THE SCENE IN THE CABIN--ONE OF THE SAINTS DEFENDS US AND IS
THREATENED--JOHN NICHOLSON, PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY, COMES
FORWARD--THE PARTING SCENE--GOOD BY TO THE SAINTS--TAKEN TO THE THAMES
POLICE OFFICE--TRYING TO GET THE PASSAGE MONEY--LOCKED IN THE CELL.
On making our appearance in the cabin, the Saints rushed up to see what
was the matter, and in a few seconds a large crowd gathered around. I
jumped up in our bunk, commenced to get our things together and put in
our box what articles I could.
One of the Saints, named Isaac Sutliffe, said to the detective:
"What are you going to do with these boys?"
The response came from the officer in a sharp tone:
"We're going to take them away with us."
"No you ain't," said Sutliffe in an emphatic manner
After further argument the detective said to Sutliffe:
"If you don't hush up we'll take you, too."
At this juncture, John Nicholson, president of the company, came
forward and asked what was the matter.
The detective answered:
"We are going to take these boys away because they have absconded from
their apprenticeship."
The officer then produced the papers and showed them to Brother
Nicholson, who, after reading them, said:
"That's all right. I did not know anything about the boys."
The officer then asked for our passage money. Brother Nicholson replied:
"I cannot give you it; but the boys can get it by going to President
Young's office at Islington."
Our ship tickets were then endorsed by Brother Nicholson, to the effect
that the passage money had to be given to no one but the boys (Richard
and myself).
Having our luggage ready for starting we disposed of our ship outfit to
two of the Saints, the cost of which was about five shillings. We began
to shake hands with the Saints, many of whom, with tears in their eyes,
bade us a sad "good-by." While thus engaged the detective seized me by
the collar and pulling me towards the steps, said:
"Come along, we can't wait for you!"
With aching hearts away we went with our box, accompanied by Carter and
the detective. Our destination was the Thames Police Office, which was
about a mile distant. On arriving there, Carter and the detective left
as soon as they had ordered breakfast for us.
There were two men in charge of the office, who took quite an interest
in us and treated us very kindly.
Considering all things, the morning passed away very well. Something
seemed to be whispering within me, "It's all for the best." I told
Richard so, and he said he felt the same.
We were made to feel worse by hearing a number of church bells ringing
merrily, and upon enquiring the cause were informed it was the
anniversary of the queen's birthday. The morning seemed a long one, and
when dinner time came we were provided with a good meal of roast beef,
potatoes, etc.
In the early afternoon we were taken in a hack to the office of
President B. Young, Jr., at Islington, by Mr. Carter and the detective,
whose object in taking us there was to endeavor to get our passage
money and use it in paying the expenses of taking us back to our homes.
As we approached the office the detective asked for our ship tickets.
I told him I would not give them up. There were three tickets--two to
take us across the ocean, the other to take me to Wyoming, Nebraska.
Again the officer asked me for the tickets, which I still refused to
give up. He said he would soon return them to me. On that condition I
handed them to him with many misgivings. It was a severe trial to be
taken back home; but to lose our hard-earned savings as well we felt
keenly.
Arriving at our destination, inquiry was made for Brother Young, but
we were informed that he was not there. We were invited in and told to
wait a few minutes, when some gentlemen would see us; and soon Elders
N. H. Felt, George Linford and other brethren made their appearance.
The officer then told them he wished to get the money for the ship
tickets, whereupon the brethren returned to another room to hold
council. In a few minutes they came and said that Brigham Young had
gone to Liverpool, but if the boys (Richard and myself) would send
their tickets to George J. Linford at Sunderland the money would be
refunded. We were then taken back to the police office.
While on the way back, Carter got out of the hack. After he had gone
the detective drew close to us and said he did not want us to think
any the less of him for the part he had taken, as he had only done his
duty. I told him it was all right, we knew it.
We arrived at the police office between 4 and 5 o'clock and shortly
afterwards had our supper, after which I wrote a letter to George J.
Linford and inclosed the three tickets. Just as it was finished, one of
the men in charge of the jail said:
"Come, mates, we must do our duty; you'll have to go into the cell."
"All right," said I, and then asked him to post our letter, and he said
he would.
We were then escorted into a cell. Some bed clothes were given us
and we were told that anyone else would not have been allowed this
privilege. They said if we wanted anything we were to shout for it. So
they locked us up and went away.