Wherever the Whistle Blows

Chapter 1 -Watching the Trains go by

1900, Illinois, Countryside outside of Chicago

The dirt lay on the burial as Harry wiped his eyes. Some small scraps of grass were already starting to show on the newly dug grave.

She was a seamstress and a talented one, too. One of the wealthiest ladies in Chicago had hired her for her clothes. Then the sickness came, and all that changed. Her husband, Patrick, had to stay at work and left one of the youngest children, Harry, to care for her. She always loved all her children and tried to raise them right. Sadly, she lost her life, and the house grew quiet of her cheer.

Harry and his younger brother, Eddy, could not help but grieve their beloved mother. Their father was always fixing some boiler for the steam engines. He had held the job for years, trying to keep the farm afloat. The railroad was big business, and there was more work by the week. The engines had to keep running. The older siblings were supposed to watch the youngest while Patrick worked. Since they had their own families, getting to the younger siblings became more difficult. This left the rest to their imaginations and the mischief Patrick would have to deal with when he finally came home.

Today, Harry and Eddy decided to run off to see the trains go through the following field. The fresh air blew through his brown hair and brushed his light skin. He always dreamed of the adventures out there, even as far as the train whistle could be heard across the great nation. The never-ending iron beast that had united the country. His father worked on them, and this one could be one of them his father fixed. The endless country he could see just hitching a ride. Harry looked at his little brother and could not leave him now.

Harry was being followed practically everywhere since they had been left alone or under the supervision of his annoying older sister, Bridget. She was waiting for them, but they never listened to her. The trains were more interesting than doing some chores on the farm. Harry smiled, breathed deeply, and made the best train whistle sound possible. His little brother tried, but only a squeak came out.

They both laughed at each other and rolled on the ground.

"I reckon we better get back before the darkness comes," Harry said.

"I reckon we do, and get us some supper," his brother replied.

Both trotted over the flat land of crops that had no end. The world was still a good place, even with loss. Harry started to tell a joke to Eddy to cheer him up. The boys wore their oversized overalls and newsboy caps. The grownups have always said to them that they will grow into them.

Trolling through the fields back to his father's farm, the sun waned in the sky. Exploring and reflecting on life's delicacies on a beautiful sunny day. The farm was only a few fields, with the day almost ending. They both knew their sister would be angry about the day's disappearance. Harry and his brother quietly returned to the farm only to find their sister's wrath. Both boys just smiled and ran into the house with her in their wake.

"You are driving me daft, you two lads," Bridget yelled.

Dinner awaited them, but a good paddling was applied first for running off for so long. Both just sat and ate the cold meal, but it was better than nothing. All Harry could hear was the train whistle going by and exploring wherever it would go. They ate slowly while Bridget stared but were not ashamed of their actions. Both just grinned in delighted smirks as they went to bed. It was another day in their lives.

The next day, the boys were up working on the farm. Harry and Eddy decided to train the goat to butt their annoying sister. They had been working on it for weeks and were waiting for the right moment. The laundry was blowing in the wind as the cloudless day continued. The animals were not going to take care of themselves. The chickens kept pecking when the eggs were gathered, and the goal milk was even more challenging with them moving. The day was nothing but labor, and the boys wanted to watch the trains again.

In the afternoon, their sister finally came out to take down their laundry. Harry grabbed the goat and brought it over. Bridget bent down to put some of the sheets in the basket as he let go of the goat. It charged as fast as it could and rammed into her butt, sending her flying forward. She tumbled on the ground with her hair everywhere. When she found her feet, the chase was on as Harry and Eddy took a long run, laughing the entire way.

"Lads, you are going to pay for this one," screamed their sister as she lost pace to catch them.

Both took off and stayed away as she gathered the switch for when they did return for dinner. Both boys ran out to the barn and realized the danger was over. They fell to the ground laughing, trying to make more of a joke out of it. She had always given them grief, but all they wanted to do was play in the fields. When the coast was cleared, they returned to their chores with the many animals and even fed some horses. Harry just smiled and enjoyed the time outdoors with no rules. His father being out meant more freedom to do what he wanted. Adventure could be found anywhere, and the world would not pull him down. Though the thought of his mother came to him, she would like him to be the best worker he could. His mother would have scolded him for the goat, like when he lost his finger in the corn sheller a few years back. His mother was so angry but held her little boy in his pain. Harry never repeated that mistake again. He had so many memories; now, he was stuck helping on the farm with his father constantly at work.

Both laughed and continued their chores, always watching for their sister. One never knew when she could sneak the lash. The chickens were bustling around the pen as Harry gently snuck the eggs while he could. The chickens were none the wiser as he quietly snuck the eggs out.

Eddy was putting the goat back in his pen. Dinner time was approaching, and they were getting back to their sister. Her temper will have settled from earlier in the day.

The boys were coming back to the house when they noticed that their father was home from work. His face was worn and tired. The house was still in disarray, but he sat at the table. His blackened shirt, filled with soot, was seen from across the room. His stare settled on the boys as they entered the room.

"I see you have been running off and not listening to his sister, "Patrick told his sons.

Both boys looked at their father with a shameful look. Their muddy clothes and faces were quite evident. Eddy ran off to wash as Harry just smiled at his father.

"We have only been exploring beyond the farm; it is only to see the train," Harry replied.

"The trains are everywhere now, son; you need to work on the farm," His father said.

"I want to see more than the countryside, wherever the train whistle blows," Harry insisted.

"Son, the world is large, but you are far too young to be out there," Patrick replied.

"Please, I just want to explore instead of going to school," Harry replied.

"School is more important, and when you are a man, you can go where you wish," His father said.

"This is unfair; I am bored at school," Harry explained.

"You will do what I say, you hear," Patrick finished the conversation.

