Cape Breton's Magazine

'',.'1. through the woods over to Broughton about three miles away ewery day to superintend the buildings that are being constructed. By the road it is one and a half miles, but I have found a wood road three miles through the forest which was cut from the farms on the Bay to connect with what they call the 'backlands,' another name for what we used to call in P. E. I. the 'back settlements.' As the coal line which is being developed into a town with 12 miles of streets is on the edge of the old forest land, and adjoining a lake, it is a very picturesque place, and I often see wery effec? tive groups of Italian labourers clearing trees from the streets, with brush fires curling about, and the forest trees and hills in the background. Sometimes as the teamsters on horseback go to their homes over the hills they form beautiful sub? jects for pictures. We have fore', farm lands, river stretches and ocean gravelly beaches about Mira Bay all around us, and I have been thinking that it would be a delightful place for you and Bessie to spend most of your summer--and some of our friends from Charlottetown might come on and live for a time at the same house. If you want to paint you could get a variety of beautiful land? scapes. From Mira bridge just under the Martell's house a comfortable little steamer runs every day up the beautiful Mira River. Louisburg is only twelve miles away, and is a very picturesque place. Mrs. Martell will take you and Bessie for four dol? lars a week each. There is a spare horse and car? riage on the farm, which they hire for about 25 cents an hour, and they have a very good boat. There are some inland pastures where golfing could be practiced. For those who enjoy fishing the Mira River is one of the best salmon and trout and black bass fishing grounds in Nova Scotia, and last summer some Americans were fishing the big tu- na in Mira Bay. So far I have been very busy and have not had time for any of these things." He ended his recitation of the delights of Mira by telling Robert that the Martelis had "good bed? rooms" and "very nice old fashioned sitting rooms" and "a very good organ." The letter succeeded in persuading Robert and Bes? sie to spend the summer at Mira, and Robert en? joyed himself painting little landscapes while Wil? liam worked away at the construction of Broughton. The landscapes remain, but William's buildings have vanished. All that is easily visible of Broughton today is the signpost which directs the traveller along a dirt road through the forest just above Mira bridge on the road to Sydney and Louisburg. In his letter William told Robert that Mr. Lancas? ter had rented a cottage on the Martell farm, where he would stay until construction of the ho? tel had been completed. Then Col. Mayhew and his family and some of the English directors of the Company were to come for a visit. The hotel was completed in the fall, and the May- hews did come, but the situation they found on their arrival was disturbing. No railway had been Jacques-Cartier l/lotel kitchenette units available / telephones in all rooms P. O. Box 555, Sydney, N. 8. B1P 6H4 (902) 539-4375 or 539-4378 or 539-4379 SYDNEY - GLACE BAY HIGHWAY FRANCAIS 2 Kilometres de I'Aeroport ENGLISH Wayne Weatherbee, Director SHOULD YOU PRE-ARRANGE V@ P [FS FUNERAL? Today, more than ever before, people are thinking and doing something about the future. Among those concerns for the future is the matter of their plans for their funeral. Sydney Memorial Chapel Ltd. respectfully suggests that it is a good idea to visit your Funeral Director, and together talk these matters over quietly and calmly. He can help you with information as to the different services and their costs, and then he will confirm your arrangements in writing so that your family will know what you want. St'cCnei' Ttemoriat Cfiapet LtcC. 49 WeCton Street, St'cCnei' A Non-Denominational Funeral Chapel 539-0500 ,(25)