Orphan Train Tragedy

by Rachel Wesson

“But Wilma nothing. He ain’t got parents, didn’t you hear the lady? She said nobody came to find him in a whole two years. Can’t help thinking if he was well cared for and then they suddenly found him on the streets, his parents likely met with an accident or some such. Anyway, we need a son and he need a home. Right missus?”

  Kathleen knew better than to get involved between husband and wife.

  “Why don’t you take Billy over to that table and have a chat with him? I will come by in a little while to answer any questions you might have.”

  Before she had the words out of her mouth, Wilma had gone to claim Billy.

  “I don’t mean to sound nasty, missus. I wouldn’t want to see the boy left with a man like your fella threw out. But I can’t bear my Wilma to hurt. It took her so long to accept she wasn’t going to have children. She told me I ought to leave her and go find another woman. But I told her she be right stupid. I married her and I’m going to stay married to her. She be the best wife any man could wish for and then some.”

  Kathleen swallowed hard. Now she could see why Wilma thought Billy resembled her husband. So much for her telling Cindy not to judge people by appearances. Hadn’t she just done the same?

  “Thank you, Mr. Higgins. I assure you we believe the parents to be dead. Either way, after all this time it is highly unlikely, they would come looking for Billy. We could have placed him with a family before now, but we were hoping to reunite him with his parents. He doesn’t have any memories of them or at least he hasn’t spoken of them.”

  The man tipped his hat at her and then went to find his wife.

  Kathleen had to take a deep breath to get a hold on her emotions. She wondered if Richard would defend her quite so fiercely. If she offered to leave him so he could find another wife to give him a child, would he decline so vigorously?

  Liam moved to her side.

  “Sis, you alright? You look very pale. Want me to fetch Bella back?”

  “No, thank you, Liam, but I appreciate your thoughtfulness.” Kathleen squeezed her brother’s arm affectionately before turning her attention back to her charges.

  The hours passed and they were able to match up most of the remaining children, not always with as loving homes as they had found for Billy. But at least the orphans would have a chance at a decent life and be fed and housed.

  Chapter 39

  She was left with three children, excluding Pieter and Cindy. She walked back to the stage where the little group waited. Liam was playing with two of the boys. They had rolled up a sweater into a makeshift football and were messing around. Mia sat on her own fiddling with her hair.

  “Hello sweetheart, you did well today.” Kathleen took a seat next to the child.

  “Nobody wanted me,” the girl said.

  “They don’t know you,” Kathleen replied, desperately trying to find the words to console the girl. She knew why people didn’t adopt Mia. The kind ones would worry that they didn’t have the money for further treatment if her burns needed medical help. The less generous ones would worry what their neighbors thought of this child with half of her face was covered in a red raised burn mark.

  “My parents didn’t want me. I’ll never find a family.” The girl put her head on Kathleen’s shoulder.

  “Sweetheart, who told you that about your parents? Father Nelson told me they probably died in the fire.”

  “You don’t know that for sure. Stephen told me the truth. My mother screamed when she saw me, and my father died of fright.”

  “Mia, you forget that nonsense at once. Wait till I get my hands on Stephen. That’s a horrible thing to say, and it isn’t the truth.” Kathleen knew the boy Mia mentioned. He wasn’t one of the sanctuary children but a long-term project of Father Nelson’s. Everyone else saw Stephen for the mean-spirited bully he was, but Father Nelson was convinced there was good in him, somewhere. Inspector Griffin didn’t share Father Nelson’s feelings. The policeman had left Kathleen in no doubt he believed Stephen would end up in the tombs, the notorious New York prison, and what’s more, it was where he belonged.

  Father Nelson believed every child could be saved, something the rest of those involved with the sanctuary didn’t believe. As Mini Mike said, some were born evil, and that was the way it was.

  “So why did they leave me?” Mia’s whispered question got Kathleen’s attention.

  Kathleen gathered the girl onto her lap. “They didn’t leave you, or at least not the way you think. We believe they may have died in the same fire you got hurt in. You don’t remember and we have no way to find out. You were found at the hospital.”

