Hannah's Journey

by June Venable

  “You’ll hardly have time, Caroline. We’ll see each other in two weeks.” Hannah called to the empty air.

  With Caroline gone, the house grew quiet. Uncle David was due shortly and Aunt Margaret had said she needed a little more time to finish dressing. Delia usually rested in her room after lunch, so even the kitchen sounds were absent. Hannah sat in the pink floral bedroom chair. The stillness gave rise to her thoughts.

  It had been more than five years since she arrived in Lafitte. She had been so happy here, yet sadness lingered because neither her father nor Teddy had been found. Uncle David had searched through his law firm, but had never turned up a trace. Images unfolded in her mind. She thought of her first meeting with the Logans and how she had come to care for them. They’d always been there for her.

  She shivered as pictures of the tornado filled her mind, but if that terrible storm had not happened her leg might still be in a brace. She quickly dismissed thoughts of the time her classmate accused of cheating. Since then, Rosie had become a staunch friend. The Williams and the Logan families visited each other often and John Williams was now a valued employee of Mr. Logan’s law firm.

  The thought of the professor brought a smile to her face when she remembered the wedding of Benjamin Webster and Sylvia Cooper. She and Caroline were members of the wedding. People remembered Caroline as the most energetic flower girl Lafitte had seen in some time. The janitor at the church grumbled that he had never had so many rose petals to clean up.

  Her years in high school brought wonderful memories. On her first day, Miss Trent and Mr. Dobbs surprised her by coming into her classroom. They asked for a few minutes time to present Hannah with an honor.

  The class cheered when Mr. Dobbs said, “Hannah, this award is long overdue. After the tornado, your surgery and recuperation, the summer was over. But we want to present you with the academic medal you won last spring. When the grades were tallied, yours ranked the highest. Congratulations!”

  Hannah walked over to her dressing table and picked up the dark blue velvet box. Nestled inside, the gold medal sparkled. The inscription on the ribbon read, “For Academic Excellence.” The award was one of Hannah’s most prized possessions. The other, a medal won for “Most Promising Young Pianist.” Two years ago, Hannah had entered a competition in Dallas. Of the fifty young people who competed, she had come out on top. She recalled the exciting event.

  Remembrances of the wonderful trip to Galveston came to mind. She and Caroline had spent hours running in and out of the surf searching for shells washed up by the Gulf Stream. Evenings were spent on the wide verandah of the Hotel Galvez. Now the circle was complete. After the two-week tour, Hannah would end up in Galveston. She had received an invitation to participate in a competition by the Texas Music Society.

  The contest offered the most prestigious award to the winner, who was considered best in the state. The prize included a trip to New York and a check for one thousand dollars. Hannah started downstairs. As she reached the first floor, Uncle David came in.

  “Ah, Hannah, how lovely you look in your traveling outfit. I wish we could go with you today, but a case keeps me here. However, we’ll certainly arrive in time for your big night.”

  “I know. I’ll miss all of you, but I’ll look forward to seeing you in Galveston. Maybe we can go to the beach again.”

  “That sounds fine. I’m sure Caroline will enjoy that. We had such a good time there before. Now, let’s round up the other ladies and get on our way. This is an important trip for you.”

  “I’ll get Caroline, Uncle David, and we’ll meet you at the car.”

  At last, the family gathered outside and started for the station. They spent the time discussing Hannah’s travels for the next two weeks.

  “Hannah, please send me postcards from all the places you visit,” Caroline begged.

  “Caroline, Hannah will be very busy. She may not have time to write,” said Aunt Margaret.

  Hannah turned to the younger girl. “I’ll certainly try. And it won’t seem too long before we’ll all meet in Galveston.”

  Arriving at the station, The Logans found the Websters already waiting. A flurry of “goodbyes” took place and soon the train pulled out of the station. The Logans stood and waved until it disappeared from sight.

  Hannah’s schedule started in Dallas, continuing to Ft. Worth, Austin, and Houston. It ended with the concert and award ceremony in Galveston.

