Harold's first job was "newsy" on the train. He travelled up and down the aisles selling sandwiches, chocolate bars, gum, and soft drinks. In 1923, he was hired on the train that travelled six days a week from Tignish to Summerside . For the next two years, Harold worked in the grocery department of William Kennedy 's store. While there he learned many valuable skills needed for survival in the business world. During this "short" length of time he managed to save thirty-four hundred dollars ($3400.); in partnership with George Palmer and William Boulter he then rented a building from Garfield Ellis, Sr., and opened a general store. One year later Harold owned the business. He had a sloped sec¬ tion built onto the west end of the store where Winnie (Silliker) Jelley operated a hat and dress shop for a short time. Surplus stock for the store was stored in a warehouse on the pre¬ sent site of Mrs. Walter Darrach 's house. Dry goods and groceries were the mainstay of the merchandise. All items were ordered by telephone; all shipments received by train. In 1926, Harold opened a "five and ten" and grocery store in the former egg-grading station approximately where Stedman's store stands today (1992). An egg-grading station was part of the early business. Alfred Dignan and Ray Noonan were the candlers. During Depression years (1930's) Harold, like many other busi¬ nessmen, used the barter system. He allowed customers to accumu¬ late credit statements during summer months; in the fall they paid "in kind" - chiefly with cows, chickens, and clams, all of which were processed in his cannery behind the store. Ivan Webb was the origi¬ nal canner - later assisted by Ernest Johnson . In the early years of the business they used a hand sealer; eventually this was replaced by a power sealer run by a gasoline engine. About 1937, Ivan bought the business and moved the building to his front yard in Howlan . Soon after, he constructed a new building and continued canning for the general public for several years. Ernest Johnson moved to Charlottetown and later became one of the founders of Johnson's Meat Packers. Harold next built a furniture store similar to the existing struc¬ ture and adjoining it. In 1949 both stores burned. He then built one store over both foundations. In 1964, Harold sold his business to Denzil MacNeill , a travelling salesman for Stedman's. Both signed a gentleman's agreement stating that Harold would not open a business in competition to Vfr. MacNeill's for at least five years. Harold then rented one-half :he store from Denzil and operated a furniture store there until :he agreed time had expired. 320