Orphan Train Disaster

by Rachel Wesson

  “But we can’t live here, Frieda. Not forever. How will we stay together?”

  “I don’t know the answer. But whatever happens, even if the children go to live somewhere else, we will make sure you don’t lose contact.”

  Leonie paled. Frieda insisted she sit on a chair and put her head down between her legs. Only when the color came back to Leonie’s cheeks did Frieda relax. She insisted Leonie drink some water.

  “You can’t send them on the orphan train. That was Mama’s greatest fear. Some people in our community suggested it. But Mama knew they could separate twins, send them to different homes, different States. She begged me not to let that happen.” Leonie sobbed. “I won’t ever find them.”

  “Leonie, please don’t think the worst. Your mother spoke to Lily and explained how she felt. Lily and Kathleen will do their best, I promise.”

  Leonie chewed her fingernail, her eyes on her siblings.

  “You look exhausted, why don’t you go for a nap? The children are having fun with Alice. Let them forget, if only for an hour. They need it, and you need sleep. When the visitors leave, we can sit down with Lily and Kathleen and ask them for an update.”

  “Yes Frieda.” Leonie’s flat reply worried Frieda. It was almost as if she had given up hope.

  Leonie didn’t move immediately. Frieda wished there was something she could do to make Leonie’s situation more bearable. But what?

  Chapter 23

  When she returned inside the sitting room, conversation was also on the orphan trains. Frieda helped Cook with the tray of drinks and then took a seat, listening to Miss Baker.

  “I’ve tracked down Isabella, Alice called her Issy. I’ve also found Chloe, but there’s no sign of Dawn.”

  “Alice was anxious about Issy.” Kathleen glanced at Frieda before addressing Miss Baker again. “From what she described, I imagine it would have been difficult to place a troubled girl.”

  Emily smiled, lighting up her plain face. Frieda caught Gustav staring at the woman, his eyes wide with admiration.

  “That’s what I thought too, if I’m honest. But April Lawlor, I mean Mrs. Baxter as she is now, she visited with Issy. Her new family loves her. They told Miss Lawlor if their own child was half as spirited as Issy, she might have lived past the age of three. Issy has brought a light back into their lives.”

  Kathleen smiled, “It just goes to show there is a place for every child. We just need to find it.”

  “Have you told Alice?” Frieda asked. Alice had told Frieda about Issy pinching her and saying nasty things. Frieda had tried explaining Issy was probably just as frightened as Alice was, but trying to hide her fear.

  “Yes, she didn’t believe me until I showed her the letter from Miss Lawlor. She’s happy. She and Issy didn’t always get along, but they seemed to have bonded on the train.”

  “Is April Lawlor working with you?” Lily asked.

  Kathleen interrupted, “Good grief, Emily must feel she has gone back in time to the inquisition with all our questions.”

  Emily shook her head. “It’s fine. I know you ask out of concern, not nosiness. April isn’t working for us, not officially. She’s had trouble finding work as a teacher, the references from her last job not being too good.”

  Kathleen flushed bright red, “Deadman’s Creek townspeople should be ashamed. She was a wonderful person and teacher.”

  “I agree, Kathleen, but I’m also a little grateful as now April has time to check on our girls. Mrs. Twiddle,” Emily scowled as she said the name, “has a lot to answer for.” Emily looked tearful.

  Gustav interrupted, “Alice still asks for Dawn. She was the girl who helped her most at the orphanage, but Emily, I mean Miss Baker, hasn’t been able to track her down. Not for want of trying,” Gustav added with a glance at Emily. Frieda saw the girl blush. Gustav was in his late thirties, over ten years older than Emily Baker, yet it was obvious there was a mutual attraction between them.

  “I’m scared to push too hard. I suspect they may give me bad news on Dawn. She had, what some call, a history. None of it was her fault, but people don’t see that. Her brother, Jem, was a handsome, charming devil who thought nothing of family loyalties. His job was to protect Dawn, yet he betrayed her in the cruelest manner. I never thought she’d last long at waitressing.” Emily turned red. “The Harvey girls, they have a certain reputation to uphold. And they work hard, too. Dawn was a hard worker, but she had dreams of a fairy tale life. I worry she fell in with another man.”

