Post by felix on Dec 19, 2008 19:32:39 GMT -5
Full Name: Felix O'Dwyer
Nickname: None, but naturally a few tend to call him the Shoeshine boy
Name origin: Self-explanatory
Age: 7
Gender: Male
Birthplace: New York City
Currently Living: Queens
History: Felix was barely three years old when his parents, Sean and Shannon O'Dwyer, left their apartment one night, and never came back home. The six O'Dwyer children--thirteen-year-old Brendan, ten-year-old Dugan, nine-year-old Grady, five-year-old Rosaline, three-year-old Felix, and newborn Torrin--were left alone for several days before a neighbor happened upon them alone in their house. Soon, the siblings were sent to an orphanage. The years passed, and many wanted to adopt the young Irish children, especially Felix and Torrin, who were the youngest among them. But the siblings adamantly refused to be separated from one another to be adopted or even taken to foster homes. The owners of the orphanage became more and more concerned as time went on. How could they possibly find someone to adopt six children at once?
They found their answer in the Harrison family of Queens, New York. Daniel and Victoria Harrison were both third-generation Americans of English descent, and their daughter Emma was their only child. Though they loved Emma dearly, the couple had always wanted more children, but Victoria had been firmly warned by her physician: her struggle while giving birth to Emma was dangerous, and another child could kill her. Originally, the couple came to the orphanage looking for a girl to adopt, so that Emma could have someone to spend time with while her parents were busy elsewhere. They found that they liked Rosaline very much, but when the asked her if she would like to be in their family, the young girl--only seven years old then--shook her head and joined her brothers, who were standing nearby. In a tone so adult it shocked everyone present, she intoned, "I have my family. I won't leave without every one of them with me."
The Harrisons faced a dilemma. They wanted to adopt Rosaline, but the child had made clear that she would not abandon her brothers. They did have room in the house for the boys, Daniel reasoned, they could certainly furnish an extra bedroom for all of them in the large attic. Victoria was disenchanted with the idea of having five sons in addition to the two daughters she'd had her heart set on. Adopting six children meant a great deal of money would have to be spent. Still, the Harrisons hated to break apart such a family of children. At long last, Daniel came up with a conclusion: they would adopt Rosaline, as was planned, and he would take in the rest of the boys as his wards. That way, he told his wife, he could have the children take on jobs to earn their keep, and there was nothing to the title that was legally binding. Victoria enjoyed the idea very much, and the O'Dwyer siblings had a home at last.
Two years later, things are running smoothly in the Harrison household. Rosaline, although the only one of the O'Dwyer children to be formally adopted as a Harrison, is as much of a sister to her blood brothers as she is to Emma. Emma Harrison is a bright and beautiful young woman with a love for her younger sister as well as a great deal of affection for the young men who have lived in her house for the past two years. Almost as long as they have been present in the house, the O'Dwyer brothers have worked their own jobs, schooled at home by Victoria Harrison and, occasionally, Emma. Brendan works as a copy boy at the New York World, where he was earned the affectionate nickname "Dinkler." Dugan, Grady and Torrin are newsboys. Felix started out as a newsboy, but was unsuccessful, partially because of his lisp--partially because he was so self-conscious of it, shouting headlines all the time. He learned how to shine shoes, and now works as a shoeshine boy on Hoover Avenue.
Hair Color: Red
Hair Style: Short, slightly curled
Eye Color: Blue
Skin Color: Pale with freckles
Height: Short. Considering he's seven...
Weight: Average
Clothing Style: Secondhand; all of his clothes come from whatever Brendan, Dugan and Grady have outgrown.
Items owned: Felix owns his shoeshine box, and a miniature of St. Patrick he keeps in his pocket on a chain (all of his siblings have one).
Troubles: Very little. Felix is a happy and content child, and while skirmishes arrive every once in a while, he is happy that he has his family and his home.
Fears: Physical violence, unusually loud noises, being yelled at.
Siblings: Brendan (17), Dugan (14), Grady (13), Rosaline (9), Torrin (4)
Parents:
Biological parents Sean and Shannon O'Dwyer (both missing)
Legal Guardians: Daniel and Victoria Harrison; their daughter Emma (16).
