“Hey Bumlets!” the newsies shouted when he entered Tibby’s.
Bumlets only waved and sat down at his usual table and decided to be by himself. When the waiter came by, Bumlets told him that he didn’t want anything.
When the waiter walked away, the door to Tibby’s opened and a pretty young woman with dark hair and pretty blue eyes walked in. She acknowledged the newsies with a nod and then walked over to an empty table on the other side of the room.
Bumlets looked at the woman and was starting to believe what Medda told him. Just then, Specs and Dutchy sat down at his table and also looked at the woman.
“Gee,” Dutchy said, “if I din’t have a goil, I’d be chasin’ her.”
“She looks like yer type.” Specs said. “Why don’tcha go ova der an’ talk to ‘er?”
Bumlets sighed. “I dunno. I neva done dis before, an’ I’m kinda nervous ta do dis.”
“Aw, don’t worry!” Dutchy exclaimed. “Nuttin’s gonna go wrong! Look, she’s lookin’…”
At that very moment, the door to Tibby’s opened, and a tall, well-dressed young man came in, and his eyes immediately landed on the woman’s. When she saw him, her face lit up and the man walked over to her table and planted a kiss on her cheek.
Bumlets, Dutchy and Specs watched the scene with their jaws on the floor. When they came back to reality, Specs patted Bumlets’ on the shoulder heartily and let out a sigh.
“Don’t worry, you’ll find a goil in time.” he said.
Bumlets shook his head. “Naw.” He stood up. “I’m goin’. See ya later.”
“Ya sure ya wanna leave?” Dutchy asked.
Bumlets nodded. “Yeah. I…um…just wanna be alone right now.”
Bumlets left the restaurant, ignoring all the questions about his leaving, and shoved his hands in his pockets. As he walked down the street, he could feel his loneliness growing inside of him.
Bumlets tried to push it away, but it grew even more. He finally broke into a run and rushed to the lodging house at full speed. He burst through the door, nearing knocking Kloppman out of his chair.
“My gracious, Bumlets!” Kloppman exclaimed. “What’s going on, and where are the rest of the newsies?”
“Back at Tibby’s.” Bumlets answered.
Bumlets trudged up the stairs before Kloppman could ask anything more. When he reached the boys’ bunkroom, he plopped onto his bunk and set his head on his pillow.
Pushing his hat back onto his pillow, he sat back up and hid his face in his hands. A few minutes later, he lifted his face and got on his knees and pulled the doll out from under his bunk.
“I can’t stand this, Sarah.” He said. “I’m so lonely that I know now that I’m goin’ nuts. Why can’t I just find the perfect girl right now?”
The light reflected off the paint on the doll’s eyes and made it look like a sparkle. Bumlets only frowned and shook his head.
“What am I doin’?” he asked himself. “I am nuts! I’m talking to someone who don’t hear, an’ I sound like a lovesick animal, holdin’ out for someone dat don’t exist!”
The doll was still. Bumlets put her back in her box and shoved it under the bed.
“I’m gettin’ rid of ‘er tomorrow.” He said. “The sooner I get rid of dat doll, the better.”
* * *
The day dragged on and Bumlets still had ten papers left. It was late into the day, and Bumlets decided to head for home. As he walked down the street, he found himself in the part of Manhattan where Mr. Liebemacher’s doll shop was.
As he neared it, he saw the old man standing outside, looking at the shop one last time. Bumlets walked over to his old friend and looked at the shop with him.
“Finally closed the place down.” Mr. Liebemacher said with a sigh.
“Didja sell all yer dolls?” Bumlets asked.
“Most of them, and the rest I gave to the local orphanage. So, did your friend like the doll?”
“The…doll?” Bumlets asked. “Oh yes! She liked it a whole lot. She was jus’ wonderin’ if…if ya used…um….models, fer yer dolls.”
Bumlets bit his lip, for he hadn’t meant to say that. He was going to get rid of that doll as soon as he could. His thought was interrupted when Mr. Liebemacher spoke.
“Why yes, I use models on occasion.” he answered.
