Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 3073children, three brothers and one sister. From the age of six to fourteen Iattended the village school, where I obtained a knowledge of arithmetic,geography and history. At fourteen I left school and began life in earnest.My father, Paulus Romare, was captain of a merchant ship for over thirtyyears. Too young to launch out for myself, I went with him as cabin boy toNew York in 1843.'' Of course the impressions of this first sight of America and an Americancity were not only deep but naturally enchanting to a young lad such as Iwas. None but a foreigner can appreciate the newness and beauty of a placelike New York, and right then I felt that at some time this to me new worldmust and should furnish a home."Of course I returned with my father to Sweden and remained at homeone summer. The next fall I sailed again as cabin boy with an older brother,who was also captain of a ship. We sailed from Stockholm to Marseilles,returning home in the summer of '45. That same summer I sailed againwith a friend of my father's for the Island of Java, touching Cape of GoodHope going and returning."Resting a while in Stockholm I sailed with the same captain for NewYork once more, and from New York to Rotterdam, Holland. While^in thiscity the first mate left the ship and I was given his position at the age ofeighteen. However, by this time I had considerable acquaintance with thesea and seafaring, and had gained some knowledge of navigation from myfather, brother and present captain. We returned to America, visiting Philadelphia and New York, and while in this city that had for me so many charmsan incident occurred which changed my future and indeed my entire life.My captain and I had a quarrel, and I vowed I would never return with himto Sweden. Of course I kept my decision a secret for prudential motives."Of course I ran considerable risk, but I went at once to see a friend, aSwede who had lived in New York for some years. I told him I was determined to remain in America. He promised to come to our ship that night in aboat and help me off. Like a true Swede, he kept his word, and I was soonsecurely hid in his home. Just at this time, unfortunately for me, my brother's ship was in the harbor of New York ready for sea. He was duly notifiedby the captain of my escapade. He hastened to our mutual friend, feelingsure he knew of my whereabouts. I heard him coming; knew his step. Acloset being near, I opened the door, went in, and was secure and out of sight.I could even hear his voice and what he said. My friend was astonished atmy leaving, it was all news to him. I knew from what my brother said hedid not believe one word, but seeing search was in vain he left, and beforenext morning he was far out on the Atlantic. The ship I had so hastily abandoned also left in a day or two."Left now absolutely master of myself and fortune at the mature age ofeighteen, a stranger in a strange land, not one word of English at my command, I began to turn my thoughts to the serious side of my situation. ThatAmerica was to be the home of my adoption was absolutely decided. That aknowledge of the English language was absolutely necessary to my progressin the new home was also decided. What to do while gaining knowledge wasthe next serious question. This last query was soon settled by my shippingon an American brig as a sailor, bound for Mobile. On that trip I took myfirst lessons in English. On the voyage I found Dana's ' Two Years Before theMast.' Being far more familiar with the sea than I was with the land, thebook naturally caught my fancy, being the plain and simple experience of aman who ^jas two years before the mast. How I read it, now after the lapseof so many years, I cannot tell, but that I did read it and enjoyed it I amcertain. Having no one near who knew one word of my native tongue, I soonfrom sheer necessity had quite a vocabulary at my command."I made various trips after this, crossing the Atlantic at least a dozen