I recall once seeing an
Eskimo parading around on a warm day in the glory of a full dress coat
and silk hat, the coat drawn on over his ordinary clothing. He was the
envy of his friends.
While Grenfell dispensed medical and surgical treatment, and at the
same time did what he could for the needy, he also turned his
attention to an attack upon the truck system. This system of barter
was responsible for the depths of poverty in which he found the
liveyeres. He was mightily wrought up against it, as well he might
have been, and still is, and he laid plans at once to relieve the
liveyeres and northern Newfoundlanders from its grip.
This was a great undertaking. It was a stroke for freedom, for the
truck system, as we have seen, is simply a species of slavery. He
realized that in attacking it he was to create powerful enemies who
would do their utmost to injure him and interfere with his work. Some
of these men he knew would go to any length to drive him off The
Labrador. It required courage, but Grenfell was never lacking in
courage. He rolled up his sleeves and went at it.
Pages:
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147