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diff --git a/43622-0.txt b/43622-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..268d96a --- /dev/null +++ b/43622-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2973 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43622 *** + + Vol. I JANUARY, 1921 No. 4 + + + + +[Illustration: _The Beaver_ + +_A Journal of Progress_] + + +[Illustration: CAMPING OUT AT 40° BELOW + +_A Hudson's Bay Company's Post Inspector camping for the night near +Great Slave Lake. Defying the snows, these hardy men "mush" with dog +teams from Fort to Fort across the vast silent spaces of the great +North, keeping H.B.C. communications open and taking account of furs +traded at each post of the district._] + +[Illustration: _Devoted to The Interests of Those Who Serve The Hudson's +Bay Company_] + + + + +Bidding for World's Fine Furs at London Auction Sales + +_Four Weeks' Annual Selling of Pelts Draws Cosmopolitan Crowd of Buyers +from All Quarters of the Globe--H.B.C. Auction of Chief Interest._ + +By J. D. J. FORBES (_London Fur Warehouse_) + + +If a stranger were to ask where the fur quarter in the City of London is +situated, perhaps the simplest answer would be to tell him to make for +the Guildhall, and then to walk due south towards the River Thames. He +would proceed along King Street (which is continued as Queen Street +after Cheapside is passed) and in less than five minutes would be at his +destination. What the Rue d'Aboukir is to Paris and the Bruehl to +Leipzig, Queen Street is to London. It stands for the heart and centre +of the London fur trade. Except for the Hudson's Bay Company's +warehouse, which stands apart, all the most important fur merchants and +commission houses are located within a stone's throw of the College Hill +Public Saleroom--the entrance to which is in Queen Street--where the +world's fur produce is periodically put up for auction. + + +_World's Buyers Assemble in Saleroom_ + +In the saleroom itself there is little to suggest a fur market; no skins +or pelts are to be seen; no samples are displayed to catch the eye of +possible buyers; there is no odour of furs or naphthalene. The saleroom +reminds one of a large classroom with its rows of desks and forms facing +a narrow rostrum whereon the selling broker and his assistants sit. Here +three times a year assemble fur buyers from all over the world. The +typically English features of the brokers contrast strangely with the +faces of the cosmopolitan crowd which throngs the saleroom benches; and +when in the intervals of selling a buzz of conversation is heard, it +seems incredible that one is in the heart of London and not in some +Levantine port. + + +_Selections Are Made From Catalogs_ + +Each buyer brings to the saleroom his catalogues, containing valuations +and descriptions of the pelts he has inspected at the various fur +warehouses. For the most part, only a very small proportion of the lots +catalogued are seen by the prospective buyer; these are "show" lots and +represent the bulk, which could not be properly examined in the short +time at his disposal. There are usually about twenty catalogues--some of +which contain only a few hundred lots but most of which run into +thousands of lots--and as the fur collections are distributed amongst a +dozen different wharves and warehouses, where the skins are lotted and +placed "on show," only a few days before the sales takes place, it will +be appreciated that the thorough-going dealer who wishes to acquaint +himself with the whole collection of furs on the market has plenty to +do! + + +_The Order of the Sale_ + +At one time the order of selling was rather haphazard, but in recent +years the sale arrangements have been revised and co-ordinated. +Catalogues are now divided into definite sections, and the entire market +supply of furs contained in section 1 of the various catalogues is +offered for sale before section 2 is dealt with, and so on--the brokers +balloting among themselves for precedence. In accordance with +long-established custom, the first goods to be put up for sale are those +coming from China and the far east (these auctions are referred to as +the "China sales"); next comes the catalogues of Australian furs, +followed immediately by any offerings there may be of fur seals. + + +_H.B.C. Auction Premier Attraction_ + +Although these auctions occupy the whole of the first sale week, they +are of secondary importance when compared with the sales of the choicer +North American and Siberian furs, which commence on the Monday of the +second week with the Hudson's Bay Company's sale. Needless to say, the +Company's auction always proves the greatest attraction of the whole +series and never fails to draw a crowded room. The Company's catalogue +is the only one now sold in its entirety without a break, and this for +the very good reason that it provides the most reliable basis for +comparison of values and enables the experienced buyer to appraise +market fluctuations with confidence. + +The rest of the week following the Company's sale is taken up with the +disposal of "fine" furs (such as beaver, ermine, foxes, marten, otter +and sables) from other catalogues; the third week sees the "staple" +lines (such as skunk, opossum, musquash and raccoon) offered for sale; +and in the fourth and final week sundry South American and lower grade +skins are offered. + + +_The Flexible Eyebrow An Aid in Bidding_ + +The method of bidding at the fur auction is by what is known as the +"silent" system. The auctioneer usually starts the bidding himself at a +moderate figure and the buyers interested signify their bids by various +methods--such as by a nod, or a wink, or even a flick of the pencil; +sometimes indeed a buyer will merely look at the auctioneer whilst the +bids are being taken and only remove his gaze when his limit has been +exceeded. It is often amusing to notice the tactics adopted by two +bidders, each of whom wants a particular lot: one may perhaps be seated +in the front row and he will perhaps bid by _raising his eyebrows_; the +other (seated further back) will not look at the broker at all but will +narrowly _watch his rival's hat_ (the movement of which betrays the +bidding) whilst he records his own bids by _moving his little finger_! + +As a rule, bids advance by a definite amount, which varies with the +value of the article in question: bids for beaver skins, for example, +may start at 50s. and advance by 2s. steps to 100s., beyond which the +advance is by 5s. steps; in the case of musquash an advance of 3d or 6d +per bid is sufficient. When demand is keen and bidding brisk, buyers +frequently discard the silent method, and the broker is assailed with a +chorus of "up! up!" from all parts of the room. As it is often difficult +in such cases to distinguish between bidders, the possession of a good +pair of lungs is a decided advantage for a buyer. + + +_Furs Sold at "Per Skin" Rate_ + +Most lots are sold "at per skin"--that is to say, when a lot of musquash +containing 1600 skins, for instance, is put up, the auctioneer needs to +register the price of only one skin--the value of the lot being 1600 +times that figure. + +Although sitting for weeks in the saleroom buying sundry lots of skins +from this catalogue and that may seem a dull job, yet the buyer with +imagination finds the fur trade fascinating. He realizes that the skins +he buys have taken months of patient toil and careful handling to +assemble from the uttermost parts of the earth. + +To him, the sale mark "MKR" denotes not merely a particular quality of +fur, but suggests the mighty river of the great Northwest threading its +lonely way from the plains to the Arctic Sea. It is this sense of the +world-wide ramifications of the fur trade, and the knowledge that the +Company's organization has played, and still plays, a notable part in +its development that make one feel proud to belong to the Hudson's Bay +Company. + + + + +An American Account of an Ancient Selkirk Settlement Caravan + + +The Public Archives of Canada at Ottawa contain the following +characteristic description of a Red River Caravan from the old Selkirk +Settlement, as printed in the _Wisconsin Herald_ of September 15th, +1847: + +"On the 10th of July, there appeared at the village of St. Paul, on the +Upper Mississippi, the most novel and original caravan that has ever +appeared since Noah's ark was evacuated. Our readers are aware that +there is an isolated settlement of several thousand inhabitants in a +high latitude of British North America, known as the 'Selkirk +Settlement.' Cut off from the commerce of the world, they rely entirely +upon their own resources, their farms, their flocks and fishing for +support--being a community, so to speak, of Robinson Crusoes. Their +crops having failed the last two seasons, they have been forced to +break out of the wilds again and seek food in the markets of the great +brawling world. Formerly their chief point of contact with commerce was +Toronto; but now, owing to the increase of supplies on the Upper +Mississippi, and the abundance of game and forage on that route, they +trade at St. Paul, and the head of steamboat navigation on the +Mississippi River. + +"Into St. Paul they came, on the 10th of July, a caravan of one hundred +and twenty carts, in a single file, wearily moving along by moonlight. +Long after the head of the caravan had reached the village, the +lengthened train of followers could be seen moving over the undulating +prairie, partly visible and partly hidden between the billowy ridges of +the extended plain, crawling onward like some huge serpent, the extreme +rear still invisible and partly hidden in the dimness of the distance. +They had travelled southward over the prairie six hundred miles, having +been nineteen days on their way, through a region abounding in +buffaloes--encamping at night in a tent, around which the carts were +drawn in a circle, to fence in the cattle.... They brought along a large +elk, a bear, and some other animals they had captured on their way--and +many packages of furs. They had a very choice lot of buffalo robes, well +dressed, which they sold at St. Paul by the lot at $3.50 each. + +"They had with them also an abundance of specie, and waited a few days +at St. Paul for the arrival of a steamboat load of flour and groceries. +The caravan was made up of men and boys of all ages, kindreds, tongues +and complexions.... Their dresses were as various as could be imagined, +being uniform in only a single article of apparel--all wore moccasins. +The carts were made wholly of wood and hides, the hubs being covered +with bandages of green hide, drawn on while soft and then shrinking +until they became nearly as tight as bands of iron. Some of these odd +two-wheeled vehicles were drawn by little horses, and others by oxen, +each animal--horse or ox--being geared in a harness of green hide. They +are now again on their way back to the frozen wilds of the North, many +of them probably never again to commune with the great world." + + + + +How Smith's Landing Became FitzGerald + +_Heroic Sacrifice of R.N.W.M.P. Officer Led to His Name Being Given to +H.B.C. Landing_ + + +FitzGerald, originally known as Smith's Landing, is at the end of the +Athabasca River navigation, approximately three hundred miles below +McMurray. It is an important point in the transportation system, as +cargoes are there discharged and portaged sixteen miles to Fort Smith, +where they are loaded into other steamers navigating the Mackenzie +River. + +In 1910, a commissioned officer of the mounted police named FitzGerald, +along with three members of the force, left Fort McPherson for Dawson. +The party encountered severe storms, and lost their way in the mountain +passes. After wandering for several weeks, they decided to return, but +owing to lack of food and inability to procure game of any kind they +suffered great privation. Finally, they were obliged to kill their dogs +for food. One of the members of the party died and the position of the +survivors was desperate, as two of the remaining members were unable to +proceed. FitzGerald left these men with all the clothing and whatever +else they had that might benefit them and continued _alone_ in an +endeavor to get back to Fort McPherson and bring help. On reaching a +point about twelve miles of the Post--which was then actually in +sight--he was too exhausted to travel further and was frozen to death. + +Meanwhile, the non-arrival of this patrol in Dawson caused the mounted +police to send out a search party from that end on the assumption that +FitzGerald's party might have been held up nearby, but the search party +had to continue within this short distance of McPherson before finding +the evidence of the tragedy. + +FitzGerald was held in high regard by all the people in the Northwest +Territory in which he served and application was made to the authorities +at Ottawa to change the name of Smith's Landing to Fort FitzGerald to +commemorate his worthy but unfortunately unsuccessful effort to secure +relief for his party. + + + + +"Uplands," the Ancient H.B.C. Farm on Vancouver Island + +_Onetime Natural Park and Grazing Ground Now Being Subdivided at +Victoria_ + +By C. H. FRENCH, _District Manager for B.C._ + + +When Victoria was established by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1843 all +that tract of land between Cadboro Bay and The Willows was a park, being +studded here and there with beautiful oak trees and plentifully supplied +with grass in which the elk loved to scamper about. + + +_Farm Required to Support Post_ + +At all Hudson's Bay Company's forts, the self-supporting feature was +always given first consideration. At Victoria it was not only necessary +to raise sufficient grain, butter and beef to support the Fort, but also +sufficient to supply Russian America, or Alaska as we now know it. +Uplands was one of the first farms established to gain those ends. + +The farm buildings were always just where they now are, but the road +leading to them was different, in that where it now takes a bend where +the golf links association put up their sign, it continued straight +through the cultivated fields to the farm buildings. An examination will +show the trees and rocks still marking this road. + + +_Riding to Uplands for the View_ + +The officers at the Fort had saddle horses and it was to the uplands +they went when desiring a ride on horseback. Many officers of Her +Majesty's ships immediately on landing made arrangements for a horseback +ride to this wonderful piece of country. + +It has an elevation--without seeming to climb--sufficient to present +perhaps the finest marine view to be found anywhere. The view was +obtainable from almost any part of the thousand acres contained in the +farm. + +The handsome oak and maple trees were just sufficiently scattered not to +obstruct the view of the Olympic Mountains to the south; San Juan and +other islands to the east and southeast, which were overlooked by +glorious Mount Baker, always standing out as if a sentinel clothed in +white, guarding a country so rich in minerals, lumber and fish that its +equal has yet to be discovered. + +Looking north, towards James and Salt Spring Islands, one is almost +speechless with admiration of the beauty that is stretched before the +eye. + + +_Indian Villages Are at Strategic Points_ + +Indian villages were in earlier times