The Lamerton Workhouse Orphanage

by S G Read

  ‘Exactly that!’

  Later that evening Ruth brought Andrew and Beth a meal in his parlour.

  ‘How did the first lessons go Beth?’

  ‘They went as well as expected. Two of the younger children can now write an A, only in capital though. I looked for books to show them words in and you have none, luckily Ruth loaned me two of hers.’

  ‘I have to get chairs, desks, books and lots of other things but I also have to pay my way. I have offered to give back half the stipend when my employer comes to give it to me so I have to have at least that much money available when I do it.’

  ‘Surely if you are giving back half of what he gives you there is no problem.’

  ‘You make it sound easy, I have accounts to pay which are due just after he pays me, that is why he comes when he does to make sure I can pay the accounts.’

  ‘I can live on less money if it helps.’ Beth offered immediately.

  ‘A kind thought but no, you will be paid, if I am short of funds when he comes to call and you have money left over then I may ask for a loan. I have an allowance from my father, the same father who railroaded me into this job.’

  ‘Do you regret coming?’

  Andrew looked at her pretty, kind face. ‘Not at all; I do believe he has shaped my future by sending me down here and yours.’

  She looked back at him. ‘I do hope so.’ She answered. ‘My life was a bit bleak before, although I was not short of money; I was just short of…’ She paused searching for the words. ‘Well life itself really. I was just a burnt out shell until one day when I tried to hold up a young man from London.’

  Andrew smiled. ‘I was mad as hell in being dumped down here until then.’ He had the urge to pull her to him and kiss her, he also felt that she would not resist but he let it pass.

  That evening he walked her across to her cottage, saw her inside and walked back a happy man.

  Bill arrived in the morning to see him.

  ‘Good day Andrew what can I do for you?’

  ‘I want another vat to make into two washing tubs with the thing that washes the clothes; can you run it off the mill?’

  ‘The mill wheel should be able to cope with two more but only two.’

  ‘In the end I want four more so what do I need for that?’

  ‘One of those new fangled steam engines I reckon but I don’t know too much about them.’

  ‘We will settle with two more of those things, are you able find a vat that size?’

  ‘We might get one from Exeter.’

  ‘How do we find out?’

  ‘Someone has to go there and ask.’

  ‘Looks like I am going to Exeter again then, I’ll load my pistols.’

  ‘Did you have trouble last time then?’

  ‘Did you not here about it?’

  ‘Of course I did, you killed a highwayman; the only disservice you did was to get that awful woman’s jewels back for her.’

  ‘Have you met her then Bill?’

  ‘Met her, worked for her and still waiting to be paid by her; she is a wicked woman.’

  ‘So I hear but I was just protecting myself.’

  ‘Where are we going to put these two new tubs?’

  ‘When we get them we will take out the nearest long tub and put them in their place, they can rinse the clothes in the second long tub twice; it may take a little longer but it will be worth it in the end.’

  ‘I will tell Hugh Sloley about it and he can be making what we need to go in them before we get the vats, that way we should get them going soon after we get them.’

  ‘Good and we will have to do something about the rails; we need to be able to take clothes from all the vats to the drying room.’

  Bill looked up. ‘I am glad I am a carpenter still I think Hugh will find a way to do it!’

  Washing arrived as they were talking and children appeared to take it into the washroom. Andrew watched them work, they were doing their best and they would still have been whipped.

  ‘Number six, I am going to Exeter to try to get two more of these tubs. If we can wash and rinse in the same tubs it will save labour and with four we should cope with all the washing which comes in.’

  ‘What will those who have nothing to do, be doing sir?’

  ‘Learning for one but what would you like to be doing? Do you like carpentry? Or is there something else you would like to do when you leave here?’

  ‘Building sir. You know putting bricks on each other and making them stay there.’

  ‘Is there a builder around here then?’

  ‘Mr Doble is a builder sir.’

  ‘I will talk to him about it but as soon as the spring gets here, we will all be out working in the garden to grow food to eat and to sell.’

