Cain Genealogy Plus | Connecting Our Family One Member at a Time

On the back of Edith's Picture it Reads: "The title of this picture is 'A letter from Gordon'. I am holding one of the letters up in my hand to show the others that I have received a letter from Gordon, while the rest of mail is in my other

Photo Submitted By: Margery Callen

My Grandmother, Edith Tennant was born on 16 March 1872 in Caintown, Ont. Her parents were John W. Tennant & Isabella Kincaid. There were four others in the family – Bertha, Arletta, Willis (d. 4 yrs.) and Viola. Their residence was on part of the original 200 acre property of U.E. Loyalist Isaiah Cain (Lot 15, Conc. III) in Yonge Twp., Leeds Co.

While attending Ottawa Normal School in 1891, Edith met Robert James Brown from Markdale, Ont., who too desired to be a teacher. They married in the St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Caintown on 16 July 1895. There was much travelling in their first years of married life with Robert teaching in the Beamsville Model School then Tara, Richmond and Hintonburg, a suburb of Ottawa, resulting with their first two children, Gordon and Gladys born in Beamsville and Harold and Cecil in Hintonburg (suburb of Ottawa). Eventually they moved to a new brick home in Ottawa (45 Fourth Avenue) where son Arthur was born in 1907 and where Robert taught at Percy Street Public School. It was a beautiful large home for their family. I have been told that Robert actually built a boat in the upper level and I suppose this was the boat that in August of 1908 he and son Gordon (age 12) took a 20 day trip up the Rideau River where they tented, fished, visiting different spots along the way and in which during intervals, "Papa recited a canto of ‘The Lady of the Lake’ before we went to bed." (note from Gordon’s diary)

I do not know what was ailing Robert but it was suggested by a doctor that he needed an outdoor life and so it was decided that the family uproot themselves and there choice of residence was Okanagan Valley, B.C. They resided there for only two months in 1909 when Robert suddenly died on the shore of Okanagan Lake.

Edith had no choice but to move her family back to her father’s home in Caintown where she had been born and later, she moved to her Uncle Jim’s (James W. Tennant) when his wife (Eliza Ann Kincaid) died in 1911. James Tennant had no children and so Edith looked after him for about 12 years until his death in 1925. He had been the local blacksmith at Hogaboom’s Corners. James and his wife are both buried in the Yonge Mills Cemetery.

Photo Submitted By: Margery Callen

To earn money to further her children’s education, Edith taught at the Caintown Public School which had been built in 1898 enabling all of her children to continue on with their education by boarding in various locations.

Photo Submitted By: Margery Callen

Athens High School

Athens High School (with Sketch)

Built in 1878 and burned down 27 October 1921. It is on Athens High School Alumni Directory 1860 - 1921

Photos Submitted By: Margery Callen

The first place for the children to leave home to board out was Athens, where they attended the Athens High School which was built in 1878. Gordon attended the school from 1910 and graduated in 1913. It was rather difficult for him to adjust, at first, as at times his mother taught some of the subjects at home. But, he did exceptionally well with his grades. It looks like his mother did a good job! The school system consisted of Forms I, II, III Jr. and Form III. In September of 1914 it was time for Harold to attend the Athens High School (Gladys had started earlier) – he and Gladys had rooms together in Athens, preparing the meals themselves then Cecil joined the two for a short period, entering Form I. Gordon was now home in Caintown "keeping house" for Uncle Jim.

Harold too took a while to adjust – he reported "Whenever I go to school or to any place where the big boys are, they say "Hello Brown" or "Are you Gordon’s brother? You see, nearly every one knows Gordon or Gladys….I was initiated last night as I expected along with fifteen others. The freshmen lined up in front of the school house and then the big boys took us away out on the road to Brockville and into a field. First they had us sing altogether, then each one separately, then they tossed us up three times in a horse blanket. I went up so high that when I looked down, the blanket looked like a piece of cloth one foot square. Then they painted parts of our faces with stove varnish and held four or five wax candles, lighted, over our heads and the wax dropped on our hair and hardened there. Next they took us back into Athens and to the ice-cream parlor on Main Street and treated us to a dish of ice-cream. Then they told us we could go home, and to get the varnish off they said to use coal oil, and to get the wax off, just comb it out. I got the things off easily with the help of Gladys."

