The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-01-11
ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
How a Young Englishman Travelled from
San Francisco to Boston at No Expense.

Rather an interesting young fellow
stopped recently al the police station
through the night. 1t was about tne
coolest evening of hesseason, and while
he was young and vigorous, and fairly
we'll dressed, he showed that he was
completely tired out.
He said he beionges in London, where
he has a father, mother, sister and two
brothers. A bout five years ago he left
for this country to see the world. he
was then under 20, and from what he
said, Was probably little wild and rest
less.
He went from point to point, and at
last found himself in California; with
very little money and with the home
fever very strongly developed. Try as
he would he could't make it seem like
home; and he said that those who en-
pIoyed him used him badly and beat
him out of tine greater part of his pay.
He left California with but few dol
lars in his possession, but with a deeply
rooted conviction that ne must hold
on to what he had. He knew that while
he might get on by railroad in some
way he would have to put up the money
when it came to getting taken sover to
England you know"
"The railroad men out West are good
fellows, not half bad any of them, he
said. By their help he managed to
cross the continent, and one day found
himself in Chicago with his little store
of money unbroken, but tired out and in
doubt what to do.
A half hours searching for information
helped him out in the respect. He must
go to Quebec, and once more he was on
the move from the great city he had no
desire TO stop in.
at was fairly big don't you KNOW" he
said. "That is, if you didn't have Lon
don in your mind"
But he had London in his mind, and
for weary days was on the road between
Chicago and Quebec. Time after time
he told his story to railroad men, and
they fed him. Commonly they told him
not to beat a ride with them, but he
never had one Of them try to find him
after he was slowed away, and more
than once hints were thrown out that
helped him greatly in selecting a car.
At last he reached Quebec only to find
that the last steamer had sailed for the
season. "That broke my heart" he said.
and he tnxiousy asked one man what
he should do. s- .4
go to Portland or Boston" was the
reply, and once more the poor, fellow
started on what seemed to him very like
an endless tramp, and at last reached
here. s.slsia@1sA $500
Deputy Hartnett gave him a. resting
place for the night in the lodging room,
previous to which he gave some bits of
his experience. He said that on the
road he found it almost impossi ole to get
taken in. People would give food, but
seldom lodging for the night. He said
that he had still money enough to pay
his passage to England. One thing
troubled him. The first steamer from
this port was then three days from sail
ing time. and would then only go to
Liverpool, leaving him still "a good
bit from London"
"If could get from the Pacific coast
here guess can get from here to Bos-
tom" he said, and the next morRing
started off again this time bound for
Boston, his hope being that he could
there, get al steamer direct to- London.
He was evidently well educated. and from
what he said he is looking forward to- a
/ comfortable home in old England, and
of that heme ana the welcome await
ing HIM ne admitted ne had been think
ing all the time, during his weary trip
from California to Maine. ~ bog 81