THE LOST RING

Bernard MacDonald, son of Andrew and Julia MacDonald, lived in Bear River all his life, where he farmed with his father. In 1940, he married Frances MacDonald, and from this union there were eleven children, eight boys and three girls.

Bernard had a heart condition, and could not do strenuous work, but managed to provide food for his large family.

He was active in the district, and was the school secretary for a number of years. He was one of the first to negotiate with Maritime Electric and Island Tel, to have the lights and the telephone installed in the district.

One Sunday, Julie, Bernard’s mother, was going to church in the horse and sleigh. It was cold, so she pulled the buffalo around her. She did not notice that her wedding ring fell from her finger. She was without her ring, because she could not afford to buy another. Forty years later, Roddie Chaisson, came with a machine, and built up the driveway. After the machine left, Everett and Clifford, the two oldest grand—children, went out to play in the soft clay. What should they find, but the wedding ring, still bright and shiny, and in perfect condition. Julie was elated with joy, and felt she was newly married all over again. _

Like all children, they caused some tense moments at times. One day, Jimmy and Allan went exploring in an old house, on a nearby property. They found some dynamite caps, and took them home. They didn’t know what they were, so they put them on the splitting block, and cut them with the axe. They soon found out what they were, when they blew up! Fortunately, they were not seriously hurt. From that time on, Jimmy was nicknamed, “Dynamite,” and Allan was christened, “Fuse.”

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