As a matter of fact, Elgin had
begun as the centre of "trading" for the farmers of Fox
County, and had soon over-supplied that limit in demand;
so that when other interests added themselves to the
activity of the town there was still plenty of room for
the business they brought. Main Street was really,
therefore, not a fair index; nobody in Elgin would have
admitted it. Its appearance and demeanour would never
have suggested that it was now the chief artery of a
thriving manufacturing town, with a collegiate institute,
eleven churches, two newspapers, and an asylum for the
deaf and dumb, to say nothing of a fire department
unsurpassed for organization and achievement in the
Province of Ontario. Only at twelve noon it might be
partly realized when the prolonged "toots" of seven
factory whistles at once let off, so to speak, the hour.
Elgin liked the demonstration; it was held to be cheerful
and unmistakable, an indication of "go-ahead" proclivities
which spoke for itself. It occurred while yet Dr Drummond
and Mr Murchison stood together in the store door.
"I must be getting on," said the minister, looking at
his watch. "And what news have you of Lorne?"
"Well, he seems to have got through all right."
"What--you've heard already, then?"
"He telegraphed from Toronto on Saturday night.
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