Vancouver- City of adventurers Ch. # XXIII. The Family Dinner

                 Vancouver- Chapter # XXIII

                           The Family Dinner

 

       It was Sunday morning in the third week of December. Temperatures were cooling fast, though no snow or ice had yet arrived.

The Macadams brothers rose, dressed and set out for Lowry’s for breakfast. After yesterday’s efforts at the brickyard, they would take the day off from their labors there..

John Lowry greeted them effusively as always.

“Good morning, Lads. How are the Mac Adams Brothers doing today?”

“We are well, Thanks, John,” said Jim. “We got our yard in shape yesterday. We are almost ready to open for business.”

 

“That’s great,” said John. “Sit down, sit down. Let me have one of the girls get coffee and order up a mountain of pancakes.”

“Thanks, John.” said Jim. “I know that Laura Sadler is off today. After services, she is having Ian and I join her family for an afternoon dinner.”

 

“That would be nice,” said John. “It will be your first real family dinner, will it not?”

 

 “It will,” said Ian. “Laura has been worried about preparing all of the fixings for a week. I didn’t want to tell her that Jim and I would eat saw dust, if you covered it with enough gravy,” said ian with a grin.

 

“No, I don’t think she would take kindly to that comment,” said John. “She has been getting things ready here for a week. I think she plans to fatten you lads up a bit this afternoon.”

 

The brothers then dug into a small mountain of pancakes, swimming in maple syrup.

As they ate, Ian asked Jim, “What have you planned for the day?”

“Oh, I dunno Ian.” said Jim.” I thought I might ride over to the Hudson Bay Store and look for any equipment that we might need in the next few weeks.”

“Well, make sure that you come by the Sadler home by Two P.M., or Laura will send out the Mounties to drag you in,” said Ian with a grin.

 

“I promise, Ian. That I will be there on time.” said Jim. “Though I won’t be dressed as grand as you and Peter Sadler.”

 

Ian then set off for services with the Sadlers at Christchurch Cathedral. Jim set off for the Hudson Bay Store.

 

“Good morning, Laura, Peter and Selkirk,” said Ian as he met the Sadlers in front of the Cathedral.

 

“You didn’t invite Jim,” Laura asked?

 

“Please Laura, Jim would not even think about attending services. He claims that he and the Lord have a special understanding. If they leave each other alone, everything will work out fine,” said Ian.

 

“My future brother-in-law is a heretic?” sked Laura. “We will have to work on that.”

Ian said for the seven hundredth time, “Yes, Dear.” He also thought if Jim walked into the church, the place might just fall down on them.

 

The Cathedral was decorated with sprigs of green and colorful vestments, reflecting the coming of Advent. It was a happy time for all of them.

Even the good reverend laid off his usual chastising of his congregation. He spoke on how much they all were blessed by the Lord to have each other. He also said that it was a season of giving and hoped everyone donated to the Church charity for those in need.

Afterwards Ian walked back with the Sadlers to their home. The place soon smelled wonderful from the roast in the oven and all of the many things on the stove.

“You told Jim, Two O’clock, did you not,” said Laura.

 “Yes dear, I did,” said Ian, rolling his eyes.

 

 Ian chatted idly with Peter and Selkirk while Laura fussed in the kitchen.

 

“Selkirk,” said Ian. “Jim and I wanted to ask you if you would still be coming by to help out? We could sure use you, even if it is only on Saturdays.”

“Of course, Mr. Mac Adams,” said Selkirk. “ I want to learn more about the manufacturing process and then I need to learn all about the Business end of things.”

“Good, that is settled,” said Ian. “Jim will be pleased to hear it.”

 

At two O’ Clock sharp, a loud knock on the door announced the arrival of Mr. James Mac Adams.

 

“Welcome to our home,” said Laura. “We are pleased that you could join us.”

 

Jim awkwardly extended a bouquet of flowers to Laura. “The man at Hudson Bay said that it was proper to bring flowers to a hostess at dinner,” said Jim awkwardly.

“Why Thank you, Jim” said Lura.” These are beautiful. I will put them in a vase with water right away.”

