Middle Ground

Chapter 2

            I took the money that my father had given me and left. I walked around for some time thinking of what I should buy with the money. Maybe I should buy some candy. I thought. My little brother James adores candy but rarely gets to have any. He goes to school during the day then comes home and does chores. We don't have servants like so many other families in middle class. My father believes in working hard. He was brought up with the belief that working hard gets you far in life, which it does. My father also doesn't want us to become lazy like so many other people.

            I bet you're wondering why I'm not in school since I am of the age that I should be. Well, I tell you why. My father thinks that women should be educated but that they should not go to school. It sounds odd I know. You see, my father thinks that women should know how to do math, know how to read, and know how to do other wifely duties but he doesn't want them in a school setting like the boys. Since this is my father's philosophy, he has been the one to teach me math and reading. I enjoy reading and we have quite the library at home. I often read instead of working on my math. I am quite horrible at math so my father gives me extra math problems to do.

            I had decided to get candy and so I made my way to a little candy store I knew of that was across the street from a little diner called Tibby's. I decided that after I bought the candy, I would buy myself lunch at Tibby's.

            As I was passing newspaper row, a peculiar sight caught my eye. A large group of newsies had gathered outside of the New York World building and they were yelling strike. I decided to watch for a while to see what would happen. A boy with a cowboy hat and a red bandana around his neck was in front of all the newsies. I guessed he was the one in charge. He was calling out the names of newsies and telling them where they were to go to spread the strike. The newsies that had their names called out, found their way out of the crowd and headed to their destination. It seemed that one of the boroughs or more like the leader of that certain borough made the boys very nervous. I don't know who it was because I couldn't hear what the boy was saying. The large group of newsies dissipated with newsboys going in every direction. I resumed my walk to the candy store thinking of what type of candy my brother would like.

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AN: I know not a lot happened in this chapter. You do get a little more background on Ann and her family. The next chapter should have more newsies in it. I think Ann will be meeting some of the newsies. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'll try to update as soon as possible. Please review. You know you want to.

Shout-outs:

Amused Bookworm: That is not the reason why this is not a romance. Ok maybe it is one of the reasons. But that's not the only reason. And yes I have found a guy that I like and he likes me and we are now dating. Yes that's right. We are dating. Hehe *smiles a goofy grin* Anyway, I hope you like the chapter.

Spot: You want to hug him.

Me: Oh god. Not this again.

Spot: You want to kiss him. You want to love him. You want to hug him. You want to kiss him. You want to love him.

Me: Shut up Spot.

Spot: You want to hug him. You want to kiss him. You want to love him.

Me: I think people get the point Spot so SHUT UP!

Spot: No.

Me: Don't make me hurt you.

Spot: You couldn't hurt me if your life depended on it.

Me: I know but I know someone who can.

Spot: All right I'll shut up just don't call Liz.

Enjoy the chapter and don't forget to review.

*~Dreamer Conlon~*