Grantville Gazette, Volume IX

by Eric Flint

  "I am going to become an engine driver," Hagen asserted. "After the war is over I will work for the railroads they are building, and drive an engine hauling people and cargo. Besides your Onkel Henry says it is going to be a long war. I want to rejoin the train crew to help make it shorter."

  "Well, we can talk about it later. Here is our stop." Suse signaled the driver to stop the tram.

  "Where are you going?" Wendel asked when Hagen rose to join them.

  "I am on my way to see your mother. I am supposed to pick up the coveralls she made."

  The two Schultz boys walked on ahead toward the house, but Suse walked beside Hagen. "I hope you are not mad because I think you should go to school. But you should think about it."

  "I am not mad, Suse. You're saying what you think. I just don't agree with you."

  * * *

  "Hello, Hagen. Are you getting enough to eat? You look skinner every time I see you." Dora Schultz looked Hagen up and down. It reminded him of the way a mother would look at her child.

  "Ja, Frau Schultz. I have been eating at the Thuringen Gardens."

  "Bah, you should have came out here to eat and saved your money. With Wili and Anse gone, we have room at the table."

  "Ja, you should stay for dinner," Suse said.

  "Danke Frau Schultz, Suse, but I have to take those coveralls back to the train shop before I can take time off."

  "Tomorrow, then," Dora said in a tone that allowed no excuses. "Wili and Anse will be back tonight and we will have a big dinner tomorrow. Now come with me and I'll get the sample coveralls for you."

  Hagen followed her toward the back of the house. "Frau Schultz, you said Private Schultz and Herr Hatfield would be home tonight. Are you sure?"

  "Ja, Lieutenant Ivarsson came by to tell me just before you got here. They will be here sometime before nightfall."

  Hagen felt a burst of hope. With a new engine that had to be delivered and Herr Hatfield coming back to Grantville tonight there was a good chance he could rejoin the train crew. Herr Hatfield was going to need help with the engine. "Are you sure it will be no problem if I come to dinner tomorrow? It sounds like you'll have a house full."

  Dora turned to face him. "Hagen, with seven Kinder in the house, we always have a full house. Ursula and I like to cook and we like to see people eat what we cook. You will come to dinner and you will eat. Besides, he doesn't know it yet but Wili is now a corporal; the letter came today. So we will be celebrating. As the wife of a corporal, I order you to come to dinner."

  "Yes, ma'am, Frau Corporal Schultz." Hagen smiled as he came to attention.

  "Ach, you are teasing. Here are the samples for you to take to Herr Frank. Run fast and you can catch the tramcar on its return trip to town."

  * * *

  Hagen only took time for a quick wave to the Schultz boys and Suse before he headed for the tram tracks. The tram car was just visible as it made its way back to town. He had missed it. It was supposed to wait for ten minutes after going around the loop at the end of the line. And the driver was also supposed to top up the natural gas in the tram's fuel tank at the large tank there before heading back. That should have taken another ten minutes. Surely I wasn't in the house that long. Hagen started to trot back to town.

  He had only taken a few steps when he heard a voice from behind. "Look, Anse, Wili. 'Der Bub' came out to meet us. But looks like he got bored and is going home."

  Hagen stopped and turned around. Herr Hatfield, Corporal Rau, and Private Schultz were halfway down the slope that marked the edge of the Ring of Fire. Schultz and Hatfield were riding in a wagon and Rau was riding a horse just in front of them. Hagen felt his hopes rise. Here was his chance to return to the train crew, if he could just make them listen to him.

  "Hello, Herr Hatfield, Corporal Rau," Hagen called. "And a special hello to Corporal Schultz. I just heard the news from your wife."

  Hatfield slapped Schultz on the back. "There you go, Wili, you're a corporal. I bet Dora already has the stripes sewn on your coveralls."

  The door of the house flew open and the entire Schultz family erupted from the house. Dora was in the lead, followed closely by the two Schultz daughters, Talle and Esther. Only politeness kept Gerd and Wendel, from pushing their way to the front, but they were close behind.

  Watching the reunion of the Schultz family, Hagen was happy for his friends, but was very aware that he was the odd man out. He was an only child and his mother and father had died in Badenberg, when it had been held by Hoffmann's mercenaries.

  Rau dismounted and stepped up beside him. "Hagen, walk with me to take this horse over to the shed. We're just in the way here."

  "I should be going back to the train shop. I was not really waiting on you. I was supposed to take these to Herr Frank." Hagen held up the package he carried.

  "I'm glad to see Bill Frank has got you hard at work." Hatfield stepped up to them. "We're going to take the wagon in and unload it at the shop. So drop your package in the back and come on up to the house. We'll ride into town and you can help unload the toys we bought for the company. Wili can stay here with the family."

  Hagen saluted and went to put his package in the wagon. He knew that when Hatfield said "toys" he had to mean weapons. Sure enough, the back of the wagon held a number of long bundles that had to be rifles or smooth bores. Seeing them piled in the wagon gave the thought of joining the rail company a new meaning. There was a good chance his friends would be fighting a war soon. Hagen became even more determined not to be left behind.

