American Girl (Arkansas)

Arkansas

The train moved westward. Hannah McClellan peered out the window, watching the scenery pass. She ran her hand over the red velvet seats and the gleaming brass fittings. Her older sister, Martha, sat beside her with her hands folded primly in her lap. If Hannah wiggled in her seat, Martha threw her a scathing look. She should sit straight and look ahead like nothing was happening around her. Hannah was too excited to sit still.

The trip from Boston, Massachusetts, to Arkansas was an expense the McClellan family could scarcely afford. Mama suggested that she bring Hannah alone, but Papa wouldn't hear of it. Therefore, the entire family traveled by train.

Hannah glanced behind Martha's back at Lucy. She would have preferred sitting beside her younger sister than her older one. With Martha in the middle, neither girl could fidget or even speak to each other. She thought her elder sibling had eyes in the back of her head. She received a sharp reprimand when she moved even an inch.

Hannah's mouth watered when the candy butcher appeared with his tray strapped around his neck. Leaning forward, she tapped her mother's shoulder. Mama and Papa occupied the row in front of the girls. Little brother Simon sat between them, and Mama held Nathaniel on her lap. Her mother shifted the baby and turned to look at her.

"Can we have some candy?" Hannah asked, indicating the young salesman. "Can we have a caramel or some licorice?"

Papa's head nodded. Mama opened her purse and doled the three girls and Simon a dime. Martha refused the money, but Lucy and Hannah clutched their coins eagerly. Candy was a rare treat for the large family.

"We don't travel by train daily," Papa excused himself. "Might as well enjoy it."
Mama agreed, and Martha grunted. The older sister cautioned the girls to keep their hands clean. She didn't want caramel smeared all over their bright new dresses.
"Killjoy," Hannah muttered to herself.
"What did you say?" Martha snapped.
"Nothing." Hannah gulp. She turned her gaze toward the window and chewed her caramel.
"Killjoy," Lucy supplied, swinging her legs and kicking the seat's edge. Her shoes made a clump, clump sound.
"I heard her correctly the first time," Martha stated loudly. "Kindly sit still. That noise is irritating."
"What noise?" Lucy sucked on her licorice and continued swinging her feet. "Can I sit in the window on the way home?"
"We'll see," Mama threw over her shoulder.

Hours passed while the train rushed westward. It finally pulled into a station. Passengers rose, gathered their luggage, and disembarked. The McClellan family remained seated. Papa rose and stood in the aisle behind Hannah and the girls' seats. Lifting Nathaniel, Mama grasped Simon's hand and moved along the aisle. Lucy and Martha followed her. When the porter brought Hannah's chair, her father gently lifted and placed her in it. Unfolding a plaid lap rug, he spread it over her thin knees. Together, Papa and the porter lifted the wheelchair and set it down on the platform.

"I hope this works," Papa stated, pushing Hannah's chair toward the hotel.
Dr. Giles suggested Hannah take the mineral waters at Hot Springs, Arkansas. The waters had healing qualities and might strengthen her limbs and restore her walking ability.

When they were young, the McClellan girls suffered from Scarlet Fever. Although they survived, the high raging fever caused a stroke in Hannah's brain. Her face's left side drooped slightly, causing her lips to turn downward on that side. She lost the use of her arm and both her legs. Hannah would have liked to run and play with other children, but she was resigned to her illness.
The healing waters might help Hannah regain the use of her limbs. Dr. Giles warned her that she might not wholly recover, but even the slightest improvement was worth the effort. Hannah was willing to try anything, but the trip's expense concerned her. Mama and Papa had too many mouths to feed with all her brothers and sisters. She thought she could wait until she was older to spare them the money.

"We will take you to this Hot Springs place," Papa stated firmly. He cared for Hannah, ensuring she saw her doctors and was comfortable in her wheelchair.
"Yes, if it will help you, we won't worry about the expense," Mama agreed, smoothing Hannah's soft blonde hair. "You are more important to us than all the money in the world."

