Mr. Munshaw and Joe proceeded to make their way through the crowd and over to one side where the sunlight offered the best illumination for a photograph. Munshaw wasted no time in capturing the moment; everyone gathered around, the roughness of the townsfolk in contrast with the flowing gowns of the ladies of the cloth.
“Gentlemen. Gentlemen, please,” explained the leader of the group. “I and my fellow sisters will be happy to sign you up for the Hospital Insurance Plan of St. Paul’s. Please stand in line and wait your turn. We will get to you as soon as we can.”
Joe and Mr. Munshaw soon observed that the six nuns were not signing up as many workers to their work-accident policies as one might imagine. The main nun, who called herself Sister Margaret, seemed to be doing all the talking. As it turned out, the insurance they were offering was for railway workers only and would allow for a comfortable convalescence bed and free nursing at the St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver in case of sickness or an accident. Pre-payment of $2 was what the women were charging to every man who signed up.
Joe noticed two B.C. police officers moving towards the nuns and they soon had the attention of the crowd. One of the constables approached Sister Margaret and interrupted.
“Excuse me. This meeting will have to break up. We had a complaint from the railway office. Your business will have to be done at another time. These men have work to do. You may continue if you congregate away from the tracks.”
“But, officer,” pleaded the older nun. “The good sisters and I have walked the rails for weeks. These ribbons of steel are the common thread that ties all of these labouring souls together. We’ve always offered our services near the railway.”
“I appreciate your concern for these workers but there are certain kinds of business that must be conducted away from active railway construction,” stated the officer. “Now, please move on so we can disperse this crowd.”
After the nuns had relocated in front of the new hotel, Mr. Munshaw took the opportunity to secure a group photograph of the cloaked sisters. But, now it was time for Joe and the photographer to return to the ship.
The next episode is WHIRLPOOL AHEAD.
The B.C. Express approaches the ‘Grand Canyon’ on the Fraser River and the dangers within.