In October of that same year, Harold had a taste of how Halloween is celebrated in Athens. He wrote, "I was out till ten o’clock but we did not do much. We put a couple of buggies on the Public School steps, tore up quite a few walks, shot off those paper caps near people’s heads, and rattled spools with notches in against peoples windows. Around here they call those spools tick-tacks. Around in another end of the town they, the big boys, tipped over a few hen-houses and drove the hens away. I’m sure that wasn’t a very nice thing to do."

Referring to his mother, Harold later wrote, "I often think of you going back and forth to school every day, and am getting so I just hate the idea of you earning money to put me through school while I am not doing a thing for myself...Cecil seems to like High School very well and does not seem to be any homesick yet…. How is Gordon getting along keeping house for Uncle Jim?...Say, mother, I am afraid it would cost too much to write every week, so how would every two weeks do? Give my love to the rest but keep some for yourself….Your loving son, Harold"

When Gordon was attending Athens High School, the Knowltons in Athens were kind enough to have Gordon board with them – Grace Knowlton nee Tennant (Cousin Grace) and Herman Knowlton. Then later, they accepted Harold as a boarder. Cecil continued on with his high school education at the Galt Collegiate where Aunt Letty (Arletta Tennant Bryden) looked after him for a short duration. Home, in Caintown, was 8 miles distance from Athens.

Travel & Expenses Away From Home

In order for the Brown Family to visit their mother in Caintown they had to rely on buggies and cutters; there were few cars. Rather crowded quarters when ’valises’ are involved. But, many friends when going in the same direction offered to take them home for week-ends and holidays. In January of 1915 Harold writes from Athens: "When we got here we were pretty well buried in snow which began to freeze. But I was not a bit cold, for the snow helped to keep me warm. It was pretty close quarters in the cutter and we were not very comfortable as our legs were cramped up in a pretty small space."

Shortage of money was very evident when Harold writes home as shown in these excerpts – "This morning I bought a bushel of potatoes which was eighty cents. It seems to be an awful price doesn’t it?" and "The real reason why I am writing this letter is to tell you about my eyes. That short-sightedness which I have often told you about, seems to be getting slightly worse and the day before yesterday Cousin Herman tested my eyes. He tried several kinds of glasses on me, and at last two, one for each eye, which I could see perfectly, were found. He hasn’t given the glasses to me yet, so I thought I had better write to you and see if you will let me get them. They will cost between $2 and $3, I think, but they certainly help me an awful lot. I didn’t think anybody could see as well as I can with those glasses. Won’t you let me get them mother? I will pay you for them in the summer holidays." ...(Herman Knowlton was a Jeweller & Optician)

Another time Harold writes: "I guess I will need some more money soon. I have $2.10 left. I am afraid I will need a new suit right away. The one I am wearing to school now is pretty small and the pants have been mended two or three times. My Sunday suit is size 34, and is about right. I would like some shade of black best, I think….I want to pay for it myself, as I did for the tennis set, if you could only send me out enough money to pay for it. $40 would be lots, I think, till I get home in June. That includes the uniform, which is either $4.35 or $4.85. I am not sure which. The board till June 22, I think that is the day the exams are over, will be $31.50. I will pay back the price of the uniform."

Religious Life

The Brown Family were Presbyterians with Edith attending the St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church (built in 1876) in Caintown resulting in their children in Athens attending the Presbyterian Church there and even, sometimes the Methodist Church. Sunday School was also attended. One day, off school, Harold writes: "Wednesday was a holiday and I went to Lake Eloida with John. I didn’t want to go very bad but he wanted me to. The Hornerite Camp grounds are at Lake Eloida and they were having meetings when I was there. I didn’t go to any of the meetings, but went down to the shore and tried to study History….The Hornerite preachers went among the crowd with sticks making them pray. If a person didn’t pray hard enough to suit them, they would beat him well. One man, while being beaten went, "Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! Glory, Glory! Amen! Amen!" etc. Even down by the water I could hear the crack of the sticks, and the voices of the ministers shouting at the people "Keep it up! Keep it up! More! More! Pray harder!" and so on, and also the shouts, wailings and moanings of the congregation. I’m glad I’m not a Hornerite, and I never want to go to a Hornerite Camp-meeting again."

