Spot Conlon is the leader of the Brooklyn newsboys… no, not newsboys, newsies. He is feared by many and through this fear he earns respect. But this life wasn't granted to him. He earned his title through surviving his past; a past that brought him to where he was now, a past was anything but care-free. Spot Conlon's past is one to remember; what was once happiness became marred with pain, suffering, and death, where once there were memories became nothing more than faded shadows of ill-desired necessity. Spot's father was an Irish journalist who married a young Italian woman that he had met while he was in Rome covering a story. Spot, was their first born and was named Thomas after his grandfather, he was followed shortly after by Ava, John, and Emma. The family left their home country of Ireland just after the birth of Emma in 1891 when Thomas was just 7. He often recalled the tale of seeing the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor to his younger siblings who could not remember the exciting journey across the great Atlantic. His father found work at the New York World under Joseph Pulitzer; his mother stayed home caring for the children. When Thomas turned 9, his father managed to get him a job as a newsie. Spot loved the work though he never got along with many of the other newsies. A year later his father sent him to boarding school in Chicago, wishing that his children could be reared in a proper education. Thomas had always protested the idea but he loved his parents too much to ignore their wish. Another year came and went and now 11, Thomas had actually taken a liking to his school. But one day, his life would be turned upside down. He hadn't heard from his family in months and it was 3 days before Christmas, when young Thomas stood alone in the Chicago train station, shivering quite badly from the cold snowy conditions. His thin coat and mittens could not withstand the icy temperature. His light brown hair could only keep his head so warm. The boy with the icy blue eyes wanted nothing more than to be back home in Manhattan with his family next to a warm fire celebrating Christmas. But there were other plans in store for young Conlon. A tall man, in a long coat looking quite comfortable in amongst the cold weather, slowly approached the young boy from behind.
"Excuse me? Are you Thomas Conlon?" the unexpected voice said, causing the boy to turn quickly.
"Tommy. I go by Tommy." The boy responded. He could feel his teeth begin to chatter now and his fingers go numb.
"I am Mr. Snyder. I am from New York. I have some very bad news, Tommy. Have you spoken with your family recently?"
"No. Not since May. Why?" he replied, now a bit suspicious.
"I am afraid they have all perished in a fire at your home in Manhattan. I am sorry, Tommy." The man said, a slight melancholic tone in his voice. He knelt in front of the boy and placed his arm on his shoulder. Tommy was in shock, tears erupted from his eyes. He turned away, unable to say anything, instead he began to cry. His father had always told him crying was for children and that he was a man but his mother was opposed to that notion believing that sometimes it was good to cry; right now seemed an appropriate time for that. After a great deal of crying and comforting, Tommy boarded the train with Mr. Snyder to return to New York. The entire trip found the boy huddled in a ball gazing out the window. As they neared New York City, Snyder informed Tommy that he would be staying at the Refuge for now until his grandparents could come for him. A few minutes later they arrived at Grand Central Station and a rich-looking gentleman greeted them as they exited the train.
"Ah. Henry! Another stray coming to stay in your refuge, is he? I don't know how you manage to put up with all those little scums?" the man said. Henry Snyder nodded, "The pay is what drives me."
As they neared the Refuge, approximately half an hour later, Tommy noticed several policemen standing guard outside the gates and even worse bars on the windows of the Refuge. This is no refuge! It's a prison! He turned to Snyder who smiled maliciously, "Welcome to your new home, Thomas Conlon."
