, to be sure and call again. Many
years after, when Stephenson had become a thriving man, he did not forget
the humble pair who had succoured and entertained him on his way; he
sought their cottage again, when age had silvered their hair; and when he
left the aged couple, they may have been reminded of the old saying that
we may sometimes "entertain angels unawares."

Reaching home, Stephenson found that his father had met with a serious
accident at the Blucher Pit, which had reduced him to great distress and
poverty. While engaged in the inside of an engine, making some repairs,
a fellow-workman accidentally let in the steam upon him. The blast
struck him full in the face; he was terribly scorched, and his eyesight
was irretrievably lost. The helpless and infirm man had struggled for a
time with poverty; his sons who were at home, poor as himself, were
little able to help him, while George was at a distance in Scotland. On
his return, however, with his savings in his pocket, his first step was
to pay off his father's debts, amounting to about 15 pounds; and shortly
after he removed the aged pair from Jolly's Close to a comfortable
cottage adjoining the tramroad near the West Moor at Killingworth, where
the old man lived for many years, supported entirely by his son.

Stephenson was again taken on as a brakesman at the West Moor Pit. He
does not seem to have been very hopeful as to his prospects in life about
this time (1807-8). Indeed the condition of the working class generally
was very discouraging. England was engaged in a great war, which pressed
upon the industry, and severely tried the resources, of the country.
There was a constant demand for men to fill the army. The working people
were also liable to be pressed for the navy, or drawn for the militia;
and though they could not fail to be discontented under such
circumstances, they scarcely dared even to mutter their discontent to
their neighbours.

Stephenson was drawn for the militia: he must therefore either quit his
work and go a-soldiering, or find a substitute. He adopted the latter
course, and borrowed 6 pounds, which, with the remainder of his savings,
enabled him to provide a militiaman to serve in his stead. Thus the
whole of his hard-won earnings were swept away at a stroke. He was
almost in despair, and contemplated the idea of leaving the country, and
emigrating to the United States. Although a voyage thither was then a
much more form