Boxcars

Posted on June 17, 2023 by Jennie

This is my favorite Andrew Joyce story.  I was picking up dinner at the Chinese restaurant.  It was packed, and my wait would be quite a while.  I picked up my phone, looked at my bloggers’ posts, and Andrew Joyce’s ‘Boxcar’ appeared.  I was riveted.  I was reading one of the best stories.  Yes, best!  Who cared about dinner, as Boxcar was all consuming.  Andrew Joyce is a terrific writer, and Boxcar still remains one of my favorite stories.

Andrew Joyce's avatarAndrew Joyce

train

A while back, my friend Jennie asked me to repost this story. I told her it was way too long for a blog (12,000 words) even though I had posted it once before. Well, I’ve changed my mind. This one’s for you, Jennie.

“There is a chink, a nigger, and a cracker in that car; git ‘em out. Oh yeah, there’s also a kid in there.” I was that kid. With those few words, one of the strangest and most profound adventures of my young life was about to take place.

Have you noticed that, nowadays, when you’re stopped at a railroad crossing and a train goes by, there are no more boxcars? It’s because the railroad companies have gone the way of the shipping companies—meaning, containers. The story I am about to tell could not happen today.

First, a little history lesson:

After the Civil War, or the War…

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About Jennie

I have been teaching preschool for over forty years. This is my passion. I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It's the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That's what I write about. I was a live guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show. I am highlighted in the seventh edition of Jim Trelease's million-copy bestselling book, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital, and the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
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18 Responses to Boxcars

  3. laura bruno lilly's avatar laura bruno lilly says:
    June 17, 2023 at 10:02 pm

    Amazing! Just finished reading and commenting on his site. Thanks for passing it on to us here.

    Reply
  4. christinenovalarue's avatar christinenovalarue says:
    June 18, 2023 at 2:10 am

    🧡

    Reply
  5. Fraggle's avatar Fraggle says:
    June 18, 2023 at 5:59 am

    Wonderful writing, I left a little comment over there.

    Reply
  6. beetleypete's avatar beetleypete says:
    June 18, 2023 at 9:48 am

    I have bookmarked it to read at leisure, Jennie. Thanks for the tip!
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Reply
  7. D. Wallace Peach's avatar D. Wallace Peach says:
    June 20, 2023 at 9:37 am

    Thanks for sharing Andrew’s story, Jennie. His writing is amazing. I’ll read this one while traveling this weekend. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar Teagan Riordain Geneviene says:
    June 20, 2023 at 11:53 am

    Lovely choice to share, Jennie. Hugs.

    Reply

  9. Pingback: Boxcars – lastrites24608.wordpress.com

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