Chapter 28
The Colored Orphan Asylum
PATRICK SAID HIS goodbyes to Mrs. Kilpatrick and offered apologies for not being able to unload the afternoon delivery cart. Typically, Patrick would be happy to circle back, but today he had an evening obligation of some importance. Patrick continued his Friday morning schedule and headed further toward the East Side.
Outwardly cheery as he walked the streets, Patrick appeared to be a simpleminded giant—exactly the image he tried to project. Today, however, he couldn’t shake the conversation about the draft, and his heart raced as his smile began to fade. Patrick decided to play one of his mind games in an attempt to relax. He dedicated a small portion of his faculties to navigate the pedestrian and carriage traffic, while the rest of his mind tran
