In November 1966, Paul’s mother drove Elsé Nymoen and Kari, her two-year-old daughter, from Osage to Madison in order that Elsé might board Amtrak at Columbus (Wisconsin) to travel to the East Coast. Elsé’s husband Odd Peder, about to complete his studies, would meet his family and they would then return to Norway. Myrtle and Elsé shared a special bond, because of Myrtle’s fluency in speaking Elsé’s native tongue.
Paul drove our family, including month-old Jon, the Nymoen’s and Grandma from Madison to Columbus, forty miles northeast on a very foggy Sunday morning. After purchasing tickets, we waited for the train. Paul became obviously nervous about Elsé and Kari’s safety, particularly because of Elsé’s minimal grasp of English – the dense fog didn’t help.
Amtrak arrived late, certainly understandable, considering the weather. Paul guided Elsé and Kari aboard, found their seats, reassured them all would go well, and apparently ignored the conductor’s commands.
Suddenly he felt the train moving – and so was he!
Back at the depot, we realized the same thing. Our daddy and husband, the guy with the keys to our car, was on his way to Chicago! The train disappeared into the fog. What in the world would we do?
She may not have had a good grasp on English, but back on the train, Elsé had the good sense to pull the emergency cord. The conductor appeared and the guy with no ticket to Chicago identified. The engineer slowed, then stopped the train, and the guy who ignored the warnings stepped out onto the narrow gravel strip adjoining the tracks to walk back to the station.
In Columbus, a stunned family tried to figure out what to do. Who would we call to ferry us home through the fog? What will happen to Daddy? Will we see him again? When?
But, probably a half hour later, a shadowy, almost ghostly figure, appeared through the soup, stepping from one tie to another. Amazed – we hadn’t heard the train brake, but we realized it was him – our daddy, my husband, the prodigal son, the guy with the car keys – returning to us.
I distinctly remember my thoughts at the time – should I hug him or strangle him?
