Category Archives: Orphans

Charles Loring Brace

Brace was the founder of the Orphan Train movement, which grew out of his many years of working to improve the lives of homeless and destitute children. He plays only an indirect role in the novel. Reprinted from City Journal … Continue reading

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Russo Family

When the novel opens, four children are waiting to be taken into custody of the Sisters of Charity. Their mother has died in the most recent smallpox epidemic, and their father has disappeared.  The children all resemble each other, with … Continue reading

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