Orphan Train Disaster

by Rachel Wesson

  Chapter 49

  “Lily, have you seen this? Aren’t American’s wonderful?” Kathleen smiled, shaking the newspaper at Lily as she walked through the door of Lily’s home.

  “What?” Lily groaned inwardly. She loved Kathleen, but today her friend’s positivity was grating on her nerves. She hadn’t slept again, worrying about Leonie and the others in need. How could she help everyone?

  “Lily, so many people are raising money for the victims and their families. From newsstand owners to people like William Fox, the movie producer, they are all making pledges to help. At the Hippodrome, it says, 500 employees raffled off a gold watch–the tickets cost 50 cents and sold out. The money is pouring in, but it’s not just that. People are pulling together. Some Italian families couldn’t afford to bury their dead, so the Hebrew Free Burial Society offered places in its Staten Island burial grounds. Usually only Jews are buried there. Jews helping Catholics, Lily. It goes to show most people are decent.”

  “Does it?”

  “Lily, don’t be like that. Look at this story of a little boy who sent in ten dollars to the fund. He wrote a letter to say he wanted it to be given to the family of one of the little girls who jumped out of the window. Poor child was heartbroken when his father told him about it.”

  Kathleen looked up, but Lily couldn’t meet her gaze. She stared into the fire.

  “Lily, stop moping. Believe in people. Otherwise, what’s the point of getting up each morning? Now get dressed. Emily and Gustav have invited us to the children’s home for lunch, or had you forgotten?”

  She had. She didn’t want to go anywhere, but they had rescheduled the orphanage visit so many times, she couldn’t do it again. She knew Emily and Gustav wanted her opinion on the changes they had made. She screamed silently. She wanted to go back to bed.

  Lily had stayed home all week, avoiding the Sanctuary. She hadn’t even been to the hospital to visit Leonie. She just couldn’t seem to put one foot in front of the other. But there was no way Kathleen would let her miss the lunch. She left Kathleen chatting happily to Teddy and Laurie.

  When she came back downstairs, the children had disappeared.

  “What did you do with them?”

  “Noting. I couldn’t compete with your cook’s chocolate brownies. Even the older boys can’t resist them.”

  Lily smiled. Teddy and Laurie were probably the biggest children of all when it came to Cook’s snacks.

  “Did Laurie bore you with talk of airplanes? The boy is obsessed.” Lily shook out her scarf before wrapping it around her hair.

  “He was chatting about them, but it was interesting. I get too much medical talk at home. It’s nice to hear something different. He said you have agreed to him taking flying lessons.”

  Lily shook her head, although she was smiling. “That boy. We have not. We agreed to think about it. I can’t bear the thought of him up in one of those things. But he is getting to the age where he doesn’t need my permission.

  “True, and it’s not like it’s a phase. He’s been mad about airplanes forever. Let him get it out of his system would be my advice. If you were asking for my opinion.”

  “Kathleen Green, since when has anyone had to ask you for your opinion. You are usually happy to tell me what you think.”

  Kathleen shrugged, “I learned to speak up a long time ago or I’d never get a word in edgeways, not with the way you chatter away nineteen to the dozen.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Oh yes, you do.” They squabbled like children as they made their way to Kathleen’s automobile.

  Lily adjusted her hat, hoping she had secured it tightly enough. “I still can’t believe you drive every chance you get now.”

  “Lily, most people can drive an automobile, you just pretend to be a dinosaur. Charlie has had one longer than Richard.”

  Lily muttered something as she took her seat. She much preferred taking a cab, but she guessed Kathleen enjoyed driving. She might, too, if she didn’t need glasses to see two feet in front of her. Not that she admitted that to anyone.

  She looked in interest at the area surrounding the orphanage. New York was enjoying a building boom, with new homes and offices springing up all over the city. Here was no exception. She spotted a couple of large houses that wouldn’t look out of place on Fifth Avenue. Next to them, the orphanage stuck out like a sore thumb.

