The Canadian Pocket Diary

1926

PUBLISHED BY THE BROWN BROTHERS, LIMITED

MANUFACTURING STATIONERS

TORONTO

IDENTIFICATION {Printed form with responses handwritten} My Name is Ernest Howard Buck

Address R.R.#2, Paris, Ont. Hazel Grove Farm

'Phone 96 ring 12

Birthday July 12

Age 21 Height 5 ' 9 "

Complexion dark Weight 155 In case of accident or illness please notify

Mrs Ernest H. Buck R.R. #2, Paris, Ont.

If anyone should find this book kindly return to above address.

THINGS HARD TO REMEMBER

Number on case of my Watch

" movement "

Automobile License No.

Engine No. H.P.

Size of Tires

Number of my Bank Pass-book

My accident insurance falls due on }

My life insurance policies fall due on {

{Printed} CALENDAR 1927

Memorandum from 1926 {blank}

January Saturday 1 1927

Started off my second New Year with Jean but this time my head was resting peacefully in Jean's lap while we were, at least I was thinking of the things that were before us in the year 1927, instead of dancing. After a dainty lunch I had a few nice dances with Jean and then homeward after helping Jack up the hill. Home and in bed at 3 A.M. After such a fine start 1927 ought to be a great year for Jean and I.

Sunday 2

Went in to see Dr Munro in morning with a sore foot and found that I had falling arches. Later than usual getting home as it was 11 o'clock when I left the doctor's office. Roscoe and I had our first cutter ride of the season when he went up home and I went after Jean and took her up too. Had a nice drive together and a pleasant evening with Mother and Dad even if we were later getting home. Jean and I to read diaries for a while.

Monday 3

My feet were pretty sore so I hired Lloyd Roos to stay out of school and help me peddle the milk. Bought new pair of shoes and got a pair of arch supports at Geo Inkeaters. Maybe my feet didn't ache at night after wearing them in the afternoon. Read part of Jean's diary and retired at nine o'clock.

January Tuesday 4 1927

Alex took the milk in my place and got home at two-oclock. Drove the boys to school, in the cutter when I had "Dollie" hooked in it for the first time. Got her shod while I was shopping and getting information about "marriage licenses". Called around by Taylor's for lumber on way home. Worked in dairy in afternoon and my thoughts all day were about where I would be two months from today.

Wednesday 5

Roscoe took the boys to school with the team when he went after a load of coal so I helped Andy with the chores. Drew out two loads of manure when we got the coal off. Busy afternoon in dairy. Called Jean at night about ten but she was upstairs. Finished reading Jean's diary. It is certainly a wonderful book.

Thursday 6

A cold frosty windy day. Did some shopping when I drove the boys to school. Got a shave and hair cut and had a chat with Jean at noon. Took Jean with me when Roscoe and I drove to Clara {Tracker's??} party. Didn't dance on account of my feet but had a nice chat with Jean while we listened to the music. Lovely drive home and oh how we hated to part.

January Friday 7 1927

{Up??} in pretty good time even if it was 3.30 when I rolled on to the hay. Took the boys to school and after fixing up horses helped Roscoe draw out manure. Mr. Francis, R.O.P. cow tester came the night before and will be here till Sat morning. All day long a song "When the One that You Love, Loves You" kept rushing to my mind.

Saturday 8

Didn't have to take the boys to shool so did up the chores across the road after breakfast, hooked up the "Greys" and we took out two loads of manure before our mid-day meal. Wash-day in the dairy made it a busy one for me. A dandy clear bright winter day made it one day closer to March the third.

Sunday 9

A dandy bright frosty day. Did chores all morning and got fire on and things in good shape in the dairy. Roscoe helped me wash up right after dinner and then we drove up Keg Lane. I helped Jean milk and then took her up home for tea Had a very nice time and left for home early. Stopped at Barkers for a while and had a pleasant chat with Jean while we were sitting in the big chair together.

