Frieda didn’t want to think about meeting any husband, German or otherwise. She didn’t want to offend her mother’s friend either. She stayed silent.
“I know you want to stay together as a family, and I understand. But sometimes you have to do things for the good of everyone. Your father is working himself to death, Hans is running a little wild and you, my dear Frieda, look old before your time. Think about it. Even just a little. Many children leave New York on the orphan trains and find wonderful new lives. Did you hear young Pieter Fielding is going away soon.”
Frieda nodded. Pieter was friends with Hans. She liked the solemn young boy who hadn’t lived in America that long. She remembered his smiling face when Hans had brought him to their apartment to say hello. Pieter had smiled a lot back then. Back before his parents had been killed by the run away trolley.
Mrs. Sauer continued talking.
“You could find a family who supports you in your wish to study nursing. Your father will never allow it. We both know he is too old-fashioned for that.”
Frieda didn’t want to discuss the orphan train but didn’t want to upset the woman who’d just given her the best idea ever. She stood up, brushing her hand down her dress to get rid of any residue from the apple. Surprised her mother’s friend was encouraging her to go against her father’s wishes, Frieda thought she better take Lottie back downstairs. Sometimes Lottie repeated things she had heard.
“Thank you, Mrs. Sauer. I will consider it. I best get Lottie back downstairs before Papi comes home. Have a nice evening.”
Mrs. Sauer didn’t persuade her to stay on the roof. Maybe she knew Frieda needed to process what she had been told. She would speak to Papi again tonight about Lottie. Her cough wasn’t getting any better and anywhere had to be better than living here.
Chapter 17
The next morning, Frieda walked through the streets of Little Germany trying to stretch her budget. Papi had complained she didn’t know much about shopping or cooking. Last night, he’d been in a foul mood and everything had been her fault. Usually she got up early to cook him some breakfast but this morning, she’d stayed in bed. Let him look after himself for one morning and then he might appreciate her efforts. But even as she thought the brave words, she felt guilty. Her father was working hard, the least she could do was be a good daughter.
“Frieda, smile. It’s a beautiful day.”
Frieda looked up at the woman smiling at her, from behind her vegetable stall. Come rain or shine, Mrs. Stellman was always found in this same spot. She primarily sold fruit and vegetables but would also sell some items on behalf of her neighbors. She had sold some of Mutti’s handkerchiefs saying her customers loved Mutti’s embroidery skills. Frieda wished she had paid attention when her mother had tried to teach her the same skills. Maybe then she would be able to earn some money from home.
“Morning Mrs. Stellman. Do you have anything for me today? I was hoping to make some soup. Lottie finds it easier to eat.”
Frieda hated using her sister’s illness but she didn’t want to admit soup was cheaper to prepare.
“You have come to the right stall. These old vegetables, I think they must have been used as footballs. Look how mushy they are. But they would be good in a soup. How about a dime for this bag?”
Frieda opened her mouth to protest but quickly closed it. Mrs. Stellman was known for driving a hard bargain. The stall owner would make a profit on her other trades.
“Thank you Mrs. Stellman. They would be perfect.”
“Good girl. Make sure you add plenty of salt. Can’t bear a tasteless soup. You should see Mr. Wagner, I heard he has some marrow bones going cheap. They would nourish young Lottie.”
Her cheeks flushing, Frieda tried to hide her embarrassment. Mrs. Stellman was trying to be kind but she wished everyone didn’t know just how hard things were for Frieda’s family.
“Frieda, we all have our troubles. God doesn’t send you anything he doesn’t believe you can handle. Some say the more God loves you the more hardship he sends to you.”
I wish he didn’t love me quite so much. Frieda blinked quickly to get rid of her thoughts Thankfully she hadn’t spoken aloud. Mrs. Stellman was still staring at her but her eyes were now full of concern. Frieda hastened to make the kind woman feel better.
“Thank you Mrs. Stellman. I had a silly fight with someone and it put me in a black mood. I feel better now. I will go and see the butcher right now.”
