The Lamerton Workhouse Orphanage

by S G Read

  The washing he planned to deliver was to those who paid up quickly, as he was soon going to be a lot poorer. He had practiced his speech to James Easterbrook over and over again. The planting, should he go out and see it was only for profit and certainly not to feed the urchins! The money he was planning to give him back and the food he was going to ply him with should make him a happy man. He smiled and walked back inside to find Bill. He knew Bill was here as his cart was parked where it was normally parked.

  Bill was dragging a lead pipe toward the hole he had made in the wall so he gave him a hand.

  ‘This was lying about doing nothing at one of my customers so I borrowed it. We can pipe the water to the vats if we can connect the two other bits I also borrowed.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘I don’t know, I am no smithy and he can’t get up here for a while. He has a big job on. He said we could bandage it for now as it was just for filling the vats.’

  ‘What with?’

  ‘Bandage, hemp and this putty. Well it’s not real putty it is something Hugh Sloley the smithy gave me.’

  They struggled and slid one end of the pipe through the hole and laid it on top of the wooden cover which had been built over the shaft. Bill used his hammer and some long nails to fix it in position putting the nails either side of the pipe to stop it from moving. He bent the end of the pipe so that the water would pour into the vat. How they fill the second vat was up to them until Hugh was able to do it properly. The pipe was fixed in place and Bill was about to go into the mill to try to bend it towards the sleeping quarters in the room next to the mill when Andrew thought about the beef which was coming.

  ‘How do you cook beef Bill?’

  ‘Is Easterbrook coming then?’

  ‘He is and all number seven knows is how to make gruel badly.’

  ‘Where is the beef coming from, the butcher?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Well tell them to stop in on the wife on the way and ask her.’

  Andrew passed that on and when number six returned with the beef he had Bill’s wife with him. Number six carried the beef and showed her where the kitchen was. She also had a bag of vegetables from their garden.

  With another crisis overcome Andrew went to see how Bill was getting on and helped him as much as he could. He was still helping when Tom came limping into them.

  ‘A cart approaching sir.’ He said urgently. He recognised James Easterbrook from previous visits but did not say as much.

  Andrew hurried inside to change his clothes to be ready to receive him.

  ‘Mr Easterbrook.’ Tom announced when he let him through into Andrews parlour.

  ‘Thank you.’ Andrew answered, not using either of Tom’s names. ‘Welcome Mr Easterbrook, have you come to see how we are getting along?’

  ‘That was the idea. I usually see a pile of washing as I come in.’

  ‘All washed or being washed. I am using my resources far better than my predecessor to make them work harder and faster.’

  ‘Commendable.’ James grunted as he sat down and accepted the large glass of brandy from Andrew.

  ‘With the money I have saved by getting rid of that oaf Zachariah and the drunk nurse I think I can repay some of the stipend you gave me when I came down here.’ He slid a third of the stipend across the table to where James sat.

  ‘Very commendable.’

  ‘I hope to be able to pay back half of it next year if I am still running the orphanage for you.’

  ‘I will look forward to it.’

  ‘Now I am sure you want to freshen up before we eat, I will send number six to see when it will be ready.’

  They ate a huge meal and followed it down with several brandies then James made his farewell. Andrew watched him go. Easterbrook did not go back the way he had come but carried on down the road he had come on past the mill stream. The rest of the food was shared among the children, after Bill and his wife had eaten. It was good to eat a proper meal for once and Andrew loaded the buggy to deliver the washed clothes to their owners. The sooner he had their money, the sooner they might all eat as well.

  With the visit over Andrew concentrated on paying his bills, he was not a man to owe money for long periods not like some of his clients. He let it be known when he was delivering the clean clothes that with new management and new machinery they could wash whatever they were given quicker and cleaner. Over the next week washing started to come in from new clients and Andrew was glad when Hugh Sloley turned up to help with the piping as it was still not connected together. He fitted a pipe to each vat with a tap and connected them to the hot water tank. With that done no one had to carry buckets anymore to fill them.