January Monday 10 1927

A nice bright day for me to start back on the milk route after not having peddled for six days. Got along pretty good even if Charlie Birley who was supposed to help me didn't show up till I was nearly through. Finished up at 12:15. My feet were pretty tired at night after being on them all day so retired a few minutes after 8.

Tuesday 11

Charlie helped me peddle the milk and we had a great time and were home by 12.20. He washed the bottles in the afternoon and Alex and I drove to town then went to Brantford with Dad where did some business then went to a sale just outside the city. I went after a horse but didn't buy any as they didn't fill the bill. Paris defeated Hamilton 4-3 in an O.H.A. hockey game.

Wednesday 12

Another dandy day and a little milder. Made good time all by myself and was home from town at 12.30 or sooner. Had a shave and called Jean up at nooon. Charlie and Roscoe went up as far as Dean's with me at night. Had a nice time with Jean when we looked at some letters of hers before she burnt them, and we had the kitchen to ourselves. She showed me part of her trouseau and her new quilt.

January Thursday 13 1927

The number "thirteen" is said to be an unlucky number but the 13th of January 1927 proved to be a lucky day for me when I had a "never to be forgotton" drive with Jean in the cutter behind Dolly on a mild night to a U.F.Y.P.O. directors meeting at Les Kellys and home again. The only unlucky part was that I had a chilly drive home all alone but the 3rd of March will soon be here and then Oh Boy! I'll be home before three in the morning.

Friday 14

I'll bet there were two "Somebodys" who were lonely after their drive early in the morning Won't we be glad when there are no sad partings and we will be together always. Retired at 8.15 at night as I got my feet {wet??} and my legs were tired out from wading through the heavy snowfall during the night.

Saturday 15

A very frosty but bright day and I almost froze on the milk route. Charlie and Roscoe went skating at night but I wrote a letter to Harry instead and went to dream land in good time. Wiped the dishes after supper for Grace so I wouldn't get {out?} of practice.

January Sunday 16 1927

Another cold but a busy day for me. Just think only four more Sundays to peddle milk. Had a very nice time with Jean on Sunday evening even if I did have a sore throat and stayed so late that it was two o'clock when I rolled into bed.

Monday 17

A mild day. Didn't feel very good in the morning, ate part of my breakfast and shortly afterwards vomitted it up. Took the milk to town but didn't make very fast time on an empty stomach. Laid down for a while in afternoon, then Charlie helped me with the work in the dairy. Was nearly all in when I rolled into bed after supper.

Tuesday 18

A 7 pound baby girl arrived at Bendemere early in the morning and she has dark hair. Maybe the boys weren't tickled and did want to go to school. Dr. Jeffery gave me some pills to take and I laid around the house all day feeling pretty tough. Somebody was lonely so I played that piece on the phonograph.

January Wednesday 19 1927

A very mild wet day and I can be thankful I didn't have to peddle the milk as I wasn't able. Had a chat over the phone with Jean and told her I couldn't come at night. Washed bottles and worked in the dairy all afternoon. Felt pretty tired at night so I retired at eight o'clock.

Thursday 20

Made good time on the milk route even if my legs were weak. Saw Eleanor and so informed me that Jean had gone to bed the night before at 8 P.M. also. I wonder if she were lonely because I couldn't come and thought that sleeping would be a good way to pass the time away.

Friday 21

Paris defeated Port Colborne in an O.H.A. game after two overtime periods by the score of 3-2. A number of the U.F.Y.P.O boys went to the game so our annual supper was rather broken up until they appeared even if we had a good feed. Officiated as president for last time and Carl was elected as my successor. Jean wasn't there so I was glad when the meeting adjourned.

January Saturday 22 1927

The weather turned colder early in the morning and maybe it wasn't slippery. Maybe my feet didn't ache after being on them the night before and up late. Had a nap after supper then woke up and had a bath and retired again at eleven bells.

Sunday 23

Roscoe and I drove up home after we had things fixed up in the dairy. Helped Jean milk and had supper with her. Had a pleasant drive up home afterwards and a nice chat with the folks. Stopped in at Barker's on the way home and had a lunch so didn't get home very early. Only three more Sundays to peddle milk.

