CHRISTMAS 1950

By Joyce Smith Williams

Prologue Sitting in my living room one cold winter evening, I was suddenly aware of a long, low whistle-a train whistle. Memories of my homesick days at Carson Newman College penetrated my mind like a knife! My thinking then turned to the early days of my marriage when I boarded a train, this time accompanied by my 18-month-old daughter, Virginia. Christmas 1950 I wont forget.

Lady, anyone knows the railroad doesnt accept checks! the sullen clerk responded without ever looking up. Here I stood in the middle of the train station in Fort Worth, Texas a week before Christmas. I could visualize the three one dollar bills and two fives in my wallet enough to tip the porter and buy a coke or two but not enough to pay for a ticket to Chattanooga. The station door opened and Luke, carrying our daughter Virginia, hurried toward me. Honey, Ive got you a really good seat, Luke announced. Your bag is on board and you leave in twenty minutes. Suddenly the look on my face registered. Honey, what in the world is wrong? he quizzed. I blubbered - the railroad doesnt take checks. Lukes expression told me I was not the only one who didnt have that bit of information. But Luke recovered quickly.

Its okay, honey, he said. Weve got twenty minutes to find a place to cash a check. But its six a.m. I stammered. Ill be right back, Luke announced, handing me Virginia and racing out the door. Minutes later Luke walked in - less jubilant than before. Neither the drugstore, coffee shop, nor the gas station would accept my check, he said. Lets just go home, I pleaded. I have to take your bag off the train, Luke said as he dashed out the door into the face of an impatient conductor. Are you going to Memphis or not? the conductor asked.

Luke looked very young and inexperienced as he explained our situation. I was to meet my sister in Memphis and go on to Chattanooga for Christmas. Anyone knows the railroad doesnt accept checks, the conductor repeated. The only thing I can do is throw off your luggage. Were ready to leave! Feeling sick to my stomach, I held Virginia so tightly she began to cry. Luke looked at his watch. What time do you leave Dallas, he asked. One hour from now! snapped the conductor as he pitched my suitcase to Luke and shouted, All aboard!

I gazed after the moving train not believing Virginia and I were left behind. Hurry, Luke said as he grabbed my arm. Well make it yet! Luke threw in my suitcase, put the car in gear as I struggled into the front seat holding Virginia. We roared across Fort Worth toward our home area. There is one possibility, Luke muttered. If the gas station where I trade is open THEY will cash a check for me. I said a silent prayer that a police cruiser wouldnt pick us up before we reached the gas station. Yeah! The station was open and busy -cars and trucks were everywhere. Luke left the motor running and literally flew into the station. An eternity later he emerged with a fist full of bills. On to Dallas. he announced. I was puzzled. Honey, Dallas is a big city. How do you plan to find the train station? Oh, well find it! he replied. I went through there one night on a troop train. We have forty-five minutes before that train pulls out. The old 41 Plymouth was doing eighty miles per hour when we suddenly switched into the slow lane of traffic and turned into a poorly paved road. I think this will be a shortcut, Luke explained. I shut my eyes and prayed. Amazingly we arrived at the station with eight minutes to spare. You carry the cosmetic case and buy the ticket and Ill take Virginia and hold the train, Luke instructed.

Finally I had the precious ticket in hand. I began running through the elegant Dallas station toward the tracks. Which train for Memphis? I shouted at the first porter I saw. Track 6, he replied. The train on track six was loading when I handed the conductor my ticket. Lady, youll have to take a bus the last twenty miles into Memphis on this route, he explained. No way! It wasnt possible. And where were Luke and Virginia? Again I panicked and began shouting.

Has anyone seen a man carrying a baby? I called. All eyes turned in my direction but no one spoke. The conductor recognized my panic. Lady, you must want the train on track 4 - and its ready to pull out. Thinking quickly, he grabbed a porter standing in the aisle. Take this bag and get this lady across the tracks to Number four! he commanded. Without questioning, the porter grabbed the bag and started across the tracks. In my sling pumps I stumbled after him. Miraculously, no train hit us as we dashed in front of the engine and around to the passenger side. Thank God, here she comes, shouted a familiar voice. In front of me stood the unhappiest conductor Ive ever seen. Luke helped me inside, handed me Virginia and made a rush for the door as the train began to move.

Eighteen hours later, safe in Chattanooga I spoke to Luke on the phone. How did you do it? he asked. How did YOU do it? I asked. Well, Im not quite sure but I know the conductor looked like he had seen a ghost when I put your bag back on the train. I was pleading with him to wait a few more minutes when you and the porter came around the front of the train. Dont you know how dangerous that is? You could have been killed. Speaking of that - are you okay? I asked. I found blood on Virginias new coat. Oh, Im fine - now! You remember the glass I broke when I was doing the dishes? I lost the band-aide and my finger started bleeding. I left a bloody trail through the Dallas terminal and was retracing my steps as I started home. I passed an elderly porter sweeping the sidewalk, chucking to himself. He looked at me and said, Some lady sho caught the T and P on the cottontail. Really? Well it wont happen again because that was my first and last timeNEVER will I ride another train.