The Swindler's Treasure by Lois Walfrid Johnson

Author:Lois Walfrid Johnson [Lois Walfrid Johnson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-8024-8654-7
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Published: 2013-08-28T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Last Chance?

On the way to Monticello Seminary, Caleb told them why Benjamin Godfrey had started the school for girls. “One day he noticed how much his five daughters learned from their mother. He decided, ‘I’m going to educate my girls because mothers teach the rulers of the world.’”

Caleb grinned at Libby. “So you see how important it is that you’re smart?

Libby made a face at him. “What if the swindler leaves Brighton before we get there?”

“If we need to take a train, do you have money?” Caleb asked.

“You know I don’t.”

“Mr. Godfrey was the managing contractor and builder for the St. Louis, Alton and Chicago Railroad. I’m going to ask him for railroad passes.”

“He’ll give you a pass, just like that?” Libby snapped her fingers.

“He and Elijah Lovejoy were friends. I suspect that Mr. Godfrey would like to see Micah Parker reach freedom.”

When the driver stopped the stage, Libby climbed down and stood in front of a building so tall that she counted the windows. Six stories high!

As the stage rattled off in a cloud of dust, Jordan walked boldly up to the entrance. When he knocked on the large oak door, a woman opened it partway. But she waited before inviting them inside.

Jordan quickly explained. “I am looking for my daddy. Me and Momma and my sisters and my brother need to find him.”

“Do you know if he came this way?” the woman asked.

“We think he swam the river to get away from slave catchers.” Jordan spoke quickly before the woman could shut the door. “Me and my friends forgot to ask the password. But I know Priscilla Baltimore.” Jordan motioned toward the others. “They know Major Hunter and his wife.”

Caleb stepped forward. “Mrs. Hunter told me to ask for Benjamin Godfrey.”

Convinced now, the woman led them to the nearby Presbyterian church. Instead of passing under the tall pillars at the front of the beautiful white building, she took them around to a more hidden entrance. When Jordan and Peter disappeared inside, Caleb and Libby went on to Mr. Godfrey’s house.

Mr. Godfrey listened to Caleb, then said, “There are five of you, counting Jordan’s father? I’d be glad to give you passes. Then you can get on or off one of our trains whenever needed.”

Sitting back in his chair, Mr. Godfrey rubbed his clean-shaven chin, as though thinking hard. “You’re looking for both a swindler and a runaway slave? Sounds like you might need help somewhere along the way. Have you met the detective Allan Pinkerton?”

Libby and Caleb had only heard about him. While living in the little village of Dundee, Illinois, Mr. Pinkerton and his wife had become involved in the work of the Underground Railroad. At all hours of the day and night they opened their doors to help runaway slaves. After moving to Chicago, Mr. Pinkerton started the Pinkerton Detective Agency.

“Keep on the lookout for him,” Mr. Godfrey said. “He has an Irish accent. That may help you find him. He’s riding our trains now to stop any trouble that might come up.

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