Nelson Family Juvenilia
Box 1 Folder 8
Chit Chat (January) - 1893-01-12

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Chit Chat

Though the wind doth blow
About me
Still my heart is light and
Free

January 12th 1893

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January is here
the coldest month of all
the year
and we sit by the fire light
on a midwinters night
and ro[a]st our apples
and pop our corn
while out side the blustering storm
seems to be in a rage
because he cannot get
into our cage
Etta Little

Premium List
Chit Chat
Presented to our boys and girls
Published by William J Little
48 Maple Street
Hulkton
Long Continent
Ethan F Allen
Main Street
Picnic City
Grassington B.C.


Contents
Stories
The castaways of mink island
Unknown wives of well known men
Childrens column
Places of note
Boys columns
New Years Day
Trading post stories
Stories of a gun boat
Tom and Roy in the country
How the hunts became rich
Premium List

Illustrations
The little raft
The birth place
The monkey held on
Up the river
The enterence to the cave
The sled
The hind runk front rocker
The slide
The smell of fried fish



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The Castaways of Mink Island
Chapter 2 Land is sighted
Now we must have some water" and some food said Tom" and they both dashed down into the cabin and then down into the hold here they got a casket of water and began to roll it up the stairs toards the deck they soon had it on deck and roled it to the here they were pleplexed but Jack soon became master of the occasion and getting another coil of rope the only one that the fire had not touched besides the first one he used he cut it in t[w]o then he got a plank and putting one edge on the raft he let the other rest on the side of the vessel. he then took two nails and drove them in each side of the plank then he gave the other end of the rope to Tom while he took the other end of the other one and tied both ropes to the cask then roled the cask into the plank and he and Tom let it down into the raft then they got a barel of crackers by this time the fire had got so close to their end of the ship that they had barely time to step into the fore castle and pick up an axe and a piece of spare canvas then they sprang onto the raft and sailed or rather paddled away it was only about nine oclock now but it had seemed like weeks to the boys on the burning vessel and they didnt feel as if they were much more out of dancer than before for all they were on a raft safe away from the burning ship for they could not tell where they would stop or whether they would ever see a ship or get to land they knew they were not far from a small group of islands but in what direction they were they could not tell as soon as they were well away from the ship they tried to rig up something to be used as a sail they had many failures but at last they got up some ting that caught a little wind then they fixed a rudder out of a piece of board and called their craft complete by this time they began to get hungry so they knocked in the head of the cracker barrel and ate a lot of dry crackers with a little water to help them down as it came night they drew lots to see who should have the first watch or till midnight and who should have the second watch or till daylight after drawing it was found that Jack should have the first watch and Tom the second but how are we going to tell when it is midnight asked Tom for I dont want you to wake me up before it is time [page break] Jack hunted around for something when he suddenly thought of an old hourglass that was in his pocket he took this and by guesing at the time it was made ready for the night Tom laid down but it was ten oclock before he fell to sleep asleep and then Jack kept watch alone till the midnight hour. continued
Bert S Green

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Unknown Wives of Well Knows Men
We well know Fred Warrington the king of Rock Island but seldom hear anything about his wife she is medium hicht [height] weich [weighs] about one hundred and forty pounds a very good house keeper she has one son his name is Joe and is now about 13 years old Mrs Warrington is 41 years old she had gray eyes a light complexion her hair is still as black as a coal and only one or to grey hairs show she was born on Rock Island her grand father was one of the first to settle Rock Island and her fathur was an intimate friend with Joe Warington Fred Warringtons fathur Mrs Warringtons fathur and Joe Warrington built up Small City and Fred Warrington after he was married completed it Mrs Warrington when six years old began to learn to sweep and when ten to spin and when fourteen years old was quite a house keeper she was bor[n] in a small board shanty by a babling stream her fathur was a shoe maker not by any means rich. He and a few other settlers had moved into that region which is now Small City when 22 she married Fred Warrington who in one month after he was marr[i]ed was king for his fathur had died with the heart disease and had dropped suddenly to the pavement when out on the street taking a walk< Fred Warrington has got a pretty wife though not what one would call perfectly handsome still she is very good looking and is as good as she looks
William J Littles wife

