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A 'Mail Order Bride' company agrees pay a young ladies entire expenses if she will marry single men out west. With the help of a brothel owner, a young boy allows himself to be disguised as a woman and soon finds himself heading west on a train. His only intention is to escape the city, however, the boy in costume, meets up with a kindly old woman who exposes him unwittingly to the linking spell. A VERY slow transformation.

Chapter 10

A sudden jar jolted the car that we were in, causing me to awaken. The sun was lighting up the early sky in pinks, oranges, and yellows. I looked over to the woman questioningly. "We’re in South Bend, Indiana." I nodded slowly. She handed me a huge apple, I was going to buy this for you but they said that since we were minding the boy, they would treat us." She passed another to me for the boy, so I sat up and pulled at the sides of my blouse, trying to free up the tightness I was feeling in my chest. "Is your corset riding up?"

I wasn't sure on how exactly to answer her so I just nodded, tugging at the top until it loosened enough to feel comfortable. "They get like that when you sleep in them, all twisted and bunched." She smiled as I took a tiny bite from the apple. The little boy's eyes fluttered as he opened them. He rose to a sitting position, looking around.

"Here's..." I cleared my throat from the cool night air, "Here's an apple for you, Cap." I handed it to him and he smiled, again I cleared my throat of the raspy sound. "Eat up; they won't have anything more for us until Chicago."

My voice sounded slightly odd to my ears, almost as if I were catching a cold. I again cleared it. The old woman handed me a lace edged kerchief, "Sounds like you may be catching a cold, not something you want to have when you're supposed to be meeting your future husband in a couple days."

I nodded in a very unsure way, for I surprised myself in even agreeing with her. I watched the young boy take ferocious bites from his apple, as he appeared to be ravenously hungry. I took another small bite and as I pulled the apple away from my mouth, I paused. Up until yesterday, I had also been very hungry, but today I didn't even feel hungry in the least, it was as though I may be getting ill. I watched him take one bite after another until his was gone. He would have eaten the core, had I not stopped him.

For some strange reason, I offered mine to him and he accepted it. It wasn't odd to me that he would want my half eaten apple, but rather the fact that I offered it to him. I contemplated the whole action, both mine and his and stared out the window as the train continued its westward ride, and feared the illness that I was sure to be coming down with.

The land was flattening out somewhat as we were now rolling through northern Indiana on our way into Chicago, our next real stop. I could see as we slightly turned through a curve in the track and allowed me to see all the way to the front of the train where a thin ribbon of smoke rolled and billowed from its great stack. I could see the engine, a tender, and several box cars loaded down with provisions for the western cities where we were stopping. Behind them were about six passenger cars. I looked over my right shoulder, I could see another two passenger cars and the caboose bringing up the rear.

Cap finished my apple and I took the core from him, stepping into the aisle, I made my way toward trash where I could deposit both of our apple cores, his first where I stopped him from eating, and the second that I had given up of my own. I noticed the pail of clear drinking water and filled the little blue tin cup, thinking that the cool water would help my irritated throat. I felt a bump against my leg and looked down past my billowing skirt, and there stood Cap.

"Would you like a drink too, Cap?" I asked the small tot.

"Please," he responded politely, and took the half filled cup that I offered. I smiled as he tipped the cup until its entire contents were gone. "Thank you," he said. When I went to take it from him and place it back on the little shelf he gently pulled it away from my grasp, "I want to do it my own self."

I tenderly patted his brown hair and watched him as a mother might, slowly stretch up as high as his little hands could reach, and with his fingertips, push it back onto the ledge. "There you go," he said as he walked back to our section and took his seat. I smiled, proud of his effort and slowly walked back toward our seat, my dress swishing with each step.

At the edge of our seat I tapped Grandma on the arm and whispered to her softly. "Could you please keep an eye on Cap, I would like to use the privy closet…it’s my stomach. She nodded and pulled her Bible around to show him the pretty lithographs in the back.

I lifted the skirt to walk, trying to keep the lace ruffle from dragging against the filthy floor. Once inside the closet I again pulled the huge piles of material up and took my seat on the little open stool where below me, the track was racing past at a blinding speed. The movement causing a odd breeze to blow up slightly from the hole in the floor.

