Orphan Train Brides

by Caroline Clemmons

  Instead, the attorney appeared to be struggling to keep from smiling. Even from this distance mischief shone from his eyes. “You know I have to defend nice people against mean ones, right? Reckon I have to practice looking hardhearted so when I go into court I can scare the cruel people. We can’t let them win if we can prevent that, can we?”

  Calvin uncrossed his arms and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Mean people should never win.”

  The boy’s face fell. “Sometimes they do anyway.”

  Woolf laid aside a sheaf of papers he’d probably been reading before Calvin interrupted him. “That’s true, but I always do my best to see the good people win. Unfortunately, sometimes the judge appoints me to defend a mean person, someone I’m sure is guilty. Know what I do then?”

  Calvin almost smiled. “You don’t do a good job.”

  The attorney shook his head slowly. “Wrong. I still do my very best. See, sometimes it appears a person is guilty when they’re not. The law says every person is innocent until proven guilty and that everyone deserves a fair trial.”

  “But what if they were caught doing the crime? Or, what if they admitted to you they did it?”

  “If I know for certain they committed an offense, I try to talk the person into pleading guilty in private, but in court I do the best I can to prove them innocent.”

  Calvin shook his head. “But, that’s not right. Guilty people should go to jail. If they killed someone like a man did my pa, they should hang.”

  Merry’s breath caught in her throat.

  Mr. Woolf stared at Calvin a few seconds before he answered, as if he were choosing his words carefully. “You know what an oath is, right?”

  “Cussin’ like…,” he leaned forward, “Bad words I ain’t allowed to say no more cause Mama’ll wash my mouth out with soap for sure if I say another one.”

  Merry almost gave herself away by laughing.

  Mr. Woolf shook his head. “That’s one kind but not in this case. An oath is like a promise you can never break. Ever. When I became a lawyer, I took an oath on the Bible to defend each person I represent to the best of my ability. A real man never goes back on his word.”

  Calvin sat on the floor beside the lawyer’s desk, a thoughtful look on his face. “So if you knew I murdered someone but I said I didn’t and you were my lawyer, you’d have to try to get me to go free?”

  “That’s correct. I’d have to look for ways to prove you were innocent. That’s called the defense. Now the person representing the court would be looking for proof you were guilty. That’s called the prosecution.”

  “I’m asking you now to be my lawyer.” Calvin stood and put coins on Mr. Woolf’s desk. “When I grow up, I’m gonna find the man what killed my pa and I’m gonna kill him.”

  Merry clutched her throat. Poor Calvin.

  Mr. Woolf gestured for the boy to come closer. “Calvin, let me tell you why that’s not a good idea. You’re nine, right? So, maybe for the next ten or eleven years you’ll be thinking about this man.”

  “That’s right. I ain’t never gonna forget him or that I want him dead as my pa.” Calvin’s voice sounded fiercer than his years.

  “In your insides those thoughts will be churning and festering worse than a sore that won’t heal. You know who that will hurt? Not the man who killed your pa.” He pointed at Calvin. “You’ll be the one damaged by your hate.”

  Calvin stood and rested his hands on the end of the desk. “You sayin’ I should let him get away with killin’ my pa?”

  “I know that sounds hard but that kind of person never just does one thing wrong. Eventually he’ll get caught. You don’t have to do anything unless you know he’s on trial somewhere. Then, you could go and tell the prosecution that the man is guilty of killing your father, but you’d have to have proof. Do you?”

  Calvin swiped his eyes on his sleeve. “I seen him. I was eight, but I seen it happen. He woulda killed me, too, but I run away and hid. I took care not to be anywhere he might notice me. That’s how come one day them Children’s Aid people picked me up and put me in the orph’nage. ’Fore I could run away I got put on that train what brought me here.”

  Merry had tears in her eyes as well. Finally she knew Calvin’s problem. She wanted to rush to him and cuddle him in her arms but she knew he would never allow that. She remained still and continued eavesdropping.

