Page 6 - Book Eleven Havelock

Page 4 APPLE PIE Written January 1 2016
Most of what happened that night 76 years ago has long since faded from my memory. But I can clearly remember two incidents in this experience. It was about 1940 and I was about 12 years old.
Somehow I got included with a group of boys privileged to go to Peterborough. Two or three carloads. Forgive me if I can􏰀t remember who else or how man􏰁 were in the group􏰂 But I think it was about twelve boys plus the drivers. Going to Peterborough was a rare occasion for boys living in Havelock during the latter part of the Great Depression so I haven􏰀t completely forgotten this trip. After I tell you what happened you will know why I remember some parts vividly.
It was wintertime, cold, boring in Havelock, and exciting to go somewhere. I don􏰀t remember who arranged this trip or why. But I think it was Mr.Copp. Leo Copp was a kind and busy man who did lots of good things for the community in general and for boys in particular. Some of the really old people around Peterborough might remember him as the district school inspector and later as the Principal of Peterborough Normal School. This trip was inviting boys to see a hockey game played in Peterborough on an outdoor rink. Oddly, spite of my interest in sports even then, I cannot tell you anything about the game itself.
At outdoor rink games, if there are any spectators, they line up behind the boards around the rink to watch. As I watched the game I decided to improve my viewing position by moving closer to one of the goals. My route took me behind the
heated shack where the skaters put on their skates and where everybody crowds in out of the cold between periods. The lights were bright enough out in the rink to play hockey but it was pretty dark in the shadows behind the shack. It was there I was accosted by a big gu􏰁􏰂 I don􏰀t reall􏰁 remember how big he was but I
remember vividly that he was bigger than me􏰂 And he wasn􏰀t a bit friendl􏰁􏰂 I can􏰀t remember what he actuall􏰁 said to me but in m􏰁 mind he was sa􏰁ing􏰃 􏰄I􏰀m going to beat 􏰁ou up􏰃 kid􏰂􏰅 I quickl􏰁 backed awa􏰁 and turned but he moved menacingl􏰁 around in front of me. I was terrified and wished some big boy from Havelock would chance by. The bully grabbed me and wrestled me to the ground in the snow. I think I was too scared to resist. He asked me there on the ground to say 􏰆uncle􏰀 or something I can􏰀t recall. Then he just let me up and he melted into the darkness 􏰇 I didn􏰀t even look to see where he went. I was already hurrying back to where I came from and where I remained close to my Havelock friends for the rest of the game. That was one part of that trip I do remember and there􏰀s one more incident I􏰀ll never forget either.
After the game word got around that we were all going to a restaurant for a treat. That􏰀s how I heard it anyway. We all crowded into a café and sat around a big table. I don􏰀t know an􏰁 eateries that have big tables like that nowada􏰁s􏰂 Lots of laughing talking joking as we anticipated whatever we were going to get. Mr Copp arrived on the scene about the same time a waiter appeared with an order pad. The first boy he approached looked at Mr Copp and inquired􏰃 􏰄What can we have􏰈􏰅 He might have added 􏰄Sir􏰅􏰂 Mr Copp looked surprised􏰃 then I thought he looked horrified􏰂 He mumbled that he hadn􏰀t intended to treat us􏰃 just join us􏰂 The talking and laughing ceased and an embarrassing quiet took over. I knew I didn􏰀t have a red cent and here was a waiter to take m􏰁 order􏰂 I suspect most of the other bo􏰁s didn􏰀t have an􏰁 cash either􏰂 That􏰀s how we all travelled then􏰂 The waiter said something to Mr Copp, the manager joined them in the discussion and a few silent minutes later, Mr Copp announced we could all have a piece of apple pie. The talk and laughing resumed, we were all served, and I guess Mr Copp must have paid for us all. I don􏰀t remember if an􏰁 of us even thanked him.
His bill was likely about $1.85 but at toda􏰁􏰀s rates for apple pie that would amount to about $45.00.
I hope Mr Copp continued his benevolence after that experience. If he did, he probably chose richer boys and likely explained his intentions more clearly.
Leo W Copp
School Inspector 1938. Later Principal of Peterborough Normal Sch.