  Hagen started to get in the back, but Hatfield waved him to the seat. "Come up here. I want you to drive. We've been taking turns pushing these nags the whole way from Suhl and I, for one, am tired of horses."

  "Ja, let der Bub drive." Rau jumped up to sit on the tail gate.

  Hatfield settled onto the seat. "Okay, Hagen. Now is as good a time as any for you to tell me what has been going on while we were away."

  Hagen started to tell about the orders coming for the rail company to deploy to Magdenburg and then to Wismar. But Hatfield interrupted, "Skip that. We got a radio message from the major while we were in Suhl. What I want to know is what has happened since the company left."

  So Hagen told him about the new engine and the two flat cars that the shop crew had ready to go. And about the delivery problem that Herr Frank foresaw developing.

  Hatfield shook his head. "Delivery is no problem. We'll load them on a couple of flatcars and haul them to a barge. The barge will carry us to Magdenburg. They're the major's problem from there. What I really want to hear is what you have been doing. I know Major Pitre was going to talk to you about going to school. So why is Private Hagen Filss not following his major's wishes and going to school?"

  "Uh, er, H-h-herr Hatfield, it was not an order. The major asked me if I wanted to go to school. When I said no, she said it was all right. I would not have disobeyed an order."

  "You're lawyering me, son. You knew she wanted you to go to school. Would you have been willing if you knew I was the one who asked her to leave you behind to go to school? I might make it an order and if I do, you will go to school and you will work hard."

  Hagen was stunned. He had thought that Herr Hatfield would be the one to save him from being left behind. His shoulders slumped, and he worked to hold back a sigh of disappointment.

  "Sir, is that what you are going to do? Are you going to order me to go to school?"

  "I don't know. Right now I think that it would be the best thing for you. Not just the best for you, but the best for TacRail. We need trained men, men who can become mechanics. You did a good job working with Jim Cooper, and now you have experience working for Bill Frank, so you seem to be the one to pick. After all, you'll be taking mostly classes in mechanics."

  "All I did was hand Jim his tools, and all Herr Frank has me doing is running errands. Anyone could do what I do."

  Hatfield reached over and took Hagen's sleeve between his fingers. "You're still wearing a
rail crew patch. The rail crew needs trained mechanics. What am I going to do about you? If you go to school, I promise there will be a spot open for you with the company when you finish. Maybe with a nice promotion. How does that sound?"

  "I am happy being a private. I feel like I am letting my friends down. I should be with them, not here safe in Grantville." Hagen tried very hard not to beg or sound like a child.

  * * *

  Hagen brought the wagon to a stop and Hatfield hopped down and went inside the building. He felt Rau moving up to stand behind him. "It's a hard road isn't it, young Filss? You have been getting a man's portion and now you think you are being asked to go back to being a child."

  "Ja, but more than that. What if my friends need me? I should be doing something."

  "And you feel that you might miss the great adventure of your life." Rau laughed. "I know, Bub. Remember I went for a soldier when I was about your age. Of course, the city fathers of Jena and the night watch helped make my choice for me." Rau patted Hagen's shoulder. "I'll talk to him, maybe I can convince Anse you should go."

  "Thank you, Sergeant Rau."

  "For that I will be at my most persuasive. I like the sound of Sergeant Rau. It looks like there are going to be three train crews, now that we have three engines. If I get a crew, I'll ask for you as a loader or brakeman."

  "Thank you again, Sergeant."

  "It is nothing. All you need is a little seasoning. Now head up, act proud, look like a soldier. Here comes Anse."

  * * *

  With all the men working it didn't take long to empty the wagon and fill the store room. When they were done Herr Frank locked the door and handed the key to Hatfield. "There you go. Don't lose that. If you do, we'll have to break the door down. That's the only key."

  Hatfield stuck the key on the chain of his pocket watch. "Safe as a bank, I have never lost a key. Bill, why don't you and your wife come by the house tomorrow? Dora is having a special dinner to celebrate Wili's promotion to corporal."

  "Sorry, but I'll have to turn you down. Our church is having a business meeting after services, and I have to attend since I'm on the trustees."

  "Well, some other time, then." Hatfield pointed his finger at Hagen. "You will come to the dinner, Private Filss. Dora gave me special orders to make sure you were coming."

  "Yes sir, Chief Hatfield." Hagen came to attention.

  Hatfield wet his finger and drew an imaginary line in the air, "One point for remembering to call me chief." Then he turned and walked out of the shop.

  "Filss, it's still two hours until quitting time. So get out of here. I gave you the day off." Herr Frank pointed at the door.

  * * *

  As Hagen was leaving the church the next morning, he was surprised to realize he had no idea what the sermon had been about. He had spent the entire service lost in thought over how he was going to convince Herr Hatfield not to send him to school. Sergeant Rau was his only hope.

  As if thinking about him had conjured him, Hagen saw Rau waiting at the tram stop. Unlike Hagen, Rau was dressed in civilian clothing, rather a mixed style with blue jeans tucked into knee high boots of local manufacture. He had topped off his outfit with a long green coat, worn open to show the lace of his shirt collar that covered the top of his red vest.