  ‘You will talk to him, about me sir?’

  ‘I will six but after Christmas, not before.’

  Beth arrived and food was served. There was a little gruel, then there was bread Andrew had bought, toasted on the open fire. Home made preserve from a local woman was there to spread on it but it took a lot of loaves to feed them all.

  Andrew rode away on Hopscotch soon after breakfast.

  Lady Dymonds sat bolt upright in bed. ‘I knew it would come to me. Jenkins ride and fetch the thief taker; I know who held me up.’

  It did not matter to her that it was three o’clock in the morning, when she said jump, people jumped. Jenkins was asleep in a chair outside her door and was awake instantly; anything else would not be accepted.

  ‘Going right now your lady.’ He called through the door and hurried out to saddle a horse. Five minute after she woke Jenkins was riding through the night as fast as he dare. The false dawn was breaking when he rode into Exeter, he rode up to the thief takers door and pounded on it.

  ‘Who is it?’ A voice called from inside. ‘Don’t you know what time it is?’

  ‘It is Jenkins; milady has worked out who robbed her.’

  The thief taker grumbled but opened the door.

  ‘Let me get dressed and we will go and find out who this highwayman was. We found no blue eyed corpses so they are still about somewhere.’

  The two rode back to Dymonds manor house and waited until she was ready to receive them.

  ‘There you are thief taker. It was not a highwayman but a highway woman who robbed me, none other than Beth Conibear, late of my employ! Go and arrest her the sooner she hangs the better I will like it!’

  ‘Where is she, I heard she left town?’ The thief taker asked.

  ‘It is up to you to find her; you are the thief taker are you not?’

  ‘I will find her milady don’t you worry about that!’

  He hurried away glad to be away from that awful woman, as he climbed on his horse Jenkins came out to see him.

  ‘I heard she had taken a teaching post at the orphanage in Lamerton.’ He said quietly. ‘She was a good teacher and ill treated by that wicked woman.’

  ‘But if she is the highwayman then she will hang: Have no doubts about that!’ The thief taker replied.

  The thief taker rode back into Exeter to arrange for transport for his prisoner, a caged wagon with fetters inside for the prisoner. He and four other men set out for Lamerton.

  Half way between Lamerton and Exeter Andrew saw the wagon trundling along and the thief taker touched the brim of his hat in acknowledgement that they were acquainted. Andrew did the same and rode on. He knew someone was about to be arrested but he had no idea that it was Beth, until he arrived in Exeter. Only then did he find out through local gossip and his mind raced. Finally he came to a decision, only one man could help her and that was his father. The sooner he knew about it the more chance he had of freeing her, if that was possible. He could ride to London quicker than the coach would take a letter. He fed and watered Hopscotch then set off.

  The wagon reached the orphanage and they knocked at the gate. Tom delayed to try to let Beth escape but she stood her ground. Better to face your enemy than to run
away was her father’s motto and it had stood him well.

  When the men tried to arrest Beth all the children tried to intervene, wrapping arms round legs to encumber the men but they won in the end and several boys were beaten including number six. Beth was thrown into the wagon and chained where she stood, before they started back to Exeter.

  Night came for Andrew but he was on a good road and the moon was shining. He rode on but kept his pistol at his finger tips at all time; no one was going to get in the way to delay him. Morning came and he slowed the pace as Hopscotch was getting tired and in the end he stopped in a village to find food for him. He hired a horse at the local in and paid for Hopscotch to be well cared for until his return then continued on his journey. By nightfall he was on the outskirts of London and kept going until he stopped at his father’s door. He hammered on the door until the maid opened it.

  ‘Master Andrew whatever is the trouble?’ She asked.

  ‘I need to see my father.’

  He was shown into the library and after he had paced up and down for few minutes his father walked in.

  ‘Andrew my boy what is wrong?’

  ‘I have a problem, one only you can help me with father. I have been smitten and I think she feels the same way but they have just arrested her as a highwayman and she will hang!’

