July 25, 1899

Dear Jack,

     Hey, how are you? This is Crutchie in case you forgot. You didn't answer my last letter. I can come to the window now, Spider don't know about my last letter either.

     Anyway, guess what? I've got a friend in here. It's this boy named Oliver. I think if he was a newsie we'd call him Frog cause he jumps around just like one. Lots of the kids in here jump at noises but everything Oliver does is jumpy. He can't stop it he says. I don't mind it.

     The other kids mind it a lot though. They don't like either of us. Some of 'em call me names like Oscar and Morris do. They'll say I'm a lousy crip and Frog will try to make 'em stop but they pick on him too cause of his jumping.

     He's gonna help with my escape plan soon's we got the chance. Do you think he could be a newsie when we get out? He said it sounds fun and he'd like to be one. He'll fit right in with us. He's sick but we can help him get better like we do with each other.

     We can take him to Santa Fe and he'll get better! I bet it'll make him stop being so jumpy too. It'll be calm there and I bet just looking at it is enough to calm anyone down. The penthouse helps me calm down too, we can take him up there!

     When we get outta here, Jack, you're going to have to share your penthouse a little bit more, 'til we go to Santa Fe. I'm real excited about that. I think about it and you and the fellas whenever it gets bad in here.

     Do you think the food is better there? I'm real hungry in here. We all are. Some of the kids that say they've been here real long are real skinny so I know we're all hungry. They bring food but not much and not often.

     I'm looking forward to eating with all the fellas again! Take care of each other. And we can go eat the food in Santa Fe, where it'll be clean and green and pretty.

The end

Your brother,

Crutchie