The Little Sparrows (5 page)

Bob smiled as he tapped on the door. “See you later, Leona.”

A deep voice inside called, “Come in, Bob!”

When Bob Marston stepped into the office, Carr stood up from the chair behind his desk. “Sit down and tell me!”

Grinning, Bob moved toward the desk. “I’ll tell you
before
I sit down, sir. We got the contract!”

“Great! As we wanted it? No changes?”

“No changes,” said Bob, sitting down in one of the two chairs positioned in front of the desk.

Carr settled into his chair. “That’s going to net us somewhere between five and seven hundred thousand dollars a year, Bob. You just might get a salary raise for landing this one.”

“Well, that wouldn’t make me mad.”

Carr laughed.

“You wanted to see me about something else, I understand.”

Carr smiled and picked up a letter that lay before him on the desk.

“Yes. Take a look at this.”

Bob took the letter in hand, noting that it was from Albert Clarke, president of Mount Pearl Mining Company in St. John’s, Newfoundland. As he read it, he saw that they wanted to negotiate with American Ship Lines on a contract to transport iron ore for them to manufacturers in New England, New York, and New Jersey. He looked at his boss. “I know this company, Mr. Carr. They’re big.”

“They sure are. If we can land this contract, it’ll be a huge account. It’ll bring us a great deal of income. I want you to go to St. John’s and close the deal with them.”

Bob’s eyes brightened. “I’d be glad to do that, sir!”

“I figured you would.”

“Would it be all right if I took Louise with me?”

“Of course. The trip will be good for both of you. You can go on the
Hampton
. It is scheduled to leave here next Tuesday the fourteenth.”

Bob knew the American Ship Lines freighter,
USS Hampton
, did business all along the Atlantic coast of Canada and its eastern provinces. “This will be my first time on the
Hampton
, sir. Many of our crewmen have told me she’s quite a vessel.”

“That she is. I’ll make arrangements for you and Louise to have the executive cabin. It’s really nice. The ship will dock in St. John’s on Friday and pick you up the next Tuesday, the twenty-first. This will give you Saturday and Monday to negotiate the contract. You’ll arrive back here in New York Harbor on Friday. I’ll have Leona wire Mr. Clarke and let him know that you and Louise are coming. Leona will also make hotel reservations in St. John’s for you.”

At the close of the workday, Bob Marston drove his buggy from the docks toward home, which was also in Manhattan. He could hardly wait to tell Louise about the trip. It was set in his mind that since their neighbor, Frances Roberts, had often volunteered to take care of their children anytime they would need to be gone, he would suggest to Louise that they ask Frances to come stay with the children.

Bob passed through the business district in south Manhattan, turned into the residential area where the Marston home was located, and soon pulled the buggy into the driveway. He smiled when he saw his three children standing on the porch—as usual—waiting for him.

The Marstons had a modest frame house whose clapboard
exterior was painted gray with white trim. It sat like a jewel in the middle of a multicolored flower garden. That early in the spring, only the hardiest of plants were in full bloom, but still it was enough to brighten the yard and give a hint of what was to come with the summer weather.

As Bob pulled the buggy to a halt in front of the house, Mary, Johnny, and Lizzie dashed off the porch. When his feet touched ground, little Lizzie was ahead of the other two. “Papa! Papa!” she cried joyfully while lifting her arms in silent supplication for him to pick her up.

Bob swept the little girl into his arms and kissed her cheek, then held her in one arm while embracing Mary and Johnny with the other. Lizzie wrapped her arms around her father’s neck, holding him tight, and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Louise appeared on the porch, observing with a smile as her children greeted their father.

As Bob headed toward the porch, the older two clung to his arm. Lizzie’s blue eyes were dancing with joy as they climbed the porch steps.

Louise looked at the four-year-old. “Now, little Miss Lizzie, would you please let Mama give Papa a hug and a kiss?”

Lizzie grinned and shook her head. “You can hug and kiss him later.” With that, she squeezed her father’s neck and planted another kiss on his cheek.

Louise tickled her under the arm, and while the child was giggling, Bob hugged Louise and kissed her. After he had kissed her the second time, he said, “Honey, I’ve got some good news.”

