Spectacles of Love (Spinster Orphan Train)

by Teresa Ives Lilly

Andy nodded slowly. “Dale and Joe will wonder where I’ve gone.”

  “Can we stop by and see them tomorrow? I want to go to the orphanage and meet the Matron.”

  “Sure, I’ve been gone overnight a few times. They won’t worry. I only wish they could be here, to get some of this here food.”

  “I’ll have Cook pack a big basket full. We can take it to them.”

  Andy tilted his head and gazed at the woman with a look of adoration and mumbled, “Thank you, Miss.”

  Chapter 4

  The following day, Charlene and Andy climbed back into the carriage, ignoring the look on James’ face. It wasn’t long before the carriage drew up in front of the orphanage.

  “Do your friends live near here?” Charlene asked.

  Andy nodded. “Just down the alley over there.” He

  pointed further down the street.

  “Shall we meet the Matron first, then go see them?”

  Andy agreed and walked beside Charlene, guiding her past any obstacles she might not see.

  At the office, Charlene asked Andy to wait outside. He slipped onto a chair while she went into the office.

  A stout, grim faced woman sat behind a desk. Her wrist in a cast. “May I help you?”

  “My name is Charlene Trumbel. Mr. McCully told me to come meet the Matron for the Orphan Train.

  “I am the Matron. My name is Miss Ranton, but you may refer to me as Matron. Mr. McCully informed me you would stop by.” She sat silently staring at Charlene then said, “We appreciate your offer to help, but are you sure about this? Traveling across country with twenty-five orphans can be difficult.”

  Charlene sat up straight. “I’m sure I can be a help.”

  The woman shuffled several papers. Then sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s difficult for me to admit I need help. I appreciate your offer.”

  Charlene relaxed. “Mr. McCully said you would tell me all about the Orphan Train.”

  The woman nodded then pushed a flyer across the desk. “This is the notice we send out to newspapers in the towns where the train will stop.” Luckily, the words were large enough for Charlene to read.

  "Homes Wanted for Orphans"

  “We usually have one male and one female agent accompany each group, but this time Mr. McCully cannot travel with us. With my broken wrist, there are things I will need help with.”

  “I understand. And what about the orphans. Are they excited?”

  The Matron cleared her throat. “We feel it’s best not to tell the children about the trip until the night before departure. Then they are bathed, given new clean clothing and have their hair tended to.”

  Charlene thought it strange the children weren’t given more notice.

  “You must think that seems harsh, but some of the children believe their parents will return to the orphanage to get them. However, in most cases, it isn’t true. We feel it’s best not to tell them about being placed on the Orphan Train beforehand because some of them might try to run away. It would be worse for them to end up on the streets.”

  Charlene swallowed. It did sound harsh, but if she were to go on this journey, there would be many new ideas she must accept.

  “When we reach the different towns, I will need you to help prepare the children, line them up and help escort them to the places the towns have set up for them to meet prospective parents.”

  “What type of places?” Charlene was very intrigued by what the Matron was telling her.

  “Some towns have us go to the local opera house, sometimes the town hall, or a church. We line them up on a stage or platform at the front of the room. Usually a local town committee has been at work prior to the arrival of the train, trying to line up good potential families for the expected children.

  “These people and other members of the community are allowed to visit with the children. If a family wants a certain child, and we believe it to be a good match, then the child will leave the group and go on to their ‘new home.’”

  Charlene tried to imagine the entire process.

  “So, do you still want to go along? The train is crowded, uncomfortable and dirty.”

  “Yes, I’ve made a commitment to Mr. McCully. Oh, by the way, I met a young boy recently. He is an orphan, but I’ve taken him in. I would like him to travel along with me.”

  “Will we try to place him?” The Matron didn’t sound pleased.

  “No, I think he’ll want to stay with me. However, if the opportunity presents itself, and he wants to go with a family, will that be alright?”