Monday 24 Felt great even if I didn't get much sleep the night before. Alex, Roscoe, and I drove "Dollie" to town at night to see U.F.O. League hockey games. Great sport watching them whack at each other. Dumbries defeated Kitchener 4-0 and {Moyles???} beat Glenmorris 3-2.

January Tuesday 25 1927

Another busy day as usual in the dairy. Read a couple of chapters in a book and rolled into bed at ten o'clock so as to get slept up for the next night.

Wednesday 26

A terrible frosty morning with the mercury registering 12 below zero. Was home in less than four and a half hours from the time I left as I had to run to keep warm. Froze both my cheeks coming home but I put a scarf over my face and drove up to see Jean just the same arriving there at 9.15. The kiss I received when I left more than repaid me for my cold drive let alone the pie and the nice time I had.

Thursday 27

Another cold day with the thermometer registering about the same but moderating considerable before night. It just began to dawn on me that it is only five weeks until my wedding day and I kept wondring from time to time what I would be doing in five weeks time at the same moment.

January Friday 28 1927

Roscoe and I attended the Telfer girls party at night and I had a dandy time. Had a few nice dances with Jean, my first since the early hours of the first morning of 1927 and we had a nice chat and lunch together on the kitchen sofa even if they did throw paper at us Home at 3 A.M.

Saturday 29

Felt fine considering the fact that I only had three hours sleep. Lloyd Ross came out in afternoon and helped me wash bottles so I was through work in good time at night. Retired at eight o'clock right after supper for a real night sleep.

Sunday 30

My third last Sunday as an M.P. was rather a quiet one for me, until night when I drove into town; spent a few minutes at Eleanors, then Jean and I faced a cold strong north-west wind up home where I made a short call and then down the sideroad to Calamity Farm for lunch. It sure was an interesting and happy drive and evening for me. Home at 1.30 after a fast buggy ride.

January Monday 31 1927

The weather was considerable colder and maybe it wasn't slippery. Sleigh broke down by Grandma Sinclairs and I waited for over an hour before Alex came in with the truck and we peddled the rest of the milk. Left the team at "Hicks" to get shod, bought Skelly's sleighs and had them attached to the box. The end of a happy month and only a few more days to peddle milk.

February Tuesday 1

Had a busy day collecting accounts on the milk route and used the new sleighs for the first time. A dandy mild day and the snow and ice melted fast.

Wednesday 2

A dandy bright day and the bear saw his shadow. Six weeks now of cold weather but what do I care with only a few more weeks at Bendemere. Used Dolly on the milk wagon. Had a dandy time at Jean's at night. Saw the wedding cake and a piece of the cloth Jean's wedding dress is to be made of. Oh! Boy how I hated to come home.

February Thursday 3 1927

Had another ride behind "Dollie" in the milk wagon when we peddled some more "Golden Guernsey" in the town of Paris. Saw Jean and cousin Eva for a few minutes when I was in the Bank of Commerce.

Friday 4

Roscoe and I drove his coupe to a U.F.Y.P.O. club meeting in Maus School. Mostly a business meeting. Took part in an impromptu debate, "Resolved that the automobile is a curse instead of a benefit to humanity:" I was in the affirmative and we won.

Saturday 5

Drove coupe to town right after dinner, met Dad, Mother and Jean and we went to Brantford. Dad gave Wiles & Quinlan a cheque for $64.xx/100 for part of my wedding costume. Jean bought a new coat too and we had a busy day looking at dresses gifts, and buying a wedding ring. My first days shopping with Jean was a wonderful one. An ice storm at night.

February Sunday 6 1927

Very icy in the morning so took the team and sleigh and made great time. Busy afternoon with my books and in the dairy. Left here at 5.45 to go up to Jean's for tea. After we washed the dishes we drove up home for a while. Home in good time after a pleasant evening with Jean.

