“No, thank you, please, Mrs. Grayson.”
Mrs. Grayson laughed. “She is a little angel, isn’t she? How I wish I could keep her. Both of them.”
Bridget didn’t look up from her plate.
“Brian Curran is waiting outside for you, Bridget. I suggested you take a walk once you finish breakfast, so the children don’t hear your conversation.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Grayson, but I can’t impose on you again.”
“You can, and you will. Some day will come when I need help, and I will ask you to return the favor. Now off you go.”
She all but pushed Bridget out the door. Bridget didn’t have a chance to do anything other than grab her bonnet on her way out.
He was standing near the end of the little white fence Mrs. Grayson had used to enclose her small garden. He scuffed the ground with his boot, then looked up as she closed the door behind her.
“Morning, Miss Collins, I thought we better continue our conversation. Could we take a walk around the town while we talk?”
She nodded, unable to find her voice. She had to calm her nerves.
They walked in silence for a while. Bridget willed him to say something, but he seemed to be waiting for her to start.
“Mr. Curran, I should apologize again for arriving with my brother and sister and not advising you beforehand. It was quite selfish of me.”
“Was a surprise, is all,” he replied.
Gratified he was being pleasant, she attempted to explain her actions. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you I traveled with the orphan train most of the way from New York. I helped lots of orphans find new homes, some of them very happily. But I also witnessed some distressing scenes.” Bridget fought to control her composure. Bursting into tears wasn’t an option when taking a walk so she gritted her teeth. “I could not put my siblings through that experience.”
“Can I ask why?”
She glanced at him wondering if he had been listening to her. Perhaps she hadn’t been clear enough.
“It was horrible. Some people were there to provide loving homes for the children, but far too many just wanted cheap labor. You should have seen the way they examined the children. Eyeing up their arms and leg muscles. One man even asked a boy to open his mouth, so he could check his teeth. I didn’t blame the child one bit for biting that man’s finger. I would have found it hard to resist the temptation.” Too late, Bridget realized what she had said. She looked to Mr. Curran’s face and found he was trying, but failing, not to laugh. Eventually he lost. It was a nice sound.
“Forgive me. I tend to talk too much,” she said, not sure whether to laugh or cry. Her prospective husband seemed like a nice man but when she looked at him, she could only see Carl Watson.
“Not at all. I would have done the same thing. I had hoped times had changed but it sounds like they haven’t. I know all about the orphan trains, Miss Collins.”
“It’s different from what you read in the papers.” Even though she tried to temper her tone, it still sounded harsh.
“I know that. I rode the rails back twenty odd years ago. The selection or adoption process you mentioned was the same back then. I was luckier than most. The farmer who took me didn’t hit or beat me. Not worse than his own kids. But Mitch, Mr. Williams, my friend you met last night, his story isn’t as happy.”
She lifted her hand to touch his arm in sympathy but withdrew it just as quickly. He might be her fiancé, but he was still a stranger.
“I am so sorry. I had no idea.”
“You weren’t to know,” he said. “You have only just arrived here, but many in town traveled the same trains. Shannon was adopted by a lovely couple, she’s married to Mitch. She couldn’t wait to meet you. She gets lonely out here away from everyone.”
Bridget wondered if Shannon would help her plead her case. Silence fell again as they walked. Not being comfortable with her own thoughts, she tried another line of conversation.
“It is very quiet out here compared to New York. How many people live in Riverside Springs?”
“About a couple of hundred, give or take. It depends on where you draw the line. The town is growing though. We have a church and a school now, though they’re one and the same building. We use the school room for Sunday Service. Reverend Franklin is a busy man.”
Her hopes fell, it sounded like there wouldn’t be much chance of finding homes for her siblings if Mr. Curran decided they couldn’t live with them.
“Miss Collins, would you like to sit a while? I feel we should discuss our…situation and it don’t sit right to do that on the street.”
“Where?” she asked.
“I thought we might sit in the Church,” Mr. Curran said. “Reverend Franklin won’t mind and it’s plenty quiet this time of day.”
She nodded, her mouth too dry to speak. She wished she’d worn gloves as her hands were clammy. She followed him up the few steps into the whitewashed church. It was empty as he had suggested. They both took a seat and then sat for a few minutes in silence. Bridget prayed harder than ever.
“Look, Miss Collins, I am a man of my word and I don’t want you getting the wrong impression. But I just ain’t able to provide for three extra mouths. Times are hard here. The banks won’t lend any money and, well, I was managing just fine until I lost a few head of cattle a month or so ago.”
Bridget looked at his face, only noticing now how tired and strained he looked. The dark circles under his eyes matched her own.
“You are a fine-looking woman and a kind-hearted lady. I would be honored to be your husband. But…”
“You cannot offer my siblings a home,” she said, dropping her head.
He played with his hat for a few seconds before he looked back at her. This time she saw the tears lurking behind his eyes.
“I am right sorry ma’am. I wish things was different.”
“Oh, please don’t feel bad, Mr. Curran. I didn’t mean to cause you distress. This is entirely my fault. You didn’t do anything wrong. I was warned nobody would want to take on someone else’s children.”