  The Matron sniffed. “What type of boy is he?”

  “He’s in the hallway, waiting for me. Would you like to meet him?”

  The Matron stood and moved around the room. She opened the door slightly and glanced out. Then returned to the desk.

  “He seems healthy. We only take healthy children. He’s older; more than likely he’d be offered farm work, not necessarily a family.”

  Charlene nodded. “I understand, and I would leave the decision up to him.”

  The Matron gave Charlene a bit more information and asked if she could meet them at the train station an hour before departure.

  “You don’t want me to meet the children a few days before?”

  “It’s not necessary. You will have plenty of time to get to know them on the train ride.”

  Charlene agreed and stood to leave. The Matron walked ahead of her and opened the door.

  “Then, we shall see you soon. If you change your mind, please let us know as soon as possible so we can find someone else to help.”

  Charlene understood the woman’s apprehension and doubts.

  She probably sees me as the spoiled daughter of a wealthy man, who wants to pretend to help just for attention. However, I shall prove myself invaluable to her.

  “Are you ready to go, Andy?” She held out a hand for the boy.

  He stood and scuffed a foot on the ground. “Miss, I think it would be better if you stay in the carriage, and I just give the food to the gang.”

  “But, why? I want to meet your friends.”

  “It’s not a very nice place. It’s dirty, and there’s bound to be a rat or two.”

  Tears pressed at the back of Charlene’s eyes, thinking of the life Andy lived.

  “Thank you, Andy, but it’s time I see the truth for myself.”

  When they reached the carriage, Charlene asked James to hand the basket of food out to her. As she and Andy began to move away from the carriage, James stepped up and stopped them.

  “Miss Trumbel, where are you going?” His eyes scanned the area ahead.

  “Andy and I are taking this basket of food to some of his friends.”

  “I can’t let you do that. What would your father say?”

  “James, Father doesn’t need to know about this. The boys live in that alley, right down the street.”

  “I best come along then, Miss.”

  Charlene could feel Andy bristle beside her. “She don’t need you. I can take care of her. ‘Sides, if anyone sees you, they’ll hightail it out of there.”

  James glared at the boy.

  “Please, James. If you must, you may walk us to the end of the alley, but I insist you not follow us any further.”

  “Very good, Miss.” James took a step back and followed behind Charlene and Andy.

  Andy looked over his shoulder several times at the stiff man. “He don’t like me, Miss.”

  Charlene gave his hand a small squeeze. “Don’t worry. That’s just the way he acts. Most of the time, I think he doesn’t like me, but I know it’s not true. He’s one of the most faithful people I know.”

  The alley was dirty and smelled of urine and other various dank odors. Charlene kept her head straight ahead, grasping onto Andy’s hand as hard as she could.

  “Bit further, Miss.” Andy steered her.

  As they moved into the alley, Andy began to whistle. However, Charlene realized it wasn’t a song; it was a pattern.

  “Ar
e you sending your friends a message?”

  “Yes, Miss. That way they knows it’s not the coppers. There’s Joe now, just stood up.”

  In the murky distance, Charlene could make out the shape of a small person.

  “Hello, Joe. Got a friend here, and food!” They reached the other boy.

  “Whatcha bringin’ her here for?” Joe’s surly voice asked.

  “She wanted to give you a basket of food. Course, if you don’t want it, then we can leave.” Andy taunted the other boy.

  Charlene held out the basket.

  Joe’s hand stuck out, and he grasped the basket, pulled it from her hands and opened it. The boy gasped. “Andy, this is more food than I’ve ever seen. It’ll last us weeks.”

  Andy shook his head. “Not me, Joe. I’m going away soon, at least for a while.”

  Joe pulled out a roll and began to tear into it.

  “Whatcha mean? Where you gonna go?”

  “This here is Miss Trumbel. I’m going on the train to a place called Kansas with her. Gonna help her take care of a bunch of orphans.”

