New Beginnings (New Beginnings Series) (25 page)

When he realized she was awake, Sam spoke, bringing her back from her youth, “We aren’t too far from Chicago. This is Lake Michigan.”

She greeted him to the new day with a soft good-morning kiss. He put his arm around her and they looked silently at the lake that seemed to go on forever. The air was fresh and much different from the coal smoke they would often smell wafting over the train as it travelled. The sun sparkled on the water like many diamonds thrown to the wind, to land where they may.

Within moments the scenery changed into the large city they were entering. The tracks seemed to start to multiply with another two on their side of the car, doubling to four and then again and other trains were either coming or going. Sam too, watched closely out the window and commented, “Times certainly have changed. It is about eight years since the last time I was through here. I am sure Chicago has grown greatly, although at the time the city was more or less recovering from the major fire, more than four years before.”

As the train came to a complete stop in the station, they once again departed from their car. Sara was beginning to enjoy their adventure. She finally let herself believe this journey was one of pleasure instead of gloom.

They began the day by going to a restaurant and enjoying a light breakfast. Sara especially liked her morning coffee, which she sometimes called ‘the nectar of the gods’.

Sam suggested to her they should find a room at least for the morning to freshen up and change into clean clothing. Sara eagerly agreed, but the smile on her face showed an impish sparkle of a different motive. After collecting their luggage they walked across the street to a nearby hotel and eagerly signed in to their room.

It was close to five in the afternoon when they checked out of the hotel feeling keen to carry on with their travels. Sara suggested they see a few of the sights before spending another night on the train, as she was enjoying waking in a new location each morning.

Once again Sam rented a hack and driver. The day was bright and an open carriage let them enjoy the scenery and the light breeze bringing fresh air from the lake.

“I hardly expected Chicago to make as quick a recovery after such a devastating fire,” Sam said to the driver who enjoyed talking about the city he was so proud of. “I was here four years after the fire and although much construction was being done I never expected it to be completed by now.”

“Yes,” the driver said, “it took a few years, but with the help from the other states and the old countries, we were able to rebuild in good time. Temporary housing was needed for about forty thousand people, although almost a hundred thousand were left without homes. Many businesses and government buildings were also burnt to the ground.” He drove the team through the part of town where the fire was. The new buildings were rebuilt mainly of brick and something the driver called “Athens Marble”, pure white sandstone he explained came from Illinois and not Greece.

“What caused the fire?” Sara asked when she could squeeze in a word.

“It was discovered to be an overturned lantern in an area built of wood. It was a very dry season and the strong southwest wind pushed the fire about four miles along the lake, a strip a mile or more wide. The only way they could contain it was to sacrifice the buildings ahead with explosives which could be controlled and gave the wildfire nothing to feed on.”

They continued driving through the streets past the rebuilt post office, churches, theatres and many, many more buildings and residences. As they drove along the water’s edge the driver told them how the thousands of people ran ahead of the fire into the lake where they stayed for hours guarding against the heat and flames. Sara closed her eyes for a moment, for in her mind she could see the crowds running for their lives. It was not hard for her to imagine as she had seen similar sights before. People running for their lives and at one time she wanted to join them. But Sam brought her back from the Civil War again when he pointed to swans floating on the lake.

Their tour took about two hours and the driver could speak continually about the interesting facts of the city. As they finished the ride through Lincoln Park on the north side and followed the lakeshore for several miles, he stayed quiet. The couple cuddled together on the cushioned bench seat under a heavy wool blanket provided with the carriage ride for when it was needed.

They enjoyed an evening meal before going back to the train station. Once again the sun had set and as before Sara slept with her head on Sam’s shoulder. He asked her again about using a sleeper car, but Sara so enjoyed travelling the way they were.

The train had already stopped in the station when Sam woke his wife the next morning. They arrived in Detroit where they would have to leave the rail line for a ferry ride across to Windsor and back into Canada.

They once again took the opportunity to explore the city. Sam had seen all of these places before, but never with the interest he did now and shared with Sara. He saw the world through new eyes.

The night brought with it a foot of fresh snow. Although it was only a little below freezing, Sara was happy to have the fur coat with her. Before boarding the ferry the Fieldings took a walk through The Grand Circus, a large park which sat in the centre of the city. The City Hall was a beautiful building which faced the park and had an Italian flair about it, making it feel like they could be in a faraway land, enjoying their honeymoon. They admired the Michigan Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, an impressive statue, standing in the park. Sara marvelled at the immense bronze statue of an Indian girl who they were told represented Michigan in defence of the Union.

The new snow and the many decorations for the coming Christmas brought a feeling of peace and Sara knew everything was going to be all right.

Early in the afternoon Sam and Sara returned to the train station where they retrieved their baggage before boarding the ferry to cross the Detroit River. Sara enjoyed her time in the United States, but similar to when she arrived home to her own country twenty years ago, she was anxious to cross the river.

When they found themselves standing beside the captain of the ferry Sara thought to ask a question puzzling her. “Sir, would you know why no bridge or train trestle has been built across this grand river?”

“I certainly do, Miss,” he responded.

“Mrs. Fielding,” she said, shaking his hand, “and my husband, Mr. Fielding.”

“Because the river is an access route to the Great Lakes and many large ships travel through here, as you can see,” he pointed toward the docks where several were loading or unloading. “Our mild winter so far this year has extended the season but it looks like the conditions are changing and wintry weather is coming. The railroad wanted to build a bridge but it was thought to be hazardous to navigation. Most ships have extremely high masts.” He pointed to a road further up the river. “Back in ’71 at St. Antoine Street, a tunnel was started under the river but a pocket of sulphur gas was hit. It made the workers terribly sick and the project was stopped. They tried again in ’78 at Grosse Isle, but limestone made the project too expensive and it too was cancelled.”

