The Last Train North by Clifton M. Taulbert

Author:Clifton M. Taulbert
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-02-03T19:19:00+00:00

August 20, 1963

Dear Cliff,

How are you. We are all fine. It is real hot down here. Your momma and the children are good. Take care ofyourself. Begood. Try to find Lucille. Tell her to write me.

Your Auntie

Elna Peters Boose

or months the letters came from Ma Ponk, my mother, and occasionally from my sisters and brother. And with each letter, I wanted more than ever to go home. Part of the attraction ofbeing north was beingable to return south on the Illinois Central. This had been my dream as long as I could distinguish between north and south. I wanted to go north and return home. As a kid, I loved goingwith Poppa or Ma Ponk to the train station in Greenville. It didn't matter to me that it was segregated and we were kept to one side of the depot. I just revelled in the excitement and grandeur of the surroundings. We would clean out the car, dress our best, and drive to the station in Greenville. Then, we'd sit, stand, and stand some more until we heard the whistle and sound of the engine coming through Metcalfe. And we knew behind those small train windows were our people, all dressed up, coming from up north. The excitement would mount as the train stopped and the porters got off and stood by the doors. Then the passengers unloaded, and suddenly we'd catch sight of one of our relatives, who would begin to wave and cry. No matter how anxious they'd been to leave the South, when they returned home, they always cried at the train station.

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