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    Cape Cod's Figure in Black
    Cape Cod's Figure in Black
    Cape Cod's Figure in Black
    Ebook237 pages2 hours

    Cape Cod's Figure in Black

    By Bill Russo

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    The train running from Bourne to Provincetown has a strange rider. Bearded and dressed entirely in black, with a wide brimmed hat, the ‘figure in black’ does not know who he is. He suffered a near fatal brain injury that left him with no memory, but gave him the curse/blessing of second sight. Bound for Provincetown, he’s sure he’ll find out what happened to him there, at the end of the line. Getting there is proving very difficult, for something inside his shattered brain, forces him off the train to help total strangers in need.

    There are 22 stops between Gray Gables, the welcome mat to Cape Cod, and Provincetown - the end of the 64 mile long sandbar. The figure in black thinks that the place the Native Americans called "The End of the Earth" might also be the end of his life but he's determine to get there, if he can last that long.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBill Russo
    Release dateDec 12, 2016
    ISBN9781370589982
    Cape Cod's Figure in Black
    Author

    Bill Russo

    Bill Russo had lived in an area of Massachusetts called the Bridgewater Triangle for many years and never knew that it was said to be inhabited by scary swamp creatures until he met one. It happened on a midnight walk. Years later, two film producers read his blog about it and featured him and his story in their documentary, The Bridgewater Triangle. He also was approached by Discovery channel producers and was featured in the opening segment of Monsters and Mysteries in America - Season two, Episode two. Among his work, are two anthologies featuring the Bridgewater Triangle Universe. One is strictly fiction and the other contains his account of meeting the swamp creature - plus other stories from New England. As a disc jockey, he was the first person to play and promote the trucking classic "Tombstone Every Mile". He counted as a friend, the first man to cross the musical color line, in a 1940s Jazz Band. The "Human Jukebox", who opened for both Elvis and Roy Orbison, was a neighbor of his. Stories of these and other artists are included in "Crossing the Musical Color Line". Bill's background for writing comes from a Boston education at the venerable white shirt & tie, Huntington School for Boys. He followed that up with a study of journalism, music, and broadcasting at the famed Kenmore Square institution, Grahm Jr. College, where he said he learned more about music from an African American gentleman who was the school's janitor, than he ever could in a classroom. He introduced me to Gloria Lynne, Bill said. Years after he learned of her, she had a mega hit with I Wish You Love. One of Grahm's well known graduates was performance artist Andy Kaufman who created his Taxi TV character Latka while at Grahm. Andy also claimed he learned Transcendental Meditation at Grahm, although it was not taught there. But who knows? It could be true. Bill Russo learned music from the Janitor. Maybe someone in bookkeeping was a guru and gave Andy the secrets of TM. At various times during his career, Russo was a New England Newspaper Editor, a Disc Jockey, and a Radio newswriter and newscaster for a number of stations. He also has had stints as an iron worker, and a low level manager for a major mail order clothing retailer. One of his favorite jobs was partnering with Bill Barry, the inventor of a jewelry polish called Clear Bright n Shiny. The 'Bills' as they called themselves toured New England selling...

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      Book preview

      Cape Cod's Figure in Black - Bill Russo

      Cape Cod’s Figure in Black

      By Bill Russo

      Published by CCA Media at Smashwords

      Smashwords Edition

      Copyright ©2016 Bill Russo

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. All pictures are held by commercial license and may not be duplicated by anyone without express permission.

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Cover Design by Bill Russo. It depicts an ethereal representation of the ‘Figure in Black’ behind the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown. Constructed over a three year period, in part with funds collected from townspeople, the memorial, which is the tallest free standing granite structure in the world opened in 1910 - the year in which this book is set.

      Table of Contents

      Chapter One: Leaving Gray Gables

      Chapter Two: 100 Traps for Lobsters and One Trap for a Rat

      Chapter Three: A Beautiful Diversion

      Chapter Four: Love Blooms on Feelings of Doom

      Chapter Five: Sandwich Spoiled

      Chapter Six: The E-I-E-I-O People

      Chapter Seven: Pursued by the Marx Brothers

      Chapter Eight: Through the Arboreal Arch

      Chapter Nine: Boston Girls, Boston Braves, and Boston Red Sox

      Chapter Ten: A Billet-doux and a Haunting too!

