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Kid Blink rolled his eye as Racetrack told him of yet another escapade he had had at the racetracks that afternoon as the two walked down the city streets. Finally Racetrack ceased talking and instead frowned. "No where in da woild is Cowboy? I'm tellin' ya Blink he's gettin' on me neives. Runnin' off at all hours. I heaid him come in da Lodgin' House at like three o'clock in da mawnin'! Had ta be. Den when I gots up ta tawk ta him 'bout da udda night, POOF! He's gone again. Where is he?" Kid Blink shrugged. "Don't know. He ain't at Tibby's, he ain't at Central Pawk. I dunno." Racetrack suddenly smacked his fist in his open palm. "I gots it! He's wit dat dang goil Rosie! I know he is! Dat goil is gonna kill 'im wit' all her "charms" as she says so often. Ha! I'd like ta spit in da eye of her "charms"." Racetrack mocked.
"Well waddya know. It's Jack!" Kid Blink cried out as he saw his friend turn the corner. "Oh, so da fish finally makes his entrance. Heya Cowboy! Nice move ya made last night 'eh?" Racetrack said, shoving his elbow in his friend's side. Jack smiled. "Whaddya tawkin' about Race?" Racetrack took his hand off Jack's back and sighed. "Ya gave us da slip Cowboy! Now ya didn't need ta do dat! I mean, we kin be bad company, but we ain't dat bad!" Jack laughed and put his arms around his friends. "Yeah well, I had some really important business ta attend ta." Jack explained. "Sure ya did. Goin' ta sneak outside Rosie's winda, 'Oh Rosie! Yer face is as white as cheese, an' yer voice like the gentle croakin's of a frog! How I loves ya!'" Racetrack mocked. Jack yelled aloud and the two began to scuffle on the walk.
"Okay now cut it out! Somebody's gonna tink dat da two of ya's is mad!" Kid Blink protested. "Let 'em think dat." Jack yelled as Racetrack jumped on his stomach. "Well only one of us is mad, an' dats Cowboy! He's mad 'bout his darlin' Rosie!" Racetrack mocked, causing Jack to bellow and pounce on his friend. "Um, Jack. Jack I'd stand up, it's some kid from Brooklyn." Kid Blink muttered. The two friends were on their feet in an instant, gazing at the approaching stranger.
Tinker noticed the two boys stand and straighten and he groaned. "Oh great. Dey've noticed me. Why, oh why did Jewel hafta send ME of all peoples? Spot'll kill me if he finds out, 'course he'll kill Jewel too so I don't feel so bad." Tinker muttered as he pulled his cap low over his face. Racetrack saw the action and leaned over towards Cowboy. "Oh look, he's hidin' his ugly face. Must know dat we're much handsomer dan him. Dat's right kid, hide yer face." He chuckled. "Hey fellas. How's it rollin'?" Tinker stuttered nervously. Racetrack grinned. "Rollin' pretty well. As well as it can be kid. Hey, look fella's I'm Spot, 'Gimme some marbles so's dat I kin shoot 'em in da air! Look Whoosh!'" Racetrack laughed.
Immediately Tinker became indignant. "Hey! No need ta git on Spot dat way. Neva!" Racetrack laughed. "Soooo sorry! Didn't know I was causin' offense!" Jack smacked the laughing Racetrack. "Look, which one of ya's is Jack Kelly?" Tinker asked, emboldened by the recent talk. "You'll hafta guess!" Racetrack said quickly. Jack shook his head and stepped forward. "I am." Tinker nodded. "I need ta talk ta ya. In private." Tinker said, glancing at Racetrack and Kid Blink. "No fear little man! Me an' me buddy'll jest walk off an' git sometin' ta eat. But I warn ya, if ya touch him, we'll string ya up!" Racetrack said, taking a mock bow and walking off with Kid Blink, who was laughing hysterically.
Tinker watched them go with an indignant eye. "Who's dat kid?" He asked. Jack smiled and turned to watch his friends go. "Dat's Racetrack. He likes ta hear himself tawk more dan anytin' else in da woild. Don't take him too seriously." Jack said with a smile. Tinker nodded. "Yeah well, he's a rascal, an' probably a swindler all da same. But dats not what I came ta tawk ta ya's about. It's about Jewel. She trusts me, more dan alot of da uddas, an' she tinks dat if I sees ya, tawks ta ya, an' likes ya, den all's well." Jack nodded soberly. "An' what's yer veidict?" Tinker shook his head. "Haven't heaid enough ta decide. Tell me, if yer buddy would have made off an' tried ta stawt a fight against me, what would ya have done?"
