A Span, The Length Of Memory 117
to chest as hot as patient can bear. In about ten minutes apply another, and thus continue by re-heating the poultices and in a few minutes the patient will be out of danger. This simple remedy has never failed to cure this too- often fatal malady. Usually three or four applications will be sufficient."
Many other home remedies were brought along by the home nurses or nannies who would stay with the family in times of serious illness. The doc- tor’s advice was carefully followed but there was always a need for the tried— andvtrue home remedies. In cases where recovery was prolonged the need for good cooking in the form of nourishing and tasty food was an impor- tant part of the return to good health.
THERE’S COMPANY COMING! !
When a traveller in the long ago came in sight just over the grade on the Taylor Road, he caused a stir of excitement as he slowly made his way in the direction of Wilmot Valley. Was this a friend coming to visit or a stranger just passing through? Could it be the new minister and his wife fulfilling their promise of an early call just to get acquainted and to share a cup of tea? Passersby were not that common and usually had a purpose, so the children were curious as they watched the progress of this horse-drawn vehicle.
Sometimes older relatives would arrive unannounced and stay for several days, just visiting, and even a stranger in need of rest and refresh- ment for himself and his horse, would be offered the hospitality of the home. If it happened to be Uncle James and Aunt Kate, they would be given the use of the spare room after the feather tick had been duly tluffed up and warmed with the hot smoothing irons carefully rolled in flannel. If this mysterious person turned out to be a pedlar, he would be made comfortable on the couch in the kitchen and continue on his way after a hot breakfast the next morning.
Many travellers had no intention of stopping for the night but came to the community on regular visits and usually on business pertaining to farm- ing. James Mayhew of Summerside, driving a horse and truck wagon, would drive through the country and shear sheep for the farmers. He was often accompanied by his daughter, Mary Ann, and they would cut hay from the ditches as they went along. Levi Silliphant and his daughter, Mildred, came to Wilmot Valley about the turn of the century on a regular basis to buy sheep, lambs, beef, pork and poultry. Other “meat men”, namely: Alfred Waite, Alden Moase, Edwin Lord, Leslie Mann, and Ham- mond Affleck, delivered meat to the homes on a weekly basis, while the delivery of fresh fish was handled by Bismarck Doiron, John and Reuben Heckbert. Heath Durant and Jim Sobers.