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Childrens Column
Clumfields Discovery
In sixteen ninty two Clumbield sailed over the ocean blue. His ships were small his sailors were few
The high waves beat up on its side
But still through the gale it did ride
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Land was not sighted
And famin blighted
The sailors tore their hair
Wretched dispair
They cursed the air
They gaized at the sky so fair
Until land they sighted way over there
What land is this the captain cried
That way over ther in the haze I have spyed
They were struck with awe as they drew nearer and saw
The red man there with his child and squaw
They knew it was not their own native land
For there stood the mountains so close at hand
They sailors stood there in irresalute dispare
For they could not think how to scare
Those red men over there
I tell you said Clumfield
We will shoot the old Springfield
The canon rang out
And the Indians ran into the woods with a shout
Mary Allen

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Places of Note
Jimmy Allens Island is Looked Over
When we get back to Jimmys house he askes us if we want to go over to the next mountain and see the cave of salt and along tunnel way back in the mountain which was supposed to have been built by Indians for a strong hold yess we said we would be glad to I will show you then for I know every place on this island no I dont believe there is many places my fee[t] have not trod. So we eat our lunch and then start of[f] with a tent and a rifle for Jimmy said that when he was with them they could hunt on his land as much as they were a mind to on the remander of that after noon we traveled through the sleep smelling forests through jungles where Jimmy had to cut our way through the stout vines and bushes we saw monkeys playing about on the trees a number of feet above us Jimmy said that once he took a fancy to mokney and so he went out into the jungle to catch one he a[f]ter some trouble made out to lassoe one the little monkey yelled and made an awful noise Jimmy said he grabbed him but no sooner had he hold of him than he let go of him but the monkey didnt let go and bit him near the sholder the other monkeys came after me I jumped out and put for home the [page break] monkey soon let go and I got home but I havent wanted to have a monkey again and have larned to let them alone when they let me alone soon we are through the jungle and come to a little river about three rods wide and a very warm deep one here Jimmy showed us a raft that will carry five persons so we get on and paddle up Jimmy and one or t[w]o others take the oars and we silently sailed up the river the silence not being broken only by the dip of the oars we pass through fertile valleys where wild potatoes and cabages grow and where the herds of goats are feeding and through tracts of wood land at one time we see a large snake coiled up up on a tree the one that has the rifle fires the snake slides down the tree thrashes the tree with his tail and make more rompas than any other thing we have heard on the island we paddle of[f] up the rive as fast as we can for fear of being atacked Jimmy telles us that the snake will dye soon. It is growing dusk and we ptich out tent now said Jimmy if you hear some thing dont be scared. We assured him that we will not about twelve I awake to hear a snarling what is it I said oh said Jimmy that is only a wild cat around they wont hurt any body we dont have any thing that is ugly but once in a while a goat or cow or a snake in the morning we awake to find the sky clear and it is fear fuly hot we travel through the forests as much as possable after we leave the river. For we have gone 15 miles on the raft we soon come to a high long ridge of mountains which fades away into a blue line in the distance. We climb this mountain and in a half of an hour stand a[t] the foot of a high rocky peak we pass around the peak a little and now we are at the foot of a high ledge fifty feet high and there is a large cavern [page break] the enterence is mared by names carved in its walls and by faces that is said to be carved by Indians we light torches that we brought for the occasion. And we go in it is a great cave. But we have to hurry up for we do not have but to more days to spend on the island.
K. Wilman

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Boys Column
How to Make a Traverse
Every boy wants a traverse it is safer than a single sled and will carry many more they are not so easily tipped over when well made and are better adapted for sliding partys. If you have two sleds all you have to make is the board. But if you dont have the sleds make them every boy knows how to make a sled so I shall not stop to tell you how. But for shoes if you do not have round or half round shoes sleigh shoes are very good you can get them at a black smiths shop but if you cannot get any hoop iron is pretty good though not as good as sleigh shoe.
First in building a board bore a hole in your hind sled in each runner a few intches from the back fix a bunk that will go in those holes so than the sled can swing in it then bolt your bord and you have your hind sled fixed
Then fasten on a rocker into the front of the board and drive a bolt through and bore a hole through the middle of the board on your front sled and put the bold through then tie a string to your front sled and stear it [?] and nail a [strip] across the front end of your board for the stearer to put his feet against and you have your traverse as good as any bodies then as soon as it is good sliding in the road or on the crust. Take out your traverse and try it with the rest and you will be satisfied that a traverse is better than a single sled