  After a pleasant trip, the three settled into their hotel. They decided to have dinner in the dining room of their lodgings that evening. They planned time in the morning to see the city before Hannah had to go to the auditorium to practice. They found Dallas a vital, growing city filled with exciting shops, tall buildings and wooded parks. Discovering the qualities of each city in which she performed enriched Hannah’s knowledge, and her travels increased the love for her adopted state.

  When at last they reached Galveston, Sylvia Webster encouraged Hannah to take a day to rest. Not knowing how prophetic her words were, she said, “Hannah, you must rest. The next couple of days might be some of the most important ones in your life.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN – DISCOVERED

  “Mama, what should I pack for Hannah’s contest?” Caroline stood before her closet door and peered at the orderly row of dresses hanging there.

  “Let me see.” Her mother whisked into Caroline’s bedroom. “Why not the peach outfit for the concert, then take the yellow and green ones for the couple of days we plan to stay in Galveston afterward? Oh, and don’t forget your bathing outfit for the beach.”

  “All right, Mama. I can’t wait for Hannah to go swimming with me again.”

  “You’ll have to be careful though, Caroline. In August, the stinging jellyfish will be in the gulf waters. They can ruin a vacation.”

  “I will, Mama. Thank you for helping me choose…”

  Before she finished her sentence, the slamming of the screen door and her father’s voice interrupted her. “Margaret! Caroline! Come quickly and hear some wonderful news. Hurry!”

  David Logan’s wife and daughter rushed down the stairs, calling out to him. “What’s happened, Papa?”

  “Is anything wrong, David?”

  “Sit down, both of you. I have some good news. Oh, how I wish Hannah were here.”

  Margaret and Caroline sat together on the settee while David paced the floor.

  “Please tell us, David. Does it involve Hannah?”

  “Indeed, it does. My firm received news of her friend, Teddy Smith!”

  “Oh, David, how wonderful!”

  “Tell us, Papa. Tell us about Teddy.”

  “All right. But first, Margaret, you’d better ask Delia to set another place at the table. We’re having a guest for supper.”

  “I know, Papa! I know who it is! It’s Teddy, isn’t it?”

  “You’re right. While I stepped out of the office today, a telephone call came from Teddy. He had received our letter, telling him that I am Hannah’s legal guardian and a member of the law firm who searched for him. My firm found him through a newspaper article that included his name with a group who helped to put out an oil fire.”

  Caroline and her mother looked at one another in amazement.

  “Well, it seems Mr. Smith became very excited and only took time to say he would catch today’s train before he hung up. He’s right here in East Texas.” Consulting his pocket watch, David Logan said, “I must go meet his train. It arrives in twenty minutes”

  “Papa, may I go with you to meet him?”

  “Certainly Caroline, but we must hurry. I just came home to tell you both the good news. Margaret, how about you? Would you like to come along?”

  “If you don’t mind, I’ll wait here. I want to help Delia get everything ready.”

  “All right. Let’s get on our way, Caroline. We don’t want to keep Mr. Smith waiting any longer than necessary. After all, he’s waited more than five years now.” Parking near the station, Caroline an
d her father walked over to the area where arriving passengers gathered.

  Before the train stopped completely, a tall young man with a hint of freckles jumped off. He walked with long strides and his mouth turned up in an easy smile.

  As he looked around, Caroline rushed forward, calling, “Are you Teddy, Hannah’s friend?”

  “That I am. And who are you, young lady?”

  Caroline blushed then and turned to her father who had hurried after her.

  “You must forgive my impulsive daughter, Mr. Smith. May I present Miss Caroline Logan and I am David Logan. We’ve waited a very long time to meet you.”

  “How do you do, Mr. Logan?” Teddy extended his hand to the older man. “I only learned your name yesterday, but I’m delighted to meet you both.”

  Looking around then, his smile faded. “I thought Hannah might be here.”

  “You got off the phone in such a hurry, my partner didn’t have time to tell you that Hannah is out of town. She’s on a concert tour.”

  “A concert tour, sir?”

