ELLEN #SIX

‘Ah my acushla I shouldn’t have scared you like that. Look here, see what I have.” reaching into his pocket Barney pulled out two gold coins. “Dr Osbourne is giving every family two pounds for accommodation until the ship arrives, as he thinks it will be a few days before we can embark.” [1]

Blinking to clear her vision Ellen composed herself and looked at the gold coins her husband was proudly showing her. 

“But Barney, you may have the coins but do you know where we can stay while we wait for this boat?” 

“Well, that shouldn’t be such a problem should it? I am sure there are lodging houses here somewhere.” 

Ellen tried to push down the rising panic she was feeling at being on the streets with five children, with dusk fast approaching. “I will stay here with the children, while you go and find that lodging house then come and get us,” kissing him on the cheek, she also gave him a look that spoke volumes of her state of mind. 

“Alright then, I will take Patrick and Owen with me and some of the bags and come back for you when I get us a room.” 

Ellen watched Barney and her two oldest boys saunter off down the street with an air of adventure. It was an air she couldn’t muster at this stage, as the enormity of what they were doing finally hit her. Up to now it had been a grand adventure. I am leaving my home to sail to the other side of the world with my family! What made me so sure that life could be any better? Am I daft? How will I manage five children on a boat? Get a hold of yourself Ellen! You schemed for this move, now stop being a coward and look forward to the better life you have been imagining. 

It wasn’t long before she saw Barney and the boys returning. Barney had a grin from ear to ear it seemed. “Just you wait my acushla, we have found you some fine lodgings and the innkeeper has told me we are welcome for as long as is needed.” 

Barney grabbed at Ellen as she swayed again while rising from the seat she had made of her belongings. “There, there acushla, have a care, are you alright?” 

Once again Ellen gathered herself together, if only I didn’t feel so tired.  

“I’m fine Barney,I just got up too quickly. Let’s get the children inside out of this evening air and to bed. I am just tired and could use a bed myself I think.”  

So there is room at the Inn after all, I hope it is more than a stable! 

Picking up her bundle and settling Cornelius on her hip once again, she followed her husband.
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1. Osborne, Alick. 'Journal of Occurrences Connected with Emigration', 8 July 1836-17 July 1837, by Dr Alick Osborne, p 6. State Library of New South Wales, https://search.sl.nsw.gov.au/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=ADLIB110363233&context=L&vid=SLNSW&lang=en_US&search_scope=E&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=default_tab&query=any,contains,%27Journal%20of%20Occurrences%20connected%20with%20Emigration%27%20%208%20July%201836-17%20July%201837%20%20by%20Dr%20Alick%20Osborne