  Chapter 50

  Alice ran out to meet them as the automobile pulled up outside. Lily glanced round at her first visit to the home. It was rather unimpressive, unless they designed it to scare children into thinking it was somewhere they would be miserable. She walked up the stairs to the door where Emily and Gustav were waiting.

  Emily smiled in greeting before gesturing at the home behind her, “Hideous, isn’t it? I hate the outside, too.”

  Embarrassed at her thoughts being read so accurately, Lily couldn’t think of what to say. Emily solved that . She moved forward to take her arm and draw her inside.

  “Hopefully you will like what we have done with the inside. Matron loved the color gray, everything was a shade of gray, including the children and staff.” Emily laughed at her own joke. “So the first thing I did was paint everywhere. I couldn’t afford matching pots of color, so we followed a rainbow theme. Gustav helped a lot, too. It’s bright, and the children love it. The school inspectors aren’t so keen.”

  A shadow crossed Emily’s eyes at that remark, but it was soon replaced by her gentle expression once more.

  There were fewer children than Lily had been expecting.

  Emily continued, “Many of the children have left us. Some have been adopted, others have returned to their homes. Many have left on another orphan train. We only have six girls left.”

  Six was a tiny number for such a large premises, but Lily made sure her face remained unreadable. She didn’t want Emily or Gustav to think she was being critical.

  They walked into a huge, colorful room, each wall a different shade of blue. Girls ranging in age from four to fourteen all sat around a table drawing pictures.

  “They look like angels, don’t they?” Emily muttered. “It’s amazing what the promise of cake will do.”

  Lily smiled at the scene in front of her. Kathleen complimented some girls on their pictures while Alice introduced Lily to all her friends. The young girls seemed happy and healthy. They stayed for a few minutes before the eldest, a girl called Shania, took them away for cake and cookies.

  Emily watched them walk to the dining room in an orderly manner, her face like that of a proud parent. Then she glanced back at her guests. “I thought it would be easier if we had our lunch alone. The girls are wonderful, but they can get a little out of hand sometimes.”

  “I can imagine. Where do they play?” Kathleen asked.

  “Through there.” Emily pointed to the yard in the back of the school. “It’s not much, but at least it gives them a safe place to run around. We’d love to have grass or a tree or something, but the city reckons it’s good enough.”

  Lily caught the edge in Emily’s voice, but when the woman didn’t elaborate, Lily let it go. She sensed she would be told if she needed to know.

  “This smells wonderful,” Kathleen said as they took a seat in a small kitchen area.

  “Gustav cooked, I’m a good baker, but with cooking meals, I think I was behind the door when that talent was given out. Thankfully, Gustav is used to producing meals for himself. The girls are relieved when he calls.”

  Lily tried not to look at Kathleen. They had discussed it being only a matter of time before Emily and Gustav would get married. It was obvious they cared deeply for each other, despite not knowing each other very long. But if she tried matchmaking, Kathleen was likely to laugh, and the last thing she wanted to do was offend this couple who seemed to have found love out of such a tragic story.

  They ate their lunch discussing this and that. Nobody brought up the fire, and for that, Lily was grateful. Emily shared stories abo
ut her girls, as she called them. Gustav told them how Alice had decided it was time for Miss Baker and her girls to come and live with them.

  “Where is everyone supposed to sleep?” Lily asked Gustav as Emily and Kathleen laughed at Alice’s suggestions.

  “She has it all figured out. She thinks Conrad should marry Maria and get his own house. I had to remind her we are living in Conrad’s own house.”

  Kathleen asked Gustav, “How did Conrad react to the suggestion that he marry Maria?”

  “He laughed at first, but when Alice kept asking, he muttered something about families making life difficult and went out. I should apologize. Alice finds it hard to keep out of other people’s business.”

  “She’s just a kid, she wants everyone to be as happy as she is. She sees Conrad and Maria so happy together. You would need to be blind not to see it. I can’t understand why her mother is so against them being together,” Lily said.