Bumlets was a little surprised, but it didn’t show. “Well, Dolly was wonderin’ if ya used a model fer dat particular doll.”
Mr. Liebemacher inhaled deeply and tapped his chin with his finger. After a long minute, he finally had an answer.
“Yes. In fact, I did use a model for that doll.”
Bumlets was struck speechless. Who was the model? He wondered. He decided not to get rid of the doll after all. Swallowing his wonder, he exhaled.
“Well, who was it?”
“I know her name.” Mr. Liebemacher said, his voice emphasizing that he was in deep thought. “Let me think…”
Bumlets could feel his heart beginning to pound violently. Never in his entire life had he been so nervous. But as he thought about it, he was wondering what he was nervous about. She’s probably married, he thought. His thoughts were interrupted when Mr. Liebemacher snapped his fingers.
“I remember now!” He exclaimed. “Her name is Sarah. Sarah Dawson. She’s a schoolteacher!”
* * *
Bumlets clutched the piece of paper in his hand and plopped onto the bench with wide eyes. He actually knew her real name and career? How did that happen? As he looked back at the paper in his hand, he could feel his heart begin to pound.
She was real. She was actually real! But, he thought, what if she’s married, or has a beau? And what if she doesn’t like me? Wait, when did I decide to meet her?
Bumlets stood up and walked down the street toward the lodging house. When he opened the door, he found Race and Tigger kissing in the lobby. When they heard him, they broke apart immediately.
“Where were ya?” Race asked. “Everyone was worried about ya!”
“I couldn’t sell me papes.” Bumlets answered.
“Well, we’re glad you’re okay.” Tigger said. “Jack was about ta send guys afta you.”
“I’m okay. I’d bedder head upstairs, so I’ll see ya later.”
Bumlets headed up the stairs and stuck the piece of paper in his pocket. When he reached the bunkroom, Jack immediately rushed to him and scolded him.
“Where were you?” he demanded.
“Couldn’t sell me papes.”
Bumlets turned around before Jack could say anything else. He went to his bunk and pulled the doll out of her box. Staring at her face, he was amazed that there was actually girl who looked exactly like the doll, and he knew her name and career! How did this happen?
Bumlets pulled the paper from his pocket and read over it again. It had Sarah Dawson’s address, and Bumlets could go there right now and meet her. Sighing heavily, he decided he would do it. He stood up and clutched the doll under his arm and set off to find her apartment.
As he turned onto the right streets, he could feel his heart ready to burst out of his chest. As he got closer, his heart raced even faster. The closer he got, the more nervous he got. He was finally going to meet her.
When he finally reached the apartment complex, he knew that it was either now or never. Opening the door to the building, he swallowed his nervousness and walked up the stairs. Sarah lived on the third floor, and the closer he got to the third floor, the more his heart pounded.
Once he reached the right floor, he walked slowly down the hall toward apartment 79. When he reached the right apartment, his heart leapt. Slowly, he raised his hand and rapped his fist again the door.
Every second that passed seemed be an eternity, and no one answered the door. Bumlets tried again. There was still no answer. Sighing, he turned around and headed for the stairs.
“Why did I ever do dis?” Bumlets whispered to himself.
* * *
Bumlets put the doll in its box and shoved it under his bunk. He had just wasted some valuable time that he could’ve used playing poker or talking with the guys, but instead he used it on trying to reach a girl who wasn’t home and probably wouldn’t like him anyway.
Bumlets slid through the window onto the fire escape and climbed up to the roof. When he reached it, he paced through the snow and began to think out loud.
“What was I supposed to say to her if she were home?” he wondered. “’Hi, I’m Bumlets, and I got your doll? By the way, will ya marry me? I know I’m jus’ a newsie, but I ain’t got any money, eidder!’ No, that’s stupid!”
Bumlets reached down and gathered together a pile of snow. Forming it into a ball, he launched it off the side of the building at full speed, hitting a nearby building and sending particles of snow to the ground. He was so angry at himself that he didn’t know what to do.
