Forgetting Tabitha: An Orphan Train Rider Read Online Free PDF Page A

eleven.”
    “Do you go to school, Tabitha?” she inquired.
    “I do. Miss Marianne is my teacher, but now I don’t have anyone to walk me, and my mama doesn’t like me to walk alone.”
    “Where do you live Tabitha, where are your mother and father?” Sister Agnes asked probing gently for answers.
    “Well I lived over there,” I pointed a shaking hand to the tenement building. “But my mama just died so I have to leave because there is a new renter coming in.”
    The Sister led me to a bench and sat me down, holding my hands all the while I told her about my da’s death on the farm and my mama’s bloody tooth.
    “So now I am all alone,” I repeated.
    When I was done talking and sat next to her spent from emotion she held my hands tight. She soothed me by rubbing her thumb back and forth rhythmically across my tiny wrists. Sitting quietly for a moment, deciding how best to approach my situation she finally launched into a possible solution that did NOT involve an orphanage but rather orphan trains.
    “I know this is a lot to take in right now, but I would like to help you if you’ll let me, will you let me help you, Tabitha?”
    “Uhuh.” I said quietly.
    “Have you ever heard of Reverend Brace?” Sister Agnes asked me.
    “No, who is he?”
    “Well, he is a very important man who is trying to help children like yourself. He has started a movement on behalf of New York City which is failing its children, the needs of the city’s indigent are simply not being met,” the Sister said sternly.
    I didn’t know what indigent meant but assumed I was one. She went on to explain that orphanages and workhouses were not well funded and the inhabitants suffered abuse, mistreatment, and further neglect. Many children ran away from such facilities she stated. This was “not a good place for you at all,” she said, speaking more to herself than to me. She further detailed how the Reverend put his head together with several other humanitarians and Children’s Aid servants to find a solution to the growing epidemic. He did not believe in charity for its own sake and felt certain soup kitchens and handouts fostered dependence. Instead he had an idea to help society by establishing Newsboy lodging houses, industrial schools, and night schools. But these too fell short, furthering the Reverend’s belief that without familial life, true reform was lacking. His thoughts fixated on the growing dangerous criminal activity that lured thousands of children. The only option available was sending the homeless waifs and half orphans west. The westward expansion of the railways would help make this possible. The idea was radical and ingenious and enormous effort went into it. Want Ads were circulated ahead to cities on route with details regarding the children available for adoption or work. Children were given bibles, new clothing and had their hair tended, they used cardboard suitcases for their belongings. All the children were given a lesson in manners and new identities before being sent on their way.
    Sister Agnes was animated with her description of the massive locomotives and of Reverend Brace whom she held on a pedestal.
    “The Sisters and I personally draft and circulate Want Ads and circulars so that someone could be waiting just for you when you arrive at their stop. If you’re willing to board the train, you could have a new home, just like that.”
    The orphan trains were piled with children from the poverty stricken city and transported west on the Erie line where they were fostered by new families or selected to become laborers. Sister Agnes detailed the countryside out west describing fresh air and wide open fields with roaming animals. While I could create a picture in my mind of flower gardens and flapping hens, I couldn’t bear the thought of new parents. Most children in the Sisters’ care were given a ten day waiting period for any of their parents to claim them, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen