Mary's Memoirs

Blanche gets food poisoning and ends up in the hospital. She and Mary had made a stop on the train and Blanche does not return. She had gone to the hospital and sent a telegram to Mary to tell her she would be catching up later.

Sunday, Aug. 14, 1949

This morning was cool and clear, and Blanche was up at 7:30 and went out for a walk just as I was getting up at 8:40. She said it was glorious out along the brow of the hill. Ate in the main dining room and it was very pleasant. Wrote 3 more cards and that is all I shall mail until I get to Bremerton. We bought our tickets for the tour and went for a walk around the block and up on the brow of the hill. Many people out and it’s very interesting. We saw a large ocean-going vessel being towed to the docks by small tugs. Below the hill is the oldest part of Quebec with winding streets, so narrow a car can just make the turn. At 1:15 we got on the bus and at 1:30 left on the four-hour trip to St. Anne de Beaupre and it was very interesting. We passed through a most-wonderful farming area and every place of ground is under cultivation. Saw one of those big outdoor ovens where bread is baked, and it surely looked good. We visited the Shrine at St. Anne’s and saw 28 stairs. There were many people there. Also saw and heard part of the stages of Jesus walk to the place where he was crucified. It was interesting. Many pilgrims travel to the shrine each year. We were told that the St. Lawrence River is 800 miles long. Quebec has 223,000 population. 95% are Catholic and speak French. Seven Protestant churches and one synagogue. Their industries are ship-building and paper products. Blanche laid down after we returned as she was all tired out. We discovered as we went to dinner that Blanche had lost her coat. So, after we ate, we went to the lost and found and there it was and, oh were we glad. A large number of Eastern Star on a tour came into the dining room as we sat there and kept the head waiter busy seating them. To bed early. Sent a card to Aunt Vina.

Monday, Aug. 15, 1949

We arose at 4:30 as I was awake then. At 5:30 we taxied to the depot and immediately got on our train. About 8 the boy came by with pop and ham sandwiches, so I ate but Blanche thought she couldn’t eat that. So, after a while I dozed and during that time the train stopped at the Three Rivers and Blanche got off for a cup of coffee when the train started she never got on and I asked the conductor. He said he called “all aboard” in the station but saw no one there. A couple more stops, and I received a telegram from Blanche saying to take the Tour in Montreal, take care of the bags and she would meet me at the hotel at 6. So, I went to the hotel from the train with the bags and Blanche’s coat, hat and medicine kit. Cleaned up and ate lunch downstairs which is very nice. Then I bought a ticket for the city tour. It left at 2 o’clock at the hotel and I got back here at 4:05 too late to meet Blanche at her train. On the tour we learned that Montreal had 1,500,000 people, 65% speak French and are Roman Catholic. They have a large university here and many public and church schools. We visited the Shrine of St. Joseph which is still under construction. The Wax Museum was also extremely interesting, especially the manger scene. The figures are so real it seems they should speak. Last we visited a view spot on Mount Royal above the university past lovely homes, mostly brick with many flowers, mostly annuals. They use shrubbery here a lot as the winters are so cold most perennials freeze. Saw the French section of the town (a little like New Orleans but not so picturesque) the Jewish and English section. Passed some of the fine shops and Morgan’s Store. The driver told us about the poor people who had so many children, 10 is average, often 20. They get government allowance for each one and in corner on check it says, “Recreation is pleasure.” The whole tour was very good but I’m sorry Blanche was not here to go along. The weather is warm but not hot and it was very pleasant in coach. The specialty shops were in old buildings but in the windows were clothes that were imports. I can see where some of the clothes at Gen. Grand Chapter came from. Had beef steak and kidney pie for lunch and blueberry pudding. It was delicious. Blanche came in and so I found out she got sick. That is why she missed the train. She went to the hospital there and had a good rest. She had a couple of shots and now feels much better. Doctor said it could have been food poisoning which I think it was. This evening we ate in the dining room. Very cozy there with lovely, hooked pictures of Vermont scenes on the walls. Then we rode in the open sight-seeing car for 25 cents, the best ride yet. Blanche enjoyed it and so did I. To bed early and very rested after our ride.

Tuesday, Aug. 16, 1949

We had the clock set so we got up at 7 and ate in the Continental Room. Very nice. Then we taxied to the train and got on immediately. From there on we rode all day until 3:07 when we arrived at North Bennington. The ride was lovely, and the scenery was grand. No diner so we ate our cookies, and I bought a sandwich. Alma Sanswell met us and took us home. Blanche was so tired and excited I was afraid for her, but she got along OK. All evening calls came for her, and people came and went. So much excitement. I wonder how she can relax but maybe it will calm down. To bed very late, tired.

Wednesday, Aug. 17, 1949

We arose early, if 8 is early, and had coffee. Everyone gets up in relays. Eat what you want, do what you please. Very cozy. A lot of talking and then at 11 Blanche and I went to town. Got everything but my scrapbook. Home at 12. The girls came back, and we ate lunch. Then Blanche and I got our hair done at the Paramount Beauty Shop. It looks very nice, and we both feel better with clean heads. Took our clothes to the cleaners also. A nice day, not too warm. Saw the doctor and he gave me some medicine so got home late. Sat around and talked all evening. Martha was over. She had been to see Rene at the hospital. To bed late. Everyone here goes to bed late.

Thursday, Aug. 18, 1949

Today I washed all of Blanches and my clothes. Then ate lunch. To Manchester on the 12:45 bus and to a private sale. We found little left, but I got a flat iron for Blanche. Then to all the antique shops and did we have fun. Met Blanche and Alma and a friend of hers at 6:15 and ate dinner. Saw a splendid painting of Norman Rockwell’s of the store when the war first started. To a gift shop where I bought a scrapbook and stationery. Home and to bed. A big day and a most enjoyable one. This is surely a grand family.

Friday, Aug. 19, 1949

Today I was lazy all day. In the morning I lined up all the stuff for my scrapbook and laid it among the pages. In the afternoon Mary Sanswell and I visited an antique shop but there was little there of interest. Blanche and I picked up our cleaning and got a blueberry cake. Then we went up to the hospital to see Rene and saw Francis there too. We all had a gay time and Rene was so encouraged for they told her she was to go home today. I bought 2 boxes of the sweetest notepaper for gifts at the hospital gift shop. We had halibut for dinner, and it was delicious. The folk’s new furniture came, and they had quite a time getting it into this old house with such narrow doors. I worked on my scrapbook until nearly midnight.

Saturday, Aug. 20, 1949

Everyone was cold last night but me as I took the extra blanket Mary offered me. This morning it was 40 degrees and Blanche was going around with 2 bathrobes on. The sun is out warm and bright, and the air is so crisp. The blue sky and those fluffy white clouds are a picture out of this world. Today we rode out on the Molly Stark Train and ate at Child’s Tavern in Wilmington. It was a lovely ride, and I took several pictures. The trees are already beginning to turn color and it was lovely. Had my hair done. In the evening worked on my scrapbook until late. Got it done as far as I can go.

■ Clydene Hostetler was a longtime Belfair resident and historian. She now resides on a classic wooden boat on the Columbia River. She has been researching Mary Theler’s life for the past 17 years. She can be emailed at [email protected].