Father Nelson put his hand over Kathleen’s. “Thank you my dear. I know you will do your best. There is nobody I trust more than you two ladies. Well apart from Bridget.”
Kathleen saw the tears shining in his eyes and decided to try and lighten the mood.
“Well, that’s lovely. My precious sister always has to take center stage even when she is hundreds of miles away.” Kathleen puffed out her chest trying to appear indignant, but Lily’s giggles were contagious. Both of them dissolved into laughter leaving Father Nelson looking a little bewildered. But at least he wasn’t teary eyed anymore.
Chapter 13
Frieda Klunsberg looked up from the kitchen sink. The dishes were almost done, and her father had yet to come home. He was always late these days. He spent money they didn’t have on a beer or two before he came home. He said it was his way of coping with his losses. Frieda swirled the wash brush viciously. It wasn’t just his losses. What about theirs?
Life had been much better with Mutti around. In the year since her mother’s funeral, things had gone from bad to worse. Her father was talking about going back to Germany but that was a pipe dream. Passages cost money.
Hans, her ten-year-old brother, was faring the worst. He worked hard as a newsie. He used his money to buy papers and then stood on the corner until they were all sold. His meager earnings helped Frieda put food on the table. But not much of it.
“Frieda, I’m hungry,” her brother complained. “Can’t you give us something to eat?”
“You’ve just eaten. We don’t have anything else. Have a drink of water.”
“That’s not going to fill me up. Can’t I have some of that?” Hans eyed the remains of the pie sitting waiting for their father.
“No, you can’t. Father will be hungry, and he’s been working all day.”
“I’ve been working too,” he insisted. “I sold all my newspapers. I didn’t let the bigger boys take my money either. I should eat more.”
Frieda glanced toward their younger sister, Charlotte, although everyone called her Lottie. She never complained, although she was bound to be hungry too. As she watched, Lottie pushed her plate toward Hans. “Eat the rest, I’m not hungry.”
Even as Hans made to grab the pitiful remains, Frieda smacked him over the head. “Don’t steal her food. Look at her, she gets thinner by the day.”
“Ouch, you didn’t have to hit me so hard. It’s not my fault she’s sick. She should be in the hospital. You heard the reverend, but Papa won’t let her go.”
Frieda turned back to the sink. She knew why their father didn’t want his daughter in the hospital. That was where Mutti and Otto had died, and he blamed the nurses and doctors at the hospital. Frieda pushed the hair back from her head. She should be out working but her father refused to let her. Said she had to stay and mind Lottie. But if she had a job, she would be able to buy better food and Lottie would get healthier.
The door banged shut behind Hans. She thought about going after him, but it was pointless. He would be long gone. Probably down to the river front with his mates. He was growing wild. The soft, kind-hearted boy had disappeared when Mutti had died to be replaced by the stone faced ten-year-old who acted like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.
“Come on Lottie,” she said, attempting to shake herself out of her thoughts, “let’s go out on the roof. It will be cooler.”
Although Frieda loved the sun, she hated summer in the tenements. The heat of the day seemed to seep into the building only to be released in the evenings. It never grew cool. She thought longingly of their childhood village in Bavaria, of the cool summer evenings and the lovely lake to swim in during the day. The only way they could swim in New York was to take a risk on the East River, but thoughts of the filthy water, never mind the risk from being hit by one of the many boats sailing up and down, was enough to deter her. The only other option was to attend one of the many pools being built, but they cost money. It seemed an awful lot of effort for fifteen minutes of swimming time.
“I’m too hot Frieda. It stinks too.”
Frieda picked up the five-year-old girl, her lack of weight another sign she was wasting away. “I know Liebling, but it will be better outside on the roof. Just you wait and see.”
Chapter 14
Frieda carried her sister to the roof. There they met lots of other children with the same idea, some with their families.
“Evening Frieda, how is Lottie doing today?”
“Same, Mrs. Sauer. She isn’t eating very much but I hope the air up here will help her. It gets very warm in our rooms.”
