Bennett was not exactly a bigot, but, if not a Protestant, he was
certainly not going to become a Roman Catholic. Cursing himself
bitterly for his folly, he sought to make matters better; but that,
so far as changing the religion or creed of his family went, was
altogether beyond his power. He had his choice between living an
alien and a heretic, despised by his own family; and joining a church
whose teachings he considered puerile and inefficacious, and the
atmosphere of which was now exceedingly disagreeable to him. His
wife showed herself so much more devoted to the church than to her
husband, that his love for her soon faded away, and he made a
fearful resolve to leave Montreal, and never see his wife or
children more. Accordingly one evening, instead of returning as usual
from his store, he left for parts unknown, leaving his wife and
children almost penniless behind.

Mrs. Bennett, though acting as she did, loved her husband dearly. It
was this very love for him which made her so anxious for him to
leave what she considered the false religion of the Church of
England for the pure and unadulterated system of the Church of Rome.
She cried after him as if her heart would break, and sent after him
in all directions. All her efforts, however, were in vain, no trace
of her husband being found. The children were left at school till
they were in time old enough to be apprenticed to a trade or business,
Mrs. Bennett struggling bravely, as only a woman can do, to keep
their heads above water. When William, the eldest boy, was about
fourteen, he was placed in the well-known house of Messrs. Mockridge &
Co., dry goods merchants, and in course of time became thoroughly
conversant with the business. He had not only been able to help his
mother to maintain the family, but had put by sufficient to start a