A Family ApartThe Kellys traveled across the Atlantic Ocean looking for relief from Ireland's potato famine and a better life in America. For years, everything went well, until Tom Kelly became ill and died, leaving his wife to support their young children. Although she tried desperately to find employment, Mrs. Kelly could not sufficiently support her children and eventually had no choice but to send them west on the Orphan Train. Join in the fascinating adventures of the Kelly children as they settle into their new lives with new families in the West. A young widow realizes that she can't give her six children the life they deserve. Mrs. Kelly makes the ultimate sacrifice of love and sends them west on the Orphan Train to find better lives. One by one, western families adopt them -- some looking for children to love, others only seeking cheap labor. Frances has promised Ma that she will look after Petey, her youngest brother, no matter what. Masquerading as a boy, "Frankie's" adventures eventually involve her in the activities of the Underground Railroad. Will honoring Ma's request help Frances understand that splitting up the family was really a mother's act of love? |
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Andrew arms barn began bounty hunters breath Browders chair Charles Loring Brace clothes Crandon Danny Danny's dime novel door dress eyes face Fran Frances asked Frances cried Frances held Frances knew Frances Mary Frances saw Frances thought Frances took Frances's shoulder Frankie Gerik girl glanced going Grandma hair hand hard heard horses hurried Jake Jake's Janus and Odette Jeff Jennifer Joan Lowery Nixon Johnny jumped Kansas Territory Katherine Kelly kitchen laughed leaned looked Ma's MacNair Mara Margaret Marshal Dawson Megan Mike Mike's Minton mother Mueller murmured Nebraska Territory nodded Orphan Train Petey Petey's pulled quickly Reverend Brace ride shawl shouted slaves smiled someone soon stared stood stop Swenson talk tears tell tightly told Tombs Prison tried turned Underground Railroad voice wagon whispered window woman words yelled You're under arrest