Whispers Along the Rails by Judith Miller

Author:Judith Miller [Miller, Judith]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2007-08-31T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Pullman, Illinois

May 13, 1893

The smell of frying bacon wafted up the stairs, and Fred inhaled deeply. It had been some time since he’d forced himself out of bed so early on a workday morning. By seven o’clock this evening he’d likely be sorry, but right now he felt invigorated. He could almost think of himself as an employee who lived a normal life: one who rose early, worked the day shift, and came home to eat supper and enjoy the evening hours with family and friends. It hadn’t been so very long ago that he’d been one of those men living a normal life, yet it seemed ages since Mr. Godfrey had changed his shift. He remained on the list of employees seeking a return to the day shift, but from all he had heard around the department, that prospect seemed unlikely.

His silk tie brushed across the back of his hand as he flipped and twisted it back and forth to form a perfect knot. His mother had given him the tie for his last birthday. At first the checkered pattern had seemed out of place hanging alongside the solid navy blue and black ties in his closet, but it had soon become his favorite. He stared in the mirror and gave one final tug at the length before donning his navy blue suit jacket. There was a spring in his step as he entered the kitchen and greeted his mother.

She tipped her head to receive his peck on the cheek. ‘‘Don’t you look handsome this morning! You’re in good humor for someone who’s had so little sleep.’’

‘‘At least for the moment.’’ He picked up the coffeepot and helped himself. ‘‘Breakfast smells inviting. I’m glad I remembered to leave you a note saying I’d be up early this morning.’’

With a chuckle, she handed him a plate filled with crisp bacon, fried eggs, and warm biscuits. Fred waited while she filled a plate for herself and sat down opposite him. His mother nodded: his signal to give thanks for their breakfast. Neither of them would argue the point that his mother’s biblical knowledge surpassed his own, but she expected him to give thanks for their meals when he was present. The day after his father’s death, she had insisted Fred assume the empty chair at the head of the table. Along with that seat had come both the privilege and the responsibility of thanking God for their many blessings as well as for their meals. But that, too, had changed when he’d been switched to the late shift. Offering grace at breakfast this morning clarified how much he’d missed sharing this morning ritual with his mother.

‘‘Are you going to keep me in suspense throughout breakfast or tell me what gets you out of bed so early this morning?’’ His mother wiped the corner of her mouth with one of the frayed cloth napkins she considered good enough for every day.

He had hoped she wouldn’t ask. ‘‘I’m going into Chicago.’’ Keeping his head lowered, he concentrated on his breakfast.

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