Family Employment

After graduating from Athens High School, my father Gordon entered Queen’s University, Kingston in October 1913; Gladys, after graduating attended the Ottawa Normal School. (Both she and my mother, Ina Bigford were there the same time, 1916-1917). Later for a short duration, Gladys taught school in Mallorytown and later in Gananoque. It was in 1916 when Gordon enlisted in a Queen’s Battery of Field Artillery – many adventures were to follow. He mailed many letters to his mother, as Harold did, all of which were saved by her and then by my father – a total of 76 years. The youngest in the Brown Family, Arthur, was being taught by his mother at the Caintown Public School.

After Harold’s schooling he was employed in various jobs, one working on a farm. (Many of the student’s during summer holidays earned money in this way.) Here is Harold’s experience in farm labour:

"I have a nice big room to sleep in and feel quite at home, so don’t worry about me….I can’t remember all the things I have done today. I cleaned out three stables, piled over four cords of wood, small limbs mostly, watered cows and horses, got down hay and fed the cows three times, milked two cows this morning and two to-night, and many other things, and now I am pretty tired. If I keep on like this I will certainly earn twenty-five dollars a month.

I haven’t cleaned the pig pen yet, it’s likely I will have to do it tomorrow though. I suppose I won’t mind the work so much later but I am pretty sore now. Remember I am not complaining, I am going to stay here if I possibly can, and will do my best. It has been very muddy and pretty cold out today, but I have been out doors all the time except when engaged in the stables. He has four horses, and will probably have a team to work with this spring & summer. I don’t mind following a team all day, but I can’t say as much for hoeing. I saw five hoes hanging up in the drive-shed! The sight nearly made me weak."

His next job was working in a cheese factory for three months while his sister Gladys was teaching in Gananoque. In a letter to her from Mallorytown:

"My, I will be glad when I can leave this factory. I told mamma it was easier than farming, and I think probably it is, but the smell of curd now nearly turns me sick. No one knows what I suffered that second week. It was enough to make me not want to see curd or cheese again. We make about ten tons of milk a day into cheese, more of course on Saturday and Mondays. We make butter here too, 244 lbs. of it the second week I was here."

Another Job at Mallorytown – at The Royal Bank of Canada in 1918: Harold wrote: "I have been three months in this bank and do not mind the work nearly as much as at first. I am ledger keeper here, and yesterday balanced the current ledger first shot." Later, he wrote: "I won’t be able to go home next Saturday, but if Sunday is fine I might walk out. We are awfully busy here now, making up interest in all the accounts. The end of November and end of May are the busiest time of the year. I got my money from Brockville all right, $52.56, and will bring you home fifteen when I come."

Eventful Year of 1919 - Home to Caintown

The war now being over, Gordon sailed back to Canada arriving at Halifax on the 17th of January 1919. He took time straightening up affairs at the Queen's University in Kingston and then travelled by train to Mallorytown where Harold finally brought him back home to Caintown where his mother was waiting for his arrival.

He spent time visiting Harold in Mallorytown and his sister Gladys in Gananoque, also the 'folks' at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. To help out with finances he started teaching school down by the river at Mallorytown Landing starting off with 6 pupils. (He was the temporary public school teacher, February to June, 1919 ending up with 15 pupils.)

Harold later writes to Gladys: "I am home here with Uncle Jim. Gordon has gone to church with mamma and Arthur. He dressed up in his old civilian clothes today for the first time. Mind you he had to have both pairs of trousers shortened an inch and a half and it would have been better if he had had two and a half taken off. He wore his uniform last week at school and the kids were too scared to cut up much.

I am gradually getting over that awkward shyness which so completely held me tongue tied when in the presence of a crowd, especially girls, and am learning how to hold up my head in the world, and make myself be somebody. Hitherto I have been gliding along on the reputation built up by mamma, Gordon and yourself, but now I am beginning to have a little reputation of my own.

On the other hand, here are some of the things I have to be continually fighting against: smoking; swearing; drinking (not so much now); dancing; playing cards; a certain temptation to take little things that don't belong to me; getting conceited and getting lazy. That last is an actual fact. That is why I am studying Spanish, and why I have already learned a system of shorthand. Anything to keep busy when the rest are out playing cards, attending dances etc."

On May 9th 1919 -- Harold writes to Gladys: "I wish we could get mamma away somewhere for a couple of weeks. Uncle Jim has been kicking up another fuss, – pretty serious this time, – and I sometimes think that she will lose control of herself even yet. It would be lovely for her at Echo Lodge....Mamma said she would love to go too, and we could take turns staying with Uncle Jim. Gordon and Cecil will both be working on farms if possible, and I will have two weeks holidays in August I hope. I could stay at home then and between us we could perhaps keep her away for a week, I mean a month....Echo Lodge is certainly a very pretty place. I have been there a couple of times already. I was wanting to spend one week at Charleston Lake this summer, but Mother comes first if you think we can manage it."

