The Lamerton Workhouse Orphanage

by S G Read

  ‘Does anyone here find just impediment to why these two people should not be married?’ The priest asked.

  When the last guest had arrived Tom had chained the gate closed in case Lady Dymonds arrived, trying to ruin everything, so there was no one to say yes to the question.

  The priest then went into the vows. First asking Beth and then Andrew. Both answered ‘I do.’

  The priest then read another sermon before moving on to the ring ceremony. The doctor obliged when he asked Andrew ‘do you have the rings?’

  He took them and blessed them before leading them through the ceremony.

  ‘With the giving and receiving of a ring and the vows which you have declared I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride!’

  Andrew did just that but the priest was not finished yet. There were more prayers and more sermons; he was giving his moneys worth.

  Finally he fell silent and they were asked to sign the parish wedding register. Ten minutes later it was all over and they were man and wife.

  They were taken into the parlour while the room was cleared ready for the meal Ruth had prepared with Eliza’s and Mary’s help. Proper tables had been collected from whoever was willing to loan them and they were set out with the children farthest from the table where the bride and groom sat with their family, or in Beth’s case Bill and Mary. The best man sat there as well with his speech which he had fretted over ever since he was asked to be best man.

  ‘I have known Andrew and Beth for a few weeks now, not long I know but long enough to know the stamp of both of them. The best man used to be selected as the strongest man with the sword, the best I can offer is my stethoscope but it is at their command whenever they need it. I have been asked to call on many occasions to this orphanage, always to help the beadle after another of his over indulgences, never the children! They were working when I arrived and they were working when I left, some with bleeding whip marks on their little bodies. When I walked in after Andrew took over the reins I saw children smiling, not one; several. I knew then that this man was special and Elizabeth has the children harking on every word when they are in her class. A better match I could not imagine, humanity, willing to give and hard working as well. The children here now have clothes; proper clothes, to wear and food, not just thin watery gruel on which they were expected to do more than a days work, proper food. The overgrown land at the back is now a garden to grow more food and I hear the younger children now only work when it is necessary and half of them can write their own names! This marriage was indeed made in heaven. I bid you all to help me toast the newlyweds.’

  They all toasted the newlyweds, some with milk others with something stronger, courtesy of Clarence.

  Afterwards Clarence stood and waited for silence.

  ‘When my son came here to run this orphanage, I had no idea what a good job he would make of it, although there are still some who would rather whip the children and starve them instead. He knows he has my backing one hundred percent, which is close to the present interest rate…’ He waited while some laughed at his joke. ‘To that end Mrs McDay and I; and that is Mrs McDay senior, although I will probably live to regret saying senior. Mrs McDay and I have decided to raise the allowance paid to my son and his beautiful new wife to enable him to keep things moving forward here until he has all in place that he aspires to do. I toast the new Mr and Mrs McDay.’

  Andrew stood up. ‘You are all very kind. Before I came here I slept until noon, spent the evening and night drinking and gambling before falling into bed in the early hours of the morning. Had my father not, in his wisdom, decided I should come and to work, there is a good chance I would still be doing the same.’ He stopped and gently pulled Beth to her feet. ‘And look at what I would have missed out on. From the bottom of my heart thank you father! I propose a toast to the man who made all this possible, my father.’ After the toast he added. ‘And behind every great man there is an even greater woman helping him achieve his best. I toast my Mother, may she live a long and healthy life until she does indeed reach the age to be called senior.’ They toasted again. ‘Now I think we should eat before the food goes cold.’

  They started to eat with the children far enough away, although Beth and Ruth had tried to instil some sort of dignity into their eating.

  Not all the children could sit and eat but the children serving the first course were replaced by others, on the second course to make it fair and so Eliza sat down and ate while the others were nearly finished but she ate in the ladylike fashion she had been shown, until her plate was empty. Every now and then she stopped to listen for babies crying but they remain silent all the way through.