  Mr. Woolf said, “That must have been frightening. You’re very brave to act so fast and get away.”

  “Y-You think so? I been worried I shoulda stayed and helped my pa.”

  The attorney shook his head. “You couldn’t have helped him if you were killed too. Are you certain your father died?”

  “Yeah, he’d yelled before the man stabbed him and a neighbor come running. I hid and watched but I knew he was dead from the way he fell and all the blood on him.”

  “That was quick thinking. How did you live after that?”

  Calvin shrugged. “Lots of children live on the streets and alleys, mostly boys but some girls too. Some—I ain’t saying I did—but some mighta learned to pick pockets and pick up stuff a body left lying around.”

  The lawyer nodded instead of passing judgment. “Sounds like a hard life but I meant what did you eat?”

  “Mostly what we could find from rubbish bins behind cafés and stuff. You’d be surprised what people throw away.”

  “I guess I would. My family didn’t throw anything away unless we gave it to the hogs.”

  “You mean you were poor? You dress real nice and have a big office and all so I figured you had lots of money.”

  Mr. Woolf shook his head. “I’m the oldest of ten children. My mother wasn’t well, mostly from having too many children. If I wasn’t helping my father, I was looking after my brothers and sisters and my mother.”

  Calvin nodded sagely. “I reckon that’s why you stay away from us now. You probably seen all the children you want.”

  The lawyer laughed. “Something like that I guess. Don’t tell a soul, but I don’t dislike children, I just don’t want to be in charge of them right now.”

  “Not even when you get married? Aren’t you going to have your own children?”

  Blake Woolf leaned back. “Whoa, son, slow down. I’m trying to breathe life back into my late uncle’s law business. I can’t afford to marry yet. So far, I can’t even afford to buy a house.”

  Calvin stretched out his arms. “But, you don’t need to, you live in ours.”

  Merry stepped from the shadows and called to her son, “Calvin, have you forgotten you’re not to bother Mr. Woolf?”

  Calvin resumed his defensive stance. “I had to ask him something.”

  The lawyer stood when she entered his office. “We were discussing the law. He hired me and paid me a retainer. I am now officially his lawyer.” He picked up the five pennies Calvin had placed on the desk.

  “If your business has concluded, Calvin, you should leave Mr. Woolf’s office.”

  Calvin grimaced and stuck his hands in his pockets. “Yes, Mama.” He ambled slowly toward the suite in which they lived.

  When Calvin had gone into the living quarters, she turned to the lawyer. “Thank you for being kind to Calvin, Mr. Woolf. I’ve warned the children not to come to your office.”

  “Why do you call the other men at my table by their given names and not me?”

  Stammering, she refused to meet his gaze. “Well… I’ve… known them almost four years and we… we only recently met.”

  “Nice try, but I don’t think so. In the future, please call me Blake.”

  “I’ll try to remember. In the meantime, I’ll let you get back to work.” She hurried out of his office.

  How could she admit his presence sent her heart fluttering and directed her thoughts toward things she had no business thinking? Not just because he was the most attractive man she’d ever met, either. There was something about his manner that inspired trust and confidence.

  Oh, she was being sil
ly as a schoolgirl.

  Chapter Seven

  Blake reread his mother’s letter.

  Dear Son,

  I hope this finds you well. Don’t worry about me for I am fine. I have good neighbors who check on me regularly. Preacher Farris comes by twice a week.

  I might as well start with the news that will disturb you and get it over with. Jessie has run off and married Hector Evans and they’re living with his parents. You remember where they live, don’t you, the farm between here and Marshall? I know they’re old enough but they’re both young for their age—especially Jessie acts several years younger than eighteen. I think they’ll be all right with Hector’s parents to guide them. I remember it’s a good farm.

  In the same week, we learned Lily’s husband is being transferred to San Antonio. It’s a grand promotion and I’m proud for them. With their three children they’re awfully crowded where they are. They think the move and rise in salary will allow them to find a house with more room.

