August 1861 Interview The Victorian Newspaper
S: Hello, my name is Tom Saygood. I have a question. Do you want to answer me some questions? I am a reporter, from “The Victorian Newspaper”.
B: Is it an interview? Ok, but hurry up. I have to go to my family, I was working the whole day.
S: What’s your name?
B: My name is Bert Faraway.
S: Who is that little child beside you?
B: That is James, my little son, he is 9 years old!
S: What is your job?
B: I work in a mine and I have to dig for iron. My boss sells hardware, like iron bars or railway carriage.
S: James, do you work too?
J: Yes, we are very poor and I have to work on a cotton field, Sir. The farmer is very strict and treated us workers very bad.
S: How long do you have to work?
J: 10-11 Hours a day…and I earn 2 pounds a year, but that's not enough.
B: I work about 12-13 hours a day and I earn only 5 pounds a year. It is always a shock for me, when the food prices get higher.
S: That’s terrible! For so much and hard work, you have to earn more!
B: I know but I have to take care of my family. I have 4 children; 1 son and 3 daughters. My wife is terminally ill and she will die, if I don’t go to work. My other children live in unhuman condition. They don't get enough food or clothes.
S: What has happened to your wife? Why does she suffer?
B: My wife also worked in a mine, in a coalmine, but her lungs are plugged with coal dust. I think she will die in some weeks, if I don't get enought money. I can't look for a doctor, he will be to expensive.
S: Who looks for the children?
B: Don’t worry, they work! My other 3 daughters are servants, by rich families.
J: Last I have seen them 5 months ago! I miss my sisters so much.
B: Be quiet! They must work, we need the money! I will tell you something: A lot of my children steal to feed our family. Meat is very rare and at christmas we can eat steak, but it don't feed us. We eat every day potatoes, because we can't buy expensiv food.
S: I think, there must happen something…that are criminal times and I think there are no freedom left. Thank you for these 5 minutes, Tom and James. Here a little present for you, please wait. Ah…1 pound!
J: Thank you Sir.
B: God should bless you.
S: No problem…I hope, this article will help, to wake the people. They should do something against this exploitation. Good Bye.
J: Good Bye.
B: Good Bye.