Harry went to clean up disappointed but still dreamed of escaping his small world. He dares not cross his father now. His sister just stared at her younger, annoying little brothers. His mother was missed and was the glue of the family. His father just looked at his boys with concern, and the boys were just curious about the world around them. Harry still smiled and was glad to see his father come home briefly. Eddy was more concerned about the stares but would follow his big brother anywhere. The world was so much bigger, yet the trains could be heard in the distance. Harry could only look out the window and imagine the fantastic world the train could take him.

Five years later

Harry investigated the fields as he continued his chores. His father had given him a list when he was gone. Harry was generally happy about skipping since Bridget had married and moved off the farm. He was finally allowed to wear his older brother's pants as his height had caught up. His younger brother Eddy was just a little behind him and still did all he did.

The vast land was beautiful, but there was still more. He could just imagine riding on the train that could stop anywhere in the nation. A whole world was out there, yet his father kept him back. His smile had earned him the nickname Happy Harry, and he did not let anything pull him down. He had finished eighth grade but was not looking to go anymore. The farm needed to be tended, but Eddy was better inclined to help. Both had retired early to see the late train.

Harry started through the fields, jumping on fences as if jumping on the train. His brother, not far behind him, was doing worse. He laughed at him as Eddy jumped to his feet. Both just ran without reserve in the free air. The days of the young to explore without fear. Harry was not as far ahead since Eddy was gaining strength now. The train would not wait, and the boys had to speed to get far. The billows of smoke came across the area, and Harry's eyes could imagine the world of adventure it could bring. The sun was starting to fall, and that meant getting back to the meager dinner Harry had started. It was still dinner, and life was not always better without his sister.

The boys headed home as fast as they could, with Harry barely beating his brother back to the house.

It was empty as usual, and some candles were lit as the sun set, looking at the massacred dinner. Eddy was all excited about the extra time when their father was gone. Both had freedom but could tell the difference without their mother.

"You know I want to travel on the trains now that I am more of a man," Harry announced.

William smiled and replied," I want to see the country; it is more significant than we think."

Harry laughed, saying, "Traveling around the country rather than trying to keep up the farm sounds much better."

"I say we leave before my father returns and let the siblings take over the farm," Eddy replied.

"That starts like a great idea, and we can catch the afternoon train," Harry declared.

"That is a plan, and we can leave tomorrow," Eddy stated.

"Tomorrow is a good plan, and let us pack our sacks tonight," Harry announced.

The small amount of extra clothes was stuffed into their sacks, and a rope was tied around them. Both went to bed excited about the next day. Finally, long days on the farm could be over, and a world of adventure out on the railways. Harry had secretly packed a few biscuits. He had planned to leave much earlier, leaving Eddy behind. He needed to be more agile to new things, and Harry was more of a man now.

He looked at his brother and apologized, quietly leaving.

The hills were familiar as the sun was coming up over the break. It was finally time for his freedom break and his many quests to come. The train depot was a much farther distance away from the farm. The rolling hills were the least of his troubles. He knew his brother would be disappointed, but he would never last for the ride to different places. The rugged depot was coming ahead as he saw the gate and the guards walking around the yard. Harry could only think about how to sneak into the yard and jump on the train.

The guards looked more vigilant than ever, and the trains' steam could be seen gathering. He went around the side that was not near the edge. The fence was feeble there, and with a straight run, the open car moved down the way. It was the furthest point of entering the depot, and all the guards seemed out of sight. He searched for the best open car and started taking off. Suddenly, a guard started chasing him as he was trying to catch the train. He was fast and agile when getting away from his sister. The guard had a belly but was quick for his body build. The stones were flying as both were racing to each other. The chase continued as Harry outfooted the guard, getting to the door and jumping as the train rolled away. Harry was glad to have made it on his adventure, and his heart pounded for the foot chase. A whole world out there, and he was going to experience it.

The hills were blazing, and everything started settling as Harry sat in the car. A laugh was heard from the back of the rail car.

"See that Jack, another lad along for the ride and barely fitting his britches," the old hobo commented. "I see you want to ride the rails like us old drunks."

"Leave the boy alone; he has just outrun a guard, too," the second hobo replied.

"I am a man and just turned fifteen; I am ready for a different life," Harry answered. "I can run through the fields, and now I can outrun a guard."

"You are still young, my friend, and there was a better entrance to the car," the first hobo replied. "You will not outrun them all either."

"My name is Jack, and that is George; we have been riding for a while, son," the second hobo answered. "I was a great lawyer, and George was an accomplished doctor."

"Why are you hobos then?" Harry questioned the men.

"Well, we both like to drink a little too much, and our families had abandoned us," Jack replied.

"I want to see the country and its many great parts," Harry announced.

"Good for a young feller, but without being so young," the third hobo piped his opinion.

"That's Henry, and he was a lawyer like me; he remembers the Civil War," Jack commented.

"Aw, the boy has so many dreams and has not yet seen what life is about," George replied.

George took out his harmonica and started playing Oh Susannah on it. Harry just sat down and listened to the tune. The men settled down and drank out of their bottles. Each had his story, and Harry was eager to hear the older men. Harry even told his story and his life on the farm without his mother. The amazement never left his eyes at the adventure he was about to start. The old men just chuckled at his enthusiasm and gave him the types of where to find the pots and pans for when he would get off the train.

The silence drew rest in the evening, but the moon shone above in its beauty. Harry took out his biscuits for his dinner and looked at the many stars in the sky. His smile never waned, and the whistle blew as the miles passed. The wind blew in his hair, a smile on his face as the train rolled along the track. His freedom had come with welcome arms, but he still felt a little guilty leaving Eddy behind. The world was a vast place to explore, and he was ready to see it.

Harry just wanted to go wherever the whistle blew.