Ticket to 1904

Sarah rested her head against the cool window of the modern train. Outside, the highway flashed by in a gray blur. The train car was very quiet. The only sounds were the soft hum of the electric engine and the gentle tapping of passengers on their tablets. Sarah's mother sat next to her, busy working on her screen. Sarah sighed. Her eyes grew heavy as the train gently shook. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

When Sarah opened her eyes, the soft hum was gone. Instead, she heard a loud, clattering clack-clack, clack-clack. The train shook so hard she could feel it in her shoes.

She sat up quickly. Her blue plastic seat was gone. Now, she was sitting in a high-backed wooden booth with soft red velvet cushions. The air smelled of coal smoke, hot oil, and old paper.

Sarah looked out the window. The glass was framed in shiny brass. Outside, she saw rolling green hills and a horse-drawn carriage waiting by a dirt road. Huge clouds of white steam floated in the sky.

"Tickets, please!" a voice called out.

Sarah turned around. Walking down the aisle was a conductor in a dark blue uniform with shiny metal buttons. He held a metal hole-puncher.

"Excuse me," Sarah whispered. "Where is my mom? Where are we?"

The conductor smiled. "Your mother must be in another car, young lady. This is the Iron Sovereign. We are heading to Boston and should arrive before sunset."

Sarah swallowed hard. "What year is it?"

The conductor laughed. "Why, it is 1904, of course! You must have had a very long nap."

Sarah’s jaw dropped. She had traveled back in time! Instead of being scared, she felt a rush of excitement. She stood up and walked to the back of the train car.

Just ahead, the big black steam engine worked hard. Its giant metal wheels turned quickly. Big puffs of dark smoke filled the sky. The train felt like a living creature, breathing and roaring down the tracks.

Sarah spent a long time watching the beautiful countryside. There were no cell towers, no power lines, and no cars. The world looked giant, green, and peaceful.

Soon, the rocking of the train made Sarah sleepy again. She went back to her red velvet seat and curled up. As the train entered a long, dark tunnel, the loud chugging sound softened. It turned back into a quiet, familiar hum.

Sarah blinked her eyes open. The bright lights of the modern train filled her vision. Her mother was still tapping on her tablet.

"We are almost at our stop, Sarah," her mom said with a smile. "Did you have a nice nap?"

Sarah looked around. She felt a little sad. It must have been a dream. But as she stood up to grab her backpack, her hand touched something stiff in her pocket.

Slowly, she pulled it out. It was a thick, old paper ticket with gold letters: The Iron Sovereign - 1904.