The Fieldings thanked the captain as he went to make sure their journey was proceeding properly. They stood at the railing and watched as the ferry broke through a thin layer of ice.

“This is more romantic anyway,” Sam said as he pulled his wife close to his side. Together they watched the goings-on of the busy port.

After the ferry landed in the Canadian city of Windsor, Sam made arrangements with a cabbie waiting near the pier for a ride to the train station. The day seemed to be getting colder as the sun made its way across the sky and they thought it best to continue directly to the train. It felt as though the mild winter weather they were enjoying was starting to come to an end. This was of little concern to them. If there was one thing living on the Canadian prairie did, it was to prepare them for some of the worst winter weather possible.

Once inside the station the couple stopped to watch a gentleman writing with chalk on a large blackboard. He was revising the times the trains would be arriving and departing. They didn’t think what route would be best to take to Montreal, although Sam felt once they were back in Canada the next stop would probably be in Toronto. Although he gave no sign he was not eager to return to his hometown and was relieved when Sara thought of a detour.

“Have you ever been to Niagara Falls, Sam? I hear they are beautiful.”

“Before I went west I spent a summer at the falls. They are a sight that should not be missed. Although the view won’t be quite what it is in the summer, this could be a better time of year to see them and it is the famed honeymooners stop. Would you like to go?”

The sparkle in Sara’s eyes was all Sam needed to send him to the counter and ask for two tickets to Niagara Falls. They would arrive after dark, but he promised her the next day would be one she would not soon forget.

Chapter Nineteen

Sam woke Sara as they arrived at the Niagara Falls train station. She fell asleep leaning against his shoulder shortly after leaving Windsor and slept soundly most of the ride. It made him realize it was time for a proper stop on their expedition. Even though the falls may not have been on his list of good locations for resting, their next stop in Montreal would probably be busy.

Sam looked around the station as they entered the building and said, “The last time I was here the town was called Clifton, not Niagara Falls. I wonder if there were other changes made as well. It was a pretty wild place and I hope you aren’t disappointed with our visit.”

“No place could disappoint as long as you are with me,” Sara smiled and gave a slight wink to her husband.

As he did in the other stations, Sam looked at the large clock on the wall and adjusted his pocket watch to match the town’s correct time. “It will be nice when the standard schedule comes into effect. Each city having its own set clock makes it rather inconvenient, especially with this train travel making the time between cities so much faster. From what I understand the new schedules are to get underway before very much longer.” He pushed the stem back into the watch and placed it into the small pocket in his vest before buttoning his coat. Taking Sara’s arm, together they stepped out into the cold.

Waiting close by were the many hack drivers anxious to find a fare to deliver to a hotel in the vicinity. “Doesn’t look like it has changed very much,” Sam said as the driver took the luggage from his hand without consent and placed it in the space behind the seat in the sleigh. He helped them both to step up and after taking the reins proceeded ahead without instruction. Sam tapped him gently on the shoulder and said, “We would like to go to a boarding house away from The Front.”

The driver nodded and continued ahead. As he started to turn the team at the next street Sam tapped him again on the shoulder, this time holding a five dollar bill out to the man. Thinking for only a moment before reaching for the money, he straightened the horses to cross the street. At the same time he glanced back to the other hack drivers who were tending to their own fares.

“I take it Davis is still in town,” Sam related to the driver, then sat back beside his wife. The chauffeur continued without speaking.

Sara gave Sam a rather puzzled look, but didn’t ask any questions, as she was certain he would tell her about it later.

After searching, they arrived in front of a large three-storey brick house which had a lantern sitting in the window. A sign beside the lamp stated “Room and Board Available.”

Again Sam tapped the driver on the shoulder and said, “This should be fine.”

The sleigh stopped and without stepping down the driver waited for the couple to depart. Sam took Sara’s hand and helped until she stood beside him, then reached behind the seat for their luggage.

As the man drove away Sara watched, rather mystified. “More than the weather seems to be cool around here,” she commented.

Sam’s answer was a smile as he offered his arm and they stepped up onto the veranda of the house.

In only a few moments a young lady opened the door and welcomed them inside. Normally a charge of three dollars per night was asked for a single room, but Sam requested one more suitable for their wedding excursion and quickly offered to double the regular price.

Sara frowned at what she thought was a bit of extravagance, but stayed silent.

Their hostess asked them to wait in the sitting room near the entrance for a short time while she went to prepare the more luxurious room. As they stepped inside they found a welcoming setting with a large fireplace filling the room with warmth. Beside some comfortable chairs, a chessboard sat on a small round table waiting for its players to continue a game already in progress. A large evergreen tree was placed in a bucket of sand and water in an alcove in front of the large window facing the street. It looked to have been just brought inside as some snow still stayed hidden deep inside on several bows. A container of handmade Christmas ornaments and other festive decorations sat nearby.

Sara picked one out of the box and looked at the beautiful handmade cloth ball with carefully embroidered designs and the name “Sammy”. She showed it to her husband and with a smile said, “Maybe she knew we were coming.”

Sam returned the smile and went to stand in front of the fireplace. With the poker set in the iron stand next to the hearth he gave the log in the fire a slight push sending the flames a little higher for a moment and exposed the side not charred. Sara placed her arm around his and together they watched the mesmerizing flame. They stood almost hypnotized until she asked, “So what was that all about with the cabbie? He didn’t seem pleased, even with the five-dollar bonus. I didn’t think they would get much more than twenty-five cents for a fare.”