Chapter 18
As Frieda moved toward the butchers, she couldn’t help thinking there was nowhere better to live than Little Germany. Her neighbors were kind and really cared about her family.
Before she reached the butchers, Frieda bumped into Mary Abendschein, the main organizer of the Sunday school party. Frieda liked the kindly unmarried lady who was involved in every committee and activity in their parish. Mary had given Frieda clothes and food on occasion and sympathized with her over the death of her mother.
“Are you coming to the outing, Frieda?”
“No, Miss Abendschein. I have to stay home and look after Lottie.”
“You could bring her too, it would be nice for her to get onto the river and breathe some fresh air. The picnic grounds at Locust Grove on Long Island are wonderful. Just the thing to brighten Lottie’s spirits. George Maurer and his band, you know them, will play too.”
Frieda knew she wasn’t expected to answer. She didn’t get a chance as Mary continued to speak. “We have plenty of food and drink for everyone and it will be safe too. I have two off duty New York policeman coming along to help make sure.” Mary inclined her head to one side as if in deep thought. “Perhaps I should speak to your father.”
Papi wouldn’t like the woman coming to speak to him. Mary was in charge of fundraising and everyone knew she could push pennies out of most people. It was hard to resist her sweet nature.
“Papi works very hard at the moment. He rarely comes home. Says the demand for shoes to be fixed is bigger than normal,” Frieda said.
“He is good at his job. There aren’t many cobblers and shoemakers like your father. I will try to have a quick word though as I don’t want you children missing out on a day of fun. I best get going, Frieda. Have a good day.”
Frieda watched as the woman bustled off down the street. Miss Abendschein never walked anywhere. She was always moving quickly from here to there. Never stopping. Frieda wondered why she didn’t have a family of her own. Maybe she made up for the loss of a husband and children by keeping busy for the church.
Frieda walked slowly back to their home, feeling very low. The everyday noises round her seemed louder, the incessant rumble of the trolley cars, the police whistles, shouts from vendors trying to sell their goods. The sheer competition from everyone just to survive. Added to the noise was the intense heat. Everyone seemed to move faster and faster. Bicycles and strollers fought for space on the pavements. The heat radiated from the ground and the surrounding buildings to the point that it was unbearable. The combination of heat and disgusting smells from the overflowing privies was enough to make her retch. How she longed to get away, if only for a few hours.
Maybe she should speak to Papi. She picked up her skirt and almost ran to the butchers. Mrs. Stellman had been right. Mr. Wagner gave her a huge bone and also threw in some additional meat, he said it was only fat but she could see it wasn’t. She wanted to hug the large built man whose belly moved when he laughed but that wouldn’t be appropriate.
“Thank you Mr. Wagner. I will ask Lottie to draw you a picture.”
“Ja, please. She draws lovely pictures. See? I still have the last one.” He pointed to a childish drawing of a family outside a house. Tears pricked her eyes as Frieda looked at her sister’s drawing. Lottie missed Mutti most of all.
She choked out a goodbye and hurried home. She had some savings, pennies she had built up while Mutti was ill. Her mother had always kept a small amount of coins in a jar under the floorboards. When she first got sick, s
he had shown it to Frieda. Nobody else knew about it, not even her father. As she hurried up the stairs to their rooms, she wondered how much the tickets were. She had forgotten to ask. Marthe’s face flashed into her mind. She could bite down her pride and ask the girl for a ticket. Maybe even two. Then Hans and Lottie could go. She would find the money for her own ticket. She burst through the door of their room frightening Lottie.
“What’s wrong? Is Hans in trouble again?” her sister asked.
“No darling, sorry. I was just in a hurry. How are you feeling? Did you sleep?”
Lottie nodded but closed her eyes again and fell back onto the covers. Today she was as pale as could be. Frieda waited a couple of minutes, impatiently moving from one foot to another. Only when she was certain the younger girl was asleep did she go to find her hidden box. She carefully emptied it onto the floor. There was almost a dollar. Would that be enough?
