by Al Lacy
Noting that Tharyn had not yet spoken out, Melinda turned and looked at her askance. “Tharyn? Aren’t you excited about this?”
Tharyn forced a thin smile. “Yes. Oh yes. Just think! A home with a new family, plenty of food, and a house to live in!”
“Yeah!” blurted Nettie Olson. “That’ll really be neat!”
“Okay,” said Charles Loring Brace, “let’s put the fire out, load up what few personal items you might have, and take you out of this alley forever.”
Since Tharyn had already sold or given away what family items she had brought from her old apartment, there was nothing to take with her.
Soon what few items were to go had been placed in the wagon, and E. P. Smith called for all of them to climb aboard.
As the children were boarding the wagon, Brace stood close and offered his hand to the girls who moved past him.
When Tharyn drew up and he offered his hand, she took hold of it and looked up into his eyes. “Mr. Brace, do you remember me?”
“I sure do. You were with Dr. Harris that day he and I met. Your name is Tharyn Myers.”
She smiled. “That’s right. Do you remember the boy who was in Dr. Harris’s buggy with me? Dane Weston?”
A somber look overtook his countenance. “Ah … yes. I remember Dane. Officer Thornton told me about his arrest and sentencing in court. I’m so sorry. I—”
“Dane is innocent, Mr. Brace. He didn’t kill Benny Jackson. I know he didn’t. There is nothing I can do about his life sentence but pray. And I’m doing a lot of that.”
“But Dane was identified as the killer by three responsible adults, Officer Thornton told me.”
“I know, sir. I was in the courtroom. Dane still told the judge that he didn’t do it, and I know he didn’t. Dane is a fine Christian, Mr. Brace. He is the one who is responsible for me being saved. He wouldn’t kill anyone.”
Brace rubbed his chin. “Well, honey, the Lord knows all about it. Prayer is all you have, but keep it up.”
“I will, sir. Would you do something for me?”
“Of course. What is it?”
“Would you take me to the prison before November 6 so I can let Dane know about our going west on the orphan train, and tell him good-bye?”
“Certainly. Mrs. Brace and I will take you in the next few days.”
“Oh, thank you, sir.”
“Glad to do it, honey,” said Brace, and assisted her into the wagon.
The last to board was Russell Mims. Before climbing into the wagon, he stepped up to Officer James Thornton with gratitude showing in his eyes. “Thank you, sir, for going to Mr. Brace and telling him about us. I know we’ll all have happy lives out West.”
Thornton laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Happy to do it, Russell. It was Dr. Norris who alerted me to your lack of food. I couldn’t stand to know you were going hungry.”
It was just past noon when the wagon arrived at Children’s Aid Society headquarters. As the ragtag group entered the large front door of the building, the indescribably wonderful aroma of beef stew greeted them and their mouths began to water.
Letitia Brace had been waiting for them and had a young woman standing close by. As her husband and E. P. Smith drew up to her, Charles said, “Here they are. And I’m sure they’re plenty hungry.”
Letitia smiled at him. “I’m so glad you’ve done this, dear.”
Then she ran her gaze over the sallow-looking faces of the pitiful group. “Hello, children. We’re very glad you’re here. I’m Mrs. Brace. I know you are all extremely hungry, and we’ll see that you’re fed shortly. But first things first.”
She turned to the young woman and said so all could hear, “Millie, will you see to it that these boys and girls get their faces and hands washed thoroughly? Then they can eat lunch.”
Millie nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I won’t keep them waiting any longer, but once their tummies are full, I want each of them to have a bath and some clean clothes.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Letitia set her gaze on E. P. Smith. “And E. P., will you see that these boys all get haircuts as soon as they bathe? They look pretty shaggy.”
“I sure will,” replied Smith.
“Thank you. Once they’ve all been bathed and given new clothes, we’ll put them in the rooms we have chosen for them.”