Simple little notations in my father's 1919 diary:

Sat. Aug. 23 – Harold home.

Sun. Aug. 24 – All at church. Harold to Mallorytown Sunday eve.

Mon. Aug. 25 – Harold at Athens and Charleston

Tues. Aug. 26 – 11 a.m. Harold drowned at Charleston Lake

Wed. Aug. 27 – Body brought home 3 p.m. Funeral 11:45 p.m.I leave for Toronto

Thurs. Aug. 28 – Arrive Markdale 12:45 p.m. At Cemetery. At Jas. Brown's for night.

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It is very interesting, while searching out one's family history, what one can actually find in various records. The above write-up is a short outline of the life of Harold Brown who once lived in Caintown, Ontario between 1909 and 1919 -- the son of Robert James Brown & Edith Tennant.

Margery Brown Callen

Gt-Gt-Gt-Gt-Granddaughter

of Isaiah Cain UE

Introduction to Poems

My Grandfather (Robert J. Brown, born in Markdale, Ont.) wrote a bit of
poetry and was known for the great feat of having memorized the long poem
containing six cantos -- 'The Lady of the Lake' by Sir Walter Scott. My
father Gordon Brown was able to recite many poems as well but to my
knowledge never composed any. But, his brother Harold did while attending
Athens High School and received some rather high marks for his efforts.

While assembling the material for recording the history of my family
ancestors and upon reading all of the letters which were kept by my father,
I thought I would record two events in poetry form. I felt it was a simple,
acceptable way of describing these events which happened to my grandparents
as well as my father -- even though it is a rather amateurish attempt on my
part!

So, between the times of the death of my Aunt Gladys in 1988 and my father
in 1992, I wrote 'Edith's Lament' and 'Twist of Fate' to describe the very
sad events which occurred those many years ago.

Margery

POEM - Edith's Lament

It was while she was in training
for a teacher to become,
That young Edith met her first truelove—
from Markdale he was from.
They had the same ambition—
to pass on to Ontario youth
The latest methods of teaching.
To produce citizens of worth.

In her Caintown church they married.
Robert’s career soon took firm hold,
But Edith postponed her teaching
for child rearing to enfold.
After fourteen years, we find them
settled in a house, brand new
With five children—Gordon, Gladys,
Harold, Cecil, Arthur, age two.

The Ottawa home, they loved dearly,
large enough for the upcoming years.
But Robert’s health was now failing.
Outdoor life would subdue their fears.
August of 1909, the family departed
to Oyama in Okanagan Valley, B.C.
And their new life as fruit farmers.
So far away—did it have to be?

For two months, they worked together.
The land for an orchard was tilled.
But their living quarters weren’t ample,
so men were hired, a new house to build.
It was noon on the 29th of October
to the village, Robert walked one day.
After his usual chores were completed
he returned back on his way.

The five mile distance was tiring.
He was seen at 5:30 p.m.
But Robert did not come home that night
What could have happened to him?
Did he shortcut—get lost in the woods?
Did he drown in the lake nearby?
Edith and family anxiously waited.
Search parties couldn’t find why!

The grief-stricken family kept waiting.
The weeks went by, but no word.
But Edith in her sorrow persisted,
she must wait—for someone has heard!
Winter though was fast now approaching.
No good news had left her bereft.
At Christmas time, she returned back east
To her Caintown home she first left.

In February, of the following year,
the answer came of Robert’s fate.
Ice-harvesters discovered his body
on the shore of Okanagan Lake.
A message was wired to poor Edith
who again was distracted with grief.
A loving husband and father now gone.
Was she to receive no relief?

Robert’s body was sent to Markdale
to be laid in the family plot.
Now widow Edith and five children—
what’s to become of their lot?
It came to pass that later, she moved
to the home of her Uncle Jim.
Where he, in Caintown needed
someone to take care of him.

And what of Edith’s future!
Her youthful dream, did she reach?
Yes, while caring for her family
in Caintown she 'did' teach.
She kept her worthwhile ambition—
her family was first in thought.
She made every endeavour
for them to be well-taught.

