Nothing further of interest transpired until I reached Worcester, when
the first face that met my eye as I was about to leave the cars was that
of a Romish priest. I could not be mistaken, for I had often seen him
at Montreal. He might not have been looking for me, but he watched every
passenger as they left the cars in a way that convinced me he had some
special reason for doing it. As I, too, had special reasons for avoiding
him just at that time, I stepped back out of sight until the passengers
were all out of the cars and the priest had turned away. I then sprang
out upon the opposite side, and, turning my back upon the depot,
hastened away amid the wilderness of houses, not knowing whither I went.
For a long time I wandered around, until at length, being faint and
weary, I began to look for some place where I could obtain refreshment.
But when I found a restaurant I did not dare to enter. A number of
Irishmen were standing around who were in all probability Catholics. I
would not venture among them; but as I turned aside I remembered that
Mr. Williams had directed me to seek employment a little out of the
city. I then inquired the way to Main street, and having found it, I
turned to the north and walked on till I found myself out of the thickly
settled part of the city. Then I began to seek for employment, and after
several fruitless applications I chanced to call upon a man whose name
was Handy. He received me in the kindest manner, and when I asked for
work, he said his wife did not need to hire me, but I was welcome to
stop with them and work for my board until I found employment elsewhere.
This offer I joyfully accepted; and, as I became acquainted in the
place, many kind hands were extended to aid me in my efforts to obtain
an honest living. In this neighborhood I still reside, truly thankful
for past deliverance, grateful for present mercies, and confidently
trusting God for the future.
CHAPTER XXVI.
CONCLUSION.
Here closes the history of Sarah J. Richardson, as related by herself.
The remaining particulars have been obtained from her employers in
Worcester.
She arrived in this city August, 1854, and, as she has already stated,
at once commenced seeking for employment. She called at many houses
before she found any one who wished for help; and her first question
at each place was, "Are you a Catholic?" If the answer was in the
affirmative, she passed on, but if the family were Protestants, she
inquired for some kind of employment. She did not care what it was; she
would cook, wash, sew, or do chamber-work--anything to earn her bread. A
Mr. Handy was the first person who took her in, and gave her a home.
In his family she worked for her board a few weeks, going out to wash
occasionally as she had opportunity. She then went to Holden Mass., but
for some reason remained only one week, and again returned to Worcester.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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