Free Whistle-Stop West by Arleta Richardson

you are. I was afraid I’d have to ask the conductor to wait for you.” He ushered them into the first car, where the others had already gathered.

    After Simon had scooted across the tracks to the other side of the train, he’d been disappointed to see nothing but rails over there. This was where he had always seen the little lady and others walking. This was where a wagon with bales of hay had come up beside the cars that were being pulled behind the Orphan Train. Where were they now?
    As he looked around with uncertainty, Simon spied something unusual. Instead of the solid wooden boxcars that he had seen from the other side of the tracks, there were small slats of wood on this side. He walked over closer to get a better look. Little wisps of hay stuck out between the slats, and Simon could hear thumping and stamping and stomping. Was this a barn on wheels? It certainly looked—and smelled—like one, he thought.
    The cracks weren’t far enough apart so that he could see through to the dark interior. As he walked the length of the two cars, strange noises reached him. They didn’t sound like any animals he’d ever heard, but what else could they be?
    Simon was used to the racket of the train cars banging, whistles blowing, and men shouting. The steam rising from the wheels, the soot falling from the smokestack, and the cinders skittering along the rails weren’t new either. So he didn’t notice when the engine and coaches were backed up and coupled to the Orphan Train cars. He did realize, though, that he’d better get back to the station house before Ethan missed him. He would be in trouble for moving away from that spot.
    Running back to the other end of the boxcars, Simon was surprised to see that there was no empty space where he had crossed the tracks earlier. The two cars that he thought were theirs stood in place, but now there were many others in front of them. Simon looked between the cars and saw the station on the other side. There was no way to get to it unless he crawled over the coupling. This, he decided, wouldn’t be easy. He would try to get around the end of the train.
    By the time Simon had reached the last car on the train, he heard the familiar blast of steam and the whoo, whoo that meant the train was about to leave. He didn’t dare cross the tracks if those huge cars were moving. He stood still and stared up at the windows of the passenger coach, his heart thumping wildly.

Chapter Eleven
Searching for Simon
    Matron counted, and as she got to fifteen, the train began to move.
    â€œFifteen? I must have counted wrong.” She started to count again. Charles Glover moved down the swaying aisle and numbered them aloud. “One, two, three ... fifteen! Who’s missing?”
    Riley sighed. “Simon. We thought he was already on.”
    Ethan, near tears, pressed against the window as the platform rapidly faded behind them.
    â€œHe must be,” Mr. Glover said. “I’d have seen him out there. He’s probably gone into the other car.”
    But a thorough search of the coach revealed no little boy. Mr. Glover came back and sat down to decide what to do next. He studied the schedule. “I’ll have to get off at the next stop and find a way back to Cedar Rapids,” he announced. “We’re going west now instead of north, and the next town for coal and water is Ames. We won’t be there until morning.”
    â€œWhat will happen to Simon?” Ethan was trying not to cry, but tears ran down his cheeks.
    Matron put her arm around him. “Don’t worry, Ethan. The station manager won’t let a little boy stand around alone. He’ll look after Simon until Mr. Glover can get back there. We know that Simon didn’t leave the train yard. He must have been behind the station, and you just didn’t see him.”
    â€œBut he’ll be scared. He’s never been alone overnight!”
    Matron sat on