Orphans On A Train: A Boxed Set of Five Orphan Train Stories

By Beth Overton

The Orphan Train: Forced From His Sister & Sent To Work In The Mines - A child and his sister are sent on an orphan train out west and then fostered separately, with different families. Unfortunately, the boy is treated indifferently and forced to work in the mines and is left unschooled. The only thing he has to look forward to is the next visit from his caretaker and the remote possibility of one day being reunited with his sister.

The Orphan Train: Underground And Hounded By Bounty Hunters - A woman working at an orphanage that houses many boys decides to escape with a large group of them and try to find loving homes along the way west for as many as possible, as they travel by wagon and train across country. Hounded by bounty hunters, strangers assist them, leaving food and providing shelter. All of the boys are placed with families except for one and his caretaker promises a special home for him at the very end.

The Orphan Train: The Boy & His Friend From The Orphan Train - A farmer and his wife foster a nine-year-old boy when the Orphan Train from Missouri reaches California. He lucks out and finds that his foster parents are kind and thoughtful and loving Christians, while unfortunately, his friend’s foster parent is not. It all comes to a head when the boy sees his friend again for the first time, but doesn’t know how to tell his own caretakers about the situation.

The Orphan Train: The Twins & Their Farm Family In Oklahoma City - Two Irish twins are taken on an Orphan Train through to Oklahoma where a loving farm family fosters them. They haven’t had much in their lives but their new surrogate parents are a loving couple and the pair thrive. It’s only after they’ve lived there for a few months that an act of Mother Nature tests them to the limit.

The Orphan Train: Sisters From New York & The Cowboy Farm Family In Minnesota - A pair of sisters take an Orphan Train out of NYC and end up in Minnesota where they are eventually adopted by a loving farm family. It’s a little harder than they thought fitting in but as the older sister reaches maturity, she runs into an old childhood friend from the big city, and this makes her wonder what will happen to her as she reaches adulthood.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beth Overton
• Release date: Feb 7, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311381521

Beth Overton

Beth Overton lives in Northern California with her husband and three cats. Besides writing romances, she loves to read everything she can get her hands on, as well as cooking up gourmet delights for her entire family.

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Orphans On A Train: A Boxed Set of Five Orphan Train Stories

By

Beth Overton

Copyright 2016 Quietly Blessed & Loved Press

The Orphan Train: Forced From His Sister & Sent To Work In The Mines

The Orphan Train: Underground And Hounded By Bounty Hunters

The Orphan Train: The Boy & His Friend From The Orphan Train

The Orphan Train: The Twins & Their Farm Family In Oklahoma City

The Orphan Train: Sisters From New York & The Cowboy Farm Family In Minnesota

The Orphan Train: Forced From His Sister & Sent To Work In The Mines

Synopsis: The Orphan Train: Forced From His Sister & Sent To Work In The Mines - A child and his sister are sent on an orphan train out west and then fostered separately, with different families. Unfortunately, the boy is treated indifferently and forced to work in the mines and is left unschooled. The only thing he has to look forward to is the next visit from his caretaker and the remote possibility of one day being reunited with his sister.

Boston, 1892

Oy, over there, Cormac whispered to Liam. It was hard to hear him amongst the cacophony of sound all around them. Carriages and horsecars covered the streets and the noise of trotting hooves blended in with all the people clamoring outside.

Cormac was a big boy, a teenager almost and he was much bigger and stockier than Liam. He had his eye on a well-dressed gentleman who was crossing the street and making his way towards the newsstand that was a few feet away from him and Liam. The gentleman picked up a paper and took a coin from his pocket to pay the vendor. As the man began to walk towards them, Cormac nodded his head to Liam, who tripped over and fell into the man, almost taking the gentleman down with him.

Sorry, sir, Liam muttered as the flustered gentleman picked himself back up again, muttering to himself.

Cormac and Liam turned into a side street.

Well? Cormac demanded.

Liam pulled a handful of coins out of his pocket and dropped a few into Cormac’s hand. They both grinned at the small treasure that they had acquired. He and Cormac began to briskly walk in case the gentleman might notice sooner than later that his pockets were a few coins lighter.

They walked a few blocks before they stopped at an oyster cart to buy something to eat. The cart vendor gave each boy a freshly opened oyster. That salty smell of the sea was something that Liam loved about Boston. Before heading home, Liam and Cormac went to the harbor to watch the ships pass by. Having never left Boston before, Liam wondered what else was out there. He later gave the coins he didn’t spend to his mother.

