My father, George Hall, and his brother, Henry Hall, were manufacturers of farm machinery in Blenheim, Ont. My father was thrown from a wagon by a runaway team of horses when 32 years of age and killed. I was 5 years of age, the eldest of three living children; Nellie and Bert followed.

It is remarkable the way some things and events that occurred when I was 5 or 6 years of age remain as fresh in my memories as happennings of a few days ago.

I believe I would recognize my father if he appeared at the front door today.

I recall a pair of bantam chickens my father brought in a small box. He made a pen for them and in a few weeks let them run in the yard. The rooster was red and a beauty. It was in the spring and a few weeks later the little hen disappeared. The loss of this pretty little hen brought tears.

About three weeks later, one morning, as I stepped out the back door there was my long lost lttle bantam hen and about 10 little fuzzy chicks following her; what joy and excitement! I can almost see them today. Another event very fresh in my mind was looking out of our front window and seeing father take a little red wagon out of his big wagon and head for the house. I knew it was for me.

I recall vividly the day of father's funeral. The coffin was at the far end of the parlor and I sat on the lap of a man back of the door at the other end of the room while the preacher conducted the service.

Uncle Henry conducted the business for about six months when fire destroyed the plant- no insurance. Few people insured their homes and business establishments then, as they do today. Uncle Henry died of pneumonia a couple of years later and left a widow and two sons.

Mother soon built up a sizable dressmaking business in Blenheim, employing 6 or 8 women.

When 8 or 9, I started smoking. A playmate about my age got a cigar and some matches. We went to a nearby gravel pit, cut the cigar in two, lit our halves and puffed a short while. We then emptied our stomachs in the gravel pit and headed for home feeling pretty sorry for ourselves. We both swore off smoking for good. I have never since used tobacco in any form.