©Margery Callen

POEM - Twist of Fate

The War had been raging over a year

When Gordon, on a whim

While attending Queen's University

Joined the Battery with other men.

His mother felt so very proud

And prayed God would look after him.

From one camp in Ontario,

He sailed to England's shore

On the H.M.S. 'Olympic,'

For training, even more.

With many colds from wet feet

(There was rain and little sun),

He learned to drill; lay, load

And fire the 'eighteen pounder' gun.

Another year of training

Then, proceeded he to France

To fight the Huns with all his might;

To lose?--there was no chance.

From dugouts, pits and trenches

He managed to escape

The flying shells and shrapnel;

He survived without a scrape.

November 1918--the War ended.

Gordon, a soldier of three years,

Now could cease his weekly letters--

His dear mother had no fears.

January 1919--from England

He sailed to the Canadian shore

Again on the H.M.S. 'Olympic,'

Returning home once more.

Then ---

One summer day of that same year,

Brother Harold, on a whim,

While holidaying at Charleston Lake

Entered the water for a swim.

To the horror of his waiting friends

He sank, never to come up again.

Next day, the body was brought home

To Caintown and dear mother,

Where Gordon, after funeral, alone,

By train, accompanied his brother

West, to the Markdale family plot

Where there is buried one other,

In B.C. was drowned ten years before

At Okanagan Lake--his father.

Introduction to Compositions

The following are two compositions written by Harold Brown while attending Athens High School in 1916. They appear to be actual events which happened to Harold -- or are they 'moral' stories he thought up for his class assignment??? We are rather left wondering, I think!! The teacher marked A+ for the first one and 76 for the second one which is the very last entry in his composition book for that year.

(The first composition mentions Harold's residence in Oyama, B.C. in the year 1909 and the second composition mentions the St. Lawrence River four miles from Caintown.)

Margery

Composition #1:

How I Earned and Spent my First Dollar

by Harold Brown

Seven years ago we moved from Ottawa, Ontario, to Oyama, British Columbia. Oyama is a beautiful little village, situated in a very fertile valley, between two lofty mountains. About thirty yards from our house is a pure, fresh water lake, not very wide but quite long. Many fish, chiefly kickininees, fishes which taste almost like salmon, abound in this lake, and we used often to go fishing and swimming in its clear water.

Our house was the farthest one down the road. We were the latest comers, and so had to move on past all the other settlers. On the left hand side of our farm was the farm of Mr. Newton. He kept an extra fine team of black cayuses, behind which I loved to ride. The two houses were about a mile apart. Beyond Mr. Newton lived Mr. Toegood, (pronounced Toogood). He was very kind to us and often told us boys about many things on his farm.

One morning, when going to our little shack of a schoolhouse, which was two and a half miles from our place, I was very suddenly stopped by the shout, –

"Hello there Bill, come in here a minute, will you?"

When I had reached the place where I thought the voice came from, I found one of our neighbours, Mr. Howard, standing in the doorway of his stable, wiping the sweat off his brow.

"See here, Bill," he continued when I got near him, "I am very much troubled about those tomatoes down there over the hill, --"

"Are you?" I interrupted.

"Yes sir," continued the old farmer, who did not seem to notice my interruption, "and I will give you ten cents for every bushel you pick."

Now you must know that tomatoes were grown extensively around there, and many farmers grew acres of them. There was a cannery about a quarter of a mile from the schoolhouse, to which the ripe fruit was taken. I had often helped to pick tomatoes, and, as they were large, it did not take a great many to fill a bushel measure.

"I would be glad to help you, Mr. Howard," I said, "when shall I start? Would Saturday do?"

"Saturday," he groaned, "why they would spoil before Saturday. I meant for you to start this morning."

"Why I have to go to school today," I said.

"Oh, it won't hurt you any to miss it for once. You can eat your lunch here, and they will never know it at home.

I, myself, did no think it would do me any harm if I missed one day of school, so I agreed.

About noon Mr. Howard came down to the field in great haste.

"Say there," he shouted when he thought I could hear him, "can you pack tomatoes?"

"I should say I could." I replied, anxious to relieve the strain of stooping over picking them.

"Well," he said, when he came up to me. "You get right at it then for I have to have them at the cannery by four o'clock."

There were several half-bushel tomato crates in one corner of the field, and I lost no time in getting to work. When I had finished, he came down to the field with the team and wagon, and we soon had the tomatoes at the cannery.

