Chapter 3

A Run for His Money

"Good Evening Boys," Denton said with a big smile as he walked into the lodging house, "I believe you have been expecting me."

"No offense Denton, but It ain't you we been expectin, I believe der is a certain goil you are to introduce to us dis evenin'," Race said putting out his cigar and moving closer to get a good look at Denton's niece.

"Now boys promise you'll be nice," Denton said pulling his niece in front of him and placing his hands on her shoulders, "I would like you to meet my niece Charlotte Tate."

Charlotte smiled politely but kept a firm gaze on the floor too afraid to look at any of them. A few hoots, hollers, and whistles came from throughout the room making her blush. Once she finally got the courage to look up her gaze landed on none other than her rescuer early that day, Mr. Carter. She was shocked to see him sitting there at the poker table with the newsies all though he fit in better there than he did with higher class society. She stared in disbelief at him her mouth once again hanging open. A crooked grin grew on his face and he winked at her under his hat. She immediately closed her mouth and glared at him.

The other boys were too busy sharing comments about their new guest to see the quick exchange of winks and glares between Charlotte and Specs. Their staring war was quickly interrupted by Kid Blink who was dying to know more about her.

"So Charlotte is it? Dat's a mighty foine name, mines Kid Blink and a dis ere is Mush," Blink said taking Charlotte gently by the arm and escorting her further into the room.

"I suspect those aren't your real names?" She asked.

"O' course dey ain't. But Ise suppose the only one who ever called me by me real name was me muddah and she ain't round no more. Des is the names we got sell'n papes. They sowrta describe us in a way," Blink answered offering Charlotte a chair which she accepted gladly.

"Like a nickname, Kind of like how Uncle Bryan calls me Lottie?"

"Yea uh, des is our nicknames. Dey call me Kid Blink cause a the patch ere, and him Mush cause he's a romantic, and dat der is Crutchy on account a him bein' a cripple an all."

"Ok and how do you think Lottie describes me?"

"Well it's sweet an all, like ya self," Mush answered with a flirtatious wink. Lottie blushed but smiled flattered.

"I wouldn't be so sure she's as sweet as she lets on," Specs said with a mischievous grin.

Lottie ignored him and continued conversing with her new friends. She met more of the boys young and old, and learned each of their nicknames and why they were given to them. She was very glad her uncle decided to bring her there. She liked her new friends and already felt at home with them. Race played her his harmonica, and promised to teach her how to play on her next visit. She played a few rounds of marbles with Les and the younger boys, and shared her thoughts on a few books with Davie. She was fully aware of the spectacled boy's eyes on her all night. She asked Crutchy what they called him and wasn't too surprised to find his nickname was Specs.

As the night went on she found herself talking poker with Jack and Spot who had quitted the game after losing much of their money to Race. Both boys were a little arrogant, but meant well and she found it fascinating talking to the fearless leaders of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

After talking strategy for a while Jack insisted she played a round. "Ey boys why don't ya deal Lottie ere in a round or two, Ise bet she takes all yer money."

"Uh Jackie boy, I ain't neva seen a goil like Lottie ere play Poka' before, and no's offense hun but Ise don't think you gots what it takes," Race said with a wink while shuffling the deck.

"Try me," was all she said before removing Dutchy's feet from a chair and sitting down at the table to be dealt in.

The boys were shocked by her confidence never before seeing any girl play poker. Denton just smiled behind his book in the corner knowing full well his niece knew what she was doing. Specs was intrigued and took his place at in the game with grin ready to see if this school girl had what it takes to beat out the boys.

Race, Specs, Dutchy, Jack, Skittery, and Lottie were all in on the game. Before too long Lottie had bet high enough to scare out Dutchy, Jack, and Skittery, and Race afraid of a bluff, folded too. Specs was confident enough with his aces and queens that he went all in. He was not going to go easy on her just because she was a girl and besides that he knew she could afford it.

Lottie smiled at him and called. "Aces and Kings," she said, "Read em and weep."

The boys standing behind Specs gasped. They knew what was in his hand and that she had beat him.

"Ise afraid I'm out then. You gave me a run for me money der Lottie, and ya took it too," Specs said tipping his hat and getting up from the table.

Lottie just smiled and collected her winnings. She was delighted she had gotten a chance to get him back for earlier that day. She played a few more hands winning most of them by bluffing. She gathered her winnings into her coin purse at the end of the night and said goodbye to each of the newsies, all but one who had disappeared shortly after losing to her.

"Did you enjoy yourself this evening Lottie," Uncle Bryan asked her as they left the lodging house.

"I did very much Uncle. I hope I you will allow me to visit again soon."

"You have my permission to visit the boys any time you want Lottie, I trust them and know that they will take good care of you, I don't however think your parents or that headmistress of yours would like it as much."

"You're probably right."

In fact she knew he was right which was why she was certain they would never find out. Her uncle walked her back to the boarding school promising to come by the next afternoon and take her to Tibby's for lunch. It was past curfew, but Headmistress Pringle decided to let it her off just this once on account it was her first day, and Uncle Bryan promised to never let it happen again. Lottie went off to bed thinking of her night with the newsies, excited that she had made new friends. When she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep she was surprised to find her dreams were filled with a certain spectacled boy.