Jack frowned, but answered immediately. "Well I woulda tried ta git him ta stop of course. It wouldn't be right attackin' ya when ya was peaceful." Tinker nodded, a pleased smile on his face. "Even though I'm from Brooklyn?" He asked. "Even though yer from Brooklyn. Yer a kid too wit' rights like da rest of us." Tinker grinned. "Okay Kelly. I kin see why Jewel likes ya so much. So, ya got a message?" Jack's sober face brightened. "Yeah, tell Jewel ta meet me at St. Mary's choich here in Manhattan dis aftanoon. When she leaves, she'll be married all ova." Tinker shook his head in amazement. "Cain't believe dis is actually happenin'. I mean, she's only supposed ta be Pairs goil an' here she is gettin' married." Jack frowned. "Who's Pairs?"
Tinker shrugged. "Leada of da Bronx boys. Spot wants ta make an alliance so he's givin' him Jewel fer his goil. But Jewel don't take kindly ta dat. She don't like bein' treated like an' object. I kin see why she'd much ratha have a Manhattan kid dan him. No offense." Jack grinned and patted the boy's back. "None taken kid. So you'll approve me so ta speak." Tinker smiled and shrugged again. "I suppose its da least I kin do. I took a big risk comin' here." Jack nodded. "Ya ceitainly did. Hope ta see ya again." Jack said as Tinker began to walk off. Tinker stopped and turned to him. "I neva thought I'd say dis to a Manhattan kid but, I hope I see ya again too." Tinker said, then he turned and began to run as fast as he could back to Brooklyn. Jack shook his head, but a huge grin was spread across his features.
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When Jack arrived at the simple church of St. Mary's in his best Newsie clothes, it was only then that doubts began to surge in his mind.
What am I doin'? How kin I take dis goil, da sista of Brooklyn himself ta be me wife? I mean, how could I even fall in love wit' her? An' plus, why'd she fall in love wit' me? I ain't woithy ta scrape da mud off her boots, an' yet, yet it's right. It feels right. I'll do it. I ain't gonna back out now. Not now. I'm too close. Oh God give me strength.
Jack took a deep breath as he walked up the stairs and into the Church. The elderly priest was standing inside, instructing a server to light the candles when he walked in. "Hey Fadda. Whoa, da place looks nice." Jack said in surprise, admiring the lit candles that surrounded the fairly glowing altar.
"Nothing simple will do for the marriage of two important personages." The priest laughed. "Ya got dat wrong Fadda. I'm only a simple street rat. I don't deseive dis." Jack said with a regretful smile. "Now it's you who's wrong Francis. You are a precious jewel in God's eyes, and since you are being married in his own house, taking a blessed oath of consecration in his holy presence, you deserve everything here and more." The priest said geneously. "Is Jewel here yet?" Jack asked, looking about. "No, she hasn't come yet, but presently." Just then, the squeaking of the wooden church door, cause Jack to turn suddenly. A large grin spread across his face as he watched the two people enter. One was the radiant figure of Jewel, the other of the blushing Tinker. "I told 'er dat I wasn't 'bout ta let her go an' git married widout someone ta give her away." Tinker explained to Jack.
Jack smiled and turned his brown eyes upon his bride. She was not dressed in Newsie clothes, but in a dark brown and slightly dirty skirt, and a boy's white blouse. A simple rose was the only ornament she wore in her hair, another rose was her brooch. "It ain't no silk weddin' dress, but it'll hafta do. Whatcha tink?" She asked as she twirled, her face turning red with blushing. "Ya look like a princess from a castle." Jack said, taking her hand and kissing it gently. "Aw I do not Kelly. Don't be dumb." She said, but her eyes told him she was pleased.
"Are ya ready ta be, well, Mrs. Francis Sullivan?" Jack asked, a tad of worry in his eye. She placed her worn hand on his arm. "I'm ready ta be Mrs. Francis Sullivan or Mrs. Jack Kelly if dat's what pleases ya. Just as long as I'm yers foreva." She whispered. "Come my children, let us proceed with this sacred union." The priest called from the altar. Jewel gave Jack her arm and they walked slowly down the aisle, Tinker following behind. As they stood at the altar, their eyes glowing with love and boldness, the priest began the words that would seal them together, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, till death did they part.
