Brr Brr

THE TRAIN

 

As the train rattled thru the dark, stormy night, it often slowed to a stop. The passengers and I sat uncomfortably thru each ten to fifteen minutes of boredom. Noone seemed to know the reason, not even the porter. Reaching the first legitimate stop, Verbana, I just guessed that the engineer saw a high stick with a red flag blowing wildly near the depot. We screeched almost to a halt. The steel wheels slid a little and finally stopped.

 

Only one person was waiting for the train. I could barely see the shivering body and could not make out if it was a boy or girl. Wiping the frost from my window I saw a man in a heavy plaid wool jacket help her on. He gave her a brown paper bag, evidently a snack to get her thru the night. He stepped on the train, just far enough to open the car door for the girl and show her to her seat. He turned, waved goodbye, hopped off the train and disappeared before we pulled out for Ashford. I felt a little motherly and approached the still shivering child. I asked where she was going on such a cold nite but received no reply. I asked again and in a small squeakish voice she told me she is going to see her mother. 'That's nice,' I replied. Why she got nasty and told me it wasn't nice at all I didn't know.  Her attitude stumped me, particularly when I noticed tears forming icicles on her cheeks.

 

There was little heat on the train which kept riders mostly staying still in their seats. When someone had to use the toilet, an awful smell  came out of the door. I would rather wet my underwear than go in there. The child, however, squirmed. It was easy to see what her problem was so I rose and walked slowly down the aisle to perhaps help her. My approach had to be calm, friendly but not too friendly. I intended touching her arm gently so as not to frighten her, but as I moved close enough, the train swayed, coughed  and slowed down again.
I almost fell on her but managed to tell her my name and asked hers. She looked right into my eyes and said 'Melinda'. 'That's a pretty name, Melinda. My last name is Carruthers, what's yours?' Like a worm, she squirmed and moved closer to the cold window.' 'Melinda, would you like to come sit with me? I am alone too. Time will move faster if we keep each other company.' What a surprise she gave me. 'O.K. but can you take me to the toilet first? I have to go real bad.' Just opening the door was bad enough but to send that child in there almost broke my heart.

 

Back to my seat, I waited about ten minutes for Melinda to come out.
The odor had managed to get in her wool cap and on her clothes. Did she even notice? Maybe, maybe not, but I did when she curled up, put her head on my lap and quickly fell asleep. The porter came thru the car saying in a modulated tone, 'Next stop Ashford, in approximately thirty minutes. It is snowing hard. Our telegraph has notified us there is already six inches of snow on the ground. Be prepared as best you can.' Off he went to the next car, surely reciting his short speech.

 

Mumbling, grumbling slithered thru the car and thru my mind. Was my brother going to be waiting for me as he had promised? Where will I stay if he doesn't make it? Will Melinda's mother and father be waiting? Is there food service of any kind in the station, a cleaner lavatory? We riders all had the same dilemma.

 

The engineer hit the brakes hard. The car swayed and stopped. Every eye opened, every body was nervous, unsure of what the next hour would bring. Someone in the last car ran thru all six on this trip, shouting, 'I can see sleighs with horses racing to meet us. Let's be ready to go as they pull up.' Applause, applause! Melinda woke up when she heard the commotion. 'Melinda,' I asked, 'will your parents be meeting you?'  She replied, 'Only my father, if he can.' 'Do you have
sisters, brothers at home that your mom has to take care of?'

 

'I have no sisters or brothers but Dad will be waiting for me.' He sent me my ticket to come to Ashford plus ten dollars to buy roses for my mother. She is being buried tomorrow and I have to find someplace to buy roses for her. Momma loved them so much.'

 

'Oh, Miss Crutters, what am I going to do with the money my daddy gave me? He's going to be angry that I didn't bring the roses.' I held the child close, warmed her shaking body a little and told her he will be so happy to see her, he won't think about the money at all. I helped her get off the train and be assigned to a sleigh. A tall, robust man wearing a black coat and hat that had earmuffs spotted her slid most of the way to reach her.

 

They met and held each other so close, so lovingly that I could not help but shed tears with them.  Melinda looked at me, gave me a great big hug and introduced me to her father. 'Daddy, this is Miss Crutters, she is my very best friend. Can she stay with us until the snow melts and I can go see Mama?' 'Of course, Darling.' 'Mrs. Crutters, please stay with us. You will have a warm, dry place to stay as long as you like.'

 

'Thank you, I shall be grateful for your hospitality, but my name is Miss Jean Carruthers.'