  Rau waved. "Ah, you make your appearance. Dora Schultz will not have to send us to hunt for der Bub. But you don't have to wear your uniform. This is just a dinner with friends, not an inspection."

  Hagen thought about making an excuse, but decided that Rau would understand. "Sergeant, all I have to wear to dinner is my coveralls. All my clothing from before I joined the army is worn out."

  "Not to worry, young Filss. Come on, here comes the tram."

  * * *

  Dinner at the Johnson house was interesting. With the four Schultz children, the three Eckhardt children and the four adults left in the household it was already a full table. Adding Hagen and Rau as guests made even the large Johnson dinning room feel small.

  After dinner Hagen sat for a while and talked with the Schultz and Eckhardt children. Then, getting bored with watching Henry Johnson's efforts to teach Gerd how to play chess, Hagen started to wonder where the railroaders had gone. He wandered into the kitchen where Suse, her mother Ursula, and Dora were just finishing the clean up.

  "Hungry again, already? There is some chicken left and a little pie," Dora said.

  "Nein, Danke. I could not eat another bite. I was just looking for Chief Hatfield."

  Dora pointed out the back window of the kitchen. "He took Wili and Jochen Rau out to the garage. They are talking railroad business."

  Hagen headed for the door. As he approached the open garage door he could hear the three men talking inside. What had to be the voice of Chief Hatfield said, "Okay, I don't know for sure what the major has planned, but if we bring her a complete crew to go with the new engine I bet she will keep it together."

  "Ja," Hagen heard Sergeant Rau answer. "You will have an engine, Toeffel will have an engine and who will command the new one?"

  "Shoot, Jochen," Hatfield answered, "she just made you a sergeant. Who do you think Major Beth will give the engine to?"

  "Ja, Jochen, und I will pick from the best brakemen in the company to get you a chief brakeman," Wili rumbled.

  Hagen was about to walk away. He didn't want to be accused of eavesdropping. But then he heard his name mentioned.

  "I want Filss for one of my brakemen," Sergeant Rau said. "You know he is going to volunteer."

  "Jochen, do you really want him? He's awful young," Hatfield answered.

  "He was old enough for you to have Wili train him to be a brakeman."

  "Yes, but . . ."

  "Und he is a good brakeman, for someone his size," Wili interrupted. "If Jochen is going to have a lot of recruits he is going to need a trained man. I say take him with us."

  "I still think he's too young. Would you say the same thing if he was one of your sons? Would you take Wendel?" Hatfield asked.

  "Ja. I would watch over him, but Wendel I would let go to war if he was as trained as Filss."

  "Anse, I was younger when I became a soldier," Rau added. "And I would bet Wili was even younger when he joined his village militia."

  "Ja, fourteen. I was big as a boy," Schultz said.

  There was a long pause and Hagen thought that was the end of the conversation. Then Hatfield spoke again. "Okay. I'll talk to Filss. But if he goes, I want him to stay with you. Wili, I'll want you to take good care of him."

  Hagen started to back away from the door. There was a chance he might be allowed to join the company! He stumbled over the wood that was piled under the eaves of the garage. The noise caused Chief Hatfield to call from inside. "Who's there?"

  "It is me, Chief."

  "Come on in, Filss. We were just talking about you."

  When Hagen entered the garage he discovered that the three were seated on stools around a stove. Each had a bottle of Herr Johnson's home brewed beer and a small cooler was set nearby that had to contain more.

  "Pull up a stool, Hagen. Grab a beer if you like. I want to talk to you," Hatfield said.

  Hagen realized this was going to be like juggling one of the grenades Sergeant Rau was so fond of. If he said the wrong thing, Hatfield would order him stay and to go to school. "Chief Hatfield, I don't drink very much beer. I had two glasses at dinner. That's enough for me."

  "Probably a wise choice. Hank's brew is not your usual small beer." Hatfield took a sip. "How long were you outside before I heard you?"

  Hagen knew only total honesty would work. If he was caught lying, who knew what Hatfield would do to him? "Sir, I was there long enough to know the three of you were talking about me and if I was going with you to Magdeburg. I was not spying, but when I heard my name I had to listen."

  Hatfield spoke to the other two men. "Guys, I want to talk to Filss in private. Do you mind stepping up to the house to give us some room? I think we've covered all
the bases and we'll be ready to start work tomorrow." Wili and Jochen both made noises of consent and left the garage.

  Hatfield turned to face Hagen. "Okay, Filss. I want you to answer a couple of questions and then I'm going to decide if you go with us or go to school. If you're not happy with my decision, I'll cut you loose and you can enlist in one of the regiments the CoC is raising."

  Hagen got a lump in his throat at the thought of leaving TacRail. "Nein, Chief, I don't want to leave the railroad company. If I must go to school to stay, I will go to school. I am a rail trooper."

  "Filss, why are you so set on going with us? It's going to be a long war. Why is it so important to you to get into it right now?"

  Hagen sat and thought. Then he gave an almost honest answer. "Chief Hatfield, I want to do my part. My friends are all going to be in danger. I would feel like a coward, like I was letting them down if I was not with them."