Some twenty minutes later, the ten orphans were led by Letitia into the dining hall. The other children were just finishing lunch, and were carrying their tin cups, plates, and eating utensils to a counter on one side of the room. They looked at the newcomers with curious eyes.
When the newcomers were all seated at a long table, steaming bowls of beef stew were placed before them, along with slices of dark bread slathered with butter, and cups of milk.
Letitia prayed over the food, then smiled. “All right, sweet ones, eat all you want. There’s more if you need it.”
For a few seconds the hungry group just sat and stared at the feast before them, savoring the delicious aroma.
When they picked up their spoons, ready to dig in, Letitia said, “I know you haven’t had a meal like this in a long time, children, but please eat slowly. If you eat too fast, your stomachs might rebel. Just take your time and enjoy it. I promise—no one is going to come along and take it away from you, as it sometimes happens in the alleys.”
Heeding her words of caution, the children ate slowly but steadily, smacking their lips with pleasure.
Letitia felt tears sting her eyes as she watched their enjoyment. Her heart was still heavy for all of the starving children still out there on the crowded, dirty streets of New York.
Later in the afternoon, baths were taken, the boys got their haircuts, the children were all dressed in clean clothing, and everyone was taken to their rooms.
Russell Mims, Billy Johnson, and the other three boys in their group were put in a dormitory room with three boys. Each boy had a cot of his own, and they looked forward to sleeping more comfortably than they had in the alley.
Tharyn Myers, Melinda Scott, Bessie Evans, Nettie Olson, and the other girl in their group were put in a room with four other girls. One of those girls was Leanne Ladd.
While the newcomers were getting acquainted with the others who had been at the Society’s headquarters before them, the afternoon hours seemed to pass quickly. When the bell rang to call them to supper, they could hardly believe it.
On Sunday morning, October 22, after the Bible teaching service at Children’s Aid Society headquarters, Tharyn Myers headed toward Mr. and Mrs. Brace with her heart hammering against her ribs.
She set her gaze on the Society director as she moved closer, then paused. He has been so good to me. Maybe I’m wrong to ask any more of him. But he did say he would take me to the prison so I could see Dane for the last time.
Gathering her courage around her like a cloak, she moved forward again and timidly moved up to the Braces.
Charles was talking to one of his staff men, and though he noticed Tharyn’s approach, he stayed in the conversation.
Letitia, however, picked up the fearful look in Tharyn’s eyes immediately. She placed a hand on the girl’s arm. “What is it, dear? Is there a problem?”
The gentle touch loosened Tharyn’s tongue and she stammered, “Oh, n-no, m-ma’am. I—I just w-wanted to talk to Mr. B-Brace.”
At that instant, the staff member walked away, and Charles heard Tharyn’s words. “What is it, honey?”
She cleared her throat nervously. “Well, sir, I … ah … I just wondered if you’d forgotten about taking me to see my friend Dane Weston at the Tombs. It’s—well, it’s been almost two weeks, and I just thought maybe you had forgotten.”
Brace shook his head. “No, honey, I haven’t forgotten. Mrs. Brace and I were just talking about it last evening. Would Tuesday morning be all right? I have some business near there, and I could accomplish both at the same time.”
Tharyn’s face brightened. “Oh yes
, sir. That would be fine. Thank you very much.”
“All right, then. It’s a date. Mrs. Brace and I will take you to see Dane Tuesday morning.”
On Tuesday morning, October 24, Charles and Letitia Brace put Tharyn in their buggy right after breakfast and they drove through the busy streets of Manhattan toward the Hall of Justice building.
As the buggy carried her closer to the prison, Tharyn’s emotions were running high. She was glad for the food and care she was getting at the Children’s Aid Society headquarters, and for the new hope of a happy future somewhere out West. But there was also sadness squeezing at her heart because she knew this could very well be the last time she would ever see Dane in this world.