established only at points where +the food supply was abundant, but in this particular instance the +village was established for strategic reasons. There were two points +occupied by Indians; one toward the northern side of the bay, where the +present Cadboro Bay Hotel is to-day located, and the other just inside +the point, east of the present Yacht Clubhouse. Those living on the +north side of the bay were the custodians of a portage from Telegraph +Bay to Cadboro Bay, while the Indians on the south side of the bay were +the real defenders of the tribe as a portage from there to Rock Bay had +to be blocked to all enemies as it was to this point that retreats were +made and where also was stored their winter supply of food. + + +_The Songhees Had a Magic Spring_ + +The Songhees on the southeast end of Vancouver Island had, I believe, +the most strategic situation of any tribe on the coast. From their +central village at Concordance Arm the all-important route was by +Cadboro Bay, principally because the great spring that was regarded by +them as possessing certain medicinal qualities was located at that +point. + +This spring was surrounded by willows and was so carefully camouflaged +that one could hardly find it, excepting that the ground from the spring +to the waterfront was more or less wet. In the improving of Uplands, +this spring was drained in some way and, I am told, does not show on the +surface now, but probably is diverted to the sea beach. + + + + +Hoot Mon! Th' Roarin' Game is on Wi' Lads o' the H.B.C. + +_Land, Retail and Wholesale Departments at Winnipeg Get Away to Fast +Start--Some Already Displaying Mid Season Form_ + +By OUT TURN + + +At Winnipeg, the respective Curling Associations of the Land Department, +Retail Store and Wholesale Depot are making up for lost time, the season +having started late. Extent of the enthusiasm displayed in the Company's +Winnipeg establishments for the grand old game is indicated by the +hundred and ten yelling, sweeping adherents who turn out once and twice +a week. Ice has been good and the weather just cold enough to induce +lively work behind every skip. It is to be noted that more rocks are +getting across the "hog" than the first part of last season. + +[Illustration: "_Meet Me Face to Face_"] + +If ice holds after present schedules are completed, it is planned to +bring the victorious rinks together in an H.B.C. "bon spiel" for a +decision on the Company Curling Championship for Winnipeg. + +[Illustration: "_Draw Weight, We'll Sweep It!_"] + +Sketched are two well-known "skips" heading land department rinks and +one "skip" who cuts a lot of ice in wholesale circles. Our staff artist +caught him as he was shooting his first rock of the season, using the +follow-through system. He is usually more dignified than as portrayed +(on next page) and the editor remarks a terrific shift of latitude here +as this arctic "skip" was but lately a strutting Toreador. The two land +department "skips" pictured on this page wear no disguise and need no +introduction but we'll give a Made beaver to anyone who'll guess their +identity. + +It is of course too early to make predictions as to probable winners in +the various departmental associations. We cannot get any sort of a +prognostication from our usually very opinionated Sporting Editor. For +next issue, he promises to analyze the performance of the leading rinks +and tell Messrs. Harman, Vesey and Sparling exactly what their +respective chances are. + +On the following page is the standing of the rinks as at 10th January: + +[Illustration: _Wholesale Boys! "Do You Know Him?"_ + +--!!! _Sweep Her-Up--She'll Never Reach_] + + +H.B.C. CURLING ASSOCIATIONS. + +Winnipeg, 1921 + +_Land Department_ + + ------------------------------------- + |Games | | | + SKIP |Played|Won|Lost|Standing + ------------+------+---+----+-------- + Harman | 4 | 3 | 1 | .750 + McDill | 4 | 2 | 2 | .500 + Bellingham | 4 | 1 | 2 | .250 + Joslyn | 4 | 1 | 2 | .250 + ------------------------------------- + +_Retail Store_ + + ------------------------------------- + MacGregor | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1.000 + Mills | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 + Scott | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1.000 + Pearen | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 + Parker | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 + Healy | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 + Tait | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 + Sidey | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 + Sparling | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 + Ogston | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 + Pugsley | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 + Bowdler | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 + ------------------------------------- + +_Wholesale Depot_ + + ------------------------------------- + Swan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1.000 + A. Thompson | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1.000 + Iveson | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 + Veysey | 3 | 2 | 1 | .666 + Poitras | 3 | 2 | 1 | .666 + Phelan | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 + Brock | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 + O. Thompson | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 + McMicken | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 + Ross | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 + + + + +_How Many "Advertisers" Has H.B.C.?_ + +By MRS. JACK HAWKSHAW + + +Some one will answer, "there's one ad-man in Winnipeg, one in Edmonton, +one in Calgary, one in Yorkton, one each in Lethbridge, Nelson, Vernon, +Kamloops and Vancouver." If that is all, then I am afraid it's time to +be up and doing. Each employee in the Company's service should be "on +the advertising staff," _to promote good feeling and optimism_. Think +what a great thing it would be right now at the beginning of a New Year +and on the threshold of a new season, if the company's thousands of +employees took a leading part in the advertising of the Company's +stores. + + + + +_Tree 95 Years Old Bears Apples_ + + +_Vancouver, Washington, Dec. 18th (Special)_--Two apples grown on the +famous old apple tree in Vancouver barracks were picked to-day by A. A. +Quarnberg. This apple tree is the oldest in Pacific Northwest, if not +the United States, having been planted in 1826 by Bruce, the gardener +for the Hudson's Bay Trading Company. This makes the apple tree more +than ninety-five years old. + +The seeds were brought around the Horn in a sailing-vessel by an +Hudson's Bay Trading Company official who carried them in a waistcoat +pocket. The tailor was cleaning out the pockets and found these apple +seeds and he gave them to the gardener who planted them. Many trees were +raised. All have died except one. + + + + +_More than 100 Benefits Paid in 1920_ + + +The Hudson's Bay Employees' Welfare Association at Winnipeg Retail +continues to flourish despite the many demands made on the "exchequer" +during the past twelve months. Upwards of one hundred individual +employees have received benefits during 1920 and the Secretary, P. +Harrison, reports that the balance in hand at present is larger than at +any time since the inception of the plan. + + + + +C. H. French Has Long Experience in H.B.C. Fur Trade + +_British Columbia District Manager Entered Service in Lake Winnipeg +District, 1887; Sent to New Caledonia on Important Mission in 1894_ + +By F. S. GARNER + + +[Illustration: _Mr. French in the B.C. District Office_] + +C. H. French, District Manager of the Company's British Columbia fur +trade district, is a man whose experience in the service during 33 +years, from Lake Winnipeg to the Pacific Coast and north to Alaska, has +excellently fitted him to narrate countless stories of brave adventure +and stern duty under the H.B.C. flag in the great Northwest. + +Mr. French, though 53, carries his years lightly. True, his hair is +grizzled; upon his face is delineated the tale of dangers met and +hardships overcome. Yet one would not place his age at over 45, if even +that. Seasoned as an oak, with hard and healthful living in a climate +which eliminates all but the fittest, Mr. French, now in lovely +Victoria, may know at least a measure of the relaxation and joy of +living such as is seldom granted the fur trader. The "spring" in his +step and the active interest he takes in the life and development of +Vancouver Island identify in him a youthful spirit which well might be +envied by many men under thirty. + +Mr. French was born in Markham township, twelve miles north of Toronto, +Ontario, on 23rd July, 1867. + +He served a full apprenticeship at printing. Then he acquired a fair +knowledge of bread-baking, fishing and sailing, which experience he says +stood him in good stead after entering the service. + +In 1887 Mr. French joined H.B.C. in the Lake Winnipeg District, doing +work of various kinds, one job being the sailing of the boat "Beaver" +under Mr. W. J. McLean at Lower Fort Garry, and afterwards Mr. Flett at +Fort Alexander. + +During this period he brought the body of Chief Factor Belanger in from +the lake and delivered it at the Selkirk Roman Catholic Church. The +Chief Factor was drowned at Norway House. + +Fur Trade Commissioner Wrigley went out of office and while his +successor, Mr. C. C. Chipman, was Commissioner, he had the able support +of such men as William Clark. It was with William Clark that Mr. French +engaged to go to New Caledonia District, British Columbia (March, 1894) +to break up a ring that was pilfering merchandise from the Babine, B.C., +warehouse. This was successfully accomplished, and Mr. French was given +charge of Babine Post, remaining there until 1901, when installed as fur +buyer at Victoria, under Mr. James Thomson. He was in charge of that +work until February, 1914, when he was made District Manager for British +Columbia. + + + + +SEND IT IN + + + If you have a bit of news, send it in. + Or a joke that will amuse, send it in. + A story that is true, an incident that's new, + "We want to hear from you," send it in. + Never mind about your style, + If it's only worth the while, send it in. + Will it make a paragraph? Send it in. + If some good your words can teach, + If some distant reader reach, + If you have a glowing speech, send it in. + +MISS D. L. BENS, + _Winnipeg Retail_ + + + + +How the Eskimo Hunts the Musk-Ox + + _Description of Eskimo's method of hunting musk-oxen in the Arctic + regions as given by Capt. French, R.N.W.M.P., one of the patrol who + went north to investigate the killing of Messrs. Bradbury and + Street, sent out by Smithsonian Institute and National Museum at + Ottawa._ + + +The Eskimo, sighting a small band of musk-oxen--usually a bull, cow and +one or two calves--lets loose two or three husky dogs (part dog and part +wolf) which encircle the animals. The bull and cow turn their heads +towards the dogs, with the calf or calves in the centre, and prepare to +give fight. Once the oxen are "anchored," the Eskimos turn loose all +their dogs which serve to keep the oxen "anchored" instead of taking to +their heels, and proceed themselves with bow and arrows and dispatch the +animals. + +[Illustration] + +These musk-oxen are very fierce and warlike animals, hence the necessity +of the Eskimo protecting himself with dogs. In the case of a wounded +bull charging an Eskimo, the dogs immediately rush to attack it and +withdraw its attention from the Eskimo who may thereby find time to +string another arrow to his bow and then dispatch it.--_W.E.A._ + +[Illustration: Holding the Musk-Oxen at Bay] + + + + +_There'll Be No More Slacker Contributors If They All Read This_ + + +_Barriere Post, Ontario, + +Editor, The "Beaver," Winnipeg._ + +_It is, I think, the duty of all of your readers to wish THE BEAVER a +very happy New Year._ + +_You cannot realize what the magazine means to us who live in the silent +places far removed from social intercourse with our fellow creatures._ + +_We who have access to such little reading material to interest us in +our lonely lives will look forward eagerly to the arrival of THE +BEAVER._ + +_And I can assure you that I wish it every success in the years to come, +and I trust that all the readers will recognize the fact that it is +their bounden duty to contribute either in writing or photographs from +time to time._ + +_I think that it is not to our Commissioner alone that we should look +for guidance nor to our District Managers, but to our friendly +intercourse one with another, which can only be accomplished through the +medium of THE BEAVER and I sincerely trust that this friendly +intercourse will grow stronger and stronger as the years roll by, and so +help to strengthen and firmly cement together the bonds of good +fellowship._ + +_I have the honor to be, Sir, + +Yours obediently, + +(Signed) ASHTON ALSTON, + +Post Manager._ + +_Issued Every Now and Then in the Interests +of Those in the Service of the +Hudson's Bay Company_ + +[Illustration] + + + + +The Beaver + +"_A Journal of Progress_" + + +Copyright, 1921, by The Hudson's Bay Company + +Address all communications to Editor, +"THE BEAVER," York and Main Streets, +Winnipeg, Canada + + Vol. I JANUARY, 1921 No. 4 + + + + +Fortunate Canada! + + +The big war is all over but the paying. A whole "bale" of little wars, +however, have been engaging the attention of the world until recent +settlements were effected. + +Famine in China. Russian chaos and Irish thunderclouds. Inoculation +against the "Bolshevik bug" in every quarter of the globe. + +Fortunate Canada! + +Industrial depression, unemployment and foreboding grips the United +States. Canada has had a tinge of this malady, too, during price +convulsions--but Canada is sound. Canada--especially Western Canada--is +busy, optimistic and possessed of a confidence unbounded. A happier or +more prosperous Christmas and New Year's that just past in Canada, never +has been. + +For twelve months ending October, 1920, Canada's volume of trade was _up +five hundred million dollars_ over the year previous. Canada is +fortunate. To the sweet uses of Peace, she is applying herself +assiduously. + + + + +The Yankee Balloonists + + +The Beaver refrains from elaborating upon current newspaper reports +about the U.S. Navy balloonists who drifted from New York City to Moose +Factory and were rescued by H.B.C. men at James Bay--until the report of +our Associate Editor at Moose Factory and his photographs have been +received. It is expected these will come out to Mattice by next packet, +and _The Beaver_ will then be able to give authentic details. + + + + +Ambition + + +Ambitious men raise themselves like the tallest trees high above the +shrub growth of somnolent spirits and so are "most in the power of the +winds of fortune." + +Your chance for Success is not lacking as long as the spark of Ambition +is alive within you. With some men, Ambition dies between thirty and +forty; with others it remains unquenched. Some men have made fortunes +and lost them at forty-five, then have turned in and made other fortunes +before retiring. Scores of great Successes have been recorded after the +age of fifty; cases where Ambition, the "divine discontent," was never +downed. + +Without Ambition, the fire under the boilers of Industry would die and +the pop-valves of Commerce would cease to reveal live power that drives +the pistons of progress. + + + + +A Martian at the Rink + + +Picture a man from Mars, just descended, as he steps into an H.B.C. +curling rink during the ninth "end"--when Scottish excitement is at its +hottest. Try to comprehend his bewilderment as he hears frenzied shouts +of "_SWEEP, SWEEP, SWEEP 'er up! GET IT across the hog!