“I should just forget about Sarah.” He said. “Jus’ forget dat she’s even real or where she lives. It’ll be bedder for me.”
Bumlets then returned to the bunkroom with his spirits low. He walked over to his bunk and sat down on it heavily. He tried to think of something other than what had just happened, but he couldn’t. Finally, he arose and walked over to the other side of the room where a few newsies were playing poker.
“Hey guys.” He said. “Can I play?”
“Sure.” Skittery said.
Bumlets sat down and Kid Blink dealt him some cards. After a few hands, Mush came up and was dealt into the game. As he looked at his cards, he remembered something that he had seen on the way home.
“Y’know, guys,” he said, “wheneva I come home ‘round dis time, I often see dis goil walkin’ down da street an’ lookin’ in ‘ere. It’s real weird.”
“Hey Bumlets,” Itey said, “maybe you can catch dat goil.”
Bumlets shook his head. “I told ya, I don’t want anyone hookin’ me up wit a blind date. I wanna find a goil on my own.”
“Well, I hate ta break it to ya,” Snoddy said, “but at da rate yer goin’, you ain’t gettin’ one.”
“I don’t care.” Bumlets said. “I don’t want no one hookin’ me up.”
* * *
Days had gone by, and all Bumlets could think of was Sarah and the doll. He wanted nothing more than to meet her, just to know what she was really like, but he also didn’t want to go because he was afraid.
He wondered if she would like him if he met her. And what if she had a suitor already? What would he do to him? He had so many excuses, but he knew that none of them were good enough for him not to go.
When he returned to the lodging house that day, he noticed that all the newsies were getting all cleaned up and ready to go somewhere. Confused, he walked up to Jack and tapped on his shoulder.
“What’s goin’ on?” he asked.
“Don’tcha remember?” Jack inquired. “Tanight Medda’s havin’ a party for us! She said for da guys ta bring der girls. Have ya found a goil yet?”
Bumlets shook his head. “Naw. I guess I jus’ won’t go.”
“Aw, come on! Medda’s gonna have some more gals der, so you oughta meet one! An’ everyone’s gonna be der!”
“No thanks. I’ll jus’ stay ‘ere.”
Bumlets turned around, indicating that the subject was closed and that he was staying. Avoiding all the questions asked on why he wasn’t going, he slid onto the fire escape to be away from everyone.
Finally, after a long period of time, all the newsies left the lodging house and Bumlets watched as they escorted the newsgirls to Irving Hall. Bumlets was hurt when he saw them leave, but he only went back inside and pulled the doll out from under his bunk.
“So, should I try again?” he asked, half-heartedly.
The doll’s smile seemed to tell him that he should, but there was still some doubt. What do I have to worry about? He wondered. If she doesn’t like me, that’s fine. I’ll just get back with my old life and pretend like it never happened. I’ll do it.
Tucking the doll under his arm, he walked slowly out of the lodging house and down the street toward Sarah’s apartment. He was now more nervous than ever, because he was afraid she’d be home and wouldn’t like him.
As he got closer, he remembered that there was a shortcut to the building that cut off almost five minutes than going the usual way. Turning to the right, he decided to take the shortcut. The sooner he got this over with the better. As he got even closer, his heart began to pound.
He could feel his head spinning as the building came into view. He was so close…and yet so far. The building was right in front of him, but the real challenge would be when he walked up to Sarah’s apartment. As he looked straight ahead, he saw the window of apartment 79 lit up with a lamp.
“She’s home.” Bumlets whispered. “Don’t chicken out.”
Inhaling deeply, he continued on his way and walked into the building. As he climbed up the stairs, he could feel his heart beating faster. When he finally reached the right apartment, he could see a tiny light coming from under the door. She was home all right.
Bumlets tried to settle down, but his heart was racing faster than ever. Raising his fist, he was ready to knock on her door. But as he pulled his fist back, he gritted his teeth and shook his head.
“No.” he said. “I’m pathetic! I can’t do it!”
Before he could take back his decision, he rushed down the stairs and ran full speed back to the lodging house. When he arrived, he was out of breath, red-faced and madder than anything.
