The Lucknow Sentinel, 1985-10-09, Page 6Page 6--Uid wow Sentinel, Wednesday, October 9, 1985
l
"The Sepoy Town"
BLUE
RIBBON
AWARD
1985
'Thomas Thompson ' -Advertising Manager
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Gorbachev 1,
Reagan 0
- The manner in which Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev
has so adroitly handled himself had the Soviet bloc's
interests on his recent jaunt to Fiance throws a brighter
spotlight on US President Ronald Reagan's mishandling of
the preliminaries to the Geneva summit talks..
Gorbachev's conduct may lead to a renewal of the"
French -Soviet summits that took place for years. His offer
-to discuss nuclear arms reduction with France and Britain
apart from the bargaining table discussions with the US
shows he takes thenuclear capabilities .of the two
European countries seriously. It legitimizes their arsenals
and recognizes the two' nations as major' players rather'
11, than pawns in US strategy.
And Gorbachev topped that off with an offer that
knocked many of the powers that: be in the W estern world
on their collective backside. .
He suggested nothing lessthan a 50 per cent reduction .
in nuclear arms capable of reaching each superpower's
territory. Even if'the mechanics of the suggestion prove to
be too much to work out, the offer alonemakes. the Soviet
leader look very good to the millions demanding a nuclear'
arsenal reduction. It's also an offer that puts the Reagan
administration in a difficult position: it's very°difficult to
refuse outright.
On the other hand, Ronald Reagan's autocratic message.
• has put the ' backs up of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) allies. ' •
He called a 'meeting of the Big Seven, Italy, Japan,
France, West Germany, United Kingdom, Canada and the
US and will brief the allies .on the US position and solicit
support rather than consult with them. NAT& allies
Holland and Belgium weren't invited and they're angry,
France won't even show up. "
Reagan's approach to his friends certainly hasn't ;made
them enemies but has made some ' a - little leery . of
participating in some of the president's pet projects and by
inference withholding their approval of his schemes.
Reagan style has helped restore US confidence but
standing firm for US interests doesn't mean stamping on
allies. The arrogance has alienated one ally into refusing to
accept the summit invitation and has caused a rift in NATO
requiring a little more than sweet talk to repair:
Gorbachev displayed an • intimate knowledge of ,the
USSR's policies and a natural command of Western media.
that Reagan can only hope to emulate.
In the playoffs leading to the US -USSR summit meeting,
it's Gorbachev 1, Reagan 0.. JF
During the Jong ,winter, the Redtrees
Council had , ample time to plan /the
construction of the newstone church.
Although he Could add little to the architec-
tural specifications, the Reverend Duncan
MacLeod was an enthusiastic member of
the building committee. In his mind's eye,
he saw a magnificent House of God
towering above even the tallest trees -. the
finest structure in the Caledon Hills. When
the frost was finally out of the ground and
the excavations had begun, he tried to
participate in any way he could but 'he was
more of a hindrance than a help; As one of
the stonemasons remarked: "if yon
preacher would stop gettin' under mi feet,.
I'd get a lot mare work done in a day." But
nothing could dissuade MacLeod from
spending as much time as possible at the
site, gaze.; with rapture as the' kirk began
to rise above the sandysoil. Amongst those
engaged. in the work •were Chippy
Chisholm Lind his young stonemason friend
Allan lJvingstone,
When spring finally came, much of the
volunteer Work was curtailed until the land
was worked up and the seed planted. As
Hamish Murdech'was harrowing his fields
one evening, he saw. a very: familiar'figure
The Huron -Bruce' Swingers started their season with, a dance at
Brookside Public School on Oct: 3. The groups invited Port Elgin caller
Lorne Lockrey, bottom.riight, and his wife Cecille, dancing topleft with
' Deb°Wilson, Point Clark. The group welcomed their new members and
for those interested, the Huron -Bruce. Swingers are looking for. more.
corning down, the lane. It was his step-
daughter Annie.
She crossed the field where Hamish was
working and greeted, him as if she had
never been away.
" `Twould seem it is time tae plant again,
father - the land looks good an' dry. I hope'
ye are no puttin' the seed in too soon -
there's still a chance frae a heavy rain tae
wash awa the seed:"
Hamish ignored her talk. He looked at
her straight in the eyes;
"`Hae ye finishedye rovin'? Hae ye
decided tae bide at home free a wee
while?'' .
"Aye, • free ,a wee while," she said
cheekily, "I expect ye;ll be glad tae see me
back/ tae milk the ebWs!''
Hamish did not reply iminediately. • He
was thinking about what his wife would say
now that Annie had returned.
"I heard tell that ye were engaged tae
Colonel MacDougal's Son. Is that true or
no?" he said bluntly.
Annie was flabbergasted and her cheeks
flushed crimson with entbarassnment.
"What ye heard. was ' lie," she said
angrily. "There is nought betwix me 11 an'.
the MacDougal lad - that's all ,done wis,
'./
an' I dinna want tae hear another word
about it!"
She stamped her foot to. emphasize her
statement, turned around and walked
away. • Hanish shook his head as he
watched her Striding across the field. She
was a headstrong lass who should have
been guided by a strong hand whilst still a
child. As a. stepfather, he had tried notto
interfere with the way his wife Katie had
raised her. Had she been his own flesh and
blood he would certainly have treated her
differently - a good slap or two caller bare
buttocks would have done her a world of
good!
Annie went directly to the new Murdoch
stone house, unceremoniously flung open
the door and went inside as if she had lived
there all her life. Her mother heard the,
door open and came from the back kitchen;
wiping her hands on her apron. When she
saw her daughter she was delighted but
suddenly the expression .on her face
changed from one of pleasure to suspicion.
"Och, Annie, I never expected tae see ye
'sae sudden like. Ye might hae sent word ye
were oomin'. Did ye bring ye young
gentleman wi' ye? Everybody at Redtrees
is sae pleased ye are betrothed to the son p'
Colonel. MacDougal." • ' • ,
Annie dropped her bundle of belongings
on the floor and placing her hands, on her
hips, confronted her mother with impudent
defiance.
%' There is no man hangin' on tae mi
skirts - if; that's what ye're thvnkin'. As frae
young MacDougal - whoever told ye we
were betrothed is as daft as ye are. I was
just a servant in the house - nothin' mare
an' nothin' less!"
Katie/ Murdoch'sdreams of a fine
wedding were suddenly devastated. Her
mouth opened wide with shock and for a
few moments she was absolutely speech-
less,
•"But, I told everybody in Redtrees that,
ye were gain' tae wed Sir Alexander
MacDougal's son, " she stammered,
wringing her hands intotal despair.
"Whatever am 1 gain' tae do.. now`?"
"*te'd best gae' an'. tell 'em ye made a
big mistake," Annie said in derision. "Tell
' emye dajughter has changed her mind and
is gain' tae marry the Prince of W ales!"