 

Jim sat down with the other lads and chatted about events of the day.

“They are buzzing like bees about the Yukon area of the Klondike,” said Jim. “Reports are coming down that there has been a definite gold strike in the streams north of Dawson.”

 

“Truly?” asked Peter. “I have friends who talk about it constantly, but I didn’t think there was much to it.”

“Nor I, “ said Jim. “But, the man at the Hudson Bay Store said that they are ordering huge amounts of shovels, pick axes and other mining equipment, in preparation for a swarm of prospectors.”

 

“They would be coming through Vancouver?” asked Selkirk.

“Hudson Bay thinks so,” said Jim. ”There are several routes to get up North,” he said. “All of them are difficult.”

 

“Some of our folks say that there are several “All-Canadian routes,"  either starting from Edmonton or here,” said Peter. “They thought avoiding American customs might be a good idea.”

 

“From what I here,” said Jim, “ Any way that you choose will be difficult. It is Winter with a vengeance up north right now. Conditions will be awful.”

 

“Well, it is something to think about,” said Peter. “A few of my mates are looking into the logistics of it right now. I will wait until I hear from them.”

This last bit of the conversation was heard by Laura as she came into the parlor to summon them into dinner.

“Peter Sadler,” she exclaimed “You have not gotten any of those foolish notions of chasing moonbeams into your head, have you?” she said in exasperation.

 

“Now, now, Laura. Don’t get in a dither. I am just talking to some lads about the possibility of prospecting for gold and what it would cost,” said Peter defensively.

 

“Well, come into dinner you three delinquents, before it cools on us,” said Laura, muttering to herself about “Men.”

 

Each of the lads smiled appreciatively at the sight and smell of th roast that Laura carried to the table. It looked wonderful. 

“Peter, would you carve up the roast, while I bring in the rest of the meal?” asked Laura.

“Yes, Laura, I will.” said Peter. He carved off large slices of the roast and placed the meat on each of their plates. The aroma was mouth-watering.

Laura had brought out a large bowl of snowy-white, mashed potatoes. Green bean and corn sat glistening  in other dishes. A large tureen of gravy sat in the middle of the table. Fresh bread and butter beckoned.

Laura called for all of them to join hands for grace. She led the men in a hymn.

“We thank the good lord for the bounty that we share today. We ask him to bless this food and those who partake of it. And, oh Lord please talk to brother Peter about this goofy notion of chasing moonbeams in the Yukon. Amen.”

 

They passed the bowls of food around and each took large portions of vegetables, Then, the gravy bat emptied itself on their plates as well.

 

“This looks wonderful, Laura. We thank you for inviting us,” said Jim.

With that, each of the men dug in to the feast in front of them. The clatter of knives and forks, on China plates,  gave a musical rhythm to their dining.

“Laura, this is beyond wonderful,” said Ian. “We will never get rid of Jim if he knows that the food is this good at our house.” Jim only smiled at his brother.

“And what of that?” asked Peter. “Have you thought about a date for the wedding?”

“We have,” said Laura. “Ian and I thought it best to wait until May, so that  it wouldn’t interfere with the opening of their brick yard.”

 

“That sounds wise,” said Peter. “And you would have the ceremony at Christchurch Cathedral, would you not? “ asked Peter.

“We will, if you and your friends can arrange it with the good Reverend,” said Luara.

“I will get on it this week,” said Peter.

Everyone was finished with the great meal. It was then that Laura brought out two huge, steaming apple pies, with  delicate flaky crusts.

“Would any of you lads be interested in dessert? “ she asked, with a smile. The welcoming smiles on all of their faces answered that question. She sliced and served up large portions of the steaming pie to each of them. They ate with gusto, enjoying licking the spoon of all the sugar and apple juice.

 

After dinner, the Mac Adams brothers thanked Luara profusely for the magnificent repast. They had work tomorrow morning and had to leave.

Ian lingered, kissed his young wife to be and whispered,  “Thank you Luara, It was wonderful.” With that, the two lads set off for home and another week of work.

                                             -30-

                                          (1,563 words)

                                     Joseph Xavier Martin