Prairie Homestead by Arleta Richardson

Author:Arleta Richardson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical fiction for middle school;orphan train history;orphan train children;history books for children;historical fiction series
Publisher: David C. Cook
Published: 2016-01-01T17:39:35+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Final Preparations

The days of preparation for the move went by quickly—too quickly according to Manda and Polly, who had to decide which household goods would be taken to South Dakota.

“I feel like a missionary packin’ barrels for a foreign land,” Polly grumbled. “If we knew what kind of town was there, we’d know what we don’t need to take.”

“Frances will pack hers and the children’s clothes,” Manda said. “I’ll take care of the bedding and linens, and you see to the dishes and food. The men will crate the furniture to ship. We’ll soon see what the town is like, because that’s where the train will leave us.”

“Luke says they’ll move the livestock out to the depot soon. How many freight cars did Chad hire?”

“Two—one for the animals and one for the household goods. He and Luke will go with the load on the train. Then Henry will leave with the wagon. Ethan is going with Henry.”

“That leaves us and Frances and the three young ’uns to take the passenger train. Sure hope there’ll be someone to meet us.” In spite of her grumbling, Polly was getting excited about the move. She had never been outside the state of Nebraska, and South Dakota seemed like a long way from home.

When it came closer to their departure, the animals would be led to town. The horses would be kept in the smithy’s stable overnight, and the cows and pigs would be under the watchful eye of the farmer nearest the depot until they could all be loaded onto the train car. Manda had other plans for her chickens and ducks.

“They’ll go in the wagon with Henry. I’m not going to have my flocks scared to death by the dreadful racket of a freight car. I want them properly fed and watered.”

“That’s why Luke and I are going with the animals, Manda,” Chad told her, “but we’ll be just as happy not to hear that cackling for several days.”

The wagon would carry the bedding, extra clothing, and fresh food. It would also carry the organ. The discussion about the necessity of hauling that piece of furniture had been long and sometimes heated.

“There’s no room in that soddy for anything we can’t sit, sleep, or eat on. The organ doesn’t qualify,” Chad declared.

“Papa, I can’t live without my organ.”

“I’d call that an exaggeration. You can live without a lot of things.”

“My spirit won’t live.”

“You’re being dramatic, Frances. We won’t talk about it any longer.”

But Frances brought up the subject again. “If the organ can’t go, I’ll stay here with Uncle George and Aunt Myra.”

Chad had stared at her. “That instrument is more important to you than your family?”

“No, but I wouldn’t leave any of my family here either, just because they’d take up too much room. Please, Papa. We’ll need it to have our own church services. It can go with Henry in the wagon.”

So the organ was crated and ready to go, much to the relief of Frances and the other children.

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