The Canadian Horticulturist. 



to the States, also to Upper Canada. When the war of 1861 broke out in the 

 States my husband went to the south with his regiment. In 1862 he died. 



" I was invited by General Sir David Russel to take the management of a Chris- 

 tian mission of his, which I did for nearly twelve years. I then went to the far 

 West to my married daughter. Five years later I came to Montreal, where I hope 

 to end my days in peace and hope. 



"I may say I had great encouragement in my love for scribbling from my dear 

 friend Mr. James Ballentyne, author of " Castles in the Air," and other poetical 

 works. I used to write for the Child's Companion when I was a girl, in the Penic- 

 nick Journal, the Gillovedian and the Ladies' Journal. 



" I am glad this talk of myself 

 is over, and I hope, if you say 

 anything, you will cut it very short, 

 for I don't see anything at all in- 

 teresting in my life." 



Referring to the photograph, 

 which she sent in response to a 

 special request for it, she says : 

 " What a toothless old thing my 

 photograph is ! I have a fine 

 set of teeth, but when I first used 

 them my dear boy cried and said 

 he would never kiss me with them 

 in. I threw them aside, declar- 

 ing I would rather have his dear 

 loving kiss than the best teeth in 

 the world. I have kept my word and 

 never used them, and never will.' 

 The loss of her dear grandson 

 Gowan Johnston, in Idaho — 



" Gowan, with the golden hair — 

 Golden hair and starry eyes," — 



Vide Vol.8,p.'2\6. 



was a great grief to Mrs. Gowan. He was a boy of remarkable promise, and had 

 closely entwined himself about his grandma's heartstrings. His death took place 

 last May, and, bowed down with grief, she wrote : 



" My angel boy, my darling Gowan, 

 I feel thy presence very near, 

 I know thou seest poor grandma bowing. 

 Imploring strength her grief to bear. 



" And we shall walk on streets of gold, 

 Hand-in-hand together ; 

 Grandma will not be frail and old. 

 But strong and young forever." 



Fig. I.— Grandma Gowan. 