On our way home he said, with a smile, –

"The pleasantest part of our transaction is yet to be, how much do I owe you?"

"Let;s see," said I trying hard to appear indifferent, "five bushels at ten cents each makes fifty cents --."

"And five bushels, packed at the rate of five cents for half a bushel makes fifty cents also," he interrupted. "My boy," he continued, "you have helped me wonderfully, but I was just testing you. I did not need to get those tomatoes ready by four o'clock, but was just finding out what you could do. Indeed, my boy I feel honoured in giving this small sum to one who has so well earned it," and he placed in my hand a dollar bill.

It did not take me very long to get home, but when I arrived there I remembered that I had forgotten to bring home my dinner pail and schoolbooks. Nobody said anything to me about the missing articles, or asked me anything about school that day, but at supper time I imagined that everybody was looking queerly at me, just as if they suspected something. When supper was over I could stand it no longer and went to father and told him all. For a while he looked stern, but, when I had finished, he smiled, and said --

"Sonny, I think that you see that you have done wrong in playing truant, so I will not punish you this time, but don't let it happen again."

The next day father went to town, Vernon, which was sixteen miles distant and I told him to take my money and buy me a watch, so that wherever I went I could have something in my pocket ticking away the time, and reminding me that it is always best to do what we are told.

Harold Brown

Composition #2:

The First Time I had my own Way and What Came of it

by Harold Brown

"Mother, may I go to the picnic today. You know I have a bicycle now."

"No sonny, I don't think you had better go. It looks like rain, and you know the results of your getting wet."

Ah! well did I know the dread results of getting wet and cold, – a very bad cold was always sure to follow.

I did not think it would rain this time, however, and I was very anxious to show off my new wheel; so I followed her about her work, coaxing her to let me go to the picnic, and promising to work very hard upon my return. At last, to get rid of me, she said I could go, but told me to try to get home as soon as possible after six. I promised joyfully and was soon on my way for the picnic grounds at the river, four miles away.

My bicycle ran beautifully and in half an hour I was at the grounds.

The races were not to start till afternoon, so I went down to the river to get a boat ride. Several people took me for short trips, and then I asked a friend of mine if I could borrow his boat for an hour. He agreed, and I was soon out in the middle of the river. I had helped to row a boat before and could swim a little, so I was not much afraid of what might happen if the storm did come.

I was rowing towards a small island about two miles from the picnic grounds, where I wanted to collect some shells and birds' eggs. When about half way there I became aware that the waves and wind were rising. I looked anxiously around, – the sky to the west was black. For a moment I did not know whether to go ahead or return to the picnic grounds. The sky was clouding over rapidly and eventually I decided on the latter course, – I would at least be nearer home when I went down. With all speed I changed my seat and pulled for home. The waves by this time were very high and were filling the boat inch by inch. I could not stop rowing to bail out. – If only someone were with me to do that. Never before had I so wished for human company. I did not want to die alone.

Now the storm broke in all its fury; the wind howled, the rain poured down in torrents, the waves continually dashed against the frail boat, and in thirty seconds I was in the water, and the boat upside down near me. I didn't scream or yell when I felt the cold water pound me, because I well knew that no one could hear me above the storm.

As I lay still, hanging to an oar, I thought every moment would be my last. Everytime I went to breathe, a huge wave would roll over my head, and I would get a big breath of fresh water, instead of fresh air. I could not right the boat alone even if I could reach it, and the water, icy cold at this time of year, was gradually numbing me.

My head by this time felt like lead, – the effect of holding my breath so long, – and I had just made up my mind to let go of the oar and end my sufferings then and there, when I caught the sound of the put-put of a gasoline motor boat, and heard a faint shout. I tried to answer it but could not, my head fell back and I knew no more.

When I regained consciousness, I was at home in my own bed, with mother bending over me. I smiled at her and tried to get up, (for I thought it must be morning and she had just awakened me), but immediately sank back again, – I was too weak to rise. I began to wonder how I had become so weak, and all at once remembered the storm. Mother said that someone had seen me from the shore just before the storm broke, and had immediately set out in a high-powered motor boat, but was unable to find me till I was just ready to sink for the last time.

I lay in bed all that day and thought the whole affair over. Mother never said anything to me about having my own way, but I came to this conclusion, namely, that I would never again do anything which mother did not think best.

Strange to say, no disastrous results followed my cold bath, only I was weak for severl days afterwards.

Harold Brown