The Lamerton Workhouse Orphanage

by S G Read

  James smiled and when Bill wanted the next piece he stayed in the harness and James cut it before passing the cut piece to him. Bill nailed it into place and they pulled the wheel round to the next piece which James cut and Bill was nailing in place when Henry walked round to find them.

  ‘We are ready to wash now Mr Hodgson.’ He announced.

  ‘Give me five minutes and it will be running.’ Bill answered and started climbing back round.

  ‘Is that all you are going to do?’ James asked.

  ‘No, now I go back to my workshop and make things for other customers, so that they ready to fit when I can do it.’ Bill answered as he extricated himself from the harness for the last time that day.

  ‘Can I help?’ James asked.

  Bill turned to look at him, looking over his glasses at him. ‘I believe you can young James, I will take you with me in the cart and bring you back tonight in time for the meal.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Don’t thank me, I will make you work.’ Bill declared.

  ‘But this isn’t like work, more like fun.’ James replied.

  ‘Sometimes it is fun other times it is most definitely work.’ Bill exclaimed.

  Tom watched them load up the cart and drive off noting that James went with Bill, he liked to know what was going on.

  With the waterwheel turning the washing started and those who were not wanted for work, at that time, went upstairs with Beth to learn more. She had expected the visitor upstairs but when he did not come up she came down to see where he was.

  No one knew except Tom and he passed on what he knew.

  ‘He will be back to eat and he will start lessons then.’ Beth declared and went back upstairs again.

  True to her word when Bill dropped James off, he was sent upstairs and had his first lesson before he ate his meal. For James it was a different life, no one trying to whip him or just work him to death and good food as well as learning to read and write. He hoped he could stay.

  Andrew woke in the morning. He found Hopscotch in good heart when he went into the stable after a large Breakfast and started on his journey after giving the stable lad sixpence for his good work.

  He rode slowly for some time, as he was full of food and resolved to stop on the outskirts of London to sleep then go straight to the dead soldier’s parents’ home. He decided to do that before going to see his mother and to await his father’s return from his office.

  He found an inn and it was the same story, a promise of sixpence for the stable lad and a large meal before falling into his bed. He noticed that since he had been riding less, he ached more on this journey and would be glad of the rest in London.

  James took his second lesson before helping Bill with more early work on the waterwheel and then they were off to Bill’s workshop, a barn next to his house. James had enjoyed the day before and Bill found him a useful person to have around. Mary had made sure he was not hungry or thirsty while he was there.

  Today they would finish the stairs they were making and they would take them to the house and fit them. He was looking forward to that. Ann Webber had taken his rags and repaired them while he had his lessons and now he looked more like a worker, than a tramp.

  Andrew woke and rode on, to make sure he arrived at the dead soldier’s house by ten in the morning, which he did. He rang the bell and the father answered the door.

  ‘Hello Andrew McDay, come inside.’ He greeted and opened the door wide. ‘Andrew McDay has come to see us Mrs Jenkin.’ He called to his wife.

  Andrew took a seat and waited for Mrs Jenkin to arrive and take her seat.

  ‘Will you have refreshment?’ She asked when she was settled.

  ‘I will thank you.’ Andrew answered, it had been a long ride and he needed something.

  She rang the little bell next to the chair she was sitting in and a maid came hurrying in.

  ‘We will take tea.’ Mrs Jenkin affirmed.

  ‘The young man might prefer a sherry Mrs Jenkin.’ The husband said quietly.

  ‘And bring the sherry decanter Catherine.’

  ‘Yes mom.’ The girl answered in a country accent.

  Andrew nodded to the husband to affirm that a sherry was a good idea.

  ‘I heard from my father that Percival was killed in battle. I do not know if you knew but I have been looking after his ceremonial sword for sometime and now I feel you should have it on display, to remember him by.’ He said and unwrapped the sword still in its scabbard for them to see.

