RAILCAR GOLD Chapter 5 . . Westward . . 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 5 . . . Westward. A new part will be posted every Thursday. New readers may want to start at the beginning.
CHAPTER 5 . . . WESTWARD . . . Part 4
Several children were walking along the roadway. Dan asked them, while pointing one way, “What’s down there? Then he pointed the other way, “What’s down there?” Pointing to the right, one boy said, “Creek.” Another boy pointed to the left and said, “Town.”
The children continued on their way towards the creek. Dan headed into town because he wanted to locate the railroad station. Only a few steps later, Dan jumped at the sound of firecrackers behind him; he turned quickly, the children were all laughing. Dan was jumpy, yet had to laugh at himself and continued on.
The railroad tracks ran down the first road that headed off to the right. He could easily see the train next to the railroad station. Just on the other side of the road, Dan stopped next to a factory making railcars; it had a sign “York Car Works.”
With the factory building partially shielding him, Dan gazed down the street to the railroad station. He saw milk cans and crates being unloaded from the railcar he had been in since yesterday morning; it seemed so much longer to Dan.
Billy had told Dan that one has to carefully observe the loading and unloading routine, repeated times, to spot the appropriate timing and opportunity to successfully sneak into a railcar. The more Dan observed, he became increasingly convinced that he would never be able to master getting into a railcar, undetected.
Dan took out his railroad schedule; if he was reading it correctly, two more trains were due from Wrightsville today. Dan made up his mind to station himself at this spot for each arrival, hoping that Billy would arrive on one of those trains.
Dan remembered Billy’s warning, “Don’t become overly obvious in observing the routines at train stations, or they’ll keep out an eye for you.” Dan continued down the road, to explore the town.
Several houses that he passed had signs containing the name Queen Street. Dan concluded he was walking down Queen Street. He soon crossed the first major cross street; discovering it was named Philadelphia Street.
He figured this must be the major street in York since it leads to Philadelphia. Dan made a right onto Philadelphia Street, so that it would be easier to circle back to the railroad station. Soon Dan passed Duke Street, knowing that if he turned to the right, he would be back near the railroad station; instead he continued straight along Philadelphia Street.
The next cross street had a great deal of traffic; people, horses and carriages. This was George Street. Dan saw a posted broadside about the Anniversary of our National Independence. At 5 o’clock this morning York’s two military companies, the Worth Infantry and the York Rifles, with their bands, were parading and firing the accustomed salutes.
The broadside wished everyone a pleasant day of social enjoyment at the many picnics leaving town to spend a day in the countryside. Upon returning in the evening there will be a grand display of fireworks in the borough.
Go to Part 5