  Poor Emily was crimson, probably wondering how she would get herself away from the topic.

  Frieda tried to help. “Emily, we can guess what may have happened to Dawn. Perhaps you could tell Alice, she found a new family and is happy too.”

  Emily looked upset, “But that’s probably a lie.”

  Frieda didn’t care about small lies if they were for a good reason. “Sometimes it is kinder to tell a lie than for a child to know an ugly truth. I think Alice has had enough ugliness to last her a lifetime. When she is older, if she remembers Dawn, she may work out the story for herself. She mentioned Jem to me and how sad Dawn was about him running off. That’s all she needs to know.”

  Lily stood behind Frieda’s chair. “I agree. I know Father Nelson probably wouldn’t, but this is real life. Now, what else has been happening at the orphanage, Emily? I heard you’ve changed the name.”

  The relief on Emily’s face at the change in the topic was obvious as the woman became more animated.

  “I always hated the name. I don’t think any girl or boy is delinquent, at least not at first. Most of the girls in our orphanage are there because of poverty. Their parents are dead because of illnesses spreading like a fire though the tenements, or accidents at work. Being poor isn’t a fault, so why give them such a horrible start in life?”

  “Well said, Miss, I mean Emily.” Charlie clapped.

  Emily’s crimson cheeks showed she wasn’t used to getting praise. She glanced at the man beside her. “It wasn’t me who changed it. Gustav suggested it. He suggested a new name for a fresh start.”

  “So what did you decide on?” Charlie asked.

  “It’s not my decision, but the city’s. I wanted to call it ‘Hope Orphanage’ but they would only agree to changing it to ‘Home for Girls’. The official who came to see me said my job was to get rid of orphans, not keep them in the city.”

  Lily snorted. “Sounds like the typical response from Tammany Hall.”

  “I love the girls in the home like they were my own children. I want them to be happy and have the best start in life. The Orphan Train program isn’t always the answer.” Emily blushed as she glanced around the room, possibly remembering Kathleen and Lily’s work with the orphan trains. “I don’t mean to be offensive. I know some children find wonderful homes. April wrote to tell me of her personal experience. She found a lovely home. But then you have Alice’s story.”

  “Nobody here could be offended by anything you say, Miss Baker, I mean Emily.” Lily interrupted. “We all have our misgivings about the orphan trains, some more than others.”

  Frieda studied Lily, wondering if her reservations were the reason she was pushing the factory building so hard. Lily was always motivated to help the poor, but lately she was more driven, less patient, as if something was pushing her on.

  Emily distracted Frieda as she thanked Lily.

  “Some children need to stay in New York. They might be like Alice and have a living parent. Others have siblings and extended family they want to stay close to. Or at least, know where they live.” Emily wiped a tear away. “I apologize. Matron always said I was too emotional and cared too much.”

  “Matron was wrong. You can never care too much about children,” Lily hastened to reassure the younger woman.

  Frieda noticed Gustav give Emily a hanky and rubbed her hand quickly before pulling away just as fast.

  “Let’s have lunch as I can hear my beloved husband’s stomach growling.” Lily glan
ced at Charlie who shrugged.

  “It’s been a long time since breakfast.”

  Everyone smiled.

  Lily spoke. “Emily, if you don’t mind perhaps myself and Kathleen can call on you on Tuesday or Wednesday? I think there may be ways we could work together for all the children.”

  “Yes, I would like that. Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank her, knowing our Lily she has a few schemes in mind.” Kathleen teased, leading the way into lunch.

  Gustav pulled out Emily’s chair, allowing her to sit. Frieda wished, with all her heart, Patrick was here and would do that for her. She wondered how Maria was feeling and whether her afternoon was going any better.

  Chapter 24

  Maria sneezed over and over again. She wished Conrad would leave, it wasn’t nice for him to see her in such a state. She must look so ugly with her red nose, streaming eyes, and she smelled twice as bad. Mama had insisted on her swallowing a vile garlic based tonic. Maria could smell it coming off her skin.