_" And +again--"_out turn, Mac; draw-weight and a wick off this one. Just come +TO it!_" + +And sweatered, mufflered figures contort themselves in fantastic +fox-trots on the ice as they swing mad brooms in the van of the skidding +stones. + +The grey rocks curl and thump--or twist uncannily to a berth behind +guardian stones. "_WE LIE_," bursts in raucous chorus from steaming +throats. "A marvelous confession thinks the man from Mars." + +The roarin' game of Cur-r-r-lin' is in full fling at many of the +Company's branches. Young and old all become _younger_ in a fast and +furious "draw." + +Buy a broom and a pair of "galoshes" and get on the ice. Forget +business, bid dull care begone. Curl ten "ends" and then you'll say +"where's that pack of worries that was hounding me this afternoon?" + + + + +Egotism + + +The large proportion of the human race which is afflicted with "Self +Importance" can draw pointed conclusion from the facts that: + +(1) Michelson the scientist has discovered an accurate method of +measuring the distant stars, by which it is determined that one star in +Orion is _twenty-seven trillion times as large as the earth_, and +twenty-seven million times as large as the Sun. (It's no use trying to +visualize this tremendous planet. Even a _billion_ is incomprehensible +to the human mind; a _trillion_ simply cannot be embraced in our +thought.) + +(2) Latest available figures indicate that there are about _two billion +people living on the Earth_, despite the slaughter of war. We are +somewhere in that crowd. + +If we ever feel ourselves getting "chesty in the head," let us repress +even the faintest stirrings of Egotism, for we're only one in two +billion (never would be missed!) riding to an unticketed destination on +a "pin-point planet" that swirls every day a million miles nearer to +that gigantic sun, _Alpha Orionus_ (see it any clear night in the +heavens) which is so tremendous in dimension that our poor little earth +at the instant of contact would sputter out like a tiny drop of grease +on a big stove. + + + + +Our Reporters + + +The Beaver should be _all-seeing, all-knowing_--as far as H.B.C. events +are concerned. If a single incident which affects the Company or its +employees escapes being reported to this journal, we are not fulfilling +our mission. If any other publication tells of an H.B.C. event or +reports any H.B.C. employees' activities which do not reach _The +Beaver_--_then we're_ "_scooped_," in the parlance of the press. + +You faithful readers of _The Beaver_ who daily are giving your time and +thought to H.B.C. affairs--_you_ are the eyes and ears of this journal. +We have a good many "live-wire" reporters, but need more. Let every +member of staff take a personal interest in forwarding to _The Beaver_ +intelligence of every description that might interest H.B.C. people. + + + + +The Wanderers + + +The lure of exploration has not lost its power since the two main +prizes--both Poles--were achieved. Recently it was announced that a +considerable number of new expeditions would set out in 1921 to various +remote quarters of the globe--one to Baffins Land, one to the north of +Siberia, one to Central Africa and so on down the list. Amundsen is now +trying to drift across the North Pole. + +The Challenge of Discovery ever has greater power than strong drink to +inflame the blood of daring men, particularly of the British and +Scandinavian races. They will never tire until the last "back-lot" of +the earth has been carefully scanned, mapped and staked for science and +civilization. + + + + +Reputation + + +A man may live a lifetime of virtue and honesty; then by one false step +destroy the delicate structure of Reputation which he has so +painstakingly constructed. + +The _Good Name_ of H.B.C. has taken two hundred and fifty years to +build. Yet _one year's departure_ from H.B.C. ideals and H.B.C. +standards would serve to corrode the foundations underlying this +priceless Reputation. + +When acting or speaking in the name of the Company, employees who +appreciate the insecurity of Reputation _think twice before saying or +doing anything_ that might be adjudged _un-Hudson's Bay_. + + + + +The Prize Contest + + +"How I Earned My First Dollar" Contest is stirring up much interest +among "old timers" in the ranks. First letters are beginning to come in. +Please do not delay in sending the facts about your early start. Two +hundred words are enough to give the main details--and are soon +written. + + + + +_Some People in the East and the West are Whimpering and Whining!_ + + + Pessimistic over the outlook for spring business. + + Some people think the bottom has fallen out of things, when the + fact is things are as good as ever they were. Only that with the + getting back into the condition that prevailed before the war + prices are falling, and many people have contracted a fever which + was very prevalent in the States a short time ago called + Pessimania. + + _We've Got to Do Our Part to Create a Spirit of Optimism_, for if + we all join the army of pessimists, it's going to be bad for + ourselves, bad for the Company, and bad for the country too. + _Besides, we have every reason to be optimistic and here are the + reasons_--First, there is the good news of lower prices on nearly + all kinds of goods, and people who have been doing without can now + buy freely again. Second, the government has abolished the + undesirable luxury tax. Encourage your customers and friends to buy + now, for prices cannot jump down below what they are now for the + spring, and the more they buy the more it will add prosperity to + the country. No country's prosperity was ever built up on fear, but + faith. The low prices are here now. People have money for + necessities and we must do our part by talking and thinking + hopefully for the coming spring. That's it! Have you ever stopped + to think of the wonderful power of thought. Like the pebble dropped + in the lake, ever widening in circles, your tiny thought of + hopefulness and helpfulness will have an ever-widening effect. + Every word that you say with belief behind it stimulates other + people to be optimistic, and so your influence increases. This is + what makes _power_. + + Every added sale that we make will not only increase our own record + but it will add its quota to the prosperity of Canada. + + Let everybody think good times, talk good times, and buy for good + times' sake, then the ranks of the unemployed will melt before the + sunshine of prosperity! + + Won't we make a resolution to start being _peptimists_ to-day?--_F. + S. Garner._ + + + + +MOTTOE FOR YE NEWE YEARE + +_Modernized by A. Seymour H.B.C. Post, D-14_ + + + There arre noe Byrdes + In Nexte Yeare's Neste. + In Nexte Yeare's Creame + There arre no Flyes. + Noe Vaine Regrettes + Disturb my Breaste + For Aught yt in + Ye Futurre lyes + Ande Laste Yeare's Flyes + Ande Laste Yeare's Byrdes + Arre paste ye reache + Of Tearres ande Wordes. + + ? ? ? ? +--Chaucer. + + + + +START THE NEW YEAR WELL + + + by joining the vast and ever increasing multitude of those who find + in Life Insurance the one sure way of protecting dependent + ones--while making timely provision for their own future at the + same time. + + Join the ever increasing number who have found, in the Policies of + The Great-West Life Assurance Company, all that can be desired in + profitable Life Insurance. + + Thus you will obtain protection at low cost, and will secure a + share in the remarkable profits that are being paid to + Policyholders of + + The Great-West Life Assurance Company + Dept. "D. 30" Head Office: WINNIPEG + + + + +C. W. Veysey Always Pushed the Work--Never Let It Push Him + +_General Manager of Winnipeg Wholesale Developed Himself So Consistently +With H. B. C. at Vancouver That He Was Called to Fill a Big Man's Shoes_ + +By A. BROCK, _Associate Editor_ + + +The career of Mr. C. W. Veysey, Manager H.B.C. Wholesale, Winnipeg, +furnishes an excellent example of the Company's appreciation of, and +reward for, faithful service and ability to apply one's business acumen +in the Company's interests. + +[Illustration: C. W. VEYSEY, Esq. + +_General Manager, Wholesale Department_] + + +_A Nova Scotian Who Early Came West_ + +Born in the little town of North Sidney, Nova Scotia, of English +parentage, Mr. Veysey was privileged to spend the first years of his +life in that country and community which produced so many of the leading +business men now in the West. + +When he was thirteen his parents decided to move to British Columbia. +They arrived in Vancouver in October, 1888. + +A few years spent at the west end and Central Schools, Vancouver, +brought Mr. Veysey to that stage where he decided that it was about time +he was learning to paddle his own canoe. + + +_Began Business Life in B.C. Refinery_ + +The B.C. Sugar Refinery was the scene of his first labors, given in +exchange for what at that time seemed the magnificent remuneration of +$12 per month, with the promised reward of an increase to $15 in three +months, providing the service he rendered was satisfactory to his +employer. + +It is interesting to recall that the Company's present general manager +at Vancouver, Mr. H. T. Lockyer, was at that time also connected with +the B.C. Refinery in the capacity of accountant; and Mr. Veysey was +fortunate in forming a friendship in those days which later proved to be +a source of great help when the experience and assistance of an "older +head" were needed to straighten out, ofttimes, the rough business road +he had to travel. + + +_Joined H.B.C. Service in 1896_ + +A period of five years, however, completed Mr. Veysey's connection with +the refinery. During this time Mr. Lockyer had entered the H.B.C. +service as accountant and perhaps in view of the association begun at +the refinery it was not strange that an opportunity should shortly +present itself enabling Mr. Veysey also to join the Company's service. +On 1st November, 1896, he commenced his duties in the Vancouver office. + +Mr. E. J. Cuchinay was the Company's accountant at Vancouver at that +time, but on account of ill health was being transferred to one of the +Company's steamers as purser. Consequently, his position at Vancouver +had to be filled. + + +_Mr. Lockyer Got Him a New Job_ + +Feeling, as Shakespeare says, that there is a "tide in the affairs of +men," Mr. Veysey decided to approach Mr. Lockyer (who by this time had +attained the position of general manager) and ascertain if he could not +be allowed to show his ability for the position. Mr. Lockyer informed +him that _he had already wired_ Commissioner Chipman, recommending his +appointment and showed him the wire. Mr. Veysey experienced anxious days +while awaiting the reply from Winnipeg; but eventually word was received +approving the appointment. + + +_Mr. Lockyer Gave Him Lesson in Self-Reliance_ + +Perhaps a little incident that occurred soon after Mr. Veysey's +appointment will be appreciated by a great many of the present aspiring +accountants of the Company. The time of the month had arrived when the +famous "Form 20" had to be compiled and with the help of Mr. Lockyer +this task was successfully accomplished. The next month, however, the +young accountant found not a little difficulty in completing this form +unassisted. He thought of Mr. Lockyer's kindly assistance the previous +month and again approached the general manager for help; but much to Mr. +Veysey's surprise, he was met with the reply, "Why, Charlie, I showed +you how to do that last month. Go back and do it." And back he went, and +what is more important, _he did it_. Mr. Veysey often remarks that that +was one of the best turns Mr. Lockyer ever did him. + + +_Handled Big Business During Yukon Rush_ + +Mr. Veysey has many pleasant reminiscences of the days of the Yukon rush +and what it meant to Vancouver. H.B.C. business was so great at that +time that it meant working every night until midnight for five months. +Mr. Lockyer will also remember this strenuous time, as he bore his share +with the rest. Midnight would often come and find him still on the job. + + +_Promoted to Assistant Managership_ + +Promotion again was the order of the day, and Mr. Veysey was made +assistant general manager at Vancouver. In 1908, however, he was +approached by Messrs. Kelly Douglas and Company to join their firm as +credit office manager, which position he filled until 1913, when he was +asked by the Hudson's Bay Company to go to Winnipeg in the capacity of +general manager of the Depot and Wholesale Branch, which had been +rendered vacant by the death of that valued servant of the Company, Mr. +G. W. Cochrane. + + +_Became Wholesale General Manager_ + +Mr. Veysey arrived in Winnipeg in July, 1913, and immediately applied +himself diligently to the task of building up a wholesale business which +should be second to none in the West. It was by no means an easy task, +but perseverance eventually prevailed and H.B.C. Winnipeg Wholesale has +registered great gains. Since Mr. Veysey's appointment at Winnipeg, +wholesale branches of the Company have been established at Saskatoon and +Regina, Saskatchewan, under his management. The H.B.C. candy factory, at +Winnipeg, owes its inception to his efforts for expansion of the +Company's business. + + +_Serves Fur Trade and Stores Efficiently_ + +One of his greatest ambitions has been to operate the depot so +efficiently that the service given both to the fur trade posts and +retail stores would be as near perfect as it was possible to make it. +The Company's many district managers and store managers all over Canada +acknowledge and appreciate the efforts which have been put forward in +this direction by Mr. Veysey's organization. + +Amongst the staff it may be said without fear of contradiction no man +could be held in higher esteem than Mr. Veysey. Exacting, but human, he +is and always ready to lend a helping hand. Having climbed up from the +foot of the ladder himself he believes in employees' earning every step +of their advancement, but he is always prepared to recognize and reward +merit where demonstrated. + + +_Mr. Veysey Always Active in Sports_ + +In the world of sport, Mr. Veysey is an ardent devotee of the ancient +and honourable game of golf, and many predict that some day the Burbidge +cup will be seen reposing in his office. Mr. Veysey also takes a +wholesome interest in curling. His enthusiasm and ability as a "skip" +usually helps place his rink "on top of the league" at the wholesale. + + + + +Rupert's House Notes + + +_Staff Changes_ + +J. S. C. Watt, late in charge of Fort Chimi, succeeds Mr. A. Nicolson, +retired. + +R. J. Sherlaw, late in charge of Mistassinny Post, to charge of Rupert's +House Post. + +A. Brebner, of Aberdeen, Scotland, apprentice clerk. + + +_Mistassinny Post_ + +F. Mcleod, late clerk at Albany Post, succeeds R. J. Sherlaw in charge +of Mistassinny Post. + + +_Woswanaby Post_ + +H. Hawkins, late clerk at Rupert's House, succeeds D. M. Stuart, in +charge of Woswanaby Post. + +Mr. Stuart left on board the