She knew the children who left New York under the care of the sanctuary or the aid agency Father Nelson was involved with, were luckier than most. Now the families were vetted by the local mayor or head of the town churches. Everyone who took a child had to sign a contract to keep in touch with the sanctuary. Those that did not do so, were followed up on as soon as possible.
If only that were the way for children from all outplacement agencies. She wished people would focus on improving the services rather than trying to stop orphan trains from landing in different communities. Father Nelson was right to worry about the changes in the law. There were now seven different states who refused to allow orphan children to settle there without a bond payment. It was supposed to make sure the children would never become a burden on the state. But what of the rights of those children?
Pastor John had taken his leave saying he had to visit some outlying farms and would travel back with the Sterns. Rachel promised to write to Kathleen and both girls gave her a hug before being whisked away by their parents. Mrs. Stern had insisted on buying every child left to return on the train a present at the local store.
Kathleen sat enjoying the sunshine waiting until George sent the signal the train would pull out. She must have dozed off as his whistle woke her up.
“Miss Kathleen, hurry. The train will leave without us. I want to find my farmer.” Billy tugged at her sleeve. She brushed the hair from her eyes, wishing she had some water to wash her face. And a chance to change her dress. But there was no time and no proper facilities. She would have to wait for the hotel at Green River. The thoughts of a night’s sleep in a proper bed tempted her to hurry back on the train.
“Thank you, Cindy, for gathering up the children. That was kind of you to help. You are especially good with Mia.”
Cindy looked surprised that someone had noticed her efforts. She opened her mouth, but instead of a retort, she muttered a thank you. Her face flushed before she walked ahead of Kathleen taking a seat in the corner of the car.
Kathleen counted and recounted the children. Fifteen left. All were full and happy to take the next step in their journey. Pieter came to stand beside her.
“Miss Kathleen, Cindy and I can mind everyone for a while. You go sleep.”
“Thank you.” Kathleen didn’t intend to fall asleep again but soon the rocking motion of the train took effect.
Chapter 31
Later that afternoon, they arrived in Green River. She counted the children again, this time telling them to take their belongings with them as they left the train.
“That’s it, leave nothing behind you.” She helped the younger ones, relieved to see Cindy and Pieter doing the same. Cindy held Mia’s hand firmly, and the child seemed to be glad. Billy didn’t look as happy as before, in fact he looked terrified.
Kathleen moved to reassure him. “Billy, we won’t be meeting our new families today. We will stay in a hotel where we can have a bath.”
“I had a bath last Saturday. I don’t need another one.”
Kathleen smiled at the fierce expression on his face. What was it with little boys and baths? “Yes, you do, we all do. After all the time in the train, we don’t smell so good. Now, come on. Follow me. Cindy, will you wait please till last to make sure everyone gets off?”
“Yes.”
Kathleen moved slowly, not wanting to lose anyone. She couldn’t believe it when she heard her name being called.
“Kathleen Green, I missed you.” Next thing she knew, Bella threw her arms around her.
“Bella. I didn’t know you were coming to meet the train.”
“Brian and I came. Shane and Angel have the children. We wouldn’t let you handle the children alone. Brian will take care of the boys and between us we can handle the girls. Oh, Kathleen I’ve missed you so much.”
Overcome with emotion, Kathleen couldn’t say a word and instead hugged her friend. Then together everyone got off the train. The children waved goodbye to George, whose eyes were suspiciously bright.
Once off the train, Kathleen saw Brian waiting for her with another surprise. Her younger brother, Liam, was standing beside Brian. She couldn’t believe her eyes. He was so tall and the spitting image of Shane. She stepped forward to greet him.
“Liam, you came too?”
“Do you think I would let you come all the way from New York and not ride in to see you? I miss you telling me what to do.”
Kathleen playfully slapped him on the back. He was taller than her now. And so handsome. She hadn’t seen him in over three years. Where had the time gone?
“That was Bridget not me, but it’s great to see you. You are so tall and grown up looking.”
“I am grown up, Kathleen. I’m not a child anymore.”
She could see that was true.
“Bridget said to tell you there is a room at her house for you. They are expecting you to stay for a few days. Mary-Jane is so excited you are coming, she even promised to wear a dress for Bridget.”
Kathleen laughed. She knew from Bridget’s letters, her niece Mary-Jane believed she should have been born a boy. Bridget teased Carl it was his fault for announcing to the world their first and only baby would be a boy. Instead, a tiny baby had arrived a month early but with a temperament of steel. With her big blue eyes, she had wound her parents around her little finger from that first day in New York.
Tempted, Kathleen wished she could say yes. But she hadn’t cleared it with Lily. Who would mind the sanctuary?
Bella seemed to read her mind.
“Bridget wired Lily and she has asked some women to help in the sanctuary. Said you were to take a few days to rest.”
“You guys are conspiring behind my back,” Kathleen protested, but secretly she was thrilled. She hugged Liam, trying not to feel hurt when he pushed her away.
“Kathleen, stop that. You’re embarrassing me.”
Bella took Kathleen’s arm.
“Liam likes no one kissing him unless you happen to be a certain dark-haired young lady.”