Monday 7

Ernie Cochrane went with me on the milk route when we drove the team. He received his initiation when he fell three times as it was very slippery. It sure was a busy day for me explaining things to the new milk man. Got a lot of teasing from some of the customers when I introduced my successor.

Tuesday 8

Ernie and I took the team again and made better time peddling milk. At night Roscoe, Ernie & I rode to town in the coupe and attended an interesting "Father & Son" Banquet in the Community Hall. Called at Dr. Munro's on way home and got my wart doctored.

February Wednesday 9 1927

Roscoe and Ernie attended a U.F.Y.P.O. executive meetng at Maus School but I drove up and spent the evening with Jean. They had been to Brantford so she showed me some additions to her trousseau which included a hat that made her look more becoming than ever.

Thursday 10

Just 15 months this morning since I started working at "Bendemere" and I celebrated it by a holiday from peddling milk as I completed my term as an "M.P." the day before. Put in the day helping Alex doctor ring worm on the cattle in the morning and helping Ernie in the dairy in the afternoon.

Friday 11

Went to Burford in the afternoon for the first time with Alex after a load of pea ensilage which weighed 25.70 {2nd no. not clear} lbs. Attended party at Geo Telfers at night and as Jean was there to dance and as my feet were much better we sure had some nice dances together even if we were tired later. Home and in bed at 3.15 A.M.

February Saturday 12 1927

Felt pretty good with only a little sleep. Alex and I went after another load of ensilage and brought home 2725 lbs this time. Had to stop twice coming home to adjust truck and then coming up the subway hill a porcelain in the no 1{??}, spark plug blew up caused by a short circuit in the magnets. Drove into town with Rock at night and received final treatment on my wart at Dr. Munro's office.

Sunday 13

We, Bendemere boys, all slept in until 6.35 A.M. Helped Ernie on the milk route and were through delivering just 3 hours and a half from the time we landed in town. Spent a busy afternoon in the dairy. Spent a very pleasant Sunday evening with Jean which more than made up for the pleasant drive???? I had going home. My last Sun. night drive back to Bendemere and by all means the worst as I looked like a snowman and was good and wet when I landed home at one o'clock.

Monday14

Helped Roscoe draw out manure in the morning and in the afternoon Alex and I cut logs down at the Vanatter farm and Roscoe drew a load of them to town. Rather tired at night so retired early.

February Tuesday 15 1927

Alex and I cut logs all day between chores and Roscoe drew two loads to the sawmill in Paris. Had my last cutter ride behind Dollie when I drove up to help Jean fix up the wedding invitations. Posted them on my way home in the moonlight and was home in good time after a dandy evening.

Wednesday 16

A nasty wet morning so Alex and I took the boys to school in his car and then peddled the Upper Town and Flats as far as the Walker {Press?} for Ernie. It faired up in the afternoon so we cut logs and Roscoe made another trip to town.

Thursday 17

Spent a few hours in both the morning and afternoon sawing pine logs in the bush next to Paynes even if it was kind of sloppy under foot.

February Friday 18 1927

Alex went to St. Catharines with Mr. Telfer. I helped Roscoe load some logs after breakfast and then drove his coupe to Edgars Churchills and got his front spring repaired. Helped load another load of logs after dinner and then helped Mac & Ernie in the afternoon.

Saturday 19

Put in my last day at "Bendemere" by choring around in the morning. In the afternoon Roscoe, Ernie, & I drove into Knowles studio to have our pictures taken along with the rest of Mrs. Laughlins Sunday school class. Rode out home with Terryberrys. It seemed funny for me to have nothing to do so helped with the chores and milked two cows.

Sunday 20

My first real Sunday for ages. Didn't get up until 8.20 after more than sleeping the clock around. Nasty east storm so none of us went to church. Helped with the chores then as it was Verna's 9th birthday we had ice-cream for dinner then I walked down and spent a wonderful afternoon and evening with Jean and came home with Jacks at twelve.