  Joe sat on a wooden box. “Whatcha wanna do that for?”

  Charlene spoke up. “Andy’s coming to help me because I don’t see very well.”

  “Well, Andy’s always helpin’ someone. He found this alley for Dale and me. But things is looking up a bit cause we both got jobs now selling papers. Starting next week.”

  Charlene was glad to hear it. She had been tempted to ask Joe to come along on the Orphan Train, but she doubted the Matron would accept another street urchin.

  Joe stopped chewing long enough to give a whistle. “You got on new clothes, Andy?”

  “Yes, the Miss here gave them to me. And for now, I’m sleepin’ in a real bed.”

  Charlene cringed. The small bed, in the attic room of her house, could hardly be called a real bed. Until she returned from Kansas, however, she didn’t want to upset her stepmother by insisting on a room for Andy.

  Oh, Lord. What will I do once I return from Kansas? I’m sure writing an article about the Orphan Train will not pay enough for me to be able to afford a small home for Andy and me.

  Andy slapped his legs. “We gotta go now, Miss. Joe, you tell Dale good-bye for me.”

  “Sure, Andy.”

  Charlene and the boy turned and slowly made their way back to the street. James was standing at the corner, a worried expression on his face.

  Andy smiled up at him. “Here she is, safe and sound. I won’t let nothin' bad happen to her.”

  James didn’t smile, but he did reach over and swish his hand over the boy’s hair. Charlene knew they’d made a bond.

  James helped her into the carriage; Andy hopped in beside her. In seconds, they were headed away from the only home Andy had ever known.

  After several minutes, Charlene realized the boy was strangely silent.

  “Will you miss it?” she asked.

  Andy wiped his arm over his eyes. “Not the alley, but Joe and Dale been my best friends. I guess I’ll miss them some.”

  “When we return from Kansas, we can come visit them again.” She tried to soothe the boy, but he pushed away and shook his head.

  “They won’t be there. When they start earning money, they’ll find something a bit better. Won’t be much but might be a real building.”

  Charlene was quiet, allowing the boy his private feelings. She wanted to cry for Andy, and for Joe and Dale, but she knew that wouldn’t help. Instead she began to think of how she would put this all in her article.

  Chapter 5

  When Charlene explained to her father her plan to ride the Orphan Train and help the Matron, the man pounded his hand on the table, but Altheia comforted him and encouraged Charlene.

  “Dear, she is a grown woman now. This will be a wonderful adventure for her.”

  Charlene knew the woman only supported the idea because she wanted Charlene out of the house, even if only for a few weeks.

  After much grumbling, her father wagged his head and said no more.

  The next few days, Altheia was helpful, even offering to go with Charlene to shop for appropriate traveling clothes, but Charlene was content with what she owned.

  “A sturdy skirt or two with several blouses should be all I’ll need. I won’t be going out into society.”

  So Altheia left her to her own packing and made plans to host several “Tea Parties” while Charlene was away. The guest lists not surprisingly included some very handsome young men.

  So far, Altheia had not learned of Andy’s presence, which suited Charlene. Each day she had James pick her up in the carriage, and Andy would already be there. They would travel into the city, where Charlene could observe what life for orphans on the streets was like. Andy was able to point out which children were orphans and how they were trying to survive, even though she wasn’t able to spot the pickpockets.

  As their departure drew closer, she grew more restless. The home she’d grown up in, with all its luxuries, felt stifling. She yearned for something different. To be able to live a life with meaning.

  Finally, the morning of the departure arrived. She had said her farewells the evening before so she and Andy slipped out early in the morning. James drove them to the New York Grand Central Terminal, where they found the Matron and a group of twenty terrified looking children. There were also five babies, under ten months of age.

  Andy had become Charlene’s eyes and told her in accurate detail what she could not see. Before she even got out of the carriage, she knew how many boys and girls there were and an idea of their ages.