With the vast amounts of petticoats and skirt, I couldn't even see my own 'middle'. I just knew the sweet relief of being able to reduce the size of my bladder, and the strange ill feeling of my stomach. I wiped what I could down there, wanting no unpleasant odor to permeate from me out into the seating area, fighting all the while with the copious amounts of material in the way.

Just as I let go of the wiping cloths, I hesitated as my eyes caught a slight crimson marking as it drifted quickly out of site. Panic leapt into my throat, “I’ve been cut…but how? I again dabbed at the area like I was blind, again the little square had a spot of my blood upon it. I bent down and tore a portion of my petticoat and rolled it until it was thick and long; tearing another long, thin strip and fastened it as though I was wearing an Indian’s breech cloth. How could I have possibly cut myself, I quickly held up my hand and examined the nail. It was slightly longer; perhaps I somehow cut myself with my nail?

My makeshift bandage felt so strange down there between my thighs, but it was necessary for I did not want to bleed down my leg where someone may ask questions. Finally when I was able to compose myself once again, I stood up and faced the mirror above the little spigot. It would be silly to say I wasn’t concerned of the how and why I was bleeding; but strangely I was unfazed in the way I imagined I should be considering the area the bleeding was from.

I paused as I was examining my reflection, could the cream that Rose and her girls used have burned through my skin somehow? Perhaps they had cut me when they shaved my legs…but that wouldn’t explain why it took so long to begin bleeding. I frowned and looked into the small basin, maybe I was an already bloody mess down there and what had transferred onto the cloth was only what had not dried. To me, it was odd that I felt no real pain from it...other than the upset feeling in my stomach.

Pushing my worry to the back of my mind I found myself looking at the young woman I portrayed; this caused me to smile. I still marveled at how Rose and the girls worked their magic in the mirror I was facing. I leaned forward and looked at the way my short bangs hung over and slightly curled. I found myself separating the golden hairs so that they weren't all clumped to one side.

Over each ear I pulled at the hair and let the long curly locks cascade down and create little ringlets of blonde hair which framed my face. I eventually realized I still needed to wash my hands, which I did, and then splashed water onto my face; it was cool, refreshing, and helped wake me up. I pulled at the endless towel on the rollers, and finding a clean space, I gently dabbed and dried my face and hands.

The image looking back at me was strange to see. She was pretty, unlike the normal ‘boy’ me. Her dark eyelashes were long and curved upward minutely. The lower lashes were also dark, framing her eyes nicely; her mouth was full and would be wonderful to kiss. I sighed, as I knew the image she reflected was really me, and the girl in the mirror would be no more, once I had the chance to escape this train.

I studied my hands in the mirror as they wiped my face, trimmed in feminine finery by the dainty lace around my wrist cuff. My fingers were long and thin, my nails softly reflected the dim lighting in the closet. Each hand possessed long oval fingernails that ended a fraction beyond the tips of my fingers. I touched the lace ruffle at my neck, below it lay my chest, the skin stretched and positioned to give the illusion of youthful, feminine breasts.

Through my blouse, I tugged at the top of the corset, trying to give me some extra breathing room. I could just move it enough to allow my chest to sink back to normal; however it still was painful after being confined that way for almost two days.

I really think that I could have fooled anyone with the way I looked right now, so young, so refined...so female. I sadly shook my head at what I so stupidly have done to myself and with a deep breath, headed out into the hallway, unsure whether I should bring up my bleeding problem to my older companion.

Chapter 11

I sat uncomfortably upon my seat and looked out the window, farms and fields raced past. Young Cap was sleeping lengthways on the seat facing us; Grandma tapped me on my arm, "Would you care for me to read some more of my Aunt's journal to you?"

"Sure," I replied coughing slightly, the cold I had was settling in fast, exerting a great pressure on my chest as well as affecting my throat.

“Child, are you becoming ill?” She asked softly as she observed me, the motherly tenderness and concern evident in her tone.

I shrugged, “It’s my stomach, and I’m feeling slightly queasy.” I frowned and realized that she would interpret it wrongly and smother me with over-worry because of a simple common cold.

She leaned close and looked around, “Is it that time perhaps?”

I frowned at her; our heads quite close to prevent our conversation from being overheard. “What time?”

“You know, your menstrual cycle.” She whispered so softly that I ended up reading her lips more than hearing her.

“What’s that?” I asked, being a young male with no real connection to things female.

