Sara Crew stared out of the carriage window with wide eyes. It was
the first time she had ever been to America. She grew up most of her life
in India; her father, Captain Crew, was a handsome rich officer in the
English army and had moved her there to live with him.
Sara was beautiful and kind. Never knowing poverty or hunger she grew
up in the lap of luxury. Anything she wanted she got. That didn't stop her
from having an active imagination though or a kind heart. Her ayah in India
used to tell her stories of courageous princess going on great adventures.
Even though she was sixteen she found these stories exiting and riveting.
Sara really wore her heart on her sleeve she gave anything she had to
anyone who needed it. She truly believed that all people should be treated
with equal respect and fairly. That was her most beautiful possession, her
heart and its ability to care for others.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
The carriage pulled up in front of a big elaborate brick building with the words Miss Bitchay, Select Seminary for Young Ladies inscribed on a brass plate. Just the very look of the place made Sara feel small and inferior.
"Papa" she said in a small voice
"Yes, chéri. What is it?" Captain Crew said looking down at her
"Papa, is this my new school?" she asked curiously
"Yes, this is it." He replied sadly
Sara and her father were very close. After her mother died she was the only thing he had left, having no other relations. She was his life, his world as he was hers. They spoiled each other a great deal in both love and affection as well as materialistically. Sara had many friends but if anyone ever asked she would always say her father was her best friend.
Captain Crew stepped out of the carriage and helped Sara out as well.
"Brr, it's freezing." Sara shivered stuffing her hands deeper into her muff.
Her father laughed "Yes, in New York at this time it's usually cold but just wait till the sun comes out fully."
He placed his hand on her back, dashed up the stone stairs and rang the doorbell. "Plus, you've lived most of your life in India were the weather is scorching hot compared to here. Give it some time, you'll get used to the change."
A rather plump lady with rosy cheeks and a warm smile then opened the door. "Hello, can I help you?" She asked in a cheery voice
Sara liked her already.
"Yes, I'm Captain Crew and this is my daughter Sara." He replied pointing to Sara
"Oh, yes Mr. Crew. We have been expecting you. Do come in."
Sara looked up at her father as she made they made there way through the massive mahogany colored door.
"Are you Miss. Bitchay, the head mistress of this fine establishment?" Captain Crew asked
"Oh, no. That would be my sister. I'm Amelia Munching." She smiled
"Well, then nice to meet you Ms. Munching." He tipped his hat
Right then Miss. Bitchay entered the room.
"Hello, Captain Crew." She greeted her voice dripping in honey "This must be Sara."
Captain Crew bowed his head while Sara curtsied.
"Let me show you to your room." She smiled
Everything about Miss Bitchay annoyed Sara. She was quit undesirable. The complete opposite of her sister. She wasn't as kind as she appeared to be. Sara could tell almost immediately that she was fake.
"We have been making many preparations for Sara's arrival." Miss. Bitchay said leading them into a beautifully decorated room " As you said she has the best room here with a fire place, a small parlor, a canopy bed, a window out looking the street, and a study nook."
"Well, yes indeed. It has just about everything she needs. Thank you."
Miss. Bitchay smiled feeling pleased with herself. She then noticed a small golden locket around Sara's neck "You know fine jewelry isn't allowed to be worn so if you'll just-."
"What if I just wore it in my room." Sara cut her off
Tried not to clench her teeth "Well I suppose that would be ok. I'll leave you two alone to say your good byes."
As soon as she left the room Sara let out a sigh of relief "She's something else don't you think?"
Captain Crew laughed and motioned her over to him " I'm going to miss you." He said getting serious tear welling up in his eyes
"Oh, Papa. I shall miss you too." She replied embracing him in a tight hug she looked up at him into his eyes "But we both must be brave." She wiped his tears away
" I love you Sara." He whispered resting his chin on her head. ~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~ Sara and Captain Crew spent the next five hours spending time together. Going to a great deal of shops where he bought her many elaborate costumes. Satin dresses lined with fur and assortments of other costly items were purchased just for Sara. Not like she needed any of it. Parcel after Parcel arrived at the school in Sara's name so many that a new buro was needed for Sara's room. When the time came for him to leave Sara didn't cry she just soaked up as much of him as possible making sure she remembered every part of him. When his coach drove away she watched it from her window until it was out of sight.
"Bye, Papa." She whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek. "Bye."
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
When Sara entered the dining hall the next day she was greeted by an assortment of eyes. Every one seemed to be fascinated by 'the little princess' as the had all came to see her as. To them she was a mystery. Someone with foreign costumes unlike their own. Imagine someone saying thank you to a servant, how 'strange' indeed. During nutrition time she made many friends particularly with a heavyset girl with fiery red hair named Ermengrade. She wasn't very well like and was teased constantly by the other girls, mostly because of Lavinia a seemingly popular girl among the students. Sara thought Ermengrade was wonderful; she was a very open and kindhearted girl. She and Sara had become great friends during that short time. ~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~ 4 days later
Sara awoke to the sounds of yelling, she looked up and realized she had left the window open. She slowly sat up and staggered over to the window. She looked out and saw a boy of about 7 or 8 trying to sell a paper. But no one stopped to buy. Feeling sorry for the little boy she quickly pulled on her clothes brushed her hair and rushed downstairs. She slowly approached the little boy.
