68 Apprenticed to a Shoemaker. [ CHAP. It. 
“Once, on a Saturday, after having visited Buxburn, I 
went round by the back of the Dancing Cairns to the 
Stocket and the woods of Hazelhead, then down the Rubis- 
law road, and home in the evening. Ah! these were hap- 
py days. There were no taws to fear, and no tyrannical 
dominie to lay them on. True, the farm people did halloo 
at me at times, but I generally showed them a clean pair of 
heels. The gamekeepers, also, sometimes gave me chase, 
but I managed to outstrip them; and although no nests 
were to be got, there was always something to be found or 
seen. In winter-time, also, when the canal was frozen, a 
mile of it lay in our way home, and it was capital fun to 
slide along, 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 ap- 
prentice to a shoe-maker. 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 pro- 
vided 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 Gallowgate. He 
usually employed from two to three workmen. His trade 
consisted chiefly in manufacturing work of the lightest 
description, such as ladies’ and children’s boots and shoes. 
He himself worked principally at pump-making, and that 
was the branch of the trade which young Edward was 
taught. 3 
Begg was a low-class Cockney. He was born in Lon- 
