The Runaway, Part 1

The Runaway, Part 1

***

That night the rain came down hard as Cornelius silently slipped out the first floor window. As soon as his feet had touched the walk outside the nice town house on a posh side of New York City, he was soaked. Scowling at the weather, he pulled his satchel after him and quickly closed the window.

"Tonight of all nights it had to rain," he mumbled. He looked in both directions and convinced no one was in sight, took of down the street.

*~~~~~~~~*

Cornelius stopped suddenly from his run, panting violently, and clutched his sides in pain. Never had he run so far and so fast in his twelve year old life. Leaning on a statue close by, he leaned his head back and let the cold rain wash his sweaty face. Just then he felt a sharp little pain in his leg. Looking down in the flickering lamp lite he could barely see that he a a jolly good rip in his new knickerbockers and a little blood was oozing from it.It had been form when he had fallen in his flight.

"Horsefeathers!" he ejaculated. "Mother will have a fit, for sure!"

Then he remembered. He wouldn't see his mother, not for a very long time. Cornelius had just run away. He was sick of his boring life. He had seen the kids on the street, espescially the newsies; on their own and free, or so he thought. He longed to be one of them and had run away. Suddenly homesickness and helplessness overwhelmed him and he slid down in front of the statue of Horace Greeley and sobbed himsalf to sleep as the rain poured on.

The next morning dawned bright and clean. Cornelius was toed awake by a boy that towered over him.

"Hey, kid. You look new to these parts." Jack Kelley eyed the kid who had rain soaked cap covering his dark hair and really fancy clothes on. Cornelius sat up blinking.

"Who are you?" Cowboy grinned. "The name's Jack Kelley. And you?"

"Cornelius VanCamp."

Jack whistled. "Dat's quite a mouthful, kid. You'll get a fat lip for that kind of name. Would'jah like a new name, kid?" Cornelius nodded. Jack glanced once again at the kids fancy clothes. "Let's see. How's 'bout Knicks, shoiot for kickerbockers?" The younger boy nodded eagerly.

Jack helped the kid up and gave him a soft noogie. The boy reminded him of Les, his good friend Davie's brother. The Jacobs had moved to Chicago a few short weeks ago, because of a new job his father had been able to get. Everything these days reminded Jack of David and his family.

"Let's go, Knicks. I's got some papes to sell. But foist I gotta buy some. You wanna be a newsie? You'se looks like youse in the need of a job."

"Yes, sir, Mr. Jack Kelly, sir!"

Jack laughed. "Hey, the name's Jack. No, Mr." They had reached the circulation office where all the other newsies had gathered, waiting for Weasel to collect hisself and sell them some papes before they fell back to sleep.

"Hey yah, Race! Look at what what I found meself!" Jack shouted.

Racetrack Higgins whirled around. "I was wonderin' where you was, Cowboy! I - Hey! If it ain't anudder Les! Where'd he come from?"

Jack chuckled. "This here is Knicks. I found him over by our ol' friend Horace."

Cornelius sneezed. "That's not really my name. It's really -" Jack covered his mouth quickly. If the rest of the newsies found out his name, they'd laugh him out of New York.

"What this kid needs is some clothes. Can't youse guys see he's wet tr'ough?" There was some murmering and Pie Eater, one of the smaller newsies was sent to get his spare of clothes.

By then everyone had agreed that Cornelius reminded them of Les a lot, and so he quickly became the popular little mascot among the boys. The other thought that they all shared was: Where in New York had he gotten those fancy clothes?

*~~~~~~~~*

As was the tradition, after selling their papes, Jack, Race, and Boots took the kid to Spot Conlon for inspection. Crossing the bridge was an ordeal. Cornelius was afraid of heigths AND water.

"A newsie afraid of water!" Boots cried. "And heighths?! Where did he come from?"

Knicks pouted, pulling his cap low over his sulking eyes. "I - I'm not crossing the river."

"Tough, kiddo." Jack swung Knicks onto his back. "We gotta do what we gotta do." Without letting the kid respond, Jack took off across the bridge with Boots and Racetrack close behind.

*~~~~~~~~*

"Hey yah, Jackie Boy! How's the boys doin'? And hows me ol' friend Wease?" Spot Conlon jumped down from his perch, spit shook with Jack and grinned at Racetrack and Boots.

"Yeah, they's just fine. I brought you a new newsie fer inspection."

Spot laughed at the small waif upon Jack's back. He was still trembling from the trip across the famous bridge. "He looks fine to me. Appears to be a noimal kid. Don't like me bridge hey, kiddo?"

"Thank you just the same, Mr. Spot, sir, but no I don't. And my name isn't Kiddo, it's Knickerbockers."

Spot burst out laughing and couldn't stop for a whole minute.

