I have finally made enough money in order for Margaret and I to take a ship to America, the “Land” that is said to have streets paved with gold. The ship is to depart from Ireland on December 26, but Margaret is starting to show signs of early pregnancy. I don’t think that she can make it through the trip to America, but she says that the only thing that isn’t going to make it to America is our house. I guess that I should take her confidence into account.
We don’t really have anything to pack for the trip except some food, what’s left of our clothing, and some sheets for sleeping on the ship. Speaking of food, the “Great Potato Famine” has already begun and our whole crop of potatoes have begun to rot. We had better start to prepare ourselves physically as well as mentally for this journey. I know that I shouldn’t be concerned about what will happen in America, but I just can’t help it. My father says that the tests they give you when you get off the ship (that is if you make it off the ship) are really hard, and have to do mainly with my literacy skills. I think that my literacy skills are pretty good, but I’m still worried.
Anyway, I got a letter from Patrick saying that his father is extremely ill, and that the doctors say that he doesn’t have much time left. Margaret and I are both really worried for him because Patrick and his father, Michael have both been so supportive for us, no matter what it was.
The candle that I write this entry is fading now, so I have to write quickly. Margaret is already sleeping, so I can write this without disturbing her. Well, anyway, I still don’t know whether to be happy or scared about this trip to “The New Land.” I’m happy because I can escape the famine that has been brought upon us and we can escape the religious persecution of the British. The candle is just about to fade out, so I’ll try to write more next time.
-Thomas