“Hasn’t this ever happened to you before?” She asked incredulously, nodding her head slightly as she spoke. “Are you bleeding…down there?”

I found myself laugh inwardly at her question and nodded at her 'guess in the dark'. “Well I am bleeding but…”

“You poor dear...” She frowned at what she assumed was my plight, “...and this has never happened to you before?”
“Well…no.” I replied truthfully.

“This has to be some sort of medical oddity…for a girl of your age to just now get her first menstrual cycle, on a trip no less. Have…have you protected yourself?”

“Protect myself from what?” I frowned at her question.

Her mouth dropped open at my naiveté, “To protect your clothing from the bleeding! Didn’t any of the women at the orphanage ever explain this to you?”

“I tore off a piece of my petticoat and fashioned something like an Indian’s breech-cloth to hold the rolled cloth on the ends.” I shrugged and shook my head, as I explained as I would any mundane process.

“Well good then, that’s very resourceful.” She said as she patted my hand, “So, since we have that taken care for the meantime, do you want me to read a couple of them to you?”

“Sure.” I replied quickly, wanting to distract her from our latest discussion any way that I could.

The woman turned the pages until she found one that seemed to amuse her. "Here's one about women in general. It goes this way..." She smiled and sat up straighter; I found myself doing the same, but for me it was just to get comfortable.

"Her gentle curves, with feminine flair, carry her gracefully into womanhood. For there with open arms she accepts what the heavens have gracefully bestowed upon her. Within her bosom she carries the sustenance of her children, the passion of her mate, and admiration of all men. From her loins will bloom the offspring of her coupling, together, with her lover they will plant the seed of generations to come. As one they will harvest the fruits of a life of love." The old woman fanned herself with the book, "Oh my, that was a bit too exciting."

I gingerly dabbed the sweat from my upper lip, "It was quite saucy. When did she pen them?" I asked.

"Around 1820," she smiled and turned the page, she leaned in, her hushed tones low so only I could hear, 'Her Mate and Love' is the next one. Should I read it?" Grandma looked around and giggled as I nodded my consent, "She will know the ways to please him, with a smile, a kiss or touch she will drive in him the need for her, his woman. She will know how to push her love higher and higher until he can hold it no more and only find true release within her womb. Such is the way she will be with her mate and love."

Again she fanned herself with the book, then closed it and placed it back into her bag. "Well, I always thought she had a way with words…but they are a bit racy for my blood."

I had my hand on my chest, my breathing was sounding strangely, almost like panting. I coughed and again tugged at the top of my corset through the blouse I was wearing, the pressure from this cold seemed to be settling into my chest, with her reading was almost too much to bear.

She and again took up her Bible, "I feel so guilty for reading those last excerpts, I'm going to sponge away some of that guilt by reading a little of the good book." She smiled and opened the Bible; I turned and again watched outside the window.

A small farm entered in my vision, near the edge of the field was a corral with several cows milling about in the grass. Close by, a woman paused from her laundry to watch the train pass, her clothes flapping in the bright sun of the early morning. I studied her until she was pulled from my gaze, the distance between us growing as the train continued on its way.

I sighed and fidgeted, trying to get comfortable in the seat. I thought about the young woman calmly hanging her laundry out on the line, had I been a born a woman, that would soon be one of my 'wifely' duties. I laughed to myself; I knew that soon, very soon I would shed this feminine veneer and become the youth that I once was.

Could I have entertained such a lifestyle had that been the way I was born? Could I have accepted that life as a woman out on the prairie? I frowned as my stomach churned and I gently cradled my belly, this feeling would not leave me and I was becoming concerned that I would be worse before being better.

I sat quietly for another half an hour, then my legs started to cramp up, causing my hips to hurt from lack of movement. I adjusted my seat again, causing Grandma to look up from her reading. "You okay?" she asked.

"I've been sitting on this train too long, my stomach feels queasy and the seats are hard, causing my legs and hips to ache," I replied in a low whisper.

"And with a corset that keeps riding up, and your other little issue, this train ride isn't turning out to be a very good one," she smiled sympathetically and patted my leg.

I nodded in agreement and slowly looked toward the boy as he was beginning to stir.

Cap slowly rose into a sitting position; he then rubbed his eyes and looked around. He scooted toward the window and watched as we crossed a river; the bridge was made of huge logs and metal beams. "Are we there yet?" he yawned.