He stampeded up to the bunkroom, startling Kloppman and refusing to acknowledge him. When he reached the bunkroom, he threw the doll onto his bunk and pulled his hat off and dropped it on top of her.
“I can’t do this!” he exclaimed. “I’m pathetic, I can’t even talk to her or even look at her because I’m so lonely!”
Just then, he heard a thud behind him. Turning around to see what it was, he saw that the doll had fallen off of his bunk. He walked over to it to put it in the box, but as he neared, he saw the doll’s arm and extended up, supported by a shoe, and on the tips of her tiny fingers was his hat.
As Bumlets knelt down to pick her up, he was suddenly hit in the head with a thought. He could try again, but this time he couldn’t chicken out or turn around. Taking his hat from the doll’s fingers, he picked her up and looked straight into her eyes.
“I should go back, shouldn’t I?”
Bumlets didn’t wait for an answer, for he knew that one wouldn’t come, and he tucked her under his arm and walked down the stairs. When he reached the lobby, Kloppman looked at him with confusion.
“Why aren’t ya with the newsies?” He asked. “And why were you so angry when you came here?”
“I got somethin’ bedder to do.” Bumlets answered. “An’ I made a mistake. I might be a liddle later dan the guys.”
Kloppman nodded and Bumlets proceeded to the door. As he walked down the street, he knew that he couldn’t turn back now. He wouldn’t turn back if his life depended on it.
When he arrived at the apartment complex, he quietly walked up the stairs and pushed all his fear away. He needed to be confident if he wanted to get through with this. The flight of stairs seemed to be never ending for Bumlets, but he just took deep breaths and held on to his confidence.
At last, he reached the third floor. He proceeded to apartment 79 and could feel his palms begin to sweat.
“Well, here goes.” He said to himself.
Raising his fist, he knocked gently on the door. There was no answer. Readying himself, Bumlets knocked again. Sweat poured down his temples as the seconds seemed to pass like years.
After the longest minute in his life, Bumlets decided that Sarah wasn’t coming to the door. Just as he was about to turn around and leave, he heard a soft sound. It was coming from the doorknob.
Bumlets froze as the doorknob slowly turned. All of the sudden, the door opened, and a young woman appeared.
“Yes?” she asked.
Bumlets’ eyes grew wide as he looked at the woman. She looked exactly like the doll; brown hair, hazel green eyes, and she was even wearing the blue calico dress with the light blue flowered sash and half of her hair was pulled back with a white satin ribbon.
“Yes?” the woman asked again. “May I help you?”
“I…I…uh…well….it’s…it’s you!” Bumlets stuttered.
“Why…yes it is, but who are you?” the woman asked.
Bumlets pulled the doll out from under his arm and held it up for the woman to see. When she saw the doll, she shared the same surprised expression.
“Are you Sarah Dawson, a schoolteacher?” Bumlets asked quickly.
The woman, still surprised, looked at Bumlets and nodded slowly. “How did you know that?”
“Mr. Liebemacher told me! Do you know him? He used to have a doll shop on 36th street.”
“Yes…I do know him. What’s your name?”
“Bumlets.”
“Come in, Bumlets.” Sarah said, moving aside and holding the door open.
Bumlets felt a little awkward walking into this apartment, for it was much nicer than anything he had ever seen. He jumped when Sarah closed the door behind him, but she held her hands up in defeat.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” She said.
“Ah, ya din’t scare me none.” Bumlets lied. “Ya got a nice joint ‘ere.”
“Thank you. Anyway, I wanted to show you something.”
Bumlets watched as Sarah went into her room. She was so beautiful, and he was surprised that Mr. Liebemacher had captured almost all of her beauty in the doll. When Sarah returned, her arms were behind her back, and she seemed to be hiding something.
“I’m sorry I took so long.” Sarah apologized. “It’s just that…I needed to get something that I think you should see.”
“Well…uh…” Bumlets stuttered, “what is it?”
Sarah let out a deep breath and pulled a doll out from behind her back. When she held it in front of her, Bumlets’ eyes grew wide in shock.
