Free Forgetting Tabitha: An Orphan Train Rider by Julie Dewey

was the local pharmacist and they were well off but not at all snooty like some other people we encountered on our sojourn. She spoke directly to me, asking if I liked to read, I told her about my first primer and Eddie and I sang her our ABCs. Eddie clapped his little hands together afterwords and the nice lady was smitten. A gentleman wearing a crimson vest and high top hat approached our group and began speaking to me.
    “Why hello there, young lady, what is your name?” he inquired.
    “I am called Mary.” I replied sheepishly.
    “Mary, I am Johnathon Pearsall, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Tell me Mary, what is it you enjoy doing?”
    “I don’t know what you mean sir, I always work hard and help look after the children, especially Eddie here. I don’t suppose I have time to enjoy much.” I scratched my head at the question and repositioned my pink headband so it wouldn’t slide down my forehead.
    “Well that is a shame.” He admitted, shaking his head.
    “My wife and I are more than happy to open our home to a young girl like yourself, someone with whom Edna could share her love of reading and sewing with.” The couple smiled warmly at one another.
    I was overjoyed, for after months and months on the train a family finally wanted me. They actually wanted me as their own, not as an indentured servant. But I had Edmund to consider and remembered he was ‘hopeless’ without me.
    “I would love to learn to read harder words sir, and I could also try hard to find patience for sewing, but I am afraid I have this little boy here to think of. He can’t seem to get by without me; he was adopted once already and returned.” With that admission I took Eddie’s plump fingers in my own and turned away from the couple defeated. I walked across the platform and settling my legs Indian style with Eddie positioned in my lap.
    Eddie and I played a game of patty cake while we waited to re-board the train; however the couple approached us again.
    “Dear, my name is Edna, and you remind me of someone I once knew. I would very much like to have you in our home.” She gentled me with her soft warm hands and said she might have a solution.
    Her sister and husband lived nearby and might be interested in the small boy. If we could delay the train she would travel in her own buggy to get them and bring them to meet him. Edna explained that she and her sister both wanted children but neither was able to conceive. If we lived close to one another perhaps Eddie and I could thrive apart secure in the knowledge we were only a few miles away.
    The opportunity for a real family overwhelmed me. I nearly wet my under drawers and could hardly speak. I was excited and fearful all at once and didn’t know how to express my feelings. I crossed my fingers for good luck and tapped at my leg, waiting impatiently for the family to come back. Several hours and introductions later, Eddie and I were adopted. The paperwork was signed and we hugged Agnes hard, said a tearful goodbye and left with the Pearsall family. Agnes promised to write me directly over the course of the year to be sure everything was going swell. I promised to keep up with my letters so that I could write her back myself.

Chapter 5 Binghamton, New York 1860
     
    “Welcome to your new home, Mary.” Edna held my hand and Edmund wasn’t far behind as she ushered us through a grand Victorian house on the outskirts of Binghamton; it boasted six bedrooms, four brick laid chimneys and two baths, each with a claw foot tub to soak in. The home had gingerbread latticework along the roof-line and white siding. The floors and banisters were made from chestnut wood and large lead diamond-shaped patterns adorned the windows. The porch wrapped itself in a hug around the home culminating in a large foyer with chestnut columns. The center foyer led to a full kitchen in the back of the house that smelled heavily of freshly baked bread. I noted the orderliness of the room; clean aprons