  ‘Mr Sloley is there anyway we can pipe the used water outside rather than expelling it on to the floor?’ Andrew asked when the water connections were made.

  Hugh looked at the two outlets with their taps. ‘I can run the pipes for you Mr McDay but not today.’

  ‘Another few days will not matter, as soon as you can though please.’

  Hugh nodded.

  ‘Now I will pay you, I do not like bills hanging about unpaid.’ Andrew insisted and they walked into the parlour while the children used with the new water taps and washed whatever was in the pile.

  Now the pile was emptied each day giving the children time to rest after the vats and tubs were cleaned out. With this spare time available every day Andrew took the children outside to remove weeds and water the plants which were beginning to grow. The children did not ask what they were as all they had eaten since arriving was gruel, with the exception of the leftovers from James Easterbrook’s visit.

  The weeds were kept at bay and the plants thrived on the virgin soil. The children did more washing than ever and that gave Andrew more income. He let the money accumulate as did Lady Lamerton’s debt. Some plants were soon to be usable and Christmas was approaching. Andrew rode Hopscotch to the turkey farm to order turkeys. With forty five mouths to feed not counting the babies he needed enough to go round and preferably some for the following day. They were still awaiting number seven’s baby and she was now getting very big.

  He ordered four turkeys to be delivered when Bill’s wife wanted them delivered. Bill and his wife were to be guests at the Christmas dinner, as she was cooking the food; she was also giving number seven lessons in cooking and baby care.

  While he was out, he stopped at the local doctor’s so he could call and see number seven, for a fee of course.

  They saved the fee as while Mary Hodgson was showing seven how to cook potatoes, seven went into labour and Mary delivered the baby.

  Andrew fluttered round like an expectant dad, until Mary brought out the baby, crying loudly.

  ‘It’s a boy.’ She cried. ‘Shall I put it into a crib?’

  ‘Does seven not want to hold it?’ Andrew asked in surprise.

  ‘They don’t let them usually.’ Mary answered.

  ‘Well that just changed today, let her hold him as long as she wants to and put a crib next to her so that she can look after him when he cries.’

  ‘Easterbrook won’t like that.’ Mary answered but took the baby into seven.

  ‘What about you?’ Andrew asked when she came back out.

  ‘If Mr. Hodgson was not about I’d give you a kiss my dear.’ Mary answered. ‘Not let them cuddle them indeed.’

  ‘I heard that Bill called up from below.’

  They walked down the stairs.

  ‘The rags these children wear are disgusting and so are the beds they have to sleep on.’ Andrew complained, when he saw the children working below. How could I clothe them cheaply?’

  ‘Go to Tavistock and see Mrs. Oldray. She will sell you a bolt of cloth at a good price and I will sew them for you. I will have to charge mind but not much and I will have to measure them up for size.’ Mary answered.

  ‘I will go today.’ Andrew declared.

  ‘Then I will get Mr Hodgson to take me home for my tape.’ Mary replied. />
  Andrew walked out to where they slept and looked at the pallets covered in straw. Bill and Mary followed.

  ‘These flea infested things need burning, as much for my legs as the children.’ Andrew declared. ‘But money is a problem.’

  ‘What about Fellowes hall school Mr. Hodgson.’ Mary asked.

  ‘The school which closed when the owner died?’ Bill answered. ‘What about it?’

  ‘They must have had beds as it was a boarding school Mr. Hodgson.’ Mary declared.

  ‘So it must. It would be worth a look Andrew.’

  ‘New clothes and beds, they will think it is Christmas.’ Mary cried.

  ‘If they know what Christmas is.’ Andrew replied. ‘I’ll wager they have never had a present before.’

  ‘I think you would win.’ Bill admitted.

  With seven unable to look after the babies Mary stayed as Bill was still finishing off the vats. Andrew rode Hopscotch to town and stopped at Oldray’s the haberdashers. He used Mary’s name and explained why he wanted the cloth and a deal was brokered. He could not take it so Mrs. Oldray agreed to delivered it.