  Clarence adjusted his clothing and sat in his favourite chair. ‘Tell me the story but I do need the truth, all of the truth!’

  Andrew related the story as he knew it and what he had heard in Exeter, as the reason for her arrest. All the time he spoke, he quivered with emotion.

  ‘So the only reason this Lady Dymonds suspects her of being this other highwayman’s accomplice is because she has blue eyes?’

  ‘Yes father.’

  ‘And she has her jewellery back?’

  ‘Yes, all of it father, I made sure of that.’

  Clarence smiled. ‘I take it she is a pretty girl?’

  ‘Very much so father. When I unmasked her the first time I was smitten and when she saved my life I knew she was the girl for me.’

  Clarence rang his bell and the same maid came in.

  ‘Send Bolton to get Titmouse for me Lily.’

  ‘Yes Mr. McDay.’ She curtseyed and left.

  Neither of them moved they waited together until Clarence’s clerk Titmouse arrived.

  ‘I need you to go to Devon and carry out my wishes until I get there.’ Clarence ordered.

  ‘Yes Mr Clarence.’

  ‘Oh and do you remember that Italian caper we were involved in Titmouse?’

  ‘Yes Mr Clarence.’

  ‘Good I will write you a letter of instruction and then you leave tonight.’

  ‘Yes Mr Clarence.’

  Clarence walked to his desk wrote a note, blotted it and handed it folded to Titmouse.

  ‘That note does not arrive with you in Exeter Titmouse.’ He said quietly.

  ‘What note Mr Clarence?’

  ‘Exactly Titmouse and take Peterkin with you.’

  When they were alone Andrew spoke. ‘What are you up to father?’

  ‘Better that you do not know son but I am doing my best to ensure that I have a grandchild to spoil. Have you slept?’

  ‘No father but I…’

  ‘You will use your room and sleep, you do not have to worry, Ralph will take Peterkin with him and Ralph will bog things down until I get there and only then will there be a trial, I am looking forward to meeting this harridan!’

  Andrew was tired and went to bed in his old bed in his old room which was just as he had left it but well dusted.

  His sleep was interrupted by Lily who woke him to tell him his father was leaving soon. Andrew dressed but had to take the horse back to the inn and get Hopscotch; instead of riding the horse he tied it behind his father’s carriage and sat inside. He was soon asleep again. When they reached the inn Andrew returned the horse and collected Hopscotch but decided to ride on but he did so with his father’s words ringing in his ears.

  ‘If you love her, stay away from her, it will do more to help her case.’

  To ride back and not go to see her seemed a monstrous idea but he made himself go back to the orphanage. He longed to see Beth but his father was a canny man and if he said stay away from her then he would stay away. If the verdict went against her, he would break her out and they could run away together.

  He arrived at the orphanage to hear the tale of how they took Beth away in the wagon, chained but standing. She had to stand all the way back to Exeter. Children were angry and crying, in a short time they had all come to like Beth.

  ‘What are you going to do about it?’ Number six cried passionately.

  Normally an outburst like that would mean a whipping and dropping into the hole, a cellar like pit by the side of the stable.

  ‘Nothing I have not already done.’ Andrew answered.

  ‘What have you done?’ The boy asked, slightly less loudly.

  ‘I rode to London to let my father know what was afoot and he is on his way out to Exeter now to handle her defence.’

  ‘Does that mean she will come back?’ Forty one asked.

  ‘My father is a well respected lawyer and he does not lose many cases, so yes I expect her to come back to work when he has her freed.’ Andrew was far from convinced himself but he made himself say it to give them heart. ‘Now we have clothes to wash, the more we wash the more money will be available for her defence.’

  The boys returned to their washing and worked like beings possessed. The piles which had built up soon started to shrink and the line of drying clothes in the drying room increased.

  Clarence and his entourage arrived in Exeter and he immediately went to see the thief taker.

  ‘I am Clarence McDay of London and I am here to represent Beth Conibear who is wrongly accused of being a highwayman!’