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New Years Day
A Happy New year to you all the sky is so clear it looks as if there never could be a squall so snowy the hills and mountains they look like sparkling fountains
The day is just dawning on this New Years Day in the morning
The fields are bright
And join in delight
With that little bird
That's so often heard
It is the snow bunting
That comes hopping and jumping
To catch the little fly
Upon which they rely
Then jump up everything
Is waiting fo thee
For even the trees and the brooks peal free
For the chickadee is singing
Come here to me come here to me
With thy songs and New Years tree
Why sit ye thare idly
Why lay ye there sleepily
Why stand ye there drousily
Jump up and with me play
On this happy New years Day
Come on come on
Is his never tireing song

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Trading Post stories
In the Wilderness
You better look out said I for robbers and Indians just a bound in that valley [bgthen?] the coast range and those easters hills. I know it said [he?] I have heard about them and said he with a smile I have been through there twice one though I was shot in my arm and after ward captured by those robbers I had been trapping in there and was comeing up to sell my furs up here to the trading post but as luck would have it I got caught. hows that said I give us the story. For I and my fifty men are haveing a driry time up here. You see we came up here into the wilderness of Poplington a week after the fort was atacked by robbers and the traider killed and now we are haveing and awful dreary time hear for the snow is so deap a fellow cant hunt much. yess ecoed the whole fifty give us a story. Mink skin. For so was the trapper called well perhaps I will though taint much of adventure to what you have had in your adventures but if you fellows want it I can tell it in my way. It was two years ago when this tradirs post was first build and the man had come in [page break] well as soon as I heard there was a trading post here I picked up my traps and things and moved down into a big gorge then to high rocky [lires?] of hill and mountain here I built me a log shanty right by a stoney shallow river I tell you it was a wild place there. In that dense wilderness. I built my shanty right in a clump of little spruces and birches and a few other brush so that my shanty could not be seen only by one passing down the river wall ye know that as river runs in to grand lake here not half a mile from this building so sayes I. I can build me a raft and take my firs down the river. I set my traps again for it was now in the fall wall I trapped away in peace I [c]oldnt see a single Indian or robber till one day late in the fall an Indian paddled up by well as he sat in front of the house I stepped out. And sir that fellar was so scat that he jumped out of his canoe and putter for shore I didnt mean any harm and so allowed that red skin to get away though I wish now I hadent I wish I had shot him but then wishing wont do any good now and so I will try not to wall I didnt see another person for a mounth and sow had come but I confess I felt a leetle sceary for I expected every day to be shot down by a lirking Indian for I thought that proberly the Indian would take his revenge and shoot me the days wore on not a person did I see till the till into February the river was frozen over and a foot and a half of now on the ground it was the [mentous?] cold but I snow shoed it all around I was having the best trapping I ever knew for I caught beaver muskrat mink and otta and many other kinds in a day. It was the best of shooting. There is deer bear wolves panthers moose elk besides may other smaller animals. And there was a number of times that I nearly got killed in some of my hunts which perhaps I will relate some other time, well one day after I had got all through looking at my traps and was sitting in my door way skinning my beaver when I heard a little noise behind my house so I went in side my shanty shut and bared my door [instantly? hastily?] then went to my windows and shot them then I [crawled? crept?] to the window on the back side and peaked out I could hear a man talking and the crunch [page break] of snow shoes but could not see them for the brush was so thick behind the house. I heard the man say if we ever come across him he will shoot him and let his valuables I knew they were robbers and my trusty rifle was in my hands I could hear them going around for they could not see my shanty being so in the brush, well at last they followed my tracks around where I could see them and you can just better believe I did not hesistate to fire. I hit the leader of the gang the all jumped and started of[f] save the one I had killed but my repeater spoke again and again and there lay three out of the gang well days wore on and by and by it was spring and the river thawed out. And I was building my raft it was soon built. Then built a rim about one foot high to keep the waves from slopping over. When on Grand Lake. This rim I made out of a row of logs I then built me a shanty on which to pile my furs so as to protect them from rain and so forth and to be in myself I also built me a little fire place then I loaded in my furs and started of[f] I had got most to the lake when as I was out on the deck I was fired on by several men hiden in the brush I was hit in the arm my rifle fell to the deck I was taken unawares and was very much startled but I had presence of mind enough to drop behind the log rim and seize my rifle and then crawled into my house. I then opened a loop hole and saw a robber skipping along by the shore of the river I instantly fired and he dropped then my shanty was fired at but being of logs the bullets did not come through in this way I went off more than a mile till I began to hope they would off and leave me but not so they were following I shot a number and wounded one or two but at last they made out to board me and battered at my door with my clubs and sticks I did not have any loop holes near the door and so could not shoot them. But if any of them came around by the side for anything they were dead men at last by a heavy volley my door broke down and they rushed in I was soon bound hand and foot and carried out on deck here they left me alone I then kicked a long to the edge and by working some got over the edge and went splash in to the water and swam on my back round back of the raft the next moment I heard the robbers on the raft say where is the trapper and one ansered I dont know. I knew I heard a splash well said one if he had rather drown than live let him for he wont live long if we catch him I lay perfectly still till he said well lets take a boat load of furs ashore and go and build a shanty to store them till we can sell them then we will come back for the rest. So of[f] they started with my choisest skins but leaving my skin under the [goge?] of the boat. After they had gone I jumped out of the water into my boat for the leather that they had tied me with had stretched in the water and I was free. I pulled my raft down the river pretty fast to the lake and round here I did not see any more of them but I bet they were suprised when they got back. Well said I I should think you had had an adventure my men all cheered and I told him that we would have the other next time
General Mayor

