"I am, but when my father started with the railroad, I was his assistant and got to learn a lot of jobs. Mr. Lowe says I'm a fast learner and he's kept me here to get an education in what he calls the 'hands-on part of project management.' He said he may even send me back to school if I do well."
Arlen reached over to give him a congratulatory pat on the back, but managed to stop at the last second when he recalled Karl's recent injury. They both laughed at the near miss. Arlen noticed that the sun was starting to cast shadows, making for less than ideal visibility. Colonel Pitre stood nearby surveying the work too. When the TacRail squad finished securing the cables to the drums on the donkey engine, Sergeant Cooper looked to Beth, who considered the scene one more time and then nodded. A shrill blast from the sergeant's whistle brought the work to a halt. "Pack it in for the night, everyone! We'll get the donkey engine steamed up overnight and start the lift in the morning!" All around the site, men started to tie down their lines and insure the gear was safe.
Arlen approached Colonel Pitre. "I'm not sure why you need me here, Colonel. It looks like your people have everything under control!"
"It's not the prep work we need you for. Your time comes tomorrow when your engine shows us what you can make it do. There are a lot of people following this effort. Vince has a number of other projects riding on how well your baby performs." She nodded a good night and headed off for her tent. Arlen checked Karl's efforts on the boiler, left some instructions to be called if something unexpected should happen and then headed for his tent, too. His dreams that night were a confusion of small babies flying through the air.
****
A whistle roused Arlen from his sleep. From where he was lying on his cot, it could be argued that there might be a hint of light just breaking out in the east. Sergeant Cooper was turning out his squad to a chorus of groans and complaints. Arlen's joints agreed and refused to budge. The cot wasn't the worst place he'd ever slept, only the worst in recent memory. He finally rolled out and stretched to get the worst kinks out. A nearby washtub provided cold water to clean up. The smell of ham and eggs cooking erased most of his ill thoughts about the army. An hour later, after a delicious breakfast and two of Dr. Gribbleflotz's blue pills, he went to check on the donkey engine. Karl was already there, adding a small shovelful of coal to the bed of coals in the firebox. The heat from the fire was a welcome relief to the damp morning air. A quick check showed that the steam pressure was up.
The sun was casting visible shadows when Colonel Pitre approached. "Is everything ready? It looks like we might have a hot day today, so we might as well start now."
Arlen did one last safety check, to make sure everything was tightened properly. "It's ready! Warn everyone we're starting!" Arlen winced when Sergeant Cooper blew his whistle from directly behind him.
"Stand by to start the lift! Everyone man your assigned ropes!"
Arlen slowly advanced the throttle to start the engine. The gears engaged and the slack on the lifting cable slowly came in. Overhead, the lifting dolly started to descend as the cables to the locomotive took up the strain. After a moment, Arlen backed off on the steam and disengaged the gears, letting the slack run back out. He turned to Beth. "Just like backing a car out of a ditch, I'll have to rock it to break the mud's suction!" She just nodded in agreement. On the third try, the engine straightened and started to lift. Arlen slowed it down, calling out to the ground crews, "Keep your lines tight! We do not want it to twist!"
As the locomotive rose above the pond, the entire clearing reverberated with cheers. Arlen stood, sweating from the heat of the boiler and the tension. He muttered under his breath, "Don't cheer until it's on the flatcar. A lot could still go wrong." He locked the gear for the lift and shifted to the moving drums. Just then, a gust of wind hit the locomotive and started to twist it. One man was pulled off his feet and deposited into the nearby mud, but the locomotive was stopped before it could jump the upper carrying cable. In their anxiety to stop the twist, the ground crews over-corrected and started the loco in the other direction. Luckily, the wind now helped and they were able to get it straightened out. When everyone was back in place, Arlen called out, "Starting the move!"
Slowly, the cables paid out to the far side and wound in on the near side, pulling the engine over to the waiting flatcar. Another hour and the locomotive was safely lowered to the flatcar and tied down.
Colonel Pitre came over to congratulate Arlen. She had a message in her hand. "Well done! I'll make sure the proper people are informed how well your equipment worked. By the way, this message came in shortly after you started the lift. I didn't want to break your concentration, so I exercised command prerogative and waited." She was smiling from ear to ear.
The message read: "Congratulations! You are the proud father of a six pound four ounce baby girl and a seven pound two ounce baby boy as of 5:15 this morning. Mother and babies doing fine. Mimi says she'll give you and Vince a one hour head start when she gets out of the hospital! Deidre
Arlen stood there stunned. Finally he managed to blurt out, "I'm a father!" The nearby soldiers heard the comment and started a another round of cheers. Karl came over and spoke in his ear, "I've got a hand car standing by that will get you to Grantville inside the hour. Just grab your bag and go. We'll finish up here." He pointed to the nearby handcar and crew. Still in a daze, Arlen trotted over to his tent, stuffed everything into his duffel bag and raced over to his transportation.