  ‘You are so very kind Andrew. I knew nothing of your being the custodian of his sword and I am grateful to have it to remember him by.’ Mrs Jenkin answered. ‘Will you bring it here Mr Jenkin?’

  The husband took the sword from Andrew and gave it to his wife.

  Small talk followed for a full half hour before Andrew made his escape. Outside Mr Jenkin walked with him to Hopscotch.

  ‘Do I owe you anything Andrew McDay? I know he lost the sword whilst playing cards.’

  ‘Nothing at all Mr Jenkin, it was a pleasure to return it to your family.’ Andrew answered.

  ‘You are very kind Andrew and thank you again. He was not the best sort of man Percival, I only hope he died well in battle.’

  ‘I am sure he did sir.’

  Andrew rode away and left them to their grief, half an hour later he rode into his father’s stables to the surprise of the stable lad.

  ‘Hello George.’

  ‘Master Andrew, I didn’t know you were coming today.’

  ‘No one did it is a surprise visit can you look after Hopscotch for me?’

  ‘I have to it’s what I do.’ George answered.

  ‘Well this time if you do the same good work as usual, I will give you sixpence when I leave.’

  ‘Sixpence Master Andrew! I will look after him like he was me own.’

  ‘I will count on it George.’ Andrew replied and walked into the kitchen.

  ‘Master Andrew you are back.’ Lily declared from where she sat.

  Next to her sat Bolton and opposite them both sat Rosemary. Rosemary turned so that he could see who it was.

  ‘Hello mother.’

  She rose out of the chair and put her arms round him, it was something which she could not do at the orphanage but here in her own home, was another thing.

  ‘So I am going to be a grandmother Andrew.’ She said proudly. ‘Come sit with us and have some tea.’

  They sat and talked with Lily and Bolton joining in until they had to get up to prepare the evening meal. Lately Rosemary had helped them and enjoyed doing it but today she left them to it. The day passed by with Andrew starting to feel tired after his long ride. Rosemary pressed him to go and lay down which he did.

  He was roused from his sleep by Clarence but not to greet him as expected but to give him news he did not want.

  ‘Andrew did you not get my second letter?’ He asked when Andrew was nearly awake.

  ‘No father I left soon after receiving the first.’

  ‘Easterbrook left for Lamerton two days ago!’ Clarence exclaimed. ‘I heard about his plans soon after sending the first letter so I wrote a second to let you know.’

  ‘Is this the third day or second Father?’

  ‘This is the third son but he does not travel early and he certainly does not travel late.’

  ‘So I might still beat him to the orphanage?’ Andrew cried as he pulled his boots on.

  ‘You might well.’

  ‘Then I will bid you a fond farewell and forego that wonderful food Bolton and Lily were preparing in my honour.’

  ‘I will explain all to Rosemary, although I think she will not understand why you could not stay for the meal.’ Clarence said as he helped Andrew on with his coat.

  ‘For someone who managed to get a highwayman acquitted, you might think such a problem was not so difficult.’

  Clarence laughed. ‘Well you are married now and you will undoubtedly find out of what I talk.’

&nbs
p; ‘Now you have me really worried.’ Andrew answered.

  Clarence held out a bundle of notes. ‘I have this money in the house and I know you were intending to take less from Easterbrook. Use it as you will, call it a wedding present.’

  ‘Thank you father.’ Andrew replied and held him to him before he hurried down the stairs. At the bottom he picked up Rosemary as though she were a doll and kissed her. ‘I must run mother, it is a matter of life or death.’

  Rosemary managed a ‘But…’ before he went out. He flipped the stable lad a shilling and rode of giving Hopscotch his head, which the horse was grateful for.

  The four watched him gallop away and then went inside to eat.

  Chapter 12

  Andrew rode out of London and Hopscotch continued to run, despite the hour he managed to pass the inn he had stopped in on the previous night and hurried on. Only when the light threatened to slow them to a walk did he consider stopping and then he looked for an inn. They were at walking pace with Hopscotch now glad of the slower pace for once, when they saw an inn. Andrew made sure Hopscotch was well cared for as usual and then ate himself as by then he was ravenous. He asked the inn keeper to call him just before dawn and when the sun came up they were running again but this time at a slightly slower speed, to pace Hopscotch as Andrew wanted to make up ground on Easterbrook.

