble of voices, no im- patient call, no sound of idle jeering such as one is apt to (hear in a wait- ing crowd. It stood silent, each man busy with The rising current of his own emotions, solemnified by the. faces all 'around him. The soldiers 'fil ed out upon the pavement, the ,police having kept a way 'clear for them. Still there was silence in the crowd save that,neer me I •could 'hear a stair solb:bing. A trumpeter lifted 'his .bugle and sounded a bar of the reveille. The clear notes clove the silent air, flooding every street about us with their silver sound. (Suddenly the band began ,playing.. The tune was,yanikee Doodle. A wild, d'i'smal, tremulous -Cry came out of a throat near ,tire. It gtew and spread eo a mighty 'roar 'and then such a shout went up to Heaven, as I bad never 'heard, and as I .know full well I shall never hear again. at was: like the riving of 'thunderbolts above the roar of (floods -elemental, proph- etic, threatening, ungovernable. It did seem to me that (the holy 'wrath of. God Almighty was in that cry of the PD that He's YOUR BOY! AND, while we're still in a fanciful mood, let's suppose he has suddenly become seriously ill— Then, imagine yourself to be in financial difficulties your income, never more than $900.00 a year, has teased' altogether because the factory has shut down temporarily. You think your little boy may be dying—the doctor orders you to rush with him to the Hospital for Sick Children -- you learn it's Pneumonia of the most serious type — that serums alone will cost over $400.00, to say nothing of the special graduate nursing and expert medical attention required, nor of the cost of hospitalization itself. Could you be turned away because of this? There is only one answer to this question. It has been the answer of the Hospital for Sick Children for 63 years— a youngster's real need for hospital care and medical attention is the only ticket of admission required. Race, creed or financial circumstances are not consid- ered. We know the people of Ontario want it that way. This Hospitaal has met every emergency which has developed during the 63 years of its existence. It is famous throughout the civilized world for the success and efficiency of its medical and nursing staffs and for the Iow cost at which it is operated. And who pays for this humanitarian work? The doctors give their time absolutely free. The Ontario Government pays 60c per patient per day and the patient or the patient's municipality pays $1,75 onthe same basis. That leaves over $1.00 per patient per day of bare cost for which we must appeal •annually to humane and generous citizens. This Hospital does NOT share in the funds collected by the Federation for Community Service because patients are admitted from all over Ontario. This year, over $83,000.00 is needed. That reacts over ten thousand dottationS` if they were to average $8.00 each -or over twenty thousand averaging $4.00. Certainly, a staggering total! So, please make your gift as large as you possibly can. If you cannot afford snore—remember that even a dollar bill helps pay for the care of somebody's baby. Kindly mail your donation to the Appeal Secretary, 67 College Street, Toronto. We cannot afford to use any of our much-needed revenue for canvassers` or other organized effort to collect money. �� HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN 67 COLLEGE STREET, TORONTO PROFESSIONAL CARDS Medical SEAFORTH CLINIC Dr. E. A. Mc•Master,MB., Gradu- ate of University of Toronto. J. D. C'olquhoun, M.D., C.M., 'Grad- uate of 'Dalhousie University, :Halifax.• The Clinic, is fully equipped with complete and modern x-ray and other up-to-date diagnostic and thereuptic equiprnent. Dr. Margaret K. Camipibell, M.D., L.A.B.P., Specialist in Diseases in Infants and Children, will be at the Clinic last Thursday in every month from 3 to 'fi p.m. Dr. F. J. R. Forster, Specialist in Diseases of the Bae, Eye, Nose and Throat, will be at the Clinic the first Tuesday in every month from 4 to 6 p.m. Free well -baby clinic will be held on the second and last Thursday is every month from 1 to 2. p.m. W. C. SPROAT, IVS.D.; F.A.C.S. Surgery Phone 90-W. Offioe John St., Seaforth DR., H. HUGH ROSS, Physician and Surgeon Late of London Hos- pital, Landon, England. Special at- tention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Office and eesidence behind Dominion Bank. Office Phone No.' 5; Residence Phone 104. DR. F. J. BURROWS, Office Main St,, Seaforth, over Dominion Bank. Hours 2-5 and 7 to 8 p.m. and by ap- pointment. Residence, Goderich St, two doors west of United Church. Phone 46. DR. F. J. R. FO'STE'R— Eye Ear, Nose and Throat. Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto 189?. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and 'Golden Square throat hospi- tals, London. At Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third Wednesday in east month from 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Auctioneer. GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron. Arrangements can be made for Sate Date at The Seaforth News, Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Auctir eer for Perth and Huron Counties. Sales Solicited, Terms on Application. Farm Stock, chattels and real estate property. R. R. No. 4, Mitchell. Phone 634 r 6. Apply at this office. WATSON & REID REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to James Watson) MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies. THE McKII.LOP Mutual Fire insurance Co HEAD OFFICE--SEAFORTH, Ont OFFICERS President, Thomas .Boylan, Sea - forth; Vice President, William Knox, Londesboro Secretary Treasurer, M A. Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS F. McKercher, R.R.1, Dublin; John E. Pepper, R.R.1, Brucefield; E. R. G. Jarmouth,, Brodhagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine, Wan. Yeo, Holmesville. DIRECTORS Alex, Broadfoot, Seaforth No. 3; James Sholdice, Walton; Wm. Knox, Leindesboro; George Leonhardt, Bornholm No, 1; Frank McGregor, •C'linten No. 5; James Connolly, God- erich; Alex MCEwing•, Blyth No. 1; Thomas Moylan, Seaforth No. 5; Wm. R. Archibald, Sealforth No. 4. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business, will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers addressed to their respective post - offices. people, It was a signal, It declared that they were ready ho .give all that a man may give for that he loves— h,ie life and things far dearer 15 (him than his life, Atter .that, they and their sons begged dor a chance to throw:' themselves into the (hideous ruin of war. I walked slowly back to the office and vehote 'try article. When the Prin- ter came in at twelve I went to 'his choir before lie had had time to begin work. "ifr. Greeley," 1 said, "here 'is my resignation. I am going to the war,"