I laughed, "No honey, we still have a ways to go." His shoulders drooped and he fell back into the seat, I knew what he was feeling.

I winced from the pain in my hip as I stretched out my leg; the old woman gave me a concerned look. "Feeling antsy...that symptom comes with your recent little visitor."

Cap looked up quickly, “I'm pretty sure she doesn't she means you, honey.” I replied with a laugh.

As we continued, I tried to massage my hip through the vast amounts of material, but there was just too much there to really do any good. "My hips and legs are hurting," I sighed and stretched them again.

"It's probably all your troubles settling into your bones," she observed in her grandmotherly way.

"I'm not sure, because it also seems to be settling into my chest." I coughed and cleared my throat again.
She gave me a look of concern, "You'd better be careful that it doesn't turn into pneumonia." I nodded, placing my hand upon my chest and coughing again. “Perhaps we should take you to a doctor at the next stop?”

Laying my head back, I stared at the red velvet ceiling thinking sarcastically, "This would be perfect, trying to escape the life I had and catching pneumonia as an end result." I rolled my head toward the glass; the air in the car was close and stale. When will I ever be able to escape this car? It seems that each time I think I have found my chance; it gets dashed to pieces somehow! I thought to myself.

I sat up and coughed; a little round faced man slightly turned and smiled, "ma'am, if I may be so bold, I have a little flask of whiskey here that may drive that cough right out of you. If you want some, I'd be obliged to offer it to you." He smiled and pulled the stopper.

He held out the little silver flask, the old woman took it quickly. "Here, Charity...you drink a small swallow. It may help you rest; and surely will help your cough." With a tentative hand I took it and slowly tipped it up.

I ended up taking more than I wanted, hoping it would help with my stomach issue. It was hot and spicy on my throat as it burned its way past my tongue. I felt the air being driven from my lungs, "Oh my..." was all that I could say as the raspy words burned up with the alcohol. I passed the flask back to the little man and nodded my thanks, although I wasn't sure if what I had just consumed wouldn't kill me instead.

Cap watched me as I handed it back to the little man, "Can I have some of that drink?"

The old woman smiled and chuckled softly as I held a hand to my burning chest, "I don't think so, Cap. If you want another drink, you'll have to get it from the little blue cup." He looked back toward the pail with the spigot.

I saw that he wanted some and as I began to stand up, he stopped me. "I can get it; you don't have to help me." I gave him a nod, and for what it was worth, he knew that I had given my consent, for whatever it was worth. I watched him as he walked up to the front, using the ends of the seats to steady his balance. With a little effort, he pulled the cup down and filled it slowly. He looked back toward our seat and smiled broadly, took a long drink and carefully re-filled the little cup. Ever so carefully, he made his way back to our seat where he offered Grandma a drink.

"Such a gentleman," she said, taking a long drink from the cup. I sat smiling, proud of his kindly offer. "Thank you, Cap. That was very tasty." He smiled and quickly went back to the spigot where he again filled the cup to its top.

He carried it back with greater confidence, at the aisle he waited. "I brought some for you too, Ma...I mean...Charity."

I felt myself smile; he gently placed the cup into my hands. "Thank you, kind sir!" I chirped, and then brought the cup to my lips. The water was cold and helped sooth the burn of the whiskey that I had just swallowed. He stood grinning until I placed the cup back in his little hands. "That had to be the best water I think I have ever tasted!" I said smiling at him.

"Do you want more?" He paused as he was about to turn, "I can get you some, if you want more."

"Thank you no, Cap. If I drank any more water, I would dare say that I'd probably float away." His smile back at me lit the car, his little nose wrinkled as his eyes seemed to smile as well. He walked back quietly and placed it high up on the ledge again, then returned as quietly as he had left, taking his place on the seat.

"Did you see me put the cup on the ledge?" he asked, "I think I'm getting bigger."

"Why yes. I do believe you've grown some since you've been on the train," I replied grinning.

"Tall AND handsome," The old woman added, smiling at him as well. "Thank you for being of such help, Cap."

He just beamed, "Twernt nothin'..."

Chapter 12

It was a warm afternoon, the train rocked with a steady rhythm that lulled most of the passengers to sleep. I was fighting it myself, while staring at the countless little farms as they rolled past. I glanced across toward Cap, who also was transfixed by the passing scenery. His small hands were propped against his little face as he watched another field race by.

