, 1865-04-07
The Heavy Timbers.
BAcKwooDs LIFE IN CANADA.


How well do remember the mornngmy broth
er Paul left Grassyille for his lot Of land in 'the
Heavy Timbers." Paul was a fine, strong, built
fellow, with a ruddy complexion, and life in his
eyes His brown hair curled, his lips were low
ing like girls, and he was what is called "a moth
ers boy There is no better recommendation
for young man. His dress was striped, home
made cloth, indigo blue and white, made in the
form of blouse wide pantaloons, over which
were drawn long leather boots The blouse had
a square collar, which was turned back, show
ing fne white and neatly made shirt made
it though, Il say it who should notsay itW The
blouse confined at the waist by black leath-
er belt. A very full knapsack, with blanket
strapped outside, very bright rifle and axe
completed the accoutrements OF the traveller
He walked as his nerves were perfectly tempered
steel springs, and as though all means of loco
motion were contemplate save those INDUCED
in by himself When he walked twenty miles
he came to Woodyille. His place lay beyond,
in the nameless region known as "the Heavy
Timbers." The hard wood and heavy growth
frightened many and tempted my Give brother
as we used to call him. AS be passed on his
way, he came to a house on the outskirts OF
hamlet consisting of saw and grist mil,
clothing mill and five or six dwellings. Paul
was hungry -he was a genuine hero, but heroes
get hungry like ordinary mortals. At the edge
of slope, a little before he came to the house,
was a spring, and "a dear pretty girl" was hll-
ing bright tin pan with the crystal water
Whether the sight of the young girl ntensihed
Paul's hunger | cannot say, but he resolved to
get his dinner at the next house, for hotels were
unknown then in this region He knocked at
the door of the wayside dwelling; cheerful
voice said Come in, and be entereda neat large
square room. Two girls almost as pretty as the
one he had seen at the spring-were spinning;
one was spinning woolen rolls, the other cot
ton roping. The wheels occupied one side of
the room, on the other man was making shoes
and at front window a worn, faded, but lady
like woman, with failing sight, was mending
boys clothes 1t was sad fact that the boys
of this family were something of the nature of
nuisance. The neighbors said the father did
not like to give them his own trade, for he felt
above it himself.
In the country were openings alternate with
forests, and village has six dwellings, tfaY-
eler is sort of irregular newspaper. Every
body is glad 10 see somebody when somebody
seldom comes along. There is life in the grasp
of a strangers hand in the monotomy of 70; est
life. Paul was made to feel at home at once
The family of Mr.. Joseph Jones soon learned that
he was from GrassvIle, that he was son of his
father, who was man of mark among the set
tiers, and that he was going to ''the Heavy Tim
bers to take up and clear a hundred acre lot
The girls were not frightened that he was going
alone. They even promised to comea and see him
in sugar time, as they were only seven miles
from his opening that was to be, and there were
blazened trees to mark the way, so one of the
boys could pilot them.
'But will come for you" said Paul gallant
ly. Mrs. Jones looked worn and weary as the
young people talked it over, and said what good
fun it would be- Poor LADY, she had made just
such beginning with her husband twenty years
since. She had helped him to clear good many
acres, but he was not perseyering. They had
sold out years ago and he had taken up" seve-
raj kinds of business For the last few years be
had worked at shoemaking. This he had also
taken up which means that he had never
learned the trade. He was clever, this Joseph
jones' but there was sorrow in that home, and
he caused it. The gentler neighbors said What
a pity such clever man should be unsteady
The bolder and less kind said, What shame
that such a man should drinkF He was not an
habtual drunkard; but at all 'raisings' 'log-rol-
ings, at Christmas, and in all times of illness
and trouble, Mr. Jones was sure to be in Iiquor'
SO as to be useless. This terrible unreliability
had broken his wife spirit had almost broken
her heart, and at forty she was wrinkled, gray,
and prematurely old. Some thought books and
a superior education had spoiled Mr.. Jones; 9TH
ers said more books, a lyceum, and agricultural
associations would have saved Joseph Jones.
But be was not saved, and his family were not
of his education and ability.
An hours talk, nice dinner, and the smiles
of these pretty girls set Paul vigorously on his
way. Did he steal anything in that home? He
took something away with him which he never
returned, and which he hid as carefully as if it
were theft. Why is it that the first conscious
ness Of affection leads us to conceal? There is
one name we can never utter freely and cheer
fully, even though it be Smith Brown or Jones.
Paul took away great deal from that wayside
house, with its large, square workngroom, and
its various works. Carefully as he concealed
what he took Inave an inventory of all. First,
pair of bright blue eyes; next, great lot Of
golden curls; then red cheeks, rosy lips, and
form full of springing grace. Emily had a
wreath Of trailing srbutus in her hair, though it
was June, and the blossom is called the May
flower. In this northern region this most beau
tful and fragrant bloom isseldom seen till June.
Paul carried away the wreath with the sunny
curls, and to this day he has special tender
ness for trailing arbutus. Cheerily and lightly
he went his way with his hidden treasures to his
lotin the heart Of 'the Heavy Timbers, and be
did aot sleep that hight Until he had explored
sgocd deal. Laying his pack down oAs gecd