"Buy me last pape, ms.," He said in a tiny voice and then proceeded to give a few coughs
"Oh, you poor dear." Sara said feeling sorry for him " Yes of course I'd like to buy a paper."
She handed him a penny and he gave her a paper "Thanks ms."
"No prob-" but before she could finish the little boy was pushed into her by two mean looking fellows
"Watch it, shrimp!" one said meanly grabbing the little boys arm " So, where's Jack, huh?"
"Awe, look Morris I tink he's gonna cry." The other boy said tauntingly
"Leave him alone." Sara said gritting her teeth
"Mind ya business ms.," The one named Morris said turning to look at her fully for the first time. Seeing her he let out a long whistle and asked his partner never taking his eyes off of her " Hey Oscar would ya look at dat angel? How ya doin' sweet stuff?"
"What did you say?" she asked
"I said how are ya doin sweet stuff." Morris said slowly still gripping onto the kids arm
"Didin' ya mudder ever teach ya any manners." A young man no older than 17 said walking up to Morris "Why don' you twos leave?"
Morris immediately let go of the little boys arm "Your lucky we have better things to do, Kelly. Lets go Oscar." He said walking away with his friend following behind him
Sara let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding it.
"Thank you." She said grateful he had come
"No problem. 'Sides I couldn't jus let dem pick on yous. Heya Les, sorry 'bout leavin you so long didn' know it would take that long."
"No problem cowboy." Les smiled
"You two know each other?" Sara asked
"Yeah, dis here along wit his older bruddah Davy who's sick at da moment, wese all three partners."
"Oh, partners in what?"
"Well, wese newsies. We, split or earnings."
"Oh, I see." She replied suddenly finding her shoes very interesting
She never was good with talking to boys, handsome boys at that.
"If you don mind me asking can I require your name?" Jack asked trying to sound as if he were of the upper class
"Yes, my name is Sara. Sara Crew."
"Well, it was nice meeting you Sara Crew. Dis here is Les and I'm Jack Kelly or cowboy."
Sara laughed at this
"What?" jack asked confused
Sara suddenly felt embarrassed and her cheeks turned bright red " Nothing."
Jack just laughed "well, we better get goin'. See ya 'round."
"Bye." Sara said turning to walk back inside. She ran upstairs and threw herself on her bed. Sara couldn't wait to tell Ermengrade about the wonderful Jack Kelly.
The carriage pulled up in front of a big elaborate brick building with the words Miss Bitchay, Select Seminary for Young Ladies inscribed on a brass plate. Just the very look of the place made Sara feel small and inferior.
"Papa" she said in a small voice
"Yes, chéri. What is it?" Captain Crew said looking down at her
"Papa, is this my new school?" she asked curiously
"Yes, this is it." He replied sadly
Sara and her father were very close. After her mother died she was the only thing he had left, having no other relations. She was his life, his world as he was hers. They spoiled each other a great deal in both love and affection as well as materialistically. Sara had many friends but if anyone ever asked she would always say her father was her best friend.
Captain Crew stepped out of the carriage and helped Sara out as well.
"Brr, it's freezing." Sara shivered stuffing her hands deeper into her muff.
Her father laughed "Yes, in New York at this time it's usually cold but just wait till the sun comes out fully."
He placed his hand on her back, dashed up the stone stairs and rang the doorbell. "Plus, you've lived most of your life in India were the weather is scorching hot compared to here. Give it some time, you'll get used to the change."
A rather plump lady with rosy cheeks and a warm smile then opened the door. "Hello, can I help you?" She asked in a cheery voice
Sara liked her already.
"Yes, I'm Captain Crew and this is my daughter Sara." He replied pointing to Sara
"Oh, yes Mr. Crew. We have been expecting you. Do come in."
Sara looked up at her father as she made they made there way through the massive mahogany colored door.
"Are you Miss. Bitchay, the head mistress of this fine establishment?" Captain Crew asked
"Oh, no. That would be my sister. I'm Amelia Munching." She smiled
"Well, then nice to meet you Ms. Munching." He tipped his hat
Right then Miss. Bitchay entered the room.
"Hello, Captain Crew." She greeted her voice dripping in honey "This must be Sara."
Captain Crew bowed his head while Sara curtsied.
"Let me show you to your room." She smiled
Everything about Miss Bitchay annoyed Sara. She was quit undesirable. The complete opposite of her sister. She wasn't as kind as she appeared to be. Sara could tell almost immediately that she was fake.
