American Girl

Arkansas

The train moved westward. Hannah McClellan peered out the window, watching the scenery pass. She ran her hand over the red velvet seats and the gleaming brass fittings. Her older sister, Martha, sat beside her with her hands folded primly in her lap. If Hannah wiggled in her seat, Martha threw her a scathing look. She should sit straight and look ahead like nothing was happening around her. Hannah was too excited to sit still.

The trip from Boston, Massachusetts, to Arkansas was an expense the McClellan family could scarcely afford. Mama suggested that she bring Hannah alone, but Papa wouldn't hear of it. Therefore, the entire family traveled by train.

Hannah glanced behind Martha's back at Lucy. She would have preferred sitting beside her younger sister than her older one. With Martha in the middle, neither girl could fidget or even speak to each other. She thought her elder sibling had eyes in the back of her head. She received a sharp reprimand when she moved even an inch.

Hannah's mouth watered when the candy butcher appeared with his tray strapped around his neck. Leaning forward, she tapped her mother's shoulder. Mama and Papa occupied the row in front of the girls. Little brother Simon sat between them, and Mama held Nathaniel on her lap. Her mother shifted the baby and turned to look at her.

"Can we have some candy?" Hannah asked, indicating the young salesman. "Can we have a caramel or some licorice?"

Papa's head nodded. Mama opened her purse and doled the three girls and Simon a dime. Martha refused the money, but Lucy and Hannah clutched their coins eagerly. Candy was a rare treat for the large family.

"We don't travel by train daily," Papa excused himself. "Might as well enjoy it."

Mama agreed, and Martha grunted. The older sister cautioned the girls to keep their hands clean. She didn't want caramel smeared all over their bright new dresses.

"Killjoy," Hannah muttered to herself.

"What did you say?" Martha snapped.

"Nothing." Hannah gulp. She turned her gaze toward the window and chewed her caramel.

"Killjoy," Lucy supplied, swinging her legs and kicking the seat's edge. Her shoes made a clump, clump sound.

"I heard her correctly the first time," Martha stated loudly. "Kindly sit still. That noise is irritating."

"What noise?" Lucy sucked on her licorice and continued swinging her feet. "Can I sit in the window on the way home?"

"We'll see," Mama threw over her shoulder.

Hours passed while the train rushed westward. It finally pulled into a station. Passengers rose, gathered their luggage, and disembarked. The McClellan family remained seated. Papa rose and stood in the aisle behind Hannah and the girls' seats. Lifting Nathaniel, Mama grasped Simon's hand and moved along the aisle. Lucy and Martha followed her. When the porter brought Hannah's chair, her father gently lifted and placed her in it. Unfolding a plaid lap rug, he spread it over her thin knees. Together, Papa and the porter lifted the wheelchair and set it down on the platform.

"I hope this works," Papa stated, pushing Hannah's chair toward the hotel.

Dr. Giles suggested Hannah take the mineral waters at Hot Springs, Arkansas. The waters had healing qualities and might strengthen her limbs and restore her walking ability.

When they were young, the McClellan girls suffered from Scarlet Fever. Although they survived, the high raging fever caused a stroke in Hannah's brain. Her face's left side drooped slightly, causing her lips to turn downward on that side. She lost the use of her arm and both her legs. Hannah would have liked to run and play with other children, but she was resigned to her illness.