rue that these houses were not very
large or imposing. They were generally built only of logs, well chinked
up with moss and mud, and consisted of but one room, with the fireplace
in the end or side. As the people were able, they put up partitions and
added various little conveniences. At first, when a family moved into
one of these homes, some of its members would be very much inclined to
keep to their wigwam habits. As these were very shiftless, and far
below what we considered to be their possibilities of methodical and
tidy housekeeping, some practical lessons had to be given. As they were
willing to learn, various plans and methods were adopted to help them.
The following was the most successful and perhaps on the whole, to all
concerned, the most interesting. When we were aware that some new
houses had been erected and taken possession of by families who had
known no other habitations than their wigwams, I would announce from the
pulpit on Sabbath, that during the week, in connection with my pastoral
visitations, Mrs Young and I would dine at Pugamagon's house on Monday,
on Tuesday with Oostasemou, and on Wednesday with Oosememou. These
announcements at first caused great consternation among the families
mentioned. When the services were over and we were leaving the church,
we would be accosted by the men whose names I had mentioned, generally
in words like these:

"Could we believe our ears to-day, when we thought we heard you say,
that you and Ookemasquao, (Mrs Young's Indian name) were coming over to
dine with us?"

"Certainly, your ears are all right. That is what they heard, and that
is what we are thinking of doing," would be our answer.

"Nothing but fish, have we to set before you," would generally be their
reply, uttered in tones of regret.

"Well, that is all right. It is what we generally eat at home," we
would reply.

"Well, but we have no table as yet, or chairs, or dishes fit for you,"
would be their next objection.

"That is all right, we are coming."

Meantime, their half frightened wives would be seen standing behind
their husbands, most attentively listening to the conversation.

When they found that this enumeration of the lack of variety of food and
the poverty of their new homes, could not deter us from our
determination to dine with them, almost in desperation they would say:

"Well, what are we to do to be ready to receive you?"

"That is the very question we wanted you