Vancouver- city of adventurers= ch.# XXXIII ceremony plans and painted bricks

                  Vancouver - city of adventurers

                                   Chapter XXXIII

                            Ceremony plans & colored bricks

         

         Sunday trundled along as per usual. Ian and the Sadlers went to services at Christ Church Cathedral. Jim went to services, fishing along the banks of the Fraser.

          After services, Laura and Ian approached the Reverend Boland.

         “Can we talk about the ceremony, Reverend?” asked Laura.

         “Certainly Laura. What date have you planned?” asked the Reverend Boland.

           “Well, if it fits into the Cathedral schedule, we would like to be married on the second Saturday in April. 2:00 P. in the afternoon would be our choice of times,” said Laura.

             “I think we can be available for that date and time, Laura,” said the Reverend Boland. ”How many guests would be attending?”

              “We don’t have a large family. Many of the guests will be from Lowry’s, where I work, or the Vancouver Hotel construction project, where Jim, Ian and Peter work. I would think fifty people would be the most who can attend. Afterwards, John Lowry wants us all back at his place, for a light supper,” said Laura. “And we hope you and your family can join us Reverend.”

              “I think we can handle all of that, Laura,” said the Reverend. “My attendance of course is dependent on who needs us in the church community. If we can make it, we would love to come and celebrate with you and your family.”

              “Thank you very much Reverend,” said Laura. “I only wish my parents were alive to be with us.”

              “I am sure they will be watching from above, Laura,” said the Reverend. They parted with smiles and handshakes.

               Ian and Laura walked up Georgia Street and had dinner at the café, run by the godless American expatriates.

               “That went well enough,” said Ian.

               “It did,” said Laura. “I have asked Sarah McGovern to be my bridesmaid. She accepted.”

               “I don’t even want to ask John Lowry what he is planning for us,” said Ian. “I am sure the man will pull out all of the stops.”

               “He will,” said Laura. “I have asked him to walk down the aisle and give me away, during the ceremony. There was mist in his eyes when he said yes.”

               The pair dawdled over dinner, talking of inconsequential things, just enamored of being with each other. After dinner, Ian walked Laura home. He got a very warm and lingering kiss from Laura.

              “Good night, Ian.” said Laura. “It is only a few more weeks when we can go home together.”

               Ian could only nod, his heart in his throat and mist in his eyes. He walked back to his and Jim’s place.

             “Have you worked out plans for the ceremony,” asked Jim.

              “We have,” said Ian. “The ceremony  is to be held on the second Saturday in April, at Christchurch Cathedral. Services will be at 2:00 P.M in the afternoon. John Lowry is throwing us a bash afterwards at his place.”

               “That sounds tidy enough, Ian,” said Jim. “I am glad you got all of that worked out.”

                “And I think we will travel on the Canadian Railroad on Monday morning, headed for Calgary and points east,” said Ian. “ I have a notion that we want to see the grand Falls at Niagara. I have heard they are magnificent.”

                “I am sure it will be a grand adventure for you both, Ian,” said Jim. “I know I can get day help. So don’t even think about the yard until you get back.”

                 “Thanks Jim,” said Ian, “ I appreciate all that you are doing for us. Oh, before I forget, Mr. Conners sent a message to us through Peter Sadler. He would appreciate it if you could stop by this week. He might have some business for us.”

                 “That sounds promising,” said Jim. “ I think I will stop by Mr. Conners construction site tomorrow morning and see what he proposes. You can head up to the yard and get things started,” said Jim.

                  “Okay, Jim.” said Ian. Both of the lads turned in. Work always seemed to come earlier on a Monday morning.

                  

                 

                    Early Monday morning, the brothers arose. Both were anxious to get things done. They could see down the road that they would have lots to do in the coming weeks.

                    Ian saddled up his horse and rode out towards the brick yard. Jim walked down West Georgia Street towards the rising wonder that would become the Vancouver hotel. Even though it had been but weeks, it seemed like a long time ago since Jim and Ian had laid bricks on the rising hotel. The iron workers and masons were working on the seventh story. The building towered above everything ese around it.

                    Jim found Mr. Conners in his office, busy as usual.

                    “Mr. Conners?” said Jim. “Have you a moment? Peter Sadler said you wanted to speak to me.”

                    “Aye, come in, Jim.” said Mr. Conners. “And it’s Tom, now. You no longer work for me.” Jim entered his office and sat down.

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

                     “Well, I’ve an idea that I hope you can help me with,” said Tom.

                     “I would be happy to help out, Mr. Conners,” said Jim. The idea of calling this august personage by his first name would not occur to him.

                       “I would like to cover the first story of the hotel’s exterior with a slate gray covering, maybe with a pebbled or rough texture,” said Mr. Conners.

                       Jim thought for a few seconds and said. “What dimension of facing are we talking about?”

               “Well, I know you are turning out excellent quality fire baked bricks, in the usual proportions, 4” tall, by 4” wide and 8” long. What I have in mind is more of a thinner covering. It would need to be 8” high and 16” long with a depth of 2”.”

                 Jim thought on that. “That is a bit unusual Mr. Conners. The bricks would have little tensile strength in those dimensions.”

                 “I have considered that, Jim,” said Mr. Conners. “But, I don’t need strength. I want to mortar these gray facing bricks onto the front of those you and the lads have already laid, to dress up the appearance of the first story.”

                   “Ah, I see,” said Jim. “As for the shape, I need but time to build the necessary wooden molds. The color will be a little trickier. I am now experimenting with using manganese to effect a slate gray color. A thin mortar wash would give you the rougher texture. Let me try things out for a few days and get back to you. You have the hotel length and width, do you not?” 

                     “ I do,” said Mr. Conners. “And my target date for hanging these plates is several months off. I will wait to hear from you as per cost estimate and delivery dates. Thanks for coming by.”

                      “Thanks for asking me, Mr. Conners. And brother Ian said that you and your wife are invited to his coming wedding. He will send you an invitation.”

                      “Well, tell the lad that if I can, I will be happy to attend, Jim,” said Mr. Conners.  The men shook hands on the deal.

                      “Good day to you Mr. Conners,” said Jim. Tom Conners smiled and nodded. He was already busy, considering a few other problems at the site.

                        Jim walked to his stable, saddled up his horse and rode out towards the brick yard. The problem of fashioning what Mr. Conners needed, whirling around in his head. He stopped by the Hudson Bay store and purchased a bag of mortar mix. The manganese that he had ordered was in. He threw both bags over his saddle, mounted up and rode off. He had a lot of work to do. Hastings Lumber yard lay in his path. He stopped and ordered up more white pine planks, to be delievered. If they could figure out how to fill this order for Mr. Conners, they would need a lot more crates and several new wooden molds.

                                                       -30-

                                               (1,300 words)

                                           Joseph Xavier Martin