Spectacles of Love (Spinster Orphan Train)

by Teresa Ives Lilly

  She leaned over and whispered, “Andy, we need to be polite to people on the train.”

  “Hmph, I saw the way he was gawking at you.” Andy answered with a sneer.

  “I’m sure he was doing no such thing. Now, take the little ones to the front seats and help them get settled in.”

  Andy pressed by her, and the group of children followed him. Charlene could already feel a bead of sweat trickle down her spine. The train compartment was cramped. The seats were hard wood. It promised to be an uncomfortable trip.

  Then she remembered the man stating he would come back to talk to her about the Orphan Train. She couldn’t help but duck her head to hide a smile.

  ~

  An hour later, the children were all staring out the train windows as the locomotive made its way out of the city. The children called to one another, pointing at things they’d never seen before. Whenever a child asked Charlene about the sites, Andy would hush them with a stern look. He’d quickly risen to leader of the group. Even Charlene felt he was more capable than she.

  “Miss Trumbel?” The Matron’s voice interrupted Charlene’s thoughts.

  “Yes?” Charlene looked up.

  “I believe it’s time to tell the children a bit about what will be happening the next few days. I find it makes things smoother to tell the children on the train before they reach the first town.”

  The Matron moved to the front of the compartment and clapped her hands. The children all sat up straight, with their hands in their laps.

  Just before the Matron began to speak, Charlene felt the presence of a person hovering beside her. She turned and glanced up. It was the same man she’d bumped into earlier.

  “I’ve come back to hear about the Orphan Train.”

  Charlene felt her cheeks warm. “Sit here, beside me. The Matron is about to explain things to the children.”

  Charlene scooted closer to the window, and the man sat beside her.

  “My name is Bronson Jacobs, by the way.”

  “Hello, Mr. Jacobs. My name is Charlene Trumbel.”

  The man grabbed her hand, pressed it into his and gave a small shake. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Miss Trumbel.”

  Charlene nodded then turned her attention to the front of the compartment.

  “Children,” the Matron began. “I’m sure you are all wondering why you were brought to ride on the train today. The reason is because there are people in towns out West who want to take in boys and girls from the city.”

  Charlene could hear the murmurs around her. But the Matron clapped again, and the train car was silent.

  “There aren’t many people in the city who want to take in children or adopt older children so we at the orphanage have agreed to send you to these towns. When we reach each stop, you will be taken to a building, and the people who are interested in adopting a child will be there to meet you all.”

  “I don’t want to be adopted. My Mam’s coming for me any day.” The same boy Charlene met earlier spoke.

  The Matron clapped again.

  “I know a few of you have parents who are living. But your parents are not able to take care of you.”

  Charlene noted the man beside her fold his arms over his chest.

  He doesn’t like the whole thing, she thought.

  “But families in the West will be able to take care of you. They will give you food, send you to school and to church.”

  “I’m too old for school,” one of the older boys stated.

  “Yes, Carl, that’s true. You older children will probably be asked to work on farms, instead of being adopted. Even so, it’s a better life than you would have in the orphanage or on the streets.”

  The group of children was silent. Charlene could sense their worry.

  “When we reach a town, Miss Trumbel and I will help you all freshen up, get in a line and go to the building. When the people come to meet you, be nice, smile and speak up if they ask you a question. The best way to get chosen for a family is to let them see how smart and sweet you are.”

  Some of the older boys laughed. “Guess I’d better just show them how strong I am,” the oldest one stated.

  “All of you will be taken to towns in the state of Kansas. We have to transfer trains twice before then. It will be a day or so before we reach the first town.

  The Matron finished speaking and made her way back to her seat. When she moved past Charlene’s seat and noted the man sitting there, she frowned.

  Bronson leaned over. “Is everything she said true?”

  Charlene nodded. “Yes.”

  “And, what’s your part in all of this?”

  “I came along as a helper. I plan to write an article about the Orphan Train for the newspaper. To show the wealthy families in Manhattan why they need to support the Orphan Trains.”

  “Hmm, I guess I see some benefit in the whole thing.”

  “Yes, the cities are too crowded. The orphanages are not very nice places for a child to grow up. The hope is that the children will get to live in the country where they will be healthier overall.”

  “What if the person who adopts the child isn’t very nice? I have several neighbors who would jump at a chance to get free labor but wouldn’t treat the children very well.”

  “I was told the Matron checks on all of the children in the first year. If they’re unhappy, they can go back to the orphanage or try another family.”

  “I see.”

  Andy stood up and stepped closer to Charlene’s seat. His brows drew together when he saw the man sitting beside her.

  “I believe your young bodyguard isn’t very happy to see me sitting here.”

  “Yes, he has taken his job very seriously. He was living on the streets, in a cardboard box, with two other boys. He has agreed to come along and help me on this trip.”

  “Will he be adopted out, too?”

  Andy overheard the conversation then spoke up. “No, Sir. I’m here to help Miss.”

  “What about when the journey ends? What will become of young Andy?”

  “He will come home with me.” Charlene assured the man.

  “And do what? Be trained as a butler, or a driver?”

