A Child of the Sea; and Life Among the MormonsWilliams, Elizabeth Whitney
History
A Child of the Sea; and Life Among the Mormons
Williams, Elizabeth Whitney
Beaver Island (Mich.); Latter Day Saints -- Michigan; Strang, James Jesse, 1813-1856
Father had made the casket and mother made the shroud. They buried the
dear old lady beside the husband she loved so well. Two Indian hunters
came that way on their return from hunting. They helped to dig the grave
and stayed to bring mother home on their sleds. Mother baked and cooked
for John, as they could not persuade him to come home with them to
remain until spring. Mr. Frankle sent two men to see if father and
mother were safe and they met them coming with the Indians. What happy
children we all were to see them again. Bob was wild with delight to see
father and mother, and when they learned how Bob had saved brother's
life there was nothing too good for him. Old grandpa was so glad when
they came home, for his trials were great with us four children. He said
to father one day in broken English, "Oh. Mr. Whitney, I so scare. I
fraid you keel me when boy lost in wood. Bob one good dog, he fine heme
quick. Bob worth ten thousand dollar. Me most crazy all time you gone.
Baby she cry all night. Earache. Charley she cut he finger. Lewis he
burn she's hand. Oh, I fraid we all go die sure!"
My mother was worried about John McWilliams being left alone so far from
any neighbors. The Indian Chief Ossawinamakee sent two of his Indians
with their wives and papooses to live near John until spring came. They
built warm wigwams covered with fur pelts of bear skins. John was very
sick and they took care of him. When John came to see us in the spring
he told us his story how it came they were here so far from their old
home. In after years mother told it to me, and I tell it now, as near as
possible, as John told it to her.
JOHN'S STORY.
"My people were well-to-do people with a comfortable home in Canada near
the City of Toronto. My brother, being seven years older than I, had a
good education, went to the city, became a clerk in a bank, got into bad
company, forged a check on the bank and was arrested for forgery. Our
farm and the old home went to clear him. He promised father to do
better. We heard about these western islands and shores, and thinking
this a good place to come with my brother where no one knew of our
disgrace, we came, bringing fish nets and a boat. We fished all summer,
doing well, but as fall came my brother became restless and
discontented. He took the fish nets and boat and sold them all, leaving
us nothing, then went we knew not where. This broke my old father's
heart and mother soon followed him to the grave. Now I am left alone to
battle with the world, but I shall never forget your kindness to me and
mine."
After working all summer for some fishermen John went home to Toronto to
live with an uncle who offered him a home, and John accepted with a
grateful heart.
FIRST VISIT TO THE BIG WHITE HOUSE.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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