Through The Cradle Of The Civil War
LIncoln was a place where you had to watch out for the Bull (train cops). We got off the train and slipped away from the tracks and camped in a place where Tommy had once found a wallet and three hundred dollars.
The next morning we traded-in our greasy clothes and had a shower at a homeless shelter. Tommy stayed for lunch but I wanted softer company. I borrowed the bike and pedaled towards the University of Nebraska. I found a pizza place near the football stadium. The girl who took my order was friendly until I tried to woo her with my tales of traveling by freight-train. I bet she’s old and ugly now……and probably fat.
Dark-time found me back with Tommy. We stashed his bike in some bushes and hopped a train for Kansas City.
Late the next morning we were on Kansas side of Kansas City. It was hot and humid. We must have looked in bad shape sweating by the tracks; An engineer threw a pack of water to us as he rode by in his locomotive. Tommy found an open topped gondola car and climbed up in it. After a few minutes he jumped back down with a big copper wire and a smile.
“This is worth some money, let’s go sell it.”
We crossed the Missouri river on a railroad bridge. I had never seen a river so big. We sweated and walked for hours through the Missouri side of Kansas City. There was several recycle places we passed, but Tommy knew one he thought paid the most. We got there just before it closed. That wire was worth seventy-five dollars and I was repaid for the loan I made in Denver. I didn’t have to ask.
That same night we caught a train for Springfield.
October 6, 2010 at 12:41 am
I realize you exist here in the present day, seeing as how we have “friendly fights” about once per week. That being said, I always picture your stories taking place 150 years ago. I love it man, keep them coming.
October 6, 2010 at 6:20 am
Thanks Jeff!