  Kathleen hoped that would be enough information, but the younger girl had more questions.

  “Did they dump me because of the way I look?”

  “No. Whoever brought you to the hospital, saved your life. You’d have died otherwise. I am sure your parents loved you. Any parents would.”

  Kathleen wished she could tell the child she wanted to adopt her. But she couldn’t. She had to speak to Richard first. She knew he would probably agree. But still, it wasn’t up to her alone. The worst thing she could do was to build up Mia’s hopes only to have them dashed.

  Why hadn’t she told Richard about her visit to Granny Belbin and the old lady’s prediction Kathleen would find a child who needed a home? What better father could Mia hope for? A father who could help repair the damage done by the fire. It was fate that had thrown them together.

  Mia tried to speak but it took a couple of attempts before she found her voice.

  “Not unless they were blind.” Mia’s eyes lit up. “Maybe you could take me somewhere blind people live and then they would be my mother. It wouldn’t matter they couldn’t see me.”

  “Oh Mia,” Kathleen cuddled the girl close as the tears came. She cried too. For the harsh world they lived in which wouldn’t give a chance to this little girl. She seemed so sweet and kind.

  “Come on, Mia darling, let’s get out of here and go back to the hotel. You can have a bath if you like?”

  Mia hiccuped as she put a hand toward her face. Kathleen tried to stop her from scratching. She knew from what Richard said, that burns could become very itchy but if scratched there was a risk of infection.

  “Mia, don’t touch your face, sweetheart. You could hurt yourself.”

  As Mia pulled her hand away, Kathleen glimpsed the back of her neck. The scars weren’t confined to her face, but usually the ones on her body were pale compared to her face. Today they looked red and angry. Kathleen felt the child’s forehead. She felt a little hot. But it was very warm inside.

  “I saw a store that sold cream-sodas on our way here. Would you like one?”

  “Oh yes, please. The nurses at the hospital used to sneak ice-cream in to me sometimes. They were kind. I miss it there.” The tears formed again but only in one eye. Kathleen had missed that the first time. The eye on the damaged side of her face didn’t cry.

  “Right, let’s grab my brother Liam who, despite telling me he is all grown up, loves ice-cream. We can buy one for Toby and Finn too. And then we will find out what Cindy and Pieter were doing all this time.”

  “Miss Kathleen?”

  “Yes, Mia.”

  “Are you going to take me to live in the orphanage? The one your sister has?”

  “I don’t know yet,” Kathleen answered carefully. “Would you like that?”

  She was surprised when Mia shook her head.

  “Why sweetheart? My sister is kind.”

  “Yes, but children aren’t. They make fun of me. I’d like to go back to New York. To the hospital.” Mia shuddered before her voice broke on the last word, “Please.”

  Mia flung herself at Kathleen again. She didn’t have the heart to tell the child that avenue was closed. The hospital Mia had stayed in had exhausted all avenues of treatment. But maybe Richard could help?

  Chapter 40

  Once they got back to the hotel, Bella took one look at Kathleen and sent her upstairs to her roo
m for a nap. She sent Cindy up a couple of minutes later with a cup of tea and instructions that Kathleen was not to reappear downstairs until later that evening. They would stay one more night in the hotel and then head to Riverside Springs the next day. Brian was paying and Kathleen was to relax.

  But she couldn’t. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Mia and then Granny Belbin and the look on her face over the tea leaves. She must have fallen asleep as she woke herself up by screaming out. She’d dreamt Richard was calling for her but couldn’t reach her. She was losing her mind. Frightened out of her wits, she got up and dressed. Just as she was putting the final touches to her hair, she heard the soft knock on the door.

  “Kathleen, Mia is crying for you,” Cindy said from the other side. “Can I bring her in?”

  “Of course.”

  Cindy came in holding Mia’s hand. As soon as she saw Kathleen the young child ran to her.

  “What happened? Why is she so upset?”

  “Liam took the boys outside to play ball. We went out to watch and then two boys and girls, locals, came over. They weren’t nice to anyone, but they were unkind to Mia. They called her horrible names.”