In his cell, Dane was talking to his new cell mate, Miles Coffer, about being saved. Miles had been put in the cell three days previously and Dane began to witness to him before the day was out.
On this day, Miles was showing interest, and as Dane was guiding him in reading salvation verses from his Bible, Hank Overton drew up to the cell door and heard what Dane was saying to Coffer.
Dane stopped what he was saying and looked up at Overton. “Yes, sir?”
Overton smiled. “That pretty little redhead with the big blue eyes is here to see you again, Dane.”
Dane had wondered why Tharyn hadn’t been to see him sooner. Eager to see her, he said, “Miles, this girl is like a little sister to me, and I really need to see her. I’ll be back soon, and we’ll pick up where we left off here, okay?”
“Sure.”
“Please think over what I just showed you. If you have any questions, we’ll discuss them when I get back.”
“Fine,” said Miles. “Take your time. I’ll still be here.”
When Dane entered the visiting room and looked at Tharyn, he could tell something was bothering her.
“Hello, little sis. I’ve missed seeing you. I know by the look in your eyes that something is wrong. What is it?”
Tears welled up in Tharyn’s eyes as she told him about the colony being picked up by Charles Loring Brace and E. P. Smith. They were taken to the Children’s Aid Society two weeks ago.
Dane nodded. “Oh, so that’s why you haven’t been in to see me. I’m glad for all of you, though. I’m sure you’re eating well and sleeping a whole lot better.”
“Yes, we sure are. You know, of course, that Mr. Brace always puts his orphans on the trains and sends them west to find them good homes.”
Dane swallowed hard, closed his eyes, then opened them again.
“So when will you be leaving?”
“Our orphan train will leave on Monday, November 6. What’s bothering me is that I’m afraid I will never see you again—at least not in this life.”
Dane nodded.
Trying to control her quivering voice, Tharyn said, “I—I realize I’ve only known you for a few months, Dane, but you saved my life and then took care of me when I had nowhere to go. I—I feel such a strong bond between us. It’s just so hard to face the fact that we may never see each other again here on earth.”
Dane licked his lips, trying to come up with the right words.
Tharyn drew a sharp breath. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to go west on the orphan train, and for the possibility of having a home and parents to care for me. It—it is almost overwhelming. I just wish you could come too and start a new life with the rest of us.”
“So do I, little sis. But God has put me in this place, and until He sees that I’m cleared and released, this is where I’ll stay. I don’t think He will leave me here, but right now this prison is where He wants me. I know He let me be falsely accused of Benny Jackson’s murder and be locked up in here for two reasons. If I hadn’t been in here, Jubal would have died lost. And I also had the joy of leading guard Hank Overton to Jesus. Hank probably would never have been saved if I hadn’t been in here to be a witness to him.”
“I’m so glad about both Jubal and the guard, Dane.”
Dane nodded with a smile. “Tharyn, the Lord may have somebody else for me to reach. I’m witnessing to my new cell mate right now. Someday, I’ll win the last one the Lord put me in here to reach, and He will see that I’m cleared and released. This is the only hope that gets me through each day. God has a different plan for you and your life, but if He wills it, we will be reunited at some time later in our lives.”
Tears misted his eyes. He reached through the bars and took hold of her hand. “Tharyn, will you write to me here in the prison and let me know where you end up out West? That way we can stay in touch by mail. And when I do get out, we can see each other again. Once I step out into the fresh air of freedom, I will want to come wherever you are as soon as possible.”
With a heavy heart, Tharyn nodded. “I most certainly will write you.”
“Good. I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”
She looked into his eyes. “Dane, there is something else I would like to tell you before I have to leave.”
“Uh-huh?”
“Your love of the medical world has rubbed off on me. I want to become a nurse someday.”
“Wonderful! I hope you will hang on to that dream, and after you get out of high school, you will be able to find a good nurses’ school and pursue it.”
“That’s my plan.”
“Good.”
