ARRIVAL AT QUEENSTOWN--IN SUSPENSE--"IT'S ONLY A RUNAWAY BOY THEY'RE
AFTER"--ARRIVAL AT NEW YORK--A PROPOSITION ACCEPTED.
Queenstown was reached the next day, June 28th. A small steamer brought
us some Irish passengers, also some officers in search of some one. I
felt somewhat nervous on seeing them and wondered who they were after.
Who did they want? was it me? Being anxious to ascertain, I inquired of
an Irishwoman who was near me:
"What do these men want?"
The answer she made surprised me.
"It's only a runaway boy they're after."
I was thunderstruck at these words, but still kept my eye on the
officers. At last, seeing them make their way in the direction where I
was, if it were possible for me to have sunk into the cabin, I should
certainly have done so. Could I hide? No, there was no time for that.
As they approached near me I sat down, folded my arms and said to
myself: "Take me if you will!" Oh, how my heart beat! Another moment
and they passed by. How thankful I felt it was not me they were after!
It transpired afterwards it was a soldier--a deserter--they were in
search of.
In a very little time we were sailing on the "deep blue sea."
We arrived at New York, July 13th, being sixteen days on our voyage.
Two or three hours after arriving I started to find out Mr. Thomas
Taylor's office and was kindly invited in. No time was lost by me
in accepting the invitation, as the heat was oppressive. I felt the
effects very much, for no sooner was I seated than faintness overcame
me. Some cold water and a fan were brought me and I soon recovered. H.
P. Folsom, T. B. H. Stenhouse and others were present. Brother Folsom
was formerly traveling Elder in the Durham and Newcastle Conference,
and I formed his acquaintance at Middlesbrough.
After being in the office a few minutes, Brother Folsom asked me if I
was from Middlesbrough, to which I answered in the affirmative. Knowing
I had worked in a printing office, Brother Folsom spoke a good word for
me to Brother Stenhouse, editor and proprietor of the _Salt Lake Daily
Telegraph_, who asked me how long I would work for him if he paid the
remainder of my fare to the frontier. I responded two years. He then
said:
"I'll make a proposition to you, Robert: I'll give you twelve dollars a
week for the first year and fifteen for the second."
This proposition was eagerly accepted by me.