historical references and to Jane Gibson of Natural Heritage for her editorial experience;
To my best friend Catherine Steel, for her enthusiasm and willingness to proofread, chauffeur and be my research companion (and for the champagne when she witnessed the signing of my contract);
To my aunt, Beth Kelterborn, for always being able to answer the question, “Does this make sense?” and for her wisdom which only comes from years of life experience;
To my daughter, Allison, for her candid, honest but gentle criticism;
To my husband, Paul, for his faith in me that never wavered, even when mine did;
And finally to Mary Janeway, the little orphan girl who left her legacy behind because she trusted me with her story.
CONTENTS
4. The Work Bee
5. Mary's Birthday
6. School Days
7. Cat Gets a Name
8. Christmas Pageant
9. Mr. Murray's Visit
10. A Family Reunion
11. Back to School
12. A Death in the Community
13. The Community Celebrates
14. Problems at the Gristmill
15. Annie's Wedding
16. Mary Loses a Friend
17. Freedom at Last
Background to Mary Janeway
Endnotes
Glossary
Bibliography
About the Author
Mary Janeway is a real person. Over time she told her stories to me. Innerkip is a town in rural Ontario, in Oxford County. The Jacques family did live outside of Innerkip.
Not all the characters, however, are real; I chose names for them at random while wandering through the Innerkip Cemetery one rainy afternoon. They are fictional and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. The book, The Early Days of Innerkip District by Zella Hotson, provided much of the historical context.
I have taken some literary liberties and indulged in some embellishments while conscious of preserving the integrity of my story. My intention was always to show compassion for the characters and record the events as accurately as my research and memory would permit.
Mary Janeway
THE LEGACY OF A HOME CHILD
October 1889
FROM A distance, the silhouette of the gnarled wooden clothesline post leaning into the wind looked like a tired, hungry traveller. Upon closer inspection, you could see it had been weathered smooth through countless storms.
She stooped to pick up the last pair of overalls to be hung on the line. The clouds were dark to the west, but she hoped the storm was a couple of hours away. October winds from the moors were strong and would likely dry the clothes before the rain came. A small, scrawny child in a long brown pinafore appeared out of nowhere and ran barefoot toward the woman.
“Pick me up, Mama. It's coming, it's coming!” she screamed. The woman, who looked to be about eight months pregnant, quickly hung the overalls on the line, bent down and scooped her daughter into her arms.
“Mary, you mustn't be afraid. The rain will make the flowers bloom,” she laughed. The child was silent and comforted momentarily, at least. The mother worried about her five-year-old's fear of storms, but with four others to tend to, she didn't have much time to think about it.
She held the little girl close to her swollen belly. “Without rain, why the earth would dry up, nothing would grow and we would surely die,” she spoke in a quiet, more serious voice. Having said that, she plunked the child into the wooden basket and carried her back to the house.
“Shh, don't fuss or we'll wake Emma,” she whispered to Mary as they went inside. Emma, Mary's little sister, asleep in the crib, was almost two.
Carolyn was sitting by the window doing her favourite thing, needlepoint. She was eleven, very artistic and the eldest child in the Janeway family. Whenever Mama was sick or having a baby, Carolyn was in charge. It was not something she liked, but it was expected of her. She looked forward to leaving home when she turned sixteen.
Will and John were chattering away and playing checkers on the floor beside the sofa in the front room. Considering they were just over a year apart, they got along well. Will, the elder of the two, was quite grown up for a nine-year-old boy.
As a very young child in 1886, Mary Janeway may have resembled this young English girl. Barry Hoskins, Heritage Cards.
Mary adored her mother and went right into the kitchen to help. Climbing onto a little round milk stool by the sink, she began to scrub potatoes and carrots for supper. Mary knew how to set the table, dry dishes and make her bed. She also arranged the toys in Emma's crib every morning without being asked.
The Janeways lived in Rutherglen, Scotland, almost three miles outside of Glasgow, a city with a population of 1382. Their home was in a pretty little rural area, but the winters were harsh and long. Sometimes one did not venture out for days for fear of freezing to death. Everyone worked so hard to prepare for the one season they dreaded that the others passed too quickly.
As the Janeway children rarely saw other people, they relied heavily on each other for companionship. Mary enjoyed each one of her brothers and sisters, but her heart had been stolen by John. No-one was really sure why, but
