RAILCAR GOLD Chapter 11 . . Princeton . . Part 4
RAILCAR GOLD is a historically accurate multi-generational fictional tale of hidden treasure, primarily set in York County, Pennsylvania during the latter half of the Nineteenth Century. This is Part 4 of Chapter 11 . . . Princeton. A new part will be posted every Thursday. Recent chapters stand alone, starting here; however new readers may want to start at the beginning.
CHAPTER 11 . . . PRINCETON . . . Part 4
Elizabeth Billmeyer placed Dan in charge of the box prepared for her son George. She had Angelina baking all kinds of treats into Friday night. Charles kept telling his wife, “They have food in New Jersey.” Dan thought Elizabeth over did the package; it was heavy, but Dan wisely did not say a word.
When George was home from college during summer break, the families’ long time domestic servant Belle left after she got married. Angelina Frey was hired to replace Belle. Everyone in the family, especially George, raved about Angelina’s baked goods.
Charles Billmeyer purchased four seats on the train. Next to him was his son Charlie and next to Dan sat the box.
Dan reflected as the train neared the Philadelphia station. It was now over 10-years since he became an orphan. He had already lived with the Billmeyer family longer than the 8-years he lived with his own family.
Dan still vividly recalled the details of November 5th 1859 when he went with his Uncle Rufus to a horse auction while his family traveling from their Spring Mills, New Jersey home into Philadelphia. That was the fateful day his parents and siblings drowned in a ferry mishap while crossing the Delaware River.
In Philadelphia, they switched trains. Dan distinctly remembered visiting this station all those many years ago with his dad Wyatt, as he carted finished goods from the Spring Mills Agricultural Works.
The New York train made a stop outside of Princeton, New Jersey, where they took a Dinky to the college campus. They arrived right on time at 12:45 p.m., just as Charles had telegraphed George.
George Billmeyer was at the Princeton Station to greet everyone. He inquired, “What’s in the box Danny boy?” Dan relied, “You’re Mom had Angelina baking all night.” George did not waste any time opening the box and gazing at all the baked goods inside. He took a deep whiff, licked his lips and smiled.
Charles inquired, “I’m sure you have bakeries around there?” George swiftly replied, “Nothing as good as these!” Charles admitted, “Yes, since Angelina arrived, everybody has put on weight. Maybe I’ll have to let her go.”
In unison, George, Dan and Charlie focused on Charles, as if he was crazy for making such a suggestion. Before anybody said a word, Charles reassures everyone, “I’m kidding, OK?”
With a sigh of relief from everyone, they take a carriage to Mr. Maple’s place where George is boarding and where everyone will stay the night in another room that is available. They had lunch, topped off with some goodies from the box. George gives them directions to the field where the contest with Rutgers will take place and then he rushes off to meet up with his teammates.
Since the first contest was played last week on the Rutgers campus, this newly devised game, which some were calling American Football, had already received a rules change for this second contest. Free kicks were now allowed from catch on fly or bound.
Charles, Charlie and Dan easily found the playing field, located opposite the Slidell mansion. There were several hundred spectators surrounding the field, by the 3:00 O’clock kick-off.
Over their lunch George had explained the plays that the team had worked on during the week to take advantage of the new rule. The plays consisted of a strategic series of close distance fair catches and free kicks to move the ball down the field. The home team had a good day using this strategy, Princeton outscoring Rutgers eight to none.
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