The Little Sparrows Read Free Page B

counted sixty-three children in the line. Adults were moving slowly along the line, looking them over, and talking to them.
    The children ranged in age from about four or five to their mid-teens. The boys were dressed in black or gray suits with white shirts and neckties, and the girls were in red or blue dresses that were all styled similarly. The hems of the dresses came down to the tops of their black lace-up boots.
    Jody noticed similar expressions on the pinched faces of bothboys and girls. The apprehension they felt showed in their eyes, and it was obvious that turmoil was racing through their hearts as they stood as spectacles on display before the adults. They fidgeted and continuously watched the faces of the adults who were taking measure of them.
    Young as they were, some of the children looked beaten down with wary eyes that appeared much too old for their age. Some of the older boys tried to mask their fear with a facade of bravery while the older girls often glanced at each other, eyes round and huge as they felt the gaze of the scrutinizing adults on them.
    Jody’s tender heart went out to them and her green eyes filled with tears. She looked up at her father. “Daddy, what will happen if the train arrives at its destination on the West Coast and no one takes them?”
    “Well, sweetheart, from what I’ve read about it in the newspapers, the children that are not chosen are taken back to the Children’s Aid Society in New York. Some of them are so discouraged that they go back to the streets. Others wait till they can get on another orphan train and try again.”
    “Do the ones who are chosen always get into good homes?”
    Sam shook his head. “Unfortunately, no. Though the Children’s Aid Society people don’t like it, many of the boys and girls are chosen just to be made into servants and field hands. And some of those are abused. It’s so sad. If this is a typical group, some of those you see right here are not actually orphans, but have run away from homes in New York City where they were mistreated and abused. And then they end up in homes just like the kind they had run away from.”
    Jody wiped tears from her eyes. “That’s awful, Daddy.”
    “Yes, but thank the Lord, the majority of the children do find good homes where they are loved and given the care they deserve. I’ll tell you, sweetie, life on those New York streets is appallingand very dangerous. At least those who are chosen—even if it is to be servants and field hands—will have food and clothing supplied, a warm, comfortable bed at night, and many of them will be sent to school.”
    Jody ran her misty eyes over the line of children. “Daddy, I wish we could take them all home with us.”
    Sam put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close to his side. “I do too, darlin’. I do too. But we can’t.”
    “I know, Daddy, but it doesn’t keep me from wishing.”

Chapter Two
    W hile Sam and Jody Claiborne observed the proceedings on the depot platform, they spotted a couple named Hap and Margie Lakin, who owned a small ranch near the
Circle C
. The Lakins were in the line of prospective foster parents, talking to the children and looking them over.
    “What do you think of that, Daddy?” asked Jody. “Hap and Margie are looking for a foster child.”
    “Well, she did have that miscarriage two years ago, and another one last year. Maybe the doctor told her not to try having any more babies.”
    “I imagine that’s it.”
    Father and daughter continued to watch the line. One by one, couples were choosing a boy here, a girl there, and the Children’s Aid Society men and women in charge of the orphans were questioning the prospective foster parents. Papers were being signed on clipboards, and couples were walking away with the children they had chosen.
    Jody elbowed her father. “Look there, Daddy. Hap and Margie have been talking to that little girl for several minutes. I think they’re interested in her. I heard