The Narrative of Gordon Sellar Who Emigrated to Canada in 1825Sellar, Gordon
History
The Narrative of Gordon Sellar Who Emigrated to Canada in 1825
Sellar, Gordon
Frontier and pioneer life -- Ontario; Sellar, Gordon
As to the danger of taxation increasing to a degree that will make the
working of the land unattractive to the intelligent and enterprising,
that menace comes from two classes--the projectors of public works who
agitate for them from self-interest, and from those who have raised a
clamor to encourage manufacturers by giving them bonuses in the form of
protective duties. Should a levy ever be made on the earnings of the
farmer to help a favored class, there will be a leaving of the land for
other countries and for better-paying occupations.
My desire is, to see Canada a land where every man who wishes may own a
part of God's footstool and, by industry, secure a decent living. Surely
it is a patriotic duty to make Canada a nation where toil and thrift
fetch the reward of independence, a nation without beggars or of men
willing to work and cannot get it, a nation of happy homes where there
is neither wealth nor luxury but enough of the world's means to ensure
comfort and to develop in its men and women what is best in human
nature.
CHAPTER X.
PARTING WITH OLD FRIENDS
My story of how I came to Canada and how the family which made me one of
their number got on in its backwoods has taken a long time to tell, yet
I must lengthen it to make known what became of some of the people
mentioned in the course of it. Tilly remained with us a year, when she
went to live with the Bambrays, who needed her help. When they, later
on, decided to end their days in their native town, Huddersfield, she
went with them to England. Once a year a letter came from Mr Bambray,
with a long postscript by Tilly, overflowing with good wishes, and in
each letter was a draft to help escaped slaves get a fresh start in
life. The worthy couple died several years ago, making Tilly their chief
legatee. She married a man for whom she described herself as unworthy
and who makes her happy every day. When Ruth married she sent her a gift
of $250 to furnish her house. Ruth's husband is a capable farmer, who is
doing well. They are an evenly matched team, pulling together and happy
in each other. When Robbie came of age the master divided his farm
equally between his two sons, and bought for himself six acres fronting
Yonge-street. On this he built a commodious house and a large
greenhouse, for he designed carrying on market-gardening. In an
excavation deep enough to be below the frost line the greenhouse was
built, and there were other devices to do with as little stove-heat as
possible. Sloot, who had been left a widower, and having no family,
became the hired man and made his home for the remainder of his life
with the master and mistress, to whom he was deeply attached. Twice a
week he drove to market the produce that was for sale, and though
occupation not beyond their strength was their purpose, remarkable
profits were made off these six acres. The mistress was happy in tending
the greenhouse and flower-beds, and in entertaining visitors, for they
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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