The doll she had in her hands had dark hair and dark eyes, and it wore a tan hat, blue shirt, black pants, a dark blue vest, a brown coat and tiny, lace-up boots. It was a doll of him!
“Why, that’s…that’s me!” Bumlets exclaimed.
“Yes.” Sarah whispered. “Mr. Liebemacher gave me your name and address, and I would often go by there to meet you, but I always lost my nerve and couldn’t do it.”
“I almost couldn’t do it.” Bumlets said. “Wait a sec, you’re the teacher here, doesn’t ‘liebemacher’ mean ‘maker…of love’ in German?”
Sarah thought for a minute, and then she nodded. “Yes. Actually, it does.”
There was a brief moment of silence. “Y’know, we only jus’ met, but I feel like I know everything about you.” Bumlets said, staring into her deep hazel eyes.
The two stared at each other for a brief period of time, and they were soon interrupted by a shrill noise coming from the kitchen. Sarah let out a deep breath and clutched the doll in her hands.
“The water’s ready.” She said. “I was just about to make some tea. Would you like a cup?”
Bumlets smiled and nodded. “Yes, Miss Dawson. I’d like that very much.”
Sarah blushed a little bit and set her doll on a chair next to her. “You can call me Sarah.”
“Alright, Sarah.” Bumlets said, setting his doll next to hers.
Bumlets offered Sarah, his arm, and she smiled and accepted it. As the two walked into the kitchen, the doll resembling Bumlets, its hand fell on top of the hand of the doll resembling Sarah.
* * *
“Does anyone know where Bumlets is?” Tweetheart asked.
“I dunno,” Mirage answered, “he came back real late las’ night, an’ ‘e disappeared after ‘e got ‘is papes dis mornin’.”
“That’s awful weird.” Crutchy said. “It ain’t like ‘im ta run off like dat.”
“Do ya think ‘e fine’ly found a girl?” Summer asked.
“Maybe,” Daisy offered.
“Or maybe not.” Dawn said.
“I hope ‘e comes back soon.” Jack said. “I’ll ‘ave someone go afta ‘im if ‘e don’t come back soon.”
At that very minute, the door opened, and Bumlets walked in with a bright smile on his face. The look on his face hadn’t been seen for a long time, so everyone knew that there was something going on with him.
“Hi guys.” Bumlets said.
“Where’ve you been?” David asked.
“Out.” Bumlets answered. “But I got some news. I’m engaged.”
“No way!” Pie Eater exclaimed.
“Ta who?” Swifty asked.
Bumlets’ smile only got bigger as he drew his doll out from behind his back. The restaurant exploded with laughter, but Bumlets only looked outside and beckoned for someone to come.
Right then, the laughter was silenced. Sarah appeared at Bumlets’ side, and in her hands was the doll that looked exactly like Bumlets. The newsies stared at the dolls, and then at the couple and were completely speechless.
“This is my fiancé, Sarah,” he paused. “But her newsie name is Seven of Nine.”
No one could speak because they were so astonished at the irony of the situation between Bumlets and Seven of Nine. Seven took Bumlets’ arm and he led her to the table where he normally sat; but he was happier this time because he actually had a girl to be with this time. When they sat down, Bumlets took Seven’s hand and kissed it.
“Y’know,” he said, “all da guys kept tryin’ ta hook me up wit some girl dat they thought would be good fer me, an’ I swore dat I’d never take up a goil dat someone hooked me up wit. But when I met you, I decided ta change my mind.”
Seven grinned. “You know, that happened to me, too. Some of my students tried to hook me up with their older brothers, and I didn’t want to be hooked up with anyone either. I think Mr. Liebemacher knew that we would be perfect for each other, and that’s why he made dolls modeled after us.”
“I think so too. An’ ya know somethin’, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Everyone watched in amazement at the two. And outside of the restaurant, Mr. Liebemacher was watching with a wide smile on his face.
Ain't this so dang cool? I got it from Coneflower without her telling me it was eligible for a prize!