S.S. "Nascopie," for a holiday in England. + + + + +Buffalo River Post News + + +We have had considerable sickness among the people of this district but +are glad to say that only a few are now incapacitated. A considerable +number died during last summer. + +Mr. J. M. Cumines, manager of H.B.C. Buffalo River, recently made a very +pleasant trip to Toronto, to visit his mother, who was ill. + +Lamson Hubbard Canadian Fur Company have opened their new store at +Buffalo River. (_But H.B.C. is still here doing business._) + + + + +B.C. District Office News + + +Mr. and Mrs. C. H. French= received congratulations on the birth of a +fine daughter on December 1st. + +Mr. F. B. Wombwell=, B.C. District accountant, returned from a visit to +Mayo Brothers, Rochester, Minn. + +During the past month the H.B.C. Victoria office has had the pleasure of +visits from: + + _Captain Evan J. Edwards, of Montreal, H.M. Senior Trade + Commissioner in Canada and Newfoundland; Mr. L. B. Beale, of + Winnipeg, His Majesty's Trade Commissioner, Department of Overseas + Trade, London; Captain Louis Knaflich, of the Kuskokwim Fishing and + Transportation Company, from whom the Hudson's Bay Company + chartered the "Ruby" for Western Arctic District; Captain J. + Bernard._ + + + + +_Requires Long Trip to Inspect B.C. Posts_ + + +To those of our readers who are "city folk" or whose travel is limited, +the following might prove interesting: + +To make an inspection trip to the Hudson's Bay Company's Posts in +British Columbia District alone a distance of 3758 miles must be covered +as follows: + + _404 miles by trails._ + _974 miles by rivers._ + _56 miles by lake._ + _80 miles by automobile._ + _976 miles by railroad._ +_1268 miles by steamboat._ + + + + +A Seaplane Visits Moose Factory + + +August 27, 1920, will be well remembered by the natives of Moose Island, +as it marks the arrival of the first air machine to any H.B.C. post in +James Bay district. + +A high-pitched, droning noise heralded the approach of the machine; and +soon the 'plane came into view, flying at an altitude of about three +thousand feet. A fine sight it was to see the great bird coming nearer, +suddenly "bank," and, with a great flash of silver, as the sun's rays +glinted on the tilted planes, it nose-dived and planed down to the +"landing" stretch of water, which had been previously marked with a buoy +and red flag. This channel of deep water runs between Moose Island and a +smaller island, the river at this point being of delta formation. + +Meanwhile the inhabitants and the Company's staff had gathered on the +bank, the latter all armed with cameras. A canoe shot out from the river +side and the airmen were soon exchanging greetings with us. + +The seaplane to the Indians was a matter of great mystery and for long +bands of them stood gazing at the craft which the white men had handled +so dexterously. + +During their subsequent trips to their base near Cochrane they very +kindly carried our outward mails. + +The object of the seaplane's journey was the recording by motion +pictures the life and customs of the inhabitants of northern +Canada.--_G.F._ + + + + +FAMOUS TRIPS BY H.B.C. DOG TEAMS + +107 Miles from Dawn to Dark + +By H. M. S. COTTER, _Cumberland House_ + + +In the year 1896 I was in charge of H.B.C. Northwest River Post on the +Labrador. It was customary for the post managers to assemble annually at +district headquarters which at that time was located at Rigolet on the +coast. This council was usually held in April on a specified date. +Rigolet is ninety-two miles from Northwest River by the winter trail. +The trip occupies two days as a rule, and when we left the Post it was +the intention as usual _to run the first fifty miles and camp_ for the +night at a place named the Lowlands. + +[Illustration: _The feet of the dogs are protected by deerskin moccasins +from laceration on sharp edges of the ice_] + +We had the ordinary length of sled or "komatik," which is about twelve +feet long and weighs about a hundred pounds. We carried a load of about +six hundred pounds, which in that part of the country is considered +light. + +We left the Post at 4.30 a.m. April 7th, 1896, just before dawn. The sky +was somewhat overcast and a light wind was blowing from Southwest. The +travelling was good, particularly in the early morning, as the melted +snow of the previous day had dried up during the night. + +Our nine dogs were in the very pink of condition. They displayed a +fierce eagerness to reach the sealing grounds, nine miles below the +Post. + +"Lieutenant" was the leader's name, and second leader, "Friday." Both +these dogs were famous as seal hunters. There was "nothing on four +legs," it was claimed, ever approached them either in respect of speed +or ability to scent seals at long distance. After we reached the sealing +grounds the team broke into a mad pace. No sooner had they run down one +batch of seals than the leaders would scent others long before they were +visible. In this way the speed of the whole team was maintained at a +high rate. + +As the local saying was, the dogs were "seal mad" and getting out of +hand. I had been over these sealing grounds many times, but never had +seen so many seals as on this day. Around the seal or blowing holes they +were not in large numbers, but along the cracks which opened across the +bay and ran for fifteen or twenty miles, the seals were literally in +thousands. It was good sport chasing them. We stopped several times and +speared four, adding about three hundred pounds to our load. But this +seemed to make no difference in the speed of the dogs. + +Finally we got into the Lowlands just before noon, having covered fully +sixty-five miles of our journey. As it was yet early and the dogs +appeared fresh as when they started, we decided after having a light +lunch, to go on to the next stopping place seventeen miles below. The +going was excellent and we did the first twelve miles in ninety minutes; +but coming to rough and hummocky ice we had to bear in towards the shore +to get around it. The wind had swept the rocks clean of snow. Just as we +got on land some caribou appeared across our course immediately ahead. +Well, talk about dogs moving! Their former speed seemed slow in +comparison. They raced over the naked rocks like wolves. I remember +looking behind and seeing a stream of fire flying from the steel shoeing +of the sledge like a shower of sparks from a high-speed emery wheel. The +caribou moved off into the valley and we had a tough job to get the +team onto the ice again. Here we came in sight of more seals. Off we +went again from our course and past the stopping place we had planned; +so we decided to go right on to our destination. _We arrived at Rigolet +before 8 p.m._ + +The Post managers came out and greeted us warmly, remarking however that +we had made slow time, arriving so late in the evening. _They thought we +had left the previous day._ When I announced that we had left only that +morning they said "like ---- you did." We had lost two hours, but in the +fourteen and a half hours we had been actually travelling we had covered +a hundred and seven miles. I am not claiming this is a record, but it is +one of the fastest trips ever made by an H.B.C. dog team with full load. + +_Editor's Note--Mr. James Fraser, who later became H.B.C. District +Manager in Esquimaux Bay, made the trip from Rigolet to Northwest River +in one day on a previous occasion, but as he lost a twenty-eight pound +keg of white lead on the way up much of the glory vanished. The +foregoing is the first of a series of authentic stories which The Beaver +plans to carry in a regular department which may be styled the "Dog +Column"--just plain DOG. Men of the Hudson's Bay: bestir your +"recollection equipment" and let us know if you have a better dog story +than Mr. Cotter's. Particularly are we expecting to hear from J. J. G. +Rosser, of Isle a la Crosse, and Ashton Alston, of Barriere, both famous +"dog skinners."_ + + + + +LITTLE JOURNEYS TO THE HAUNTS OF CANADA'S FUR-BEARING ANIMALS + +I. + +THE BEAVER + +(_Continued from last Issue_) + + +They have their young during June. When one year old they have two or +three only, the next year as many as six, but in after years the average +number is four. The young stay with their parents for two years and in +the third year they leave and make a home or mate with others who are +making homes for themselves. Under the old unwritten laws of the +Indians, a trap must not be set closer than two hundred yards from a +house, because the young beaver never go that far away from home, +therefore only the two years and older ones would be caught. + + +_Method of Drowning Beaver_ + +Owing to their custom of immediately using their teeth on anything that +interferes with their liberty, a trap must be set in such a way that the +animal drowns or he will in a very few seconds cut his imprisoned foot +off close to the shoulder. The system of drowning is as simple as it is +effective. Every trap chain has a ring on the end of it and is usually +set on the edge of fairly deep water with the chain ring over a stick +that has about half an inch of each branch left on, and has been shoved +in the mud out in deep water. The first thing the beaver does when +caught is to spring out into the water, taking of course train and trap +with him, and the ring easily and naturally slips down the pole and when +it reached the bottom immediately checks the flight of the beaver and +does not allow him to even come to the surface again. Consequently, he +is drowned in a very few moments. Ordinarily he can stay under water for +about ten minutes, but when excited and fighting as he would do when +caught, will drown quickly. + + +_Beaver Tail Useful Implement_ + +The beaver uses its tail to steer with while swimming and to carry the +mud necessary to construct his house. He will scratch a little pile of +earth up with his fore paws, then turn around and scoop his tail under +the loose mud, holding it stiff and straight out behind on the level of +the water while he swims off to where building operations are going on. + +[Illustration: _Two fine, fat, 35 pound beaver_] + + +_How the Beaver Stores Food_ + +The beaver's winter store of food is not put too close to the house, but +usually a considerable distance off; sometimes in deep water in the +middle of a pond or under a bank where the water is too deep to freeze +to the bottom. Sticks of cottonwood, cut as large as can conveniently be +handled, are pulled or even carried on their shoulders while they walk +in an upright position to the water, then floated to the spot selected. +These sticks are not shoved into the mud as has often been stated, but +are piled up or built up just as we would build a raft--the first layer +lying one way, and the second layer crossways on top, each layer having +all crevices filled up with mud until the larder is sufficient for his +winter's needs, and is weighed down level with the top of the water. +When he starts to draw from this store, he pulls a stick out from the +bottom and takes it off to his tunnel leading to the bank close by his +house where meals are served. + + +_Easy To Approach Beaver From Windward Side_ + +Animals usually can detect the approach of danger if it comes from the +windward side. The beaver is not an exception, but one can be within a +few feet of them when the wind is blowing in the opposite direction, and +they fail to get the scent. For example, an Indian wanted a beaver to +eat and as just before camping for the night he had passed some cuttings +only a little way back on the trail, he decided to go back after dark +and see what luck there was for him. He was careful to approach the +workings from the windward side and after listening attentively he could +hear a beaver cutting trees up on the hill side above him. He selected a +sheltered spot in some brush on the windward side of the slide or the +road that was used by the beaver to skid down the cut wood. Presently +along came the animal, struggling with a large piece of cottonwood. The +Indian waited until after the beaver had passed him, then reached out +and caught the stick, holding it firmly, and as soon as the beaver was +satisfied that it was caught it walked back with the intention of +cutting it loose only to get hit on the head with a stick and killed by +the Indian. + + +_The Beaver a Castorum Factory_ + +Both male and female have a pair of glands lying lengthways on the +inside of the skin at the lower extremities, which does not appear to be +controlled as other organs are, but are emptied with the hand by a +downward pressure. The secretion contained in these two bags is a solid +from which oil is extracted and is completely emptied once each year. +Close by every house a handful of dry grass is gathered up and the +castorum deposited, then a few tail-fulls of mud are put on top of it. +What this is done for I am not certain but think it is like a challenge +or a sign that all trespassers will have to fight. When the bags are +emptied in the fall the beaver visit jackpine forests and eat largely of +the gum, I am told by the Indians, for the purpose of replenishing the +castorum supply, and this is likely true, because the odor and character +of the deposit is not unlike pine gum. Castorum has a peculiar +attraction for all wild animals, and the Indians put it to account by +using it as a trap scent. Another advantage it has is that though an oil +substance it is of such a nature that when rubbed on iron traps and set +under water it will not leave the trap and float up like all other oil +substances will do. Commercially it is used as a body in perfumes, +likely also on account of its being able to retain the perfume for such +a long time. + +(_To be continued_) + + + + +G. L. Bellingham Won Way From Clerkship in Land Dept. + +_Assistant Land Commissioner--A Man to Whom Accuracy is Next to +Godliness--Has Earned Continuous Promotion Through 18 Years._ + +By B. A. EVERITT, _Associate Editor_ + + +Mr. G. L. Bellingham, assistant to the land commissioner, hails from +Wales but he has been so long in Canada and has for so many years dealt +with H.B.C. farm lands that he knows his adopted country possibly better +than his native soil. Mr. Bellingham is so intimately in touch with the +Company's widespread land holdings that he can almost tell one the +value, topography, the soil and the tonnage of wild hay on any H.B.C. +parcel out of several thousand dotted over the prairie maps. + + +_Likes to See a "Square Deal" All Round_ + +Mr. Bellingham is keen, active and earnest, with a typical British +temperament, which often reminds one that he is a fighting man all +through--prepared to hold his own in any transaction. Those who know him +best admire his faculty for getting at the "root of things" quickly and +his insistence on absolute justice being meted out to all concerned. + + +_Insists on Clear Understanding_ + +Any arrangement made with Mr. Bellingham could not possibly be +misunderstood or confused. His mastery of details and clearcut +registering of all salient points--always followed by a careful +recapitulation--makes issues unforgettable, whether the occasion be the +sale of a section of land or the arrangement of a curling match. He is +as careful in even the most unimportant dealings as if making a legal +contract. + +[Illustration] + +Mr. Bellingham was born at Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, June 17th, +1875. Educated in London and North of England, he entered a Lancashire +stockbroker's office in 1889, where he remained for two years. For ten +years, subsequently, he was in the employ of the town council, resigning +the position of assistant secretary in 1902, to embark for Canada. + + +_Has a Try at Tilling the Soil_ + +The desire to get "back to the land" had got a strong hold upon him, and +Canada's great West presented the most alluring prospects to the young +and adventurous agriculturist. + +One week of the farm's hard labor sufficed. Mr. Bellingham's illusions +of the joy of currying the prairies as a means of enticing wealth broke +and died as the proverbial bubble. His first farm job was either too +"hefty" for Mr. Bellingham or he was not powerful enough for it. + + +_Joined H.B.C. as Clerk in 1902_ + +In Winnipeg, May 16th, 1902, he applied for and obtained a junior +position in the Company's land department, of which Mr. Montague Aldous +was chief clerk and Mr. C. C. Chipman, Commissioner. + + +_Faithful Effort Gains Promotions_ + +Mr. Bellingham applied himself earnestly to learning all there was to +know about land and H.B.C. methods of doing business. He was assigned +one duty after another and, as his good work came to the notice of his +superiors, "graduated" from each new position to a better one. To-day, +he is assistant to the land commissioner, Mr. H. F. Harman. + +When the Company's Edmonton townsite sale of 1912 was inaugurated, Mr. +Bellingham was chosen to take charge of the Edmonton branch, in which +capacity he remained until June, 1916, being then recalled to Winnipeg +to deputize for the assistant land commissioner during the latter's +absence in France. + + + + +WHAT HAPPENED AT MOOSE FACTORY DURING SUMMER AND FALL, 1920 + +Extracts from the Post Journal from Entries by J. L. Gaudet, Post +Manager + + +July 1st--Our steamer, the "Inenew," left this morning on her first trip + to Charlton Island, taking the District staff to the island + for the summer, as this is our summer distributing point. + Dr. Stewart and Rev. W. G. Walton were passengers. + +July 6th--The steamer returned with a cargo for Moose Factory of + Charlton Depot stock. The steamer returned to Charlton with + a load of lumber which I am shipping to the Straits. + +July 14th--The steamer returned with her second cargo from Charlton, and + took another load of lumber for the Strait Posts. Mr. + Johansen of the Biological Branch of the Naval Department of + the Canadian Government, was a passenger on his way to Fort + George. Mr. Fred McLeod and family were also passengers on + their way to Woswonaby Post. Mr. McLeod is going there in + the capacity of Post Manager. + +July 21st--Mr. F. D. Wilson arrived here to-day with two apprentice + clerks, Messrs. Beveridge and Findlay, both from Aberdeen, + Scotland. + +Aug. 3rd--Mr. Aurey, the government treaty paymaster, arrived here on + his annual trip, paying treaty to the Indians. Mr. Aurey is + assisted by Dr. Baker. + +Aug. 10th--Mr. Russell and family, Mr. John Louttit and family, arrived + with the schooner "Fort George." These gentlemen are on + their way out to civilization. Mr. Russell was in charge of + Fort George Post. + +Aug. 14th--Mr. Romanet, general fur trade inspector, arrived here with + Mrs. Romanet and two children. Mr. Romanet says he is here + on an official visit from the Fur Trade Commissioner's + Office. Inspector Phillips and Sgt. Joy, of the R.C.M. + Police, also arrived to-day. They are on their way to the + Belcher Islands to investigate some Eskimo murder case. + +Aug. 17th--A large seaplane, "The Caaz," with Capt. Maxwell as pilot and + Mr. Doan as engineer, landed here this afternoon. This is + the first flying machine to come to Moose Factory and was + quite a sight for our Indians. + +Aug. 19th--The general inspector left on the schooner "Fort George" for + Charlton Island this morning at 7 o'clock. A canoe carrying + the ship's papers and two apprentice clerks, Mr. Gregory and + Mr. Bremner, arrived at 1 p.m., just a few hours late to + catch the schooner which I was holding for that purpose, so + I had to get busy and send off our hay-boat with this mail + to Charlton Island. + +Aug. 23rd--The seaplane landed here to-day on her second trip from Remy + Lake, which is a few miles from Cochrane, with two moving + picture men, Mr. Blake and Mr. Tash. They claim that they + are being sent by the Ontario Government to take pictures. + +Aug. 26th--We had a visit from Capt. Mack to-day. He came with our + schooner "Fort Charles" from Charlton Island, and states + that they had a hard and trying trip coming through the + Straits. Mr. and Mrs. Mayer were also passengers. Mr. Mayer + is our worthy Post Manager at Great Whale River and is on + his way out to civilization on a few months' leave. + +Aug. 27th--The seaplane "Caaz" brought us some newspapers from Cochrane, + dated Aug. 25th, with the latest news. + +Aug. 31st--We have at last managed to extinguish the bush fire which was + started by the Rev. Mr. Haythornthwaite on the 25th inst., + after working day and night since it started. This will be + quite a relief to the many families who are still camped + across the river, as they were afraid to come back. + +Sept. 2nd--Our steamer "Inenew" landed here to-day with our District + Manager, Mr. Rackham, Mr. Romanet, the general inspector, + Mr. Griffith, manager of Albany Post, who is acting as + private secretary to the general inspector, Messrs. Blake + and Tash, movie men, and the Rev. Mr. Walton were + passengers. The seaplane "Caaz" also arrived from Remy Lake + with Mr. Griffin, representing the Toronto _Star_, as + passenger. + +Sept. 21st--Mr. A. Nicolson and family arrived this evening from + Rupert's House, after a hard and trying trip around the + coast. Mr. Nicolson has been in the employ of the Hudson's + Bay Company for forty years. It is with much regret that we + see Mr. Nicolson severing his active services with the good + old Company. + +Sept. 23rd--Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Anderson and child landed here to-day + after spending a few months' holiday in civilization. Mr. + Anderson is on his way to his Post, which is Attawapiskat. + +Oct. 1st--The steamer "Inenew" landed here to-day with the District + Office staff and the balance of our outfit. This finishes + our season's transport. + +Oct. 7th--Capt. G. R. Redfearn, A. Guibeau, engineer, Inspector + Phillips, Sgt. Joy, Mr. Johansen and Mr. Sainsbury left this + morning for Clute. + +Oct. 9th--Hauled out the S.S. "Inenew" to winter quarters and stored + away the hauling gear. + +Oct. 27th--Packet canoes returned from the line to-day and by them + received the first issue of our magazine, _The Beaver_. + +Oct. 29th--Mr. G. R. Ray, fur trade inspector, and Mr. J. B. Neil + arrived here to-day at mid day. + +Nov. 10th--The river is frozen over, and hardly any snow on the ground + as yet. We are having fine weather.--J. L. Gaudet, Post + Manager. + + + + +The Ghost is Foiled in Lac Seul's Haunted Room + +By R. O. OTTEN + + +It was Christmas at Lac Seul Post, that historic place, well known to +men of the North. Quite a number of the Outpost managers had come in to +spend Christmas with the Post Manager and his family. The last to arrive +was Mr. R. He had travelled over 200 miles by dog team and cariole to +get there. After the hand-shaking was over, Mr. M., the Post Manager, +drew Mr. R. aside and asked if he believed in ghosts. Mr. R. laughed and +said he didn't believe in any kind of spirits, except the kind they used +to have at Christmas in the old days, but wanted to know what the joke +was. The Post Manager told him that he had only one room left vacant, +and nobody had slept in that room for years as it was supposed to be +haunted. + +The story was that on two different occasions at the usual Christmas +gathering of the Outpost managers, there had been tragic endings to +several guests who had occupied that room. Both had died from having +their throats cut from ear to ear--and no one had slept there since. Mr. +R. said he didn't believe in such nonsense as ghosts, and wanted to be +shown to the room, as he wanted to get a shave and clean-up before +dinner. He said any kind of a room would look good to him after sleeping +in the snow for the past week. + +The Post Manager showed him to the room which was situated at the rear +of the large dwelling house, away from the rest of the guests. Mr. R. +had just laid out his "glad rags" and was commencing to shave--he had +the razor in his hand--when a feeling came over him that _he was not +alone in the room_. Looking into the mirror, he was horrified to see +there the reflection of a horrible face peering over his shoulder. He +felt his wrist grasped by a claw-like hand. His hand was being forced +slowly up and up, towards his throat. Mr. R. tried to call out for help, +but he was powerless to utter a sound. The hand was still forcing the +razor towards his victim's throat, then it started to draw it across. +Mr. R. gave himself up for lost, when he felt the grip on his wrist +loosen and a baffled expression came over the horrible face. That ghost +was up against modern science. _Mr. R. was using a safety razor._ + + + + +SASKATCHEWAN DISTRICT OFFICE NEWS + + +Congratulations would appear to be in order for Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, +of Fort a la Corne Post, and their daughter Norah on the success +attained by the latter at the recent St. Alban's College (Prince Albert) +term examinations. The following is a quotation from the local paper: + + "Miss Norah Armstrong, the gold medalist of the year at St. Alban's + college, Prince Albert, holds an enviable record in the college. + Miss Armstrong has been a student at St. Alban's for the past four + years, taking her grade 8 diploma in 1917. She was successful in + passing her junior matriculation examination in June, and now holds + the St. Alban's scholarship to the University of Saskatchewan. In + addition to her marked progress in her studies, Miss Armstrong has + found time to distinguish herself along athletic lines, having won + the tennis cup in singles, and also with Miss Phyllis Clarke in the + doubles." + + + + +"SKIPPERING A SCOW" ON THE ATHABASCA + +(_Continued from last number_) + +By N. A. Howland + + +[Illustration] + +When the men in the scow realized their position they did not shout +frenziedly for help. To them the most important business of the moment +was to get a smoke. + + +_They Smoked While Facing Death_ + +The _frenzied_ people were all on shore. Under the calming influence of +tobacco, the wrecked crew surveyed the damage. The boat was intact +though leaking a little. It was impossible for them to extricate +themselves. Even if any of them could swim, an attempt to make the shore +would have proved fatal. They relied on us. Their hope was founded on a +rock as surely as their craft. + + +_Getting Ready for the Rescue_ + +It was not long ere some of the sixty odd men, at Mr. Cornwall's +direction, on the island had run to the warehouse to get rope. +Fortunately being on the scene, he took matters in hand, and as soon as +the necessary tackle had been brought, essayed to rescue the endangered +crew. The only way that this could be done was to get a line aboard the +scow and pull her off. The distance from shore was too great to permit +of a rope being thrown, but there was a rock standing well out of the +water about half way between, from which it might be possible to hurl a +stick; so Cornwall, taking a club in his hand to which was attached a +long cord held by the men on shore, started to work his way out to the +vantage point through the rock-studded stream, struggling from boulder +to boulder, the swirling water gripping and tearing at his legs in an +effort to sweep him away. + + +_Fighting the Torrent_ + +To the tense crowd of men watching it seemed impossible that he could +attain his object, but in spite of the great physical strain slowly and +surely the figure--now waist deep in the current, now pulling himself up +on to a rock, clinging always to the meagre support with a tenacity that +the raging torrent could not break--reached its goal. + + +_Getting A Line Aboard the Wreck_ + +A sense of relief came to those who watched, but not for long. He rested +for a moment to recover his breath; then coolly gathering the small rope +into a coil he made the first throw. A gasp went up from the crowd on +shore. The distance was too great; the stick hit the water fully twenty +feet short. Again and again the attempt failed. Sometimes the missile +fell so close that the rope could almost be reached but they had no +boat-hook aboard. The thrower could not stand up with good footing to do +his work, but from a precarious position threw with arms alone. He +rested, tired by his exertions. Suddenly he gathered all his strength +and at imminent hazard of hurling himself into the river sent the stick +with unerring aim over its mark. + + +_We Pulled the Scow Off the Rock_ + +A mighty cheer went up from all the watchers. It was but a moment's work +to haul in the cable and make it fast to the end of the scow; every +available man on shore found a place on the line, and pulled with might +and main to the cry of "Yo heave ho!" that she creaked in every seam and +her square end was drawn bow-shaped under the strain on that fragile +rope. Pull as we might, our efforts to dislodge her were unavailing. +Something had to give, however. It was the line which parted with a +snap, hurling us to the ground. A groan went up from those in danger, +for in a moment they fell from the highest hope to the lowest depth of +despair. They were in worse plight than before, but steadfastly the +business of renewing communication with the scow proceeded without +delay. Cornwall's efforts were again crowned with success. Little by +little our task was accomplished and we were gratified to see the men +who were in the water scramble aboard in great haste, as with a rousing +cheer we let go the cable. + + +_A Tenderfoot Spectator_ + +When we had first arrived at the head of the rapids the previous day, a +little man with a large outfit was found encamped on the river bank +unable to proceed any further, waiting for something or somebody to turn +up. Ten days had passed before help arrived. He had been brought hither +by a gasoline engine and canoe, his only companions so far as is known +being two spaniels. This gentleman styled himself a prospector +ostensibly bound for Fond-du-Lac to investigate the silver strike there; +but his proceedings and appearance belied the assertion, for if there +were a man who should not have left the shelter of the paternal wings, +it was he. The impression gained was that he was one of those helpless +useless atoms of humanity that are misfits anywhere, but in the North, +where one must be self-reliant, doubly out of place. He having arranged +with Mr. Cornwall for a "lift" from there to Fort McMurray, lay all day +on his bedding in the sand surrounded by his goods and chattels, playing +with his dogs, bestirring himself only to take a photograph occasionally +or get a bite to eat. + + +_Fondled His Spaniels and Looked On_ + +He was apparently oblivious to the tragedy being enacted within a +hundred yards of him. This man called down upon himself the contempt and +scorn of all men present by remaining