A COMPANION--HOW I SAVED MY EMIGRATION MONEY--AN IMPORTANT LETTER FROM
AMERICA.
My acquaintance with the Sedgwick family, which had been interrupted as
related in a previous chapter, was again renewed in the Summer of 1863.
From that time the friendship existing between Richard, and myself was
of the most intimate character. It was not long before the subject of
"Mormonism" was broached to Richard, and he was soon convinced of the
truth of the latter-day gospel. Being also under age he was placed in
the same condition as myself--neither of us could avail ourselves of
the ordinance of baptism.
Like the rest of the Saints, after embracing the gospel, the spirit of
gathering came strongly upon us, and we felt desirous of emigrating at
some future day to the land of Zion. In order to do this, it became
necessary for Richard and myself to obtain means for that purpose.
About the latter part of 1862, my employer, Mr. Joseph Gould, purchased
a weekly newspaper, called the _Middlesbrough News_. It was printed on
Thursday nights, and necessitated my working most of that night every
week. The money obtained by overwork enabled me to make deposits in the
Perpetual Emigration Fund, the first instalment being eleven shillings.
This was on December 15, 1863.
The recollection of the first night's work is still fresh in my memory:
It was till half-past 5 o'clock in the morning, for which I received
one shilling. Just think of it, boys! For ten hours' work I received
twenty-four cents--all in cash! Would you not think "hard times"
had come again if you had to labor so long for such a small amount,
especially if you were endeavoring to save means to emigrate? From
this time my employer agreed to pay me three halfpence an hour--three
cents. Shortly after it was raised to twopence (four cents); then to
threepence (six cents). The latter was the highest amount received by
me for overwork.
Besides the money earned by overwork, I had a little pocket money given
me out of my weekly wages. My mother was not aware that I devoted these
means for emigration purposes, but had an idea I had some money saved
up. It was the usual custom to go to town on Saturday evenings, and
she believed a portion of my gains was spent there. In this she judged
wrongly.
My companion, Richard, was working for Mr. Carter, the picture-frame
maker. He, like myself, was saving money for the same purpose. He put
away most of what he received from his parents as pocket money, and
sometimes earned a little by overwork.
From the time my mother forbade my associating with the "Mormons" till
the Spring of 1866 (three years) was an unpleasant period of my life.
It is true the meetings of the Saints were times of refreshing to me,
for I loved my religion; but the fear that my parents would discover my
attachment to the Latter-day Saints was ever a source of dread. My home
was no longer a home to me. Disobedience to my mother's wishes was ever
a sore affliction.
Whenever there was an opportunity for my companion and myself to
attend a Latter-day Saint meeting, we did so; but when we had not that
privilege, if the weather was fine, we visited the cemetery, the docks,
or other places of interest in Middlesbrough and vicinity. These were
days which will not easily be forgotten.
In the early part of February, 1866, my mother received a letter from
America, which stated that some of her relatives were desirous our
family should come to reside with them, and intimated they would send
our passage money to cross the ocean.
This was good news to my mother, as she was very anxious, and had been
for some time, to go to that land. She was the only one of her father's
family remaining in England, the rest having previously emigrated.
There was one thing which prevented our family from emigrating: I had
three more years of my apprenticeship to serve. In an interview between
Mr. Gould and my mother respecting canceling my indentures, he declined
doing so. Under these circumstances it was thought best for the family
to remain for a season.
Poor woman! She little contemplated that for the last three years and
a half I had been carefully saving means to emigrate to Utah, and
intended to leave the coming Spring!