December 28, 2012. Ridgeland, Ms. A Book.

Nellie McClung wrote this book, telling stories from her years teaching school in the country west of Brandon, Manitoba.  The tales tell of several families, all farmers and settlers in the late nineteenth century.   Her first book tells the story of her own family as they moved from south of Owen Sound, (actually Williamsford where my sister lived for years and is buried), to farm on the prairies.  In this book, The Second Chance, the author is invisible and you hear the stories of the children and their families.

It makes you grateful to be born in 1937 rather than 1837.  Those children worked hard, especially on the farms.  Reading these stories it is apparent that children accepted responsibility early and grew up quickly.  Fascinating to see the differences in 1910 when it was published and today.  But somethings had not changed at all.  Being the wife of a farmer was hard work in the nineteenth century and is hard work today.  The same for the children.  The main difference is that only 1% of folks in North America live on a farm  today but in the nineteenth century 80% lived on a farm.

Everyone in this book turns out well.   It is a simple, slice of life book, which makes us appreciate living in the present.   Now this book will travel to Nova Scotia and join Nellie McClung's first book on our shelves.  Interesting lady.  Interesting books.