Temperance > Autobiography and personal recollections of John B. Gough

DEPARTURE FOR AMERICA.
33
not half so heavy as the English are. The horses are put in as
you put them in a pair-horse coach. I like driving about in this
way very well. I have been to Clinton four times since I have
been here, a distance of about three miles from our farm; and to
Manchester, about three miles. I rode on horseback to Man¬
chester twice, and to Clinton once; but I have been to Clinton
three times with our waggon.
I do indeed, dear parents, think of home with a heavy heart
very often, but I do try to keep up my spirits. I do sincerely
hope we shall meet again in this world; but if it be not the Lord’s
holy will, I hope we shall meet in heaven, where parting shall be
no more. I am sorry to inform you that I cannot comply with
your desire, as there is no Sunday-school near us, nor any
Methodist place of worship nearer than Vernon Centre, about
two miles, except once a month there is preaching at the next
house. But there are Baptist and Presbyterian churches nearer;
but we generally attend Vernon Centre. We are very sorry to
hear you have had a bad summer. We have very sudden changes
in the weather; yesterday we worked stripped to our shirts,
though it was December, and to-day we have had a heavy snow.
We have been driving our oxen, fetching wood, as master bought
a yoke of oxen the other day; I am going to learn to drive them.
It is “haw and gee” here, instead of “woo and gee,” as it is in
the Old Country. Tell Mrs. Beattie I shall never forget her
kindness to me, in sending the ginger-bread and milk. I hope
neither she, nor Mr. Beattie, nor the children may ever want any
good thing on earth, and that they may all arrive safe at last in
glory.
Dear mother, I am not able to give Mrs. Brown a full descrip¬
tion of America, but I will endeavour to give her, and you, my
dear parents, a few particulars. First, there is plenty of work
for people to do; and if they will but work, they may get a very
comfortable living. Second, there is plenty of wood for winter;
$2 per cord for four-foot wood, and 8s. per cord for two-foot
wood. This money is just half your money. Master says he
wishes some of the wood that is lying about was behind your
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