A memorable train trip

March 2007

Larry Stahl wrote:

Stories, as I said in my previous email, we could write a book.
I told Risa about one yesterday, in fact you were probably on that trip. The family was returning from a summer visit to the Murphy's in DC. It was during the war and the trains were jammed. Mom was pregnant and a soldier gave her his seat. Us kids and dad either stood or sat on our luggage or on the floor. Upon arrival in Pittsburgh it was necessary to cross the bridge to the station in downtown where the train for Wheeling left. The B&O furnished cab service from one station to the other. We really had to move it to make our connection. A smart ass cab driver passed us up for another couple of people and told dad that with his brood he should hire a bus. There are only a couple of times that I ever saw dad really pissed off as he was that day. We had to walk the bridge in the heat of summer I can imagine how our parents felt that day. It was a difficult time especially for mom in her condition. I don't recall her ever complaining about it. But then she never complained about how difficult her life must have been. I think about that a lot anymore, like a guilt trip. There were so many things we could have done to make life easier for her. Sorry, I'm getting a bit sentimental, but as I said we could write a book.