  When the food was eaten the table were removed or put out of the way so that anyone who wanted to, could dance. The musicians set up ready and Andrew led Beth out when they started playing. When the second dance started Clarence took Beth from him and Rosemary replaced her. A lot of people danced with Beth that evening before she finally sat down to rest, even number six.

  Andrew watched from where he sat as they danced together and tried to picture Ezekiel’s life before he had arrived, no dancing then.

  Lady Lamerton was the first to leave and Andrew walked her to her carriage, noting that she was all alone.

  ‘Still no luck Lady Lamerton?’ He asked when he was sure no one could hear.

  ‘I have a fish on the line Andrew; he wanted to come tonight but this was one wedding I wanted to be myself at. If all goes well, you will have an invite to my next wedding.’

  ‘Good luck.’ Andrew replied as he helped her into her carriage.

  The younger children were being led upstairs when he returned to the dance, although some seemed reluctant. The elder children still sat and watched or if they wanted to they danced, mainly with each other.

  Andrew walked over to Eliza. ‘Are the babies well?’

  ‘Fine Mr McDay.’ She moved closer. ‘My mother used to put some whisky into the milk if she wanted peace and quiet. I did the same.’

  As Andrew had gained it from his predecessor and was not likely to actually drink it, he thought it worthwhile.

  ‘Good for your mother Eliza, may I have the pleasure of this dance?’

  She was hesitant at first but soon they were dancing with the others, who, very soon were no longer dancing but watching them. Later Beth cut in and passed Ezekiel over to Eliza to be able to dance with Andrew, they were not parted again.

  Slowly everyone left and the clearing up was left until the morning, to let them get to bed. Andrew wanted to get to bed and carried Beth into the little room with the double bed in it.

  ‘Well we are husband and wife.’ Andrew said as he turned up the lamp and closed the door.

  ‘We are indeed.’ Beth answered and undressed in front of him. She stood there naked. ‘Well do you like what you see?’ She asked.

  ‘I do muchly so.’ Andrew replied and undressed himself.

  ‘Part of you certainly does.’ Beth remarked looking below his waste.

  He lifted her onto the bed.

  ‘What about the light?’ Beth asked.

  ‘I will turn it down afterwards.’ He answered and his next move made her cry out.

  It was early morning before he turned the light out and he was exhausted.

  Despite the nights activities he was up early the next morning to make sure any washing which turned up was stored in the stable ready to be washed the next day. He stood out there watching life outside the orphanage when four horses came galloping up to the gate. He recognised the thief taker on one of the horses.

  ‘Good morning Pip, what brings you riding out at such speed?’

  ‘I would like to speak to your teacher about a shooting and robbery.’ The thief taker replied.

  ‘Why would you want to talk to my wife about a shooting and robbery?’

  ‘Your wife?’

  ‘Yes we were married yesterday.’

  ‘At what time?’

  ‘The serv
ice started at two in the afternoon but Beth was surrounded by people trying to finish her dress from early morning, why? Who was shot?’

  Tom recognised who it was and walked over with a pitchfork in his hands.

  ‘Someone put a ball between Lady Dymonds eyes.’ The thief taker answered.

  ‘At what time?’

  ‘Why do you ask?’ The thief taker asked.

  ‘We saw Lady Dymonds coach come through at ten yesterday morning.’ Tom exclaimed. ‘Didn’t see who was in it though.’

  ‘Which way was it heading?’ The thief taker asked.

  ‘Into Tavistock.’ Tom answered. ‘We figured she might be going to try to stop the wedding or something.’

  ‘She was already shot by then according to her oldest son, we are looking for the coach. Much obliged for the information.’

  ‘Good hunting Pip.’ Andrew said as the thief taker turned his horse.

  ‘And you have a happy marriage, she is a pretty girl I am rather glad I did not have to hang her.’ The thief taker answered, looking back at him and then rode off.

  Clarence had seen what was going on from the porch of the cottage, when he saw the group ride away, he walked over the road to where the two still stood, despite being in his dressing gown.