Dinner was never anything special, but in a way it was, or at least it used to be. Liam would peel potatoes while Nora would cut them up along with some cabbage. Their mother would get a pot of water boiling. About this time of day was when Liam and Nora’s father would come through the door from his job at the factory.

He always loved to pick Nora up and kiss her on the forehead and she loved it too, but a freak accident at the factory months earlier had taken his life and that loss of income had been a huge blow to the family. Because their father had been sending money to family out in Ireland, there was nothing saved away after he passed.

Before then, their mother did not work. Because she was not educated or trained in a profession, her job options were scarce. In the more recent weeks, she had picked up a few odd jobs ironing clothes and cleaning homes. However, she had been seemingly home all day for the past two weeks and it looked as if her job prospects had slowly evaporated. She was slowly becoming more irritable and less lighthearted, though it probably did not help that Liam’s father was no longer there to lighten the mood and help her with the responsibility of raising a family. Still, Liam and his sister tried their best to keep their hopes up.

As their mother set the bowls and spoons on the table and Nora ladled the soup into the bowls, Liam pulled up a chair, eying the empty chair across from him where his father used to sit. The potatoes were mushy and the broth was bland, but it was food. Liam wished he had enough money to buy his family a dozen oysters.

They sat there in silence, sipping their soup. When their father was around, he was the one to get everybody talking and laughing. Now it was just quiet, until somebody started to pound on the door.

I’ll get that, Liam’s mother nearly whispered as she rose from the table. She went to the door and cracked it slightly open. It was Mr. Poole the landlord. Liam’s mother slipped out through the door into the hallway, closing the door behind her, but the children could still hear through the thin walls.

I hope you’ve got the money. You said you’d have it by this morning.

Is there any way I can pay it this weekend? I’ll have it then. Work has been slow. But Liam and Nora are both looking for work. We’re doing our best.

I’m sorry, but I’ve already given you two extensions. I can’t have you paying rent late again for the 3rd week in a row. If you can’t pay the rent then you’ll all have to leave. You’re not the only ones struggling to pay rent but I’m not running a charity here. We all have to make a living. You have until the end of the week to clear out.

The children avoided looking, but they could hear the door close as their mother came back into the apartment. Without saying a word, she made her way to the bedroom and pulled the curtain behind her.

For the rest of that week, Liam and Nora helped their mother pack up their things, or what little things they did have left. The children had no idea where they were going next and it looked like their mother was just about as clueless as they were. She spent all day in bed, only going out one day for a few hours. When she came back, she had a bag in her hand.

Come here, I’ve got something for both of you, she said.

She pulled out two sets of clothes. A dress for Nora and a shirt, vest, pants, and socks for Liam. They didn’t look brand new, but they were still better than anything they had ever owned before.

What is this? asked Liam.

It’s clothes, silly, replied Nora.

Her face lit up as she took the blue dress in her hands.

Come, their mother said, taking the dress from Nora.

We’ll be eating early tonight. We’ve got a big day tomorrow and the two of you should get a good night’s sleep.

The next day, Liam’s mother fussed around, making sure that Nora and Liam’s faces and hands were clean and that they looked presentable, though who they were to be presentable to was a complete mystery to the children.

Come over here, she urged.

Liam hesitated for a moment.

Come on now.

He took his seat at the chair in front of the mirror. Taking a comb in her hand, his mother began to brush through his hair, looking at Liam’s reflection in the mirror.

You must look nice. We will be meeting some nice folks at the train station and you are to be polite and kind to them. You want to make a good impression, do you hear me?

Yes ma’am, Liam muttered.

He silently wondered if they were off to meet some rich, long-lost, mysterious American relative that would take them in. His parents had so many distant family members, maybe it was possible.

His mother looked downward as she finished fixing his hair.

When he went out into the main room, he could see that his mother had dressed Nora well too. Her dress was light blue and almost matched Nora’s eyes. Liam could see that his mother had taken plenty of time to lovingly fix Nora’s curly, unruly hair. It was the same color as their mother’s hair, but a lot messier. Nora’s red, spiraled locks had been styled into two braids, one on each side of her face. Each braid was tied off with light blue bows.

Liam’s mother put a hand on each of her children’s shoulders and forced a smile.

Aren’t you two such a sight?

She sighed and began to push Liam and Nora towards the door.

We best get going or we’ll be late. Come on, now.

Outside the station, everything seemed exceptionally busy. Liam noticed a lot of familiar faces, and a few new ones that he had never seen before. Something about the air felt tense, though Liam could not put his finger on it and something in his mother’s face looked somber. Liam forgot about that soon enough once Cormac caught his eye. Liam noticed that Cormac’s uncle was with him. Liam went over to meet him while Nora stuck to their mother’s side.

