Pains Of The Past

Chapter 2

*** Here you go, another chapter for ya... hope you like it! ***

IrishEyez

Chapter 2

My conscious got the best of me and I only got off the train once for fear that I wouldn’t get back on if I got off again. I made my father a promise and I intended to keep it. The journey to my new home longer than expected because the train broke down in Chicago. It took two days to fix and Mary graciously opened her home up to me.

All-in-all, it took six days to get to Bozeman, Montana and it dawned on me that I am not going to know my family when I get there. We arrived at the train depot late at night and I knew that they would more than likely not be there waiting for me. So when everyone that got off the train had departed and I saw no one waiting for me, I was not disappointed.

The train station attendant was still in his office after everyone left, so I went to inquire about getting a bed for the night. I tapped on the window and startled him. He seemed angry as he came up and opened it.

“Can I help you child?” It bothers me that everyone calls me ‘child,’ I’m 18 now, I’m a woman.

I gave him a pleasant smile. “Yes sir, I was wondering if there might be a hotel in this town, it seems that my Aunt and Uncle have not come for me and I doubt they will be tonight.”

“Well yes, we do have a hotel here, but I fear you wouldn’t want to stay there.”

“I assure you sir; I am very capable of protecting myself, could you please point me in the right direction?” I stood with my back as straight as it could get and my nose slightly in the air confidently.

“If you insist child, follow me.” He closed the window and came out the door that was around the corner. “You can leave your trunks here, I’ll see to ‘em.” He pulled them inside his office and locked the door, ensuring their safe keeping.

He came back out and gestured for me to follow him. There was only one main road in this little town and as we got to the other end of it, I could hear the sounds of men shouting, women laughing and a player piano. I was being led to a saloon.

“Sir, I asked for a hotel, not a saloon.” I stated as I stopped dead in my tracks.

He turned back towards me. “The saloon is the hotel, now are you coming or not?”

I could not help but gasp, how was I going to get any sleep with all that noise, but I had no other option. I nodded back to him. “Yes, yes I am sorry, just took me by surprise.”

We got to the swinging doors of the saloon and I was blindsided by the overpowering stench of cigars. I hate the smell of them. Many of my father’s colleagues smoked them and it always made me feel as though I may be sick.

“You stay here while I go see about getting you a room.” The train station attendant went inside ad started talking to the bar keep.