Walks by Big Alex's Pond
by Henry Van Berkel
GENRE: Autobiography (Nature)
BLURB:
Ten years after Big Alex MacDonald leaves his home in Ashdale, Nova Scotia, in the 1880's to find his fortune, he amasses fabulous wealth almost overnight in the Yukon and becomes known as "the King of the Klondike". At his death a decade later, there is not enough money in his estate to cover expenses. What happened to his immense riches? A century after Alex's departure from Nova Scotia, the author purchases "Big Alex's" family land and finds his own El Dorado amongst the riches of friends, neighbours and family, and the endless fascinations of nature. On hikes along the roads of the historic property he muses about the drama of his own past, and the life journeys of his family members and those of his neighbours.
Get a copy of Walk by Big Alex's Pond on AMAZON.COM, AMAZON.CA, BOOKSHOP, INDIGO CHAPTERS, BARNES & NOBLE, BOOK DEPOSITORY, and KINDLE
Excerpt:
Twenty plus years later Angus was cruising the streets of Antigonish looking for money for a cup of coffee. He approached me several times. I didn’t know who he was until David introduced me. He stood about six feet tall under a large-brimmed hat, dressed in faded blue jeans, a colourful shirt, denim jacket and work boots. Tattoos ran up both arms, a half dozen rings populated his ears, and he had rings on every finger. He called himself “The Cape Breton Cowboy.” People about town referred to him as Willie Nelson.
“Any friend of Dave’s is a friend of mine, he said, “especially his dad.” I was a bit wary. Just a reflex reaction. He seemed kind of, well, smooth. I stayed and talked to him for quite some time. He was looking for two thousand dollars, funds to buy the very basic equipment—an old van, an amplifier, some advertising money—to resurrect his music career. If he could get his hands on a “couple of grand,” he would play one good gig and fund his way back to the top. I didn’t know if he was hoping that I would lend him the money. I felt some empathy for him.
Several weeks later with the fall settling in and the winds from the northwest chilling the landscape under a paling sun sinking closer to the southern horizon with each passing day, the nights were cooling fast. Soon frost would silver the puddles and even the edges of small ponds. David appeared hesitant when he looked at me one evening. “Can I ask you a question, Dad?” He often approached a delicate situation that way.
“Sure, “I responded, “what’s on your mind?”
“Well, Dad, you know Angus Walker. He’s got no place to live. He asked me if he could stay in my cabin for a while.”
Earlier in the fall, David and I—mostly David—had put a supply of firewood under a lean-to on the back of the outhouse for occasional use throughout the winter for times when we might be out to do some work or for David when he wanted to get away for a few days.
“I don’t know, David. I really don’t like the idea.” I hesitated. “What’s he going to do out there by himself with no food and no water?”
“He’s going to the food bank for food, tomorrow,” David responded, “and he can get water from Glen.” Glen Daviau lived in the old farmhouse at the time, and David used to go himself to get drinking water from him.
I couldn’t think of another excuse, so I agreed; Angus could stay at the camp. “But not for too long,” I admonished.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Ten years after Big Alex MacDonald leaves his home in Ashdale, Nova Scotia, in the 1880's to find his fortune, he amasses fabulous wealth almost overnight in the Yukon and becomes known as "the King of the Klondike". At his death a decade later, there is not enough money in his estate to cover expenses. What happened to his immense riches? A century after Alex's departure from Nova Scotia, the author purchases "Big Alex's" family land and finds his own El Dorado amongst the riches of friends, neighbours and family, and the endless fascinations of nature. On hikes along the roads of the historic property he muses about the drama of his own past, and the life journeys of his family members and those of his neighbours.
Connect with Henry Van Berkel
2 comments:
Thanks for sharing!
I think it sounds like a good story.
Post a Comment