UNCLE PETER HEALY
Uncle Pete was the youngest of my mother's brothers and was still a bachelor coming home for the holidays in my early memories. He bought my first Mother Goose Book, a much-treasured and enjoyed present in those days of pre-radio and pre-TV! When Aunt Beesy came to the country I thought she was the most beautiful lady I had ever seen! She was very fair, with golden hair, and of course, wore "city" dresses: In 1931 I came to Toronto to go to school and lived with Uncle Pete's family for over a year. It was a second home to me and I was very happy there. I have continued to be very close to this branch of the Healy family. Uncle Pete was also a story-teller, and one I liked very much was about his first job in the bank. It was probably in the town of Atwood or Listowel. At any rate, he was home for Sunday dinner and Gram said: "Now, Peter, it is very important that you save something out of each pay, right from the start, even if it is only a dollar or two." He was all of 17 years old and he burst into tears! What he had not told his mother was that his starting salary was exactly one dollar less than his bed and board! Of course, he soon got a raise and he worked up quickly enough, though for many years saving was a problem on a bank salary.
(The End)
|
Index
Previous: Uncle Pat Healy
|