Welcome to the Boott Mill weave room! I know it is a very noisy place and the machines and belts can be dangerous, but the wages I make here give me independence. The overseer is very strict, but he praises me for being a good worker. I work long hours, but I worked even longer hours on the farm and what did my family or I have to show for it? Just debts we couldn’t pay. Here I make enough money to pay for my room and food and have money left over to send home, save or spend on books or lectures or even buying some new clothes.

It is exciting to be in Lowell with all these other young men and women. At home, our farm was a long walk from the village, and the only time I got to see my friends was at church on Sunday. Here when the factory bell rings, the work is done. It’s up to us how we spend our evenings, Saturday afternoons, and Sundays. You will soon get used to the factory. If you’re feeling homesick, just look at our geraniums in the window. They’ll remind you of home.