  Gustav shrugged. “He’s not Italian and I guess she’s scared she will lose Maria.”

  Kathleen sniffed. “She’s going to lose her faster if she chases away a good man who loves her. He helped save her life, didn't he? Emily, did you know Gustav was a real hero saving so many.”

  And there it was, the fire. There was no escaping from it, it had taken prisoners of all New Yorkers, just like they had imprisoned the Triangle workers in the factory.

  Lily sipped her water, waiting for someone to talk, but it seemed they were all consumed by their memories. Kathleen sent her an apologetic look, but Lily ignored it.

  She was thrilled when Alice came racing in and almost jumped on Gustav, “Did you ask her yet?”

  Gustav turned crimson. “Alice! What did I tell you about listening to other people’s conversations? Go play.”

  “But I want to know what she says! I think it’s a wonderful idea.”

  “Alice,” Gustav warned. Alice stared at his face as if trying to gauge how serious he was.

  Emily interrupted, “Go on now, Alice, leave the adults to talk for a while.”

  “Yes, Emily.” Alice ran out as fast as she had come in. Kathleen and Lily stared at Gustav, waiting for him to explain, but he seemed to be lost for words.

  “I guess you are wondering what that was about.” Emily placed a hand over Gustav’s. “The City has dispensed with my services.”

  “It’s so unfair. They accused her - us of many horrible things. They…” Gustav fell silent.

  Emily stepped in. “They don’t want us here, and that’s the reality. They were looking for an excuse to close the place for ages. The land around here has become very expensive. I’m sure you noticed all the new buildings. Seems this part of the neighborhood has become what’s called ‘desirable’.” Emily paused to collect her thoughts. “People want larger homes and they can’t afford the streets near Fifth Avenue, so they’re looking elsewhere. Someone decided, once this neighborhood was cleaned up, it would make a nice place to live. So…”

  “They are throwing you out on the street. What about the girls? What will they do with them?” Kathleen asked.

  “Shania has secured a live-in position as a housemaid. They are a nice family, and she will be well treated. They will send the rest of the children on the next Orphan Train, but April Lawlor will meet them in Chicago. She has found each girl a new home, and we all know it will be the best they can hope for. April has been a blessing in all of this.”

  Lily leaned forward in her seat, “What about you?”

  Chapter 51

  Emily glanced at Gustav before admitting, “I don’t know what will happen to me. I’ve never had a job, I mean a paid position outside of an orphanage. I only started earning a small salary when they got rid of Matron. It was barely enough to cover essentials.”

  Lily noticed Gustav’s hand tighten over Emily’s.

  He spoke up, “We planned to get married, but now, we have to wait. The fire means I’m out of work. The Triangle has reopened…”

  Lily and Kathleen exchanged a look of horror. Lily’s voice shook with anger, “It has? But where?”

  “Downtown. They called it something different, but it’s the same. I just can’t bring myself to go back near those fellas.”

  “Gustav, I promised you a job at the factory.”

  “I know that, Miss Lily, but the factory isn’t open yet. So we were thinking, we might head to Chicago, too. Alice, me and Emily.”

  The man looked distinctly uncomfortable.

  “Is that what you both want?” Lily persisted.

  Emily shook her head, dabbing a cloth at her eyes. “Gustav doesn’t want to leave New York. Alice doesn’t either, says she hates the countryside. Even the thought of reuniting with Jack can’t change her mind.”

  If Alice didn’t want to live near the friend who’d saved her, it meant she really wanted to live in New York. Lily was eager to help make that happen, if she could.

  “So what were Alice’s suggestions? Have you asked her yet?” Lily looked straight at the couple. “Does she want you to come and live at the Sanctuary? She knows that isn’t possible. We can’t provide accommodation for men.”

  “We know that, but we were wondering, if you had room, would you be able to give my Emily a room until we find a way out of our problems? They only gave her a week’s notice. We don’t have much time.”

  “Of course you can live at the Sanctuary, Emily. We’d love to have you. The room might be small, but you are welcome to it.”

