Hadleigh - True Stories of Crimes by Women: Vol 2

Frenchy and Whitey were best friends; tramps who rode the lines following their whims. For two months now, they had been living near the rails that ran through the pine forest at the base of a mountain range. They set up a small camp and gathered what they needed by making small trips on the rails to and from local towns. It was a tough life but they were happy and free.

One morning in early September 1929 just west of Pennsylvania, a big storm rolled in. It was raining hard and the winds were whipping the tops of the trees; the storm battered the tramps camp. Whitey and Frenchy rushed back and forth trying to secure their tent when they heard the sound of metal on metal; then a loud explosion. Smoke swirled up from the base of the mountain, it was a plane crash and it was bad. The two men ran to see if anyone survived, and help if they could.

The two tramps followed the smoke, as they got closer; they began finding pieces of an airplane wreck. I dont think anyone survived this Whitey. Frenchy said with a look of despair as he picked up a shoe.

Suddenly a small voice rose above the sound of the flamesHelp. It sounded like a childs voice, thin and frightened. Quickly the two men began searching the burning wreckage for the source of the cries. They were shocked when they found a small girl still strapped in and sitting in her seat. The seat and the child landed clear of the fuselage; she was sooty and crying, but alive.

Frenchy frantically unstrapped the frightened child and pulled her from the chair. She was shaking and clinging to a dingy rag doll. The two men took the little girl to their make shift camp and wrapped her in blankets. What are we gonna do Frenchy? Whitey looked up at Frenchy as he smoothed back the hair from the girls face, I think she is in shock.

We will keep her warm, I checked her out she aint hurt nowhere. But I dont think we can take her into town, the police might think we kidnapped her or something. French poked the small fire and put on some soup.

This is crazy Frenchy, we gotta take her to town, we cant just keep her out here. Whitey handed the child a warm cup of soup. What is your name child and where are your parents?

The little girl looked confused, she took the soup from Frenchy and said, My name is Mable, mommy and daddy were on the plane with me.

Whats your last name? Frenchy smiled a sad smile.

Just Mable, I dont know the rest. Mable sipped her soup and snuggled down into the blanket.

Whitey and Frenchy decided to keep the girl with them for a little while. They were nervous about taking her to town and they did not want to raise her out in the woods riding the railroad lines as a tramp. They needed time to think, so Mable stayed; soon days turned into weeks and the old tramps fell in love with the little girl and Mable loved them too. Frenchy gave her a last name, Reine.

Tag youre it! The childs voice echoed through the pine trees that lined the edge of the mountain range. Little Mable Reine ran and giggled as she chased after her best friends. They played this game every night before they sat down for dinner. Frenchy and Whitey were the best friends a kid could have. Mable was too young to know that Whitey and Frenchy were tramps; she was too young to realize that she needed a family and a safe place to grow up.

Frenchy and Whitey sheltered Mable and cared for her. The threesome spent three weeks together before the tramps decided she needed a real home. They took Mable to the outskirts of town and told her to wait until the nice people came for her. She looked heartbroken and tears began to flow as she watched her two friends turn to leave her.

Whitey, Frenchy, please dont leave me! Mable sobbed.

The men stopped when they heard her cries. I cant do this Frenchy, Whitey said in a whisper.

Me neither Whitey, I guess she is gonna be staying with us. Frenchy looked at Whitey, then back at Mable. Lets go get her.

From that point on the three of them lived life on the rails. Mable grew up and began taking care of the two tramps. Cooking mulligan stew and mending their clothes; and the two tramps taught Mable all about the life of a tramp.

Mable picked up the lessons of life on the rails quickly. She could flip boxcars and move on the fly. The years went by and Mable became the most fierce and beautiful tramp in the jungle and on the rails. As she grew up, Whitey and Frenchy grew older. It became harder and harder for them to flip a car and tougher to keep out of the way of the Bulls. The Bulls were hired by the railroad to keep tramps off the trains; Mable hated the Bulls and learned early how to avoid them.

One spring morning the three tramps overslept and their flop car was pulling down the last stretch of track before the rail station. Mable noticed first, Wake up you two, the ride is over.

Frenchy and Whitey got up and looked out the boxcar, there is no way we can make the jump now, the Bulls will see us for sure! Frenchy shouted as he put his arm up to stop Mable from hopping out.

You stay here out of sight; we will distract the Bulls when the car stops so you can get out of here. Whitey said with as much authority as he could muster.

The car pulled into the station and the two men jumped out as the Bulls made their way down the train. They spotted the tramps and yelled for them to stop; both men took off running down the track with the Bulls right behind them.

Whitey made a quick turn and tried to cross to the other side of the tracks, as he did his foot became wedged between the rails. Frenchy, my foot is stuck!

Mable was watching from the open boxcar, she screamed as a train barreled into the station on the same track Whitey was on. Nopull him free, help him! Her cries were drowned out by the screech of the breaks and the wheels on the metal rails.

Two Bulls chased Mable as she darted toward the tracks, grab that kid, he is going to kill himself! one of them shouted as the other tackled Mable to the ground. She kicked and screamed trying to free herself from her captors; in the struggle, her hat fell to the ground and her red hair spilled out over her shoulders.

Thats no boy, thats a girl. The shocked man pulled Mable to her feet.

She passed out when she saw all of the railroad workers running toward the train; the train on the tracks where Frenchy was struggling to free Whiteys foot, but had to jump out of the way and make his escape as the metal giant mowed down the trapped tramp. Her friends; her only family in the world were gone.

When Mable came to she was lying on the floor of a jail cell. She jumped to her feet and began screaming through bars. Let me out of here, you murderers wont get away with this! You could have saved him! Do you hear me? Let me out!

Quiet down girl, you are going to make things worse for yourself. If you want revenge, you have to get out of here first. An old woman sitting on a cot in the corner of the cell announced with a smile.

The old woman befriended Mable and the two discussed ways they could get back at the cops for locking them up. The old woman was a tramp the same as Mable; but she had a vicious streak. She helped Mable gain her freedom by advising her to be calm and hold her tongue. Show them your soft side when you face em and the rough side when they turn around is the best way to handle these guys. After Mable was released by sweet talking the judge, she waited in the alley for her new friend; the old woman was released later that afternoon.

No more tears Mable, its me and you now, your friends would want it that way. You can call me Ma. The old woman lisped through her missing teeth. Lets gather up some capital so we can grab a bite to eat before we hit the road.