It was a cold winter day in the city. Bailey blew air into his little freezing hands. He had just turned eight years old last week and he was certainly tall for his age. Bailey’s brown hair just barely peeked out of the corners of a tan cap that one of the older newsies had given him for his birthday. Since he was now officially eight years old, Bailey was allowed to venture towards the outskirts of Manhattan and he decided to try a new selling spot. It was about one o’clock in the afternoon and he still had twenty papers left to sell. He had been at this corner for the past half an hour and decided to move to another selling spot located at the edge of Manhattan.

“Fire on the East Side burns down entire block!” he bellowed. “Apartments destroyed!”

The actual headline just referred to a trash fire that stunk up a few apartments, but that headline barely made him two cents in the morning.

He walked past an alley and hawked the headline again. Just then, he heard something rustling in the alley. He jumped back, startled, and his papers fell to the ground.

“Aw darn it!” he said to himself and bent over, fumbling to pick them up with his cold hands.

Bailey bundled up his papers in his small arms and peered cautiously into the dark alley.

From the alley echoed a high-pitched sneeze. “Achooooo!”

“Who’s there?” he called into the dark alley.

There was silence.

“Aw I must be hearin’ things.” He mumbled, shrugging his shoulders.

Again from the alley came a sneeze. “Achoooo!”

“Now dat one was real.” Affirmed Bailey.

“Who’s in there?” he yelled again.

“Ain’t nobody here…” said a faint, tiny voice.

“Huh? Come out ‘ere!” demanded Bailey in his grown-up voice.

Bailey heard a slight rustle and through the shadows, a small figure appeared. The boy was much smaller than Bailey. He was only clothed in a long-sleeved shirt, beat-up old pants, and black boots that were full of holes. He carried a small linen satchel over one shoulder and clutched to it with both hands. His entire body trembled from the cold and his face was extremely pale. He had shiny black hair and was a little plump around the edges. He hung his head as he slowly walked towards Bailey.

“Whatcha doin’ back there?” inquired Bailey.

The frightened boy softly answered, “I’s just be restin’ sir.”

“Restin’? In an alley? In da middle of winta?” asked Bailey with his hands of his hips.

The little boy nodded his head and slightly adjusted the satchel on his shoulder.

“Come here and let me get a good look atcha.” Insisted Bailey.

Cautiously the little boy made his way towards Bailey, still clutching his satchel tightly with both of his trembling hands.

“Hmm… Well, What’s your name?” asked Bailey.

Surprised by the change in the older boy’s attitude, the boy fumbled a little with his answer.

“D…Dominic, sir.” He said, keeping his head down.

“Dominic?” said Bailey, lifting a hand to his chin, “Dat’s a good name. My name’s Bailey.”

“Th…Thanks.” Replied Dominic.

“Where’s your parents kid?” asked Bailey.

Dominic hesitated. He did not want to answer, but he feared the older boy. He managed to mumble a few words. “They was all killed…”

Dominic covered his eyes with one hand and wiped away the newly-formed tears.

“Ya ain’t gotta say no more.” Comforted Bailey who knew all too well the perils of an orphan, “So who ya stayin’ wit? Da alley cats?” he said, lighting up the mood.

Dominic nodded as he wiped away another tear.

“Well dat’s no good.” Replied Bailey. “Why don’t ya come wit me.”

“Wit you?” hesitated Dominic. Though he was not looking forward to another night in the alley, he was not sure he could trust Bailey.

“Sure, wit me! I got a great place to stay. It’s warm and there’s plenty of food for ya!” he said and smiled at the young boy.

At the mere mention of warmth and food, Dominic lifted his head and looked at Bailey with inquiring eyes.

“Well, what are we waitin’ for? Let’s get outta da cold kay?” said Bailey as he motioned towards another street.

“Okay.” Said Dominic. He was not sure what was going to happen next, but he figured it had to be better than a merciless alley. The two quickly walked down the street towards the lodging house as snow began to blanket the city streets.


“Here we are!” exclaimed Bailey as he pointed to the Lodging House entrance.

“Dis is it?” asked Dominic. The building looked quite big from his young eyes. He noticed some older boys playing around in the snow, but they paid no attention to the two boys.

“Sure!” answered Bailey, “Now come on!” He opened the door and motioned for Dominic to enter.

“Well Bailey, would ya like to explain yourself?” said a soft voice from behind the counter.

Bailey stood tall and introduced the young boy.

“Sure, Kloppman. This here be Dominic. I found him.” He said proudly.

“Ya found him ay?” chuckled Kloppman.

“Yup, I sure did!” answered Bailey.

Kloppman walked around the counter and kneeled down to Dominic.

“Well, hello there little fellla. Nice to meet you. I run this here Lodging House.” Said Kloppman.

Age was setting in on the man, but he still was very agile in those days and every once in awhile was caught playing games with the younger boys. He wore a derby hat that covered his receding hair. His hands were rough from the broom that he constantly used.

Dominic looked right into Kloppman’s eyes and stared. There was something about the man that made him feel safe. He tried his best to smile and replied, “Nice ta meetcha too.”

Bailey went on to explain. “I found him in an alley. He was restin’ there, like a bum!” Bailey grabbed his suspenders and stood tall. He thought he had done his good deed for the day.

“Like a bum, ya say?” Kloppman said as he ruffled Dominic’s hair. “Well ya know Dominic, the boys here all have nicknames. Ya don’t think Bailey is his real name, do ya?” he said and pointed to the other boy.

“Aww, Kloppman! Shhh!” pleaded Bailey.

Klopp chuckled and continued, “His real name is Logan, but he hates it!

Bailey slapped his hand against his forehead. “Ya hadta tell him didn’t ya!”

Dominic smiled at Kloppman. “I think dat’s a nice name.” He said slowly.

“Dat’s da point kid! It’s nice! And I don’t want all da boys thinkin’ I’m nice! I’ll get soaked! Bailey pointed out.

“Well you certainly did a nice thing Logan, by bringing in this poor boy.” Kloppman said, making sure that he annunciated his name.

“Kloppman stood up and held his hand to his chin. “Hmm… Now Dominic, would you like to have a nickname?” he asked.

“Sure!” said Dominic as his face lighted up.

“Well how old are ya?” asked Kloppman.

“I’s be six.” Answered Dominic.

“Six years old you say? And you were found in an alley, right Logan?” asked Kloppman.

“Yeah, dat’s where I found him.” Replied Bailey.

“Well then, it’s a perfect fit!” Kloppman said.

“What’s a poifect fit?” asked Bailey, “What’s his name gonna be?”

Kloppman bent down and lifted Dominic up, so he could see him eye to eye.

“Bumlets.” He stated.

Bailey chuckled, “Bumlets it is!”

“Bumlets.” Dominic repeated, “I like it!”

“Good.” Said Kloppman as he put Dominic down, “Now Logan,” he winked at the older boy, “why don’t ya take Bumlets to the kitchen and get him something good to eat. He must be starving.”

“Come on kid.” Bailey led the way to the kitchen.

Dominic followed, but paused and looked back at Kloppman who stood there smiling back at him. At that moment he forgot his troubles, happy to have finally found a new home.