About two weeks after my return home, Dr. Gray called one evening, and
informed my mother that he had that day received a letter from an old
friend of his, who was a merchant doing an extensive business in the
city of Montreal, requesting him, if possible, to find him a good trusty
boy, whom he wished to give a situation in his store. "Mr. Baynard
prefers a boy from the country," said the Doctor, "as he has had some
rather unpleasant experiences with city boys; and it occurred to me that
you might be willing your son should give the place a trial. I wish not
to influence you too much: but I know Mr. Baynard well; and if I wished
a situation for my own son I know of no place which would please me
better." "Did my circumstances allow of it," said my mother, "I would
gladly keep my boy at home, but, as it is necessary for him to seek
employment, perhaps no better situation will offer, and as you, in whose
opinion I have much confidence, speak so highly of Mr. Baynard, if
Walter is willing we will at once accept of the offer, and you may write
to your friend, accepting the situation for my son." Of course I had no
objection to offer, and the Doctor wrote, informing Mr. Baynard that I
would be there in two weeks time.
The time passed quickly away, and I again left home. The Doctor had
written to my employer informing him on what day he might expect my
arrival. The train reached the city about two o'clock in the afternoon,
and, stepping from the car I became one among the crowd upon the
platform. During the journey I had many times wondered to myself whether
Mr. Baynard would meet me himself or send some one else. I supposed he
would send one of his clerks. Dr. Gray had arranged that I was to board
in Mr. Baynard's family, as my mother objected to my going to a public
boarding-house, and in this, as in all cases the good Doctor was our
friend; old as I am now I cannot recall Dr. Gray's many acts of kindness
to me when a boy without a feeling of the deepest gratitude.
To a boy of fifteen, whose life has mostly been passed in a quiet
country village, the first sight of the city of Montreal is somewhat
imposing. Presently I noticed a gentleman who appeared to be looking for
some one, and I felt sure it was Mr. Baynard. He appeared to be about
forty years of age and during the whole course of my life I have never
seen a more agreeable countenance than he possessed. I felt attracted
toward him at once. I stood still watching his movements, as with some
difficulty he made his way through the crowd, and soon his quick eye
rested upon me; approaching and laying his hand on my shoulder, he said
"Is your name Walter Harland, my boy? My name is Mr. Baynard, and I
drove round by the depot to meet a boy I was expecting to arrive on this
train." "My name is Walter Harland," I replied, "and I am the boy of whom
Dr. Gray wrote to you." He shook hands with me, speaking a few kind and
encouraging words at the same time. After giving orders concerning my
trunk, he told me to follow him, and we soon reached his carriage, and
telling me to jump in he drove to a beautiful residence, sufficiently
distant from the business centre of the city to render it pleasant and
agreeable. Mr. Baynard's family consisted of his wife, two daughters
and one little boy. They all treated me with much kindness, and seemed
anxious that I should feel at home with them. I arrived at Montreal on
Thursday, and Mr. Baynard said I had best not begin my regular duties in
the store till the following Monday. I shall long remember the first
Sabbath I spent in the city, for on that day I suffered severely from
an attack of home-sickness. Mr. Baynard's eldest daughter, Carrie was
twelve years old, her sister Maria was ten, and their little brother
Augustus was only seven years old. In the morning I attended church with
the family, and a very lonely feeling came over, as I looked around over
the large congregation and among them all could not discover one
familiar countenance. The most lonely portion of the day was the
afternoon; we did not attend church, and feeling myself as a stranger in
the family I spent most of the time in my own room, and naturally enough
my thoughts turned to my far distant friends, and I must confess that,
although a boy of fifteen, I shed some very bitter tears that lonely
Sabbath afternoon. In the evening I again attended church, and after our
return spent the remainder of the evening in reading, and so passed my
first Sabbath in the city of Montreal. I rose the next morning
determined to be hopeful and look upon the bright side.
Before I took my place in the store, Mr. Baynard requested me to
accompany him to the library, where he passed much of his leisure time,
and he talked to me kindly and earnestly, informing me what would be
expected of me, and giving me instructions regarding the duties of my
position. "Many years ago," said he, "I came to this city a poor boy
like yourself, as assistant clerk in a large store, I was even younger
than you, and less fortunate in one respect, for my employer did not
give me a home in his family, and I was obliged to take my chance in a
large boarding-house which was not the best place in the world for a
young and inexperienced boy; but thanks to the good principles taught me
by my parents, I was preserved pure and upright amid many temptations to
evil. My friend informs me that you have been well taught by your mother
and the knowledge that you are left fatherless interests me in your
favour; and, more than this, I am much pleased with your appearance, and
I trust you will never forfeit the good opinion I have formed of you at
first sight. I wish not to multiply advices to a needless extent, and
will only add, be diligent in your business, be honest and upright in
all things, and, above all things, shun evil companions, and you will
surely be prospered in all your undertakings." This advice was given in
the kindest manner possible, and from my heart I thanked Mr. Baynard for
the interest he manifested in me. When I entered upon my regular duties
in the store, I found them light, but I was kept very busy. My first
task in the morning was to sweep, dust and open the store; through the
day I assisted the older clerks in waiting upon customers, carried
parcels, in fact, made myself generally useful. When released from the
store the remaining portion of my evenings were pleasantly passed in the
family of my employer; he was very unwilling I should acquire the habit
of spending my evenings abroad, and was at much pains that the evenings
in his own family should be pleasant. The little boy seemed to regard
me, when out of the store, as his own property. I was fond of the child,
and devised many plans for his childish amusement; his lively prattle
often drove away the lonely feelings which at times stole over me, when
I remembered my distant friends. The little girls both played the
piano, which was a source of much enjoyment to me; we had access to the
library where there were books suited to all ages. Mrs. Baynard allowed
us occasionally to indulge in a noisy game, when our numbers were
increased by some of their schoolmates. I well remember the feeling of
wounded pride and anger when I one evening chanced to hear a purse-proud
gentleman say to Mr. Baynard, "I am much surprised that you should allow
your children to associate with one of your clerks; I could not for a
moment think of allowing mine to do such a thing." "I do not ask you to
allow your children to associate with him," replied Mr. Baynard, with a
heightened colour, "but as long as Walter remains the honest, upright
youth he has so far proved himself, I consider him a very desirable
companion for _my_ children. I have learned his character and
connections from my old and esteemed friend Dr. Gray, and his testimony
is sufficient for me." This reply silenced, if it failed to convince the
proud gentleman.