      Chapter Eleven: Meeting the 300 Year Old Princess

      Chapter Twelve: The Nobscusset Miracles

      Chapter Thirteen: Rebuilding the Ruins

      Chapter Fourteen: Back on the Train

      Chapter Fifteen: Karma and the Little Girl from Provincetown

      Chapter Sixteen: The Rod and Cod

      Chapter Seventeen: The Christmas Vacation

      Chapter Eighteen: Astounding News of the Lost Brother

      Chapter Nineteen: The Gallows?

      Chapter Twenty: The End of John Deer

      Chapter One:

      Leaving Gray Gables

      A mysterious looking man, dressed entirely in black with a wide brimmed hat on his head, sat at the counter of a diner near the tiny Gray Gables railroad station at the entrance to Cape Cod. Rays of light from the morning sun pushed their way past the greasy windows as he nibbled on his spare meal, consisting merely of bread and coffee. Awaiting the early morning train from Boston, he was the only customer.

      He drained the last of his unsweetened coffee and his cup was quickly refilled by a fidgety young waitress who appeared to be nervous and troubled. Observing redness around her eyes, he politely asked Are you all right? You can tell me. I’m a friend.

      The young woman knew of no earthly reason why she should unburden herself to a total stranger and yet there was something familiar about the man – perhaps it was that he reminded her of a kindly uncle, who helped her when she was a young girl, and had fallen and bruised her knee. More likely, he provoked a memory of someone who recently had been very close to her heart.

      For whatever reason, she unleashed a torrent of tears and spilled her whole sad tale to the bearded figure in black. His attire could equally have been worn by a sailor, a minister, or an undertaker.

      He listened wordlessly, only nodding now and then in the proper places. When she had finished, he said simply…. Everything will be all right. All you have to do is get on the train with me when it arrives here at Gray Gables.

      A few minutes later when the Cape Cod Railroad’s Engine Number Two steamed into the station, pulling a passenger coach, a mail car, and two freight cars; she decided to do it. Pulling off her white apron, she tossed it on a hook. With only a brief word to the cook in the kitchen, she followed the man of mystery to the boarding platform.

      From the mail car, the postal attendant pushed out bundles of the early morning broadsheets from Boston and New Bedford. Dated July 4, 1910, the headlines screamed - First African American Boxing Champ! Jack Johnson Wins Heavyweight Title.

      I have no idea why I’m doing this, she said as they walked gingerly around the piles of newspapers."

      Moving quickly up the three steps, she walked into the coach and sat in the first empty cluster of seats.

      The figure in black sat beside her and said…. Yes you do. You’re desperate and there is nothing but trouble for you in Gray Gables. No family, no husband, nothing in your future but the prospect of the growing shame as you trudge to work day after day in that dingy restaurant.

      How do you know this?

      We have things in common he answered. People who have similar problems know such things without being told.

      You cannot have any problem like mine, she insisted.

      Misfortune and ill fate know no gender. But never mind that. I have good news for you. The solution to your seemingly impossible situation is no further away than the very next stop – Monument Beach.

      She asked again - How can you know this?

      I cannot explain it to you, except to say that I do. When we reach Monument Beach you will remain in your seat. I will get off the train. A man will board. He will be carrying something that’s difficult for him to manage. He will sit in the opposite seat, facing you and set his burden down. Speak with him. You will help him and he will help you.

      Monument Beach! Next stop Monument Beach, barked the conductor, as he worked his way through the coach, dressed in his dark blue uniform with gold buttons.

      As the train noisily squealed to a halt, the enigmatic figure in black made a silent, unnoticed exit.

      Almost immediately the young woman forgot about him and began to fret about why she had abandoned her job on a whim and boarded the Provincetown train with no destination in mind and very little in her handbag other than a lipstick, a small case of powder, a handful of coins, and five wrinkled, dollar bills.

      She was so wrapped up in her predicament that she failed to notice when a young red headed man carrying a fairly large bundle in one arm and a hefty suitcase with the other, sat down in the seat across from hers.

      He set his burden down and the howling that came from it jarred the young woman, whose name was Lucy Malone, back to reality.

      I’m sorry for the noise miss, I just don’t know how to keep her quiet, he said as he fumbled to pick up an infant, wrapped in a snowy white blanket. The crying only intensified when the child was held by the large, calloused hands of the man.

      Let me, she said, gently taking the baby from him. Immediately the little girl purred, closed her eyes, and slept.

