He was born on January 8th, 1887. It happened in, of course, Manhattan. It was picturesque. The Devoted Father, Jacob. The little, loving Mother, Samantha. And the new, adorable baby, Francis. They lived together in an apartment in Manhattan, and loved eachother dearly. Mr. Sullivan worked in a shoe factory, which was not a terribly glamorous job, but it paid the bills. Mrs. Sullivan was a nurse in a local clinic. She loved her job, but left when Francis was born, so she could tend to her son.They did everything together. The family ate together, went to church together and went walking in central park together.
This went on for about two years. Then, happily, Mrs. Sullivan announced that she was going to have another child. The little family was overjoyed to have a new member added. They soon found out that the baby was to be born in early March, and they were happy to have a nice calm spring baby. Time passed as the prepared for it to come into the world. They were all very anxious. By now Francis could walk and talk and get into trouble, just like any toddler. His favorite thing to do was play with his blocks. Then, about a week before Francis' birthday something happened...
Mrs. Sullivan suddenly fell ill. She had caught some form of Pneumonia, due to the harsh temparatures of Manhattan in January. She was very sick, and had to stay in bed. Then, on the eve of Francis' birthday Mrs. Sullivan began having the baby. Her condition worsened as the night went on, because she was very weak from being sick. She delivered the baby at 12:01 am on January 8th, and at 12:02, she died. Her body just stopped everything as if to say "I have brought this life into the world to take my place." The baby was a girl, and Mr. Sullivan named her Lindsay.
Mr. Sullivan decided to have Lindsay stay with a lady that Mrs. Sullivan had worked with at the clinic, so she could survive. Six months passed...Francis was three and a half at the time and Lindsay was six months old (and living back with her father) when it happened. Their father had hurt his arm at the shoe factory, and was pronounced unable to work. Mr. Sullivan has no other source of income, so in order to feed his children, he stole food from people and vendors on the streets. He kept this up for about six months, then, the worst possible thing happened...
One morning, Mr.Sullivan had gone out to find food for his family. He happily spoted a cart of bread sitting out in the open, so he made his move. He went over to the cart and took a piece of bread. The moment he touched it he was surrounded by the bulls. It was a trap, and they had caught him red-handed. He was taken to the judge and was thrown into the state penatentury. He was guilty of tax fraud, stealing, and failing to pay his morgadge.
The children were sent to an orphanage. It was called "Hutchinson's Home For Children". The home (as they called it) was located a few blocks away from their old home. The children lived here for ten years. And over those years resentment grew between them.
"It's awl yo fawt" Francis would say to his sister.
And she would always retaliate "Is Not" When she knew deep down that it was. The reason why her brother had a bad life was because of her. The reason why her dad was sent away was because of her. And the reason why her mother was dead was because of her. By now She was ten and Francis was thirteen, and they made a plan...
They decided to escape and become Newsies. The only codition was that once they were out of the home they would go separate ways. They did a spit-shake and put thier plan into action.
It was the day when the garbage was to be collected out in the streets. They kindly offered to help the ladies at the home do it. Knowing that these two were somewhat pleasent children, they let them help. So Francis and Lindsay each grabbed a bag of garbage and took it outside. As soon as the ladies had gotten the door open, they were gone! They chucked the trash to one side and ran like hell. The ladies yelled "police! Police! Get those children!" But the bulls couldn't catch up with them, they just kept right on running and running, then they split up...
About ten minutes later he came out of his hidding place and strolled about, trying to find a place to live. He walked around and was amazed at the amount of boys carrying papes. He went up to one and asked
"Where can I get some papes to sell? I really need some money!"
"Well, do you see that big building right there?" The newsies asked as he pointed to a huge building.
"That's Mr.Pulitzer's place, all you need to do is go in there an tell 'im that ya wanna carry da banna, ok?" The newsie explained.
"Ok, so I just go in there and tell this Mr. Paltzer-
"That's Pulitzer"
"Right, that i wanna sell papes, and he'll just give them ta me?" Francis replied with a puzzled look.
"No, no, no. Ya gotta tell him that ya wanna sell papes, then he takes yo name, then he will give it to the guy at the circulation office, then tomorrow, you can go to the circulation office and buy papes ta sell." The newsie said. He was beginning to get irritated about this little shrimp askin so many dumb questions.
"Wait!" Francis exclamed. "I gotta buy the papes? I don't have any money! What do i do now?" Francis sat down on the curb. He was very unhappy and a bit flustrated that his plan did not work out the way he had expected it to.
The newsie sat down beside him ans said "Tell ya what. Go to The Newsies Lodge, it's on 57th street and go up the scruffy guy at the desk, he may be able ta help ya out." And with that, the newsie got up and went off yelling "MONKEY KILLING AT LOCAL ZOO! KEEPERS BAFFLED!"
Francis got up and decided to go to the lodging house. The whole time that he was walking he mumbled, "57th st. 57th st. 57th st...."
She walked over the bridge and was there...The Bronx. She just liked the sound of that name. She decided as soon as she set foot there that she was going to stay. So she walked up the streets looking for someone to talk to about living quarters.
She was walking, minding her own business, when from around a corner, a twelve year old boy came running. She was looking down at the time and he was looking behind him at the two goons that were chasing him when CRASH they ran smack into eachother. The boy's papes flying everywhere. He didn't seem to care, however, because just as quickly as he hit her, he was us and gone, two ugly brutes chasing him. She just shrugged and picked up the papes. She had seen local newsies carrying the banner, and she decided that she wanted to make some money too.
She began shouting the headlines, and walking up the street. Before long she had had a few customers. It felt good, having a few pennies in her pocket, so she continued walking and shouting.
Then she came across a newsie. He looked at her, not believing what he was seeing. A ten year old girl carrying the banner! He kinda did a double take. He was kinda angry, because she was stealing his favorite selling spot, but he was also curious about her so he approched her.
"Hey, goil! Who are you?" The newsie asked.
"My name is Lindsay. Are you a newsie too? That's great, i have so many questions to ask you! What do i do when i'm out of papes? Where do i stay tonight? How do i get more pap-"
"Whoa, Whoa, killa! Slow down! Yes, i am a newsie, me name is Tank. This is my selling spot. But i have just sold my last pape, so i'm off duity. Say your questions again slower, one at a time so i can answer dem ta da best of me ability."
"Ok. What do i do when i'm out of papes?" She asked, not telling him that she had actually just picked these papes up, and that they were not really hers.
"when your done sellin' ya can edder call it quits for da day, or go back ta da circulation office and buy more." He replied.
"ok, say that i was not an offical newsie yet-how can i get my name on a list in the circulation office so i can get papes?"
"well that's a dumb question. Since Mr. Pulitzer's place is in Manhattan, you would just have to go to the circulation office and get your name put on the list." The newsie replied, thinking "wow this goil is pretty weird, but quite pretty".
"ok, last question, where do i stay tonight?" She asked.
"Just go to the Newsies' Shack" he replied. "If you are a newsie you get free room and board. And if they don't belive that you are a newsie, tell 'em that Tank set ya." He replied, winking at her. "Oh, and the Shack is on East Crotona Ave. There's a big sign, you can't miss it!" And then the newsie walked away.
Lindsay decided to finish selling her papes then go to the shack. "this has been quite an eventful day" she thought. "i hope that Francis found a place ta stay". And with plans for the future buzzing through her head, she walked on carrying the banner!