February Monday 21 1927

An ideal winter day even if it was quite snappy. Slept in until eight o'clock then peeled potatoes and helped Mother wash, and assisted Dad with the chores in the morning. Dad and I took a load of articles to blacksmith shop at Canning and walked over to see Uncle Ern's horses. Tuckers were here for supper but I retired at nine o'clock.

Tuesday 22

Dad and I did the chores in the morning then we motored to Paris after we got Jean. Jean and I got our Marriage License at the town clerk's office. Had dinner at the Dominion Cafe in Brantford and it was a real one. Dad & I went out to see Franklins horses in afternoon. Ordered my flowers and did other shopping afterwards. Had supper with Jean and then walked home after a wonderful day.

Wednesday 23

Dad & I drove to town in the morning and then out to "Bendemere" after my buggy. Had dinner when we got home, did the chores, and then went to see horses at Elmer Barsons, and Camerons. Bought my first horse from A. Cameron for $140. She is an iron grey mare and is rising five years old and her name is "Fly". A real experience for me leading her home.

February Thursday 24 1927

Spent the day cutting wood with Mr Barker and Dan at "Hazel Grove" Cleaned "Gyp" off for the first time and lead her home with me at night. Mrs Barker told me about the shower for Jean on Saturday. I hope next Thursday is as nice as it was to-day until five o'clock.

Friday 25

Mother went to town with me when I hooked "Gyp"{blurry} up for the first time and got her shod at "Hicks." Spent the morning in the Dentists chair. Had dinner at Barkers and then Jack Dan, Mr Barker and I went to Brantford in the Dodge to see the Better Seed Train. Helped Jean separate when we came home, had supper, helped moved the piano and then drove to J R. {Inkcaters ??} to practice the play and back again through a nasty snow storm.

Saturday 26

Jean and I drove to Paris in morning. Completed my appointments with the dentist, got a haircut, and purchased gifts for the singer, pianist, and the best couple. Ladies of the district gave Jean a surprise shower of wonderful gifts and I had to open them. Tea and a pleasant time after. Helped draw two cars out of snowbanks after and then drove home after the chores were done.

February Sunday 27 1927

My last single Sunday. Attended Sunday school at the Mission with the boys then drove down and helped Jean milk then brought her up home for tea. Roscoe and Aileen were here too. If all my double Sundays are as happy as my single ones have been in the past I will surely be a happy man. Fast ride home behind Gyp in the cutter.

Monday 28

Started to shovel out side road in morning then Dad drove down and we got Mr. Barker then drove over to Hyndmans to see some cattle. Went to town in the afternoon, did some shopping, and then out to "Bendemere" to help Ernie fix up his books. Home and in bed about 11.30.

March Tuesday 1

Spent the first day of March down at Barkers. Broke road through side road in the morning. After dinner Mr. Barker, Dan, and I brought the cow and 2 stockers Mr Barker bought for Jean and I home to Hazel Grove. Came home early at night and went right to bed.

March Wednesday 2 1927

Spent the last day of my boyhood at home helping Carl haul out manure. Upset a big load at the end of the lane. Jock Lushman came up in the afternoon and we had an unique experience with {Pifhers?} dog. Had my last car ride when I spent my last evening and danced with and kissed Miss Barker good-bye for the last time. Even so it was the happiest evening I ever spent with Jean.

Thursday 3

A wonderful day for our wedding and lots of sunshine made it the greatest day of my life. I'll always have a picture in my mind of how sweet and charming Jean looked when she left her father's arm and pulled upon my left side before the ceremony commenced. I sure was a lucky boy.

Friday 4

My honeymoon or rather ours was too short and sweet and too wonderfully happy to write about so I'll omit it.

March Saturday 5 1927

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Sunday 6

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Monday 7

Dad met us in Paris at the station after our train was 37 minutes late and we had a dark and muddy drive home. Jean and I spent our first whole night together at my home and had a real sleep as there wasn't any noise to bother us.

March Tuesday 8 1927

Arrived back and took up my new abode at Hazel Grove just before dinner time. After we had our pictures taken I changed my clothes and went out to help load up a load of turnips. Left my horse at Lushmans when Jean and I went to Galt and helped present the play "Robert and Mary" at Wesley United church.

