Thomas, Eliza essay

Set sail Wednesday -- a lovely day but rough at night crossing the Irish Channel. I began to be sick in the afternoon, but in the morning we stopped at Queenstown (now known as Cobh, Ireland) There more than a hundred passengers got in at Queenstown, so we were more than 5 hundred steerage and 1 hundred and 20 STOWONE (this term is not understood) Passengers. There were 7 in our bunk, 2 south, 3 Irish, 1 English and myself. It was not very nice for the 3 were very dirty and I slept under them so I got all the smells and they were not a few. If it had not been for the piece of camphor I had with me I think I should have been quite ill. as it was, very sick until the next Wednesday. Then I could not stand on my legs many minutes, but it began to get fine weather and we were able to got on deck which was a great thing for all.

Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday it was very rough. In fact we though we should not get through but she was a fine ship and able to weather the storm but of course if it had not been for the blessing of God it could not have done it. But after, we had nothing to wish unless it was a cup of good tea. We had tea but it was almost like dishwater and we drank it because we were thirsty. The coffee was not so bad as the tea.

The butter was not at all good. I tasted it the first day and no more. The bread was very nice. That was the only thing I eat while I was there. For meat, it was rather too much like cat's meat to tempt one to eat it but it was very good hashed some said. Potatoes! I had 2 so you see I did not trouble them much. The last 2 days I was on I had more to eat than all the other time put together. But then I did not have as much as I should in one day at home. Tell Aunt Carrie that I do not weigh 10 pounds more than she does today but I shall before a month is over fir I can do my share at it now. We had an eagle come on the ship on Friday. That made a change watching it. It was caught by one of the sailors who went up the rigging to get it.

There were 2 children born, one in the cabin and one steerage so we see we had quite a little variety. But I would not have any friend come out steerage if I could help it for you get among so many rough people and all of them dirty people.

(the following part was written on the train)

The Germans and Swiss are the worst I ever saw and the greater part of them that was on the ship were German or Swiss. We had one girl about 20 that was nice. We tried to teach her English. She was a jolly girl. There were a few nice young men that made themselves agreeable but there were more I would not like to speak to, much more have any fun with them and there was no one I could talk freely to. I made the acquaintance of an Irish girl but she was a Catholic. That did not make much difference as we did not happen to talk religion when I found out she was, but she was so kind. We came part of the way together by train and for a day she shared her food with me as she had some with her and I had none and we could not get out to get any.

But the landing on Sunday was the worst of all. I have never spent money on Sunday before but I had to last Sunday. We started about 3 o'clock and there was not a minute's quiet from 4 o'clock Saturday until we started. We had no sleep Saturday night. We anchored outside all night. About 10 then the ship was sill and I went into bed but all were so excited that some in out little bunk were singing until 12. Then I hoped for a little sleep. But no, an elderly woman in our bunk though she should not be packed up in time so she began to do it and at half past 1 she had done it. There was no sleep for me. I did get about an hour but all were about by 3 o'clock and that was how we passed our night on the ship Lepatonia.

How unlike Sunday it was, all the bustle and run of a ship unloading! We got in dock about half past 9 and came off at 10. From 10 until 3 we were waiting for the train to start and Oh, what I felt when we had really started on the railway. I cannot describe. It is, no doubt, the feelings of all who are going on a journey and are longing to get to the end. And how much I longed to get to mine! All alone in a strange country with only one brother and he not seen for eleven years! But there is a God over all and He cared for me as He has ever done.

(the following was the final copy on the third day after reaching her new home)

Well, we got to Cleveland at 3 A.M. and then another discomfort of waiting in a not very clean room for 4 hours. There were a great many waiting and, not having any sleep for 2 or 3 nights, the close room over powered me, go to sleep I thought I must, but I knew I was alone and so much keep awake. But 7 o'clock came at last and then the last part of my journey, and that a short one.

Got to Wakeman at 8 A.M. and then how to know Will? Was he there? No one knows how I felt but the anxious care of the 2 weeks has ended. There stood Will! Of course, not as I pictured hum but himself. We met. I knew him but not by his features, but I knew him. That was enough.

Well, we went home (to his home). I wondered how much how Olive (Will's wife) would receive me and if I should like her for I knew if I did not at first, I should not at all. But we got there after 2 miles ride and then we got to the place I was to call home. How different from my hitherto! And there was Olive! She was so kind! I liked her at once so I knew I had got home. Ella and Charlie and Mrs. REA! Poor old lady! She was like a grandmother. I should like to see her again. Oh what a day that was. I was with Will most of the time and did I not have a good time the next three weeks!