Free Hannah's Journey by June Venable

proved an apt pupil and learned quickly.
    One afternoon, just as Hannah finished reading Caroline a story from her favorite book of fairy tales, they saw Mr. Kelsey drive up. The jolly round man had built a business by delivering and hauling things for the people of Lafitte. With him were his two husky sons who helped with the jobs. The Kelseys had rigged up a sturdy cart with high sides that was pulled by a pair of handsome bays.
    Today, the girls saw an odd-shaped object in the cart covered with a canvas cloth. Curious, they watched as he came toward the house.
    “Good afternoon, ladies, I’ve brought something I think you’ll like.”
    Aunt Margaret came out of the house, the screen door slamming behind her. She wiped sticky hands on her apron. She and Delia had been preserving peaches. The sweet smell of the fruit bubbling on the stove followed her.
    “Good afternoon, Mr. Kelsey. I wasn’t expecting you until a little later.”
    “The train pulled in early, Mrs. Logan, so we came right out.”
    Still mystified Caroline asked, “What is it, Mama?”
    “You’ll see.”
    Mr. Kelsey and the boys proceeded to unload the large object, struggling with it as they made their way to the door. Following them inside, with Aunt Margaret in the lead and Caroline pushing Hannah’s wheelchair, they waited to see what the crate held.
    With the object in place, Mr. Kelsey pulled away the covering and opened the crate. Standing aside, he pointed dramatically as the surprise stood revealed.
    For a moment, no one spoke. Caroline’s hands flew to her mouth. Hannah longed to leap from her chair and touch the beautiful piano that stood before them. The afternoon sun shimmered on its silky surfaces and the ivory keys waited to pour forth lovely notes.
    “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Aunt Margaret said as she ran her hand over the top. “It’s called a rosewood piano and we must take good care of it. We hope you’ll both learn to play, and have many years of enjoyment from it.”
    Hannah’s fingers itched to stroke the keys. I’ll work hard to learn, Mama. You’ll be so proud of me.
    Delia’s voice broke in as she came into the parlor. “There’s peaches a’cooking and…” She stopped when she saw the piano, then everyone spoke at once. With all the excitement, no one heard Uncle David arrive.
    “Is this the Logan household?” He called. “It sounds like the zoo.”
    “Oh, Papa, look what Mr. Kelsey brought,” Caroline cried, running to her father. “Hannah and I are going to learn to play.”
    “That’s wonderful to know,” Uncle David said as he walked around the piano admiring the lovely piece.
    Aunt Margaret spoke up, “Let’s all sit on the front porch and have some lemonade. We’ve had enough excitement for the time. Delia, would you turn off the stove, please? Not even a new piano will make up for the fact of us letting those peaches burn.” When the girls settled down with the tall glasses Delia brought, Aunt Margaret told them that she and Uncle David had discussed getting the piano some time ago before Hannah came. It had been on order from New York for several months, and had finally been shipped by rail to Lafitte.
    The girls decided the piano was the best surprise ever.
    “Your father will be very proud if you learn to play, Hannah, and so will we.”
    “Aunt Margaret, Miss Cooper could teach us,” Hannah said. “She’s here for my exercises, so maybe she could stay for piano lessons. Oh, could you please talk to her about it?” Both Hannah and Caroline held their breath as they waited for her answer.
    “That’s a wonderful idea, Hannah. I’ll speak to her tomorrow when she comes for your exercises.”
    Caroline and Hannah had trouble settling down for the night. Caroline sat beside Hannah’s bed fifteen minutes past their usual bedtime. But tonight, instead of reading a story, they whispered
    and chatted about the gift that had arrived today. They told each other they couldn’t wait