“It’s not that,” he said fiercely. “I wish with every bone in my body I could provide a proper home for those little ones. If I had the means to do so, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I would never willingly send a child off to the train but I just…well the thing is, if things don’t turn around, I could lose my farm.”
Shame rose in Bridget, threatening to overwhelm her. By thinking just of herself and her family, she had put this poor man in a horrible situation.
“Please Mr. Collins, don’t say things like that. I know you are a hard worker. People in town have only nice things to say about you.” She left out the obvious, that she had only met a few. “I truly hope your situation turns around. You have good friends here who will surely help you.”
“Thank you for saying that, but right now I am more worried about you and those little ones. Annie, she’s such a cheerful little thing and Liam, you can just see he has a wonderful mind, him asking questions all the time.”
“You are a very kind man, Mr. Collins.”
“So, I guess I don’t need to ask you. You don’t want to marry me, do you? I understand. I know I’d want to do the same. I wouldn’t let my siblings go.”
“No, I don’t,” she said softly. “But to be honest, it’s not just because of my siblings,” she stuttered, but he deserved to know the truth. She had to be honest. “I…well I’m not sure I’m suited for being a farmer’s wife. I don’t know the first thing about sowing and planting and things like that. I can milk a cow and collect eggs, we did that back in Ireland when I was very young. But you need a wife who can work alongside you, to make your farm profitable. I will have to find a job in town to provide for my family.”
“I wish you luck with your venture and will help if I can. We could be friends, Miss Collins. I would like that.”
Bridget smiled, “I would like that too, Mr. Curran.”
“You should speak to Reverend Franklin,�
� he said after a moment. “He knows everyone.”
“I will.” She stood, fixing her skirt as she did so. “What would you like to tell the others? I mean your friends who expected a wedding.”
“We could tell them the truth. I cannot afford to marry.”
“No, let’s not do that. I don’t mean we should lie, but perhaps we could say we have decided we are not compatible.” Bridget spoke quickly not thinking about the impact of her words.
“I think that might be a lie as well. At least on my part.”
Bridget’s cheeks heated up at the look he gave her, but it was gone as quickly as it arrived. On impulse she gave him a quick hug.
“Someday a woman will be lucky to have you as a husband,” she told him.
“Maybe you could help me with that as well,” he said.
Stunned, she waited for him to explain.
“If I can turn things around with the farm, maybe you can find a girl who knows how to plant and do farming stuff who needs a fresh chance. One willing to come out here to Riverside Springs.”
“You know Mr. Curran, I might not be able to help with that, but I know a lady who can.”
He smiled at her and she was filled with fondness for this gentle, kind man.
“So, do you think we could dispense with the Mr. Curran and you could just call me Brian?”
“Yes, Brian. If you call me Bridget.”
They walked out of the church both smiling. Bridget couldn’t help but feel things had a way of turning out for the best. She would write to Lily and get her friend to start looking for the right girl for Brian. In the meantime, she had to find Reverend Franklin and see what he thought of the next part of her plan. Would he write to Father Nelson and convince him to let her try to stay in Riverside Springs?
Together they went to speak to the Reverend. She glanced at Brian as they walked to the house. His worried expression mirrored her feelings. He seemed just as nervous as she was. Would the Reverend turn out to be like priests she had known back in New York? Those that insisted on doing the right thing even if it was wrong for everyone involved. Brian couldn’t afford to take on a family and she didn’t want to live in Riverside Springs. Her heart and mind were engaged elsewhere.
Brian swallowed loudly doing nothing for her nerves as he knocked on the door of a small house set back from the street. The front garden was full of flowers, obviously someone was a keen gardener. The white picket fence surrounding the property combined with flower baskets on the windows suggested the Reverend was married. Maybe he would be more understanding of why couples shouldn’t marry.
The door opened, and her heart nearly beat out of her chest. She rubbed her hands self-consciously in her dress not wanting to subject the Reverend to a wet, clammy handshake.
He was older than she had expected. The laughter lines on his face combined with the gentle look in his eyes helped to steady her nerves. He didn’t look like the type of man who would order her to do something she didn’t want to do. Did he?
“Come in, please. My wife is away for a few days visiting with family. So I can’t offer you home-baked cookies, but I can make a pot of coffee if you would like some.”
‘Thank you Reverend but we don’t need anything but a moment of your time. We have something to tell you,” Brian spoke.
Bridget followed the men into a drawing room littered with papers.
“If my darling wife was here, she would be quite annoyed at the mess. But I find it easier to write my sermons in here. It helps relax my mind,” the Reverend apologized as he moved papers for Bridget to sit down.
The room was comfortably furnished although the furniture was old and well used. Mrs. Franklin or someone in her family liked to sew. The chairs had embroidered chair backs and the sampler above the fireplace was beautifully stitched.
“Miss Collins, Bridget if I may, it is lovely to meet you. Father Nelson told me all about you in his letters. You did a wonderful thing, helping the orphans find homes.”
“Thank you, Reverend.”
“Now what can I do for you fine folks?” he asked.
Bridget looked to Brian to find him staring at her. Perhaps she should explain.
