Last Life, Live It 3

April. 18, 1861

   I made it to the train station today. I spent all of my money, but I must say it is worth it. The view is amazing from this high up. Unfortunately that means I am going to have to find someway to make money on my own now. It makes me smile just thinking about how my parents will react when they find out I took their entire stash. Oh well, it won’t affect them a bit they’re wealthy. They own over 200 slaves and a major cotton farm. I refuse to say ‘our’ slaves and ‘our’ farm because I could never buy a person like my father. That money also got me a 5^th grade education, so I guess I could thank them for that; seeing as writing has become one of my favorite pass times.

   My destination is New York. I originally wanted to go to Minnesota but I would have to travel by foot to the next train station. The first stop on my journey is North Carolina, then Philadelphia, and finally New York. My ticket only gets me to Philadelphia and from there I’ll have to find a job to pay for the rest of my journey…

   …We stopped in North Carolina at about nine p.m. I switched into my boy clothes in one of the bathrooms and it seems to be working because I haven’t got a weird look from anyone yet. Lucky for me I found an old hat lying on the ground that I can hide my brown curly locks under. It’s a little dirty but that only completes the look.

   The movement of the train is so relaxing I fear I may fall asleep while writing. I should probably get some rest. This may be one of the last times I get to sleep on my own terms.

   I awoke to the sound of two men arguing in a hushed tone. It’s about 3am right now and we’ve made an unscheduled stop. At least I don’t think we are in Philadelphia yet, because everyone around me is still sleeping. I am going to see if I can get a better look at what’s going on….

   There are two men standing up at the front of the train car, one appears to be an employee and I can’t make out who the other one is. All I can see of him is the brim of his hat and a shadow covered face. "Well hurry up then! Bring them to the back of the train car where no one will see them." The other man said something but I couldn’t make it out. "Make sure they cover themselves up with the blanks real good. We don’t want to cause a scene if anyone wakes up." That’s all they have said for now. The shadow man has stepped back off the train. I wish I could see who is standing outside but they are too far up by the door. I can barely see what I am writing.

   The man has come back on the train with three others, and they’re coming back here! I better pretend I am sleeping... I can’t believe it they are runaways! What are the chances that my train would be chosen for an escape? I hope no one notices them when we get off at Philadelphia. They are just lucky I was the only one awake and that the back of the train car is empty. If they keep real still and quiet no body should notice them, but its gonna hurt after a while of crouching down in the seats. I am too excited and intrigued to fall back asleep now. There is only one word to describe those two men and that word is brave.

   …Its about 5 am now and the service men and women just passed out breakfast. Orange juice, five pancakes with maple syrup, and a side of buttered toast. I am gorging myself as I write this. Oh how delicious everything tastes on an empty stomach, but something doesn’t seem right. What about the slaves will they get food? Looking up at the front of the car I can see the employee from the night before standing nervously by the door to one of the coach cars. He is a very handsome man, about 23 or so. Chiseled features and bright blue eyes which match his uniform. In his left hand he is clenching a bagel clearly contemplating bringing it to the slaves. He knows that if he walks back there everyone in the train car will notice. I have to do it, I am the closest to them and everyone else is sitting ahead of me. No one but the employee will notice. I am going to do it. I’ll give them my two pieces toast and three of my pancakes.

   …I slipped out of my seat and the employee went ridged not sure what to do. I quietly walked to the back where the three of them were bent over covering themselves with old blankets. I tapped one person on shoulder and a petite woman peered out of the blanket. She then awoke the other two. I handed her the food and she gave me a smile and a nod to say thank you. Then I quickly slid up the aisle and back here to my seat. The employee relaxed a bit more, took a bite of his bagel, and tipped his hat to me. I can only describe how I feel right now as… good.