From the corner of my vision, I could see him draw a finger along his eye, apparent that he was crying, but hiding it from my view. I could see his little lip quiver as he again wiped a rolling tear from the right side of his cheek.

"Are you okay, Cap?" I whispered. He only shrugged his answer as he again wiped another rolling tear away, this time it was from his left eye. I felt compelled to move next to him. "What's wrong, Cap?" I asked softly.

He dropped his small hands in his lap; the tears fell softly upon his pants. "I don't want to go," he whispered, so softly that I could scarce hear him.

"Go? Go out west?" I asked as I pulled him close. He only nodded.

I smiled and gave him a squeeze, "It'll be fine, Cap. You'll see." I tried to sound hopeful.

He wiped his hand across his eyes, "I know," he sighed. "I just.."

"What, Cap?" I whispered.

"I just...I miss my Ma and Pa." He rolled his head into my chest and cried, great sobs silenced in the folds of my blouse. I felt my own eyes fill with tears, I knew what he felt, I was him once! I stroked the back of his hair and kissed the top of his head, trying anything I could to console him.

He turned his huge brown tear filled eyes toward me, "Those people...what if they don't like me?"

I smiled and kissed his forehead, "What's not to like, Cap? You're a good boy, and everyone likes a good boy." He smiled softly and gave me a hug.

"You're a lot like she was." He looked at the floor, playing with a crease of pants material at his knee.

I was taken aback, my mind raced in wonder. How could I remind this young boy of his mother, when really I was as male as he was?

He suddenly looked up, "Can't I go with you? You could be my Ma."

I felt my lip tremble, as it was my turn to lapse in stunned silence! He watched my eyes for the answer that would signal his hope; worse yet, I could feel him watching me in his anticipation. "I...I'm not sure what to say, Cap. I'm flattered, really I am. But...you need to be with this family that you are going to meet; they are looking forward to having you as their little boy."

His shoulders sank, "I know," he sighed forlornly, looking at the floor.

"If there could be any other way, Cap, you know I would." I hugged him and whispered softly into his ear, "It just wouldn't be possible."

He never raised his head, but nodded slightly. I pulled my arm from around his small shoulders, and then patted his little leg. "Give them a chance, Cap," I said softly before returning to my seat.

The little old woman smiled as I sat down, she had woken up sometime during our conversation. "You did the right thing, Charity." She gave my skirted leg a pat.

Cap retreated into the corner of the seat, staring outside at the slowly setting sun, his glassy eyes looking sadly toward the forever-rolling fields. At that quiet moment, the old woman tapped me gently on the arm. "I have something that I would like to give you." My eyes trailed toward her hand, in it she was holding the Bible she had been reading earlier.

"I can't take that!" I whispered.

"Nonsense!" she laughed.

"I suppose that I can give it to anyone that I want," she placed it into my lap and smiled, "Besides, if you intend to marry out in that prairie, you need to have someone read from the good book to you." She straightened her skirts, "It'll probably be the only bible in fifty miles."

"But I have nothing to give you!" I began to look around me for anything that I possessed that would make a suitable gift.

"I have everything that I need, Charity. Just knowing that it will be going to another Christian leaning woman pleases me greatly." She smiled and patted its leather cover, "It has calmed my soul a great many times over the years. Go on, take it."

"But you need it!" I tried to hand it back, not knowing what I would do with it in the first place.

"It's what we grandmas do; we read them and put little notations in the margins for you to find when you really need the good word of the Lord." She gently pushed it back toward me, "This is the tenth one that I've read for those I'm fond of."

I looked down at its worn cover, and a tear dropped upon the blackened leather. "Thank you, I'll cherish it forever. No one has ever given me a kinder, sweeter gift."

She laughed; her soft giggle brought the quiet episode to a close. "Well...it's about time someone should!"

I grew quiet and studied the leather binding that covered the Holy Book she had given me, stamped deeply into the surface was gold lettering that spelled 'HOLY BIBLE'. On the edge, in gold, was a shiny trim that reflected the blurry image of my face, as I gazed onto its surface.