An hour later, he was shown into Mimi's room. Deidre Hardy, Mimi's best friend, was there, along with both sets of grandparents. The twins were wrapped up, one on each side of mom. Mimi fixed Arlen with a stare, "Took your time didn't you?" Arlen stood rooted to the floor, unsure what to do or say. Finally, Mimi and Deidre couldn't hold back any longer and broke into peals of laughter. "Just don't make this a habit!" Mimi quipped. "We heard how the lift went. My labor started just as you were leaving with the engine, but the doctor thought the delivery would take longer. I told them to wait and let you finish the job. Too many people were counting on you to try and rush you back without an emergency. I'm still not sure, though, if I'll give Vince the same benefit of the doubt!"
As if on cue, a knock on the door announced Arlen's boss, Vince Masaniello. "How's the new mother doing?" he asked cheerily.
Mimi scrunched up a pillow and let fly. "Just you wait, Vince Masaniello! When I get out of here, you have a one hour head start and then I'm going to get you."
Vince feigned a hurt look. "How would that look? Killed by the wife of my new vice president?" He turned to Arlen and shook his hand. "Congratulations, Arlen. Colonel Pitre reported that everything went as planned. I'm starting a new division for marine and heavy equipment and I want you to head it up. We'll expand at the current site so you won't need to move." He looked toward Mimi. "And, in the future, you can send someone else out on the projects."
Mimi looked torn between throwing another pillow and hugging Vince. She finally relented and gave Vince a hug. Then, she fixed Arlen with another stare. "You're still forgetting something!"
Arlen quickly realized he still hadn't kissed her and quickly remedied that oversight. When they both finally came up for air she asked, "And?"
Arlen was totally clueless, until Deidre poked him in the ribs and whispered, "Their names!"
"Oh, right. Their names?"
"Since you weren't here, I decided on Ariel Marie and Donald Kevin. That's how they are entered in the hospital's records." Mimi and Deidre picked up the twins and handed both to Arlen. "This is your daddy, kids."
Arlen was flustered. "How do I hold two at once?"
Mimi smiled wickedly, "You'll learn quickly!"
****
A week later, two letters went out from Vulcan Locomotive Werks, addressed to the Hudson's Bay Company in Copenhagen and to Admiral Simpson in Magdeburg. The first read:
Dear Sirs,
I am writing to inform you that your order for ore cars left by rail this day and should arr
ive in time for your scheduled sailing date. The pumping and mining equipment you had requested we develop have been designed, the power supply has been tested and they should be ready for the requested spring delivery.
Vincent Masaniello
The second letter was much more informal:
John, the engine works! It's producing well over two hundred horsepower under load. Colonel Pitre said she's sending you her evaluation by separate letter. I've got the walking beam assembly in production and should be able to ship the first power plant before winter sets in.
Vince
Letters Home, 1 and 2
So That the Blind May See
Leahy Medical Center, Nurse Training Program, March 1635
My dearest aunt,
I am well. It is warm and we are all fed very well here at this school of nursing. We have received our third clothing allowance. I cannot imagine what comes next after a gift such as that.
I am learning many new things. As you can see, I have learned how to write better. Part of training is being able to read and write. A person's life might depend on reading the instructions a physician writes. My American is improving but there are still many words I do not know and there are some words I learn by accident.
For instance, I have learned that there is such a thing as a "doggie door." The word "doggie" means a hound or what the Americans call a "dog." These Americans are so fond of their dogs that they make openings so that the dog might enter or leave the house as it wills.
This can lead to many problems.
Last night one of those problems came to the hospital while I was working my shift-which is a word that has nothing to do with clothing.
A German family was leasing a part of an American house. Americans have very interesting houses. There are things inside these houses that you can not even imagine and I can barely describe to you. Some even have separate houses for dogs.
This German family was celebrating some important event. The American family as well. Americans enjoy celebration almost as much as they enjoy their dogs.
The young German son came to the house unexpectedly from his training for the army. He thought to surprise his mother and his brothers and sisters by entering the house through the "doggie door." When he left for training the American family had a dog called an Irish Setter but it had died of old age and was replaced by a larger and younger dog that did not know the young man.
This became a problem for the "ER." ER is one of those American words which means a room of emergency, where the injured can be brought at any time, day or night, for treatment of injuries or sudden illness.
The young man found that the doggie door was large enough for him to enter the house, but before he could fully enter, the new dog found him and was not pleased.
The attending physician said the dog used the man's head as something called a "chew toy." You could see where the dog had bitten the young man quite easily.
You could plainly see the upper and lower teeth marks from the dog. I counted no fewer than ten bites. The dog was not happy with this intrusion into its territory. The young man was not happy either.
While the attending physician went to quiet both families, who were very busy arguing in the waiting room about who was responsible for the dog being left in the kitchen and matters like that, I could tell that the young man was in need of help.
Americans are very much interested in cleanliness which is how I was able to cure the young man of his blindness.