  ‘My next port of call is to Fellowes hall about some beds, do you know where it is?’

  ‘I do Mr. McDay but they are going to auction the contents tomorrow, including the beds and bedding. I was going to bid on the bedding leaving the shop in the hands of my assistant but your need is greater then mine. I suppose they sleep on straw at the moment?’

  ‘Pallets and straw with lots of little visitors.’

  ‘I can imagine. You will have to sleep them somewhere else and bath them on the same day, clothes and all!’

  ‘Is there anything I can use to get rid of them once and for all?’

  Mrs. Oldray walked into the backroom and came back with a cask. Use this on the floor and walls, and make sure you tip some down any rat holes.’

  ‘How much do I owe you for that?’

  ‘This is a loan which I do not expect to get back. It got rid of my fleas and my rats but wash the room down before the children sleep in there again.’

  ‘I will do and thank you again.’

  ‘It is nice that you think of them as children and not slaves to be worked to death. I’ll send it out with the cloth.’

  Andrew rode to Fellowes hall and looked over the beds, still with the bedding on them. These would be the answer, if the price did not go too high in the auction.

  That night he tossed and turned in bed, wondering what would happen and soon after breakfast he rode Hopscotch to the school. The school hall was crowded and people were buying things as they came up. He was shown to a seat and he saw people whispering and pointing and nodding at him. He took the sheet of paper and waited until the beds and bedding came up for sale. The auctioneer asked for a hundred pounds for the lot but no one said anything or did anything. He tried ninety then eighty then seventy while Andrew watched nervously. When he reached sixty Andrew went to bid but a hand held his down.

  ‘Not yet Mr. McDay.’ Mrs. Oldray declared.

  ‘But’-

  She merely put her finger to her lips and they waited until the auctioneer reached thirty pounds then and only then did she let his hand rise.

  ‘Thirty pounds I have, not a lot for so many beds!’

  But try as he could no one else bid at all. Andrew watched him nervously until he hit the desk he was using with his gavel.

  ‘Sold to Mr. McDay.’

  Andrew turned to Mrs. Oldray.

  ‘We respect someone who had respect for other people, however lowly they may be.’ She said before he could speak. ‘John Potter will store them at his farm until you are ready for them.’

  ‘I don’t know what to say.’

  ‘Nothing is fine. What you are trying to do is good but I don’t know how long they will let you do it.’

  Andrew smiled. ‘That is my province Mrs. Oldray; it is a bit like playing cards. Always save an ace!’

  Andrew did not even have to help load the beds, John Potter and several others did that on to two carts and they were taken away.

  He rode back to the orphanage to see how things were getting on.

  ‘All is fine with baby and mother.’ Mary reported. ‘But she will not be looking after the babies for a while or cooking. I will come up tomorrow but you will have to find someone to look after the babies and do the cooking.’

  ‘Well with the money saved and my Allowance I can afford a new nanny who can cook and a new teacher.’

  ‘Teacher?’ Mary said in surprise.

  ‘We are supposed to teach them to read and write according to the rules.’ Andrew pointed out.

  ‘How come they never do then?’ Mary asked.

  ‘Money.’ Andrew answered. ‘It costs money.’

  ‘In that case I know a woman living in Exeter who will make a good nanny and cook; she has two children though, who will need schooling.’

  ‘Not a problem, where do I find her?’

  ‘The work house in mill road her name is Ruth Fearon.’

  ‘If you can come in tomorrow and look after the babies I will go to Exeter and get them, I will try to get a teacher while I am there.’

  ‘I’ll be here Mr. McDay.’

  When Bill and Mary left in his cart Andrew saw that the pile of washing was gone again and more was coming in.

  That night he slept well and was sitting on Hopscotch ready to go to Exeter early in the morning. He had enough money to secure a teacher and to get the woman Mary had told him about; Mrs. Fearon and her children.

  When Bill and Mary came into the courtyard in Bill’s cart Andrew waved and rode out. He took the direct route to Exeter and rode like the winds until the road was blocked with a fallen tree which he had to pick his way round. In front of him a highwayman rode out brandishing a pistol.

