The King's maternal grandmother, Ruby Martin Stolts, hand wrote and lightly illustrated her memoirs in about 1971 while retired at their beloved cabin on Whitefish Lake. Following, in her words, is a story she delighted to recount:“My father's mother was a devoted Christian woman. She loved her Lord and seemed to make you conscious of His presence. She loved storytelling, and so I found one who liked my inquiring nature. Her ancestors were French and English. Long before the American Revolution, there was a Selleck (note: Ruby spells this name three different ways in her memoirs – Selleck, Seleck and Sellick.) family living in England. There were three boys, and one took over the estate and became the head of the family. The second son went into the army, the third going to sea, eventually becoming a captain.
“They were a wealthy family and never knew the meaning of the need of anything. Whatever they wanted, they got. Not dishonest, but so used to getting whatever they wanted, they seldom let anything stand in the way of their desires, whatever they were.
“Young Selleck traveled all over the world. He saw and enjoyed life and was a very proud, secure man. He was welcome in any home he chose to visit.
“In France, there was one home he went to often. The Beaupré family enjoyed him and felt honored that he come so often – until Papa began to feel that he didn't come to see them; he came to see the very young, black eyed, black haired daughter who occasionally was allowed to be up when he visited. Those snapping black eyes gave the story away. Papa also saw the long looks Sellick sent her way. The big difference in age, and also in religion, began a change in Papa's feelings. He began to dislike this man who swaggered around, the Protestant Britisher who felt he did you an honor by noticing you. Then, too, there was tension between the two countries at that time that held for many a year.
“This tiny girl, who flashed her eyes in his direction so many times, won his heart; and he knew she returned his love. His brothers stormed at him when he told them of his desires. 'Don't bring her home here,' they said.
“Pleading was of no avail. 'Stay here in England, and marry a Protestant girl.' But all it did was add fuel to the flame in his heart, and he sailed for France again.
“Papa Beaupré wrung his hands in despair and finally spirited her way to a convent where she should finish her schooling and become a good Catholic.
“Then, one day, Selleck sailed into the harbor and made his way to his little darling. He would surprise her this time and come unannounced. But she was gone! Not home, but where? Papa felt safe and sent him off. But this young man who was never deprived of anything wasn't to be turned off just like that. Because of his popularity, he found those who told him all he wanted to know.
“It didn't seem hard to steal her away when she, herself, wanted to go.
“The storm of protest by Papa Beaupré and the Selleck family was a consequence he hadn't expected. Arrest and the loss of his little wife, and maybe disgrace? These weren't in his scheme of things.
“Would his deeply religious little bride be able to take this? This was new to him. No one had interfered in his life before. He had been trusted always. He feared no one but God. Now what? Together they prayed, 'Lord, lead us, for we love each other and want to have a home together. You shall go with us always.'
“So they made their way to Canada where both English and French lived. In this vast new country they found a home. He disposed of his ship, taking care that all was in good order. But the fear of losing his wife caused him to leave the sea coast and move ever inland.
“In this wilderness, they made their home. Life was rough on both of them, but work honestly done hardened them. They raised a family who always feared the Lord. With Him by their side they would manage, and they did.
“He took stock of himself and faced the consequences of their stand against the rigid rules of the churches of their day. Together he and his tiny wife became the parents of future Canadians who moved west and ever westward to build a country as we know it today.
“She came to a completely new way of life, becoming a mother many times over, and a good one, too. Young enough and healthy and strong and full of the joy of living, she learned many things. Life was lonely and severe. Very hard work builds strong bodies, and they both profited from work. A very good, satisfying life came to them. Doesn't it depend on just what you want and are willing to try hard for?
“Their children grew and made friends with friendly Indians. They planted crops, scouted and joined the traders who came in. They became acquainted with all the rivers and streams. They hunted and fished and loved and worshiped in this vast wilderness they called home.”
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. Psalm 16:6
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