"My people were well-to-do people with a comfortable home in Canada near
the City of Toronto. My brother, being seven years older than I, had a
good education, went to the city, became a clerk in a bank, got into bad
company, forged a check on the bank and was arrested for forgery. Our
farm and the old home went to clear him. He promised father to do
better. We heard about these western islands and shores, and thinking
this a good place to come with my brother where no one knew of our
disgrace, we came, bringing fish nets and a boat. We fished all summer,
doing well, but as fall came my brother became restless and
discontented. He took the fish nets and boat and sold them all, leaving
us nothing, then went we knew not where. This broke my old father's
heart and mother soon followed him to the grave. Now I am left alone to
battle with the world, but I shall never forget your kindness to me and
mine."
After working all summer for some fishermen John went home to Toronto to
live with an uncle who offered him a home, and John accepted with a
grateful heart.