Johnstown Flood: An Up2U Historical Fiction Adventure
Papa nodded I know But the tracks are flooded and the telegraph lines and parts of the track got knocked out by mudslides They need help clearin them Trains are backed up well beyond Harrisburg They’re leavin folks stranded Sarah Beth listened with great interest The depot in Johnstown was a fascinating place to a twelve-year-old There were all sorts of people coming and going Freight of all kinds mostly supplies for the ironworks was passing through Sometimes finely dressed men from Pittsburgh would arrive with their aides and secretaries trailing them around town Sarah Beth often imagined herself growing up to have her own help that tended to her every need I’d have them fetch my chicks she thought Whenever Papa allowed she’d ride the lines with him She’d marvel at how Johnstown was tucked away in a deep green valley She’d look
at the two rivers connecting downtown at the point where the massive arched bridge was recently built The Cambria Ironworks often lit up the night sky and left a smoky red glow in the air Sarah Beth pretended she was a princess in a magical kingdom when she traveled through the valley at night Can I go with you Papa asked Sarah Beth He laughed Stay and mind your mama You don’t want to look like a drowned rat out in this storm Mama agreed After we bring our belongings up from the cellar I’ll be needin you to go to Hensler’s to buy some thread and lace for Mrs Pritchard’s dress Hensler’s was Hensler’s General Store It was only recently that Mama and Papa allowed Sarah Beth to walk into town unattended If only they knew the real reason she wanted
to go so often It wasn’t because she fancied the penny candies but because she fancied the Henslers son Vincent Mama held up the dress she’d spent days sewing together Just the sight of it made Sarah Beth gasp Oh Mama That’s the finest dress I ever did see she exclaimed Mama pursed her lips It should be The lace cost almost as much as our wagon Sarah Beth ran her fingers over the bodice She beamed with pride at Mama’s work After all Mama was the best seamstress this side of Cambria County Wait till the rain lets up said Pa We don’t want her slinkin around town like a rain soaked alley cat Nonsense Mama said A little rain never held me up It’s springtime This weather’s expected just like we expect the chicks to
hatch this time of year Sarah Beth’s stomach turned sour at the mention of the chicks She said a quick prayer that they’d be safe in the barn She couldn’t bear the thought of finding them floating in a puddle again Mama fluffed out the bottom of the dress Besides the summer season starts up at Lake Conemaugh this weekend There’s a social at the clubhouse and all the members will be there Mr Frick Carnegie and even the Fultons are going I promised Mrs Pritchard that she’d have her dress in time she said Mama took a quick peek through the curtains It’s not raining that hard now If Sarah Beth sticks to the high ground she’ll be fine Papa started to protest but Mama added I don’t get a cent until this dress is picked up I’d go myself but someone’s comin to fetch