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Terms
This paper costs fo[r] this year $3.50 but for 1893 it will only cost $2.00 this is a weekly paper this paper cost 10 cents a copy

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The Story of a Gun Boat
In three chapters. Chapter 3.
After Tom Dixon left us we slowly made our way home we were going to stop at Port Arthur to get repairs when we got with in two days trip of Port Arthur a heavy wind arose it was blowing straight against us so that we made hardly a mile an hour then a fine sleet began to blow and it began to come dark till it was so dark we could not see our hand before us we hung out lanterns but the instantly went out at a gust of wind our big bulls eye shone out clear and strong but only showed a long stree[?] of sleet an snow hurried on by the gale the decks soon got so icy that in a calm a man could have not kept his feet with out going pretty care full I sent one man out on deck to see if he could tell where we were after a quarter of an hour. He came in his cloths were wet to his skin and covered with ice he had a strained arm and a bruised face. He was met with a shout from the crew. Laugh will you if you had been in my place you would not have thought it so funny. What ails you said I laughing. Well you see said he. I went out on deck and sliped down and the wind took me and I slid like lightning to the back end [page break] of the boat and fetched up against the railing head first when I fell I sprained my arm and when I struck the railing and bruised my face it most nocked me senseless, but captain it is a god thing to have a railing else I should have been drowned then spent the rest of the time trying to get back well you look completely tuckered. I am said he. Did the iron railing crack when your skull hit it asked one. No not exactly said he laughing but I heard it creak all around the steamer but in a few minutes it was not a laughing matter the little steamer rocked so vilently that everything went sliping but the engine which we expected wood the chairs and table piled on top of sprawling men all at once the engine slipped a little the men were in a panic but I made out to brace chairs against it and it stayed my men got hold of the casements and helped hold the chairs there all of a sudden we heard a great roar. The rocks! The rocks! shouted the men I let on all steam so try to escape for the fire drew well. We proberly should have got away had not the wheel burst that made the screw go and we were helpless my heart sank with in me I must have turned as pale as death to think of the loved ones at home for I saw the mean all looking at me jump to the deck I shouted in terror for I knew we should be safer there when it struck than in the cabin the next instant there was a colision the chairs table books and engines were piled in a heap and the cabin literly slid of[f] the hull the men all jumped I sprang and went strait over the rocks into a calm see and the next minute was on shore hurah I shouted and next minute was answered by a number more I could hear the hull crashing on the rocks in a few minutes I had a half dozen men about me and other were comeing I heard a yell out in the see and told the men that somebody was in trouble and I was going to get them I swam out and I swam out and found t[w]o men splashing in the waves trying to swim I grabbed them and soon had them ashore and in a quarter of an hour had all my men by me our cloths were frozen stiff and and [sic] a miserable night was that that we spent in the morning it was a sorry looking company that started away from the wreck all most starved we reached Port Arthur for it had taken us to days to go through the tangled thickets over the high ledges and round the the [sic] rocky mountains we went back to the scene of the wreck in a few days but the gun boat had been smashed all to peices on the rocks and had sunk and this finishes the story of the gun boat
William J Little