  I’ve heard from Ella and she’s expecting her third in five months. They’re happy as can be even though they’re bursting at the seams of their little house there in Longview.

  I haven’t heard from Gene or Marvin again since they got to California. I hope they’ve found the gold they were prospecting. I imagine the one who’s really making the gold is the one selling supplies, don’t you? Ha ha!

  Mable still likes living up in Idaho. Sounds real pretty there in summer but I wouldn’t like it in winter. Too cold for me but she says she doesn’t mind and their two boys like the snow. They’ve learned to ski and have sleds.

  Son, I suppose you’ll be upset to learn about your youngest brother’s decision. A couple of days after you left Vernon concluded Jefferson didn’t offer enough opportunities. When he had a chance to work on a ranch down near the coast, a real big one, he took it. I’ve just had just the one letter but in it he said he likes the work. From the way he mentioned someone named Sally several times in his letter I expect him to wed soon.

  Oletha is still living with her in-laws. I can’t see them moving out on their own as Billy will inherit the farm from his parents. She’s expecting her second this fall. She gets along real well with Billy’s parents so that’s a piece of good fortune.

  Marlene is hoping to visit soon, bless her heart, or so she always says. She hasn’t been able to get away since they bought that store in Austin. Just the two of them running the place makes it hard. Hopefully they can hire help soon. Their oldest, Tom, is seven now and helps out some with sweeping up. Little Amy just turned five but Marlene said Amy tries to dust the shelves. Someday the children will be a lot of help.

  I am so proud you are set up in a nice place, son. George was partial to you and I admit I am too. You’ve always been so good to me, especially since your pa passed on. I hope you are meeting new friends and that one of them turns out to be a nice girl you can settle down with and have a family of your own. You deserve the very best.

  Write soon. All My Love,

  Ma

  He would like to wring the neck of several of his siblings. The selfish pigs didn’t give a fig about their mother’s care. She’d been frail since the youngest was born eighteen years ago. Ten babies in ten years were too many too close together.

  He paced back and forth wondering how he could insure his mother was all right while he took care of business here. He didn’t see any way except to go to Jefferson and check on her. What could he do when he got there?

  The gong sounded. Worry had chased his appetite but routine sent him to the dining room and supper.

  Gideon peered at him. “You look all het up about something?”

  He took his seat and pulled his napkin across his lap. “Sorry, didn’t know it showed. Had a letter from my mother.”

  John asked, “Not bad news I hope?”

  “Afraid so. My two sisters who are supposed to be checking on her aren’t and my younger brother left as well. One sister’s moving to San Antonio and the other has married and is living with her in-laws several miles away. Kid brother went to South Texas. Don’t know quite what I’ll do but I have to do something.”

  “Why don’t you bring her here?” Merry set his plate in front of him.

  He hadn’t realized his landlady was standing there. “I-I hadn’t considered that. Not sure how she’d do with two flights of stairs.”

  “We could help her up and down. You could check on her daily. Do you think she’d enjoy our company?”

  Of course she would. She’d have to be crazy not to enjoy this place after the tiny room she was in now or the dilapidated house she’d lived in before that.

  He let the idea sink in. “I imagine so. She’s easy to get along with and not a demanding sort.”

  Merry laughed and laid a hand on his arm. “In that case, you should definitely consider moving her here.”

  He met her gaze. “Is there a room available?”

  “There is. Could the sister who’s living with her in-laws bring her here?”

  “I’ll arrange for someone to do so.” He leaned back in his chair. “Whew! I feel better already.” He dug into his food with renewed appetite.

  After a few bites he realized someone was missing. “Where’s Bass?”

  Merry drifted by again, refilling coffee cups. “He had to take evening duty for someone who was sick. Dora is taking him a basket.”

  John chuckled. “He does like his vittles. Reckon he’ll be glad to see her.”

  After Merry had joined her children, John tapped Blake’s arm. “You give thought to bringing your mother here. After hearing about her from George, I feel as if I know her.”