“Reverend, as you know we, I mean I came here on the understanding I would marry Brian, I mean Mr. Curran,” Bridget stuttered. “I, that is we, agreed it would be best not to proceed with our wedding.”
The Reverend didn’t speak but looked to Brian who nodded furiously. Bridget was tempted to reach out and stop him. Instead she clasped her hands on top of her skirt.
“Might I ask why?”
Bridget looked to Brian for help.
“Bridget, I mean Miss Collins brought her siblings with her. She was desperate to find them all a happy home. I…I just…” Brian’s cheeks reddened.
“I put Mr. Curran into an impossible situation. It was wrong of me to assume he would be able to take on three new people. It is not his fault but mine.”
“It’s not your fault. You were doing what you felt right, Bridget. You couldn’t let those kids go to strangers. I understand that,”
Bridget glanced at the Reverend who instead of looking angry, looked saddened.
“Miss Collins, I am sorry you found yourself in the position of being orphaned and having responsibility for younger siblings. It is to your credit you tried to do what was best for them. Brian, I admire you for your honesty. Given the cattle rustling and current economic conditions, I know it is not possible for you to take on a new family.” The Reverend took a second as if to collect his thoughts. “It is obvious to me that you both have discussed this at length and come to a mutual amicable agreement and for that I congratulate you. It takes courage not to do something that is expected. Marriage is not to be entered into lightly.”
“You agree with us?” Bridget clarified she had understood him but glancing at Brian’s face she could see his relief.
“Yes Miss Collins, I believe you have made a wise decision. Brian is a wonderful young man and at some point, he will be able to provide for a family just not now. But tell me, what are your plans for the children? And for yourself?”
Brian stood up. “I should leave you to have this conversation in private.”
“No please don’t go, Brian,” Bridget asked afraid to lose her ally despite the kindness of the Reverend. “I am not sure of my plans yet, Reverend. I would like to see if I can find employment and support my siblings myself. I have a small amount of savings to cover our expenses for a couple of weeks.”
She saw the doubt in his eyes, but she kept talking to prevent him suggesting she send the children back on the orphan train.
“I know Father Nelson believes the best thing is for the children to be adopted and he may be right, but I want to prove to myself and to Liam and Annie that I tried my best to keep our family together.”
“Your intentions are noble Miss Collins, but I am afraid our town might not be able to meet your needs. We don’t have very many openings. But I will pray you find answers.”
“Thank you Reverend.”
“Now will you join me for coffee and tell me how Father Nelson is. I have his letters, but it would be nice to hear you speak about him. I miss his friendship.”
“He misses you as well, Reverend.” Relaxed now the truth was out in the open, Bridget told the men about Father Nelson, Lily, and the work of Carmel’s mission.
Chapter 48
Two weeks passed, and Bridget was no further in her quest to find work. Everyone she asked either had no vacancies or was reluctant to employ a woman especially one with two children. She sensed some didn’t believe her story, but they couldn’t think Liam was her son. Could they?
Mrs. Grayson had offered them room and board in return for help with chores around the store and some sewing work. Mrs. Grayson had provided a repair service, but she complained she couldn’t see well enough to sew anymore. Bridget thought she was making her eyesight sound worse than it was, but she wasn’t too proud to accept a little
bit of charity.
She didn’t mind sewing by hand, her stitches may not be as neat as Kathleen’s, but the time spent in the sanctuary had given her enough experience to do the job well. She was sitting in the store during a quiet period with her sewing. Mr. Grayson had gone out to deliver an order and she was alone with her thoughts. She had to face facts. There was simply no way she could keep her family together. She had to let Liam and Annie be adopted. It wasn’t fair to anyone to let the current situation continue. She couldn’t live off Mr and Mrs. Grayson forever. Nor did she want to. Every night she dreamed of children crying, begging her to help them. The dreams were so vivid she woke up crying out in her sleep. Brian had already commented she was getting black circles under her eyes, one of his less favorable comments over the last week.
“You have a neat hand, Bridget,” Mrs. Grayson said, stepping up behind her and examining her work.
“Thank you, Mrs. Grayson. Ma was a seamstress up at the big house when we lived back in Ireland. She showed us all how to stitch. My sister Kathleen she is a natural. You should see her work.”
“Maybe I will someday.”
She looked at her new friend and wondered if she could ask her to help Kathleen. Mrs. Grayson looked up and smiled, her kind eyes looking as if they might reach into Bridget’s head and read her thoughts.
“You are leaving, aren’t you?” the older woman asked her kindly, but her eyes showed concern.
“I have to. I can’t find a way to keep the family together. Lily and Father Nelson were right. I had too much pride thinking I could do it.”
“Don’t talk like that about yourself, Bridget. You tried to keep your family together. That’s a good thing. Few nineteen-year olds would even consider it. It’s a pity the town isn’t bigger. What will you do?”
Bridget outlined her plan to speak to the Reeses about adopting Liam and Annie. “I hope I didn’t misunderstand their interest.”
“From what I know of them you didn’t. They will make lovely parents. You will find out soon enough when you ask them. But if the children are adopted what shall you do Bridget? You could stay here?”
Orphan Train Escape Page 16
