Bridgett 3

Bridgett's heart was beating so fast, she felt like it would burst from her body. Her sister's hand gripped hers as if her life depended on staying connected to Bridgett. Neither knew where they were heading. They kept their eyes focused on the man hurrying ahead of them.

John glanced back often and was filled with compassion for these children who had already faced so much. They were following closely but not close enough for John to reach them with his hand. As they got closer to the rail station, the panhandlers grew in number, raising the risk of losing the girls. John stopped and turned toward them. Bridgett took a step back.

"Bridgett, you will have to trust me now. ", he held out his hand, "I could lose you both in this crowd and there are people who would be glad to take and hurt two little girls. Please trust me. We are going to a private train owned by the Pinkerton Agency. Another agent, Nellie Young, will be there waiting. We can get you warm, get some food in you. And, we will answer all of your questions."

Bridgett hesitated, but as she looked around, she saw several shady characters glaring at them. She stepped forward and grasped John's hand. "Please God, help this man be sent by you." she whispered. Her words drifted away in the noisy street. But not before John heard her words, and he smiled.

John led them through a maze of streets full of people moving rapidly to their destinations. She smelled sweat, the fumes of sewage and fresh bread from a bakery. Her legs were growing tired and she felt her sister hesitating too as they continued to be pulled swiftly toward a destination that only John knew.

Finally, she saw a huge building rising against the horizon. Many people were pouring in and out. That must be their destination. She felt herself breath deeply. Her life was going to change. Her thoughts were suddenly filled with what she was leaving behind. Would she ever see her Father or baby sister, Hazel, again? A wave of sadness settled over her but her pace did not slow. John pulled her strongly through the door and toward a location that would carry them far, far away.

“Hurry now! Keep a tight hold on each other and me. We are almost there!”, John’s voice was raised and Bridgett heard the worry in his voice. The crowds poured around like a mighty river, forcing John to stop suddenly and backtrack often to keep their little group together.

Once, Bridgett lost her grip with John and panic forced the breath from her but he stopped and grabbed her hand again and moved them out past the passenger trains.

Finally, the crowds seemed to melt away. John looked down and smiled at the girls, “We are almost there.”, as he pointed to a bright blue train car sitting alone on a short track. It had the words, “Pinkerton Agency” emblazoned across the side. Tears of relief began to dribble from Bridgett’s eyes. “He told the truth.”, she thought as she let go of John’s hand to wipe them away.

Inside the door, Bridgette could see a woman waving at them. Her head was covered in dark curls and her eyes were shining. This must be Nellie Young. Then Bridgett heard Nellie laughing and she felt like Momma was right beside her. And Bridgett smiled for the first time in 2 years.