Spot walked into Manhattan to meet with Irish, his one and only girl. It had been a year since the two were promised, and Spot hoped to marry Irish very soon.
          "Hey Bumlets, Irish in der?" asked the Brooklyn leader as he came close to Tibby's.
          "Didn't see 'er but dat don't mean much." Answered Bumlets as he entered the diner with Spot.
          Some of the other newsies were seated at their usual table, they all said hello to Spot as he made his way to the table with Bumlets.
          "So when's th' tough Brooklyn leadah gonna go soft?" asked Race.
          "What's dat yer sayin?" asked Spot.
          "When're youse gonna hitch up wit' Irish?" said Mush.
          Spot plopped down in a chair and removed his cap. "I hope soon."
          "We'll keep 'er safe until dat time." Said Skittery.
          "Ya better, or I'll soak ya."
          The newsies laughed as Jack and Irish rushed into the diner.
          "Almost got us dat time." Said Jack
          "How does he find me?"
          Irish saw Spot and sat close to him. Jack sat next to Mush and wiped the sweat from his face.
          "Whose after ya?" asked Bumlets.
          "My father once again." Answered Irish.
          "Y'know, maybe you should git different clothes," suggested Race, "and maybe talk more like us."
          "Yeah 'cause he may find ya by th' clothes ya wear." Said Dutchy.
          "Or maybe you'se 'n' Spot need ta git hitched an' move ta Brooklyn." Said Jack.
          Irish blushed as she looked at Spot. When she first joined the newsies, she didn't trust any of them, but as she started to open up to them her love for Spot grew.
          "Sorry I don't git ta stay long but der's stuff I still gotta do." Said Spot as he stood up.
          Irish stood. "Can I go with you? Our meetings seem shorter."
          Spot took her in his arms. "How'll ya git back here safe? I can't afford ta lose ya."
          Bumlets stood. "I'll tag along, make sure she gits back alright."
          The trio left the diner and made their way to Brooklyn, Bumlets kept his distance from the two, knowing they wanted to be alone.
          "Irish, I hope to git th' money ta marry ya soon."
          Irish rested her head on his arm as they walked. "Just don't do anything extreme ok?"
          Spot smiled. "Alright, I'll try not to."
          Bumlets left the two once they entered Brooklyn and went to the docks. "I'll just wait fer ya der."
          Irish and Spot waved to their friend and continued walking the streets hand in hand.
          "What is it you have to do?" asked Irish.
          Spot grinned. "Spend time wit' you'se."
          He then picked up Irish and spun around quickly, causing her to scream and passers-by to stare at the two.
          "Spot! Put me down!"
          The Brooklyn leader put down his girl while laughing hard and holding her close.
          "People are staring at us Spot." Irish whispered in his ear.
          "Let 'em. We're gonna be seen together more."
          Irish put her arms around Spot's neck and drew him into a kiss.

          Bumlets sat on the docks with Brooklyn boy Swindler and waited for Irish and Spot to return.
          "Ya gonna miss 'er when she comes ta Brooklyn?"
          "Yeah, but knowin' she's well protected helps."
          Swindler laughed. "It ain't like you'se can't come 'n' visit 'her everyday."
          Bumlets smiled. "Dats true."
          The Manhattan newsie looked past Swindler and saw the young couple approach them. "Only t'ree hours fer you'se two?"
          "She wants ta git back b'fore dark." Said Spot.
          Bumlets stood. "Must think I can't protect 'er or somethin'."
          The foursome laughed as Bumlets took Irish by the hand and headed back to Manhattan.
          "Hey Swindler, ya notice Bumlets seems ta care a lot fer Irish?"
          Swindler gave Spot a puzzled look. "He ain't after 'er if dats what ya think."
          Spot sat on a nearby crate. "If anythin' 'appened ta me, ya think he'd take care of 'er?"
          Swindler's eyes grew wide. "Yer gonna go t'rough wit' it? But Irish--"
          "Dat's why I gotta do it!" exclaimed Spot, "It's been a year, I can't wait any longer."
          Swindler heaved a sigh. "Does she know?"
          Spot shook his head. He stood and started for the Brooklyn newsie warehouse, Swindler following slowly behind.

