The next day Elder Farrell attended conference and sat by Brother Samuel Parkinson, of Franklin, who was a merchant, and conducted a large store. Having the request in mind, he inquired of Brother Parkinson if there was a shoe maker in Franklin. He said "No sir, but I wish we had one." Elder Farrell then told him of Brother Challis having arrived from England and wanting to locate in Cache Valley. He inquired if he was a poor man, and being told that he was, said: "Tell him to come to Franklin. I will furnish him a shop to work in free of charge. He can bring what shoes he makes into the store, and I will dispose of the same and pay him."
The father and daughter went to Franklin to live, and Brother Parkinson did as he promised to. Elder Farrell presided over the U. O. Store, tannery and shoe shop in Smithfield, and Brother Challis used to come from Franklin every week to buy his leather from the tannery; and used to frequently tell him how nicely they were getting along.
As soon as winter started Elder Farrell was appointed to preside over the Y. M. M. I. A. of the whole stake, and went around and organized the associations or set in order those that had been organized. On one occasion he went to Franklin, and held a very interesting meeting. After the meeting closed a lady accosted him and shook hands very heartily. Brother Farrell said, "You seem to know me, but I do not recognize you. What is your name, please?" She replied, "My name is Nellie Challis, and I want you to go home and stay all night with us." He expressed great surprise at the improvement in her appearance, rallied her about her double chin and accepted her invitation with thanks.
When they reached the Challis home and were quietly seated around the fire, Nellie said confidentially, "Brother Farrell, I am going to be married." In surprise her visitor inquired to whom. "To the presiding teacher of this ward, Brother Lowe."
"The Lord bless you, Sister Nellie; you are going to get as good a man as there is in this town," said Elder Farrell, shaking her hand in congratulation.
Brother Challis continued to call at the tannery to purchase supplies of leather, and he and Elder Farrell frequently met, and never without his daughter being inquired about. First it was learned that she was married and very happy. Then about a year later news came that a child had been born.
Soon afterwards Elder Farrell received a letter from Franklin with a black border around it. On opening it he saw at once it was from Father Challis. It contained sad news: Nellie had never fully rallied after her babe was born. Anxious neighbors and friends surrounded her, and all that they and medical skill could do to save her life was done, but all in vain. As the end approached she sat up in bed, and bore a fervent testimony to the houseful of friends who surrounded her. She told them not to mourn for her, but to thank the Lord for his merciful kindness to her in prolonging her life, enabling her to understand and accept the Gospel, to come to Zion, obtain a good husband and become a mother in Israel—all as predicted by Elder Farrell in England when there seemed so little hope of her living. She requested that word be sent to Elder Farrell that she had lived to see his words fulfilled, and that now she was ready to die, as she felt that it was the Lord's will.
After talking thus for two hours, she bade all present an affectionate good by, lay back in bed and was dead in two minutes.
Since that time several of the women who had heard Nellie tell of the marvelous blessings that had come to her in response to the prayers and promises of Elder Farrell, have themselves when ill journeyed to Smithfield to get him to administer to them, and their faith has generally been rewarded.
Another sequel to that first visit of Elder Farrell to Northampton may be mentioned. The daughter and son-in-law of Brother Challis who left the house in such haste when he first entered it; because they did not want to speak to a "Mormon," have both since investigated "Mormonism" and embraced the Gospel. They also have come to Zion and located at Franklin, and the young man has filled a faithful mission to England and returned home, and is now numbered among the enterprising and prosperous business men of Franklin.