A Ribbon of Shining Steel Read online

  That was in Ottawa, but the dentist who comes to Yale is just as horrid, according to the stories I’ve heard, so no matter how bad the pain gets, I’m resolved NOT to tell Mama. I would rather yank out the tooth myself than go to the dentist.

  Now I have to stop writing because we are going to the Institute Hall to see the Yale Amateur Minstrels. I hope the show takes my mind off the pain.

  Later

  Just got home from the Minstrel Show — 2 hours of songs and conundrums, stories and jokes. I did not enjoy it. In fact, I did not laugh once, not even in the sketch called “Love in Kentucky,” which had the audience practically rolling on the floor. My whole being ached from tip to toe. How can one little tooth cause such excruciating misery?

  Extoothiating misery — that could be the answer to a conundrum. If I were not feeling so poorly, I would think of a question to go with it.

  Wednesday, December 27

  I am plagued by Bad Luck. I was supposed to go to Rachel’s today but I can’t because the Wagon Road is in such a state. Everyone blames the railway and says they have to repair it. I don’t give two figs who fixes the road, I only want it fixed once and for all.

  Andrew said I might as well get used to it because once the railway is finished, the road will be completely neglected and end up in ruins.

  Toby asked Andrew when he became the expert, and then they were at it, hammer and tongs.

  I asked Mama why I could not take my chances like everyone else who travels the road. She said because it is dangerous and there are too many accidents. Papa said I could go as soon as the road is in good repair. I said, “When will that be? The next time the Governor General comes to visit?”

  The way I spoke made Mama cross. “Enough of that cheek, young lady!” she said.

  I apologized.

  Papa said that life is full of Disappointments.

  Hell’s Gate and Goblins! I do not like it one bit. Now my toothache is worse. And it rained the whole livelong day.

  Thursday, December 28

  No use hiding anything from Mama. She wrapped cotton around a darning needle, dipped it in oil of cloves and told me to hold it against my tooth to ease the pain. It helped for a while, enough for me to go to the carol sing at Church. Rusty said I smelled like gingerbread.

  After the carol sing, Anne and I went to her father’s Chemist Shop and we discovered millions of cures for coughs and cleansing the blood and what have you, but not one easy cure for toothache. Only the dentist. Mama said I will have to see him the moment he is back in Yale.

  Friday, December 29

  I missed my journey to Spuzzum but at least Rachel will be here in 5 days. I hope my toothache is better by then. It is not better today.

  Mama decided to try creosote instead of oil of cloves. It smells like soot and burns if it touches my mouth or skin, but as soon as it is pressed against my tooth, the pain goes away. Why can’t it stay away? Toby offered to pull out the wretched tooth but I’m afraid he would pull the wrong one.

  Life is unfair.

  January 1883

  Monday, January 1st, 1883

  NOT a Happy New Year. Rain. Toothache. Chores — but I only had to feed the chickens, since Mama is taking pity.

  We had visitors coming and going all day long for Auld Lang Syne and New Year’s punch but I didn’t enjoy a single minute.

  I’m feeling very cross and sorry for myself. Everyone knows a cure for toothache but nothing works. Mr. Harrison told me there is nothing better than smoking a pipe of tobacco and caraway seeds.

  Anne has a Book of Saints and said I could try praying to Saint Apollonia, the patron saint of toothache sufferers.

  And Rusty! He told me he had a sure-fire cure for toothache. He gave me a shilling from his coin collection and a thin piece of sheet zinc and told me to hold the aching tooth between the zinc and silver because the zinc and silver act as a sort of battery and create enough electricity to establish a current and so relieve the pain.

  Toby Big Ears said he remembered reading about that in a Boy’s Own Paper — one of the ones I had given to the Library. And Rusty said that is where he read it, in the Library, so it must have been Toby’s paper.

  Then Toby asked Rusty if he wanted to see the new papers he had received for Christmas and off they went — leaving poor me with the electrical cure. “The pain will be gone by magic.” Ha! It did not work.

