I was six years old when we moved to Parkhill. We were now in the twentieth century. I knew nothing of the world outside our small community. Soon I was studying geography and a bit of history at school. Both subjects fascinated me. The good noble Queen Victoria died on Jan 22nd, 1901 at the age of 81. She was succeeded by her equally "good and noble son" Edward VII. To have even questioned their goodness and nobleness would have been treachery. They ruled over The British Empire. Those red spots on the globe were the countries fortunate indeed to be ruled over by our noble monarchs. No harm could come to them. I was so proud to think that Canada was part of that British Empire.
We were never told of the starving people of India. If we had been told we wouldn't have believed there were starving people. How could they if they were part of the British Empire, ruled by our good and noble king Edward VII! It must be unbelievable to you how misinformed we were about the world we lived in. The Indians were "the savages" who wanted to ambush and scalp us. The Chinese were heathen who hadn't learned the words of God till missionaries went in to save their souls.
Mother in missionary form decided to take on three Chinese laudrymen who opened a laundry in Parkhill; also one of their sons - a small lad we liked very much. Poor lad! He had a very bad time at school where students would throw stones at him yelling after him as he fled "chink, chink, chinaman ..." He persevered. One day he was brave enough to call back at them "You are bad boys. My Jesus would not like you to throw stones at me".
I am very proud to remember my parents were not intolerant. These Chinese laundrymen. were our neighbours. We exchanged gifts at Christmas time. They'd give us Chinese nuts, Chinese tea and Chinese coins. I know mother gave them gifts also. After all she was their Sunday school teacher!
When father died he lay in a casket in our living room. Everyone came to pay their last respects. Our Chinese neighbours came. Imagine our surprise when one of them bent down before his casket, smote him on the chest and said smilingly "Goodbye Mr Fenn. You were very good man. You will got to Heaven".
We were never told of the starving people of India. If we had been told we wouldn't have believed there were starving people. How could they if they were part of the British Empire, ruled by our good and noble king Edward VII! It must be unbelievable to you how misinformed we were about the world we lived in. The Indians were "the savages" who wanted to ambush and scalp us. The Chinese were heathen who hadn't learned the words of God till missionaries went in to save their souls.
Mother in missionary form decided to take on three Chinese laudrymen who opened a laundry in Parkhill; also one of their sons - a small lad we liked very much. Poor lad! He had a very bad time at school where students would throw stones at him yelling after him as he fled "chink, chink, chinaman ..." He persevered. One day he was brave enough to call back at them "You are bad boys. My Jesus would not like you to throw stones at me".
I am very proud to remember my parents were not intolerant. These Chinese laundrymen. were our neighbours. We exchanged gifts at Christmas time. They'd give us Chinese nuts, Chinese tea and Chinese coins. I know mother gave them gifts also. After all she was their Sunday school teacher!
When father died he lay in a casket in our living room. Everyone came to pay their last respects. Our Chinese neighbours came. Imagine our surprise when one of them bent down before his casket, smote him on the chest and said smilingly "Goodbye Mr Fenn. You were very good man. You will got to Heaven".
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