“Bella!” Liam warned.
Kathleen watched in amusement as her younger brother’s ears turned red. She hadn’t heard he was courting, but she didn’t want to embarrass him further.
“Bella, how are things with you?” she asked to distract everyone from poor Liam.
“Great. I can’t wait to catch up with all your news. But first let’s get everyone to the hotel and into the bathhouse.” Bella sniffed the air pretending to take offense. As Kathleen giggled, she spotted an annoyed look on Cindy’s face.
“Bella, you go ahead. Mia, could you take Bella’s hand? I just want a minute alone with Cindy.”
Mia took the hint. She walked on with Bella, leaving Kathleen alone with Cindy.
“Cindy, Bella and I are old friends. We used to work in the sewing room at the sanctuary.”
Cindy stared at Bella’s back, her lips curling. “Doesn’t give her the right to laugh at us.”
Kathleen saw the girl was genuinely hurt. She felt awful.
“No, it doesn’t, but Bella wasn’t laughing at us. She is like my sister. She was teasing us. She knows how difficult it is to travel by train. Especially as an orphan.”
Cindy rolled her eyes. “How? She doesn’t look like she ever knew any hard work.”
“That’s where looks can be deceiving. Bella rode the orphan train, not once but twice. I won’t tell you her story, but it would surprise you to find out how similar you are. Don’t judge people by what they look like, Cindy. Appearances are often deceptive.”
Cindy looked mutinous but didn’t reply. Kathleen picked up her basket, Brian having already taken her bag, and walked.
“You best hurry or you will bathe in cold water, Cindy.”
The girl strode off. Kathleen wished she had found a way to reach her, but she didn’t have enough time. She walked down the street, spotting Bella waiting for her at the turn. Cindy had taken control of Mia once more as the two girls walked ahead.
&
nbsp; Chapter 32
“Hard trip?” Bella asked as they walked toward the hotel.
“It doesn’t get any easier.” Kathleen tried to be positive. “I am so glad you came to Green River.”
“So am I. I miss you so much and letters aren’t the same. How are Richard and Patrick?”
“Both are doing well. Richard is always busy at the hospital and now Patrick goes after school. He wants to become a doctor, so it is good practice.”
Bella cocked her head to one side, but Kathleen pretended not to see. She stared ahead, determined not to talk about her problems. Compared to what these children were going through, she had none. She didn’t want Bella asking questions, so she changed the topic.
“So, how are the plans for the orphanage going? Bridget wrote to say you had found some opposition to it.”
Bella’s eyes hardened. “You could say that. Some people in Riverside Springs thought having an orphanage would lead to an increase in crime. Honestly, you should hear some of them. I was all set to write to Lily and get her to come down and sort them out.”
Kathleen could just see Lily striding into action.
“Bridget won them over in the end. She told them real-life stories of some orphans. She changed their names, but the impact was the same. Even the most hard-hearted people there came around. All except Mrs. Willis.”
Kathleen didn’t know who that was. “I don’t remember meeting a Mrs. Willis.”
“You haven’t had the pleasure. She is some distant cousin of Geoff Rees. Must be very distant as they couldn’t be less alike if they tried. She has some money and bought a large spread to the north of town. As you know, we want it near the new school, but she objected. Says the children from New York will taint the Riverside children.”
Kathleen stopped in her stride. “That’s ridiculous. Apart from anything else, does she know just how many of the Riverside children came from New York?”
“She knows. I might have told her on more than one occasion. Oh Kathleen, I don’t have the temperament for dealing with the likes of Mrs. Willis. She is just so…so judgmental. Why did she have to come live in our town? It was perfect, well, near enough until that woman arrived.”
Kathleen couldn’t answer that.
“Does she have a family of her own?”
Bella shook her head. “No, no husband either. Just her and her mangy looking cat.”
Kathleen burst out laughing but even as she did so, she thought of Granny’s prediction. She had seen a lady and her black cat in the tea leaves.
“The cat isn’t black is it?” Kathleen asked despite herself.
Bella stared at her. “Yes it is, how did you know? Has Bridget written to you about Mrs. Willis?”
Granny had got something else right. Kathleen pushed the thought away.
“Bella. You can’t blame the cat for her owner.”
“Just wait till you meet this cat. I swear it’s her shadow–is that what you call it when someone comes back in cat form?”
Kathleen laughed again. Bella soon joined in. “Sorry, she just drives me up the walls.”
“Bella, you can’t come back as anything if you are not dead.” At Bella’s puzzled look, Kathleen explained. “You said Mrs. Willis is alive and well.”
Bella quickly retorted. “Miracles could happen, maybe she will do the decent thing and disappear while we are here in Green River.”
“Bella Curran, you can’t go around saying things like that. If Father Nelson was here, he would give you a dozen prayers to say for your soul.” Kathleen linked her arm with her friend, thrilled to have her close. She’d missed her so much.
“If Father Nelson was here, he would get rid of that woman and her cat. Brian will tell you. The both of them are a menace.”