What is this, eh? Cormac asked Liam.

Dunno, Liam replied.

We’ll find out soon enough, said Cormac.

He turned his head towards a woman who was walking towards the group. She appeared to be in her twenties, with hair that was pulled into a bun, though it was covered by a hat. She extended her gloved hand to Liam’s mother and then to Cormac’s uncle.

How do you do, my name is Miss Kelly. These must be the children.

She looked over at Liam, Norma, and Cormac, giving them a forced smile.

Miss Kelly held what looked like a list in her hand. A list of names. She looked at Nora.

What is your name, dear?

Nora stared up blankly at the woman.

She’s Nora, this one is Liam. Murphy.

I’m Cormac, Cormac said.

So good to meet all of you. Well, all the others are inside, so we better get going.

Going? Going where? Liam’s mother slouched down to give him and his sister a hug and a kiss on each cheek. As she hugged him, Liam could feel her hands shaking.

Take care of each other, his mother whispered.

She stood up and sharply turned, walking away from her children briskly, not looking back behind her once.

Nora finally broke her silence.

Mama? Mama!

Liam stood there stunned as his mother faded into the crowd.

In the train station, there was a group of children, at least two dozen or so, shuffling into a train car.

Watch your step, children, Miss Kelly urged.

A man with a dark, full beard and a round belly looked on as the children boarded the train. He came onto the train once the last child boarded. When all the children were seated, the man began to speak.

"My name is Mr. Fry. This is Miss Kelly. We will be accompanying all of you. Think of us as your caretakers not only during this journey, but afterwards. Some of you may already know a little bit about this program. For those who do not, I will give a brief explanation.

Some of you are orphans. The rest of you can no longer be cared for by your parents, so they have deemed it necessary to hand you over to our care. This has been done in hopes that you can have better lives than would have been provided for you here in Boston. This train will be going to various cities in the Midwest, where you will find new families to take you on. These people will be better equipped to care for you and see to your needs. We have taken care to ensure that you will go to wholesome, loving homes where you will not go hungry.

But, Mr. Fry continued as he slowly paced up and down the car, occasionally making eye contact with some of the children.

He wagged his finger at the children as he continued to speak.

Each and every one of you must make a good impression. One impression is all you will get. These people have been notified that you are coming and they want children. However, you must make them want you. This is why you have been dressed in these clothes and cleaned. It is important that you look and act presentable. You must mind your manners and be sure to keep your hair neat. Smile and be polite to these people. One thoughtless move can make someone decide not to take you.

Cormac put on a goofy smile for Liam and raised his hands up to this face, fluttering his eyelids. Liam stifled a giggle. Mr. Fry turned and walked towards them, hovering over Cormac and Liam.

Now that’s enough of that. If you are not placed, and no one will want a rough child without manners, then you will end up on a train back home in whatever forsaken hole you were living in. If you want to be hungry every hour of every day, to wonder where your next meal is coming from or whether you’ll have clothes on your back, then keep that behavior up, because that is where it will get you.

Mr. Fry continued.

You are to make Ms. Kelly and I proud of your behavior and you are not to embarrass us in any way. Not here in the train, and not out there when we make our stops. When you do get placed, and it is likely that most of you will, either Miss Kelly or I will check in on you and write to make sure that you are settled in.

The train doors shut and the train began to move. Liam pressed his face against the window. Would this really be the last time he would be here? Or would he be sent on a train back? And he still wasn’t quite sure where they were going.

Food was served on the train. The children ate apples for lunch, bread and cheese for dinner. Sweet crackers were consumed for breakfast. Nora did not have an appetite for lunch or dinner on the first day and Cormac happily ate her food for her.

Later that night, Nora silently cried herself to sleep and fell asleep with her head rested on Liam’s shoulder.

The general mood of the train car was varied. Some children, especially the younger ones, felt abandoned like Nora did and many of them cried. The rest of them didn’t know what to think and sat in relative silence for the ride while a small handful of them remained cheerful and upbeat, possibly optimistic about their lives getting better.

When it was time for breakfast, Liam pushed her to eat. He told her that starving herself wouldn’t make their parents come back. Maybe she thought that if her mother knew how unhappy she was, she would come and get her, but after a while, she gave in and had a few bites of her cracker.

