Chapter 5 Summary

By 1914, America is in a Depression. After graduating from grammar school, Willie has to find a job to help his family. One brother is working in a factory in West Virginia; the other went off to the Army but is back now helping their father in the shop blacksmithing. After searching for jobs, Willie, Eddie and Happy meet up for a swim in the East River. Even though the river is filthy, they enjoy is.

By 1916, Eddie lands a job in construction. Happy and Willie are working as gophers for a bank. By 1917, the boys are 17 and have all been laid off from their jobs. When the war starts they land jobs making machine guns at a local factory. The boys are making four times the amount they were making so Willie pays his parents room and board. He spends the rest of...