The Ghost Train of Wabash Ridge
by
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Snow slowly fell throughout the night, gently covering the foot steps of a previous day. The moon gently caressed the early morning carpet as would the leaves of fall, floating, settling on the earth. Bare tree branches sculpted hard, yet lonely shadows on the ground. The moon was full this cold winter''s morning. The sun would rise shortly.
A train whistle blew in the distance a couple of miles from where Matthew lay warm. Again the train sounded, this time waking the dreamer. He turned and looked at his clock. The clock showed
Small vibrations were in the bedroom as the train approached, blowing its whistle. Matthew jumped out of his bed, running to his window as the train approached. He waved at the engineer as he has done so many mornings. The huge steel machine belched steam as it moved through the cold
He stood in the window until the train passed and again all was quiet. Matt turned from the window to look around his room. This morning the room appeared odd. It was almost too quiet. Even the picture of the old Wabash Cannonball seemed to take on an eerie presence.
Matthew quickly dressed and hurried to the kitchen, where he found his mother cooking breakfast. He thought to himself that pancakes and sausage had to be the most perfect breakfast for such a cold walk to school. His mother asked if the train woke him up as she placed a hot stack of pancakes in front of him. He watched her as she finished making his hot chocolate and confirmed his beliefs, that he loved her very much. How could being in the presence of this woman make him feel so warm and loved? She said that dad had to leave a little early today because of the snow. Matthew quickly pictured his dad giving commands to the many firefighters he commanded on the fire ground. He was so proud of his father being in the fire service, but for some reason his fascination of trains bypassed this pride. However, what Matt''s dad may not have liked in trains was not passed over by his grandfather. Grandpa had worked as an engineer for years with the C&EI (Chicago and Eastern Railroad) and had just recently retired. The love of the railroad was in his blood. There was nothing about trains that he did not know.
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About the Book
The time period is set for the late 1950s, with a clash of a hundred years ago in time. Matthew and his grandfather go on a journey into the past to help a relative. During that journey, they discover the importance of what family really means. Matthew and his grandfather find out that age does not matter, for time passes in the blink of an eye. Life is nothing more than love and standing up for what is right. Together they find the strength and love to join in an expedition for truth, understanding, and what turns out to be a family bond of many years.
A little imagination from youth, intrigue of what is around the next corner, and family being the most important thing in life are within the pages of this book. This story goes back to a time, when family members depended on one another, no matter the problem. Respect and admiration of the young and old is the intended purpose of this short writing. While grappling with the problems of today, much of our innocence has been lost. The hope that children today will ever have the opportunity to touch the quietness of youth as older generations had, is all but gone. The simple pleasure of making a snow fort, or riding down that first hill on a sled, with the snow blowing in our faces is something we all have forgotten.
About the Author
Bill Hayes, was born in 1951 in Danville, Illinois. He was raised just a stone throw from the railroad tracks of which he writes. He graduated from Danville High School in 1969, served in the Army, and has been in the fire service most of his work life, eventually becoming a Fire Marshal. His childhood was surrounded by railroads and the wonderment of trains, their destinations, and all the lives that they touched. Bill was raised with four brothers, a sister, and he himself became a father of three sons. His sons were the catalysts of the book. The author resides in Lake Wales, Florida with his wife Janelle.