The hours in the train dragged by for Liam. Those hours slowly turned into days. While many of the children were around his age, more were even younger and looked to be around 5 or 6. There was a girl holding a baby that looked nothing like her. Every few minutes or so the baby would scream and scream, probably for its mother. There were two sisters holding hands and trying to comfort each other. It looked as if Cormac was the oldest one in the car.

After what seemed like forever, the train finally pulled into a station.

We’ve stopped! a child cried.

The other children began to murmur and whisper.

Quiet, Mr. Fry urged.

Now children, said Miss Kelly, please try to remain calm and stay in your seats until the train has stopped.

Mr. Fry cleared his throat and stood up.

When it is time to leave the train, I will call out your names according to this list I have in my hand. You will exit the train in that order, forming a line in single file out on the platform. Miss Kelly and I will escort you to the church, which is nearby, where you will meet your potential new families. Remember to be on your best behavior. No slouching, no itching, keep your hands at your sides. Do not disappoint us.

The train slowly came to a halt and the doors opened up. Mr. Fry put on his reading glasses, cleared his throat, and began to read from the list.

Now, he said, Amelia Engle. George Clark. Eileen Hayes. Sarah Hayes. James Johnson. Cormac Madden. Nora Murphy. William Murphy. Helen Stevenson….

As the line of children exited the train station, a poster on the wall caught Liam’s eye. He was not very well read but he could make out the following words: Homes Wanted for Children.

Nora’s hand tightened around Liam’s as they stepped out into the streets. Mr. Fry was at the head of the line while Miss Kelly was at the very end of it.

This way, children, shouted Mr. Fry.

Mr. Fry crossed the street and led them all up the steps into a church, down the hall into a room with a stage. He led them all onto the stage, reminding them to keep their line formation and to stand up straight and tall.

No slouching, he urged. And keep your hands at your sides.

The room, which had been relatively empty, was beginning to fill up with people. Many of them seemed much older in age than Liam’s mother and most of them appeared to be couples. They were all whispering and staring at the children. It made Liam rather uncomfortable. Nora turned her face away from the crowd before Mr. Fry reprimanded her.

A tall, clean-shaven man made his way to the pulpit and the crowd began to quiet down. He began to speak.

Thank you all for being with us today. I am Doctor Wilson and I am on the committee for this program for orphan train children. As you all know, these children have no families to look after them and no homes to call their own. They have been brought here in hopes of finding them decent, wholesome homes that will welcome them into their own families. You are all welcome to come up on this stage to have a better look at the children.

For a moment the crowd held back from going onto the stage.

Then a rugged looking man came onto the stage. He looked right at Cormac.

You look strong. Are you strong?

I reckon I am. I can lift this one right here. Cormac replied, gesturing to Liam.

I need a lad who can do heavy lifting. You seem to fit the bill.

The man motioned over for Dr. Wilson to come over. Dr. Wilson in turn signaled Mr. Fry to join in on the discussion.

I’ll take this one, the rugged man said.

Splendid! Dr. Wilson replied.

If you’ll come with me, there is a matter of paperwork for us to go over that you will need to sign. If you will come with me to this table,

Mr. Fry led the rugged man towards a table where he brought out a few papers for the man to look over.

Well, this is the end of the road, Cormac said, somewhat excitedly.

The man, having signed all of the necessary documents, came back to collect Cormac and take him to his new home.

Keep in touch, Liam! Cormac shouted as he walked away with his new guardian.

Liam waved goodbye to his friend.

One by one the rest of the children disappeared off with their new guardians until just a few of them were left. This included Liam, Nora, and a few older children. The baby, of course, was one of the first to go.

When the townspeople had all gone, Mr. Fry and Miss Kelly led the remaining children back to the train station, where they boarded the train once again.

It is important that you don’t get discouraged, urged Mr. Fry. He continued, Remember, nobody will want a sad child. So smile and be polite when we meet these people. You will have a better chance of being placed then.

Nora tugged on Liam’s sleeve.

Where do you think we’ll end up? she asked.

I have no idea, Liam replied.

I’m scared, she admitted.

I am too, said Liam.

Liam took his sister’s hand in his and gave it a light squeeze.

Within minutes of the train moving, Nora fell asleep with her head on Liam’s shoulder.

Liam had also nodded off by the time the train made its second stop. Miss Kelly had to tap him on the shoulder to wake him up and he shook Nora awake in turn. Nora drowsily rubbed her eyes. Her braids were a little messy.

Would you like me to fix your hair for you? asked Miss Kelly.

Nora nodded in agreement. Miss Kelly took Nora’s red hair in her hands and worked as quickly as she could.

I don’t have a brush on me right now, so this will have to do.

Nora gave