From The Journals of Katherine Plumber

July 30th, 1899: Part I

The New York Sun

Saturday, July 22, 1899

Newsies Stop The World

by Katherine Plumber

The ambitious Newsboys of Lower Manhattan stood tall as they made an impression on our great city, early yesterday - Friday, July 21st - morning as they began their crusade in Newsie Square. The bustling new strike is paving a way to new and improved child labor laws.

The brave boys have watched from a far for too long, and it is now their turn to stand up and demand a place at the table. These moments will define your life. The life of your children and the life of every generation to come. These modern day Davids' are poised to take on the rich and powerful Goliaths of todays world and make a difference.

"Ain't no crime in being poor. Not a one of us complains the work we do is hard. All we ask is a square deal." Jack Kelly, founder and leader of the newsboys union exclaims to his fellow newsboys during the strike.

These heroic boys plan to continue their strikes around the city until newspaper giants - Such as Pulitzer (The New York World) and Hearst (The New York Journal) - lowers the price of papers to fifty cents for one-hundred so it is fair for all newsboys around the city. There is no doubt that these boys will impact our futures for the better.

I ran down the streets early that morning, holding the paper close to my heart. All the boys - except Jack and Crutchie - were gathered at Jacobi's Deli, discussing what to do now. Jack never came back the night before, and the boys haven't seen him either. I walked in and sighed softly, but smiled at the boys who were there.

"Would you look at these glum mugs? Could these really be the same boys who made front page of the New York Sun!?" I exclaimed as I walked in.

The boys all perked up and rushed over to me. They snatched the paper out of each other's hands and looked at it, as they shouted and laughed.

"You got us in the papes?" Davey asked me.

"You got yourself in the papes." I smiled.

"'Newsies Stop Da World'! Now deres a headline even Elma' could sell." One of the boys chuckled.

"What else ya got?" Another Newsie asked, walking to me.

"Mine's the only story that ran. Pulitzer declared a blackout on all strike news so I'm even shut down now." I said, seeing the boy's saddened look. I looked to Davey, "I saw they arrested Crutchie. Do you think they got Jack, too?" I asked. Davey just shrugged.

"Da Delancey's are spredin' a story dat he took it on da lam, first sight of da cops." A boy said.

I nodded and sighed, looking at the ground. I couldn't stop thinking about him. I didn't want to admit it, but I think I actually liked him. Not as a friend, but as more. I cared for him and I think he cared for me, too. As the boys celebrated, Davey looked at me, "Are you okay?" He asked, seeing my glum expression. I quickly shook off all thoughts of Jack and looked to Davey with a fake smile.

"Of course! I just want to make sure you boys win this thing." I assured him.

Davey nodded and continued to watch the boys. I examined his expression, seeing how focused and concerned he was. I put a hand on his shoulder, "Are you okay?" I asked, worried about him.

He nodded, "I was thinking. If none of the papers will cover our story, what if we get it out there ourselves?" He asked.

"What are you saying?" I asked.