Chapter 33
Kathleen didn’t get to find out anything more about Mrs. Willis as they arrived at the hotel. Everyone was waiting for her. The boys and girls were chattering among themselves. She clapped her hands to get their attention.
“Children listen please. Boys, you go with Brian and he will help you get situated. Girls, follow me and Bella. We will all meet back down here at five for dinner.”
“Yes, Mrs. Green.” The chorus of voices caught the attention of other guests. Some smiled toward the children, but many had a less kind reaction. A couple sniffed the air. Kathleen could see Bella’s temper rising so she stepped in quickly.
“Right come along, children. I can’t wait to see you all in your new clothes.”
Her words had the right effect as the children hurried upstairs. Kathleen gave Brian a bag of boy’s clothes. “Good luck.”
“Thanks Kathleen, but how hard can it be? I have two boys now.”
Kathleen didn’t tell him dealing with eight tired boys would be rather different. He could find that out for himself.
Bella escorted half the girls to one room, while Cindy and the remaining girls followed Kathleen.
“Can we keep the clothes we have?” a girl asked, her hand in the pocket of the outfit she’d worn on the train. In the old days, they had changed the children into new clothes before they left New York. But a few trips and experience with the smoke-filled train cars made them come up with a different plan. Now the children washed and changed once they arrived at the town in which they hoped to be placed.
“No dear. Best we don’t. You all have two new full sets of clothes.”
Cindy took a step back. “I ain't giving up my dress. You can’t make me. They tried to take it away before. All that happened was they tore it.”
Looking at the torn dress which barely covered the tips of her ankles and stretched too tight across the bodice, Kathleen was tempted to argue. But she held her tongue. The dress was all that Cindy owned, and it was understandable she would want to keep it.
“We can wash it and see if those marks come out. In the meantime, have your bath and we will see how your new clothes look.”
Cindy didn’t look convinced, but at least she didn’t argue. Kathleen considered the girl for two seconds before becoming engrossed in seeing to the needs of the others. She and Cindy were the same height. Cindy was much thinner, but it still might work. One of the dresses she had brought with her would suit Cindy’s coloring. It was prettier than the orphanage clothes. She would need Bella’s help to get it taken in, but maybe she could put a smile on the girl’s face. Feeling happier, she turned to the younger girls and was soon up to her elbows in suds.
Chapter 34
Once they were all washed and dressed in their new clothes, Kathleen helped the girls with their hair. Cindy turned out to be an accomplished hairdresser, completing five sets of braids while Kathleen was still on the first child. Mia wouldn’t let them put her hair in braids. Cindy didn’t push her.
“Where did you get so good at doing braids?” Bella asked Cindy.
Cindy didn’t bother to look at Bella but responded rudely, “In the orphanage. Where do you think?”
“Cindy, don’t be rude,” Kathleen admonished her. “Bella was only asking.”
“Well, I hardly learnt how to do braids in a salon on Fifth Avenue, did I?”
“Cindy. That’s enough. Apologize please.”
“Sorry.” Cindy was out the door before Kathleen could stop her. She went to go after her, but Bella said to leave her be.
“Poor girl, she’s probably terrified and too proud to show it. I remember how she feels. What type of family have you picked for her?” Bella asked.
Kathleen finished the braid she was working on, in silence.
“Kathleen?”
“I haven’t any picked out for her. Father Molloy had a letter from one couple asking for a girl Cindy’s age to help on their farm. He thought it would be a good match.”
“But you don’t?” Bella questioned.
“She would be wasted in that position,” Kathleen retorted.
Kathleen continued to take her time braiding hair, but she should have known Bella wouldn’t leave it at that. Be
lla sat forward in her chair.
“Why do I get a bad feeling about this?”
“It’s not because of anything bad,” Kathleen assured her. “Cindy is a clever girl. I think being stuck on a farm would be the worst placement. I wish I had an alternative.”
Bella sighed. “You had me worried. I thought you had found out something bad about the people who applied for Cindy to come live with them. There might be an alternative.”
Kathleen eyed Bella curiously.
“What about taking her to Riverside Springs? You’ve seen how good she is with the children. She could help Bridget. And with the new master in town to teach the older children, she could stay on at school. Then she could become a teacher like Angel did or something else. A pharmacist even.”
Bemused, Kathleen stared at Bella who rolled her eyes.
“Kathleen, haven’t you read about Cora Dow in your papers? They had an article on her in one Carl gave me to read. She is a qualified pharmacist, but even more surprising she now owns something like ten of her own drug stores. She has an ice cream factory too. Things are changing, Kathleen.”
“I never thought you were a suffragette, I thought that was Lily’s thing. You always seemed to be so happy being a wife and mother,” Kathleen said.
Bella pretended to be horrified. She put her hands over her mouth as if Kathleen had cursed.
“Kathleen Green! Do you not remember I set up my own dressmaking business? You were supposed to come with me. We were going to take over the world.”
Kathleen giggled. “Yes, I remember. But then you met Brian and, well, the rest is history.”
She wondered if Bella’s idea would work. What would Cindy think about it? She couldn’t believe the girl would relish attending school with its accompanying rules, but she could ask her. She could at least give the girl some control over her future.
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