“You should be out having some fun not stuck at home minding Lottie, Frieda. You know I will watch her for you if you want to go out.”
Frieda knew Mrs. Sauer would do anything for their family. Her mother and Mrs. Sauer had grown up together and been firm friends until Mutti had died.
“I would like to get a job, but Papi won’t listen to me. He says I must stay home like a respectable German girl.”
“Ja, your father has some old-fashioned opinions.”
“He still thinks we live in Bavaria,” Frieda said. “Here in New York, people work. All my friends from school have jobs. I am fourteen now. I’m not a child.”
“Oh, my poor Liebling,” Mrs. Sauer said, “but you will always be a child in your father’s eyes. At least until you leave home and get married. But, here in America, they do things differently from back home in Germany. This is why we came here. But your father, he forgets what it was like to be young. Do you want me to speak to your father?”
Frieda shook her head. Her father wouldn’t like Mrs. Sauer interfering. But the woman wouldn’t be put off.
“I will speak to Reverend Haas. He is a good, sensible man and your father will listen to him. Now, why don’t you leave Lottie with me for a while and you find your friends? Have a chat. Go on now. I have some fruit my Heinrich brought home from the market. He couldn’t sell it, it is too bruised and looks too ugly for his customers. But inside it tastes the same. It will do your sister good. Go on now.”
Frieda checked to make sure Lottie was comfortable. Her sister loved Mrs. Sauer. She thanked the lady again before moving across the roof to find the girls she’d known from school. She spotted Marthe Dunst but wasn’t quick enough to turn back to Mrs. Sauer as the girl had seen her.
“Frieda, there you are. Have you heard the news?”
Frieda took a seat and waited for Marthe to tell her. It was never a good idea to steal Marthe’s thunder. With her long blonde hair and clear blue eyes, she was a favorite among the boys. And the adults, who all believed her to be an angel. She wasn’t, far from it, but she was good at not getting caught. Frieda hadn’t liked Marthe at school but Mutti had insisted she play with the girl, telling Frieda she only acted the way she did because she was lonely. Her parents were older, and she didn’t have any siblings to play with.
“Reverend Haas is organizing a great big party in one month’s time. It is on Wednesday, June 15th. Everyone is invited.” Marthe stole a glance at Frieda. “Well, those with money to buy the tickets.”
Frieda ignored the gibe. She would not let Marthe get under her skin. She had bigger worries. Her reaction seemed to spur Marthe on even more. Frieda dug her nails into the palms of her hands at the gloating look in Marthe’s eyes.
“He will take us down the river on a ship. Everyone from church is going. We will dress in our finest clothes and pack a picnic. Mutti said she will buy me a new dress.”
Frieda held Marthe’s gaze but said nothing. Silence could speak volumes, at least that was what Mutti used to say. Frieda watched as a red patch spread up from Marthe’s neck. She didn’t think it was from the heat of the evening.
One of the girls spoke up, catching Marthe’s attention, “I thought you were moving to Yorkville.”
Marthe glared at Frieda before turning the biggest smile on the girl who had spoken up.
“We are. To a big house with its own front
door. It’s wonderful. I will have my own room. My mother’s sister will live next door. Yorkville is so nice to live in. It’s not smelly like here and we won’t have to go on the roof to find some air.”
The girls around Marthe sighed, almost collectively. Everyone from the area knew someone who had moved to Yorkville or elsewhere for a better standard of living. Only those who had to live in the tenements did so. But they dreamed of escaping. Frieda couldn’t stand the gloating anymore.
“Yet you will come back here for the picnic.” As soon as she spoke, she regretted it. She saw the gleam of triumph in Marthe’s eyes. The other girl had gotten under Frieda’s skin and they both knew it.
“Everyone who moved to Yorkville will come back. We have to do our best to support the reverend. Mutti has bought four additional tickets to give to those who can’t afford to go. She says I can bring a friend.”
Frieda looked away from the gleam in Marthe’s eyes. She wasn’t about to beg for charity, no matter how fabulous the picnic sounded.