  ‘What goes on?’ He asked.

  ‘Some one put a ball between Lady Dymonds eyes.’ Andrew answered.

  ‘Is she dead?’ Clarence asked.

  ‘Well she has a bullet between her eyes so I assume so.’ Andrew answered carefully.

  ‘Never assume Andrew or it could cost you. I have known three people shot in the head who have lived to testify against their attackers and I would not put it past her to stay alive and blame Beth out of cussedness.’

  ‘It happened while we were getting ready to wed so I think she has a good enough alibi.’ Andrew replied.

  ‘I agree, now did he say she was dead?’ Clarence asked.

  Alice came out of the house with Bolton who saw her across the road before he turned back on seeing the three by the gate. She walked up to her father and looked at him, as he stood there in his dressing gown.

  ‘Good morning father, good morning brother and hello Tom, you were going to show me how to groom a horse before we went out for a ride.’ She said as she passed through the gate.

  ‘Yes Miss Alice, if that is alright with you Mr McDay?’

  The men both looked at Tom.

  ‘I think he means you Andrew.’ Clarence said quietly, to prompt an answer.

  ‘Go ahead Tom, after all I am only the beadle.’

  They watched the two go into the stable.

  ‘No, he said someone had put a ball between her eyes, he did not actually say she was dead.’ Andrew answered.

  ‘I will ask Peterkin to look into it. There might be another case for me; it sounds like justifiable homicide to me.’

  Andrew chuckled. ‘We should take up a collection to pay for their defence.’

  ‘I might even entertain it for nothing.’ Clarence declared and started back toward the cottage.

  Andrew looked up the roads by the gate to see if anyone else was coming before going inside but they were deserted. They were doing no washing and some of the children were still in bed with no one chasing them to get up. Andrew reflected on his laying in bed until gone noon while these children and others like them were up at dawn and being whipped to work harder, he shook his head in disbelief. Now it was all quiet save for noises coming from the kitchen and the stuttering drone of Eliza’s voice from up stairs. She was reading for the younger children who were all up.

  Beth emerged from their room and walked to where he stood.

  ‘Good morning Mr McDay.’ She greeted and kissed him.

  ‘Good morning Mrs McDay.’ Andrew replied after the kiss.

  ‘I think Eliza needs help.’ She said candidly and swept up the stairs.

  ‘So do I.’ Andrew called after her, he chose to leave telling her the news about Lady Dymonds until later.

  He heard Alice and Tom clip clop across the cobbles in the yard on their way out but he did not worry Alice had ridden Hopscotch many times before. He walked into his parlour and started on paperwork, leaving the parlour door open to hear any visitors, as the gate was now open for them to come straight in. His reward was doctor Knight arriving an hour later. He knocked the parlour door causing Andrew to look round.

  ‘Come in William; are you here to see the patient?’

  ‘Yes Andrew, was that your sister I saw riding the field?’

  ‘Yes Tom was showing her how to groom the horse before they went out and then they will groom them when they get back I expect.’

  The doctor knocked the bedroom door before going inside and Andrew returned to his paperwork. Money was short as usual but on the whole things were looking bright. The increase in his allowance was meant to help them with their married life but he could see it going to help the never ending battle to pay their bills. He found several bills marked paid which he had not yet paid and wondered which parent had settled them but he would not ask and they would not mention it to him.

  The thief taker rode on with speed and slowed to a walk when he reached Tavistock. He dismounted in front of Mrs Oldray’s shop.

  ‘Good morning, am I talking to Mrs Oldray?’ Pip asked when he went inside.

  ‘You are how can I be of service?’

  ‘Did you see Lady Dymonds carriage pass by your shop yesterday at all; I assume you know Lady Dymonds carriage?’

  ‘I do but I was in the orphanage at Lamerton finishing of the wedding dress for Miss Conibear so I saw nothing of it.’