  Conrad appeared oblivious as he sat at the table opposite, talking away to her mother about different subjects. They’d spoken about the weather, then politics for a while, and now they were discussing different recipes for chicken soup.

  Maria shuffled in her seat, earning herself a rebuke from her mother. Conrad spoke up.

  “Perhaps you should go to bed, Maria, and sleep it off. The chicken soup will work its magic too.”

  “See, listen to the man.” Turning to Conrad, Mrs. Mezza said, “She is too stubborn. All morning I tell her to go back to bed, but she insists on helping me with these flowers. Now she sneezes over everything.”

  Conrad winked at Maria, but she saw he was careful for her mother not to see him. “Maria is strong willed, Mrs. Mezza, but I think that is because she takes after her mother.”

  Maria bit back a groan at the look on her mother’s face. Conrad hastened to add, “I mean you are an obviously strong woman, raising a family by yourself, and doing such a wonderful job. Your children, your home, and this baking is a credit to you. Your husband was a lucky man.”

  Maria relaxed slightly as Conrad’s charm worked it’s magic on her mother.

  “Si, I guess I am a little stubborn and strong willed. My Benito used to say I was. He was a wonderful husband and father, a good provider.” Mama’s voice wobbled, but she didn’t weep.

  Conrad spoke up. “I wish I had met him, Maria speaks so highly of him and you. I’m so grateful you allowed me to sit with you today.”

  Maria disguised a laugh with a cough as her mother became tongue tied. Mama’s prejudice towards non Italians was no match for Conrad’s charm offensive. Mama gave her one of her looks. Maria stared at her feet. Now would not be a good time to catch Conrad’s eye.

  “Do you go to church, young man? I assume they brought you up in the real faith, that of your mother?”

  Maria crossed her fingers and held her breath. This was serious. If Conrad told her mother the actions of his mother’s family had done little to endear her religion to him, he might as well leave now.

  “I go to see Father Nelson regularly. You’ve heard of him? A catholic priest in charge of the orphan trains.”

  Maria knew he spoke to Father Nelson about the new factory, so technically he wasn’t lying, but it wasn’t what Mama meant. She hoped her mother didn’t quiz Conrad any further.

  “Yes, a good man. He does a lot for the poor in New York. I’ve never heard a bad word said against him.”

  “He’s a character for sure,” Conrad answered. Maria noticed he didn’t catch her eye. She stayed silent too, not wanting to get involved in pulling the wool over her mother’s eyes. She sneezed again and brushed her watering eyes with a hanky. The silence grew uncomfortable with the three of them shifting in their seats.

  “Mrs. Mezza, I know this is not how things are usually done. Normally I would ask Maria’s father for permission, but in his absence, could I ask you?”

  Mama looked ill for a moment, glancing around her as if she wanted to escape, but Conrad kept talking.

  “I would like to court Maria properly. I want the world to know I intend for her to become my wife. When I have more to offer. A better home and job, but also at a time you deem to be respectable given your loss.”

  Maria couldn’t have loved Conrad more. She silently begged her mother to agree. When Mama remained silent, Conrad stood up.

  “Perhaps I have been too hasty, but I love your daughter. I would like her hand in marriage. What do you say?”

  Mama stood up, looking tiny next to Conrad.

  “You are an honorable young man and a hard worker. I appreciate the respect you’ve shown me.”

  Maria allowed her hopes to soar. Conrad had won Mama over.

  “But these are trying times. My other daughter, she wishes to marry an Italian.”

  Maria wanted to shout, “An Italian gangster!” but a look from Conrad kept her quiet.

  “As Rosa is the elder daughter, it is only right that her wedding take place first. I will allow you to court my Maria, but I can’t give you permission to wed. Not yet. I must pray and seek guidance.”

  Maria sighed, but still it was better than she’d imagined. Mama hadn’t said no. Not yet anyway.

  Conrad coughed. Maria sent him a look, begging him to stay silent, but maybe he misinterpreted it. He spoke up, “Is it the fact I am not Italian that causes you the most concern, Mrs. Mezza?”

  Maria almost bent under the table thinking her mother would explode, but the older woman sighed and took her seat.