  ‘Wrongly or rightly will be decided by a judge and jury Mr McDay. I have heard of you and your reputation, if she is innocent, so be it but if not, she will hang, we do not like highwaymen around here.’

  ‘Rightly so. Can I see my client now?’

  ‘You can indeed.’

  The thief taker led Clarence to her. Beth was in a cell and had chains on her hands and feet.

  ‘Beth Conibear do you give me your word that you will not attempt to escape from this cell?’

  ‘Who are you?’ Beth asked.

  ‘I am Clarence McDay of the London McDays.’

  Beth took a quick breath. ‘I will give you my word Mr McDay.’

  ‘Then take those chains off her this instant!’

  The gaoler looked at the thief taker who nodded. ‘She has given her word and that is good enough for me.’

  ‘But what about her ladyship?’ The gaoler argued.

  ‘Does she run this jail?’ The thief taker asked. ‘Do it now or you might have to go and ask her for a position?’

  The gaoler took no more bidding; he unlocked the chains and took them out of the cell.

  ‘Now I will talk with my client in private.’

  Clarence waited until the two men left before putting his index finger to his lips.

  ‘Now Beth I know most of the story already, so kindly answer the questions I ask and add nothing.’

  Beth nodded.

  ‘What was the reason for Lady Dymonds used for letting you go?’

  ‘She attested that I was not a good teacher sir.’

  ‘And to that end she refused to give you a reference?’

  ‘Yes sir.’

  ‘It has been suggested that her children are not the brightest star in the sky, would you concur there?’

  ‘Yes sir.’

  ‘Now can you give me your word you will not discuss the case with anyone and certainly not talk to anyone who works for Lady Dymonds?’

  ‘I will talk to no one, save you sir, until you tell me to talk to anyone else.’

  ‘Good is there anything you need or would like sent in?’

  ‘A p
en and paper sir, it is very boring sitting in here day in and day out.’

  ‘You shall have pens and papers, my servant Peterkin will bring them in to you. Now I bid you good day, I will come and see you tomorrow but I have ensured that you get no other visitors, it is my orders.’

  Beth smiled, now she knew why Andrew had not been in to see her. ‘I will await your next visit sir.’

  ‘We shall have a party when Beth returns to us.’ Andrew announced when the children were all sitting in his parlour wrapped in their old towels.

  ‘What’s a party?’ Number fourteen asked.

  ‘It’s one of those things where everyone gets drunk.’ Number twelve answered before Andrew could. ‘My dad used to party a lot until he died.’

  ‘Well we will not be getting drunk but we will be celebrating her safe return with a meal, a big meal.’ Andrew explained.

  ‘All of us sir?’ Six asked.

  ‘Yes all of us – well not the babies up stairs they can sleep through it.’

  They all laughed at the thought of the babies sitting at the table and eating.

  ‘We don’t have a table big enough.’ Forty answered.

  ‘It is do not number forty.’ Ruth rebuked.

  ‘We will have a table big enough by the time she comes home.’ Andrew added, he did not know how yet but they would have one.

  Beth was sitting in her cell when Lady Dymonds stormed in.

  ‘Who took those chains off her?’ She screeched.

  ‘I did on the thief takers orders.’ The gaoler answered.

  ‘Well put them back on or you will be out of work.’ She fumed.

  ‘I work for the thief taker not you, thank God.’ The gaoler answered bravely. ‘When he tells me to put them on I will do so.’

  ‘You; you witch. I bet you put him up to it. How? Did you sleep with him to get them off?’

  Beth just looked up at her and smiled, which made Lady Dymonds even madder.

  ‘Well has the cat got your tongue?’

  ‘She was made to promise not to talk to anyone but her lawyer.’ The gaoler answered, letting slip the fact that he was listening to their conversation.

  ‘Lawyer, how can she afford a lawyer?’ She cried then stormed out and the gaoler smiled showing off his remaining three teeth.