  “I’m a monster. I want to go home. Please take me back to the hospital. At least there they have other people who look like me. Please, Miss Kathleen, you can make it happen. Please.”

  Chapter 41

  Kathleen thought long and hard over the journey to Riverside Springs arguing with herself over whether she should tell Mia of her plans to adopt her. She sat beside the child in the back of Brian’s wagon. Liam entertained Toby and Finn while Kathleen nursed Mia. The girl had a fever, but it wasn’t too high. They all hoped it was just the torment of the last few days.

  Soon they reached the center of town where Bridget’s daughter Mary-Jane was waiting for them. Or rather, she was halfway up a tree screaming hello. Bridget came running out of the new building with Angel behind her.

  “Kathleen, so good to see you. Children welcome. You must all be parched. There is some lemonade on the table. Mary-Jane will you take them inside.”

  Cindy jumped down from the wagon taking Pieter’s hand.

  “Yes Ma.” Mary-Jane led the way, and the boys followed. Mia moved closer to Kathleen .

  “It’s all right, Mia. You can stay with me. This is my sister, Bridget, and my sister-in-law, Angel. They both live here in Riverside Springs now, but they came from New York. This is Mia.”

  “Afternoon Mia. Glad to have you with us. Do you mind if I give Kathleen a hug? I haven’t seen her in such a long time.” Angel stepped forward closely followed by Bridget.

  “Angel, where is Shane?” Kathleen asked.

  “He took the boys fishing. They were driving us mad asking when you would be coming.” Angel’s whole face lit up when talking about her children. “They got it into their head, Lily’s twins would come with you.”

  “Not this time,” Kathleen replied. But Teddy is dead keen to come. So, Bridget, how are the plans for the orphanage going?”

  “Slowly! I thought as soon as the building was up the pace would quicken, but one after another thing has gone wrong. Nothing major, but it’s slowing us down.”

  Kathleen didn’t like seeing her sister look so troubled.

  “Bella mentioned you had trouble with a certain lady,” Kathleen said.

  “I wouldn’t call her a lady,” Bridget hissed before saying loudly, “Good afternoon, Mrs. Willis. Isn’t it a lovely day?”

  “It was until your orphans turned up. So, this is the first batch you are going to impose on us.”

  Kathleen immediately disliked the woman without even seeing her. Her scathing tone reminded her of certain members of Father Nelson’s church. Those who felt being poor or orphaned was a choice.

  Taking a deep breath to settle her swirling stomach, Kathleen turned to look at the speaker as keeping her back to the woman would be rude. Mrs. Willis was holding a baby in her arms. No wait, it wasn’t a child. Kathleen’s eyes focused on the biggest cat she had ever seen. The poor animal was so overweight, her rolls had rolls. The woman’s skinny hand caressed the cat, the contrast only serving to highlight the suffering of the abused animal. How could anyone claim to love animals and mistreat a pet so badly?

  She sensed she was being scrutinized. Lifting her head, her gaze locked with that of the older woman. Kathleen anchored her feet to the ground despite the temptation to take a step back from the unbridled hate spewing out from the woman. What had happened to this lady to make her hate people she had never met?

  “You must be the do-gooder sister. You bear a passing resemblance to Mrs. Watson. Who is the waif at your side? What sob story does she bring to our town? Why is she hiding her face? Covered in scabs and other unmentionables, I assume?”

  Mia turned her head into Kathleen’s dress. She could feel the little girl shaking. Fury threatened to take over Kathleen’s body. She clenched her fists, her fingernails digging into the palm of her hands. She wouldn’t dignify this woman by interacting with her, nor would she give Mrs. Willis the satisfaction of losing her temper. Instead, she employed the voice she used when dealing with Richard’s wealthier patients. Those who expected her to have been born on the best side of town.

  “Please excuse me, Mia isn’t feeling too well. I best take her inside.”

  Kathleen took Mia’s hand and walked away leaving the woman staring after her. Angel followed her inside.