How had I gotten myself so messed up in this? What could I possibly have been thinking? These thoughts raced through my mind as I stared into that reflection, how would I ever get myself out of these clothes without anyone being the wiser? I looked at Cap, chewing a pear that the brakeman had just handed him, what would happen to the boy? Would he be able to find the family that needed his love as much as he needed theirs? I sighed, unaware that I did, so loudly.

"Penny for your thoughts?" the old woman whispered.

"It was nothing," I replied softly.

She shook her head, "You can't fool anyone, you were thinking of the boy. You're worried about him, aren't you?"

I nodded, and then turned to face her. "I'm going to miss having you next to me for the rest of my journey, so, before I forget, I'd like to thank you for your friendship." I offered her my hand.

The old woman looked down, and then wrapped me in a great hug. "Child, you are SO welcome." She let me go and smiled, "you are such a pleasant girl to be traveling with, and I really appreciate your company."

I nodded in the boy's direction, "He desperately wants to stay with me, but I told him that it would be impossible." We were both smiling at him as he finished his pear. He glanced up and grinned.

The brakeman came by again, taking the core from Cap. "Ladies, we're about 15 minutes outside Chicago." He then looked at the old woman, "You ladies have sure been a Godsend, helping us with the kid."

She only smiled, her eyes twinkling at the young boy, "He has been no problem at all, and we are enjoying him immensely."

We watched as the brakeman headed back towards the door, telling those who would be getting off at Chicago, to ready themselves. Grandma turned to me and asked, "How are you feeling? You haven't been coughing or fidgeting for awhile. Are you better?"

I thought about it for a moment. It was true; I hadn't coughed since I drank the whiskey from the little silver flask. Other than my voice being strangely soft and raspy, I felt fine. I rolled my hip slightly, looking for the earlier pain that I had experienced. Wearing the long skirt, having two layers of petticoats, and the strange bloomers on made me feel like I was sitting on a small pillow. I flexed my arm and shoulders, other than the tightness of my chest caused by spending almost three days in a corset, I was feeling relatively well…except for the cloth suspended between my thighs.

She sat waiting, and I nodded my answer. "I actually feel pretty good; there must be something to the medicinal qualities of whiskey after all."

“What about the other…” She said with a downward nod.

“No more problems, at least none that have noticed.” I replied truthfully, but I probably should check the bandage.

I excused myself and made my way back to the little privy, with only minutes to spare I needed to check and make sure that the bleeding had stopped. I was wrong. Once again I tore another piece from the petticoat and rolled it; refastening it as I had done earlier.

The ill feeling was thankfully gone, but the cut I had must be more severe than I had originally thought. I was intent on keeping it to myself if I could, but Grandma's persistence might prove too much to contend with. I decided I would play it by ear as I returned to the seat where Cap and Grandma were watching out of the windows.

"Look Charity, look at all the buildings!" Cap exclaimed as I settled into the seat, "It looks bigger than 'my' city!"

The old woman laughed, "It should, Chicago is a VERY large city."

“The skyline reminds me of New York…so does the smoke.” I observed as I turned to face the window better.

I watched as more and more of the city rolled into view. The train had begun slowing down and the buildings soon passed more and more slowly. At first they had been small ones made from wood, now there were several mixed in that were made entirely of brick. "So, this is the big city of Chicago?" The old woman mused as she looked out the window; from a distance we heard short blasts of the train's whistle.

"It's no match in size with New York," I said as we slowed to a gentle roll. "But it is big," I added as more and more of the bustling traffic came hurrying past.

Cap's eyes were huge as he took in the sights and sounds of the city, "Is this anything like the town that I'm going to?" he whispered in awe.

"Not hardly," I laughed, "Webster is probably only about the size of one of these little streets, with no buildings above two stories high."

Grandma added, "I would imagine that brick buildings like these would be rare there as well, mostly stick-built homes and businesses. Maybe you'd find a Soddy home or two out there though."

Finally the train stopped, and a great banging sounded as each car clunked into the knuckle of the other as they compressed from the sudden stop. A great blast of steam rolled from the engine up ahead, consuming all those passersby that were in the vicinity until it was carried away by the wind. I waited, looking for my chance to step into the aisle and disappear with the crowd; hopefully to release myself from this feminine prison I had so stupidly placed myself into.

As I stood, Cap gave me a worried look. "Are we getting off here?"

I slowly sank in the seat, for I had forgotten about the boy. "Uh...we may have to Cap, but I was thinking about trying to find something to eat," I said, lying to the little boy.

