Page 167 - March On! God will Provide by Brother Aubert

146 DEPARTURE FOR AMERICA

rell, pastor at St. Augustine's that the Xaverian com-
munity was prepared to renew the contract with the
parish for 155 pounds per annum in addition to having
the coal, water, and furniture provided.
Within a few weeks, that is early in May, the Founder
arrived in Manchester along with Brother Stephen Som-
mer who had been sacristan at "Het Walletje" and also
a wonderful teacher in the Infant-School. He was the
replacement for Brother Paul as sacristan and caretaker
at St. Augustine's Church.
When Brother Ryken got back to Bruges and plunged
into the final details of starting for America, he was
shocked to find out that the Ocean Steam Navigation
Company had no space reserved for him and his Brothers
on the "Franklin." No one had reserved any. The young
lady from Bruges had forgotten or had not bothered.
The Agent in Le Havre informed him that it was still
possible to obtain passage on the "Indiana," a British
ship, sailing for New York on July l5th. The "Franklin"
was an American ship fast enough to carry the mails.
The slower and older "Indiana" was much cheaper. The
advertised rates for First Class was $100.00 and for
Second Class, $50.00, in contrast with the "Franklin's"
$160.00 and $90.00. Brother Ryken signed up for the
British ship although he realized that such a late start
meant that he would not arrive in Louisville on or
before August first. By that date he and his party would
be fortunate to have reached New York City.
Father Van de Kerckhove arrived at "Het Walletje"
late in June to conduct the exercises of the annual re-
treat for the half of the community that could not or
did not participate in the earlier one. At the request of
Brother Ryken, the Jesuit Provincial had assigned this
o1d friend of the community. He was deeply stirred at
the part he was to play, especially for these Brothers