Wednesday 9

Helped milk in the morning for the first time on Calamity Farm. Dan took the last load of turnips and the price was thirty cents per bushel. Drove Jean and Lou up home for a while in the afternoon to see Mother about the reception.

Thursday 10

Jean and I shipped the cream in the morning and did some shopping while we were in town and were home by noon. Opened a joint account at the Bank of Toronto and deposited $125.00

March Friday 11 1927

Another wonderful day. Dan and I trimmed up brush along Mrs Pefkers fence in the morning. Drove Cousin Eva and {Lois? or Lou?} up home after dinner, then had my first experience dressing and cleaning oats for the show when I got back. Mother and Dad gave Jean and I a reception at night. There were 108 present, Melb's orchestra played lovely and maybe I didn't have some of the most wonderful dances with Jean.

Saturday 12

The morning after the night before and a real night at that. My stomach felt kind of funny but Dan and I sawed and split birch blocks just the same after we did the morning chores. Helped look over oats after dinner then about four Dan and I drove to town and shipped them, did some shopping for Mrs Barker and I got some things for my wife for the first time.

Sunday 13

A rainy Sunday when my wife and I attended church for the first time as married folks. We were in church just 29 minutes from the time we left home in spite of the bad roads. Up home for dinner. We received $3 as a wedding present. $1.5 from both Carl and Roscoe and $1 from the girls. God bless them all. My first Sunday evening that I remained at Hazel Grove and a happy one.

March Monday 14 1927

Dan and I spent the morning and afternoon down on the flats sawing and splitting up the big elm tree. Finished sawing about four o'clock but not until we had got quite wet as it came on to rain.

Tuesday 15

Hauled Charlie Meggs car out of side road in morning then drew up part of the bass wood tree. Jean and I drove Cousin Eva to town, increased our bank account, and did some shopping in the afternoon. Feed of wedding cake coming home. Harold Fisher backed out of Ford Garage at 12 P.M. going at rate of 45 miles per hour and right over into the river. "Mistaken" alias "Miss {Herbie?}" arrived at Hazel Grove.

Wednesday 16

Finished bringing up the basswood tree after we did the chores in the morning. Trimmed up brush along Pefker's fence after dinner. At night Jean and I drove up home for a couple of setting hens and when we got back Mr. Webster and Bernice were here.

March Thursday 17 1927

Up at six and did the chores so that Dan and I were over to Pefkers ready to saw wood shortly after eight. Couldn't get the engine started until 9.30 so didn't finish until three. Sawed here for 2 1/2 hours {word off left side of page, incomplete; then???} but didn't get through. Jean and I had our first two meals apart since were married.

Friday 18

A wet morning. Jean went with me to post some letters and hold "Gyp" when we took the cream and a crate of eggs to the station. Finished sawing the wood at 11.15 then had dinner and drove to Gibson's sale at Drumbo. Mr Barker bought another cow for us and two steers, Dad also got two steers. They are to {word off left side of page, be???} shipped in Mr. Meggs {carload?} to-morrow.

Saturday 19

A dandy spring day. Dan and I split wood on the wood pile between the chore {word off left side of page, times?}. Did the chores up early and were {word incomplete, all?} through by six o'clock. Wrote a letter after supper to send to Pauline along with Jeans {word off left side of page, Pat?} and slept and listened {corrected from listed? }to phonograph while I was waiting for the cattle to come in.

March Sunday 20 1927

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Monday 21

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Tuesday 22

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April Saturday 16 1927 {dates jumped from March to April}

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Sunday 17

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Monday 18

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April Tuesday 19 1927

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Wednesday 20

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Thursday 21

Plowed in the morning then had some hard work and some queer fun when we fixed the pump in afternoon. It rained so we couldn't finish our job until after chores were done. All of us went to a shower for Jack and Lou at Cunninghams and had a nice time and a feed of ice cream. Home at three.