“Oh? Did you land the Manhattan Industries account?”

“Sure did, and that’s good news for the company, and according to what Mr. Carr said, possibly a raise in salary for me.”

Louise’s eyes lit up. “Oh, darling, that’s wonderful. I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you, sweetheart. But the good news I was referring to was something else.”

“Well, while we head for the kitchen and the supper I’ve got prepared, tell me.”

The children followed close behind their parents as they moved down the hall toward the kitchen. While Bob and Louise walked, holding hands, Bob told her about his upcoming business trip to Newfoundland and that she was going along.

They were just entering the kitchen. All three children hurried around in front of their parents.

Mary bounced on the balls of her feet. “Can we go, too, Papa? Please, oh, please? We’ll be good, and we won’t be any trouble, I promise! Why, you’ll hardly know we’re there!” The other two immediately joined in with Mary.

Bob held his hands up. “Wait a minute now, children!” He raised his voice to be heard over the commotion the trio was making in excited chorus. “This is not a vacation. It is a business trip for my company, and children don’t go along on business trips.”

The excitement died instantly with all three murmuring an “Oh-h-h.” Dejection showed on their faces.

Bob gathered them in his arms. “Tell you what, though. We’ll plan a nice vacation trip for all five of us this summer. How’s that?”

“Well, okay,” said Johnny. “But could we do something really exciting, like renting a boat and taking a ride on the East River?” His eyes were large with the prospect.

Bob smiled and messed up Johnny’s hair. “Your mother and I will discuss it. I promise.”

All three thanked him at the same time. They knew their father always kept his promises.

Bob gave all three a squeeze. “I’m going to ask Mrs. Roberts if
she will come and stay with you while Mama and I are gone.”

“Oh, goody!” piped up Lizzie. “I love Mrs. Roberts!”

“Me too!” said Johnny.

“And we’ll be good for her,” chimed in Mary.

“Tell you what,” said Bob. “After supper, we’ll all go next door and talk to her about it.”

When the Marstons knocked on Frances Roberts’s door, the widow welcomed them. While the children munched on fresh oatmeal cookies, Bob told Frances about the trip and asked if she would stay in their house with Mary, Johnny, and Lizzie while he and Louise were gone.

Frances hugged the children. “Bob, I’d be glad to. And since Pastor and Mrs. Moore always pick me up for Sunday school and church services, I’m sure they’ll be glad to take these precious babies too, especially since their father is one of his deacons.”

Bob laughed. “I know Pastor won’t mind stuffing these kids in the back of his buggy. I’ll talk to him about it Sunday at church.”

On Monday evening, April 13, Pastor Darryl Moore and his wife, Dora, came to the Marston home for a visit. As Bob, Louise, and the children sat down with the Moores in the parlor, the pastor said, “Bob, Louise, I want to reconfirm what I told you yesterday at church. Dora and I will pick up Frances and these children for the church services while you are gone.”

“We really appreciate it, Pastor,” said Bob. “And were you able to contact your Canadian friend today and find out if there is a good Bible-believing church in St. John’s?”

The pastor reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a folded slip of paper. “Yes, and there is. I’ve written down the
church’s address and the pastor’s name for you. My Canadian friend told me at this church they exalt Jesus and make His gospel plain and clear.”

Bob took the paper and thanked Moore for helping him find a place to go to church. The pastor then led in prayer, asking God to watch over Bob and Louise while they were on their journey.

The next morning, an American Ship Lines company carriage came to the Marston home to pick up Bob and Louise and take them to the docks. Hugs and kisses were passed around while Frances Roberts looked on.

While Bob and Johnny were carrying the luggage to the carriage, Lizzie clung tenaciously to her mother with tears coming down her cheeks. Louise hunkered down in front of the trembling child. “Lizzie, sweetheart, it’s only for a few days. You’ll have so much fun with Mrs. Roberts. Remember all the plans she has for you? Games and baking cookies?”

“Y-yes, I remember,” Lizzie said between sniffles.

“All right. Now be a good girl for Mama and enjoy your fun times. Papa and I will be home before you know it.”

Mary stepped up and put her hands on Lizzie’s shoulders. “She’ll be fine, Mama. I’ll take good care of her.”