Dane then told Tharyn about Dr. Lee Harris giving him his medical bag before he and his family left for Virginia. Tharyn commented that it was very nice of Dr. Harris to do that, and she was still praying that one day the Lord would allow him to become a doctor.
Tharyn told him about the girls in the colony and herself being put in a room with four other girls. She explained about Leanne Ladd, who was also a Christian and her age, and who was blind from birth. She said that the two of them had already become close friends.
Dane smiled. “It’s just like you to take an interest in a blind girl and befriend her. I hope there will be a lasting friendship between the two of you that will go on.”
“Well, Leanne has already been chosen by a Christian family in Denver, Colorado. At least this way, wherever I end up, I will know how to contact her in Denver.”
“Good.”
The guard who stood at the door on Tharyn’s side stepped up. “Sorry, missy, but your time’s up.”
She looked up at him. “I know, sir. Could I have just a couple more minutes?”
“Okay.” He returned to where he had been standing by the door.
Dane and Tharyn grasped each other’s hands beneath the barred window. Tears filled their eyes, though they both were trying to put on a brave front.
Tharyn swallowed with difficulty. “Mr. Brace is in the waiting room with his wife. He wants to see you after I leave.”
“Oh. All right. I’d love to talk to him.”
“Well, good-bye, big brother. Thank you for all you’ve done for me.”
“That’s what big brothers are for. Don’t forget to write me.”
“I won’t. I’ll write as soon as I have an address, so you can write me back. I’ll be praying for you every day. You can count on that.”
Dane sniffed, blinking at his tears. “Thank you.”
Tears began spilling down Tharyn’s cheeks. “I—I love you, Dane.”
“I love you, too. Don’t ever lose sight of your dream to become a nurse, and don’t ever take your eyes off the Lord. In this life or the next, I will see you again. And that’s a promise.”
They looked longingly at each other.
Taking a deep breath, Dane said, “Go with God. Let Him be your constant guide.”
Letting go of his hands, Tharyn rose from the chair with a hot lump in her throat. She turned and walked to the door, where the guard waited, holding it open. She looked over her shoulder, and her heart seemed to shatter in her chest as she saw the tears streaming down Dane’s cheeks.
She waved and he waved back.
Tharyn faced forward, and with slow steps, passed through the door and out o
f sight.
Dane was still wiping tears when Charles Loring Brace was ushered in by a guard and sat down, facing him.
Brace asked to hear the story of Dane’s arrest, conviction, and sentencing directly from him.
When Dane had told his story—including that he was innocent—Brace said he believed him. They agreed that it would take a miracle from the hand of God to clear Dane of the crime, and Brace assured him that he would be praying for that miracle.
They prayed together at that moment, then Dane thanked Brace for coming. He also thanked him for taking care of the children in his colony, especially Tharyn. He added that he was glad the children would be going west on the orphan train to find homes.
Brace said he was glad he could do it, and told Dane he would be back to see him periodically.
Chapter Eighteen
On Monday morning, November 6, at the Children’s Aid Society headquarters, sixty-four orphan children were gathered in the front center section of the auditorium—which had once been the auditorium of the Italian Opera House.
Tharyn Myers, Melinda Scott, Bessie Evans, Nettie Olson, and Leanne Ladd were sitting in the same row of seats. Leanne was sitting next to Tharyn, who was holding her hand and describing the auditorium to her. Leanne was listening intently. Nettie was sitting between Melinda and Bessie, excitement showing on her face.
Russell Mims and Billy Johnson were seated behind the girls, along with other boys from their dormitory room.
Several staff members were standing in the aisles talking to some of the children.
At precisely 7:45, Charles Loring Brace entered the auditorium from a side door. While he was mounting the platform, Tharyn leaned close to Leanne and said, “Mr. Brace is here, honey.”
Leanne smiled. “It won’t be long now, will it?”
“Sure won’t. We’ll be leaving for Grand Central Station shortly.”