  Mrs. Murray’s suggestion sounded the nicest, a few drops of friar’s balsam on cotton. Mama says the end result would be no different than creosote. I greatly prefer the name friar’s balsam, but unfortunately there is none at hand.

  Mama has just given me some syrup — not Squill’s, but Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup. I’m starting to feel very drowsy.

  Tuesday, January 2

  Dreadful news!

  Mama told me that since the dentist will not be back in Yale until February, I’ll have to see the dentist in New Westminster. So Papa is taking me on the boat first thing tomorrow. Tomorrow! I pleaded and sobbed — not tomorrow! I’ll miss seeing Rachel!

  My pleas fell on deaf ears. I could have asked more politely, I suppose, but my toothache is venting my spleen and putting me in an exceedingly bad temper.

  Toby asked if I’m planning to kick the dentist this time, the cheek. I kicked him instead.

  Mama has just given me some more of Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup to help me sleep. Good. I hope I never wake up — unless the weather turns cold overnight. Because if there is ice on the Fraser, the stern-wheeler will not run.

  Monday, January 8, 11 A.M.

  I’m home. And since I did not take my Diary to New Westminster, here is a full account of My Adventurous Journey.

  Wednesday, Jan. 3 — No ice on the river so the boat left Yale as usual, with poor me on it. I scarcely remember the trip to New Westminster because Papa gave me Soothing Syrup and I slept the whole way. Spent the night in a hotel.

  Thursday, Jan. 4 — The dentist was what I expected, right down to the little steel files and crowbars. In the middle of the torture, the tooth broke apart. The dentist kept telling me to keep still, he had to dig it out, but I could not help but squirm and struggle, and finally he put some foul-smelling cotton over my face and that is all I remember.

  The next thing I knew I was back at the hotel with Papa. I felt wretched all over — swollen jaw, throbbing gums, headache, nausea. I wanted to vomit and I did. Papa said it was the effects of the chloroform — what the dentist used to put me to sleep — and it would wear off. He called me a Brave Little Puss. I did not feel brave, only sick.

  Friday, Jan. 5 — Snowed overnight. In the morning we boarded the Wm. Irving and left New Westminster — Papa, me and a score of other passengers. Arrived at Harrison River where we were supposed to board the Reliance because the water level in the Fraser was too low for the Wm. Irving. But the Reliance was not there. We waited and waited and it got later and later. Then we learned that the Reliance was stuck on a bar about 4 miles farther up the river.

  Our captain decided to go to the rescue. But he could not go until morning, because the current was too fast and dangerous in the dark. So they tied up the Wm. Irving and we spent the night on board. I was thankful that Mama had made me wear my fur coat, so I was not as cold as some. Papa was wearing his fur coat, too.

  Saturday, Jan. 6 — The Reliance captain came over in a canoe, and some Indians, too. There was ice floating all around but they managed to attach a cable between the two steamers, then tried to pull the Reliance off the bar. The first time they tried, the line broke. Then it broke again. And again. We might as well have been on the Skuzzy.

  Spent another cold night on board.

  Sunday, Jan. 7 — Intense cold. Saw the sun rise over the mountain but no warmth came through.

  The Captains tried again and the line broke. So they finally gave up and all the passengers from the Reliance got into the canoe and came aboard our boat. Then we went back to Harrison River and got off the boat. Everyone
was ill-tempered.

  Papa said all would be well because the railway track was laid to within 3 miles of Harrison River and — if we moved smartly — the engine and cars could take us to Yale that same evening.

  So off we went, trudging smartly through the snow. Some of the bridges were unfinished so we had to walk single file over the icy timbers. Papa offered to carry me but I managed on my own — though my heart was in my stomach the whole entire time.

