Ribbons of Steel by Carol Henry Page B

responsible young lady and would do a fine job taking care of everything while she was away—as would Seth. Between the two of them, they had already shouldered the majority of the responsibilities of the family the past few months. Nothing would change. Except she wouldn’t be there to help.
    “Take good care of them, Catherine. I want them in fine shape when I return. You’re their momma for now.” Emily turned to the boys, dabbing her eyes with an already soaked hanky. “I’ll see you all in a couple of months. Be good for Seth and Catherine,” she said to Michael and Robert who were now clinging to her in tears, her own tears flowing unchecked.
    Reluctant to go, she took Sarah from Catherine and cradled her to her bosom and nuzzled her one last time.
    The train whistle shrilled. No time for a second embrace. Catherine took Sarah, and Seth untangled the two boys from her legs, then handed her the small grip she’d borrowed from their nearest neighbor, Lizzy Hayland. She’d packed a change of clothes and sleepwear, plus the necessary toiletries needed during the week-long journey. The rest of her belongings were already aboard in the baggage compartment.
    “Take care of everything for me, Seth. I’ll wire you as soon as I arrive at Marybelle’s.”
    “I will, Ma, just don’t you worry. We’ll be fine. You take care of yourself.”
    “I’ll still worry, son.”
    The rest of her words were drowned out as the whistle sounded two long blasts, and steam from the engine covered the entire area, competing with the heavy fog rising over the mountainside. Emily lifted her long skirt and stepped up onto the cold metal stairs with the help of the conductor and entered the coach filled with an assortment of passengers. She made her way along the rose-patterned aisle runner toward her seat. Overhead, the lamps suspended from the center of the ceiling following the length of the car emitted a faint scent of kerosene. The narrow cushioned seats, although straight back, were colorful and inviting.
    Emily found her place next to the window, and with a sigh of relief from the exhaustion of saying goodbye, she settled in her seat for the short trip to Owego. She leaned closer to the window and looked out in search of her children. She spotted them and waved, then placed her hand against the glass and let tears stream down her face. She blew them a kiss as they stood in a tight row on the wooden platform watching the train as it chugged down the tracks. When she could see them no longer, she turned, found a dry hanky in her bag, and dabbed her eyes dry.
    Would she ever see her children again?
    If she were as sick as Doctor Wooster said, there didn’t seem to be much hope; consumption was not to be taken lightly. The image of those who had suffered from the disease had her close to breaking down in front of her brave family. She could only pray they had made the right decision by sending her out to her cousin Marybelle’s to recuperate.
    Doctor Wooster had insisted a warmer, dryer climate with fresh air and ample bed rest to regain her health was just the ticket. He’d told her to drink fresh cream with a spoonful of brandy. She hoped Marybelle had a cow or two. For the fever, he’d recommended Sassafras tea, which her cousin said she always kept on hand.
    “You need some time to mend, my dear,” he’d said. “You need rest. Nothing more strenuous than a nice afternoon walk. And absolutely no work.”
    Marybelle would make sure she followed doctor’s instructions. That was Marybelle. One of the kindest women she’d ever met.
    The doctor had insisted she carry the packet of opium as a sedative should she need a pain reliever on the train ride. As much as she was tempted to succumb to taking a small dram now, this part of the trip was a short one. She needed to keep her wits about her when she transferred to the various connections. She had two more train transfers before she arrived at her final destination. Perhaps if