Louise stood up and gave Mary a grateful smile. “Thank you, dear. I know I can depend on you.”

Bob and Johnny returned to the porch.

Bob hugged his youngest. “You have a nice time with Mrs. Roberts, Lizzie. Mama and I will bring you a present from Newfoundland, and we’ll bring presents for Mary and Johnny too.”

Lizzie smiled at him through her tears.

Bob patted the top of her head while speaking to all three children. “Be good for Mrs. Roberts, won’t you?”

“We will, Papa,” said Mary.

The children huddled close to each other while watching their parents hurry to the carriage. They waved as it pulled away, and Bob and Mary waved back.

Trying her best to be brave, Lizzie pressed a smile on her pinched face and kept waving until the carriage turned the corner and passed from view.

Mary held her little sister in her arms and told her Mama and Papa would be back soon. They would have a fun time with Mrs. Roberts while their parents were gone. Frances assured Lizzie they were going to have lots of fun. They would play lots of games, and Lizzie could help her bake cookies.

Lizzie looked at her with an impish grin on her lips. “Mrs. Roberts, can we bake cookies right now?”

“As soon as we get your sister and brother off to school, sweetie.”

Frances led them all into the house.

Soon Lizzie’s tears were dried up, and the four-year-old was having a good time with Frances in the kitchen while Mary and Johnny went off to school.

At the docks, Bob and Louise boarded the
USS Hampton
, and soon the freighter sailed out of New York Harbor and headed north on the Atlantic Ocean with clouds of black smoke billowing from the two huge smokestacks.

After standing by the rail at the bow on the main deck for almost an hour, Louise said, “Honey, let’s go to the cabin and sit down for a while.”

As they moved along the swaying deck, they watched the crew moving about the huge crates, checking the canvas covers.

“Why are they doing that?” Louise asked.

“Just need to make sure everything’s covered right,” said Bob.
“This time of the year, the Atlantic gets some real rainstorms.”

“Well, I hope the storms wait till we’re back home. I remember some of the storms you’ve been in at sea. I don’t think I’d like that.”

“They’re no fun, honey, but unless they are especially severe, there’s nothing to worry about. Besides, it isn’t like we were going to Europe. It’s only a few days.”

They were almost to the door of their cabin when they saw the ship’s captain, Duane Thraxton, coming toward them. Bob had been on other American Ship Lines vessels with him before, but Louise had met him for the first time when they first boarded the ship.

As Thraxton drew up, he said with a smile, “I hope everything’s all right in your cabin.”

“Couldn’t be better,” said Bob. “Louise especially likes the vase of flowers.”

“Well, we did that especially for her. The flowers don’t usually go with the cabin, no matter what American Ship Lines executive is traveling with us. But Mr. Carr told me to order them for her.”

Louise smiled. “They sure are pretty. And they make the cabin smell beautiful.”

One of the crewmen called for the captain from the bridge. Thraxton gave a signal with his hand, then told the Marstons they would be dining with him in his quarters that evening at six-thirty. He then hurried away.

When Bob and Louise entered their cabin, Louise picked up the small vase, smelled the flowers, then set it down, and looked at her husband with creases on her brow.

“Now, sweetheart, you’re not worried about the children, are you?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say I’m worried. How about just concerned? Mainly for Lizzie.”

Bob folded her in his arms. “Now, honey, Lizzie will be fine. You know how much she loves Frances. And besides, her big sister and brother will help take care of her. Let’s just enjoy the trip.”

The creases on Louise’s brow disappeared as she smiled. “You’re right. I’m just acting like a—”

“Like a mother,” he chuckled.

The sky remained clear for the rest of the day, except for a few white clouds on the western horizon. After enjoying a magnificent sunset, the Marstons went to the captain’s quarters and relished a delicious meal, prepared especially for the captain and his guests by the ship’s cook.

The next morning, a strong wind was blowing across the sea, producing white caps on the surface as Bob and Louise rose to meet the new day. The eastern sky reddened with the rising sun, then blazed in vivid hues during the half hour it took to groom themselves and dress for breakfast, which they were to have with the captain.

As they made their way across the rocking deck toward the captain’s quarters, the sky was slowly drained of color while dark clouds thickened overhead.