  We reached Farr’s Bluff in the middle of nowhere, not a house in sight, dark as pitch, but thank goodness, the engine was there. The conductor waved his lantern and helped us climb onto the flatcar. It had been carrying gravel to ballast the road and it was full of dirt, snow and ice. There was no other choice, so that is where we had to ride. Most of the passengers were grumpy, but I snuggled up against Papa and did not feel too bad.

  The Conductor told us that the train had run off the track four times that day, and to make sure it did not happen a fifth time, they were going to run the train very slowly. This made the passengers even more grumpy.

  We started off about 7 P.M. I was exceedingly tired, but whenever I fell asleep, something would jolt me awake. The wind howled, the bridges creaked. I was afraid they might collapse altogether.

  We stopped at Hope Station and some passengers got off. We carried on. In the first tunnel above Hope an icicle hit the rail with so much force I thought the echo alone would cause the tunnel to cave in over our heads. When the engine passed through the east end of the tunnel we heard a crash and breaking glass and later learned that the engine’s cab had been smashed by several icicles and the fireman got cuts all over his head and face. Then a huge icicle fell and hit the man sitting beside me. His leg was sorely injured. So it was a narrow escape for me.

  Monday, Jan. 8 — We got to Emory just after midnight. Everything was fine after Emory until we got to the first cut below Yale and the engine got stuck in a snowdrift. The engineer backed down and got up some more steam for a second try. As we were ploughing through the snowdrift, a wheel went off the rail and jumped over half a dozen ties. My body rattled tooth, nail and bone, but finally we got back on the tracks.

  We reached Yale at 2 oClock this morning, the latest I’ve been up in my entire life. I wanted to wake my brothers and tell them everything, but I must have been more exhausted than I thought, for the moment I saw Mama I flung myself into her arms and burst into tears. She gave me some hot cocoa and tucked me into bed and I went straight to sleep.

  So that is the account of my Journey. I think I did a fair job of keeping eyes and ears open, all things considered. It has taken me a good hour to write the account and my hand is somewhat cramped. No matter, since every part of my body aches anyway after being battered about for days. Especially my jawbone, thanks to the rough handling of the dentist. But the offending tooth is gone. Hip, hip, hurray! I am exceedingly thankful.

  Mama let me sleep through the morning and now I think it is time for lunch.

  Still Monday, 2 P.M.

  I have just finished lunch. I was hungry enough to eat a wolf but happily settled for hashed venison with red-currant jelly and mashed potatoes, and for sweet I had two slices of Tipsy Cake. The cake was well soaked in sherry and brandy and smelled deliciously like plum pudding (but without the fruit). Mama made the custard with 8 eggs instead of 5 and put in extra almonds. She said I deserved a Treat!

  The house is quiet because Toby and Andrew are at school. I’m sorry I missed school, especially today, for it is the first day back after holidays and everyone will have stories to tell. I can’t wait to tell Anne and Rusty about my journey.

  I’m sad about missing Rachel.

  My tongue is driving me to distraction, poking into the hole in my gum as if it wonders where the tooth has gone.

  A dreadful thought — when I smile, will people notice the gaping hole in my mouth? It feels as big as a boulder.

  Relief! I just smiled into the mirror and the same Kate smiled back, not a toothless hag.

  Tuesday, January 9

  KATE IS A PIG-HEADED FOOL!

  Anne had no interest in hearing about my Adventure because she had something to tell me which — in her opinion — was far more important. “Remember when Margaret and Mary Stout gave the Governor General the gold specimens?” she said. She went on to tell me that they each received a book in the mail, signed from Princess Louise and the Governor General. Then she said that if it had not been for me, we would have given them the jade and received a book, too.

  Could she leave it at that? No! All day long, “Imagine, having a book signed from Princess Louise.” And, “What a treasure.” And, “The Stouts are so lucky.” On and on till I wanted to scream. She told me Margaret’s book is called Our Little Ones and Mary’s is Papa’s Little Daughters and they are both beautifully illustrated.

  Andrew told me I could mail the Princess the jade if it is that important. I know I could, but it would not be the same.