  Charlene felt herself grow defensive. “Either would be a good job.”

  “Yes, but do you really believe he will ever fit the requirements? I think you do him an injustice.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Bronson stood and stretched. “What I mean is, Andy has a better chance for a good life in Kansas than he has returning to New York. Just think about it.”

  Bronson moved away. Charlene watched his fuzzy form disappear. Andy sat down in the now empty space beside her.

  “What’s that guy want to be buggin’ you for?”

  “He was interested in knowing about the Orphan Train.”

  “What’s he care?”

  Charlene patted the boy’s arm. “Andy, I’m sure Mr. Jacobs has his reasons for being interested. I’m glad you came along to help me, but I must insist you try to be pleasant to everyone, including Mr. Jacobs.”

  Andy crossed his arms.

  Charlene sat quietly for a time, thinking over what Mr. Jacobs said to her. She agreed that Andy would probably never be able to become a butler or a driver. Perhaps a footman, but she bit her bottom lip trying to picture that. Even with years of training, the boy wouldn’t fit into a household like her father’s.

  “Andy, I’m wondering if you’d like a chance to get a family in Kansas. You could work on a farm. You might like it.”

  “I came along to help you, Miss. I got no plans to get adopted or hired out. But, you don’t have to worry about me. When we get back to New York, I can find my own way. There’s always the newspaper.”

  Charlene gasped slightly. “I didn’t mean anything, Andy. Of course, you won’t leave me when we get home. I’ve promised you a home.”

  “How come you don’t get married?”

  Charlene leaned close to him. “You know about m
y sight. Men don’t want to marry a woman who is always bumping into things.”

  Andy stared at her, a bit surprised. “But, Miss. You’re a pretty good-lookin’ doll. Most men would be happy to get a good looker.”

  Charlene laughed. “Not the men I know. But I appreciate the compliment.”

  ~

  Andy sat for a long time thinking. He’d come along to help Miss Charlene, but she was going to need something more. She needed a husband.

  The image of the tall, strong looking man, Mr. Jacobs, suddenly came to his mind.

  Andy turned back to Charlene. “Where does that Mr. Jacobs live? What does he do?”

  “I’m not sure. I didn’t ask him those questions. It wouldn’t be proper.”

  Andy sat back again with a huff. Proper or not, he was going to find out all about the man.

  Chapter 6

  After transferring several trains, the children and Charlene were finally on the train that would take them into Kansas. The Matron told Charlene the names of the towns where the train would stop.

  Washington, Fredonia, Elk City, Independence and finally Cherryvale. Charlene thought the last one sounded nice.

  A few miles outside of Washington, Kansas, the Matron informed the children they would be making their first stop soon. Charlene passed a basket around with sandwiches and apples. The children gobbled the food down. The Matron assured her that other meals would be provided by the towns they stopped in, but not this first one.

  “Now, children. We need to make sure all of you look your best. So, we will wipe faces and comb hair.”

  Charlene asked Andy to line the children up by her so she could see each of them and help them with their grooming. She whispered encouraging words to each of them.

  “Them babies will go first,” Andy stated. “Families always want babies.”

  “Yes, I think you’re right. But there will be other families looking for older children as well.”

  When she finished with the last child, a deep voice spoke.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  Charlene turned in surprise. “Mr. Jacobs! I didn’t realize you transferred to this train.”

  “Yes, I’m heading home.”

  “Oh, where’s that?” Charlene felt her cheeks blush at the forward question.

  “I live in Cherryvale, Kansas.”

  Andy overheard their conversation and slid up beside the tall man.

  “Miss Charlene likes that name.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. Perhaps, Miss Charlene will allow me to show her around the town?”

  Charlene cleared her throat. “I doubt that will be possible. As soon as the children are presented and chosen, we will board the train and head back to New York.”

  “Sit down and tell Miss Charlene all about it.” Andy pressed.

  Charlene shook her head. “Andy, I’m sure Mr. Jacobs has other things to do.”

  “Not at all. But I think the train is pulling into the station. I thought I’d come along; see how this whole Orphan Train selection process works. I’d love to tell you about Cherryvale later.”

  “That would be nice,” Charlene agreed. She could feel her heart beating a bit more rapidly.

  Suddenly, the wheels began to screech, and the train slowed. Black soot filled the air outside the train windows. The children sat with their noses pressed to the windows, but they were all silent.

  When the train stopped, the Matron told Charlene to get the children off the train and line them up. She would find the place where the children could meet prospective parents.

  Charlene made the announcement to the children. She suggested the older girls carry the babies and the others line up from youngest to oldest behind them.

  The children scrambled to get into order. Several of them didn’t know their exact age so Charlene had to fit them in where she thought they belonged.

  “I don’t want to go,” the young boy named John insisted. “I tell you, my Mam’s gonna come and get me any day now. She won’t know where I am if I go with some family.”

  Charlene hugged him and whispered. “I promise we will let your mother know where you are.”

  The boy’s eyes filled with tears.

  Bronson stooped down and gave him a small, light chuck on the chin.