The family prepared for the train journey. Simon and Lucy saw it as an adventure, but Martha refused to accompany them. She thought she was old enough to remain in Boston on her own. Papa insisted his eldest daughter join them, nonetheless.

They checked into the hotel and walked to the springs after luncheon. Papa pushed Hannah's wheelchair, and Lucy skipped beside her, holding her hand. Mama and Martha followed with the younger boys. Other men and women headed in the same direction, many of them handicapped themselves. Simon and Lucy ogled the limps and blind people until Martha ordered them to stop.
"It's not nice to stare," Martha remarked, grabbing their collars and halting them.
"They look funny," Lucy offered as an excuse.
"Nevertheless, don't stare at people," the older sister stated. "It's impolite."
The younger children nodded and ran along the sidewalk to catch up with the family. Martha followed at a more sedate pace.

People lined up to submerge themselves in the hot spring. Hannah observed them. She would have her opportunity the following day. The McClellan family would remain a week. Hannah would bathe each afternoon at an assigned time. If it worked, she hoped to walk again.
Hannah recalled a time when she could run and play. She loved to skip rope and play hopscotch. Sometimes, she felt jealous when she watched Lucy involved in an outside game. She sat in her upstairs window overlooking the sidewalk. Lucy always waved at her and grinned pleasantly. Hannah loved her little sister but wanted to walk like she did.

The family returned to the hotel. The following day, Papa took Hannah to the springs. Gently lifting her, he placed her in the warm, relaxing water. She felt soothed, and a tingling sensation ran up and down her legs. Each day, she felt a little better.
"I'm going to walk again soon, aren't I, Papa?" she asked while returning to the hotel.
"I hope so, my sweet," her father answered. He stopped the chair to kiss her upturned cheek. "It would please me very much to see you walk again."
"I want to play with Lucy and Simon like we used to," Hannah stated confidently.
Papa squatted before her and grasped her hands. Looking deeply into her eyes, he smiled.
"You should think about dancing and strolling in the moonlight, my child," he stated earnestly. "You are growing up, my dearest one. Young men will start looking in your direction."
"Oh, Papa." Hannah blushed.
"I mean it, sweetheart."
"But Martha doesn't have a beau yet," she remarked. "I can't have one until she does, surely."
"When we return to Boston, Martha will enter the convent," Papa said. He continued to push the wheelchair. "She decided before we left. It will suit her, don't you think?"
"Yes." Hannah hesitated, taking in the news. "Yes, I suppose so."
"We hope you will regain your strength and marry," her father continued, nearing the hotel. "If not, you always have a home with us."
"Thank you, Papa." Hannah smiled. She could resign her life to the wheelchair if she had a happy and safe home.
"We will hope for the best." Papa sighed.

A young man approached their table where they sat in the hotel dining room. He walked on a crutch and carried a bouquet of wildflowers. Bowing slightly, he offered Hannah the flowers. She took them and inhaled the sweet fragrance.
"Pardon me for the intrusion," the man remarked. "I noticed you at the springs. My name is Percival Hammersmith. Percy to my friends. I'm afraid I don't know your name."
"Hannah McClellan," she whispered and then said her name louder. Hannah had noticed the young man at the springs. He limped noticeably on the left side, and his smile turned downward, too. "I'm pleased to meet you." She extended her hand.
"Would you care to stroll with me after dinner?" Percy asked, his smile broadening.
Hannah paused in reflection. Her eyes turned to her father, hoping for a response. Papa nodded.
"Martha will accompany you," her father stated.
Hannah frowned. Martha? No, she didn't want Martha with her. Her older sister would do her best to make them miserable. She started to refuse Percy's offer but thought for a moment instead.
"Can't Lucy accompany us?" she asked instead.
Mama and Papa exchanged glances, and Lucy sat straighter in her chair. Simon's eyes darted around the table, taking in the discussion.
"Yes, Lucy can go," Papa assented, nodding.
"Thank you, Papa."
Martha eyed Hannah suspiciously. Hannah caught and held her older sister's gaze.

