Ruth Wyatt: Rescued By The Sheriff

By Jan Motion

This is a short story.
Ruth Wyatt grew up in an orphanage after she lost her parents in a stage coach robbery. The family had thought she had also died in that robbery until 16 years later, someone told her cousin that they had seen a girl who could be his sister. From there, the family tracked her down and sent her a train ticket to come home. But it wasn't as easy as that.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jan Motion
• Release date: Jul 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781501461361

Book preview

No little girl wants to grow up to be a mail order bride, but some little girls, as they grow closer to the age of eighteen, their expectations change.  They now just hope to be accepted by someone even though their life has been one long rejection.

Ruth Wyatt was saved from that and heading west on a train taking her from the only life she had known.  A life of hunger, a life of loneliness and a life of neglect.  Taking her to a life of hopes, acceptance and ultimately, family. 

Just two short weeks ago, on her eighteenth birthday, her bag was handed to her at the front door of the orphanage she had spent fourteen years at.  Because of her almost white hair and gray eyes, potential adoptive parents would not consider her because they feared she would be an unhealthy child and would not be long for this world.

But she showed them. Yes, she showed them all. She made it to the age of eighteen with nothing more than a few colds and one bout with the flu at age twelve.  It was by the Grace of God she enjoyed good health but what good did it do her?  Nobody wanted her. 

Until now.  Ruth pulled out the telegram she had received two days prior.  Been looking for you for eleven years.  Stop.  Come to California.  Stop.  Family waiting.  Stop.  Robert Wyatt.

Ruth studied the telegram saying the name Robert Wyatt over and over again, trying to remember that name from her past.  But nothing came to her.  He had to be a relative.  Why else would he have sent for her?

She held the telegram close to her chest and closed her eyes.  The Porter approached her and asked her if she could move to another seat.  Her seat and the empty seat next to her was needed for a sheriff and his prisoner.  There is no need for you to be concerned, Miss, but we'll be picking them up at the next stop in seven minutes.

"Of course.  Just show me to my seat.  How long is the stop?  Will I have time to