Staunton VII- Lets make some bricks

                                                   Staunton VII

 

                                              Let’s make some bricks

 

         The next morning, the Mac Adams brothers rose early. The reek of low tide and the noisy aerial dance of the gulls roused them froma good night’s sleep.

 

          Jim used the loo down the hall and showed Ian the lay out, to get ready for the day. He planned to be absent from work these next two days, to get Ian settled in. He would lose two day’s pay and his boss would probably not be happy with him. Jim figured he could just tell Mr. Conners that he fell off his horse and sprained a wrist, to cover his absence. They might be skeptical, but the developers needed good men on the job and Jim was one of the best Masons they had.

 

          “So, what are we about today, Jim?” asked Ian

 

           “Well, first, I think we will groom and saddle up the horses. I have one for you with all the tack, from the stable keeper.” Said Jim

 

               “Good on you, Jim. I fancy a ride after all that time on a train.” Said Ian.

 

             “Then, I think we can ride over to Lowry’s for breakfast. I will ask John to set us up with provisions for the rest of the day. I am of a mind to show you Stanley Park. There is a point high on the hill there that will show you all of Vancouver’s harbor and the broad Pacific beyond.” Said Jim.

 

           The brothers descended to the stable and cinched up their saddles and laced on the reins. The horses were skittish in the crisp morning air. Ian’s scent was different and the horses noticed. They settled down after a bit after some water and oats. Then the brothers took them outside and mounted them. A short ride over to Lowry’s diner woke them all up with fresh air and exercise.

 

          “Good morning, John,” Jim called out as they entered the already busy diner. “How are you doing on this fine day?”

 

           “Grand, grand, Jim,” said a smiling John Lowry. “And a very good morning  to you and Ian.”  He seated the lads at a table and gave them the printed menus that were the same every day.

 

              “We will have coffee first,” Jim said to the waitress. Her name was Laura Sadler. She had a mop of ebony hair and a smile that lit up the morning. Ian, a natural charmer, took to her right away.

 

Jim looked over at Ian and said “Is it coffee or tea you are having Ian?”

 

“Coffee for me, Jim. When I crossed the pond, I switched from tea to coffee. Tis’ said you can’t get a good cuppa tea anywhere over here.” said Ian.

        “Probably true, Ian, “ said Jim. “usually the drink of choice is beer or whiskey, no matter what the time of day.”

 

           The brothers ordered a huge pile of pancakes and sausages. Then, Jim called out to John Lowry.” Do you think one of your girls could fix us up a sack of sandwiches and a few cool ones to go, John?” asked Jim. “I am going to take Ian on a ride up through Stanley Park and then we will be riding on up along the Fraser River. I don’t recall seeing too many stores up that way.”

 

         “Sure, Jim. I will have Laura prepare the food while you eat your breakfast. What business do you have so far up along the Fraser River, if I might ask? “ Said John.

 

         “I want to show Ian the ten-acre site that I have purchased along the south bank, up past Coal Town. Ian and I are going to build and operate a brickyard up there.” Said Jim.

 

         “Truly?”  said John. “Then, I wish you both the best in your endeavors. I hope you will still be stopping in here for a good feed occasionally.”

 

          “To be sure, John. To be sure. You have been like my own family these last few years. I wouldn’t know what to do without a grand feed at Lowry’s” said Jim.

 

           The brothers finished their large breakfast, paid their tab, and secured the sack of provisions that Laura had made for them. She gave it to Ian with a big smile. Ian all but swooned. They slipped the sack into one of the saddle bags, and then mounted their horses. With a wave to John, they wheeled their mounts around and Jim trotted slowly north and west toward the wooded expanse of Stanley Park.

 

          The thousand plus acres of this beautiful wooded Park  rise along the tip of the peninsula. The Park had been named after Lord Stanley, the 16^th Earl of Derby and the present Governor General of Canada. The locals were learning that a few names scattered here and there might pay substantial dividends down the road.

 Little noted by the new arrivals, was the fact that the area had been a habitat for the Squamish first nation’s people for the last three thousand years. The hiking paths and bridle trails laced through the wooded expanse. It was a great place to be on a warm day. In later decades, it would contain a grand zoo and many other attractions. Now, it was a bit on the primitive side. Your lungs could fill with the crisp pine scent of the conifers.

