Отрывок из книги
The racist attitude toward the Chinese that is portrayed in this novel is unfortunately true of that time in Canada’s history. The words I have put into the mouths of both the real and fictional characters have been taken from history books, the Cariboo Sentinel (Barkerville’s newspaper), and the transcript of the trial.
The historical characters in the book are Alexander Robertson, Crown counsel; George Walkem, twice premier of British Columbia; Chief Constable James Lindsay, who is buried in Barkerville’s cemetery; Judge Henry Crease, whose judicial wig can be seen in the Maritime Museum in Victoria; Sing Kee, whose store is on Barkerville’s main street; Moses Delany Washington, Barkerville’s barber; Ah Ohn, the primary witness; Dr. J. B. Wilkinson; and, of course, Ah Mow.
.....
My mother maintained that all winters in Barkerville were long and harsh. Many miners and storekeepers left the Cariboo for the milder climate of the coastal areas, but my family stayed winter after winter, struggling to keep the path to the outhouse cleared of snow, waking several times during the night to stoke the wood stove, braving the ice-covered road on every journey to town.
Most of the time I liked being in Barkerville through the winter. Even though many of the stores were closed and shuttered tightly, the homes and businesses that remained open were always decorated for the Christmas season. In December lamps glowed softly against evergreens wreathed around windows, and lace tablecloths and silver candlesticks graced tables. If the weather wasn’t too bitter, the Cariboo Glee Club would go carolling. There would be sleigh rides, with warm drinks, good food, and dancing afterward. Since so few people stayed in town, those that remained grew closer in friendship. There were many dinner parties, dances, and literary evenings to while away the long, dark winter nights.
.....