inert, lazily fondling his +spaniels whilst men's lives trembled in the balance. His hand upon the +rope would not perhaps have helped much, but we should at least have +known that he was a man. The sequel to his apathy was that next day he +was deposited on the main land below the rapids and where it was +intimated to him that his company was no longer desirable. + + +_An All Night Mosquito Raid_ + +Whether fired by a spirit of recklessness by the events of the day, or +whether the writer was too tired to return to his camp on the mainland +with the men is of little consequence, but be it known that his +mosquito-bar was there. Needless to say, the mosquitoes were victorious. +We needed no alarm clock that morning because the enemy forced me out of +bed during the night to upbraid myself for a fool. Not a wink of sleep +for me as a result; however, we got an early breakfast out of it. + + +_The Tug "Crester" Wrecked_ + +My Russians were making good progress removing the rails, the freight +having been all portaged, and the scows run through the previous day +were being drawn up to the Island and reloaded. About 10 o'clock Captain +Barber started to run the tug "Crester" through the rapids without +steam, steering with auxiliary in case of accident. Disaster dogged the +footsteps of the railroad party apparently. Nothing had gone well so +far. The climax had arrived. Those who were watching the river gave a +shout. All eyes went to the rapid immediately; there was the "Crester" +shooting down through the roughest of the water well over on the land +side, out of control. We learned later that her rudder had been smashed. +We saw her take a few bad bumps from a distance of two hundred yards; +then with a final heave she seemed to be lifted bodily and dashed on the +rocks close inshore where she lay a wreck with her bottom stove in, +broadside to the current with the waves breaking over her. + +[Illustration] + + +_The "Crester" Dismantled_ + +There were no casualties. With the aid of spars, the crew were easily +able to make the land. It was the middle of the afternoon before it was +possible for me to go over and see the tug. In the space of six hours +the captain, engineer and boatmen had her completely dismantled and all +her "innards" ashore, whilst preparations were being made to pull her +off and float her down the rest of the way into the Big Eddy, where she +could be patched up. + +(_To be continued_) + + + + +Moose Island Afire + +_Clergyman's Bonfire Grows Into Conflagration, Threatening H.B.C. Post +and Natives' Homes_ + +BY GEO. FINDLAY, Moose Factory + + +A Journal extract, dated August 25th, 1920, states briefly that: + + "The Rev. Mr. Haythornthwaite while burning old tree stumps at the + back of the Mission allowed the fire to run on, thereby setting + alight the adjoining bush." + +That day, a Wednesday, was excessively hot, and, as the whole summer had +been very warm, all the bush and undergrowth must have been perfectly +dry. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the cry of "Fire" went up, and from +the southwest end of the island a big column of smoke began to darken +the air, blowing in the direction of the Post. + +For some minutes the natives stood gazing and then the realization that +the Island was afire broke upon them. Something akin to panic set in. +Canoes were loaded. Food, blankets and tents were thrown haphazardly +into them, and they were swiftly paddled to the opposite bank of the +river by the fear-stricken natives. + +Imagine the scene: The river dotted with canoes, with their +multicoloured loads; the roar of the ever-increasing fire, as it was +fanned by a slight breeze, and the strange stillness that pervaded the +Post, which can be sensed only in a deserted place. + +The servants returned as soon as their families were safely "entrenched" +on the other side of the river, and each with his axe hurried to the +scene of the outbreak. + +In company with Mr. Gaudet, our Post Manager, I went to see the progress +made by the fire. Often we were compelled to change our route through +the bush on account of the terrific heat and the choking, blinding +smoke. In many places great patches of undergrowth were blazing quite a +distance from the body of the fire, sparks having been blown ahead by +the wind. + +The roar of the fire was deafening as it caught fresh trees, shooting +great lurid tongues of flame up their entire thirty feet. Darker and +darker grew the air; the heat became fiercer; the fire advanced as if to +satisfy its terrible hunger by enveloping the entire Island in its +scorching clutch; and as we walked back to the deserted Post thoughts of +having to abandon it ran through our minds. + +However the wind dropped, and the little band of fire fighters worked +hard to accomplish their task. Had the wind risen, the whole island +would have been devastated. + +All that night, and the succeeding five days and nights, gangs of +natives (who had by this time got over their fright) and servants +watched the fire until it was successfully stamped out. + +[Illustration: _Assembly of Indians who received H.B.C. Long Service +Medals at Fort Alexander_] + +[Illustration: _Robust sons of Post manager W. A. Murray, at Fort +Alexander, Manitoba_] + + + + +WINNIPEG + + +RESOLVED + +_Jan. 1, 1921_ + +that New Year's resolutions are not going out of fashion, as witnessed +by the following answers to the query, "What is One of your New Year's +Resolutions." + +_J. H. Pearen_--To remain young that I may laugh with my children. To be +considerate at all times of the aged and infirm or those in need of +encouragement. + +_W. Ogden_--To think more, talk less and to go through each day fully +realizing that the opportunities which come to me lie in the present and +not in the future. + +_Thos. F. Reith_, Card-writer--That I try to emulate the well-known +Beaver and turn out heaps of + + B_right_ + E_ffective_ + A_rtistic_ + V_igorous_ + E_nterprising and_ + R_eadable_ + +show cards, tickets and signs during 1921, in which case I expect to +"BE-A-VER-"Y busy Card-writer. + +_Geo. W. Ashbrook_--It is my opinion that a New Year's resolution, if +sincere, should be confined to the individual's eye alone and not open +to the gaze of the public. + +_S. Kaufman_--One of my resolutions for 1921 is to endeavor to reduce my +weight twenty pounds by applying myself assiduously to the royal sport +of curling during the winter season and by strenuously playing tennis +during leisure hours in the summer time. + +_Miss D. Bens_--To be true to my word, my work and my friends. To make +all I can, to save all I can and give all I can. + +_J. W. Frankish_--We are aiming at 100% efficiency in selling our +merchandise. It should be sold on the same basis as we buy it. More +attention by sales staff in introducing all the new merchandise as it +enters the department. This is our intention in departments 3 and 5 for +1921. + +_Chas. Healey_--Do it now! This is my New Year's resolution. It is so +easy to put things off when just a little "pep," a little extra energy +is needed. So much can be gained and greater satisfaction can be given +to all. Do it now! + +_A. C. Dunbar_--I will increase my efficiency--(power to produce)--by +studying, plus analyzing, plus determination, plus application, equals +increased efficiency. + +_J. Whalley_--That every business act of mine will be executed with the +full belief that it is for the best interest of the firm. + +_Saml. Drennan_--To continue placing more confidence in the washboard +than in the Ouija board. + +_I. N. Cognito_--Not to engage any more handsome looking salesgirls, as +those I now have are all engaged--and may get married. + +_W. R. Ogston_--One of my resolutions for the New Year will be to govern +my actions, thought and speech towards my fellowmen by the well-known +principle of "The Golden Rule" and to do my work in such a way that at +the close of each day I may feel that I have accomplished something. + + +Winnipeg Moustache Club + +_Semi-Annual Report_ + +Just prior to the closing of the outfit ending January 31st, 1920, a +careful inventory discloses the following state of affairs. The showing +is not entirely satisfactory, but it is felt that some progress is being +made. + +_Moustaches on Hand_--None. + +_Moustaches on Upper Lip_--Twenty divided among the following "heads of +stocks": Messrs. Frankish, Goody, Grant, Moore (tailoring), Lade, +Fuller, Hughes, Lackie, Weeden, Blowers, Leveque, Dickens, Harrison, +Hardiman, Keeley, Chambers, Duckneau, Breitner, Clark, Pugsley (?). + +_New Member_--Mr. T. Nichols. (Greetings, brother). + +_Under Suspicion_--Mr. C. M. Thomas, Mr. C. Robinson, Mr. Robt. +Cunningham. + +_The Club's National Anthem_--"The Bonnie Bloomin' Heather." + +_Legend for Club's New Escutcheon_--"The Weight of a Hair Will Turn the +Scales."--_Shakespeare._ + +_Remarks_--All members and supporters are urged to consult Mr. Saalfeld +re irregularities of growth observed from time to time. Renovation for +spring should be undertaken early. Special rates to members for loan of +Hoover electric sweepers. Use of garden rakes or weeders will result in +suspension from Club privileges. Special attention is called to the +alarming recurrence of the grasshopper plague prophesied for June and +July. + +[Illustration: DO YOU REMEMBER this remarkable aggregation? This is the +formidable H.B.C. Football Team, Season 1911-12. + +_From left to right_--Madill, Jones, Medland, Isaacs, Everitt, Paul, +Brodie, Dyde, Foulks, Sheldon, Campbell, Mr. A. H. Doc, Law, Smith, +Allan.] + + +Managers' Social Dramatic Affair + +As merry a company as ever graced a festal board met at the store +buyers', managers' and assistants' social in the lunchroom, Thursday +evening, January sixth. The highly edible and diversified "wittles" were +disposed of with a display of "wim" and "wigor" which did justice to all +traditions. Entire arrangements for the occasion were undertaken by the +ladies, and the zest with which the entertainment proceeded brought down +the applause of the whole assembly. + +Speech, anecdote, jest, song and a three-act drama, starring the +celebrated tragedian, Samuel Drennan, were features of an altogether +enjoyable and profitable evening. + + +Are We 100 Per Cent Efficient? + +By R. J. HUGHES + +I wonder how many of us could answer the question at the head of this +article truthfully without a considerable amount of self-study, and if +we did stop and analyze ourselves would we find that we could say, "Yes, +I am 100 per cent. efficient." Now, let us consider for a minute what +"efficient" really means. + +Turning to your dictionary, you will find the definition, "capable of +producing the desired results." Are we really prepared to say "yes, I am +capable of producing the desired results." If you can't, you are not 100 +per cent. efficient and must find the reason why. It does not matter +what position you hold or what the nature of your work is, if you are +efficient, advancement is bound to be waiting. + +In a recent issue of _The Beaver_ was a copy of what was called "A +man-rating chart" and a statement that stores' staff promotions are +governed by efficiency. Study this chart and see how many points you can +honestly claim to have mastered. Whatever you do, don't go round like +some people saying, "I am 100 per cent. efficient." If you really are, +the management will soon notice it and promotion will come your way. +Next month I will tell you what an important part memory takes in +efficiency. + + +Y-O-U! + +_What's the Matter With You, Anyway?_ + +By ELMER PUGSLEY + +There are two ways, 'tis said, by which to get into "society"--either by +flattering or shocking it. But though the writer had the honeyed tongue +of the anteater, this is no time to coddle and soothe you with some +linseed-poultice sort of caressing lullaby. It's New Year's and I am +deliberately setting out to fire up your "dander." Of course, you may be +able to prove an alibi, but, otherwise, if these few plodding lines +succeed in making you really boiling, red-hot "mad"--(not just angry, +you understand)--that will be the best proof that you're still +conscious--and there's hope for you. We shudder when we read of "so and +so" being picked up unconscious, but I could pick up numbers of people +in that pitiable predicament any day--people who somehow got into the +business world, strange to say. + +You stand at the outset of a New Year. Scientists think there have been +living beings on this old planet for 500,000 of those time-measures we +call years--but there is _only one_ you can be sure of--that's _this_ +year. It's a wonder you didn't think of that without being told! Glance +back over the old year's glimmering trail now fading into whatever such +things fade into. It is strewed with regrets and wasted opportunities +that slipped through your careless fingers! Aren't you ashamed? + +What's the matter with you anyway? Don't you care much? Aren't you +interested in the big proposition called "life", more than just enough +to watch the procession of progressive mortals passing? You'll never +keep up with them if you don't pad right along! Wouldn't you like to +strike out for a real goal, eh? You have the stuff in you if you'd just +shake yourself a little to rouse your rusting gifts. Don't turn over the +key to the bailiff just because you weren't born under a favorable sign +in the zodiac. Even if your teacup doesn't read right--pshaw! you +wouldn't let a thing like that spoil your future! Never mind if the +bumps on your head are in the wrong place; jump into the scuffle and +you'll receive any other bumps you need before you're through. A chap is +said to have advertised his brains for sale the other day--"good as +new--never been used." He never served in The Hudson's Bay, that fellow. +No, sir! + + * * * * * + +The very air is surcharged with pleas to you to launch out and +distinguish yourself. Self advancement is the theme of the age. No one +can do as much for you as you can do for yourself. You're a regular +"powerhouse" of possibilities if you have enough gumption to utilize +them. You remember you turned down a smashing good chance to get ahead, +when, for the sake of a few paltry frivolities, you sacrificed that +special study course which you could have mastered in 1920. You know +better than that. You saunter along through life as if you had a +thousand years to put in here. Train the microscope on your freckled +career and set about to remedy things. Come now, get hold of yourself! +It's all beginning over again--New Year--new page--new everything! +Tackle something that's so much bigger than you that it scares you! +That's the way to grow accustomed to accomplishing big things. This is +_your_ year! How do you know that you're going to have another as good? +Make this your motto--pin it to your New Year's resolutions--"This is +_My_ Year!"