GUS'S MAGIC
by Patricia Ennis-Burke
Every community boasts of a few colourful characters and Merasheen is no exception. Our island's legendary figure was Mr. Gus Hepditch although he was rarely called by that title. Young and old fondly spoke of ‘Gus’, the teller of tales, weaver of wonders, lover of grog, dreamer, and hard working fisherman. Augustine 'Gus" Hepditch was born on February 1, 1884.
Gus‘ home was open to anyone who happened to drop by. Most nights and holidays found his house filled to overflowing with men and boys who came to fall under the magical spell of his yarns. My father, Jim Ennis, was a close friend of Gus. He brought lots of enjoyment to people as he related Gus‘ dreams. Lest our book be incomplete and reunion 2000 be less magical, we share with you a sprinkling of Gus’s magic.
THE GERMAN MEASLES
Gus was a hard working fisherman when he contracted the German measles. One night his temperature became so high he became delirious. Thinking he was out on the White Sail, he muttered ‘Time to heave out the killick!’.
He whips up his infant son, Francis, who was sleeping in the bed with him and Mrs. Teesh, and heaves him out of bed. He commences jigging.
‘And der I wuz, sawin away, sawin away like you would...whoppin it into Teesh every saw...boat loaded with fish. By and by I comes to me senses and over in da corner, screechin his head off is da poor child and Teesh black and blue.’
A WANDERFUL BREW
Gus fished with Uncle Cleve Best in the later years of his career. Their places of residence were fairly distant but Gus was always punctual. One morning, however, was an exception to the rule.
Gus‘ brew was ready for sampling and on this particular morning Gus felt he needed a boost.
‘Jest wan bottle," he promised himself as he slung the straps of his prog box over his shoulder with one hand and grabbed a bottle of the brew in the other.
‘I reaches Stan Ennis‘ and dat wan wuz gone," laughs Gus.
‘God, wouldn't mind another wan ‘o deml’ thinks Gus and heads back home for another bottle.
‘Got as far as Tom Connors’ and dat wan wuz empty.’
‘Lots a time,’ says Gus and goes home for a third.
‘Takes me time wit dis wan,’ says Gus. ‘Gets ta Charlie's Height. Be japers, I haves ta go back for another wan.’
‘Well, by now it's breakin daylight and Cleve'll be outa sorts so I holds dis wan out in front ‘o me til I steps on da wharf. No sign ‘o Cleve or da boat.’
‘Ah well,’ I says to meself, ‘might as well enjoy dis wan too.’
Centralization forced Gus to move to Placentia. One night while returning home from the Pink Lady, Gus was struck by a car and suffered a broken leg. Dad visited Gus at Placentia Cottage Hospital where Gus related this episode:
KICKIN' HERRIN PIPS
“Comin' home, James, I wuz, when down I falls. Can't remember much about it. Brought me to da hospital dey did... nicest kinda fellas... good as gold ta me. Well, da doctor fixes me up. Puts a cast on da leg and sez, ‘Mr. Hipditch, we'll keep ya in over night fer observation.’ Gainst me will now, James, I tell ya.“
‘Well, I falls asleep and I dreams I'm down in Paul Wilson's herrin' factory up to me arse in herrin pips. I starts ta kick me way through, like ya would. Well, James, me leg comes in ‘ tact wit da rail a da bed and off cracks me cast. So here I am b'y, under observation. What a time I had at da Pink tho‘, James! ‘ Twas worth d broken leg!"
LADIES OF THE NIGHT
This is one of Gus’ rare embarrassing moments that he shared with Dad.
‘I minds da time I was in Placentia, da time of da French Centennial. I tink it wuz in '63. A bunch of us, me, and me brudders Jack and Louis, and Paddy Hann from Petite Forte were over to the Legion for a drink. I looks up and sees Gus. I thought it the devil not to go over and speak to the poor bugger, so I went along to bid him the time of day.‘
‘Hey ye, Gus,’ says I, ‘How are ye? God b'y yer looking younger.“
‘Younger,’ sputters Gus, ‘What do I want ta git old fer?’
‘Ah Gus don't recognize me,“ says I, ‘I'll say no more. ‘Tis better ta keep yer distance from him. Dars no gettin' shed ‘o him when he's drinkin'."
‘Well, begar, I went to da bar and bought me round fer the boys. I was no more than back in me seat when dis big claw grabs me be the back of the neck.“
‘James! My God James! How are ye, James?' This was me honourable Gus.
‘Well, James, I didn't know ye b'y. I wuz tarrin' the ruf yesterday, got tar in me eye... can't see very well."
‘Well Gus, I spose ye lives here now b'y,’ I says.
‘No James. Ta tell ya da troot ‘ tis me first time in here in nigh on tree weeks.’
‘How's that, Gus?’ says I.
‘Shamed b‘y, Shamed ‘o me life!’ says Gus. “I was here wan night havin' a few drinks wit da boys. Dese tree women was der from Sin Jawn's. Bags dey were James! Bags!!! God fergive me! Well dat wuz very good. Wen dey gits up ta leave, wan of ‘ em couldn't git her coat on. Da sleve wuz turned cat-outa-skin ya see. So I gits up, like ya would, ya know, ta help her fix herself up. Well, James, ‘ twas the sorriest ting I ever done in me life. She pulled me down on her knee and commences ta kiss me black and blue. I bet if she kissed me wanst she kissed me a hundred times!’
‘Da boys starts laughin', ya know James. How's yer sweety, Gus? How's yer darlin'? Had ta leave I wuz so ashamed. Da devil's cure to ‘em. Haven't been back since. Dis is da first time I've darkened da door in tree weeks. ‘Tis dyin' down now tho b'y tank God!’
I'm sure that if we could take a peek into heaven on any given ight, we would find all the old men from home gathered at Gus‘ place, smoking their pipies, having a drop of “stuff”, and beginning yet another yarn... ‘I minds da time...’
To read more about Gus, follow this link Reunion book 1980 - Gus Hepditch