Dark Alleys, Light Papers

Chapter 4

I quickly jumped up and rushed downstairs, searching for the other newsies. "Wake up!" I screeched. I heard the yells of some frustrated newsies and ran to the gates to see them put up the headline. I was super enthusiastic and was pretty proud to be the firsts down.

"Hey Alleycat? Why youse wakin' us up?" I heard Romeo yell. I laughed.

"Cause Ise wants to see the headline!" I yelled back. I waited a few minutes for the other boys to show up and we all watched as the headline was put up.

"Ooh! Ise hope it ain't the trolley strike." Finch called out.

"Yeah." Everyone said in unison. We watched the man pull out a piece of chalk and write, 'New Newsie Price. 60 per 100.' Gasps broke out among the crowd.

"That can't be true!" Race yelled.

"Somebody get Jack!" Specks told everyone. I ran back towards the alley and ran into Jack.

"Jack! Crutchie! They've jack up the price of papes! It's 60 per 100!" I told them. Jack pushed me out of the way and ran to join the other newsboys.

"That can't be." Crutchie muttered.

"But why? How's that gonna help us?" I pondered. Crutchie gasped.

"Imma be living on the streets!" He yelled. I raised my eyebrows. "But in a worse neighborhood." I nodded.

"Best not for me, a girl, to get involved. Let me know what happens." I told him. He nodded and went to join the other boys while I went to go on a calming walk through the streets of Manhattan.

I took in the many people walking by and whispering to one another. They would point at me and then say something along the lines of, "They raised they prices of papers on the poor lads." I ignored them and kept walking till I saw a young girl shining shoes at a barbershop. One of the barbers walked up to her, yelled something, and smacked her. The girl worked faster. 

I ran to make sure she was ok. She had red hair, green eyes, freckles, a sunburn, boots, and a lightweight dress. She looked at me in terror and continued shining the shoes in front of her. "Are you ok?" I asked her. "He looks pretty nasty."

"Yes. Please go before you get in trouble!" She whispered. "Or before I get in trouble." Her eyebrows wiggled a little.

"Hey newsie! Get yer hands off me goil!" A barber commanded.

"Run!" I told the girl. She stood up and took like a rocket down an alley. I dodged the man's swipes and punched his nose before running after the girl. I could hear his yells but he had lost sight of us.

"You ok?" I asked, looking her up and down. She nodded.

"Yes. Thanks for the help, mister!" She took off towards the exit and I pulled her back. "Lemme go back, please." She asked. I pulled off my hat, revealing my golden locks. She gasped.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Sally." She smiled a little. "How about you?"

"Dot. The boys back at the Lodging House call me Alleycat." Sally's eyes lit up.

"Can I come with you? Please! I'll make myself a nickname!" She begged. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah, sure." I sighed. She jumped with joy as we walked back to the house. She told me that she was also an orphan, was 9, and has never read a newspaper. I also made her promise not to say I'm a girl to anybody.

As we walked through the door of the Lodging house, we stared at the sight of all the newsies sitting around and goofing off. Romeo was taking about the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen and Specks took his hat. Romeo yelled and followed in pursuit. The other new kids, Les and Davey, were talking with Jack and Crutchie. Race and Finch were playing poker and the other boys were laying around.

"Lemme play!" Sally screeched as she ran to join in on poker. The boys were hesitant at first but let her join. I walked to join Jack and Crutchie and ran past the other boys.

"Hey Alleycat! Who'd you bring?" Jack asked.

"Sally. Poor kid was shining shoes and being hit by a barber. I soaked him pretty good. If you don't mind, she can take my spot in the penthouse and I'll sleep in the alley." I told the boys. I noticed Les looking at Sally and he seemed to melt.

"I think I'm in love!" He whispered to his brother. Davey laughed.

"Dats not fair!!" Race screamed. All attention turned to him as he pounded the table. "The goil beat me at poker!" Sally giggled and swiped the money from the table and violently shoved it into her pockets. She ran back over to me and tried to hide under the table. Race ran after her and let out a breath of smoke from his cigar.

"Sally, come on out." I persuaded her. She crawled out slowly and hid behind me.

"Why I oughta-" Race exclaimed, raising a fist and ready to strike. Sally quickly stamped onto his heel and ran up the stairs. The newsies began to yell and cheer on Sally as she hopped over the edge of the railing and landed swiftly on the ground. She giggled as she ran and came back to me, showing off her money.

"Three fifty?" Crutchie exclaimed. He gave her a high five and she giggled more.

"You can call me Treble." Sally said.

"She wanted her own nickname." I whispered to Jack. He nodded.

"Hey newsies! Dis here's Treble. She's staying with us a little so Ise needs some clothes for her!" Jack yelled.

Some boys grumbled, some headed up for bed. I could see Treble getting angrier by the second.

"SAY HI!!" She screamed. All attention turned to her and I tried unsuccessfully to hold back laughter. The newsies said hi and rushed to their beds quickly.

I took Treble's hand and pulled her towards the alley. She was grinning from ear to ear and I raised and eyebrow. "Everything turning up roses for you?"

Her smile grew. "Les is SOO cute!!!" I rolled my eyes, only causing her to giggle.

"Cmon. Up the ladder." I push her playfully up the ladder and let her take my mat. She falls asleep immediately. I smiled and sighed. As I climbed back down the ladder to check on Crutchie and Jack, a strong hand pulled me behind my collar and covered my mouth. I tried to scream but was shushed by the man.

"Listen kid. Ise knows youse a goil." He ripped my hat off and my blonde hair fell down my shoulders. "Now, if ya don't want me to tell da boys, youse best off selling papes tomorrow." I tried to bite the hand in front of me and run, but the man was too quick. He grabbed my hair and pulled me back. I fell to my knees in pain. I look up at the face.

"Mr. Wiesel?" I ask quietly. He grins.

"Ise gonna pay you extra too. I'll pay 5 dollahs. We got a deal?" He let go of my hair and held out a hand. I shook it weakly and turned to see the Delancys. Oscar smiled.

"Ise told youse I'd get ya later." He smirked.

"Nows da beginning of later." He punched me hard in my face and they laughed. I collapsed to the ground and shook. Soon, those shakes turned into cries, and those cries turned into dreams.