Dear Ma, October 2, 1934
I have some bad news. The five dollars that I saved for you and Pa won't be coming anytime soon. The detectives caught me and Annie on the train to California, and we are now spending the night in jail. Again.
Annie and I were trying to keep watch, but we both fell asleep. Staying awake is really hard when you don't have anything to eat. Oh Ma, nobody makes a good cornbread like you do! So, while we were sleeping, the sneaky detective came out of nowhere and rounded us up like cattle. There were others he had already discovered, all men, and we were thrown in with them. Then he links arms with two of us at a time and "escorts" us to the police station.
It was awful, Ma. Everyone was looking at us, and some even spat at us and called us names Johnny would've known. Then, when we were in the station, the brute stole all of our money. All of it! My five dollars and Annie's five dollars. They took it for themselves, no matter what hogwash they'll tell you.
I'm grateful to them, in a way, for giving me a warm bed, good night's rest, and a warm meal. Possibly a shower. Don't worry 'bout me, Ma. I'll find a job in town, maybe as a maid or teacher or something.
They can't use those darn signs against me! If they do, I'm gonna point out the obvious: they say no men wanted, they don't say a thing about women. Please give the enclosed letter to Mrs. Smith. Stay safe and healthy.
Your loving daughter,
Sue Ellen Johnson
YOU ARE READING
Riding the Rails
Historical FictionAn original short story turned into a longer story. Sue Ellen Johnson is the 2nd oldest of 5 children. Her dad is gone the moment the Great Depression starts, finally succumbing to his unknown sickness. Her older brother, Johnny, died a long time ag...