  ‘Stand and deliver.’ He shouted.

  Andrew waited until he closed on him but when he looked into the highwayman’s eyes they were brown and Beth Conibear’s were blue. This was another highway man.

  ‘If you so much as twitch I will put a ball between your eyes.’ The highwayman added.

  ‘I am Andrew McDay from the orphanage at Lamerton, I am on my way to secure a nurse and a teacher from Exeter so kindly let me pass, this money is not for you!’

  ‘On the contrary, the money is no longer yours; it is mine now to spend as I will. You can live or die as you think fit but I warn you I will fire.’

  Andrew looked the man in the eye and leant carefully down to pull up his bag of money, as he did so he launched himself sideways off Hopscotch trying to draw his pistol as he did so. There was a bang as a pistol fired but followed by another soon after. Andrew landed heavily still trying to pull out his pistol but he was fairly sure that he had not been shot yet! The pistol was caught in his clothing and refused to come out but when Andrew looked about he found himself face to face with the highwayman and the highwayman was dead. He looked round when he heard a horse approach.

  ‘I think we are even Andrew McDay.’ The newcomer announced.

  ‘I think so too Beth Conibear.’ Andrew answered and hauled himself to his feet. You have my thanks unless you also want the orphanage’s money?’

  ‘I would like some of it. I heard you were looking for a teacher, what salary would that be?’

  ‘Thirty pounds a month and somewhere to live.’

  ‘And where would that be?’

  ‘There is a small cottage opposite which is part of the orphanage, you could use that but I am also getting a nurse who has two children who might use it as well.’

  ‘I can share as long as it is not my bed.’

  Andrew dusted himself down. ‘What about after wedlock?’

  ‘Fine after wedlock.’ Beth answered. ‘Now you can do me a service. Today I robbed a coach which belonged to Lady Dymonds and I took her jewellery as well as her money. She is not one to take that lying down and I will be hounded until I am caught, unless they get it back. So if you will kindly take in this
interloper with the jewellery as well, I will be very grateful and she will be off my back.’

  ‘My pleasure Beth Conibear, when will I expect to see you at the orphanage in Lamerton?’

  ‘I have loose ends to tie up; I will see you on Wednesday of next week, oh and I should fire that pistol you were trying to get out of your coat. You can hardly kill someone without firing your pistol.’

  He took out his pistol and fired it into the air.

  ‘I will look forward to your arrival, I take it you will have no references.’

  ‘On the contrary; I have references from a previous post but my last post, teaching Lady Dymonds moronic sons ended unsuitably.’ She touched her hat and rode away.

  Andrew put the jewels into the highwayman’s saddle bag and hauled him onto his horse before continuing on his journey.

  When he rode into Exeter with the dead highwayman on the horse behind him word spread quickly. He stopped where one man was watching intently.

  ‘Where do I find a bow street runner?’ He asked.

  ‘Don’t know what one of them be but you should take him to the thief taker.’

  ‘And where do I find him?’

  ‘Down the street, it’s the big place with the gallows in front of it.’

  Andrew touched an imaginary hat and rode on. The thief taker came out to meet him as he arrived.

  ‘Had some trouble did we?’ He asked.

  ‘Nothing I couldn’t handle.’ Andrew answered and slid of Hopscotch.

  ‘What name are you using?’

  ‘Andrew McDay, not one you would make up.’ Andrew added with a smile.

  ‘I have heard that name McDay.’ The thief taker said as he thought where he had heard it. ‘Yes Clarence McDay, that’s the one. A solicitor in London.’

  ‘My father.’ Andrew admitted.

  The thief taker walked over to the second horse and pulled of the man’s mask.

  ‘William Mitchell! Well I never! It just goes to show, you never know. Can I see the pistol you used?’

  Andrew opened his coat and drew the pistol like lightning, spun it round and handed it to the thief taker who sniffed the barrel and felt the breach before he gave it back. He did the same to the highwayman’s pistol.