Village Squire, 1976-08, Page 15supper table. Higher ups engrossed in great affairs often forgot
who had been working and who hadn't. It was always worth a try.
When Jimmy disappeared too often he got what he called "The
Black Snake:"
The black snake was a drover's whip with a short thick stock
and long lash. It was a savage instrument and very little used. It
served mostly as a threat and' Jimmy's whackings were mostly
imaginary, but he delighted in describing these encounters, "Pa
whomped me right on the arse he did." The part in question
showed no ill effects when bared for swimming but the story
brought prestige to Jimmy.
Angus•had a different problem. His family were Presbyterian
which. really meant something. It meant for instance a strict
Sabbath observance. Angus had to go to church morning and
evening on Sunday and worse still to Sunday School in the
afternoon. He had to study the Shorter Catechism. He showed
this to Charlie and Jimmy. •"If that's the Shorter Catechism,"
they said, "what will you do when you have to learn a longer
one".
"1 canna thole the thought," said Angus breaking into dialect.
as he sometimes did, "I hae the Catechism noo richt up to here"
and he showed them where. "Thon auld doddy of a meenister of
our'n he's fair daft on Catechism he is, Paw says we maun get a
new yin."
So Angus was counted out for Sundays which were much the
•
best days for working.
Eventually the dam was completed. The resulting swimming
pool was perhaps fifty yards long and never more than three feet
deep.
There was no swimming coach to teach the proper technique so
all learned to swim by keeping one toe on the bottom. This was
the accepted method until confidence had been gained. Then
they learned to swim under water which was tricky because there
didn't seem to be any "in between". One Is either crawling on
•
the bottom or breaking out on top.
The pool was now an established success and came to be
patronized by most of the boy population of the neighborhood.
This meant about a dozen altogether of assorted ages and sizes.
The water under the added disturbance acquired a nice muddy
soupy texture in which like in the Dead Sea it was almost
impossible to sink.
All this took place in a secluded area with woods on three sides.
There was one open'space but only a few houses were in view and
they were half a mile away. There was no need for bathing suits,
nor even thought of any.
Swimming at last lost its attraction. It gradually became the
thing to gather on Sunday afternoon because that was the day
when most could come, except of course Angus and a few others.
They had a swim to "Freshen up" then lay around smoking or
chewing tobacco which was popular at the time, tobacco was used
for prestige rather than enjoyment. '
Some talked "horse" as today's youth talk cars. Every driving
horse in the neighbourhood, its past history and future
possibilities were known to some boys. They even kiiew what
mares were due to have colts and what stallions they were bred
to. They had heard the names William Pitt or Shakespeare or
John A. MacDonald at school but these did not linger because
they were not important. Horses, partieularly drivers were the
facts of life, the things to take hold of.
Charlie and some others were not as familiar with horses but
they knew baseball. Names like Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Walter
Johnson or Muggsy McGraw were well j now then. Now they live
only in the'reto'ru books. No one was'veryexpert but to pass the
time they began playing ball. The entire equipment consisted of
one old baseball now very dead from repeated dunkings' in the
creek.
At school the boys' had pooled their resources and raised the
sum of $1.50. Joe Pratt who lived nearby achieved fame as a
philanthrophist by donating a dollar. This made enough to buy a
soccer ball. Joe was allowed the opening -kick Off as a special
honour. He was also called in as referee and had the priviledge of
blowing up the ball when it got soft. They had no pump. Ir fact
there was little they did have except enthusiasm.
It was the same with baseball, one old ball was not enough but
they could build on it. They would have to make what equipment
they could. There was never a thought given to asking parental
•
ainfon
ORIGINAL
OLD MILL IN BLYTH
Since 1894
011d
WOOL
111110111KLI nU
Telephone 523.9666
at the Railway Tracks
"air conditioned for your comfort"
SUMMER HOURS: commencing July 1 to
Sept. 6 Monday to Saturday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. •
Come to our
TOURIST' S
SPECIAL
SUMMER
Top quality 100%
PURE VIRGIN WOOL
BLANKETS
made from our own specially selected super wools
Regular Double -Bed Size
Queen Size
King Size
only $16.95
20.95
24.95
other blankets from $9.95
SHEEPSKIN RUGS
- top quality, natural colours only
$12.00 and $14.95
- according to size
others from $4.75
All -Season
LEATHER COATS for men and women
"3/4 Length" - with zip -in lining
Several Styles and Colours from which to choose
Value $150.00
Special Sale Price: only $89.95
We have an inventory of over 12,OQ0 garments fort' our
inspection.
VILLAGE SQUIRE/AUGUST 1976, 13