Nickname: None, but naturally a few tend to call him the Shoeshine boy
Name origin: Self-explanatory
Age: 7
Gender: Male
Birthplace: New York City
Currently Living: Queens
History: Felix was barely three years old when his parents, Sean and Shannon O'Dwyer, left their apartment one night, and never came back home. The six O'Dwyer children--thirteen-year-old Brendan, ten-year-old Dugan, nine-year-old Grady, five-year-old Rosaline, three-year-old Felix, and newborn Torrin--were left alone for several days before a neighbor happened upon them alone in their house. Soon, the siblings were sent to an orphanage. The years passed, and many wanted to adopt the young Irish children, especially Felix and Torrin, who were the youngest among them. But the siblings adamantly refused to be separated from one another to be adopted or even taken to foster homes. The owners of the orphanage became more and more concerned as time went on. How could they possibly find someone to adopt six children at once?
They found their answer in the Harrison family of Queens, New York. Daniel and Victoria Harrison were both third-generation Americans of English descent, and their daughter Emma was their only child. Though they loved Emma dearly, the couple had always wanted more children, but Victoria had been firmly warned by her physician: her struggle while giving birth to Emma was dangerous, and another child could kill her. Originally, the couple came to the orphanage looking for a girl to adopt, so that Emma could have someone to spend time with while her parents were busy elsewhere. They found that they liked Rosaline very much, but when the asked her if she would like to be in their family, the young girl--only seven years old then--shook her head and joined her brothers, who were standing nearby. In a tone so adult it shocked everyone present, she intoned, "I have my family. I won't leave without every one of them with me."
The Harrisons faced a dilemma. They wanted to adopt Rosaline, but the child had made clear that she would not abandon her brothers. They did have room in the house for the boys, Daniel reasoned, they could certainly furnish an extra bedroom for all of them in the large attic. Victoria was disenchanted with the idea of having five sons in addition to the two daughters she'd had her heart set on. Adopting six children meant a great deal of money would have to be spent. Still, the Harrisons hated to break apart such a family of children. At long last, Daniel came up with a conclusion: they would adopt Rosaline, as was planned, and he would take in the rest of the boys as his wards. That way, he told his wife, he could have the children take on jobs to earn their keep, and there was nothing to the title that was legally binding. Victoria enjoyed the idea very much, and the O'Dwyer siblings had a home at last.
Two years later, things are running smoothly in the Harrison household. Rosaline, although the only one of the O'Dwyer children to be formally adopted as a Harrison, is as much of a sister to her blood brothers as she is to Emma. Emma Harrison is a bright and beautiful young woman with a love for her younger sister as well as a great deal of affection for the young men who have lived in her house for the past two years. Almost as long as they have been present in the house, the O'Dwyer brothers have worked their own jobs, schooled at home by Victoria Harrison and, occasionally, Emma. Brendan works as a copy boy at the New York World, where he was earned the affectionate nickname "Dinkler." Dugan, Grady and Torrin are newsboys. Felix started out as a newsboy, but was unsuccessful, partially because of his lisp--partially because he was so self-conscious of it, shouting headlines all the time. He learned how to shine shoes, and now works as a shoeshine boy on Hoover Avenue.
Hair Color: Red
Hair Style: Short, slightly curled
Eye Color: Blue
Skin Color: Pale with freckles
Height: Short. Considering he's seven...
Weight: Average
Clothing Style: Secondhand; all of his clothes come from whatever Brendan, Dugan and Grady have outgrown.
Items owned: Felix owns his shoeshine box, and a miniature of St. Patrick he keeps in his pocket on a chain (all of his siblings have one).
Troubles: Very little. Felix is a happy and content child, and while skirmishes arrive every once in a while, he is happy that he has his family and his home.
Fears: Physical violence, unusually loud noises, being yelled at.
Siblings: Brendan (17), Dugan (14), Grady (13), Rosaline (9), Torrin (4)
Parents:
Biological parents Sean and Shannon O'Dwyer (both missing)
Legal Guardians: Daniel and Victoria Harrison; their daughter Emma (16).