The Lesser Kelly

Chapter One: interesting Begingings and First Meetings

Interesting Beginnings and First Meetings

It all starts with a headline.
At least when you're a Newsie.
Or in my case a Girlsie.
Yep thats right only girl newsboy in the city.
Only no one 'sept the guys knows it.

It started out as any normal day.
I was sitting on my bunk in the newsboy lodge.
My brother used to let me sleep up in the loft with him, but its been a while. He doesnt care much for me anymore, hasnt for a while.
I was usin my knife to clean out my nails, and listening to the other boys breathing as they slept.
They would be awake soon, i always woke before them, so i could get dressed in peace.

I heard a noise and looked over out the window to see Crutchie hanging off the fire escape ladder.
I rushed over and opened the window.
"Are you insane?" I whisper yelled as I hauled him over the window sill.
Momentarily Jack climbed through the window.
"Are you trying to kill him?" I whisper yelled at him. 
"I tried to help him.  dont even start its to early."
I sighed.
"Hey Race, Albert, Henry Elmer get a move on those papes ain't gonna sell themselves." I yelled
Race sat straight up in his bunk "Woman I swear to god! Let a man sleep for a few more minutes!"

The whistle blows.
"Yose are gonna have to get up anyway Race."
As the boys started to get ready I went to my bunk to grab my hat, pulling it on.
"Hey that's my cigar!"
"You'll steal another." Albert yelled back at Race.
I turned to see Henry shaving "Hey Look, it's bath time at the zoo." I laughed. 
"I thought I'd surprise my mother."
Albert shoved him "If you can find her."
"Who asked you?" We all yelled.

Soon enough the guys were ready and we all headed out and down to the square.

On our way the Nuns stopped and offered us breakfast. "Thank you sister."
Everyone else copied the thanks i had given.
"Elmer? When will we see you in the church again?"
"I dont know its bound to rain sooner or later."
I took off my hat and smacked him.
A very pretty girl with a man on her arm came round the corner.
Damn pretty.
I boldly stepped up to her "Well hello, hello, hello beautiful."

Jack pushed me out of the way "Leave this to a real man."
He turned toward the girl. "Miss, may i interest you in the latest news?"

"But the headline isn't up yet."
"I'd be happy to make a special delivery to you personally."

The girl smirked "I have a headline for you 'Cheeky boy gets nothing for his troubles'"
Race and I burst out laughing leaning against each other.
I would be disappointed that Jack had gotten there first but i think this time would be an exception. 

As we continued on to the square Finch stopped Crutchie. "Hey, Crutchie, what's your leg say, gonna rain?"
Crutchie stood for a moment shaking his bum leg "Um Partly cloudy clear by evnin."
"We oughta bottle this guy!"
"And the limp sell 50 papes a week!"

"I dont need the limp to sell papes." Crutchie smiled "I got personality. It takes a smile that spreads like butter/the kind that turns a lady's head-"
Race interrupts him "It takes an orphan with a stutter."
"Whos also Blind." Says specs covering Elmers eyes.
"And mute." Albert covers his eyes.
"And Dead!" I yelled.

After a little more walking and a whole lot of yelling and singing  we all made it to the square.
"What's the headline."
"I dont know it isn't up yet."
"I hope it's really bloody with a nice clear picture!" Specs yelled. The whole group erupted in cheers as we crowded around the gate.
The headline goes up 'trolley strike drags into third week'
"Uhhgg"
"Again?"
"Tree weeks of da same story!" Race complains.
Finch banged his head against the gate "Theys killin us with this story."
The Delancey's came up to unlock the gate.
"Make way, step aside." Oscar yelled.
"Oh deary me what is that unpleasant aroma?" Race said.
"Did the sewers back up in the night?" I finished.
"Or could it be?" Crutchie smirked.
"The Delancy brothers?" We all yelled.