      I’m Jimmy O’Kelly. I don’t usually talk to strange women on a train, but I……

      She interrupted him…. Mr. O’Kelly are you calling me a ‘strange’ woman?

      No, he laughed, I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just that since the baby’s mother died, I haven’t felt like talking to anyone. But you, he hesitated, you are being so wonderful with the girl. She’s done nothing but cry for her entire life – four weeks now.

      But your wife doesn’t she….?

      The baby’s mother died in childbirth, Miss....?

      Lucy. My name is Lucy Malone.

      Their conversation continued as the train rumbled through Sandwich, and then Barnstable. By the time the conductor called, Next Stop Yarmouth, the two had formed a bond.

      Lucy admitted that she had no set destination or plans and O’Kelly suggested that since she did so well with the baby, she should come to live at his home and take care of the child.

      I can pay you a good salary Miss Malone, plus you’ll have a roof over your head and good food to eat – as long as you don’t mind also being the cook, for I am barely able to boil water for the tea.

      Mr. O’Kelly, perhaps I’ll try it out and see if it’s a fit for all of us. Where do you live?

      The very next stop on the line, South Dennis. I’ve a pretty good boat building business and it keeps me quite busy, so you’ll hardly ever see me and you’ll have the run of the house.

      I am interested but won’t your wife’s family….

      I was not married to the woman and she had no family. It was my intention to marry her, I assure you. She had been sick all through the time she carried the child. I had promised her that after the baby was born and she got better that we would marry but…

      She cut him off… I’ll accept your offer and the baby is delightful. What is her name?

      Her mother never lived to see the child, but she instructed me to call her Hope.

      Further conversation at that moment was cut off by the stentorian tones of the conductor.

      "South Dennis! All off for South Dennis! Next stop South Dennis!

      The couple got off the train at the Main Street station, next to the town hall, with Lucy carrying Hope, and Jimmy toting his heavy bag and Lucy’s much lighter one.

      By prearrangement, Crosby’s livery service had a carriage waiting for Jimmy O’Kelly at the station. The driver, Albert Crosby Junior, snapped his whip in the air and a spirited bay mare named Mehitable, quickly covered the three miles to O’Kelly’s home on the Swan River in Dennis Port.

      Lucy fell instantly in love with the house which was befitting a ship’s captain, what with its two floors as well as a full attic, several barns, outbuildings, a vegetable plot, and a rose garden enclosed by an ornamental wrought iron fence.

      Surely this must be the finest house in all the Dennis Villages, she exclaimed as they approached the front door.

      Well thank you Lucy. It’s mostly for appearance you know. My shop is further down the river closer to Nantucket Sound, but I keep my office in the house and I want my clients to see that my property is neat and well kept. It helps the business, you see.

      Lucy found that the inside was as tasteful as the exterior. Once she got Hope settled into a crib in a second floor bedroom, Jimmy gave her a tour of the property. She was delighted with the beautiful home and could not believe the good fortune that seemed to be coming her way.

      Lucy took wonderful care of the child and did an equally fine job as cook and house-keeper. Though neither of them said anything at first, they both knew that they were falling in love.

      It took less than three weeks for them to physically express that love, and another two weeks before they decided to share their darkest secrets.

      Jimmy, before we get further involved I have to be honest with you. I have a horrible secret and after I tell it, if you wish me to leave, I’ll do so without complaint.

      Lucy, I too have a hideous past that I’ve been hiding from you and after I tell you about it, if you never wish to see me again, I’ll understand.

      Let’s talk about it after dinner, Lucy suggested.

      She served Jimmy his favorite food that night – corned beef and cabbage with boiled red potatoes, tender carrots, and garden fresh corn on the cob.

      Together they went upstairs after the meal and put Hope in her crib. Their bedrooms were on either side of the baby’s room. Apprehensively, they went into Lucy’s bedroom to have their talk. Sitting on her bed, they were too nervous to use their lips for speech.

      Finally Jimmy broke the stalemate when he took her into his arms, kissing her long and hard. She stiffened at first but soon began responding and unleashing her pent up emotions and desires. As the intense heat between them soared, all thoughts of The Talk were postponed. When they awoke the next morning, which was a Sunday, they finally did set themselves free.

      "I’m not much good Lucy. I’ll tell you the whole mess. I lied. I was never going to marry Hope’s mother. I dumped her when she told me she was going to have the baby. I met her in Boston last year. I was there in connection with the discussions of building the Cape Cod Canal.

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