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TOM AND ROY IN THE COUNTRY
The next year after after [sic] Roy went to the country Tom and Roy went they had a long ride on the cars which they injoyed very much Tom saw the trees the little unpainted farm houses the flowers the rivers and ponds and the high rocky mountains. Soon the long train rolled up beside a little station and the one that was in care of the little children lead them out it was quite a spectacle to see as the train rumbled away for there stood two hundred little boys and girls with the managers watching the train go of[f] then up drove the farmers to take the children of[f] Tom and Roy went with a man about a mile from the station to a little red house by a pond. That night how funny it seemed to be on a bed that would sink right down when you got onto it in the morning they got up and was greeted by a chery good morning from the husbands wife and the smell of fried fish oh what a delicous breakfast after breakfast the farmer asked them if they didnt want to go fishing Roy said yes so the farmer told they to get ready they put on their caps and the farmer handed them poles they went down to the pond and the farmer told the[m] to get into that boat and then he pushed of[f] how nice it was rideing along through the water with the farmer rowing steadly how hansome it looked with the mountains and woods on one side and the hills and fields on the other soon they began to fish the farmer caught lots and Tom and Roy a few what fun it was now and then they saw a pickrel go skimming along or a black bass laying near the top of the water sunning him self and Tom and Roy was sorry when the farmer said they must go in to dinner. Roy spent most of his time at the pond picking up pretty stones and a few clam shells or building sand houses digging wells or fishing for the little fish that came around the shores but Tom though he played with Roy much climbed trees for crows eggs or watched the farmer in his work and the summer passed on two quickly fo[r] them

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HOW THE HUNTS BECAME RICH
Part 3

Mr Hunt went quickly to the loop hole where Mery stood Edith clung to he mothers neck in fright. Mr Hunt said it is an Indian and fired he was an expert and every shot took efect the India[n] is soon left and Joe felt better could you guard a house Joe [page break] Mr Hunt said Yess I could get around a little Joe said well if you could I would like to have you for I think it my duty to gow down to Mr Hanes down the mountain he is our nearest neighbor only 30 miles down the saddle path and he is an old man all alone and I think I ought to help him well we four can keep care of the house I guess
+ + + + + + + +
Now we will take Jimmy in his rout he rowed slowly in till he came to a little pool here he pulled out his pole and stopped to fish he intended going to the lake which lay below hm about five miles and which among the catatails pickrel abound Jimmy was now three miles from home all at once he heard a bang bang and the yell of Indians what he through [thought] are there Indians around now papa hadent said any thing about them what shall I do if I go back the Indians will surely catch me and they will find my boat if I run into the woods and will set dogs after me and if I wasnt found like as not the folks would all be killed or carried away and the house burned well he thought I might as well save my self if I can. Oh I will run down the brook to the lake and then get into those catatails with my boat and wait a night. With this decision Jimmy pulled on his oars and with excited strokes Jimmys boat went bumping down the brook in one hour and a half Jimmy was in sight of the lake Jimmy hurried on and crossed the lake tword the catatails his boat shot into the weeds. Jimmy had learned how to row still and had crossed the lake with out makeing a sound all at once as he entered the catatails there was a thump and a yell Jimmy looked around and there were two canoes one overturned by his boat and the Indians splashing in the water two Indians from the other canoe sprang into Jimmys boat Jimmy instantly grabbed his pistol but to[o] late they sprang upon him in the tussle that followed Jimmy shot one but he was tightly held and in half a minute was bound hand and foot and laying in the bottom of a canoe captured
William Little

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CHIT CHAT PREMIUM LIST FOR THE YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY FIRST 1893

[first column]
CHIT CHAT PREMIUM LIST
BOOK PREMIUMS
A visit to a Gun Boat
by Franz Booth
A very interesting description of gun boats it is one of Franz Booths best books. For 1 suscriber and 25 cents aditional or for $3