  “Yes, Hannah plays piano. She’s traveling around the state and will end the tour in Galveston. She then enters an important contest on Saturday.”

  Teddy looked relieved. “When does she return?”

  “I have an idea. We leave in the morning to go to Galveston to see Hannah perform. Why don’t you plan on staying overnight with us and taking the train down tomorrow?”

  “Thank you, sir. I came prepared to stay at the local hotel. But if you think Mrs. Logan wouldn’t mind, I’ll gladly accept your hospitality.”

  “She’ll be delighted to have you. If I were to leave you at the hotel, she would never forgive me. I also have something to ask you and hope you’ll go along with it. As of now, we haven’t called Hannah. We didn’t want her to think of anything yet beside the contest. If you don’t mind, all we ask is that you wait until we arrive in Galveston before she learns we’ve located you. Will you do that?”

  “Yes, sir. I’m anxious to see Hannah, but I wouldn’t do anything to distract her from the contest.”

  “Fine. Let’s get on our way, then. You must meet Mrs. Logan and Delia, who will try to fatten you up in one meal. I think the menu tonight includes strawberry shortcake, so that should help.”

  Teddy laughed and followed David Logan and Caroline to the car.

  Reaching home, the trio found Margaret Logan standing on the porch. Coming down the walk to meet them, Margaret greeted Teddy. “Welcome to our home, Mr. Smith.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Logan. Please call me Teddy.”

  “I will. Now, I hope you’re hungry. Delia has outdone herself. If you have room left after her meat loaf, I think you’ll find her strawberry shortcake the best around.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  Later, when Teddy had sampled Delia’s cooking and with two helpings of shortcake under his belt, he went to the kitchen. “Delia, that’s the best meal I’ve had in some time.”

  Delia beamed. “You need some fattening up, young man. Stay around and I’ll see that you put on some extra pounds.”

  “I’d like nothing better, Delia.”

  Joining the family in the parlor, they urged Teddy to tell them what had happened since he and Hannah parted.

  Taking a deep breath, he plunged into the story of his search for Hannah. The Logans listened as the young man revealed how his travels had taken him from city to city.

  “All I knew was that Hannah had been sent to Texas. I just didn’t know how big Texas was,” Teddy said, smiling. “I wanted to keep my promise to her about helping to find her father.”

  David and Margaret Logan exchanged glances.

  “I’m sorry for the way I left Nebraska, and the family there. I hope I’m a little more considerate now. I’ve called the Walters. They were the family I lived with. They forgave me for leaving with just a note and wished me well in my search.”

  “What did you do then, Teddy,” piped up Caroline.

  “Well, I only had a little cash the Walters had given me for spending money for helping with the chores. I had enough to get a train ticket for Texas. Being large for my age helped me get jobs here and there. In each city I went to, I walked around hoping to spot Hannah.”

  Teddy blushed as he went on. “It seems silly, I know, but I thought if I sat on a park bench, or looked into shop windows that I would find her.”

  Caroline hung onto every word. “I wish we had known you were in Texas, Teddy.”

  “I do too, Miss Caroline. I did find out from the railroad that the Orphan Trains only went to the eastern area of Texas, so that narrowed my search somewhat. After that, I read an advertisement in the newspaper that the oil fields in East Texas were looking for roustabouts. The money looked good, so a couple of years ago I signed on. I thought I could earn enough money to continue my search.”

  “What’s a roustabout, Teddy?”

  Teddy laughed. “I guess you’d call it unskilled labor, sort of a Jack of all trades. But I’m happy to say I’ve become good at what I do and I’ve learned a lot about the oil business as well as other things.”

  “What do you mean?” David gave Teddy a keen look.

  “Well, sir, I met a man on the job who had no formal education but had read extensively. He carried a trunk of books around with him. He loaned me the books and at night, after I finished working, I read by the light of a coal oil lamp. I found learning exciting. I had a couple of days off once and went to the nearest city and asked the high school principal if I could somehow apply for a high school diploma. He listened to my story and asked me to come back when I could and take a test. The next time I could get away, I went back and took an examination. A month later, I had my diploma.”