His face was covered in the saliva from the dog and the marks from the dog's teeth were plainly visible all about his skull and face but you should not worry. There was only a very small amount of blood. I later found out that the young man had been wearing a hat which might have protected him from the teeth slightly.
As you can imagine, the young man was trembling. Placing one's head into a small opening then, from the darkness, having some angry dog begin biting you must have frightened him. He was whispering as a child might who is terrified and hiding under a bed.
The young man was saying over and over that he could not see. This was foolish because even though his eyes were shut I could tell there were still eyes under his eye lids. One does not need training to understand this much.
I admonished the young man to be still and proceeded to use my training to carefully clean the saliva from his face and eyelids. I ordered him in my best command voice to open his eyes which he did after some struggle.
He seemed startled that he could see and when he realized that he was seeing he shouted that he could see, which caused the family in the waiting room to shout back that it was a miracle. Lament turned to exultation.
The attending physician was upset that I had allowed the patient to cause the family to start another period of shouting and crying out as if in a chorus with their young man.
The young man thanked me for bringing back the power of sight and the family was very glad that I had done so. They say I caused a miracle and helped their young man to see again. The attending physician shook his head and told me to keep cleaning his face. Dog saliva is very sticky when dry and not easy to clean, but I was able to manage it.
I think the attending physician was pleased with my efforts. The young man was very happy and would have shown his happiness more obviously, but I did not let him. I am a professional.
I was very happy that I was able, with the help of God and my training, to make the blind see.
I think I like being here. The miracles that one can perform with nothing more than this object called a four-by-four gauze pad and a bit of clean water amaze me every day. I can only imagine what I can do when I learn the miracle of the "IV," but that comes later in my training.
Next week we learn the miracles of disinfectant and irrigation. I admit I was a bit worried about the irrigation training. I assumed that had something to do with farming and fertilizer, but I was wrong. I have much to learn it would seem, but I am ready for the tasks ahead. I do not even fear amputation and debridement any longer.
The miracle of the four-by-four strengthens my resolve.
I think it is enough to remember the look of astonishment and joy as the young man forced his eyelids open and saw the light after the horror of his ordeal and thinking the dog had eaten his eyes and that he would never see again.
I will write again soon. Please send any small amount of money you can spare. Paper and postage is expensive. The beer is tolerable. I go to church every Sunday. Some of the music is very good. Some of it would frighten a wolf from its meat.
Your loving niece,
Adalheid
Triage
Leahy Medical Center, Nurse Training Program, April 1635
My dearest aunt,
I am well.
I learned a new word today and admitted my first patient into the hospital. My name is on the record for all to see. I am very proud, but do not worry. I am not so proud as to require confession.
Americans are, for all their knowledge and resolve, not as strong as one might believe.
This horrible war has left many German orphans and you will be pleased to know that many Americans took these orphans into their homes and raise them as their very own. No child has been allowed to starve and die of cold and neglect in the woods. Americans seem very fond of children but also very frightened that one might succumb to the slightest upset.
I ask you to say a prayer for these orphans and one in particular.
W. is a seven- or eight-year-old female who came to the room of emergency with a cut on her chin. It was so small that if I had come to you with it, you would have frowned at me. It was a very small cut, barely the width of a fingernail and the blood was barely enough to cause a line from her chin to her throat and was drying already. The girl was not even crying.
They make excellent toys here in Grantville and this German girl was being taken to a merchant where one of these incredible toys could be bought for her by her new mother and father.
They h
ave toys called "Lincoln Logs" and "Legos" and even dolls with more clothes than a queen.
The girl, in her rush, tripped and fell and cut her chin on the concrete sidewalk. American parents seem reluctant to control the whims of children. I cannot imagine Mother allowing me to run for such a reason as this.
The "EMTs," people trained to go about and find injured or ill people to bring to the ER, brought her and her parents to the hospital. If anyone had asked me I would have said that she did not need the hospital or the EMTs. She needed a four-by-four, some disinfectant and an admonishment to be more careful.
Instead, the attending physician called for a suture set to sew the cut closed. He made comments about the importance of a young girl having a blemish-free face. Can you imagine sewing a cut? I will explain in a future letter the art that is suturing.
As I was standing ready to assist in disinfection and irrigation, the attending physician angrily told me to triage the parents.
The word, triage, sounded important and French, so I immediately turned about and was presented with my first case though I did not know it and I learned exactly what "triage" meant.
These American parents were pale as ghosts. I admit, I was frightened at first. There is a term Americans use for a horrible apparition called a "zombie" and I thought I was seeing two of them right there.
You would, if you can pardon my description, have thought their new daughter had been decapitated and disemboweled. Their looks of horror at this very minor injury almost caused me to laugh but I am a professional, so I did not.
These two Americans stood still as statues in the town square.
I tried to talk to them but they seemed not to know I was there. I decided to use my training to determine the pulse of the woman and was astounded to find that after all my training I could almost not find it. Her skin was very cool to the touch. She looked ready to topple over like a tree.
The father was not much better though his pulse was right where I was trained to find it.
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