"That's a wonderful idea, dear." The old woman scooted toward the edge of the seat, "If we have to wait awhile, we might as well try and find us a suitable lunch."

Cap looked at me, "Will I get to eat too?" He stood and began to dig into his pocket, pulling out a dull penny, his smile seemed to fade.

"I think we can take care of you, Cap," I said pushing his penny back into his pocket with my slim fingers. "It'll be my treat!" His worried look vanished, replaced by a wonderful grin. He threw his arms around my slender waist in a hug, showing his appreciation for my offer.

I held up two silver dollar coins, "This should do it," I said reaching for my bag, Cap stood next to me.

"We should be able to find something good with that much, just one should be plenty!" As we turned to leave, we were met by the brakeman coming toward us, "I was wondering, how long we will be here in Chicago? When will the next train arrive to take us toward Janesville, Wisconsin?"

He pulled out his watch, "We'll take on water, passengers, load and unload cargo...about 3 hours I would guess. Your train will be leaving around the same time. Are you planning to grab a bite to eat?" Grandma nodded, and he pointed through a window and across the street, "Clem's restaurant is about the best bet around here. A body wouldn't want to venture out too far though...Chicago can be a rough place for those who don't know their way around.

Grandma turned back toward us, "I guess we could try that place as any, what do you think about that, Cap?" He bounced and grabbed my hand tightly. Both Grandma and I pulled on our bonnets, she doing so first, me following her example. We slowly stepped down the hall and toward the doorway leading down some stairs; it would be good to actually be walking on solid ground again. At the door, a ticket master held his hand out to me, helping me to the wooden platform as he had also assisted Grandma.

"Try not to wander too far, ladies," the brakeman spoke behind us.

"What about our bags?" Grandma asked, "Will they be safe?"

"Not to worry, ma'am, I'll see to them myself. Won't anyone be bothering them while I'm watching. I'll keep them over by the ticket office until I see that you've returned." He tipped his hat and unhooked the little pail from the wall and stepped out to the pump that was near the ticket office.

Grandma smiled and looked at me, "Well, now that that's settled, lets get something to eat!"

"Yeah!" squealed Cap.

Across the platform and down the steps we walked until we came to the street made of bricks, laid in a herringbone pattern. We picked our way through the crowd to the other side where we entered 'Clem's'. A short, chubby little man showed us to a table. "Hello, ladies. What brings you to Chicago this morning?"

"How does he know we ain't from here?" chirped Cap.

I glanced at him, "Manners." Cap lowered his eyes, ashamed at himself for speaking out.

The man laughed and placed his chubby hand on Cap's shoulder, "I saw you come off the station platform." He winked at the boy, causing Cap to smile. "So, what can I bring you ladies?"

"What is the 'Soup Special', listed on the board?" She indicated a framed, black slate that hung on the wall.

"It's a helping of chicken noodle and a generous dollop of mashed potatoes. Are you interested? Only two bits a plate."

"I'll have that then," she nodded. "Do you have lemonade?" The man nodded his head and wrote it down on a little pad of yellow paper.

"And now you, ma'am." He said, with his fat pencil poised over the pad.

"I'll have the same, thank you." I glanced at Cap, as he was eager to place his order.

"And for your son?" The man looked directly at me, and I felt my face flush.

"Same for me too!" he shouted excitedly.

"Just smaller portions," I added.

The man was only gone a few minutes, and then returned carrying three glasses of lemonade. A young girl, close to my own age, carried plates to our table.

Cap looked down at the contents on white ceramic plate, "What's this?"

"Chicken and Noodles," I replied, even though he never indicated who his question was directed to, "eat up."

"But there's white stuff mixed in it." He made a face that caused Grandma to chuckle out loud.

"Those are mashed potatoes, Cap." Grandma said, snickering at the face he was still making. “I’m sure you’ll like them."

"But, they're touching each other!" he said pushing the plate away slowly; I impeded his effort and slowly pushed it back to where it was.

"Some people like for their noodles to be placed upon the potatoes, Cap. Now, eat." It was all I could do to control my laughter.

"Excuse me, ma'am. Doesn't your son like his meal?" The little man asked as he was returning from another table.

It was the second time this man referred to Cap as my son; surely I don't look that old? I thought to myself.