Chapter 19
Grand central Station
Lily hugged Kathleen. “Give Bridget a kiss from me. Ask her to write soon. Tell them all to write more.”
“I will,” Kathleen promised. “Now get off the train or you will end up coming with us.”
As if someone heard her, the train guards blew a whistle. “Oh wait, let me off. Come on Teddy, Laurie. Say goodbye.”
Laurie dashed off the train. “I want to see the engines move. I will be at the top of the platform as far as the guard will let me, Mom.” He was gone before Lily could stop him.
His twin looked devastated. “Please, can I come with you, Aunty Kathleen? I promise to be good. I can sit with Pieter Fielding. He doesn’t speak much English so I can help him.”
Kathleen hid a smile. She knew Teddy didn’t speak German so would have a difficult job of helping Pieter but still it was kind of him to think of the child. She drew him close.
“Teddy darling, you know only orphans come on the trains. You have a lovely family.”
Teddy stamped his foot. “It’s not fair. The orphans get all the fun. I want to go on an adventure. It’s boring staying at home and having to go to school.”
Kathleen glanced at Lily. She didn’t want the orphans around them to hear her pointing out that the life Teddy enjoyed was just what the children she was taking away wanted. Her chance to be diplomatic was stolen by Cindy, a twelve-year-old girl.
“You’re a stupid boy. You should be grateful you get to stay in your home. We have to go and live with strangers.”
“I’m not stupid. You’re stupid.” Teddy glared at Cindy who laughed at him.
“Course you are. You have a ma like Miss Lily and all you do is moan. You haven’t lived on the streets have ye? You ain't gone to bed hungry or had all you owned stolen in the night. Go home little boy.” Cindy dismissed him with a scathing look before moving down the car to find her gang. Kathleen sighed. She knew Cindy’s character had protected her on the streets, but she wished with all her heart that the girl wasn’t so hard on those around her. She pulled Teddy closer, partly to save him from embarrassment. His eyes gleamed with unshed tears and she knew he would hate to be seen crying in public.
“Maybe next time I go to Riverside Springs, your parents will let you come on a holiday.”
“Would you ask them? Please Aunty Kathleen, Mom listens to you.”
“I’ll ask,” Kathleen said. “But first you have to behave. Now dry your eyes quickly and get off the train. Your mother is needed at home. Go on now. Chest out. Bridget, my sister, will probably have a gift for you seeing as she missed your birthday. Maybe a baseball?”
Teddy’s eyes lit up, all thoughts of Cindy forgotten. “You’re the best. Come on Mom, we have to get off.” He was gone before Lily could respond.
“You have a gift with children, Kathleen Green. Mind you, young Cindy will try your patience,” Lily warned.
“I know. She reminds me of Jacob. Do you remember how he was when we first met him? He didn’t trust anyone either. It’s not Cindy’s fault. The things that child has seen.”
“I know but she has to learn to put her best foot forward. Otherwise, placing her will be a nightmare,” Lily said.
Kathleen looked back at Cindy. The young girl knew she was being observed; Kathleen had seen the child’s hands turn to fists, yet she didn’t look up. She hoped she had time to earn the girl’s trust.
The whistle shrilled once more, and the train guard approached Lily.
“Come on Miss Lily, get off now or I will have to sell you a ticket.”
Kathleen smiled as Lily greeted the conductor like an old friend. She knew so many people.
“Sorry George, got carried away chatting for a change. How’s Mildred?”
“That cat will be the death of me, Miss Lily. The missus says she needs to be spoiled. Mildred is supposed to be a working cat, but I never seen her catch anything more than a nap on me favorite chair.”
Lily and Kathleen giggled. One orphan had smuggled his cat, Mildred, onto the train last year. The kind-hearted conductor had promised to take good care of her when the orphan’s new family couldn’t take the animal.
“Now Miss Lily, last chance. Go on. I will look after Miss Kathleen and her little darlings.”