"We have been making many preparations for Sara's arrival." Miss. Bitchay said leading them into a beautifully decorated room " As you said she has the best room here with a fire place, a small parlor, a canopy bed, a window out looking the street, and a study nook."
"Well, yes indeed. It has just about everything she needs. Thank you."
Miss. Bitchay smiled feeling pleased with herself. She then noticed a small golden locket around Sara's neck "You know fine jewelry isn't allowed to be worn so if you'll just-."
"What if I just wore it in my room." Sara cut her off
Tried not to clench her teeth "Well I suppose that would be ok. I'll leave you two alone to say your good byes."
As soon as she left the room Sara let out a sigh of relief "She's something else don't you think?"
Captain Crew laughed and motioned her over to him " I'm going to miss you." He said getting serious tear welling up in his eyes
"Oh, Papa. I shall miss you too." She replied embracing him in a tight hug she looked up at him into his eyes "But we both must be brave." She wiped his tears away
" I love you Sara." He whispered resting his chin on her head. ~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~ Sara and Captain Crew spent the next five hours spending time together. Going to a great deal of shops where he bought her many elaborate costumes. Satin dresses lined with fur and assortments of other costly items were purchased just for Sara. Not like she needed any of it. Parcel after Parcel arrived at the school in Sara's name so many that a new buro was needed for Sara's room. When the time came for him to leave Sara didn't cry she just soaked up as much of him as possible making sure she remembered every part of him. When his coach drove away she watched it from her window until it was out of sight.
"Bye, Papa." She whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek. "Bye."
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
When Sara entered the dining hall the next day she was greeted by an assortment of eyes. Every one seemed to be fascinated by 'the little princess' as the had all came to see her as. To them she was a mystery. Someone with foreign costumes unlike their own. Imagine someone saying thank you to a servant, how 'strange' indeed. During nutrition time she made many friends particularly with a heavyset girl with fiery red hair named Ermengrade. She wasn't very well like and was teased constantly by the other girls, mostly because of Lavinia a seemingly popular girl among the students. Sara thought Ermengrade was wonderful; she was a very open and kindhearted girl. She and Sara had become great friends during that short time. ~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~ 4 days later
Sara awoke to the sounds of yelling, she looked up and realized she had left the window open. She slowly sat up and staggered over to the window. She looked out and saw a boy of about 7 or 8 trying to sell a paper. But no one stopped to buy. Feeling sorry for the little boy she quickly pulled on her clothes brushed her hair and rushed downstairs. She slowly approached the little boy.
"Buy me last pape, ms.," He said in a tiny voice and then proceeded to give a few coughs
"Oh, you poor dear." Sara said feeling sorry for him " Yes of course I'd like to buy a paper."
She handed him a penny and he gave her a paper "Thanks ms."
"No prob-" but before she could finish the little boy was pushed into her by two mean looking fellows
"Watch it, shrimp!" one said meanly grabbing the little boys arm " So, where's Jack, huh?"
"Awe, look Morris I tink he's gonna cry." The other boy said tauntingly
"Leave him alone." Sara said gritting her teeth
"Mind ya business ms.," The one named Morris said turning to look at her fully for the first time. Seeing her he let out a long whistle and asked his partner never taking his eyes off of her " Hey Oscar would ya look at dat angel? How ya doin' sweet stuff?"
"What did you say?" she asked
"I said how are ya doin sweet stuff." Morris said slowly still gripping onto the kids arm
"Didin' ya mudder ever teach ya any manners." A young man no older than 17 said walking up to Morris "Why don' you twos leave?"
Morris immediately let go of the little boys arm "Your lucky we have better things to do, Kelly. Lets go Oscar." He said walking away with his friend following behind him
Sara let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding it.
"Thank you." She said grateful he had come
"No problem. 'Sides I couldn't jus let dem pick on yous. Heya Les, sorry 'bout leavin you so long didn' know it would take that long."
"No problem cowboy." Les smiled
"You two know each other?" Sara asked
"Yeah, dis here along wit his older bruddah Davy who's sick at da moment, wese all three partners."
"Oh, partners in what?"
"Well, wese newsies. We, split or earnings."
"Oh, I see." She replied suddenly finding her shoes very interesting
She never was good with talking to boys, handsome boys at that.
"If you don mind me asking can I require your name?" Jack asked trying to sound as if he were of the upper class
"Yes, my name is Sara. Sara Crew."
"Well, it was nice meeting you Sara Crew. Dis here is Les and I'm Jack Kelly or cowboy."
Sara laughed at this
"What?" jack asked confused
Sara suddenly felt embarrassed and her cheeks turned bright red " Nothing."
Jack just laughed "well, we better get goin'. See ya 'round."
"Bye." Sara said turning to walk back inside. She ran upstairs and threw herself on her bed. Sara couldn't wait to tell Ermengrade about the wonderful Jack Kelly.