ing for passers-by to throw
me a copper. I had not waited long when a party of ladies and
gentlemen--apparently visitors, like your humble servant--came up. They
surveyed my production; then one of the gentlemen threw me a shilling,
and the rest made a collection which they presented to me, and for which
I thanked them from the bottom of my heart. I did not wait for a second
batch of patrons, but straightway turned my back upon York. I had
abandoned the idea I at one time entertained of going to Ripon, with the
intention of joining the theatrical company there; and the next move was
to get to Bradford. So I walked on to Bradford. I was "fairly jiggered
up" when I got to that town--one Thursday afternoon I recollect it was. I
made up my mind to go to the office of the Keighley firm of Messrs
William Lund & Son, for whom I had done a little work. I was scarcely in
a presentable condition, travel-stained as I was. After some demur I
obtained permission to wash and "tidy" myself at a tavern, and this
carried out, I made for Messrs Lunds' office.

THE PRODIGAL RETURNS HOME

Mr James Lund happened to be there. He was not a little surprised to see
me, and wanted to know all particulars as to my wanderings. I offered an
explanation as best I could. Mr Lund provided me with refreshment, which
I badly needed, and paid my railway fair to Keighley. When I got into
this "Golden Valley of the West Riding," as Keighley has been called, I
had no little difficulty in getting to my home at the North Beck Mills.
My feet were intensely sore with my long tramp, and I could scarcely put
one before the other--which, of course, is a necessary performance if one
wants to walk anywhere. However, I reached home in time--after an absence
of something like nine months. I was received there with all the welcome
it was possible for a prodigal son to be. My mother said she dreamed the
night before I was coming home. I don't exaggerate facts much when I say
there were great rejoicings in the camp at my home-coming. Of course,
with paternal regard, my father wanted to know where I had been, and,
when I had given him a hurried account of my peregrinations, he strongly
recommended me to "jump into a peggytubful o' water an' hev a wesh." I
accordingly executed the order of the bath, and donned a suit of clothes,
which I had left behind me. My father said, "Well, I don't want them to
lose anything by you at Hull;" and with those few, but expressive
r