Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-12-04
MARTINsBURG, W. VA, SATURDAY DEC. 4, 1886.
Aug. 2O.-I spent the last four

Aug. 20.-I spent the last four
pence for a bed, and got up at five
o'clock the next morning and walked
to Sheffield, thirty-slx miles. l ar
rived at Sheffield tired and wet, for
it rained nearly all day. / went to
mechanic / knew, and he gave me
something to eat and sixpence for
for my lodgings.
Aug. 21.-The next day / was all
over the town looking for work, but
could not succeed. l had nothing to
eat that day. l then went Into sever
al public-houses and begged enough
money for my lodgings.
Aug. 22-25.-I stayed in Sheffield
four days, and went all around the
district, Rotterdam, Parkgate, and
Marlborough. was then sent to a
large colliery owner, and be gave me
letter to large engine work, but
the answer 1 got was that there were
not half their ow3 men at work; but
the manager kindly gave me shil
ling, which found me two good meals
and bed.
Aug. 26.-Seeing that could not
get work in Sheffield l went on to
Nottingham = thirty eight miles
having made my mind up to come
back to London. After walking
twelve miles to Chesterfield, I began
to feel very hungry. l went into a
field about two miles out of the town,
and took two small turnips and ate
them, and then went on to Noting
ham.
Aug. 27-30--Arriving in Noting
ham, went to minister that | knew
previously in London, and he very
kindly gave me letter to coffee.
house for food and bed for two days.
Having worked in Nottingham, /
knew the town very well, and | ask
ed at nearly at all the works, but
there was no work for no one. At
one factory where l had work at be-
fore there had used to be from eigh-
ty to hundred hands employed, but
now they are only seven, and they
are making abouttwenty seven hours
week. then stayed in the town
two days longer, but could get moth.
ing to do, and had only GID. for the
last two days.
Aug. 81 thought | would try
Leicester. I reached there about
eight O'Clock; and being regularly
worn out l did not know where to
go, so | rested myself outside the
town and then went and slept under
a hayrick till morning, and then
walked back to town, after trying
hard all day to get work. l saw a
load of Goals that wanted putting
into a cellar. / went and asked for
the job, and was offered Sd. to put
them down the cellar, which l ac-
eepted, and so l had something to
eat and another nights shelter.
Sept. L. Next morning, seeing
there was no chance of work in Lei
cester, l walked to Coventry, eating
on the road a few blackberries from
the hedges. I got to Coventry about
about seven o'clock, and sold two
pairs Of socks and d shirt for nine
pence, and went to bed with three
pence in my pocket. The next NOR
ming went to all the bicycle works,
but found that they were more like
| ~ to discharge the men than take
any more hands on. Having spent
the threepence left from morning,
l was compelled to beg again, and,
having got few pence, | walked on
to Rugby and slept there.
| Sept. FL then walked to North
ampton again, aud there sold my
waist coat for shilling; after get
ting tea and bread and butter went
to bed.
Sept. 81 tried the town again for
work, but could get none, so l start
ed on my way for London, which |
reached after walking two days and
two nights without having anything
but water aud blackberries. And /
can only say that my experiences
tell me that there are fully sir-tenths
of the aoorking classes out of employ
ment in England. have only to say
that should be glad to get work at
Ell week, although should he con-
demned by my feliow-workmen il
they knew it.-A MECHANIC, in The
Pail Mall Gazette.
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