An Agent For Penelope (Pinkerton Matchmaker 38) by Christine Sterling

Author:Christine Sterling [Christine Sterling]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-08-13T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Penny clutched her carpet bag to her chest as she descended the train steps onto the platform. The station was larger than anything she had ever seen. The station in Great Plains consisted of a platform and a shack. Tickets were purchased at the mercantile.

This, however, was something spectacular. Penny stood for a moment to take it all in. There were people hurrying to the multiple platforms where trains were waiting. Vendors were selling every kind of trinket or treat. At the end of the platform was the station house. It was made from red bricks and was at least two stories high.

There were large archways leading to a covered platform before going through the doors into the stationhouse. Most of the passengers were disembarking and moving towards the brick building.

Penny heard the man behind her clear his throat. “Oh goodness,” she said. “I apologize.” She moved forward to join with the other passengers leaving the boarding area. Once they reached the covered platform, some went through the doors, while others walked around the side of the building.

Penny followed the crowd going around the side of the building onto the busy streets of San Francisco. Horses were pulling wagons filled with lumber and other goods up and down the street.

Chinamen carried long poles with baskets hanging from each end. They weaved in and out of people. Penny was sure that someone would be hit by one of the baskets, but they appeared to be skilled at navigating with such a wide load.

Women walked in small groups, carrying baskets. Penny noticed a group of five women around her age heading into the building across the road. She grabbed her bag again and darted over to the mercantile where she saw the women enter. Perhaps she might be able to find answers to her questions there.

A bell rang as she walked into the store. The woman behind the counter gave her a smile then returned her attention to writing on a pad of paper. Penny glanced around the shop.

There was a room on the side that had a door with a window in it. The window had bars instead of glass, along with a small cubby hole. The sign above it read “Post Office.”

The five women were clustered in a corner whispering over the display of ribbons.

Penny waited until the woman was done serving her customer and then stepped up to the counter.

“Good morning,” the shopkeeper said in a cheerful voice. “How can I help you this morning?”

“I just arrived in town. I was looking for a place to stay. Do you know of any boarding houses in town?”

The woman tilted her head as if she was thinking. “There is one down the road. Ma Hutchins. Only takes in women. I don’t know if she has rooms or not.”

“Thank you. Can you think of anywhere else?”

“Not offhand.” The woman reached behind Penny to take a few items a customer was holding out for her. “I need to help this customer, unless there is something else I can do for you?”

Penny shook her head.

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