Moses wrote, “My exile was slipping along and I looked forward to this time of going back to Sterling. Father was still looking for me and Ella and Frank kept me posted on the current events at Sterling and on the farm Robbins Range.” By August Moses decided that it was time for him to return home to Sterling as he was now twenty-one years of age and had been gone for over two years. On September 28, he began his return trip home at 11:00AM, departing Jackson, Michigan and arriving the next day in Sterling at 6:00PM. Upon his arrival, he went to see an old family friend, Mr. Hempsted [Howland] who owned the livery stable.
He rented the best rig and started toward Robbins Rang to call on his “best girl” Ella. Although he was ashamed of his appearance, he was glad to get back. He wrote, “The next morning I managed to change my appearance. I borrowed a clean linen and got a shave and a shine – a good brush up. All I had in the world, I had on.”
He then went to visit his own family and the reception was not quite as warm as it had been at Robbins Range. Frank was the only one pleased to see him and Moses recalled, “My new Mother and sister stood like stone images and gaped at me and said nothing. Father told me quickly there was no home for me at that particular house. I informed him that was nothing new since my Mother’s death; I never had a home. I was told to get out, quick! And never some back. I went out and never went back.”
His new home was now Robbins Range and on his return to the farm, he found the old house paint just where he left it two years prior after applying one coat to the house. He got some more lead and oil to finish the job. He and Ella attended Church despite his limited wardrobe, writing, “She was not ashamed of me; quite a number of my old friends were glad to see me. I would yet make a good return to Sterling and the people would honor me. I owed that much to Ella.” He and then secured several small jobs in Sterling, but soon realized that it would take more time and money than he had to start any kind of shop there. He wrote, “So I went East again, broke as usual.” Arriving in Michigan City, Moses sought out a scenic artist working in the Turner Hall, but the man wouldn’t help him out and he ended up sleeping in the depot that night. Reflecting on this particular time of despair, Moses wrote, “All the next day I waited, looking for work – nothing in sight – nothing to eat. I was too proud to beg – too honest to steal, so I went hungry. I thought it a pretty cold world. About 5 o’clock my friend’s train pulled in. “Hello, Tom, what are you doing here? Have you had your supper?” “No” “Come and have something with me.” When I sat down to the table the sight of food unnerved me and I broke down and cried.”
After a fine meal with his friend, they left on the train bound for Jackson, Michigan. They sat in a little cupola of the caboose, smoking good cigars under bright moonlight and Moses’ troubles were soon forgotten. Upon arriving in Jackson, he was handed a telegram from his friend George Stevenson. There was a residential decorating job waiting for Moses in Grand Rapids, in the fine home of Banker Gilbert. Stevenson staked him a ticket and a little pocket money. Moses was soon at work and earning a good salary. He now had enough money to “get some good clothes.” More clothes than he could wear at one time, necessitating him to buy a suitcase and a good overcoat. Dressed in his best, Moses returned to Sterling and Ella.
To be continued…
