SETTLING IN AT ROBERTSON STREET, NEW GLASGOW
Written by Ronald MizonPublished on January 2018
My first breakfast consisted of bacon, two eggs and toast. Not used to such a fare, I struggled through it and afterwards asked Mrs. Robertson to cut it down somewhat: ie one egg on toast with marmalade and a glass of milk. She readily agreed and that was fine.
On my second day there, the welfare officer called after breakfast to see how I was getting along and announced that today we would see if I could gain some local employment.
So, together we walked this way and that and duly arrived at the ‘Eastern Woodworks’ and kept an appointment (as found out later) with the site foreman who turned out to be a six foot giant (at least) who looked me up and down. I was a midget compared to him. He offered to set me on as a handy man and offered me the princely sum of $8 a week to keep the carpenters’ area tidy by sweeping up and going off to the stores to get anything that they required and give them a good service.
My first week (8 till 5) was hectic as I had to find out just where everything was, but on Friday afternoon I received my first week’s wages. $8. Wow! I was pleased! After giving my landlady $3 rent I was $5 in pocket, so I started to save and after about three weeks I was ready to deposit $10 into the Royal Bank of Canada. At the same time that I received my wages I was handed my insurance card from my employer.
As I soon became used to walking to work in the mornings, I noticed a little store which sold candy and soft drinks and cakes. I spotted small packs of donuts with three in a pack so I started to call every morning for my donuts to eat as a snack mid-morning.
Three donuts were a bit much for me and so day by day I used to pass a house with a little dog at the gate. At first I gave him a piece of a donut which he ate with gusto. So next day I gave him a whole donut and from that day on he was always ready to greet me for his donut and as he saw me coming he would wag his tail.
I soon became familiar with my fellow workers. I reckon there must have been about 150 men working there and I was the youngest and probably the least paid as well. I was doing well though and every month I would put a little more in the Bank. Also, I put in the war bond that the Cinemaphotographer gave to me at Egerton for singing in the interval. My account was building up nicely.
On Sundays, when I did not go to the Bannerman’s, I would go to the local United Church and usually dropped 25c in the bag.
One Saturday afternoon I was ambling up the High street, and to my surprise, I met Phyllis Bannerman. To my surprise, she invited me to her little abode to meet her spouse. So, later that day, after following her directions, I duly arrived at her front door and was made most welcome to join them in a cup of tea and a piece of apple pie and ice cream. I did not stay too long, not wanting to wear out my welcome the first time, but they were both pleased to see me and what’s more, they invited me back next day, which was a Sunday.
I was to meet them at the Chapel and then we would walk back to their abode. Then I was invited to a Sunday lunch and what a lunch it was too! Afterwards, I felt like I wanted a lay down but we went for a stroll instead. That was not all. She invited me around the next Saturday for a light lunch. I felt much in her debt so I offered to fill the wood box for her and split some kindling - enough for the week. Unfortunately, that was when I nearly chopped off the forefinger on my left hand. She bandaged me up, but I still have a scar to show for it to this day.