Hello, my name is Nicholas Nathans, and I am an English immigrant.

I heard of opportunities in the New World, so I gave it a try, leaving my parents in England to bring in more money. It wasn't exactly easy, but I managed. I've spent most of my eighteen years in education, but the sudden spike in inflation made me look for work in fear of being thrown out of my house.

Getting into the New World was extremely difficult, considering I came from South England. The border patrol told me that there were so many people coming in; they had to regulate it. They'd asked me if I had any exceptional talent, and I told them about my engineering knowledge and experience.

Fortunately, there was an impatient family behind me, and the patrolman let me by in a rush. Feeling a tad seasick from the voyage, I stumbled through the registration process to be legally allowed into the New World, hopping onto a train heading to Cleveland, Ohio. I heard the jobs had more pay than others, so I decided to give it a go.

Having nothing more than a small suitcase filled with basic supplies, I settled into the nearest tenement and made myself at home — until I realized I had to share it with eight other men.

The room was small, with no windows or fresh air. It smelled of unwashed bodies and scraps of food. These gentlemen — or should I say rough-men — certainly didn't know how to be proper: staying up well into the night, partying and drinking, loud arguments, and inviting people over at the worst times.

I didn't have any other choice but to stay there, since it's cheap and close to Town Square.

But anyway, the date is November 18, 1870. Earlier, I found a flyer next to the wanted poster of Jay Gould on the wall of a barbershop, stating, "Standard Oil Co. Help wanted!" and I had to check it out.

My messmates say I should not take the job since I'm only eighteen, but that's not stopping me.