  Gideon pointed at him. “She’ll be welcomed and you’ll be able to quit wondering how she’s doing. You know she’ll like the food.”

  “She’ll enjoy everything about this place, with the exception of the extra stairs. Still, I’ll be right here if she needs anything.”

  John set down his coffee cup. “We’ll all help. We’re like a big family here. We take care of one another.”

  He leaned back in his chair, struck by the truth of John’s statement. “This is like a family. I’m lucky George left me his practice. I thought I had Ma set up safe and secure in Jefferson but I was wrong. I’ll be glad to get her installed here.”

  Chapter Eight

  Blake was writing up the will for a client when Calvin came to the door. “You need something?”

  “Mama said I can’t come in there and bother you but I need to ask you a question.”

  He laid aside his pen. “Go ahead and ask.”

  “I seen you watching Mama and I know you think she’s pretty.”

  Drat! Blake didn’t realize he’d been obvious. “She and Miss Polly are both pretty. Don’t you agree?”

  “Sure, but Mama’s prettiest. I figured since you think she’s pretty you could ask her to marry you. Then we’d be a real family.”

  “You’re already a real family, son. I appreciate the invitation, but that’s not how marriage works. I’m sure your mother wants to marry for love. She could have been wed long before now otherwise.”

  “She’s real lovable. You could love her if you tried. I figure she’d fall for you. I seen her watching you, too.”

  Whoa, that was news.

  “Calvin, you’re a fine boy but you can’t arrange marriage for other people. You have to let nature take its course. Miss Merry would be upset if she knew you were talking to me like this.”

  “It’d be worth a whippin’ to have you and her get hitched. I know you wouldn’t hit her or get drunk and spend all the money on drink and gamblin’.”

  “You know Miss Merry won’t whip you. You’re correct in the other, though. I’ve never hit a woman in my life and I don’t get drunk or gamble. But, lots of men treat their wives with respect.”

  Calvin grimaced. “Pffft. And lots don’t.”

  “I want you to talk to me whenever you have a problem, but right now I have to get this client
’s will written and delivered to him. He’s very sick and for it to be valid, he has to sign the papers. I don’t want to take a chance he’ll die before he’s signed his will.” He picked up his pen and dipped it into his inkwell.

  Calvin looked at his shoes. “Okay, but think about what I said. Please?”

  “I will.” That didn’t mean he’d act on Calvin’s plan.

  Calvin turned and ambled toward the suite where he lived.

  Blake shook his head. So, Merry had been watching him, too, had she? How about that?

  He would have to be more careful about letting his mind and his attention wander her way. If a nine-year-old noticed, then adults were sure to pick up the same way. If he were going to marry now, he wouldn’t mind hitching up with Merry Bird.

  But he wasn’t. Not for several years when he was making enough money to support a wife. For now, getting his mother here was probably all he could handle.

  After he returned from delivering the will, Blake wrote letters to Jessie and Lily and asked them to help get Ma moved here. Then, he wrote Ma.

  Dear Ma,

  How would you like to live here in the boardinghouse with me? I have arranged a room for you and have asked Jessie and Lily to get you moved here. Jessie especially could come with you. I told her I would pay her and Hector’s train fare both ways if they helped you move to Mockingbird Flats. Guess it could be like a honeymoon trip for them.

  I’ve already told you what a pleasant place this is to live. I haven’t seen any of the rooms except mine, but that one is comfortable and large. The food is the best you’ll ever eat—not to say anything against your cooking, mind you. They have a cook and a couple of helpers, though, so I imagine together they have an easier time than you ever did.

  The owners are Merry and Polly Bird. I thought they were sisters but they are both orphans who were adopted from the orphan train together. I don’t know how old they are but younger than me. People of all ages live here, but most are around your age. Everyone is really pleasant except for two. One older widow named Mrs. Adams gripes a lot but I think she just wants attention. A young spinster named Miss Cross lives up to her name by not being cheerful. Even they are not too off-putting—or maybe I’ve gotten used to them. Ha ha!