  ‘Was Miss Conibear there?’

  ‘Now where else would she be? She was in the wedding dress from about seven in the morning and stayed in it until they went to bed in the evening. I feel it might have come off then.’

  ‘I can understand that Mrs Oldray.’ Pip answered with a smile.

  ‘You could ask old Rowan on the other side of the village, if the carriage went by his house he would have seen it.’

  ‘Thank you Mrs Oldray I will ask him.’

  Pip straddled his horse and turned to the men with him. ‘We ask on the other side of the village, if it was seen then the assailant is heading for the coast and probably a ship to escape on.’

  They galloped away and stopped at the last house on the way out of the village. An old man came out to see who it was before they reached his house.

  ‘Did you see a carriage go by yesterday.’ Pip asked.

  ‘Saw sixteen actually.’ The man answered.

  ‘This one was Lady Dymonds carriage, did you see that?’

  ‘Might have.’ The man answered. ‘What’s in it for me?’

  ‘If you answer me, I won’t have you hanged for assisting an assassin!’ Pip answered.

  ‘I saw it alright went past in a hurry heading for the coast road.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Pip answered courteously and galloped away. They kept riding until they reached the coast and then divided. One half went east and one half went west to find the carriage. Pip expected the assailant to be long gone by now on a ship, for a safer haven but as he rode west into Plymouth he saw Lady Dymonds coach outside an inn. The driver was in the inn and it was none other than Simon Jenkins, Lady Dymonds dog’s body. Jenkins looked up and saw the thief taker walk in with four men and knew someone was in trouble. When they walked directly over to where he sat it worried him.

  ‘Hello Jenkins, no boat yet?’ Pip asked.

  ‘No, bad weather out to see has delayed it but it should be in today; why?’

  ‘What was your plan?’

  ‘I have orders to go to France and buy a new necklace for her ladyship; I have the money in my money belt to prove it.’

  ‘And who is to wear the necklace?’

  ‘It is a present from her son to her and must not be relayed back to her or I would lose my position, he made that clear.’

  ‘Well she is unlikely to worry about that for
some while, so you can come back with me and answer more questions about your part in the shooting and robbery.’

  ‘Who has been shot?’

  ‘Lady Dymonds, as if you do not know, shot and robbed of by roughly the same about as is in the money belt I will wager but I do not see her jewels which are also missing.’

  Despite his arguments Jenkins was held until a man could lead the cart to the inn then he was thrown inside and they all started back to Exeter, Pip going in style in Lady Dymonds carriage.

  When the doctor came out he walked over to where Andrew sat.

  ‘How is the patient doctor?’

  ‘Complaining, but then only because she is being a nuisance to you and your good wife. She feels she is well enough to go home but I do not.’

  ‘And you are the one who counts, she stays put until you are ready to remove that intriguing contraption on her leg.’

  ‘That will be on Wednesday. I have decided I can not judge how it is doing properly with it on so I will remove it Wednesday and put a new one on if I have to.’

  Alfred appeared at the open door and hovered.

  ‘You will know on Wednesday.’ The doctor said when he saw him.

  ‘Good, but it is not the work though, it is the learning, it is hard work.’ Alfred answered.

  ‘You will still be doing that when we go home Alfred.’ Ann called through the closed door.

  Alfred’s face took on a dejected look and he went back upstairs.

  ‘He will thank you one day Mrs Webber.’ The doctor called through the closed door.

  ‘I doubt it.’ Ann called back.

  The day wore on and Clarence and the others from the cottage came over for dinner dressed in all their refinery, Alice too had found time to bathe and put on a pretty dress.

  ‘How was the horse ride?’ Andrew asked when he saw her.

  ‘Fine brother Andrew but Tom’s leg bothers him even more on a horse, will the doctor be able to help him the same way as he did Mrs Webber?’

  ‘I have no idea sister but I will ask him just for you. He will be here again on Wednesday to take off Mrs Webber’s bandages.’