Chapter 42

Chapter 42

I find myself sitting outside the train station again, busy people walk right by me at their feet. I haven’t even the warning of a fainting spell. The last thing I remembered is that I was walking down Sansom Street. I check about my person and find everything I had is gone: no money, no valise, only one shoe. Who would steal one shoe? Of course, they leave the one that is badly worn. People walk on by like they don’t even care that a man suffers and is mistreated right beneath them in filth of the street. My head spins as I stand up, but I have no recent injury to explain it. The throbbing in my head returns, reminding me the remains of the disease still linger in my veins.

I shuffle down the roads in my one shoe and locate the simple office building that declares the newspaper, Quaker City.

I climb the four flights of stairs slowly, since I have to stop at each landing to keep from fainting in the oppressive heat of the stagnant stairway. As soon as I reach the print room, George Lippard dashes by me with a tablet in his hand and nearly misses me. He gives me a double take and embraces me first with joy but pulls away to study my condition. “It is wonderful to see you again, Edgar, but what has happened to you?”

I search for a chair and Lippard pulls one out for me. I pour into it as if I have no spine. “I don’t really know. I keep losing my bearings due to a great sickness and the moment I thought I recovered, I came to this time my valise and shoe were taken.”

Oh, good, kind Lippard crumbles at once into sympathies for me. “That is terrible. How can I help you, friend?”

“I have no bread to eat—no place to sleep. You’re my last hope. If you fail me, I can do nothing but die.”

Lippard’s eyebrows draw close and the worry lines on his forehead crease. “I have just paid my rent this morning, and I have nothing left to lend you.” His color looks as green as mine. “As soon as I get this to print I will go ‘round to all your old friends and beg for charity on your behalf.”

I grab his warm, outstretched hand. “Tell them that I am sick. That I haven’t a bed to sleep upon. That I only want enough to get me out of Philadelphia.”

He nods and finishes his task. He comes back to me before venturing out. “My employers have allowed you to remain here until I return.” He wipes a river of sweat off his forehead, brow, and upper lip, even though it’s not so hot with all the open windows in the office. He staggers a bit as he fetches his coat and hat, but gives me a bright smile as he disappears into the stairway.

The night approaches and all the men leave the office. I lay out chairs like Sartain has done and bring my coat around me as a blanket. Lippard shakes me awake in the grey hours of dawn.

“Where have you been Lippard?” I rub my eyes as my stomach growls loudly, far too empty.

Lippard displays two eagles and a half-eagle under my chin.

“I thought you had deserted me!” I gasp at the funds he collected and take them in my empty hands.

“I’m sorry to have left you so long. I went to all the publishers and most of them were closed due to the outbreak, cholera bulletins pasted on the doors and windows. The few I located gave to you graciously and even volunteered to house you until you mended. I was on my way back to you when I got ill myself. It was all I could do to make it back to my bed. I haven’t been well for weeks.”

“I am so sorry to have sent you on such an errand when you are so stricken, but I appreciate your great friendship. What would have become of me without your assistance?”

I put the money into my pocket and stand up.

“Where are you going?”

“First to buy some adequate shoes, then something to stop my begging stomach, and then the station.”

“I will come with you.”

“Are you sure you are well enough?”

“As well as you. The two of us together will make one healthy man.” I laugh and we shuffle down the stairs together and make it to the train in double the normal time.

I stare at my ticket as we wait for the train.

“I think it is better that you go back to Muddy’s care in New York.” He studies my hunching frame. “I don’t feel good about you traveling in your depleted condition.”

“I am heart-sick for Virginia,” I say, as he reads my eyes. “Richmond holds the only person that can revive me.”

A baggage smasher runs up to me holding out my valise. “Mr. E.A. Poe? Is this yours?”

I grab for it. “Where did you find this?”

“It was left at the station.” He holds his hand out for a reward, and I put a few coins in his hands to his dismay. He kicks a stone as he walks away.

Lippard asks, “Maybe you left it there all along?”

I unbuckle the catch and search immediately for its most important contents, through the soiled clothing. “Ahhh.” I pull at the long hair above my ears. “They’ve taken them.”

“Taken what?”

“My lectures. I have been working on them for months. Now what will I read in Richmond?”

The train pulls up and Lippard holds my hand to his chest and his arm straight on my shoulder. “I’m sure you will come up with something even better.”

He gives a steady look to strengthen me. I hold on to his capable hand as long as I can before giving him a quick nod and forcing myself to move up the steps. He waves to me as the train pulls away, with the worried look a mother would give.

Even though I convince myself that George Royster is a trick of a fevered brain, I still can’t help but turn and search the train for his big-lipped face. Once I see the train is mostly empty, save a couple and two women traveling, I’m able to catch some sleep in the comfortable chair.