Kid Blink rolled his eye as Racetrack told him of yet another escapade he had had at the racetracks that afternoon as the two walked down the city streets. Finally Racetrack ceased talking and instead frowned. "No where in da woild is Cowboy? I'm tellin' ya Blink he's gettin' on me neives. Runnin' off at all hours. I heaid him come in da Lodgin' House at like three o'clock in da mawnin'! Had ta be. Den when I gots up ta tawk ta him 'bout da udda night, POOF! He's gone again. Where is he?" Kid Blink shrugged. "Don't know. He ain't at Tibby's, he ain't at Central Pawk. I dunno." Racetrack suddenly smacked his fist in his open palm. "I gots it! He's wit dat dang goil Rosie! I know he is! Dat goil is gonna kill 'im wit' all her "charms" as she says so often. Ha! I'd like ta spit in da eye of her "charms"." Racetrack mocked.
"Well waddya know. It's Jack!" Kid Blink cried out as he saw his friend turn the corner. "Oh, so da fish finally makes his entrance. Heya Cowboy! Nice move ya made last night 'eh?" Racetrack said, shoving his elbow in his friend's side. Jack smiled. "Whaddya tawkin' about Race?" Racetrack took his hand off Jack's back and sighed. "Ya gave us da slip Cowboy! Now ya didn't need ta do dat! I mean, we kin be bad company, but we ain't dat bad!" Jack laughed and put his arms around his friends. "Yeah well, I had some really important business ta attend ta." Jack explained. "Sure ya did. Goin' ta sneak outside Rosie's winda, 'Oh Rosie! Yer face is as white as cheese, an' yer voice like the gentle croakin's of a frog! How I loves ya!'" Racetrack mocked. Jack yelled aloud and the two began to scuffle on the walk.
"Okay now cut it out! Somebody's gonna tink dat da two of ya's is mad!" Kid Blink protested. "Let 'em think dat." Jack yelled as Racetrack jumped on his stomach. "Well only one of us is mad, an' dats Cowboy! He's mad 'bout his darlin' Rosie!" Racetrack mocked, causing Jack to bellow and pounce on his friend. "Um, Jack. Jack I'd stand up, it's some kid from Brooklyn." Kid Blink muttered. The two friends were on their feet in an instant, gazing at the approaching stranger.
Tinker noticed the two boys stand and straighten and he groaned. "Oh great. Dey've noticed me. Why, oh why did Jewel hafta send ME of all peoples? Spot'll kill me if he finds out, 'course he'll kill Jewel too so I don't feel so bad." Tinker muttered as he pulled his cap low over his face. Racetrack saw the action and leaned over towards Cowboy. "Oh look, he's hidin' his ugly face. Must know dat we're much handsomer dan him. Dat's right kid, hide yer face." He chuckled. "Hey fellas. How's it rollin'?" Tinker stuttered nervously. Racetrack grinned. "Rollin' pretty well. As well as it can be kid. Hey, look fella's I'm Spot, 'Gimme some marbles so's dat I kin shoot 'em in da air! Look Whoosh!'" Racetrack laughed.
Immediately Tinker became indignant. "Hey! No need ta git on Spot dat way. Neva!" Racetrack laughed. "Soooo sorry! Didn't know I was causin' offense!" Jack smacked the laughing Racetrack. "Look, which one of ya's is Jack Kelly?" Tinker asked, emboldened by the recent talk. "You'll hafta guess!" Racetrack said quickly. Jack shook his head and stepped forward. "I am." Tinker nodded. "I need ta talk ta ya. In private." Tinker said, glancing at Racetrack and Kid Blink. "No fear little man! Me an' me buddy'll jest walk off an' git sometin' ta eat. But I warn ya, if ya touch him, we'll string ya up!" Racetrack said, taking a mock bow and walking off with Kid Blink, who was laughing hysterically.
Tinker watched them go with an indignant eye. "Who's dat kid?" He asked. Jack smiled and turned to watch his friends go. "Dat's Racetrack. He likes ta hear himself tawk more dan anytin' else in da woild. Don't take him too seriously." Jack said with a smile. Tinker nodded. "Yeah well, he's a rascal, an' probably a swindler all da same. But dats not what I came ta tawk ta ya's about. It's about Jewel. She trusts me, more dan alot of da uddas, an' she tinks dat if I sees ya, tawks ta ya, an' likes ya, den all's well." Jack nodded soberly. "An' what's yer veidict?" Tinker shook his head. "Haven't heaid enough ta decide. Tell me, if yer buddy would have made off an' tried ta stawt a fight against me, what would ya have done?"