  With light failing so much that Hopscotch was forced to walk they found an inn and the evening was the same as the previous one with Andrew up before first light and on his way as soon as it was light.

  Today was the day Andrew thought as they rode, first fast, then slower to rest Hopscotch and then fast again. Night came but he knew there would be a moon tonight and he had bought food and feed for Hopscotch, at the last inn. He stopped to eat and let Hopscotch eat when it grew too dark to go on. He was waiting for the moon to show. When it did they were on their way again but not fast, he did not want to risk Hopscotch stumbling in the half light and breaking a leg; nothing was worth that!

  They rode on until morning and the predawn saw their Hopscotch speed up. In front he heard a carriage and slowed to see if it was Easterbrook’s and smiled when he recognised it. He cut through the trees to pass the carriage unseen and then gave Hopscotch his head all the way to the orphanage. Tom saw him coming and opened the gate for him.

  ‘Lock it Tom. Easterbrook is on his way and we need as much time to prepare for him as possible!’

  ‘Right away Mr McDay. Will I be slow at unlocking it?’

  ‘You will Tom with the promise of a whipping from the new whip. I know it cannot be you, as it hurts your bad leg to crack it.’

  ‘It do that.’

  ‘Is the new boy here?’

  ‘No he went with Mr Hodgson not half an hour ago, I think Mr Hodgson has taken a shine to him.’

  ‘So who do I make the whip?’

  ‘Martin, Mr McDay, he’ll be up for it.’ Tom said as he wrapped the chain round and round the gate so that it took longer to undo.

  Andrew went inside and called everyone to the washroom. He waited impatiently until they were all assembled.

  ‘Mr Easterbrook is coming along the road so I need you all to work or at least look like you are working. Martin will you get the whip down please.’

  ‘Yes Mr McDay.’

  Martin climbed up on the side of the long tub and grabbed hold of the whip, flicking it so that it came free and brought it over to Andrew.

  ‘This is the new whip.’ He said indicating Martin. ‘And he will be making it crack a lot of times, sometimes near you. We are happy to hear you scream in pain if it is near you.’

  The children laughed.

  ‘But there can be no laughter while he is here and there will not be any school while he is here. We will mix up the last of the gruel, which I was saving for this very occasion and you will eat it!’

  There were moans and groans with that news.

  ‘We will have a decent meal after he has gone though.’ Andrew declared and brought the smiles back to their faces.

  ‘And anyone who don’t work will answer to me!’ Martin warned and cracked the whip.

  The slates were stored away in a hurry and Ruth started making the gruel as well and sending a boy out to get a goose, which was Mr Easterbrook’s favourite. When all was set Andrew sat looking through his books to see just how much he could return to Easterbrook without touching his father’s gift but it was no good. The extra mouths from Tavistock with several who were too young to work, although they were all down there now trying their best, had taken a toll on their income. He decided he had to use it but he did not want to.

  He was still looking at his books when Easterbrook’s carriage reached the gate. Tom limped forward and opened the gate; there was no need for delay now as all was ready inside and he opened it as quickly as he could to let the carriage in. As soon as it was in he closed the gate and wrapped the chain back round it although he did not lock it as Henry would be back with the goose soon.

  Henry rode to the farm paid for the goose and hurried back in time to see a carriage at the gate and stayed out of sight until he saw the man climb out and walk into the orphanage. A soon as the man was inside he rode up to the gate, which Tom just happened to be idly standing by. Tom let him in and locked the gate up again while Henry ran to the kitchen window and passed the goose inside.

  His job done he crept inside while the man was in the parlour with Andrew and returned to his post.