 

Jim spurred his mount into a quiet canter as the trails meandered up and around the point. He soon came upon his favorite place in the park. Now called “Nine Pins Point” and later “The Pulpit,” it was a small sculpted depression of land on the brow of the peninsula, that looked out over the indigo blue of the broad Pacific.

“Tis a grand site, Jim,” said Ian as he dismounted. “I can see why you like the place so much.”

 

“Aye, a man can think and dream up here, with none of the noise from down below.” Said Jim.

 

“Look there to the right, “Jim said as he pointed. “That’s Granville Island, one of the first of the early settlements. Granville and Gas Town merged first. Then, the railroad came and everything became Vancouver. The town is named after English Captain George Vancouver, who sailed these waters a hundred years back.

 

“And those huge three masters laying at anchor. Those grand ladies came around Cape Horn some months back. You should see them when they are under full sail. Great clouds of puffy white sail filled with the wind and gliding across the water.” Sighed Jim. ” It seems like a long time ago since I arrived in one of those.”

 

Jim sat for a time, then pulled out a few beers from his sack. “Here, Ian try a cold one.” I will start by explaining what my plans are so far. You can jump in any place you have a better idea.”

 

“First, the site. The Fraser River is a bit removed from the populated areas. But, its banks are lined with a type of fire brick clay that we will be able to mine for many years. There is a small forest, all around us. We can use that wood for the flames in the drying kiln. Dirt and water are all around the site. We might have to haul in some sand until we can find our own source, but it is cheap and abundant. Lime is the only scarce commodity. But, I have located a small factory near Seattle just south of us. The reason I mention all of these is that Vancouver is rising like a modern Phoenix from the ashes of her great fire. Construction materials and workmen are scarce sometimes. I and my mates have been laid idle, on the hotel site a few times, while the developers found enough bricks and mortar to proceed.” Jim paused and took a large swallow of the still cold beer.

 “You have well thought this out,” said ian, “Now what about equipment?”

 

“Well, as always, that will be a problem.” Said Jim pensively. “ I figure you and I can dig the foundations ourselves and even hand make the bricks for the main structure. Then we can lay in a concrete base for the floor and build up the walls with our own bricks.”

“Sure, that’s a bit of work for us, now Jim,” said Ian.

 

“Aye, tis’” said Jim. I figure it will take us six months at least. I am going to try and get you a job on the hotel site when I return. We can both work there for four months up till the new year. Then I think we would have to quit and work full time at our brickyard site.”

 

“That sounds like a god idea, Jim” said Ian. “What else have we to secure?”

 

“Well, the drying Kiln and fire pit will be the tricky parts. I think we can dig the foundations for it ourselves. But, I would want good, fire dried bricks, from a reliable yard, to line the kiln with. And those cost money.”

 

“Aye they do,” said Ian. “ I remember Dad commenting on the same in our own Yard in Bristol.

 

“As do I, Ian. I learned a lot from Dad over the years. I spent much of my own cash acquiring the land. How much did Dad send over with you?” asked Jim.

 

Ian smiled.’” I have 500 pounds with me Jim. Dad thought you might need some operating capital.”

 

“Well, that is a relief, “ sighed Jim.” I located a pug mill and a crusher at an old brick yard in Seattle. I figure we can refurbish them for our use. The extruder mechanism might have to be fashioned by an iron monger. You can’t operate without a good one. The drying racks we can hand fashion. And the power to run the pugmill will have to come from the river or our horses.”

“Anything else?” asked Ian?

 

“Well, we have got to buy a solid dray to haul the brick after we make them. And the fire pit and drying sections of the kiln will be a bear to set in properly. But, I figure with two strong backs, we can make this all work,” said Jm. “What do you think, Ian?”

“I think you have given this a lot of thought and planning, Jim. I will compose a report home to dad tomorrow and tell him what we have planned  and how much more money we might need.” Said Ian.”  It should take about ten weeks for a response. Now, how about we ride up along the shore and you can show me this magnificent piece of land that we will build on.”

 

“Grand idea, Ian,” said Jim. “It is a beautiful day. Let’s head on up east of town. There isn’t much there along the shore today, but I have a feeling that there will be someday.

 

                                               -30-

                                      (1,827 words)

                                     Joseph Xavier Martin