Jack frowned, but answered immediately. "Well I woulda tried ta git him ta stop of course. It wouldn't be right attackin' ya when ya was peaceful." Tinker nodded, a pleased smile on his face. "Even though I'm from Brooklyn?" He asked. "Even though yer from Brooklyn. Yer a kid too wit' rights like da rest of us." Tinker grinned. "Okay Kelly. I kin see why Jewel likes ya so much. So, ya got a message?" Jack's sober face brightened. "Yeah, tell Jewel ta meet me at St. Mary's choich here in Manhattan dis aftanoon. When she leaves, she'll be married all ova." Tinker shook his head in amazement. "Cain't believe dis is actually happenin'. I mean, she's only supposed ta be Pairs goil an' here she is gettin' married." Jack frowned. "Who's Pairs?"
Tinker shrugged. "Leada of da Bronx boys. Spot wants ta make an alliance so he's givin' him Jewel fer his goil. But Jewel don't take kindly ta dat. She don't like bein' treated like an' object. I kin see why she'd much ratha have a Manhattan kid dan him. No offense." Jack grinned and patted the boy's back. "None taken kid. So you'll approve me so ta speak." Tinker smiled and shrugged again. "I suppose its da least I kin do. I took a big risk comin' here." Jack nodded. "Ya ceitainly did. Hope ta see ya again." Jack said as Tinker began to walk off. Tinker stopped and turned to him. "I neva thought I'd say dis to a Manhattan kid but, I hope I see ya again too." Tinker said, then he turned and began to run as fast as he could back to Brooklyn. Jack shook his head, but a huge grin was spread across his features.
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When Jack arrived at the simple church of St. Mary's in his best Newsie clothes, it was only then that doubts began to surge in his mind.
What am I doin'? How kin I take dis goil, da sista of Brooklyn himself ta be me wife? I mean, how could I even fall in love wit' her? An' plus, why'd she fall in love wit' me? I ain't woithy ta scrape da mud off her boots, an' yet, yet it's right. It feels right. I'll do it. I ain't gonna back out now. Not now. I'm too close. Oh God give me strength.
Jack took a deep breath as he walked up the stairs and into the Church. The elderly priest was standing inside, instructing a server to light the candles when he walked in. "Hey Fadda. Whoa, da place looks nice." Jack said in surprise, admiring the lit candles that surrounded the fairly glowing altar.
"Nothing simple will do for the marriage of two important personages." The priest laughed. "Ya got dat wrong Fadda. I'm only a simple street rat. I don't deseive dis." Jack said with a regretful smile. "Now it's you who's wrong Francis. You are a precious jewel in God's eyes, and since you are being married in his own house, taking a blessed oath of consecration in his holy presence, you deserve everything here and more." The priest said geneously. "Is Jewel here yet?" Jack asked, looking about. "No, she hasn't come yet, but presently." Just then, the squeaking of the wooden church door, cause Jack to turn suddenly. A large grin spread across his face as he watched the two people enter. One was the radiant figure of Jewel, the other of the blushing Tinker. "I told 'er dat I wasn't 'bout ta let her go an' git married widout someone ta give her away." Tinker explained to Jack.
Jack smiled and turned his brown eyes upon his bride. She was not dressed in Newsie clothes, but in a dark brown and slightly dirty skirt, and a boy's white blouse. A simple rose was the only ornament she wore in her hair, another rose was her brooch. "It ain't no silk weddin' dress, but it'll hafta do. Whatcha tink?" She asked as she twirled, her face turning red with blushing. "Ya look like a princess from a castle." Jack said, taking her hand and kissing it gently. "Aw I do not Kelly. Don't be dumb." She said, but her eyes told him she was pleased.
"Are ya ready ta be, well, Mrs. Francis Sullivan?" Jack asked, a tad of worry in his eye. She placed her worn hand on his arm. "I'm ready ta be Mrs. Francis Sullivan or Mrs. Jack Kelly if dat's what pleases ya. Just as long as I'm yers foreva." She whispered. "Come my children, let us proceed with this sacred union." The priest called from the altar. Jewel gave Jack her arm and they walked slowly down the aisle, Tinker following behind. As they stood at the altar, their eyes glowing with love and boldness, the priest began the words that would seal them together, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, till death did they part.