Part 9 (1/2)

For a long ti faint and weary, I began to look for some place where I could obtain refreshment

But when I found a restaurant I did not dare to enter A nu around ere in all probability Catholics I would not venture a them; but as I turned aside I remembered that Mr Williams had directed me to seek employment a little out of the city I then inquired the way to Main street, and having found it, I turned to the north and walked on till I found an to seek for employment, and after several fruitless applications I chanced to call upon a man whose name was Handy He received me in the kindest manner, and when I asked for work, he said his wife did not need to hire me, but I elcome to stop with them and work for my board until I found employment elsewhere

This offer I joyfully accepted; and, as I became acquainted in the place, many kind hands were extended to aid hborhood I still reside, truly thankful for past deliverance, grateful for presentGod for the future

CHAPTER XXVI

CONCLUSION

Here closes the history of Sarah J Richardson, as related by herself

The re particulars have been obtained from her eust, 1854, and, as she has already stated, at once co for employment She called at many houses before she found any one ished for help; and her first question at each place was, ”Are you a Catholic?” If the ansas in the affirmative, she passed on, but if the family were Protestants, she inquired for some kind of employment She did not care what it was; she would cook, wash, sew, or do cha to earn her bread A Mr Handy was the first person who took her in, and gave her a home

In his fa out to wash occasionally as she had opportunity She then went to Holden Mass, but for soain returned to Worcester

Mr Ezra Goddard then took her into his own family, and found her capable, industrious, and trustworthy Had anything been wanting to prove her truthfulness and sincerity, the deep gratitude of her fervent ”I thank you,” when told that she had found a perh her whole appearance indicated contenth her various duties were faithfully and zealously performed, yet the deep sadness of her countenance, and the evident anxiety of her ement She seemed restless, suspicious, and er The appearance of a stranger, or a sudden ringing of the bell, would cause her to start, trereatest perturbation of spirit In fact, she seemed so constantly on the qui vive, the lady of the house one day said to her, ”Sarah, what is the matter with you? what do you fear?” ”The Roman Catholic priests,” she replied ”I have been a nun I ran away froht, carried back, and punished in the most cruel manner O, if you knehat I have suffered, you would not wonder that I live in constant fear lest they again seek out ain”

Further questioning drew froain to various persons, and at different times, without the least alteration or contradiction She resided in the family of Mr Goddard some weeks, when she was taken into the eentleman informs us that he found her a faithful, industrious, honest servant, and he has not the least doubt of the truthfulness of her state her former life in the Convent

A feeeks after this, she was married to Frederick S Richardson hom she became acquainted soon after her arrival in the city of Worcester The e ceremony was performed by Charles Chaffin, Esq, of Holden, Mass After their e, her husband hired a room in the house occupied by Mr Handy hom she had formerly resided After a feeeks, however, they removed to a place called the Drury farm It is owned by the heirs, but left in the care of Mr Ezra Goddard

Previous to her e, Mrs Richardson had often been advised to allow her history to be placed before the public But she always replied, ”For my life I would not do it Not because I do not wish the world to know it, for I would gladly proclaim it wherever a Romanist is known, but it would be impossible for me to escape their hands should I make myself so public They would e, however, her principal objection was reht they would not wish to take her back into the nunnery, and her husband would protect her from violence She therefore related the story of her life while in the convent, which, in accordance with her own request, ritten down from her lips as she related it This was done by Mrs

Lucy Ann Hood, wife of Edward P Hood, and daughter of Ezra Goddard It is now given to the public without addition or alteration, and with but a slight abridg story it certainly is Perhaps the reader will cast it aside at once as a worthless fiction,--the idle vagary of an excited brain The compiler, of course, cannot vouch for its truth, but would respectfully invite the attention of the reader to the following testimonials presented by those who have known the narrator The first is from Edward P Hood, hom Mrs

Richardson resided when her narrative ritten

(TESTIMONY OF EDWARD P HOOD)

To all whom it may concern I hereby certify that I was personally acquainted with Sarah J Richards, now Sarah J Richardson, at the time she resided in Worcester, Mass I first saw her at the house of Mr Ezra Goddard, where she caet so to earn an honest living

She had the appearance of a person who had seenand hardshi+p She worked for Mr Goddard a short time, when she obtained another place She then left, but called very often; and during her stay in Worcester, she worked there several tie of her character, I do not hesitate to say that she was a woman of truth and honesty I heard her relate the account of her life and sufferings in the Grey Nunnery, and her final escape I knehen the story ritten, and can testify to its being done according to her own dictation I have examined the manuscript, and can say that it a written out truly and faithfully as related by the nun herself

EDWARD P HOOD

Worcester, May 5, 1856

(TESTIMONY OF EZRA GodDARD)

I first becaust 1854 She careat many times after that until March 1855, when she left Worcester At one time she was there four or five weeks in succession She was industrious, willing to do anything to get an honest living She was kind in her disposition, and honest in her dealings I have no hesitation in saying that I think her statements can be relied upon

EZRA GodDARD