Jack grinned. "Uh, actually we just calls him Knicks. Well, Spot, does he have your approval?"

Still chuckling he managed to say, "Sure, sure. See ya around."

*~~~~~~~~*

As Jack, Race and Boots crossed the Brooklyn Bridge once again, Knicks still upon Cowboy's back, they started to question the boy.

"So where's you from, Knicks?" "Yeah, and why did you have such fancy duds on?" Cornelius stiffened and clung even more to Jack's back, staring down at the water.

"Don't talk to him right now. He's still scared."

When they reached Tibby's restraunt, most of the newsies were there.

"So, how was Spot, Jack?" they all asked.

"Fine. He's seem to have takin' a likin' to our little Knicks here." Soon a hot dog and a sasparilla had been bought for Cornelius from a collection form the newsies all around. As soon as he was settled Racetrack quietly sat in front of the lad and smiled.

"So, Knicks, where's ya gonna sleep?"

Cornelius tightened his lips. "I don't know. I'll find a place no problem."

"Well, to tell ya da truth it's a dangerous place out dere. I've got a spare bed in me bunk. How's 'bout you sleep dere until you find lodgin's to suit ya."

Cornelius grinned into his glass of sasparilla, swallowed and said, "Thank you Mr. Racetrack. I think I will take you up on that offer."

A wave of chuckles went through Tibby's as the young lad drank to eveyone's health.

*~~~~~~~~~~*

At the lodging house Cornelius snuggled into the top bunk of Race's bed and was soon fast asleep. Race and Jack tucked him in, smiled and went to bed themselves.

*~~~~~~~~~~*

The next morning Racetrack awoke early for no reason in particular. He usually was one of the first ones up every morning, planning the horses he would bet on for the day. Suddenly remembering, he got out of bed and looked to the top bunk.

"J - Jack!!! You'se gotta see dis!!" His jaw was open off it's hinges. Jack stumbled out of bed mumbling, until he saw... By this time most of the newsies had been awakened and had gathered to see what had awakened them.

There, laying on the top bunk, sleeping peacefully, was Knickerbockers. His cap had fallen off in his sleep to reveal long dark brown locks covering the pillow. Suddenly Knicks woke up to see many pairs of eyes staring at her.

"What - what is wrong? Why are all of you looking at me?" Then Knicks felt her head to find that her cap was missing. Tears welled up in her eyes. "You - you weren't supposed to know!"

Suddenly Jack cried, "Scatter, youse guys. Start gettin' ready before Kloppman comes up heah." They obeyed for concern of their health.

Race patted her on the back. "Why don't ya tell us everyt'ing?"

She sniffled and began. "My real mane is Cordelia VanCamp, and I wanted to be like you so much. I wanted to be free and earn my own keep. I was tired of no adventures and boring piano lessons and school. So I left home and ran until I stopped and fell asleep by the statue. That's where Jack found me."

"Where did ya live before?" Jack asked gently.

"On 5th avenue."

"What!!!" Race cried. "You ran away from dat???" His eyes clouded over. "Food, parties, your own carriage...."

Jack smiled. "I think you need to go back home." Cordelia nodded.

"Goils everywhere, a poimenant box at the Sheep's Head Races..." Race dreamed on.

*~~~~~~~~~~*

After the morning's worth of newspapers had been sold, Jack, Racetrack, Bumlets, Dutchy, Boots, and Snipeshooter escorted the little runaway home. Jack carried her along, she was so nervous that she couldn't walk the long distance.

"Jack? Will you tell Mr. Spot everything that happened?"

"Of course."

"My name is still Knickerbockers isn't it?"

"Dere never will be anudder one," Race piped in. Cordelia smiled. Just then they reached her house, and every newsie was in awe. Race slowly and revrently mounted the stairs and rang the bell with great respect. Instead of the expected butler, the door was flung open by a beautiful young lady.

"Oh!" she cried. "You've brought her home to me!" She ran down the steps and taking her daughter from Jack's arm's hugged and kissed her profously. "I thank all of you! I am so very greatful!" She took Cordelia by the hand and started to walk up the steps. The newsies turned to go.

"Oh, don't go, young men. You must not go without some reward!"

"Dat's not what we brought her back for, ma'am," Jack replied softly. "It was a real honor to have known her." The other newsies agreed whole heartedly.

"But you must be rewarded. I have been beside myself with worry. You have lifted that from me. My husband will see to it that each of you have five dollars in your pocket and you must stay for dinner." Every newsie there shared a huge smile and followed the woman and their Knickerbockers into the house.

Turning to Race Cordelia whispered, "Maybe I should run away more often!"

"Sure, kid, sure." Race pulled her cap down over her eyes. "But I don't t'ink so."