  “Thank you, Miss Lily. I swear we knew nothing about this until yesterday. That’s when they told us. I mean we knew the girls were moving on, but we assumed a new lot would come in. I think the Orphan’s Society don’t really approve of the changes I’ve made.”

  “I guess they don’t like bright colors or happy children,” Kathleen retorted. “Sometimes I wonder what it is about the Orphan’s Society that attracts those with no regard for children’s feelings. Honestly, it is so frustrating.”

  “Tell us how you really feel, Kathleen,” Lily teased her friend. Everyone laughed, which had been her intention. She could tell Emily and Gustav were uncomfortable at having to ask for help.

  “Gustav, we need to get the factory open sooner. What about if I made you supervisor?” He opened his mouth to protest, but she said, “Please, just hear me out. I think the builders, plumbers, and other tradesmen would take orders better from a man. They assume I don’t know what I am talking about. I guess until women get the vote, there will always be those men who don’t like women calling the shots. If I was younger, I would get in and fight it out with them, but I’m tired. Charlie, Kathleen, and well, I guess everyone keeps telling me I must delegate more. So how about it?”

  Gustav stared at her, a look of incredulity in his eyes. “You want me? I haven’t built anything before.”

  “Why not you? The builders know how to build, and we have the architect. You’re honest, hardworking, brave, and resourceful. You and Conrad have already been advising me on the building design. You don’t need to do the building work, although you might be faster than some on that job. I might have an issue with the colors you paint rooms, but we can work on that.”

  Kathleen smiled at her attempt at a joke, but Emily and Gustav only had eyes for each other.

  Emily threw her arms around Gustav, tears running down her face. Or was it his face? Lily beamed, especially when Kathleen came over and hugged her. “You did a great thing today, Lily Doherty.”

  Gustav offered his hand. “Thank you, Miss Lily, you won’t regret it.”

  “I won’t, Gustav, but you might. They are an ornery lot, those workmen.”

  “Men are easy to deal with. Women’re the problem.”

  As the three women turned outraged looks at him, he burst out laughing as he stood up. “Works every time.”

  Lily decided payback was due. “Good joke. Now then, when’s the wedding?”

  Gustav sat back down again and squeaked, “The wedding?”

  Kathleen and Lil
y exchanged a smile. No matter how much in love a man appeared to be, talk of weddings always got them flustered.

  “Yes, you said you wanted to get married, but you couldn’t as you don’t have a job. Now if that was only an excuse, I can take Emily out to meet some of Patrick’s young friends. He’ll have plenty of bachelors friends who need wives, won’t he, Kathleen?”

  “Don’t you drag me into this, Lily.” Kathleen stood up and dragged Lily to her feet. “Come on matchmaker, let’s go do what we are good at and go play with the children.”

  They left Gustav and Emily sitting at the table staring at one another, both wearing silly grins. Lily felt lighter and happier than she had done in a long time. Maybe things would change now and start working out for all her friends. Her thoughts flew to Leonie and her siblings. What type of future was in store for them?

  Chapter 52

  June 1st 1911

  Frieda sat by the bed, studying her notes. She should be at home resting, but she felt a pull towards Leonie. The girl hadn’t moved or woken up since the fire two months ago. Her condition hadn’t changed, yet Frieda felt something might happen.

  “Thought I might find you here,” Patrick said as he walked in and kissed her lightly on the cheek. They didn’t flaunt their engagement at the hospital, and Frieda left her beautiful emerald ring at the Sanctuary.

  “How is she?”

  “Patrick, I can’t help feeling we need to bring her out of it. What about having the family visit?”

  “But you saw what happened last time. They became hysterical.”

  “I know, but it was soon after their mother died. I just think we need to give Leonie a bigger reason to fight. She’s just lying there.”

  “You think she can hear us?” he asked before he gently rearranged Leonie in the bed. The patients developed horrendous bed sores from being left lying too long in one position. The nurses were good at preventing them, but a case like Leonie was extra challenging.