Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-22
A HUDSON'S BAY ROMANCE.
Miss kirkby Knew Her Husband When
She Saw Him.
From the New York Sun.

FROM the New York sun.
| Not many years ago DIR. Percy Matthews was
physician for the little colony at York Factory,
| part of the Hudson's Bay Company. far away
| i'll the bleak northern wilderness. The chap
lain was the Rev. Mr.. Kirkby. Both men are
| alive, and Mr.. Kirkby was for a time employed
| in the Bible House. this city. York Factory is
! not factory at all in the modern understand
ing of that term-that is. nothing is made on
the premises; but factors, meaning traders
exchange flour. blankets. knives and buttons
for the beaver skins of the Indians. As hardly
twenty people live there through the year. and
AZ there is usually but one ship from and to
England during the summer it is o lonesome
place.
DIR. Matthews. who was young and fond OF
company, found it especially hard to live in it,
one reason being that there was no female
society at the post except two or three
squaws and half-breeds. wives of laborers en-
ployed by the company. He often complained
at this shortcomiug, but he had little sympathy
from the bachelors, for it is remarkable in how
solitude. but to like il.
Mr.. Kirkby had daughter at school in Eng
land. and one summer he resolved to go abroad
to see her and enjoy little civilization There
w2s to be an extra ship to York Factory in the
fall. though he did not intend to return on it,
bat as he was embarking he turned to DR.
Matthews, who was in gloom at the prospect of
losing n friend when he had so few to spare.
and said: Doctor, can send anything back to
you from England?''
'Nothlng-unless you send me your daugh-
ter" replied the young man, half ruefully and
half in banter.
The clergyman smiled, shook his hand and
went aboard; lines were cast off, good-byes
were shouted and the ship headed for England
while the doctor turned back with a sigh.
The arrival of a ship is a great event at York
Factory. and when one bright day in autumn.
| sail was deserted to the northeastward, the
whole population of the place helped it in by
| sitting on the shore and looking at it. Dr.
Matthews was there. and as the ship neared
the lane he was surprised and pleased at the
appearance OF a blooming. trinity dressed
young woman on the deck for his heart i!ut-
tered responsive to the fiutter OF a petticoat
The gang plank was run out, this damsel
trlpped ashore. and after looking at the strange
faces On the wharf for moment her eyes
fell on DR.. Matthews. She advanced toward
him with smile and with the remark, NV
dear Percy" pu. up her lips to be kissed.
There was resoundinS smack. and Dr.
Matthews. amazed delighted and feeling as if
he walked Oh air, led the lady to the post which
was never large enough for him after that
| They had never seen each other before but
the good chaplain had SO described the doctor
| to his daughter and had spoken so manv good
words for him that she felt as If she had known
him from childhood, and the recognition was a
thing OF no difficulty. 1t was not long before
| the banns were published between d Matthe WIS
! and Miss Kirkby
So they were married and they lived happily
| ever after.