  “The Matron doesn’t look very happy,” Andy mumbled.

  Charlene and Andy got out of the carriage, said a private goodbye to James, then moved down the platform to greet the Matron. James carried the suitcases behind, set them down, then reluctantly left the train station.

  “Good morning, Matron.” Charlene tried to keep her voice from quivering.

  “I was beginning to wonder if you were coming after all.” The Matron’s stiff back showed her irritation.

  “I’m sorry if I’m late. I’m here now and ready to begin work. You remember Andy?”

  The Matron didn’t acknowledge the boy’s presence.

  “I want you to meet the children. Introduce yourself to each of them so they will know who you are. Once we get on the train, the children need to be seated and kept quiet.”

  Charlene nodded. She turned with Andy at her side, steering her with his hand.

  When she reached the group of children, she began to introduce herself to each of them. There were five boys older than Andy. They didn’t seem interested in anything but the train. The five older girls had already been assigned babies to care for; they weren’t interested in meeting Charlene either.

  The last group consisted of six boys and four girls between three and ten years old. The youngest was a charming little girl who still sucked her thumb.

  As the children responded to her friendly voice, she could hear the nervousness in theirs. One boy named John asked why he couldn’t just go back to the orphanage. “My Mam might come looking for me today.”

  Charlene wasn’t sure what to say. She asked the Matron if the children knew where they were going.

  “No, we didn’t have time to tell them last night. For now, let it just be an adventure. Once we are all boarded and on our way, you can explain it all to them.”

  Charlene was shocked to think these children had no idea what was happening to them.

  Finally, the train pulled into the station. For a moment, the air was filled with thick black smoke, and the sound of the squealing brakes was frightful.

  Minutes later, the Matron told Charlene it was time to get the children on board.

  Charlene tried to raise her voice loud enough to be heard over the crowded platform, giving instructions for the children to line up and board the train. Andy ran up and down the line, demanding the children’s attention. Finally, he grasped Charlene’s hand. />
  “Everyone is ready to go. You just turn around, and we can lead them to the train.”

  “Thank you, Andy. I’m sure I would be lost without you.”

  Charlene climbed the two large steps and turned right to enter the compartment where she and the children would be. Andy was behind her and wasn’t able to stop her from bumping into a large suitcase sitting on the floor by the door.

  “Ouch.” She stopped and leaned over to see the offending item.

  “I’m sorry, Miss.” A man’s gentle voice spoke quite near her ear. Charlene straightened so quickly the man didn’t have time to pull back, and she knocked her head into his chin.

  “Umph.”

  “Ouch.” She exclaimed again.

  “I am sorry, Miss.” The man’s words were muffled as he held a hand over his chin and mouth.

  Charlene tried to focus on the man’s face. He was tall with dark hair.

  “I’m sorry. It was clumsy of me to knock into the case.”

  “I shouldn’t have left it in the walkway. I’m always leaving my things about. It’s a bad habit I have.”

  “Perhaps your wife better remind you, in the future.” Charlene spoke in a somewhat teasing manner.

  “Indeed, if I had a wife, she would probably help keep me in line. Alas, I have no wife.”

  Charlene giggled at the obvious joking tone.

  The man looked over her shoulder. “Seems we are blocking the way for your children.” He sounded surprised. “Are these all your children?”

  “No, these are all orphans.”

  “Orphans?”

  “Yes, have you heard of Orphan Trains?”

  “No.”

  “Well, I can’t tell you about it right now; I need to get the children on board.”

  “Perhaps later. I just realized I’m in the wrong compartment and need to find the correct one, but I’d love to come back and hear all about it.”

  Andy pushed up in front of Charlene and stood with his hands on his hips, glaring at the man. “Can you let us by?”

  The man stepped to the side, lifted his case and moved out of the compartment.

  Charlene felt her cheeks turning red. She was embarrassed by Andy’s behavior. But she moved further into the compartment so the children could all enter.