True and Fascinating Canadian History
The Mystery of the Mountie
and His Millions
by J. J. Healy
Far prior to the birth of Christianity, seven ill characteristics of the human personality have caused us to fail time and time again; here they are: wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.
To which I would add another contemporary trap, that is, distraction; the absolute obsession with technology by some people at the expense of others in their presence. As an educated society, one would think that we would reflect most seriously on these vices [myself included] and learn from other people's experiences.
It is interesting to note how the seven plus one vices play out in our everyday lives. On the one hand, modern movies and TV shows become more successful, financially and otherwise, if one or more of the vices are the backdrop of the movie and interwoven into the lives of the actors.
On the other hand, oftentimes the naive viewer is left with the wrong impression that vices which affect actors on the screen will never affect themselves. In real life and in truth, more often than not, one or more of the near unbreakable habits will lead to personal failure, hurt and harm.
'The Mystery of the Mountie and His Millions' was told to me by a good friend. The identity of the actual Mountie in the story, whom I also knew, is not the least important because the person is long, long dead. The more important thing, I believe, are the lessons one can take from the story -- pay heed -- humans are susceptible to all sorts of vices and we are all weak. 'The Mystery of the Mountie and His Millions' -- is a story of unquenchable greed.
Today, it seems that there is more wealth in the world than at any other time in human history. Each year, the list and numbers of millionaires gets longer and longer. Considering the huge investment in property, one could strike the argument that practically all Canadian home and cottage owners are millionaires. The new millionaire is a billionaire.
At the same time that there is more apparent wealth, news reports also claim that Canadians give more money to charity than ever before. In some quarters, there is no lack of stand-by wealth. University endowments are bursting, investments for medical research have hit an all time high and individual savings by Canadians for the future are substantial. In short, many Canadians feel wealthier, they feel more money in their pockets and they have gained a world wide reputation for giving more money to worthy causes.
Yet, throughout all of time, people have treated wealth in contrasting ways; some give it all away while others cannot part with a dime. Such selfishness was the situation in 'The Mystery of the Mountie and His Millions' – while he faced imminent death, a man turned his total energy into saving more money. It seemed that sharing wealth or saving wealth had as much to do with an individual's experiences as it does with their personal viewpoint.
At one time in Nova Scotia, five women won a Canadian lottery valued at about fifteen million dollars. Upon being asked about plans with their fortune they each listed family and friends who would benefit with some financial help. The winners seemed genuinely sincere about sharing their new wealth.
Meanwhile, a well known pubic figure living in New Brunswick was asked on TV about his personal views of wealth. He replied that he felt strongly about donating money to worthy causes and that he and his wife had always encouraged their children to give generously so that future generations would follow the same practice. About the same time, a university in New Brunswick quietly announced that it was the beneficiary of a substantial amount of money from the man and his family. Yet, not everyone has a generous spirit or treats money in exactly the same fashion as the Nova Scotia lottery winners and the New Brunswick man.
One barber was overheard talking about money in Ottawa. He told his friends that he and his wife spend all their money as quickly as it is earned. A long weekend in New York cost three thousand dollars for hotel expenses, food, Broadway and clothes. Their children are employed in professional jobs, the kids have no need for their parent’s money and he doesn’t believe in saving for tomorrow. He joked lightly by ending the discourse with, ‘my culture teaches that I may not live until tomorrow so why not spend it today.’
Another man had a different approach which resulted in some humour. The yarn revolved around a man who was reputed to be very, very stingy with his money and very selfish with his wife and only son. The man made no secret that upon death, he would insist that his wealth accompany him in his casket. On the day of his funeral, the son went to his father’s casket and searched and searched all four corners and the lining of the box, but without any results. He reported his disappointment to his mother who replied, ‘You didn’t check his pockets, I left him with a cheque’.
In the present Mystery, however, the story about the Mountie was far from humorous. It was said that the Mountie had enjoyed a successful career in the Force some years ago and then he went on to a prosperous second career. All the while, he saved and saved his money but for no apparent reason. He refused to spend a dollar and he and his wife and family had never taken advantage of a trip or a vacation.
As time went on, friends began to notice that the Mountie’s selfishness spread to other domains in his family life. He refused to share his wealth with his children and his stinginess caused a wider gap between him and others in his family. Family visits dryed up. The Mountie scoured the neighbourhood for used furniture for their home and he disallowed his wife from making any purchases for utilities. When his soap measured the thickness of a dime, he stuck it on to another piece of used soap rather than make a new purchase. It also became apparent that he would not change.
The years passed the Mountie by. He saved every cent and hoarded it from his wife, children and grandchildren. His family was torn apart like lettuce leafs tossed on the kitchen floor. In the end, he faced death. A friend asked if he wanted to take his wife on a short holiday, but he refused. He replied, ‘no, I’ve got to save the money’. He died alone and his family elected not to attend his funeral. No one could explain the peculiar Mountie and His Millions, but he may have left all of us with a valuable lesson or two.
First, an overwhelming number of people who have wealth also look for ways to share it with others who are not as fortunate. Thousands of Canadians and Americans are in this camp. People generously give money to all sorts of charities and, in fact, whenever a disaster arises, it almost seems that many wealthy people cannot refuse to donate more and more. In many cases, the world can be appreciative to the wealthy class.
Secondly, from the way in which the story unfolded, it seemed that the Mountie did more harm to his family than he may have ever realized. Yet, no one knows the origins of anyone’s methods or selfish quirks. It may have all started somewhere in the Mountie's boyhood and it might have been beyond his capacity to change. It may be interesting to hear his story, but perhaps it is not our role to judge he or others.
And finally, the Mounite left us with this precious idea which sometimes needs to be recalled. Generosity often begins in the home. Children can be taught valuable lessons by adults about sharing their possessions with others. In Canadian schools today, opportunities exist for children to travel on foreign excursions. In the new environment, often deep in poverty, students are exposed to other children who have far less than themselves and they learn to give within their means. Every generation rejoices when kids learn to stretch generousity especially into fields where it is most needed.
And the RCMP and Vets also give generously in a hundred various ways; The Bruce Deniston Bone Marrow Society and volunteering to raise money for people experiencing hardships with floods this summer within Canadian borders are but two examples.
'Maintain Our Memories'
From the Fort,
I have the honour to be, Sir
Your Obedient Servant
J. J. Healy
April 25, 2013