  Andrew met Easterbrook at the door and took him inside for refreshment then he took him on a tour of the building. He showed him the new beds and hammocks.

  ‘What is wrong with straw pallets my boy?’ Easterbrook asked.

  ‘With these beds and hammocks they sleep better and I get more work out of them and I therefore make more money.’ Andrew explained.

  ‘Excellent.’ Easterbrook declared.

  They looked in on the babies.

  ‘I see you have not found a way to get these working Andrew.’ Easterbrook declared and laughed at his little joke.

  Andrew laughed with him. ‘If I could, I would Mr Easterbrook.’

  He showed him the garden.

  ‘Because I have installed new machinery to make us more efficient I have children spare who can work the garden and that way we grow produce to sell at market, not that we have yet, but this year we should make money from it!’

  ‘I will be interested to know my boy, write to me and keep me up to date on it, although Tavistock has no land to grow things on or I would suggest they do it as they are asking for more money.’

  ‘Tavistock sent me some troublesome boys and three more babies to look after.’ Andrew exclaimed allowing a slight displeasure to come into his voice.

  ‘Well you are here to take those Tavistock does not have room for Andrew, I am sure you will get them to your way of thinking soon enough.’

  ‘Of that I am sure but notice prior to their arrival would have been at least polite. I had to move mountains that night to accommodate them, especially the babies as we had no spare cribs.’

  ‘Tavistock have more cribs than they will ever need I am sure, I will get Netherton to send some up to you, I am going there to see them when I leave here.’

  They walked back inside and settled in the parlour, the smell of cooking goose wafted into the room as Andrew closed the door.

  ‘That smells like goose my boy.’ Easterbrook said warmly, he liked goose.

  ‘Only the best for my employer Mr Easterbrook we cannot normally run to such fine feed here, as money is always a problem but I hope to be self sufficient soon.’

  ‘I am glad to hear it.’ Easterbrook declared and sat down.

  Before the goose was cooked Eliza brought in snacks for them both and Easterbrook kept eating. The more he ate the more they brought in; in hopes of making sure there was some of the goose left for later but when it was served he still kept eating.

  When he stopped half the goose had gone and Andrew had eaten sparingly guess
ing what Ruth was trying to do.

  In the washroom the whip cracked and the children continued to work or to look like they were working. The children in the garden also worked, slowly working their way out of sight of the parlour window and the food the fat man was eating. When they were out of sight they rested and talked, mainly about the food Easterbrook was eating, enough to feed half of them! William was not only stoking the boiler but he was also the lookout in case they came out to see them working but as soon as he had rested after his meal, the two men talked about money.

  ‘Here is the stipend Andrew.’ Easterbrook declared sliding the pouch of money over to him.

  Andrew wanted it all but counted out half of it and slid the remaining half back across to him in the pouch.

  ‘I would have liked to return more but Tavistock did me no favours by sending me children who had to be cured from running away.’ Andrew declared as he slid the pouch back.

  ‘Are they cured?’

  ‘Oh yes. I have had no runaways for some time now and they have settled down to work, the new whip sees to that.’

  ‘Is he not one of the boys?’

  ‘He is indeed and who better to know who is swinging the lead and who is genuinely ill. Those who need it are dosed liberally with castor oil and they are soon back to work and work better for it.’

  ‘That surprises me Andrew and it is pleasing.’

  ‘In the six months before I came I have counted seven deaths here. We have had none since I arrived. A dead child cannot work no matter how much you whip them!’ Andrew explained.

  ‘That they cannot I have to agree, now I will take your leave as I need to get to Lamerton hall before dark falls. I am staying with Lady Lamerton tonight and going on into Tavistock on the morrow. I will stop by and make sure all is well on the way back to London.’

  Andrew chaperoned him back to his carriage and helped him up inside, then watched him ride out the gate. Tom locked it as soon as they were outside.

  ‘Did you see how much he ate?’ Tom asked in awe.

  ‘I was sitting on the other side of the table Tom, was everyone watching through the window?’