A Hope Beyond Read Online Free

progress of the train. But a closer inspection revealed a cracked section of piling near the top of the bridge.
    “Have a look for yourself, Mr. Latrobe,” he said, handing the glass to his companion.
    Latrobe focused the glass, then shook his head. “It is as I feared. This is just the kind of thing that has kept us for so long from reaching our goal. If only they would do things right from the beginning.” He sighed. “So, you can see, James, there’s a great deal to be done before we can begin to address the problems we just spoke of.”
    “I’d like to help, Mr. Latrobe,” James said eagerly. “I know McLane would approve, and if you’ll have me . . .”
    Latrobe smiled. “I thought you’d never ask. I didn’t want to impose and take you away from the engine shops in Mt. Clare. I know how you enjoy the design work, and Jonathan might not have liked to see you get so far away.”
    “He’ll not be that far,” Knight laughed.
    Far enough, James thought, to feel a true sense of adventure, not to mention to be even more distanced from his problems. James felt a tremendous sense of anticipation, even more so than the excitement of seeing the new railroad bridge. All else aside, here was a chance to dig in to the actual rail line of the B&O and to be a part of the changes that would forever restructure the traffic flow between Baltimore and the Ohio River. He enjoyed his work at the yards building locomotives, but what he found he was desiring more was the actual engineering of the rail lines.
    “If this is what you’d really like to do, I can use you immediately,” said Latrobe.
    “It was one of my original desires for railroad work. I have a passion for this railroad, and I want to immerse myself in its creation.” James paused and looked up rather sheepishly. “Does that sound a bit melodramatic?”
    “Not in my mind,” chuckled Latrobe. “I feel the same. You know, James, I worked a short time for the Baltimore and Port Deposit Railroad, but it just wasn’t the same. I was happy to return to the B&O. Here is my true calling.” He waved an arm against the backdrop of the valley below. “Here is my future.”
    And mine, James thought. If he could not be with the woman he loved, then let him at least be with the railroad he loved.
    “I see the hand of God clearly upon my choice,” said Latrobe.
    James looked at Benjamin Latrobe with surprise. “The hand of God?”
    “Indeed. I am a strong believer in placing faith in God’s guidance for our lives.”
    At this, Knight walked away as though ill-at-ease with the deeply personal turn the conversation had taken. James felt uncomfortable, too, but for some reason he couldn’t explain, he stayed where he was.
    “I’ve had very little to do with church and religion, Mr. Latrobe,” James answered with a shrug.
    “Church and religion are only a minor part of God’s plan, my boy. I’m speaking of a more intimate knowledge of the good Lord.”
    “Well then,” James began slowly, “I would have to say that my experience is limited to childhood prayers and adult questions of purpose.”
    Latrobe smiled. “You aren’t alone in questioning the purpose and actions of God. I don’t believe a day passes but that I wonder what God originally had in mind.”
    James took a closer appraisal of Latrobe. The Baldwin family had been acquainted with the Latrobe clan for years, but because James had always been so much younger than the Latrobe boys, he had never been close to them. That was ironic, too, since their interests were so similar. Ben Latrobe, in his mid-thirties, was of average build but with a striking appearance. His small, dark eyes gave him a stern countenance, especially accompanied by his dark, full beard. But there was a good-natured glint in those eyes. He looked almost like an Old Testament prophet who had just heard a good joke.
    Latrobe had a way of putting James at ease, and the younger man spoke almost without thinking. “God seems