  “Young man it is, but not for the reasons you believe. I do not think Italian men are all wonderful. But marriage is difficult.” Mama’s voice cracked. She took a couple of seconds to compose herself before speaking again. “You think it is easy when you are young and in love but then the hard times come. When you share similar backgrounds, faith, religion, traditions, it makes for an easier life.”

  “Sometimes.” Conrad added.

  Maria didn’t want to look at Mama. She sensed Conrad had pushed too hard.

  “Si, sometimes.” Mama spoke softly before she stood up. “You asked for my permission. Please respect my wishes. One more thing, I do not wish this to be discussed with anyone, particularly not Rosa.”

  “I won’t say a word, Mrs. Mezza. Thank you for your time and your hospitality.” He held out his hand and she shook it.

  Glancing at Maria, he said, “Maria, listen to your mother and go to bed now.”

  Mama laughed as she escorted Conrad to the door. “Maybe you will handle my Maria.”

  As the door shut behind him, Maria waited at the table. Would Mama say something? Mama returned to her seat and picked up some of her artificial flowers.

  “What are you sitting here for? You heard the man. Get yourself to bed.”

  “Mama, do you --”

  “Not now, Maria. Leave me with my thoughts, please, child. And remember, not a word to your sister. Rosa needs her moment to shine.”

  Maria heard the emotion in her mother’s voice. She guessed she was missing Papa even more than usual. Maria wished he was here, she’d always been able to get him on side quicker than her mother.

  She kissed the top of Mama’s head and went to bed. Conrad had declared his feelings. That was all she needed for now. As she fell asleep, she wondered if Frieda had taken her advice and spoken to Patrick. She hoped things worked out well for the couple as they were meant to be together. Just like her and Conrad.

  Chapter 25

  Frieda lost count of the number of times she had tried to speak to Patrick, but he always rushed off with some excuse or another. It was all very well, Maria telling her to be nice to him but if he wouldn’t stay in the same room as her, never mind speak to her, how was she going to achieve anything? She shut the door of her bedroom, having decided she was doing too much thinking by staying on her own. She’d go help Cook or keep company with the Chiver children for a while. Anything to stop thoughts of Patrick tormenti
ng her. She was so deep in thought, she nearly walked into Kathleen as she came up the stairs.

  “Frieda, there you are. You look peaky, are you sure you are getting enough rest?”

  She didn’t have time to answer as Kathleen kept talking.

  “I wanted to ask you for your help in organizing Patrick’s birthday. You know how we always celebrate it on St Patrick’s day. This year I think we should arrange a get together in a restaurant just for the adults. What do you think?”

  “I guess.”

  Kathleen ignored her obvious lack of interest. “I think the place you go to with Maria sounds good. What did you call it? Charlie’s? I love Italian food and so does Richard. Patrick will eat anything. Maria and Conrad should come, too. Who else do you think we should invite?”

  “I’m not sure I can make it, Kathleen. I may have to work.”

  “Nonsense. Richard will sort that out. I’ve already asked him. Now why don’t we pick a day to go shopping. We could get our hair done and enjoy some time together. What do you say?”

  Frieda studied Kathleen, her expression seemed innocent, but why was she going to all this trouble?

  “I don’t know, I have a lot on at the moment.”

  “Don’t be boring, Frieda. Lily hates shopping. I’d love a day away from everything. Please say you will come. You could try out one of those new hair styles you were talking about.”

  Frieda’s hand went up unconsciously to her hair. Would he notice her if she got her hair cut short? Maybe he’d hate it.

  “I don’t think you should go too short though, I mean men like women to be feminine don’t they?” Kathleen kept chatting as if Frieda had agreed. Frieda decided she might as well give in. It would be easier in the long run.

  The two of them had a wonderful time at the stores. Frieda didn’t think about the hospital once as Kathleen kept her occupied, telling her stories or getting her to try on various outfits. Kathleen insisted on buying Frieda a new skirt and two shirtwaists. One blouse was the most delicate thing she had ever seen, embroidered with fancy stitches. Kathleen took her to a hairstylist who cut and styled her hair so beautifully, Frieda had to pinch herself.