Page 43 - Aunt Annie MacLeod, Wreck Cove

ISSUE : Issue 48

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1988/6/1

thing--I can't remember today what it was. And he told me, "It's not your father, it's my father." I ran in to my aunt and asked her. And I remember yet, there were clothes hanging in the room in a corner, and of go? ing in there and crying my heart out, when I found out that he wasn't my father. He shouldn't have told me, but of course, we were only young, you know. (And when did you find out that , your aunt wasn't your mother?) I don't remember of ever finding that out. I mean, I found it out when I got older, of course. I knew that the time I went out west, and] before that. But l| don't remember of it having any im? pression on me, that I was told she wasn't my mother. Perhaps I was told very young or some? thing, and it didn't seem to--I don't remember anything about that. But I him. rT,i awake?" Finally. I'd get so bad that she'd say, "Oh well, I may as well get up and go over with her because I'm not going to be able to sleep anyway." I was a long time before I got over that. I wonder why. Well, I understand it now. I believe, you know, I was, I suppose, very close to her (Aunt Kate in Cape Breton). That's what a woman was telling me out west. She said, "It's , funny it didn't have an effect on you, all those transfers." But you know, I think it helped me a lot, as I was telling you, that I had all this imagination. Aunt Annie reads ( ' Angus L. and Katie MacLeod Morrison, with two of their children. Sandy and Maisie (Annie'g Qpuging) remember about But he was very good to me uncle. But I had more of a When I'd be sick, I floor with me. When So was my other feeling for him. remember, he walked the I had the whooping on: "My mother's sister, Rachel, was married, and they lived out in Manitoba. They came home on a visit, and stayed- for two years. When they were going back they had made up their minds they would try and sell their farm and come back (to Cape Breton) to live. And they had no family. They wanted to take me with them. So we left, in May, 1910. I was 11 years old at the time. They lived in a cough. So did the other too. But I remember him walking the floor, I guess perhaps he treated me the same, or perhaps more, than his own. (Annie Mae: I guess you always called Aunt Kate "Aunt Kate." And that's why you knew it wasn't your mother.) I guess I always called her "Aunt Kate." I guess I was never--they never said, "Call me 'Mother.'" I slept with my aunt (Kate), till I went out west. And I was a long time before I got over that. She (the aunt out west. Rachel") used to have to get up lots of nights and come with me because I couldn't sleep. I'd say, "I'll cough, now, if I can't sleep. And if you're awake, you cough back." Well, when she was getting sleepy and wouldn't answer me back, then I'd have to call her. I'd say, "Aunt Rachel, are you BATTERED WOMEN ... AND YOUR CHILDREN. IF YOU NEED HELP, CALL: 539-2945 TRANSITION HOUSE WE BUY AND WE SELL AND WE'RE AS NEAR AS YOUR TELEPHONE Sid's Used Furniture Phone 564-6123 436 Charlotte Street, Sydney Buckling up is more than law - it's the best protection a person can have. Properly used, a seat belt can reduce the possibility of death and serious injury. However, wearing a belt incorrectly reduces its effectiveness. A seat belt worn properly should give you a secure, comfortable feeling. Keep it low and snug over the hips. The- shoulder belt should be worn over the shoulder, never under the arm. Remember to secure your baby or toddler in a safety seat that best suits your child's age and weight. SEAT BELTS. Wear them right for life. Nova Scotia '(i' Department of ''-' Transportation and Communications

Cape Breton's Magazine