"He...he doesn't like his food touching each other." I said, with a weak, embarrassed smile.

Cap looked up at us; he picked up his spoon, his face reddened. "I'll eat it. I don't mind."

The waiter shrugged and moved on, Grandma smiled and glanced at me. "See. I told you that he resembled you enough to be your son."

I said nothing, while Cap smiled and continued to eat. He no longer complained about his food touching for the entire meal. We sat inside for the better part of an hour, enjoying the quiet moment...well, at least what we could in the city of Chicago. Once done, I paid our bill and followed them outside.

"We still have an hour to wait until we can board our train heading north, what do you want to do?" Grandma scanned the street for a bit.

"We could go into the mercantile?" I pointed across the street, "That might take up enough time."

Horses, wagons, and merchants moved about on the street, people passing and conversing among them, Grandma stepped out boldly...I followed with Cap in tow. All about us were the smells of the city, fish being sold down to what the horses left on the street. Cap wrinkled up his nose as we passed one particular fresh pile in the street.

As we pushed the door open on the mercantile, a small bell tinkled. Cap stood watching as another woman came in behind us, again ringing as the top of the door brushed the little golden bell. I tapped him on his shoulder, "You coming with us?" He nodded and walked, continuing to watch backward as the little bell swing.

Grandma showed me a lace doily; I oohed and aaahed over it like I was interested, then wandered toward another shelf. A rack of clothing caught my eye, "I would need suitable clothes for when I escaped the train," I thought to myself. I fingered a shirt and pulled it out from the little shelf it was on. To my left I noticed a long, emerald green dress made of the finest velvet. I found myself touching the soft material hesitantly.

What possessed me to place back the shirt and lift the dress out was beyond me, before I knew it, I was holding it in front of my reflection and smiling in the mirror. "You should buy that." I heard a small voice behind me.

"You think so..." I sighed, and then realized what I was saying! I turned and saw Cap smiling.

"It looks pretty on you," he smiled and made a face at his comment and hung it back on the little hook.

I found myself actually looking at its cost, "It's too expensive," I said dropping the little white price tag; I brushed my hand down the soft material. "It's pretty, but way too costly."

Cap stayed close by; he would only wander away a few feet, but always return to my side. He would show me an item that he found on the shelf; we would discuss it, then he would return it back to where it was found.

I had wandered out onto the wooden sidewalk, Cap followed. I guessed that he was afraid of being left behind in such a large city. Soon Grandma came out into the sunshine. "Shall we return to wait on our train?" she asked.

"I think we'd better, I would hate for it to leave without us." It was settled, and we all moved down the sidewalk toward the train, picking our way through the crowd moving and milling within the street. Fearing for Cap’s safety, I held onto his hand firmly as we entered the throng of teaming masses.

Our long meandering course back left us anxious and fearful of being lost in this strange city. Thankfully though, we climbed back onto the platform and took a seat under the overhang beside our luggage, for a quiet half hour I found myself reading silently the Bible that Grandma had given me. She sat smiling at Cap, he was playing with a feather that he found floating on the train station's deck.

I sighed to myself, I couldn't believe my luck, it would seem that every time that I found a chance to get away, I was thwarted by something seemingly so innocent that it surprised even me. Now to add to my worries, I had a little boy that thought of me as his surrogate mother! I loosened the strings on my bonnet, allowing it to slide down my back till it came to where the knot was. Somehow I was sure that I would find my chance, but it has to be soon!

My gaze wandered back to the little boy...he too was heading to Webster. He would need someone there who could help him find his adoptive family. I only prayed that it would be someone worthy of his love.

I turned the page and found myself drawn into my holy book; the words seemed calming and strangely reassuring. And so the time passed slowly, people arrived to board our old train, others stood to see them off. With a huge blast of steam and a series of short whistles, it began to chug away slowly, heading westward. As the caboose disappeared in the distance, a far off whistle of the incoming northbound could be heard. I slowly closed the book, Cap was watching down the rails for our train. He quickly returned when he saw me watching, "I can see it! It's coming!" He grinned, his excitement made me smile as well.

I watched Cap in his excitement, cautious that he not stray too far away and wondered what was in store for our little trio. What would come of the boy, of Grandma...of me? Would I ever be able to shake off this cumbersome costume and melt into the crowd, I hoped so...and soon!

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