Staunton series Chapter XI -Gold Fever and making plans

                                              Staunton Series- Chapter XI- 

 

                                      Gold Fever and making plans for the yard

 

         The temperatures start cooling in Vancouver, during October. The leaves of the deciduous trees begin to turn to those magnificent red and yellow colors, that literally glow in the noon day sun. Mid-afternoons were still warm and sunny, a perfect time for a hike or walk in Stanley Park

 

For the Mac Adams brothers, the calendar turning days provided an arduous continuum of ten hours a day laying brick, at the Hotel Vancouver, and then whatever time they had left, spent working at their brickyard site along the Fraser River. It wasn’t tedious, just time consuming. A few beers at Gassy Jack’s or at Staunton’s were welcome breaks in the action. The lads, while taking their ease at the bar rail one night, talked over a whole array of things that they needed to do.

 

“We’ve still to locate two draft animals for our dray,” said Ian.

 

“Aye,” said Jim. “I’ve made inquiries of a few local farmers. I think we can pick up two sturdy animals in January, at the Smithfield place, near Coal Town. Mr. Smithfield said that next February would be a good time to pick them up. We can pay him in cash.”

 

“And then, we have to decide on roofing for the buildings. Do we use Cedar shingle or slate?” asked Jim. “What do you think, Ian?”

 

“Well, we use slate roofs in Bristol, of course. But I think it is because it is more available in England. The cedar shake shingles are much cheaper here and we can nail them on ourselves, for a lot cheaper rate than a slater would cost us. And cedar holds up much better in the rain and damp of the forest.” Said Ian. “It is also lighter by weight and less of a load stress factor on our roof trusses. I would vote for Cedar shingles.”

 

“Good points, Ian.” said Jim. “We can order them at the lumber yard, and take delivery after we put up our trusses and determine the roof area.”

 

The conversations around them invariably considered the magical subject of searching for gold. More tracer gold had been found further up the Fraser. And of course, everyone at the bar had an opinion on where more gold might be found and what they would do if they were lucky enough to make a strike. It was the low buzz of “gold fever” that had electrified California and the world some fifty years back.

 

“Do you think we might go looking for gold, some day?’ asked Ian.

 

Drinking a mouthful of beer, Jim considered his reply. “Well, I’ve no doubt some will hit pay dirt way up in the frozen Yukon,” said Jim. “But, I think many will be disappointed and face terrible hardships, in their pursuit of gold in the frozen north. I am thinking our efforts are much better spent here in Vancouver, developing a stable business that will feed us and our families for many years to come. You have set your cap for young Laura, have you not? You have to think of what future you will need to sustain you, should both of you come to terms someday.”

 

“Aye, there is merit to that line of thinking,” said Ian. “I guess we have enough to keep us busy here in Vancouver, rather that chasing rainbows in the frozen north.”

With that thought, the lads retired for the night.

 

The next morning unfolded itself as usual. The walk to work and the laying of bricks. The exterior wall of the hotel was rising now, to the third level above ground. The iron workers and carpenters were busy fleshing out the building’s innards, with frame works and the myriad of other structural requirements needed to make the whole building compete.

 

During the lunch recess, Jim was approached by Peter Sadler, a site carpenter.

 

“Jim, I wonder if you can help me out,” asked Peter.

 

“Sure, Peter. What can I do for you?” asked Jim

 

“I’ve a nephew living with Laura and I. He is a good lad. My brother in Bristol sent him along to us and asked us to help him get started here in Vancouver. He is still in school but he has weekends free. I am showing him what I can of carpentry, but I would like to see him get some practical experience in construction and masonry. I thought maybe you could show him a few things in your brickyard project.”

 

Jim thought a few seconds and replied. “Let me talk to Ian first, Peter. I think we could work something out.”

 

During lunch, the next day, Jim walked over to Peter’s work site.

 

“Ian and I think we can use your lad, “said Jim. “We would of course pay him a few dollars while he apprentices and works for us,” said Jim. “What is the lad’s name?”

 

“Selkirk,” said Peter. "Thanks, Jim. I promise the lad will earn his keep.”

 

“Does he have a horse to get to the site?” asked Jim.

 

“He does, “ said Peter. “If you can give me directions, I will have the lad show up next Saturday morning,” said Peter.

 

“That would be grand,” said Jim. “You know of course, Ian will be riding up to Stanley Park for a picnic with your sister Laura this Saturday,” asked Jim.

 

“I do,” said Peter. “Laura has mentioned Ian on several hundred occasions during the last week” he said with a smile. “I am happy to see her take up with a fine lad like Ian.”

 

In this way, Selkirk Sadler started a journey that would establish the Sadler family in Vancouver.. He would go on in later years to build and operate his own brickyard and found the family that would prosper in Vancouver for the next one hundred and twenty-five years.

 

The next Saturday morning, Jim and Ian stopped by Lowry’s for breakfast. “How are you this fine morning, Mr. Lowry,” asked Jim.

 

“We are all well, Jim. What have you go going today.?” Asked John.

 

“I am headed up to the Fraser to start laying some bricks at our site,” said Jim. “I think brother Ian has plans to spend the afternoon with your waitress, Laura,” he said with a smile.

 

Ian could only grin and nod his head. The he stood and said he would ask Laura to prepare things, both for Jim’s day and theirs this afternoon.

 

They ate their breakfast and talked about progress at the site.

 

“You know I have Laura’s nephew Selkirk coming to help out today,” asked Jim.

 

“I do,” said Ian. “Laura tells me the lad has been excited to start work.”

 

“I will have plenty for him to do,” said Ian.” First, I will show him how to properly mix a batch of mortar and then lay a row of bricks. Then, I think his strong back can dig some clay from the river banks for us. The lad will be a big help.”

 

After breakfast, the brothers parted. It would be a good day for both of them.

                                               -30

                                        (1,187 words)

                                  Joseph Xavier Martin