goodolcapnjack

Dear Crutchie,

Sorry if this comes out hard to read. We both know I don't write so good, not like you. I'm giving this to Miss Medda to give to you if something happens to me coming up. See, I tried. I really did, Crutchie, but that snake Joe done got me in a bad position after the raid. Snyder carted you off and I'm real sorry for that.

I'm sorry I ran. I'm sorry I didn't save you, and now I can't save you. See, they was gonna let you out if I told the boys to give it up and disband the union. Pulitzer even paid me money, enough to get to Santa Fe, and I took it. He was gonna put the rest of the guys in the Refuge, Crutchie, even Les and Dave who got parents to go home to.

I wanted you to know, and to know I'm sorry. Dave's been great, and I been the screw up. I tried to do right by you, by all the guys, but I ain't so good at it. I'm no leader, I'm just a blowhard.

There's one last shot, though, buddy. We got one last chance, and it's Katherine's idea. Did you know Pulitzer is her father? Talk about outta nowhere, am I right? Well, she's on our side (and I think she likes me) and she's got this idea to put New York outta business. Not just newsies, but ALL the kids, until Joe loosens them purse strings.

I'm gonna help. I'm gonna get this part right, I promise. But if it's Newsie Square all over again? I wanted you to know what I done. I wanted you to know I'm sorry.

I wanted you to know that you're my brother, too. And if I can't get to Santa Fe, I want Katherine to get you there so's you can ride that palomino without me.

Be safe, Crutchie.

Your brother,
Jack