Second Chance Soldiers
Between 1847-1852, the ‘Potato blight’ in Ireland, killed one million people. Families, including babies, died from exposure, starvation and related diseases including insanity.
In 1848, the landlords evicted ninety thousand families in County Mayo, Ireland for failure to pay their rent. They threw them out on to the street to die.
A loud clamber woke Mary. She knew it was eviction day. She got her children together and moved them out as fast as possible. Their shack was then immediately thrashed along with their sad belongings.
Mary’s husband died a year earlier from typhus. Each of her children and herself had deep colds. She knew begging for food or shelter was futile. But she had no other choice; Mary gathered her four young girls. They walked thru the muddy road to the local Church. Another heartbreak the Church was overflowing with people pleading for help. They couldn’t even get into the door.
Mary family was forced to huddle under a makeshift shelter (hut) made of a few poles and a ripped blanket, while the family waited for death. She wondered with dread what happened to the past occupants? Mary heard it was going to get colder tonight. Mary’s mind was screaming, you and the babies are going to freeze to death.
There was only one chance to live left, the work-house. This charity institution accepts the homeless. Here you get a miserly place to work and live, but you live.
This was the landlord’s plan on how to get rid of the piss-poor Irish families. The public was told not to worry if a family was evicted from their home, they could always go to a charity workhouse. The newspapers were not aware that the workhouses were packed to capacity and closed to any additional families.
Mary hugged each of her child huddled in the makeshift sheltered, looked into their eyes and said I would see you tonight in a better place. She gave them her worn out overcoat and left. The children watched their mother leave and wondered why mom was walking the wrong way. Mary’s mind had given-up causing her to go insane, she never made it to the workhouse. Within a mile, she passed out and fell into the muddy road and never got up.
Violet, Mary’s sister, learned about the pending Irish’s evictions from a passing relative. Violet booked passage on the first available ship. She planned to bring her sister, Mary, and the four children back home to the States with her.
Violet’s ship docked in County Cork a day before her sister, Mary was evicted. Violet rushed to her sister’s address and found a flatten shack. The neighborhood had turned into a desolated area held together by total misery and wandering homeless families.
Violet couldn’t find any trace of her sister. She saw a woman who said she knew Mary and her babies. Her name was Colleen; she was also thrown out of a crumbling one-room dwelling. She said she had nowhere to go as tears fell down her face.
It was horrible Colleen said the last time she saw Mary and the children they were walking in the mud towards the Church. No one could do anything about it because they were all in the same position. Colleen was holding a baby in her arms and had a young boy standing next to her.
Violet helped Colleen and her children into the vehicle where they had hot chicken soup from a thermos and bread. The car was warm, and the visitors fell asleep right after they finished the meal.
Violet was driving slowly to the Church checking every person walking on the road. Violet had her car full of people trying to make it to the church. She told Colleen that she and her children could stay with her forever.
Violet final gave up and parked across from the Church praying that her sister would show up. She was sitting on the car’s running board when she heard a weak sound coming out from the rubble across the road next to the Church. She believed someone was calling for an Aunt?
Violet and Colleen walked across the muddy road and into the debris. Now they could hear a voice saying auntie, please help us. Colleen lifted a piece of carpet and found three small skinny girls being covered by an older larger one.
A girl said our hut collapsed a few minutes ago, and we thought we were goners. Colleen yelled these are Mary’s children. Violet grabbed two and Collen grabbed the rest, and they rushed to the warm car and the two other waiting children.
The oldest one said I forgot something I have to go back.
Violet said, please don’t go, it’s dark and snowing, besides I can buy you anything you would like.
I must get it said the girl; it is a present from my Grandmother. Ok, dear, we will, of course, wait for you, please be careful. Soon everyone was in the vehicle all covered with blankets and full of hot soup and bread. The young ladies held and hugged the babies the oldest one sat on Aunt Violet’s lap and helped her steered the automobile. All six of them had fevers, so Violet decided to rush to a hospital in Cork. As she drove down the road Mary’s sister asked the girl on her lap, and what is your name dear?
The tall skinny kid answered, Lily.
Violet returned to where Mary’s house used to be as soon as she was sure both families were under care. Colleen was up and about trying to watch everyone and everything.
Violet’s shoes were ruined by just walking around for an hour in the mud, but she was going to give up until she found her sister’s body.
All she saw was women, sometimes with children in baskets on there, back poking into the rubble.
Violet was again walking down the muddy road suddenly she stopped; a rapid warming glow touched her feet and worked up her entire body. Her sister Mary was alive and still with us.
New Chapter
The Princess was talking with the two nannies Janet and Emily who were playing with the four Royal babies. How is your Mom, Maggie, Princess Alice asked?
She is the happiest person in the world, Emily, responded. The young women whispered something into the Princesses’ ear as she leaned over (Her sister Janet had a boyfriend.)
Alice said she couldn’t wait to tell her Mother-in-law, Elizabeth.
Princess Alice said Emily, my father, is still working around here. He told us that Grandma Lily recently had to pull off a little Princess from his leg.
Alice laughed.
Everyone was sitting outside on the grass getting a little sun, the babies (four) were laying in blankets.
Janet, we must leave for a while so use Net and Wit more, but one of you must be with them during the day. So, both of you move in our apartment until we get back
All the babies will still be put into the commingled bedroom at night for security. Please work with Lieutenant Rosemarie, who will be in charge.
We want at least one of you to sleep in our quarters in case of emergencies. Lily Kemble and Buster Brown Shoes will be with you. Maria will be with us. We are pleased you are dating, and if you ever want to talk to me about it, please do. Also, Gloria wants you to take care of her baby and will pay you accordingly. Gloria will be moving to the apartment next to ours. If you two have any problems, tell Martha.
We should be back in three months.