IN THE CELL--A VISIT FROM RICHARD'S FATHER AND MY MOTHER--THE
TRIAL--THE DECISION OF THE COURT--A FEW WORDS OF EXPLANATION.
We were soon escorted to a cell, which was much larger and colder than
the one we occupied the night previous. The handcuffs taken off, the
door closed upon us, and with sad hearts we sat down upon a bed of
straw.
We had been in the cell but a few minutes when Richard's father came
with some supper for his son. How sad he looked as he entered the
cell--a father's love for his boy was clearly manifest. He did not say
much, but looked hard at me, as though he blamed me for leading him
from home. Of course I was a few months older than Richard, but he was
taller and stouter than I, and to look at us it would hardly appear
reasonable that I should have power to lead him away. Mr. Sedgwick only
stayed a few moments.
The supper was soon spread. Richard, poor fellow, could not eat, but I
did justice to my share. We then laid down and tried to sleep, but what
with the mice and other small visitors, and thinking of our peculiar
situation, we had little sleep that night, and were not sorry when
daylight came.
About 8 o'clock the next morning my mother entered the cell with some
breakfast for me. She did not say much but evidently felt for me. It
was principally through her we had been brought back. Though one of the
prime movers in our capture, she was hardly to blame, for she believed
it was her duty to do what she had done. So many tales had been told
her concerning Utah and the "Mormons" that she felt positive there must
be a great deal of truth in them.
About half-past 10 o'clock we were escorted into a room where an
officer took a description of us--color of our hair, eyes, complexion,
our height, etc. Shortly afterwards we were taken into the court room
and had our trial before Judge Fallows. Besides the judge and several
policemen, our employers, Richard's father and my mother were there.
The judge asked a few questions and then inquired what we had to say
for ourselves. I immediately arose and said:
"What I have to say for myself is this: The room I work in is not a fit
place, as it is a cold, damp cellar."
Mr. Gould denied this statement.
The judge then asked Richard what he had to say for himself. He
replied that his reason for absconding was because we were such close
companions, and when I ran away he followed me. One of the police said
to me:
"You're the leader, then, are you?"
We were then asked by the judge whether we would serve the remainder of
our apprenticeship in jail, or go back and work for our employers. We
chose the latter alternative.
He then inquired of Mr. Carter what our expenses were and the amount of
our passage money. On being informed, he decided that if our employers
could obtain the money for our ship tickets it would clear the incurred
expenses; but if not, the expenses were to be deducted out of our
wages, and the case was dismissed. At this we were not sorry. I went
home; but as my parents were not there I went to see Wm. H. Scott.
Before proceeding further, it may be proper to offer a few words
concerning our capture. When we did not return to our homes at the time
appointed, suspicion was immediately aroused and Mr. Carter told Mr.
Gould and our parents he believed we were connected with the "Mormons,"
and had run away with the intention of going by a vessel that was to
sail for America. They at once telegraphed to London to see if the ship
had started and were informed it had not.
Our parents were anxious we should be brought back, and my mother
begged they would send for us. She said she would do anything rather
than have us go to Utah with the "Mormons." Mr. Gould was not much in
favor of taking any steps; but Mr. Carter felt quite interested in the
matter. He telegraphed to London and had a detective put on our track,
and started himself for London that evening and arrived there early
next morning, when, accompanied by a detective, he took us off the ship
as already narrated.
To again continue the story. I spent the Saturday afternoon after
our trial with Wm. H. Scott, who had not yet gone on his mission. He
informed us that while we were absent he had had an unpleasant time.
Both our parents and employers had suspected him of being the cause of
our absconding, and not seeing him in Middlesbrough, they thought he
had gone with us; but in this they were mistaken, as William, thinking
they would suspect him, went to Stockton and stayed there a few days.
After this interview I went home and was treated very kindly by my
parents that evening.