So what's yer name, kid? Real name, I mean--first an' last. I gotta keep accurate records or the city gets on me back, but I ain't gonna share 'em wit no one.

Jonathan Snoddy.

Ya gots a nickname? How'd ya get it?

Yeah, Snoddy. Really. -sighs- I was ill when I came here and some of the other boys thought my name sounded like snotty.

Know how old ya are? When's yer birthday? The boys all likes to chip in an' make ya feel special. By which I mean, they likes any excuse for a party.

Course I do. I’m seventeen. My birthday’s September 23rd. Don’t want people makin’ a fuss though.

Now describe yer appearance for me. Try an' be detailed. My mem'ry ain't what it useta be, an' if I hears about a vicious killer on the loose, I wanna be able to check my records an' make the connection.

Like I’d be a vicious killer, Kloppman. Fine...uh...I’m tall, around 5’9”, 5’10”. Same size as most of the guys round here. My hair’s brown and my eyes are blue.

Got any odder job 'sides sellin' papes? Legal or illegal, I ain't gonna squeal on ya.

Nah, nothin’ right now. Just papes.

All right, time for the big one. What kinda person are ya, kid? How d'you treat odders? How d'you treat yerself? We gets all kinds here, so be honest--I just wanna know what to expect.

Whatta question. I guess you could say I’m quiet. Like to keep myself to myself most of the time. Been told I’m real stubborn sometimes. I ain’t afraid to stick up for myself or other people though. Got told I was chivalrous once. Whatever that means. I mean I went t’school an’ all but they sure didn’t teach us that word.

Got any hobbies? Whaddaya do wit yer spare time?

I quite like walkin’. You’d think sellin’ all day would tire me out but it ain’t that bad. Quite like readin’ too. Especially when Itey has an interestin’ book. What? Why buy ya own when Itey brings ‘em from home?

How 'bout vices or bad habits? Smokin', drinkin', gamblin'? I want 'cha to promise to keep 'em outside the house.

Sure, I do all those a little. Don’t have to worry about me gettin’ drunk though.

Got any fam'ly or friends 'round here? Or enemies, for that matter? Tell me who ya knows in the area.

I get on with everyone here at the lodgin’ house. Got a friend over in Brooklyn as well. ((Joseph, who got kicked out of the house about four years prior (November 1896) when they found out he was gay. Joseph was the one that brought him to the lodging house and the two have been close ever since. However, for Joseph’s protection, Snoddy won’t say he’s still in contact.))

An' maybe a special someone? I got a special set o' rules when it comes to that sorta t'ing.

I wish. Race has more chance of winnin’ at Sheepshead every day for a year.

Fin'ly, every boy's favorite question... *chuckles darkly* What can ya tell me 'bout yer past? Where'd ya grow up, what brought ya here, an' what happened in between?

My past? Uh...born here, in Manhattan. Everythin’ was great ‘til I was eight. Dad lost his job an’ someone had to earn some money. So, me bein’ the stubborn kid I was, I dropped outta school an’ started sellin’. I didn’t earn much but it was somethin’. Just as dad was gettin’ back to work, my mam got ill an’ died. Really threw him an’ he started drinkin’. Ran away a few years later. -frowns- Don’t look at me like that. I ain’t tellin’ ya everythin’. Anyway, one of the older newsies found me shiverin’ in the street an’ brought me here. Lived here since.

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Profile By: Maz

E-mail Address: northerndownpour@hotmail.co.uk

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