“Thanks George, I know you will.” Lily kissed the conductor on the cheek, hugged Kathleen and waved goodbye to the orphans. She got off just in time as the train surged forward.
Chapter 20
Kathleen waved goodbye through the window before offering a quick prayer that her chat with Cindy would go well.
“Cindy, can you come and sit with me for a while, please?”
The girl looked up, her expression suggesting she would refuse.
“Please, Cindy.” Kathleen used a firmer tone. She couldn’t afford to be seen to lose control at this early stage of the journey. “I need your help with some younger children.”
Cindy caved as Kathleen knew she would. Inside the hard-hearted front was a loving child who had a reputation for protecting younger kids on the streets.
“What?”
“Don’t speak to me like that please, Cindy.”
Cindy stared at Kathleen who returned her gaze. She would not let the child have the upper hand and they both knew it. Kathleen struggled to maintain her stare, biting her inside lip to restrain the urge to laugh. Finally, the child backed down.
“Sorry,” Cindy said. “Yes, Miss Kathleen?”
Kathleen ignored the defiant tone. Cindy had to win some arguments to keep her spirit. She would need that to survive.
“I know we spoke about how the orphan trains work, but I wanted to check if you had questions.”
Cindy gazed at her hands.
“Cindy ?”
“What does it matter if I got questions. You ain't going to answer them. Nothing I can do to change things. If someone wants me, I got to go with them. If they don’t, I got to go back to New York. Simple enough.”
Kathleen pushed away the urge to hug the child and promise her it wouldn’t be that bad. To tell her the train offered her a new life, one full of hope, love and shelter. But she couldn’t. She refused to lie to the children. It wouldn’t help and she wanted them to know they could trust her.
“Cindy, I can’t make promises about how your new life will turn out. I will do my best to make sure you find a good home.”
The girl wiped the snot from her nose on her sleeve. Kathleen pretended she hadn’t noticed the scars on her arm. Cindy caught her gaze and held it. “Why?”
“I don’t understand Cindy. Why what?”
“Why do you care? You get paid no matter what home I end up in.”
“Paid?” Kathleen asked, eyebrows rising in surprise. “I don’t earn any money for placing you and the other children in homes. Whatever gave you that idea?”
“I can read. A bit anyway. The papers say you sell us orphans and it pays for your big houses and your fancy clothes.”
Kathleen could have swung for the reporters who printed silly stories to sell their newspapers. Didn’t th
ey have any real news to report?
“Cindy, the stories you have heard of us selling children are not true. I dress the way I do because I am lucky to have a doctor as a husband. Richard works in a hospital and earns a good salary. I work as a volunteer with the sanctuary.”
“You mean you don’t get paid to do this?” Cindy asked. “You’re a dope.”
Kathleen could tell the girl meant what she said. Why would anyone do anything for free?
“I didn’t always work for nothing. About twelve years ago, I wasn’t much older than you and I lived a similar life to yours.”
“Yeah and watch your head as a pig might fly into it. I know I ain't got a fancy schooling but I ain't stupid.”
“I never said you were,” Kathleen said. “I grew up in what they call Hell’s Kitchen. I was lucky. I had an older sister, Bridget, who looked out for me. There were seven of us and she watched over all of us. We ended up in the sanctuary. Lily took us in, and I firmly believe she saved our lives.”
Kathleen watched as Cindy’s curiosity battled with her pretended indifference. Curiosity won.
“For real? You ain't kidding?” Cindy inched closer.
“For real.” Kathleen repeated the girl’s own phrase. “Bridget worked on these orphan trains so she could take our younger brother and sister to find a home. During her trip, she met a man who is now her husband, Carl. Together, they did many trips to find homes for orphans but now they live in Riverside Springs. They are building an orphanage there.”
Cindy’s eyes widened and although her expression was still wary, it seemed warmer than before.
“What happened to the younger kids? Did they get to stay with your sister?”
“No Cindy, they were both adopted by the same couple. A family called Rees. They were lucky to stay together. We try to do that where possible.”
Orphan Train Tragedy Page 6
