PLANNING TO LEAVE HOME A THIRD TIME--LEAVE MIDDLESBROUGH--ARRIVAL
AT NEWCASTLE--LEITH, EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW--A PECULIAR SITUATION:
NO MONEY, NO FRIENDS--MAKE UP MY MIND TO GO TO NEW YORK--ARRIVAL AT
LIVERPOOL.
I left the waiting room and returned home with my mother.
It was my usual habit to be at home at 4 o'clock on Sundays, but being
absent at that time on this occasion, my mother, thinking it probable I
was going to a Latter-day Saint evening meeting at Stockton by steamer,
came to the boat landing to look for me.
The next morning my mind was fully set to make a third attempt to leave
home.
At dinner time, seeing Richard a little ahead of me on the street, I
quickly overtook him and said:
"Now, Richard, make up your mind to go away to-night."
He was surprised, and said:
"We have been stopped twice now, and I don't think it's right for us to
go away again; but I'll go with you if you want me to."
We then arranged to meet at the theatre, which was near a boat
landing, at 7:30 that evening; he agreeing to bring with him out of
my box (which was at Sister Scott's), a tin cup, some writing paper,
envelopes, and pen and ink.
The working hours in the printing office were from 8 a.m. till 7:30
p.m. The train by which I intended to leave had to start at 7:45 p.m.
Shortly after 7 o'clock that evening it began to rain. The suit I wore
was very thin and I would soon be wet through. I discovered also that
a new pocket knife, recently purchased, had been left behind; so,
thinking of the rain, my poor clothes and the knife, I was in two minds
whether to go that night or not. I walked up and down the room in which
I worked, hardly knowing what to do. Twenty-five minutes past seven
came, but I was still undecided in my mind.
Presently I left the place and hurried down to where Richard was
waiting near the theatre. He had the things which he was told to bring.
Borrowing twelve shillings from him and, with the five shillings loaned
me by Sister Scott, my total stock of cash was seventeen shillings.
The rain still continued and my clothes were wet. I parted with my
friend Richard and went on a small steamboat which crossed the river
Tees. After crossing, I purchased a ticket to Newcastle on-Tyne for
three shillings and a penny and soon boarded the cars and started on my
journey.
Newcastle was reached about half past 10 o'clock that night. Getting
out of the cars I looked around for a few moments at the elegant and
spacious railway station and began to wonder what was the next thing to
do, as it was my intention to go to Leith next morning. After finding
out where the Leith steamer sailed from I procured lodgings at a
private boarding house.
At 4 o'clock I was aroused and quickly dressing myself, left the house
and walked the streets for nearly two long hours. About 6 o'clock the
steamer started. We arrived at Leith about 5 o'clock in the evening.
Among the passengers whose acquaintance I made was an Irishman, bound
for Glasgow; and having the address of the president of the Glasgow
Conference, I thought it would be best to go there.
We walked from Leith to Edinburgh, about two miles distant, and then
took train for Glasgow, reaching the latter place about 8 o'clock. The
address I wanted to go to was about two miles from the station.
After entering the house I related to the lady there the particulars of
my leaving home, during which time she prepared supper for me. She told
me she expected Bro. Cluff in soon. Nearly an hour afterward Brother
Cluff came in. They then held a consultation regarding me and Brother
Cluff said I could say there that night, but they wished me to leave in
the morning.
Next morning I started out to seek work--called at printing offices,
paint shops and other places; but after traveling about all day met
with no success.
In the evening I wended my way to the Conference House where they
allowed me to sleep that night.
Next morning I started out again in search of employment. It appeared
strange there should be numerous advertisements for boys wanted in many
stores, but whenever I applied they always made some excuse.
For two long days I had tramped the streets, applying at stores of
various kinds; I was anxious and willing to work but could not obtain
any. All the money I had borrowed was spent--every cent--for traveling
expenses, food, etc. And here was I in a strange country, without home
or friends, and worst of all, no money. What was I to do? My situation
was a trying one: I had left home, friends and employer, thinking to
easily obtain employment and earn enough, with that deposited with the
Perpetual Emigration Fund to emigrate next year to the frontier.
In the evening I returned as usual to the Conference House, feeling
somewhat low-spirited, but doing my best to cheer myself up and look at
the bright side.
Conversing with Brother Cluff he asked me why I did not go to New York.
I replied that I might as well stay in Glasgow, because if I went
there, I should not arrive in time to go with the Saints on the cars to
Wyoming, the last ship having left three weeks previous.
Brother Cluff informed me that another ship had left Liverpool--the
_St. Mark_--and if I took passage by steamer from Glasgow the next
Saturday, I could get there before the company arrived; and said he
thought it would be likely I should have a chance to go with the Saints
to the frontier.
Immediately making up my mind to do as Brother Cluff had advised me, I
wrote to Brigham Young, Jr., at Liverpool, asking for my money in the
P. E. Fund; also to Sister Scott, telling her of my resolve.
On the Saturday morning the postman brought two letters, one of which
was from Liverpool and contained a post office order.
Being too late to secure a berth on the steamer which was to leave
Glasgow that morning, as all the berths were taken, I decided to take
the steamer for Liverpool, which would leave that evening at 6 o'clock,
and sail from there to New York. I purchased several articles of
clothing, and one of the Saints in the Glasgow branch gave me a hat,
shirt, muffler, etc.
In the evening, at 6 o'clock, I left Glasgow for Liverpool, which place
we reached late in the afternoon of the next day. I at once proceeded
to Brigham Young's office. There Elder Orson Pratt received me very
kindly and asked one of the clerks to take me to a lodging house, which
he did.
The steamer _Virginia_ was advertised to sail for New York the
following Wednesday, June 27th, and I made arrangements to embark on
that vessel.