--and in sooth it _will_ be your year! + + +Miss McCheyne's name was inadvertently omitted from the formerly +published list of names of those completing ten years' service. + +Since the change in markets Miss Winslow, our postmistress-in-general, +is worried for fear someone is going to tear in one of these days and +ask what the new replacement price is on two cent postage stamps. + +Someone turns in an unsigned report about the prevalence of "sparklers" +getting hard on the eyes around the bureau of adjustment. + + +First Snowshoe Tramp + +By Land Staff + +Eighteen members of the Land Department staff snowshoed out to the home +of Mr. B. Everitt, our genial associate editor, at East Kildonan, +Saturday evening, December 18th. The party gathered at Redwood bridge +and tramped north by way of Red River. + +About half way it was found necessary to call a halt owing to the guide +being missing. His rejuvenated appearance upon eventually overtaking the +main party led to some doubt as to the generally accepted meaning of +"air holes," which were reported to be the cause of the delay. + +While there was not sufficient snow to make real good tramping, what was +lacking in this respect was more than compensated for by the enjoyable +time provided by the host and hostess at the conclusion of the hike. +Here games and dancing were indulged in until midnight, when the party +was brought to an end with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne."--_F.H.N._ + + +_An Error Rectified_ + +As some error in the names of the long service medalists had been made +at the opening of the Anniversary Celebration, our general manager's +office was the scene the other day of a pleasant little ceremony when +Mr. Chas. E. Robinson was made the recipient of his long service medal. +It was presented by Sir Augustus Nanton, chairman of the Canadian +Advisory Committee, Mr. FitzGerald and Mr. Sparling being also present. +"Charlie" has been with the Store since June 6, 1904, and is one of the +bulwarks. + +Mr. James Thomson, former Commissioner of lands and furs, was warmly +welcomed home at Winnipeg, December 23rd, after an absence of several +months in the Orkney's and Scotland. + + + + +EDMONTON + + +LAND OFFICE + +[Illustration: _Our photograph shows Mr. J. R. McIntosh, H.B.C. Land +Agent in charge of the Edmonton Land Office, with his secretary and Mr. +Henderson (standing). Mr. McIntosh and staff who are actively associated +with the Company's housing scheme, operate from these modern offices in +the McLeod Building._] + + +Retail Store Notes + +Recent Changes Among Store's Department Heads + +Changes never seem to come singly, for since the first appearance of +_The Beaver_ no less than five important executive appointments have +been made in the store; and another is scheduled for the very near +future. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Chasey, the new buyer for the men's clothing departments, and Miss +M. Doherty, the new buyer for the hosiery and gloves, are now firmly +established on their feet and are making noteworthy progress. + + * * * * * + +We now welcome to our ranks three more recent arrivals: + + * * * * * + +Mr. Pallett is another Easterner who has heard the call of the West. Mr. +Pallett succeeds Mr. Jenkins as buyer of the trimmings and ribbons. He +was previously with the T. Eaton Company for several years. Mr. Pallett +is very favorably impressed with the City of Edmonton and predicts a +great future for the store. + +Mr. Secord is the new buyer of the ladies' ready-to-wear, and successor +to Mr. Woodman. Mr. Secord was previously with the Robert Simpson Co., +of Toronto, nine years buyer of the ladies' ready-to-wear and fur +department. Since coming to the store, Mr. Secord has won the esteem of +the entire staff and we predict a rosy future for the department under +his supervision. + +Mr. J. McLeod has succeeded Mr. McKee as buyer of the cigar and candy +departments. Mr. McLeod was recently floor manager on the second floor +and was previously manager of the grocery department, Hudson's Bay +Company, Retail, Vernon, B.C. + + +Hail to Our New Assistant "Chief" + +This new appointment was effective on December 13th, 1920. Besides +holding the position of assistant manager, Mr. McKenzie will also act in +the capacity of merchandise manager, thereby relieving Mr. F. F. Harker +of a big burden. Mr. Harker has for the past twelve months acted in the +dual capacity of manager of the store as well as merchandise manager. + +Mr. G. M. McKenzie was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, serving his +apprenticeship in the dry goods and men's wear business. In 1901 he +came to Canada and joined the firm of Jaeger & Company, subsequently +holding the position of stores manager and supervisor of the factory in +Montreal. In 1916 Mr. McKenzie heard the call of his country and +proceeded to the front, serving with His Majesty's forces in France +until March, 1919. + +Upon returning to Canada he accepted a position with the R. J. Tooke +Company as general manager of the retail stores in Montreal. His recent +appointment as assistant manager of the Edmonton store will fill a long +felt want. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration: _Mr. P. A. Stone, president of the Amusement and Athletic +Association, which has grown to embrace a dozen varied athletic and +social activities since its inauguration in September, 1919._] + + * * * * * + +Mrs. Lewis recently rejoined the staff after an absence of two years. +She is in charge of the lace and neckwear department. We are glad to +welcome her back. + +Miss Law is also an old member of the staff who has recently come back +to the store. During her absence she was with the Company's store at +Calgary. She is resuming her duties here in the ribbon department. + +Miss McAdam, who has been in the Company's service for the past seven +years, has left us for the coast. Miss McAdam was a very popular member +of the staff and we regret exceedingly to lose her. + +Mr. Howey, of the men's furnishings department, is an expert hockey +player. We have no doubt he will be a valuable acquisition to the +store's team. + +Mr. C. Stapells, house furnishings buyer, and Mr. Hewes are very busy +these days supervising the draperies and furnishings for the palatial +new Empire theatre. + +We have heard that a certain young lady on the third floor has lost her +heart and is going to sign a life contract in the very near future. + + +The A. and A. A. Concert Reveals Real Artists + +Another of those very enjoyable concerts which are staged periodically +through the winter months by the Amusement and Athletic Association, was +held in the "Hudsonia" dining room on Thursday evening, December 2nd, at +which about 150 members and their friends were present. + +The association was again fortunate in hearing Mr. R. L. Bateman, who +rendered "She Is Far from the Land" and, in response to a hearty encore, +"For You Alone" was all that could be desired. + +Miss Kate Hamilton sang "Bird Songs" in which her beautiful voice was +heard to very great advantage. + +Mrs. Roy Carbert sang Tosti's "Good Bye," and as an encore, "Angus +MacDonald." + +Mr. Bert Crockett sang "There's Life in the Old Dog Yet," which was very +much appreciated, he being vociferously encored. + +All the other artists are members of the staff and their songs were all +rendered in admirable style. + +One exceptionally pleasing number was the duet, "Tenor and Baritone," +Mr. T. A. Crockett's tenor and Mr. Digney's baritone voices blending in +perfect harmony. + +Miss Edna Southen and Miss K. Riddle were two excellent sopranos, whilst +Miss W. E. Crowther's sweet contralto voice has never been heard to +greater advantage. + +Mr. T. A. Crockett and Mr. George Saunders have fine tenor voices, +whilst Mr. G. Robert's deep bass was used with effect in "Out on the +Deep." + +Mr. C. Digney was splendid in "Captain Mack" and later his rendering of +"My Old Shako" was perfect. + +Miss Moore acted as accompanist throughout and in addition gave a duet +in company, with her sister. + +One cannot speak too highly of Miss Moore's assistance, as she is always +ready and willing to help in any way that will add to the enjoyment of +the staff, whether it be as accompanist or soloist. + +Mr. P. A. Stone, president of the Amusement and Athletic Association, +acted as chairman. + + +Community Singing is Getting Results + +Community singing for the staff, which was inaugurated at the Edmonton +store, November 1st, 1920, is reported to be an unqualified success. + +The staff arrive at 8.45 a.m. and sing usually two songs before 8.55 +a.m. bell sounds, when the covers are removed preparatory to the day's +business. + +The initiative was taken by the Amusement and Athletic Association. The +fact that it is still retaining the original interest proves that the +all-important co-operation has been obtained; hence the success. + +Whilst it is impossible yet to gauge the full extent of the benefits +derived from community singing, it may be said that the early morning +"grouch" is dissipated, and that alone makes it worth while, as it +leaves the staff in a happier frame of mind. This cannot but conduce to +the betterment of the service afforded to customers. + +From community singing to a trained choir is but a step, since even the +untrained singer gradually falls into and holds the time and rhythm of +the piece being sung, so that from an untrained band of voices a +perfectly functioning choir is created. + +This is the aim of the Edmonton Amusement and Athletic Association, and +with a continuance of the staff's co-operation that end will be +attained. + + +The Ad. Man's Destiny + + Mr. Jack Prest was going home one night in the street car. It was + late, and the man sitting next to him began to talk. "What business + are you in?" he asked. "The advertising business," replied Jack. + "Is that so? Well, well, I used to be in the advertising business + myself. I gave it up though and went into the rag-and-old-bottle + business. I was a sandwich man for the Empire Theatre for six + months." "Say," and he leaned over confidentially, "Ain't it hard + when the wind blows?" + + + + +CALGARY + + +The Rank and File + +By F. R. REEVE + +The newspapers recently had much to say concerning the remarkable honors +paid in England and France to the bodies of two unknown soldiers who +fell on the battlefields. + +It was a nation's whole-hearted recognition of the fact that Victory was +after all due to the efforts and self-sacrifice of the rank and file. + +In the scheme of life each one of us has a definite sphere to fill. Lest +those who now constitute the rank and file in the service of the Company +should be inclined to regard their positions with something of +dissatisfaction, as being of no importance, I would have them take a +lesson from the honors paid to these two unknown soldiers. + +Upon those who constitute the front rank, those who come in contact with +the public, the whole success of this great Company depends. + +Behind you it is true, stretches a long line that reaches back from the +junior buyer, through to the Governor himself, but the work accomplished +by this wonderful organization does not reach its greatest success +except through your co-operation. + +The transaction between a customer and salesperson is not just so much +money changing hands for a certain article. It represents the crowning +success of a long series of operations, that, through your hands as the +H.B.C. representative, reaches the goal for which it was intended, an +appreciative buying public. + +Upon the conduct of the rank and file--upon the impressions that are +derived from your personality--is this Company judged. + +The courtesy, helpfulness and efficiency that are displayed by you are +the greatest assets this Company has. To know and to realize that no +matter what your position in the service of the Company may be, that the +Company is absolutely depending on your efforts will be to create in you +a greater desire for helpfulness and efficiency which cannot fail to +mean greater success for yourself and Company too. + + + + +VANCOUVER + + +_Everybody Boost for Our 1921 Hockey Team_ + +It has been asked of the editor why there were not more attending the +hockey games last winter, and why the H.B.C. employees were very +backward in supporting their own team, being especially conspicuous by +their absence. We've a dandy team this year, folks, and the boys sure +would like some "rooters." Come along and bring your friends and the +horn off the old Ford. Help the team make a name for themselves in the +Commercial League. The following are the names of our players: + + _W. E. Almas (Capt.)_ + _E. Herbert_ + _P. Timmins_ + _Chub Anderson_ + _R. M. Mair_ + _J. Gilroy_ + _J.C. Hamm_ + _J. McDonald_ + _J. D. Barber_ + _C. Boe_ + + * * * * * + +We were very grieved to hear on December 10th of the death of Mr. +Patterson, husband of Mrs. W. Patterson, cashier in our children's shoe +department. + + * * * * * + +We are also bereaved of one of our old employees, Mr. James Hallisy, who +passed away at his home on December 10th. The deceased was on our night +staff, and had been in the Company's employ since 1918. + + * * * * * + +The army and Navy League Hall again witnessed a popular H.B.C. dance. +Approximately 350 attended and tripped the light fantastic to the +strains of Garden's orchestra. Mr. Skelly, chairman, and his competent +committee had charge of the affair, which was carried off without a +hitch to a very successful ending. + + +_Mr. Lockyer Elected President of Vancouver Exhibition Association_ + +Holding their first meeting since taking office, the directors of the +Vancouver Exhibition Association on Dec. 16th elected Mr. H. T. Lockyer, +manager of the Hudson's Bay Company, Vancouver retail store, as +president for the ensuing year.--_Vancouver Province._ + + * * * * * + +Mr. W. W. Frazer, the popular buyer for china and glass, left for Europe +in the interests of his section, early this month. Many laudatory +remarks were overheard by Eastern and American tourists anent his last +collection of lovely china. Mr. Frazer apparently knows where to get +them. "Where do they get all these pretty patterns--there's not an ugly +one among them"--exclaimed a lady from Ottawa recently, and went on to +say she had never seen a better display in New York, Montreal or +Toronto. But that's Mr. Frazer's secret. We wish him bon voyage and the +best of luck this time. + + * * * * * + +Miss A. K. Smith, too, buyer of notions, neckwear, laces, trimmings, +hankies and fancy jewellery, has been chosen for a trip abroad after the +airy fairy "nothings"--"the stuff that dreams are made of"--that are so +dear to feminine hearts. Her return from Europe ladened with spoils will +be looked forward to with interest by her constituency in Vancouver. You +may be sure Miss Smith will not overlook any of the cute or smart little +knick-knacks that are being shown in the marts over there, and we shall +all have an opportunity to be more than ever up-to-date on her return. +Vancouver is to be congratulated on having two buyers in whom the +Company has so much faith and confidence as to entrust with this +important foreign buying. + + +_The Tell-Tale Inventory_ + +A Vancouver bailiff went out to levy on the contents of a house. The +inventory began in the attic and ended in the cellar. When the +dining-room was reached the tally of furniture ran thus: + +_One dining room table, oak._ + +_One set of chairs (6), oak._ + +_One sideboard, oak._ + +_Two bottles of whiskey, (full)!