  “Kathleen, you did a wonderful job not losing your temper with that horrible woman. I have to get away or I will slap that awful woman. The things she says. Honestly, your priest should pray for her. And for us. One of us will murder her.”

  “Someone should take that poor cat away from her. She is feeding it to death.”

  “Victoria? Yes I suppose she is. I don’t care about that animal, she’s as vicious as her owner. Scratched some of the children in my class. If I had my way, I would stuff it.”

  “Angel!”

  Kathleen laughed. Angel may have grown from the 14-year-old kid she had met back in New York, but she hadn’t lost her spark or her ability to talk fast.

  “Now Mia, what can I get for you?” Angel bent and spoke to the child, holding her gaze. Kathleen felt a swell of pride for the woman who had married her brother.

  Mia looked up at Kathleen.

  “Go on Mia. You can have anything you want,” Kathleen assured her.

  “Can I have some lemonade please? I’m thirsty.”

  “You can,” Angel said, smiling. “Come to the kitchen. Kathleen, do you want to find your room upstairs? Second door from the top. Bridget got it ready for you yesterday.”

  Kathleen needed a few minutes alone. She was still shaking after her encounter and didn’t want to upset Mia.

  “Mia, I will be right down just as soon as I change. You will be fine with Angel, but Cindy is here too.”

  “She is, but she’s on the swing out in the garden,” Angel said. “Look Mia.”

  Bella came in the door as they looked out to see Cindy lifting her skirts almost up to her drawers as she laughed and played on the swing. Kathleen thought she had never heard a nicer sound. Cindy looked younger than her years.

  “Kathleen, looks like we need to teach her how to wear her new dress not just sew it for her,” Bella said, trying to keep a straight face, but she gave up. They all laughed. The children were safe, out of the eye of the public and they needed to let off some steam. Who cared if the twelve-year-old wasn’t behaving in a suitable fashion? She could learn manners in time.

  Chapter 42

  Kathleen left Mia giggling downstairs, relieved that the girl must be feeling better. She walked upstairs but hadn’t reached the top when Bella came to find her.

  “Now you have met the horrible Mrs. Willis. You handled her so well, I think she was secretly impressed.”

  “Bella, she is lucky I didn’t push her over on her backside. What horrors turned her into such a hateful woman?”

  “Trust yo
u to be kind enough to think something horrible happened to her. I think she was born nasty. Anyway, enough about Mrs. Willis. I know you are tired, but I have to get back to my place now. I will see you later. I just wanted you to know I will be back. There is something bothering you, Kathleen, and I aim to find out exactly what it is,” Bella promised.

  “I’m fine,” Kathleen told her. “Just tired.”

  “Yeah, tell that to someone who will believe you. You are tired, but you are not fine. Why don’t you take a nap while the children are busy downstairs? They’re safe here. Bridget won’t let Mrs. Willis over the step.”

  “Oh, I missed you Bella.” Kathleen gave her friend a hug and then went to her room. She didn’t bother to undress but threw herself on the covers. Being around her family especially her nephews and nieces made the wish for a child even stronger. Finally she let the tears fall, soaking the pillow as she muffled the noise of her sobs. She must have cried herself to sleep. Someone, probably Bridget had come into the room at some point because when Kathleen woke, the covers from the bed were lying over her.

  Chapter 43

  It was late in the evening when Kathleen went back downstairs. The children had been fed and put to bed with Cindy taking responsibility for Mia.

  “Kathleen, you look so much better,” Bridget said before filling the kettle and placing it on the stove. “Sit down and have a chat with me. Bella said she would come back tomorrow morning, so it is only the two of us.”

  “Where’s Cindy ?”

  “Mia wanted her to stay with her, so she did. Wonderful young girl, isn’t she?”

  “She is, although she is rough around the edges.” Kathleen told Bridget her plans for Cindy. “She is so intelligent, Bridget. She would enjoy going to school. She is superb with the little ones too.”

  “I see that. Is that why you said you wanted her to live at the orphanage rather than be adopted?” Bridget asked.