The other girls surged closer to Marthe.
“Pick me, please.”
“No, pick me. You know we’ve been friends forever. I used to do your hair at school, remember? You liked to wear it in braids.”
Frieda listened to her neighbors begging for the spare ticket but remained silent. It took all self control not to say something. It was so unfair, some families could afford to buy spare tickets when others couldn’t bring together enough pennies to buy one. She felt Marthe’s stare. She wasn’t about to look at her but that was a sign of weakness. Gritting her teeth, she looked at her tormentor. Marthe’s eyes gleamed.
“What about you Frieda? Wouldn’t you like to go?’
“No, thank you Marthe, but it is kind of you to offer. I must get back to Lottie. If I don’t see you before you move, I hope Yorkville works out well for you.”
Frieda allowed herself a small sense of satisfaction as her words took the other girl by surprise. What had Mutti said? You could always kill badness with kindness. She strolled back to Mrs. Sauer.
“Back already? You didn’t stay long.”
“No, but thank you for looking after Lottie for me, Mrs. Sauer.” Frieda tried to inject a note of enthusiasm into her voice when, in reality, she just wanted to go back into their room and hide. Maybe she could fall asleep and dream of a new life for all of them.
Chapter 15
Mrs. Sauer put an arm around Frieda’s shoulders and whispered so the other neighbors wouldn’t hear. It didn’t do to make enemies in a small community and Marthe’s mother held grudges.
“You shouldn’t let Marthe get under your skin, Liebling. She is an unhappy soul and her mission in life seems to be to spread this unhappiness.”
Frieda tried to pretend Marthe hadn’t upset her.
“She was trying to be kind. Her mother has bought extra tickets for Reverend Haas’s trip. She offered me one.”
“But the price was too high?”
“No, it was free.” But even as she said the words, she realized Mrs. Sauer knew that with Marthe there was no such thing as free. Everything came with a price.
“I am glad you said no. Some prices are too high.” Mrs. Sauer took a bite of her apple. As she chewed and spoke, bits of apple flew out of her mouth. “Do you want to go to this picnic?”
Frieda stared at the women. Was that a trick question? The whole of Little Germany wanted to go on the trip.
“Yes, but Papi will be working.”
“And you don’t have money to buy the tickets. Don’t look embarrassed Frieda, we are in the same position. I am lucky. My husband and my two sons work, but we don’t have the money to pay for such outings. Even if we did, we couldn’t afford the loss of the income from closing the stall for a full day. But our time will come and so will yours. Now sit awhile and tell me about your studies. I heard you want to be a nurse. Have some apple–it's sweet and you can wipe the dirt off on your dress. See?” Mrs. Sauer wiped the apple across her ample bosom and took another bite. She handed a red apple with brown bruises to Frieda. Her stomach growled, her cheeks growing warmer knowing Mrs. Sauer had guessed she was hungry. She was tempted to keep the apple for Hans.
“Eat Frieda. You must keep your strength up. Your father relies on you even though he doesn’t realize it. You are the strong one in your family. Your mother, God rest her soul, knew that from the day you were placed in her arms. Now what are you waiting for? Eat.”
Frieda bit into the juicy apple. She didn’t care if it was overripe or badly bruised, it was the most delicious thing she had eaten in days.
“So, what are you doing about your future?” Mrs. Sauer prompted.
Had Mutti told her friend of Frieda’s dreams to be a doctor? Her Mutti had told her to aim for the sky and not let anyone try to put her off. She’d promised to work on Papi, but now she was dead and Papi wouldn’t listen to anyone.
“Papi doesn’t agree with women studying. He says it is better for a woman to know her place and raise a family.”
“Ja, it is,” Mrs. Sauer agreed.
Frieda’s stomach turned over. She’d expected a little support from Mrs. Sauer. She didn’t think the woman would be so old-fashioned.
“Frieda, it is a good life for the girls who want to be mothers and wives. You may want that in time too, but for now you wish to study. So, you must work on this. You can go to the library while your father is at work. I can mind Lottie until you come back.”