          "Bumlets, can I sell with you?"
          "Jack bein' too much of a cowboy fer ya?"
          Irish chuckled. "You could say that."
          The two left the distribution center to sell their papers. That afternoon they went to Tibby's for the daily gethering of newsies.
          "So what'd you 'n' Spot do yesterday?" asked Bumlets.
          Irish blushed and smiled. "We walked and talked."
          Bumlets grinned. "'Bout yer futures together?"
          Irish pushed him as she sat at the newsie table. Dutchy and Snoddy were the only other ones there.
          "Spot comin' today?" asked Dutchy.
          Irish shrugged. "I don't know, maybe."
          Bumlets sat next to her and said, "He'll come as long as yer here."

          The smoke from his cigarette swirled in the air as he stared coldly at the figure in front of him. Swindler and Death Trap stood behind him.
          "Good ta see you ain't backin' outta dis."
          "Just as long as I git paid."
          The figure picked up a package and handed it to Spot Conlon. "Take dis to Th' Bronx lodgin' house an' give it ta Jay. Got it? Den you'll git yer money."
          Spot took the package and left the figure. Swindler and Death Trap following close behind.
          "Spot, where's Irish fit inta dis?" Asked Death Trap.
          "Shut up! I know what I'm doin'!"
          Suddenly someone jumped out of an alley and slammed into Spot. The two Brooklyn boys starting for the stranger but were stopped by two other goons. The stranger threw the package to another stranger and violently pulled Spot up.
          "So this is the famous Spot Conlon. I'd like to see you get yourself out of this one."
          Spot squinted to see the face that matched the voice. "Back off."
          The stranger punched the Brooklyn leader in the back, causing Spot to fall.
          "If you want to see your sweetheart again--"
          "Leave her alone!"
          Swindler and Death Trap struggled free and started for the stranger who had their leader. The stranger pulled out a knife and aimed it at Spot's heart.
          "One more move gentleman, and your leader will die of a broken heart."
          The two newsies stopped. Swindler tapped Death Trap and said in a low voice, "You stay 'ere an' I'll git Jack."
          Death Trap nodded as Swindler ran to Manhattan.

          Irish walked into Tibby's to discover Snoddy was the only one there. "Where is everyone?"
          Snoddy shrugged. "Beats me."
          She sat next to the newsie. "I only left for a few minutes."
          "Same here."
          Jack and Bumlets entered the diner. Irish waved to them and they came to the table.
          "Hey guys, where'd you go?" asked Snoddy.
          "We've been ta Brooklyn. Thought maybe you'd like ta come." Said Jack.
          "You don't have to ask me twice." Said Irish as she and Snoddy left with Jack and Bumlets.
          They entered Brooklyn, but instead of going to the warehouse they went to the hospital.
          "Why are we coming here?" asked Irish.
          "You'll see." Said Jack as he opened the door for her and the others.
          He led them to a certain closed door. Before they entered, Bumlets put an arm around Irish. Jack opened the door, and as soon as Irish entered the room, she threw her hands over her mouth and gasped.
          "Spot!"
          She ran to his side and grabbed his hand. "Oh Spot, what's happened to you?'
          The Brooklyn leader turned and smiled weakly. "Couldn't wait Irish, had ta git th' money fer us ta be together."
          Irish's eyes welled up with tears. "I told you not to do anything crazy."
          Bumlets stood behind Irish and stared at Spot. The other newsies sat around their injured companion. They could see the life draining from Spot. He looked up at Bumlets and said, "Bumlets, I want you'se ta take my place in Irish's life."
          The tears were falling freely from her eyes. "No Spot! You're going to get better!"
          Spot slowly shook his head. "Sorry, not dis time Irish."
          Irish jumped up and threw her arms around Spot and cried. "What will I do without you?"
          Spot once again looked at Bumlets. "Promise me you'll take care 'a her."
          Bumlets heaved a sigh. "Alright Spot, I promise."
          "Yer a good friend Bumlets."
          Spot closed his eyes. While he breathed his last breath, he said one last time, "I love ya Irish."

          "No Spot! Don't leave me! Please!"
          Bumlets put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him with teary eyes. The other newsies quietly left the room.
          "Bumlets, what am I going to do without him?"
          The Manhattan newsie put his arms around Irish and drew her close. "Th' first thing's never fergit Spot Conlon."
          Irish picked up Spot's hat and cane and held them close to her heart. "You're right. You're a good friend Bumlets."