_ + +Then the word "full" was stricken over and replaced by "empty" and the +inventory went on in a hand that struggled and lurched across the page, +until it closed with: + +"_One revolving door mat._" + + +_Mr. Greer Gets a Regular Shower of Good Things_ + +By E. Bell + +Of the recent year end festivities enjoyed by Hudson's Bay employees +perhaps none had more of the _vivres_ and relish of the days of real +sport than the banquet tendered Mr. Greer by his staff in the display +department. + +This event took place in the Barron Hotel to begin with and ended at a +box party to the opera to witness the "Dance Shop." The menu of the +dinner, which was enjoyed both wisely and well, gives some of the +unlucky individuals who were not invited an appetizer even to read: + + _Greer Soup_ + _Goose a la Greer_ + _Oyster Cocktail, Y.M.C.A._ + _Celery a la Celestial Citizen_ + _Brussels Sprouts a la Lulu Island_ + _Fried Sweet Potatoes, Brunette_ + _Hot Toasted Rolls, Blonde_ + _Combination Salad a la Display_ + _French Pastry Translated Cake, Devilled_ + _Creme de Chaufroid Cafe d'Hots D'el_ + +(_N.B.--S.O.S. Calgary. M. Laparique, please note. Can you beat it?_) + +Having done full justice to these delectable viands the innocent +occasion of so much mirth was next trotted to the opera, where his +friends had taken the precaution to present him with a lorgnette or +opera glass, we forget which. (Anyway it was not a monocle.) +Notwithstanding, to the everlasting credit of the display department, +they all turned up next morning on time and in the best of spirits. + + +_Old-Time Employees Visit the Store_ + +Among the guests of the Store last month were Mr. and Mrs. Alexander J. +Baird, both old-time employees of the Company, who devoted a number of +years of faithful service in the old store and two or three years in the +new store. + +Mr. Baird was secretary to the general manager, Mr. Lockyer. In 1917, he +went to Honolulu for a new field to conquer. He was there but a little +while before he sent for his fiancee, Miss Beck, then the general +manager's stenographer. As soon as she arrived in Honolulu they were +married. Being accustomed to speculating and used to seeing money made +out of land, Mr. Baird (in face of much opposition) bought a piece of +land and built three cottages thereon--an investment which proved a good +one and a money maker. + + + + +KAMLOOPS + + +H.B.C. Kamloops Store Dates Back to 1812 + +_Location Has Changed Several Times to Keep Pace With Growth of City_ + +By A.E. DODMAN + +The Company's store at Kamloops dates back to the year 1812 and it is +therefore one of the oldest establishments at present existing in the +stores department. + +The original location was some distance from the present store site, as, +like all Western towns, the business centre has changed several times, +and the Company found it necessary to change from time to time in order +to keep pace with the natural growth of the city. + +The present premises were purchased and remodelled by the Company in +1911, and have a frontage of 75 feet on Victoria Street, extending 125 +feet on Second Avenue with two entrances on Victoria and one on Second +Avenue. + +The building consists of two stories and basement. In addition the +Company also operates a wholesale and retail tobacco and candy business +on rented premises situated at the corner of Victoria Street and Third +Avenue. + +The business at Kamloops comprises eight departments--general dry goods, +ladies' wear, men's furnishings, boots and shoes, crockery and hardware, +house furnishing, groceries and tobaccos. + +Miss Brooke, of the grocery staff, resigned her position with the +Company and was married on January 1st, 1921. She was presented with a +travelling bag by the staff. We wish her all kinds of joy and happiness +in her new venture. She was a real "good fellow" and will be greatly +missed by us. + +Miss Muir has accepted the position made vacant by Miss Brooke of the +Grocery Department. We wish Miss Muir every success. + +Miss Cozens says she was never "locked out" in her life, but she +experienced the feeling of being "locked in." She says "never again." + +The Staff presented Mr. A.E. Dodman, our store manager, and Mrs. Dodman +with a Christmas gift of a very handsome tea set with best wishes. + + * * * * * + +A rumour is heard to the effect that Mr. McDonald, the accountant, has +become an expert dancer, and has accepted an invitation to teach three +ladies the fine points in dancing. Nice for Mac, but kind of tough on +the ladies. + + * * * * * + +After a very busy and most successful Christmas trade the staff have +settled down for the most successful January sale we have ever had. + + + + +VERNON + + +_Entire Staff a Santa Claus to Mr. Pout, Xmas_ + +On Christmas Eve, at the close of the biggest day in the history of the +Vernon Store, the staff gathered for a few minutes to extend good wishes +and exchange tokens of friendship. At the conclusion, Mr. Pout was +captured when trying to tip-toe off, set securely within the smiling +circle, and compelled to listen to the following effusion which Tom +Bone, the store poet, says he did not compose. It is now being blamed on +Jack Ricketts, and so far Jack hasn't denied it. + + _Our dear respected Mister Pout + We guess you guess what we're about; + If not, you won't be long in doubt, + But get the sense, + So we shall quickly put to rout + Your dread suspense._ + + _It's Christmas time, as you well know, + And we have gathered here to show + That years may come and years may go, + With rush and zest, + But our good feelings far outgrow + This timely test?_ + + _It gives us joy to give to you + This coffee service, bright and new, + And wish that all things good and true + That hope conjures, + May travel all the next year through + With you and yours._ + +Mr. Pout was too full for words (_honi soit qui mal y pense_), but he +managed to express his hearty thanks for the splendid support and +co-operation he had received from the entire staff during the Christmas +rush, also for the kind thought which prompted the giving of such a +beautiful gift. + +The coffee pot was one of those long narrow "prohibition" coffee pots +that you are unable to tell what is inside of until you taste the +contents. + +Tom Harrison struck up "He's a Jolly Good Fellow." "Arry" thought it was +"Auld Lang Syne" and started off on his own, while James Henderson, in +an endeavour to put them both right, commenced "Will You No Come Back +Again." + +When the company broke up, those three were still at it, and nobody +could tell which was winning.--_R.W._ + + * * * * * + +Miss Cridland, treasurer of our Sisters' Sewing Circle, has been absent +from the meeting several week. We were surprised to see her at the last +meeting. She says her absence has been due to the fact that she had to +attend "prayer meetings." We have since learned that a certain young +man's "tin Lizzie" is being overhauled. May it take all winter--so +Gladys will be at every meeting. + + * * * * * + +Miss Phillys Ripley, the girl with the sparkling eyes, assisted for +several weeks in the hardware department but is back once again at her +old stand tying bows for the kiddies. Her eyes still sparkle and there +are many beaus waiting for her to cast her spell on one of them so that +two may be tied into one bow. + +"Wonderful how popular some men are," said Watson, when he heard what +happened Christmas Eve. The girls in the dry goods department placed +mistletoe on the light over Mr. Andrews' desk--and not one missed him, +even Mabel had hers. Nuff sed. + +Mr. Tom Bone, assistant manager of the grocery department, the staff +poet, has changed his vocation and now spends his evenings making +musical instruments. We wonder if it will be jazz or operatic music. + +We are glad to learn that Mrs. Griffin, wife of C. Griffin of the men's +department, is home once again after being confined to the Hospital +several weeks with typhoid fever. We all wish her a speedy recovery. + + +Vernon, Gem of the Okanagan + +--_and the H.B.C. Store, One of Its Institutions_ + +Thirty years ago, there were only two stores in Vernon, The Hudson's Bay +Company and W.F. Cameron, both firms carrying a general line of +merchandise. The only other stores in the Okanagan Valley, at this +period, were one at Enderby, Landsdowne, Okanagan Mission and Penticton, +so that these stores supplied the necessities of life practically to the +whole of the Okanagan Valley, reaching from Sicamous to fifty miles +beyond Penticton and from Grand Prairie to the White Valley district. +The towns of Armstrong and Kelowna, at this period, were not in +existence. + +Travelling in the early days was by stage and boat in Summer, the boat +running from Sicamous to Enderby, thence by stage to Vernon, and the +only method of travelling in Winter was by stage or pack horse. Mail, +also, was received by these means of transportation. + +The great bulk of trading, at that time, was done with Victoria, which +was a greater commercial centre than Vancouver. All merchandise from the +Coast was carried by freight trains to Sicamous, transferred there to a +small steamer as far as Enderby and thence by wagon to Vernon. + +Business conditions and the manner of trading in the early days were +entirely different to the present day method. There were no banks in the +Valley, all banking being done through Vancouver, cheques often passing +around as currency and would have as many as a dozen endorsations before +reaching the bank. + +Yearly credit was the system of trading. Farmers, ranchers, trappers and +Indians paid their accounts once a year after they had received money +for their crops and catch of furs; the amusing feature in regard to the +credit in these days being that the average customer would ask of his +account, simply looking at the total and settling up without checking +up. Considerable business was done in the bulk, tea sold by the chest, +flour and sugar by the ton, and other commodities in similar large +quantities. + +Thirty years ago the Valley was passing through a stage of transition +from stock-raising to wheat producing. + +R. P. Rithet & Co. of Victoria controlled a large flour mill at Enderby, +where all the wheat of the district was taken and milled. Wheat then +sold as low as $18.00 per ton at the mill, the farmer doing his own +hauling. A few years later $28.00 per ton was considered a wonderful +price. + +During the period under review, very little fruit was grown and it was +not until 1892 that the growing of fruit was given any serious thought. +At that time, Lord Aberdeen purchased the land now known as the +Coldstream Ranch and started fruit growing on a fairly large scale, the +land being purchased from Forbes G. Vernon. After him the City of Vernon +was named. He was, at that time, member for the Okanagan Valley, also +Minister of Labor and Works. + +At this period the population of Vernon was about 300 and, generally +speaking, were considered prosperous. + +A Mr. Gray of Nicola was the largest cattle buyer and a general round-up +of cattle was made twice a year, when he would make his purchase from +the ranchers and drive the cattle out to the coast or prairie markets. + +(_To be continued_) + + + + +[Illustration: BEAVER CHIPS] + + +_The Secret of Success_ + +In the fall a Methodist minister came into the Edmonton exhibition +offices and inquired where he could purchase a good, reliable horse. He +was directed to R. B. Hill's stables, where, after a judicious amount of +deliberation, he decided on a horse which suited his fancy and pocket, +and took him home. Two days afterwards he came back to Mr. Hill and +stated that the horse was blind, and within the rules as prescribed by +the Methodist church he told Mr. Hill just what he thought of the deal, +and asked him why he had not been informed that the horse was blind, +before purchasing him. Mr. Hill very modestly replied that he had not +thought he should tell him, as the man from whom he got the horse in the +first place had said nothing about this defect, and he thought it was a +secret!! + + +_No Wonder_ + +Editor--"We are sorry to lose your subscription, Mr. Jackson. What's the +matter? Don't you like our politics?" + +Mistah Jackson--"T'aint dat, sah; t'aint dat. Mah wife jes' been an' +landed a job o' work for me by advertisin' in youh darned ole papah." + + +_Didn't Need To_ + +A young Irishman recently applied for a job as life-saver at the +municipal baths. + +As he was about six feet six inches high and well built, the chief +life-saver gave him an application blank to fill out. + +"By the way," said the chief life-saver, "can you swim?" + +"No," replied the applicant; "but I can wade like blazes!" + + +_He Got the Job_ + +Police Commissioner--"If you were ordered to disperse a mob what would +you do?" + +Applicant--"Pass around the hat." + +P.C.--"You'll do." + + +_Two Strings to Her Beau_ + +He--"If you could only have two wishes come true, what would you wish +for?" + +She (frankly)--"Well, I'd wish for a husband." + +He--"That's the only one." + +She--"I'd save the other wish until I saw how he turned out." + + +_Well! Well!_ + +"I say, who was here with you last night?" + +"Only Myrtle, father." + +"Well, tell Myrtle that she left her pipe on piano." + + +_Fifty-Fifty_ + +A man from Toronto reported that an African resident of that city did a +rattling business in rabbit sausages, until some of his customers began +to question the quality of the goods. A committee waited on the +merchant, and asked him if any meat other than that of rabbits went into +the sausages. He reluctantly admitted that there was another meat in +them, and when pressed further said that the dilution was by means of +horse meat. The chairman of the committee then asked him the proportion +of the two ingredients, and he said fifty-fifty. The committee started +to withdraw when a heretofore silent member raised the question as to +what the merchant meant by "fifty-fifty." "Why, boss, by fifty-fifty ah +means one rabbit and one hawss." + + +_All Engaged_ + +An Irishman who had lately come over was sent to call a taxi. In about +half an hour he returned and reported as follows: "Some wan be the name +of Hire has the most of thim ingaged, and the only wans he didn't have +some wan else had." + + +_Slim, Slimmer, Slimmest_ + +Last week we read of a firm--manufacturers of petticoats--which went +into bankruptcy. They stated in explanation that women, in the shrinking +process of appearing taper, had ceased wearing 'em. + +To-day we notice the advertisement of a ladies' tailor: "Suits made to +order, with or without material." + +Without material? Gad Zooks! + +We cut out that ad and burned it lest our wife should find it. + + +_Some Ditty_ + + There was a young man from the city, + Who met what he thought was a kitty; + He gave it a pat + And said, "Nice little cat!" + And they buried his clothes out of pity. + + +_Vaccination Problem_ + +Classical Dancer--"Doctor, I want to be vaccinated somewhere where it +won't show." + +Doctor--"Well, miss, I'm afraid I will have to vaccinate internally." + + +_The Safety Vent_ + +"A friend of mine fell asleep in the bathtub with the water running." + +"Did the tub overflow?" + +"Nope; luckily he sleeps with his mouth open." + + +[Illustration: The smoking tobacco of yesterday, to-day and tomorrow] + +H.B.C. +IMPERIAL MIXTURE +"_Canada's National Smoke_" + +_The Tin with the Humidor Top_ + +[Illustration: --_Obtainable in 1/10, 1/5, 1/2 and 1 lb. tins at good +dealers everywhere_] + + * * * * * + + Transcriber's Notes: + + Obvious unintentional spelling (Canadian English) & punctuation + errors repaired. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Beaver, Vol. I, No. 4, January 1921, by +Hudson's Bay Company + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43622 *** |