  I wonder what book Princess Louise would have chosen for me, had I not been such a peevish, pig-headed fool.

  Wednesday, January 10

  I’ve been saving my pennies and finally have a quarter. Now I can buy Grip’s Comic Almanac for 1883. I’ve seen it in the Stationers and it is even better than last year’s, full of fun and pictures. I’m going to buy one and give it to Toby for his birthday this weekend. I know he will be pleased. And I’m sure he will let me read it. Even though he is still angry at me for donating all our other almanacs to the library. At least I got them back. Is undonate a word? Mr. Harrison was understanding and said my heart was in the right place.

  Thursday, January 11

  Cold!! Three degrees below freezing and the wind is blowing enough to shave a mouse.

  Another cold-shoulder day from Anne.

  Saturday, January 13

  Toby’s 14th birthday. Mama and Papa gave him new skates so we went skating on the pond out by the Powder Works Factory.

  Rusty was there. He waved and skated toward me but stumbled and fell. I felt embarrassed for him, especially when Finch laughed.

  The whole time we were skating my stomach took funny turns. I won’t tell Mama. She would make me take more cod liver oil.

  In the afternoon I helped Mama make a cake for Toby and decorated it myself, with peppermint frosting. Toby loved it. He also loved the Almanac and said I could read it. But if I gave it to the Library he would have my head.

  Thursday, January 18

  Went sledding after school with Toby. Rusty and Clara wanted to come but they had to go home and milk the cows. Andrew said he wanted to do some reading — very unusual for Andrew.

  I wanted to ask Anne but I am afraid she is still angry with me. I wish I had never thought of giving Princess Louise the jade — it has caused nothing but trouble.

  Lots of ice going downriver. Toby says there might be a jam farther down.

  No boats, no mail. I wonder if Rachel is enjoying Angela College.

  Friday, January 19

  I have been thinking long and hard. And today I swallowed my pig-headedness and told Anne she was right. I was petulant and selfish and she had every reason to be angry. Especially since the jade was meant to be a gift from her as well as from me. So I said, “Why don’t we wrap it up and mail it to Princess Louise?” Because Anne is right, a signed book from a Princess would be everlastingly special.

  Well, lo and behold — Anne told me it was not that important after all. She said she was sorry she hurt my feelings by going on and on about it and she hoped we could still be Best Friends. I said we could.

  After school I went to her house for hot cocoa and told her all about my Adventure coming home from the dentist. Then we played Parcheesi. We both agreed that the books sent to the Stout girls sounded rather dull.

  Saturday, January 20

  Frightful day. Went sledding with Toby and Andrew — Andrew tore himself away from his books — and when it was time to come home we took a shortcut through the woods and
found a man lying in the snow. He was as stiff as a board and I thought he was dead. Toby found bottles scattered about and Andrew said the man was alive but unconscious from drink. We could not leave him there or he would freeze to death, so we put him on the sled and dragged him into town.

  Goodness, he was heavy. Sometimes he woke up and shouted for the snakes to get out of his eyes. Andrew said he had the DTs — whatever that means.

  Constable Lewis spotted us by the tracks and said he would look after the man. So we came home. I still feel a little shaky. Who was the man? Where did he come from?

  Monday, January 22

  The man we rescued was put in jail but he is not a criminal — he had nowhere else to go. He used to work for the railway. Both his feet got frozen and this morning he was taken to the hospital in New Westminster to get them amputated.

  Constable Lewis told us it was a good thing we came along when we did or it would have been worse.

  Toby asked if we might get a Reward for saving his life. The cheek. I hope he felt ashamed when Constable Lewis said no, the man was destitute.

  How will he manage without his feet? The thought is too gruesome and sad. Constable Lewis said he would likely go home to California.

  Andrew told me DT stands for delirium tremens. I know what that means from my Latin: Trembling delirium.

  I do not understand about the snakes.

  Destitute: suffering extreme want.

  Thursday, January 25

  More snow. Good sleighing.