After dessert, Percy pushed Hannah's wheelchair away from the table. Lucy walked demurely beside her sister while they traversed the sidewalk. At an unoccupied bench, they paused to talk.
"Was it Scarlet Fever?" Percy asked, taking Hannah's hand.
"Yes," she answered. "I had a stroke because of the fever."
"I had the fever too and a mild stroke along with it," her companion explained. "It's like a one-two blow. My doctor thought the mineral water at Hot Springs might help."
"Mine did, too," Hannah stated, staring into her hands.
"We came from Boston," Lucy added. "On the train."
"We're practically neighbors," Percy remarked, his brown eyes dancing merrily. "Winthrop. Perhaps we can return together?"
"Oh yes, if Papa's willing." Hannah practically leaped with joy. She had only met Percy briefly, but she liked him already.

Hannah spent the remainder of the week in Percy's company. He pushed her chair to the springs instead of Papa. In the park, he held her hands while she tried to stand. Finally, she regained her feet and took a few steps. The activity exhausted her, but she continued to try. On the last day, she rose and walked across their hotel room to surprise her family.

The waters at Hot Springs, Arkansas, helped Hannah considerably. Although she continued to rely on her wheelchair, she could walk a few steps. Her family made sure she never exhausted herself. Percy Hammersmith traveled to Boston and called on her. They discovered they had more in common than a shared illness.

Martha joined her convent, relieving the tension in the McClellan household. Hannah and Lucy enjoyed more freedom. When Percy introduced his cousin, Phillip, the girls double-dated.
"I love watching you dance," Hannah commented to her sister. They attended a spring cotillion with their beaux.
"I wish you could join us," Lucy stated, frowning. "We would have ever so much fun."
"I have fun watching you with Phillip," Hannah exclaimed contentedly. "Besides, Percy isn't much of a dancing partner." She smiled up at her boyfriend and patted his hand.
"I'm so glad Papa consented to your marriage," the younger sister continued. "I thought he would keep you at home."
"Papa knows Percy will care for me; he knows Percy understands." Hannah sighed, happy with her circumstances.
"Phillip asked me, but Papa said I must wait at least another two years," Lucy announced. She watched her beau return with glasses of champagne. Phillip handed them out, and the foursome toasted the upcoming nuptials.
"Two years isn't long to wait if you love each other," Hannah remarked. Lucy nodded, although she remained impatient.

Phillip escorted Lucy onto the dance floor. Hannah and Percy watched from the sidelines. After a while, he pushed her chair into the garden. He squatted in the moonlight and took her hands.
"Are you happy?" Percy asked.
"Oh yes." Hannah beamed. "I'm glad I met you at Hot Springs."
"We'll return there again and again, I assure you." Percy smiled tenderly. "It is beneficial."
"Yes," Hannah sighed. "I met you there."
"I meant the waters."
Percy rested on his cane. Smiling half-smile, he cast his soft eyes toward his fiancé. His handicap used to depress him. He recalled the years when he was healthy and athletic. Scarlet Fever not only damaged his body but also his mind. Hannah accepted her illness philosophically. She had so much more to teach him, and he longed to learn.

Hannah was as pretty as her sister, Lucy, but she had a quality about her that made Percy pause. Her beauty came from inside of her. He realized that she accepted him precisely as he was. His heart thumped a love song more profound than he could imagine.
"I love you, Hannah," Percy said, using the phrase for the first time. It tumbled from his lips unexpectedly.
"I love you right back." Hannah gazed into the moonlight, her eyes sharing the beam's calmness. Reaching out her hand, she grasped his palm. Percy leaned forward and kissed her. Sitting back in her wheelchair, she smiled contentedly.