A SOLDIERS LIFE
Franz Booth
This book contains 10 full page pictures and 160 pages it is a thriling story of a soldiers life in battle and hard ships we feal sure that this will be eagerly grasped by boys at first sight fine paper and good bindings for 1 suscriber or $2.75

SAILORS LIFE
By J Miller
This is a thrilling boys book in which Mr Miller tries to showe the life and hard ships of a sailor this is very instructive as well as interesting it has pages it is [?y] bound having 15 plates for 1 suscriber and 10 cents aditional or for 3 dollars

[second column]
THE BOYS RAFT
J Miller
The book is a very interesting one in which Mr Miller shows good taste every boy should some time in his life have a chance to read it is not a novel and ith [sic] has good things to learn every boy this book containg [containing] 160 pages hansome bound in colors for 1 suscriber or 2.75

INSIDENTS IN ROCK ISLAND HISTORY
William J Little
This is the most interesting history yet made full of thrilling advenTure and hardship we can not speak of it to[o] highly it has 385 pages and is hansomely bound many illustrations for 1 suscriber and $1.00 or for five dollars

DIFFERENT STORIES
by three great authors
In this book is the great stories namely The Fire the Flood The fire at the Wood Station [inset: 250 pages many engravings] for 1 suscriber and 25 cts aditional or for $3.00 dollars

THIRTY DAYS WARS
William Little
The writer gives a vivid description of the Thir[t]y Day War in t[w]o volumes. Cannot be praised high enough 1 vol for 2 suscribers booth for 3 suscribers and 1 dollar aditional or booth for six dollars for three

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CHIT CHAT PREMIUM LIST FOR THE YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1 1893

[top section]
THE NEW STEAMER MARY
This is the boys delight a regular model of a war ship that now sails in Big Continent navy this is a real little war boat it has the little holes for the canon to come out a boy will play with this for hours at a time

[first column]
ENGINE
The engine is made of steel the boiler will hold 1 pint of water it is a little kerosene engine and by filling the boiler once it will run half an hour with out stopping and goes at good speed

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For only 2 suscribers and 15 cents aditional or 1 suscriber and $1.10 extra

[second column]
STEAMER
This steamer is painted in red white and blue and black the pilot house is adorned with a little flag. It is prepelled by a screw and rides hansomely it has a rudder which keeps it strait it also has a whistle which will sound a quarter or half a mile

[bottom section]
[first column]

FLAGS
This is a very nice flag in colors that will not fade on bunting this flag is six feet long this flag we give for 1 suscriber and $1 aditional or for $5

[second column]
SOUVENIR ALBUM OF THE WORLDS FAIR
This album shows all the prominent buildings at the worlds fair to be held this year at Allenstown and also a map of the canals and buildings it makes it seam as if you were right there this is the best we can do for you for only 1 suscriber or as a purchase for $1.50 [right of the illustration: as cheap as we can possibly send it]

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CHIT CHAT PREMIUM LIST FOR THE YEAR BEGINNING IN JANUARY 1893

[first column]

THE WRITERS COMPANION
This companion consists of
1 quire of writeing paper
1 dozen envelopes
1/4 dozen steel pens
and all packed in a hansome box
This is the best and cheepest thing of its kind for the money given for 1 suscriber and a pen stock is aded but if got as a purchase the pen stock is not put in it is only 25¢

TABLETS
This is a great tablet offer one tablet in this lot would cost fifty cents at the store the smallest for they are different sizes would cost a quarter and would deserve the praise of the public they are off the best paper in the market they are better than writeing paper the young folks should hurry around and get a suscriber for this for it is some thing that every schoolar should have for only 1 suscriber or for $1.00 money

[second column]
THE GREAT GAME OF AUTHORS
The Great Game of Authors the greatest game yet made on fine past board with numbers. All complete for 1 suscriber or $1.00

GEOGRAPHY GAME
The play learns as much as a geography and still it is much fun to play this with a fine book of instructions all for 80 cents or for 1 suscriber

NELSONS SEEDS ARE THE BEST
If intending to purchase any seeds send to us and you will receive grand catalogue with four colored pages and many illustrations but if wanting a pretty book send us ten sents and you shall receive it great bargins
WR Nelson
Pleasant Farm
Kings Co
NP

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