54 APPRENTICED TO A SHOEMAKER. CHAP. in. 



going to and coming from our work. This was life, 

 genuine life, for the young. But, alas ! a sad change 

 was about to come ; and it came very soon." 



The boys remained at Grandholm factory for about 

 two years. Their father thought that they ought 

 both to be apprenticed to some settled trade. The 

 eldest boy left first, and was apprenticed to a baker; 

 then Tom, the youngest, left, very much to his regret, 

 and was bound apprentice to a shoemaker. He was 

 eleven years old at that time. His apprenticeship 

 was to last for six years. His wages began at eighteen- 

 pence a week, with sixpence to be added weekly in 

 each succeeding year. He was to be provided by his 

 master with shoes and aprons. The hours were to be 

 from six in the morning to nine at night, two hours 

 being allowed for meals. 



The name of Edward's master was Charles Begg. 

 His shop was situated at the highest part of Gallow- 

 gate. He usually employed from two to three work- 

 men. His trade consisted chiefly in manufacturing 

 work of the lightest description, such as ladies' and 

 children's boots and shoes. He himself worked prin- 

 cipally at pump-making, and that was the branch of 

 the trade which young Edward was taught. 



Begg was a low- class Cockney. He was born in 

 London, where he learnt the trade of shoemaking. 

 He had gradually wandered northwards, until he 

 reached Inverness, where he lived for some time. 

 Then he went eastward to Elgin, then to Banff, until 



