Nan's Journey Read Online Free Page B

be unlocked and we could get out. What will we do then? I must find a way to earn some money for food . If she could only think of something she could do. Maybe chop wood or hoe in a garden or do other chores ?
    The trai n stopped on the edge of a fair- sized town. Nan watched as several men approached the boxcar. One of the fellows was short and stout with a mass of red hair and freckles. The second man was tall and lean with balding black hair. The third person was a big young boy with a sunburned face and blonde hair. The first unlocked the boxcar door and the three of them unloaded all the crates from the boxcar. After it was unloaded, the children climbed out of their hiding place behind the hay bales. The door was left open so Nan jumped to the ground. Elmer threw the bedrolls down to her and reached out for help to the ground.
    Nan tied a bedroll to Elmer’s back and one to her own. They kept the fishing poles and still had the look of two boys off fishing. Slowly they walked away from the train and over to the railroad station. There were a few men and boys milling around. Some of them were unloading freight.
    “Hey, anyone, I need some help unloading these three boxcars! … Any takers?”
    Nan stepped up, “I’ll do it!”
    “Say boy , you’re kind of a runt aren’t you?”
    “I’m strong.” Nan stated.
    “What’s your name, kid?”
    “Ned.”
    “Alright kid, see if you can unload th at boxcar over there. There’s fifty cents in it if you do a quick job of it. Pile the crates on this spot on the platform.”
    “Elmer, you sit over there under the tree and rest. We’re gonna eat a good meal today!”
     
    Nan lifted and stacked the crates one by one onto the platform. Some of them were heavy and others felt as i f they had nothing in them. Most had labels: cloth, ammunition, crackers, or nails.
    As Nan placed the last box on the platform, the small elderly man spoke to her , “Looks like you have managed to unload my shipment , young man. How would you like to help put all this on the shelves of my dry goods store and sweep up for me?”
     
    “I would love to , sir , ” Nan answered quickly , “ but I must feed my little brother first. Do you have a buckboard for me to load the crates onto?”
    “So that little feller is your kid brother huh? Naw, don’t bother about the buckboard; Lenny and Matt can deliver the crat es to the store. As far as feed… Mama has dinner ready for me when I get there and she always makes too much for just me to eat. Come with me.”
    Nan called to Elmer and he ran over to her and the older man.
     
     
    Chapter 6
     
    Nate and Martha watched the hungry children devour more food than they could imagine. They ate very slowly and deliberately, relishing each mouthful. These little beggars were different than most runaways who had been fed in this kitchen. They had a real upbri nging and manners. They were grateful. Nate felt a knot forming in his stoma ch. Ned, the bigger one, was concerned about the younger brother and was e specially careful that he drank plenty of milk. Martha asked. “Ned, is the little one feeling sickly or something?”
    “Yes, he suffers from blinding headaches. He hasn’t had one today, but yesterday he hurt bad.”
    “Where are your kin?” Martha asked.
    “Oh, at home. We jumped on the train for an exciting ride after we finished fishin’, but the people who loaded the boxcar, locked it, and we couldn’t jump off like we planned. Ma is used to us getting carried away and havin’ to spend the night out campin’…only…we forgot to pack a lunch …I guess we figured we’d catch a little more fish, but no luck.”
     
    Elmer looked at Nan and wondered how she could come up with such a big story so quickly. Nan was surprised herself! She had come up with some of it while unloading the boxcar. The rest just came out. She would have to remember exactly what she had said.
    “Well, when you finish tidying up the store, I’ll drive you