A flare of hope burned bright for about two seconds. “Thank you, but I can’t ask you to do that. Father wouldn’t like it.”
“What your father doesn’t know can’t hurt him.” Mrs. Sauer looked around and then, lowering her voice, said, “Sometimes us women have to do things the men don’t agree with. It is for their own good we don’t tell them. They cannot worry about what they don’t know, right?”
Frieda wasn’t at all sure it was a good thing, but Mrs. Sauer continued, “I am not telling you to defy your father. I wouldn’t condone that. I wouldn’t allow you to sneak off with a boy. But getting an education, that’s a good thing. You will learn in time that sometimes those who love us try to protect us too much from the world. Your father is scared. He has lost your mother, and he has lost belief in the new country he thought would be the answer to his prayers. When he left his family behind in Germany, it wasn’t so he could bring up his family in this.” Mrs. Sauer swept her arms around. “He wanted more for you. But he cannot see the way forward to freedom is by education.”
“How come you see it?” Frieda asked.
“Me? My father was a school teacher, but my mother was a reader. She read many books and told us the stories. It was she who told me to go to America. She said I must teach my children to read. But my boys?" Mrs. Sauer shrugged her shoulders. “They would rather play ball or chase girls than read a book.”
Frieda giggled at the expression on Mrs. Sauer’s face and the older woman laughed too.
Frieda wondered if the plan would work. Could it be a chance for her to escape from her everyday life? She loved Lottie, but it was boring staying in their room day in day out. She’d read her mother’s few books over and over. Reading gave her a chance to escape into another world.
“I tell you what, Frieda. Why don’t we all go to the Astor library tomorrow? We can put Lottie in Jacob’s carriage. He won’t mind sharing, will you?” Mrs. Sauer bounced her latest baby on her knee. “See, he thinks it’s a grand idea.”
“You are kind, but they won’t let the likes of me borrow books.”
“Why? You think they only let rich people into the library? Mr. Astor, he was German you know. A good man, he set up the library for everyone. I know he is long gone but the books are still there. We go tomorrow. Early, when it is not too hot. Yes?”
“Yes.” Butterflies filled her stomach at the thought of picking out new books to read. Oh, she hoped Mrs. Sauer was right. If they said she couldn’t borrow the books, it would be horrible.
Chapter 16
Frieda sat enjoying the last of her apple, her mind working to remember which books her teacher had mentioned before. She’d loved school and Miss Lynch, an Irish teacher, had told her it was a pleasure to teach her. At first, after Mutti had died, Miss Lynch had called to their rooms and brought books and other presents.
But the neighbors teased Frieda’s father that the unmarried teacher was looking for a husband and that had been the end of the visits. Frieda had snuck out a few months ago and gone to the school but Miss Lynch had left for pastures new. The replacement teacher wasn’t interested in Frieda. All she did was complain how rude the class was and how she would bring them into line.
“Has your father given any more thought to the orphan trains?” Mrs. Sauer’s question made Frieda sit up. “You and Hans would get a new chance at a good life. Lottie, she couldn’t go, but maybe if you and Hans got placed, your father would see sense and put her in the fever hospital. The doctors there can do great things for her.”
Frieda tried to look surprised, but there was little point in pretending she hadn’t heard her father discussing the orphan train with Mr. Sauer. Papi had assumed she was asleep. She had pretended she was so she could find out what his intentions were. She couldn’t believe he thought sending her and Hans away was a good thing for their family. She knew things were tough, but if she got a job that would be a better answer than splitting the family up.
“Rev. Haas has some good friends in the other religious communities. One, a Catholic priest called Father Nelson, has sent several children on the orphan trains to a place called Riverside Springs. From descriptions it sounds like the village your Mutti and I grew up in. A small, but growing community who look out for each other. You could do well in such a place. You could become a teacher or work with the town doctor. Then, in time, you could meet a nice boy, maybe not a German one, but we are in America now. Ja?”
Orphan Train Tragedy Page 5
