Chapter 29 - Easy Money

Leah and Jed Curry waited and worried and heard nothing. Grandpa Curry told them that the house would be quarantined and so they couldn't write. They'd just have to wait.

Jed hated waiting.

The telegram to his mother had simply read - 'Diphtheria. Children sick. Under quarantine, stay in Ohio - Masterson.' Caleb must have asked the doctor to send it.

They had wondered about that telegram. Did that mean that all the children in town were sick, or that Adam and Joe were sick, or that his brothers and the Heyes boys were sick?

He wished that someone would tell him; not knowing was the worst thing. He was worried about Adam and Joe, of course he was. But he felt guilty that he was just as worried for his new friend.

He remembered one day when the two of them had been playing by the stream. He had cut his hand on a rock he'd been trying to dig out for his collection. Instead of making a fuss as most people would have done, Han started telling him about blood oaths and how they could swear to be blood brothers. Jed immediately agreed and Han promptly cut his own hand with the same rock.

Han pressed their two hands together. "Blood brothers forever!" he had solemnly sworn and Jed did the same.

Jed took the rock home and placed it next to his bed, separate from all the others. It was a constant reminder of the best friend - the best brother - he'd ever had.

The cut had healed up by now, but Jed rubbed the spot where it had been. He couldn't imagine going through life without his friend by his side.

Maggie Curry collapsed on the day her eldest son died.

She was lucky, she only seemed to have contracted a mild form of the virus; but coupled with her grief it was enough to keep her in bed for a couple of weeks. Caleb nursed her and his son Joseph, who was also improving. His grief for Adam was indescribable, but he could be grateful that his remaining children were safe with his father and that Maggie and Joseph were improving every day.

When Doctor Masterson came to collect the Adam's body, he told Caleb that Tom Heyes had died the day before and David was sick as well. As the days went by, Caleb heard of the other deaths. Peggy died shortly after becoming sick. Her mother, Sarah, and Lucy Wilson, with her little sister, Minnie, died within the first couple of days. Thomas Brown died the day before Tom. Old Bob Evans, Bill's grandfather, died three days after Adam. The list seemed to grow with each passing day.

Caleb was sad to hear about the death of Tom. When he asked, the doctor told him that Hannibal had pulled through. He was happy to hear that; they all loved Han and he was Jed's best friend. Jed would be heartbroken if anything happened to him.

Doctor Masterson told Caleb - and probably everyone else as well - that the infection started because Han had been running around with Peggy. Caleb didn't believe it. Han spent every spare moment with Jed. And even if it had been true, Caleb wouldn't blame the children. Peggy was just a child; how could anyone imagine that something like this could happen? Caleb just hoped Han didn't blame himself.

Hannibal woke up properly two days after he'd been taken away. He didn't know where he was and didn't know the man working at the desk nearby.

His throat felt rough and dry when he tried to speak. "Hello?"

The doctor looked up and smiled grimly. It seemed Elizabeth Heyes had been correct; all the boy needed for his recovery was proper care and nourishment. "Ah, you're awake. I'm Doctor Masterson."

"W..water?"

"Oh, yes! Of course." Masterson poured out a glass and held it to the boy's lips as he drank thirstily.

"Where am I?"

"You're at my office."

"Where are my parents?"

The doctor gave him a look that he couldn't interpret. "Who?"

"David and Elizabeth Heyes."

"Ah. How much do you remember of the past few days?"

Hannibal frowned. "I remember getting sick and pa taking care of me. I don't remember much after that, just bits and pieces."

"Well, I'm afraid you contracted diphtheria. You managed to spread it to quite a few others before you became ill."

Hannibal's eyes opened wide in horror. In a whisper, he asked, "Is everyone okay?"

"Many are still sick, but Peggy Grant, Minnie and Lucy Wilson, Thomas Brown and old Mr. Evans are all dead, as well as your brother, Tom, and Adam Curry."

"No..."

"Yes, I'm afraid so. And David Heyes will be following them any day now."

Han was horrified. "Pa?"

"Yes. Mrs. Heyes asked me to take you away so that she can nurse her husband through his final days." He didn't see the need to relay the rest of the message, that she was sorry. He couldn't see why the poor woman would have anything to be sorry about.

Hannibal stared at the doctor in shock. He loved David and thought of him as his father; now, because of Han, he would die.

And apparently, he'd been responsible for the deaths of others as well, including Tom and Adam. "What about Uncle Caleb and the others?"

"Caleb is fine. Jed, Leah and the baby are still with their grandfather. Maggie came back to help nurse Adam and Joseph. She caught the disease, but she and Joseph are recovering."

Hannibal couldn't believe that he had been the cause of all this trouble. "How did I get sick?"

The doctor eyed him disapprovingly. "Low company. Let that be a lesson to you for the future."

Hannibal was confused. The only people he spent time with were his family and the Currys. "I don't understand."

"A nice couple takes in a base-born child like you and this sort of thing is bound to happen. I'm afraid the Heyes have been sadly repaid for their good deed."

That didn't really explain anything, but the doctor seemed so sure that he was to blame. It must be true. Han thought that he would probably understand if he wasn't so tired.

"Am I in trouble?" He wondered if he would be punished for causing so much suffering.

"No, but Mrs. Heyes asked me to return you to the orphanage. I was just waiting until you were well enough to travel."

Hannibal stared at him for a moment, trying to choke back the tears. He shouldn't be surprised - it was what he deserved - but he would miss them all so much. He thought he remembered a grimace on Elizabeth's face the last time he had seen her. She must hate him now.

"Would you tell everyone I'm sorry?"

"I imagine that will give them small comfort for the loss of their loved ones."

Hannibal flinched and tried not to think about what he'd done. He couldn't bear the thought of David dying because of him. He hoped he could leave as soon as possible; he didn't want to face any of them again. "How soon can I go?"

The doctor smiled. He wanted no possibility of Mrs. Heyes changing her mind and deciding to keep the child. He knew that she had been at the end of her rope and not thinking clearly when she asked him to take Han. He wanted to make sure that Han was safely away before he visited her again. He knew he could easily convince her that returning the child had been the best thing to do under the circumstances.

"There's another orphan train coming to Harristown in two days. I can find someone to take you if you think you'll be well enough to travel."

Han nodded and the doctor smiled. Although he wanted the boy gone, he wouldn't have forced him to go if he had been too sick to travel. Masterson may have been opportunistic but he was still a doctor, and he wouldn't have caused the boy any serious harm. He knew the boy had only a mild case of diphtheria and thought that his main affliction was probably exhaustion from fighting the disease. If the child hadn't been ready to travel, he would have simply extended the quarantine on the Heyes house.

He was glad he didn't have to do that and pleased that things seemed to be working out so well for him.

Masterson made some discreet inquiries. He didn't want anyone to know what was happening and have a chance to step in to save the child. Han did have some friends in town - Reverend Elliot for one. Masterson shook his head about that. He couldn't believe that a minister of God would condone a child like this in their community. He knew he had to get the boy far away, and quickly. If he stayed in town, there was a good chance that Elizabeth Heyes would reconsider and take him back.

Unfortunately, although many would be glad to see him go, the doctor couldn't find anyone to take him away, especially when they knew that the Heyes house was still under quarantine and David expected to die any day.

Eventually, Masterson managed to persuade one of the saddle bums from the saloon to take him. He promised the young cowboy it would be easy money; half up front and the other half when he brought back a receipt for Han from the orphan train in Harristown.

Masterson may not approve of the child, but he wouldn't risk the drifter just taking the boy out and leaving him somewhere.

Two days later, Han clung tightly to the back of the cowboy and held on for the journey back to Harristown.

They'd been riding for a while when the cowboy heard someone calling to him.

"Hey, Arty, how are ya?"

He looked over to see his old friend. "Hey, Bobby. Not so bad. Been tryin' to find some work around here." He saw Bobby's curious looks at the boy. "Promised I'd take the kid to Harristown to meet the orphan train. It don't pay much, but it's easy money."

"They're needin' cowhands at the Double R Ranch over in Kansas City. You should go there. Best be quick though. Lots of people lookin' for work right now."

Arty swore. "Damn! I gotta do this first. Hey, don't suppose you could take him? I'll split the money with you!"

"Nah, I got my own stuff to do. Why not take him to Valparaiso? It's in the right direction and not that far from Kansas City."

"Ain't it a home for waywards?"

Bobby laughed. "All boys that age are waywards! Besides, if he's pure as the driven snow, why ya takin' him back?"

The cowboy considered for a minute. "Don't suppose it matters where I take him. I mean, what's the difference? Hey, thanks for the tip, Bobby!"

"No problem, Arty. See ya 'round."

Arty tipped his hat and turned his horse in the direction of Valparaiso.

Han said nothing through the whole exchange. He was lucky that Arty wasn't just going to leave him in the middle of nowhere. Besides, one orphanage or another, how much could it matter?

It seemed to Hannibal that the ride would never end. He started to lose his grip after a little while and Arty pulled him around to the front, where the cowboy could hold him steady. Han wanted to sleep but his head was throbbing. It was a hot day and the cowboy kept up a fast pace. Arty didn't want to miss the chance of losing a job because of this boy.

When they reached the orphanage, Arty pulled Han down from the horse and sat him on a bench outside, while he went inside and took care of the paperwork. He may not have returned him to the orphan train, but he had brought the kid to an orphanage. He might still get paid the rest of the money if he produced a receipt. He realized the doctor had only told him the boy's first name, but he figured it didn't matter. The boy could tell them everything else himself.

Hannibal was exhausted. Within two days of waking up after his illness, he had ridden for hours on the back of a horse. He didn't know why he felt so tired after lying in bed for so long, but his legs felt weak and watery and he just wanted to lie down and sleep.

Arty came hurrying out, followed by a stern looking woman. As he jumped on his horse, he tipped his hat to Han and called out, "'Bye, kid! She's gonna take care of you now!"

The woman examined Han coldly. "Your name is Hannibal?" she asked him, as if she thought it might be a joke.

Han nodded and saw her lips tighten. "Yes, ma'am." He didn't ask her to call him Han. That was David's name for him.

"Very well then. Come along."

As Hannibal stood, he felt his head spin and he fell to the ground.