  “I think your mother would be proud to know you’re getting a chance to live on a farm and to grow up big and strong.”

  The boy looked up at the tall man and wiped his tears. “You think so?”

  “I know so. If she was having trouble taking care of you in the city, she would want to know you are being cared for in the country. Even if she can’t take care of you right now, it will make her happier to know you are getting good food and clean air.”

  The boy seemed mollified and straightened his shoulders. Bronson moved down the aisle and gave several words of encouragement to the other children who seemed exceptionally worried.

  He’s a good man, Lord, Charlene thought. Nothing like the men I’ve met in New York.

  “I like him,” Andy stated, which surprised Charlene since Andy didn’t like Mr. Jacobs at first. “I think you should marry him.”

  Charlene’s head swung around, and she placed her hands akimbo on her hips. “Andy, don’t ever let me hear you say anything so ridiculous again.”

  “What’d I say wrong?”

  “Mr. Jacobs is a nice man, traveling on the same train as we are. That doesn’t mean…” She was so flustered by his comment; she wasn’t even sure what to say to him. “Just… don’t say it again.”

  “Okay, okay. It’s time to get off the train.”

  Charlene nodded and made her way up the aisle to the front.

  “Children, follow along now. We don’t want anyone getting lost.”

  They all trooped off the train, Andy in the lead, following the Matron who’d returned. Charlene was next with the orphans behind her. Mr. Jacobs hung back but traipsed after the group.

  Charlene grasped Andy’s hand. The Matron was no more than a blur in front of her. Although Washington, Kansas, wasn’t a busy city like New York, Charlene felt overwhelmed.

  Andy kept quietly calling out the obstacles for Charlene. “Loose board two steps ahead; move to your right. Watch out for those barrels on your left.”

  “I’m so grateful you are with me. I shouldn’t have come. I’ve gotten so used to my own home and getting around; I didn’t realize just how bad my eyesight is.”

  They finally stopped. Andy stepped closer to Charlene. The Matron clapped her hands, and the children all stopped and turned, giving her their full attention.

  “The town has invited us to use their church. We will enter, and you will all line up on the stage. Remember to smile and speak up when someone asks you a question.”

  The Matron opened the door, and they all began to enter. As soon as the older girls carrying the babies stepped through the doors, several women rushed over.

  “I want a baby!” Each of them yelled and tried to pry the infants from the girls’ hands.

  Charlene was pushed out of the way; she would have fallen if Mr. Jacobs, who had somehow slipped up behind her, hadn’t caught her.

  “Goodness,” she gasped. “What should I do?”

  The man told her he would take care of things. He turned around and in a deep, loud voice, called for silence and attention.

  Once it was quiet, Charlene instructed the girls to carry the babies onto the stage.

  She assured the women they would all get a chance to see the babies.

  The children all lined up on the stage, except Andy. He stood faithfully beside Charlene.

  “Andy, I know you want to help me, but I want you to consider trying to get adopted. It would be a better life.”

  Andy turned away and whistled to himself, pretending he hadn’t heard her.

  Mr. Jacobs was standing on Charlene’s opposite side. She thanked him for helping.

  “I’m used to ordering people around. I own a brick fac
tory in Cherryvale, and I oversee most of the work.”

  “That sounds interesting.”

  “Hmm, yes, I suppose it is. I’ve been doing it so long, I believe I’ve lost some interest.”

  Charlene squinted, trying to see what was happening on the stage. It looked as if there were many adults speaking to the various children.

  “I hope the children all find good homes,” Bronson said.

  “I’ve been praying for each of them. I believe God will work things out.”

  “I appreciate a woman with faith. I’ve been praying for the children as well.”

  Charlene smiled. She’d never actually heard a man speak about God before, except the minister at her church, of course.

  “Andy, get closer and let me know if there’s any trouble up there.”

  Andy frowned. “You sure?”

  “Yes. You can be my eyes.”

  Andy nodded and headed for the stage. After a few minutes, he returned.

  “Well?” Charlene said.

  Andy stood rigid beside her.

  “Andy, what’s wrong.”

  “I was only up there a minute. Some old farmer came over, grabbed my mouth and tried to look at my teeth.”

  Charlene covered a giggle. “What did you do?”

  “I bit his hand.”

  Bronson slapped his leg and laughed. “That ought to teach him to tell the difference between a horse and boy.”

  “Mr. Jacobs, please don’t encourage him. Andy needs to learn the right way of behaving.”

  Bronson gazed at her lovely face. “I tell you what. I’ll agree to your wishes if you’ll agree to call me by my first name, Bronson.”

  Charlene wasn’t sure what to do or say. In New York, she would not have used a man’s first name until they’d known one another months. She did understand, however, in the West, things were different.

  “Alright, Bronson, and you can call me Charlene. But you must uphold your end of the bargain.”

  “I promise. As a matter of fact, I’ll start right now. Come along, Andy. You and I will go up on the stage together and make sure the farmers don’t treat the children like horses. I think someone is looking at Dan right now.”

  Andy brightened, but then he shook his head. “I’ll stay here with Miss Charlene.”