  “Well done, Teddy, well done,” exclaimed David Logan. Caroline clapped and her mother had tears in her eyes as she listened to Teddy’s story.

  It was apparent that Teddy’s accomplishment had made him proud. “There’s more. I applied to a new school in Houston. It’s called Rice Institute. I plan to take courses that will help me later. I think I’d like to stay in the oil business, but not as a roustabout.” He finished with a big grin.

  “I can’t tell you how pleased I am to hear you say that, Teddy. I understand the oil business will grow tremendously. You’ve made a wise choice.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “What a wonderful story, Teddy, and what a remarkable time you’ve had in your short life.”

  “I agree,” David said, “but I think you told my partner that you also have news about Hannah’s father. You knew she was in Texas, but what a coincidence finding Mr. Monroe here too.”

  “Yes, I do have news. It’s amazing that after looking so long for Hannah, I didn’t recognize her father at first. However, some time had passed since I had seen his picture in her locket. Does she still have it?”

  Caroline answered. “Yes, she does. It’s her favorite keepsake.”

  Teddy nodded. “I’m not surprised. That locket sort of introduced me to Hannah, and it turned out to be the main thing that proved to me Mr. Monroe was really her father as he claimed.”

  “We’re anxious to hear about Hannah’s father. How did you two meet?”

  “Oh, David, do let Teddy rest now. He’s had a long day and we must get an early start tomorrow. He can tell us the rest of his story while we travel.”

  Caroline reluctantly went to bed. “Please don’t say another word until I can listen, Teddy. Do you promise?”

  “May I just say one word?”

  “What?” Caroline asked suspiciously.

  “Goodnight,” he said, earning a smile from the little girl.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN – A FATHER’S STORY

  By mid-morning the Logans, along with Teddy, had boarded the train and headed south to Galveston. As they settled into their seats, Caroline turned to Teddy. “Did you know that this makes my second time on a train?”

  “No, I didn’t. You’re a well-traveled young lady, Miss Carolin
e.”

  “You may call me Caroline now that we’re acquainted.” She smoothed her dress and cast a sideways glance at him.

  Murmuring to her husband, Margaret Logan said, “Caroline looks smitten with Teddy. Hannah might have some competition.”

  “Teddy, we’re anxious to hear about your meeting with Mr. Monroe. It still strikes me as an amazing coincidence that you two found one another,” David Logan said.

  Teddy agreed. “After working in several oil fields, I wound up at Barber’s Hill. People seem to change locations a lot in this business when there are rumors of big strikes. It’s difficult to make friends, but a few months ago an older fellow came to the camp. He asked about lodgings and I told him about the rooming house where I live. The work keeps you too busy to do much talking during the day, but in the evenings we used the parlor for conversation. We struck up a friendship although he seemed a very private person. He never mentioned much about himself.”

  Teddy looked out at the passing scenery as if he were recalling that astonishing conversation.

  “One evening, as we talked, he pulled a worn, old handkerchief from his pocket. I noticed someone had embroidered two initials in a corner. I knew the first initial stood for John. In the oil business, we usually stick to first names. When I complimented the intricate work, he looked sad and said, ‘My wife did this some years ago. The “M” stands for Monroe. My full name is John Monroe.’”

  Margaret Logan shivered.

  “When he said this, my heart leapt. I knew there could be many Monroes, but I couldn’t help myself. I just blurted out, ‘do you have a daugher named Hannah?’”

  Caroline nearly bounced out of the seat in her excitement.

  “For a moment, I thought I had made a terrible mistake in asking. John turned pale and couldn’t speak. I asked if I might get him a glass of water. He shook his head and grabbed my arm as he spoke. His voice was painful to hear.”

  “How do you know Hannah?’” he asked. “His eyes seemed to bore a hole in my face.”

  “I stuttered and stammered and finally told my story. His eyes never left mine as I told him of our meeting. When I mentioned the locket, tears sprang to his eyes.”