The Lamerton Workhouse Orphanage

by S G Read

  Work stopped on that day while William performed the operation on Tom with Ruth and Ann Webber helping. When it was all over and there was nothing left to do but look after Tom and wait to see what happened. Work resumed but Tom was oblivious to in all. Laudanum had seen to that!

  Chapter 14

  When Alice arrived with the others she sought out Tom who limped out to meet her and she was ready to turn on Andrew for not letting the doctor help him until she saw the same bandages on his leg that Mrs Webber had on her leg after doctor Knight had operated on her.

  ‘How does it feel Tom?’ She asked buoyantly.

  ‘It hurts worse than it did before Miss Alice but Doctor Knight says it will get better now if I stay off it.’

  ‘Then why pray are you “on it”?’

  ‘I came out to see you Miss Alice.’

  ‘Well now you have seen me you can go back to your bed and stay there!’

  Tom did as he was told, even though he was fed up with being in bed in the little room on his own. Although there were a stream of visitors and well-wishers visiting regularly. Ruth and Eliza made regular calls to tend to his needs and the children all popped in to see him when they were able to but it still felt like prison to Tom who had slept out in the stable since he was old enough to be kicked out. With nowhere to go he had crawled into the stable to sleep and eventually had been accepted as the stable boy. He was allowed to stay and when the man in charge of the stable died in a fight at the pub, he was left to look after it on his own for bed and board, a bed in the stable. To the Beadle it was a good outcome as he had been paying the man who died and Tom did not get paid! He ran through what had happened in his life while he lay on his bed, sometimes waking up in a sweat when he relived his being dragged into the water and his leg being smashed but always he managed to move on to a nice memory, miss Alice.

  Clarence sat in the parlour, the new parlour with a door leading through to the nursery where Rosemary and Beth were, Rosemary was getting to know the baby.

  ‘Andrew I think we need to look into Tom’s background.’ He said suddenly in between puffing on his cigar.

  ‘You think it might go further father? Surely she is just interested in his well being?’

  ‘Alice did not come down to look at your daughter Andrew; she came down to make sure Tom was alright.’

  ‘Well I do still have his papers, when he was kicked out and slept in the stable he had them with him and asked me to find out his name for him when I took over.’ Andrew ejected himself from the armchair and walked over to his desk. When he returned he had Tom’s papers with him.

  ‘He must be some body’s son Andrew; I would like to know who just in case.’

  ‘I can understand that father; luckily I have a while before I have to worry about suitors and such like.’

  ‘Well it will come along fairly quickly, it seems only the other day I was bouncing her on my knee and now she is getting near to marrying age.’

  The door opened and the two women emerged which necessitated a stop in the conversation.

  ‘So what do you think of our daughter mother?’ Andrew asked as Rosemary settled herself in an armchair.

  ‘She is beautiful Andrew and luckily she takes after Beth.’ Rosemary answered with a smile.

  ‘Why is she a crack shot with a pistol already?’ Clarence asked.

  Beth smiled but said nothing.

  For the week that the McDays remained there work had to go on and it did. Alice did get to see the baby and more than once but she spent more time with Tom, even taking him for a walk in the wheeled chair Doctor Knight had left there to keep Tom off his feet. For that week, after the walk out to greet Alice, Tom was kept off his feet. He was wheeled out to be able to wave goodbye when the McDays returned to London before being wheeled back to his room. He longed to be back out in his stable and Andrew worried about that as Tom was a possible candidate as a brother in law.

  When he arrived in London Clarence was met by Ralph his clerk and given the news that Easterbrook had left London bound for Lamerton! Clarence sought out Peterkin who was in a local tavern seeking information on a matter which was due in court shortly. He did not speak to Peterkin, merely showed himself at the doorway long enough to be spotted and then left. Later that day Peterkin arrived at the McDay household and was shown into Clarence’s study.

  ‘I have an urgent task for you Peterkin.’ Clarence declared. ‘It seems Easterbrook is on his way to Lamerton and I need you to let my son know he is on his way before he arrives.’

  ‘A hard ride Mr McDay but I should be able to make it.’ Peterkin answered and left immediately.

  Andrew knew nothing about the visit and things went on just as they always did. The children learnt, they worked when they had to and ate good food, as Peterkin rode at breakneck speed to warn him about the visit.

  Darkness made him go slower but he did not stop, it was a reasonable road and the horse walked glad of the respite. Peterkin slept in the saddle as the horse walked on and just before first light they stopped at a stream for a well earned rest and refreshment. Peterkin liked his horse and fed him on oats from his saddlebag before he ate himself, then they walked on not galloping until Peterkin thought is was safe to do so, not only for the road but for his horse as well. The next night they stopped at an inn, Peterkin making sure that the horse was well cared for before joining him in the hay for a nights sleep. He did not like beds, especially in inns.

  By first light he was on his way again and thought he might make it before dark but he was met by two highwaymen as he galloped along.

  Their ‘stand and deliver’ was met with Peterkin maintaining the gallop and drawing his pistols at the same time.

  Peterkin fired and both the highwaymen fired. Peterkin felt a ball hit him but kept on going with just a glance back to see if they were following. He saw one highwayman fall and the other one ride away in the other direction. All he had to do now was to make it to the orphanage.

  With no Tom on the gate as he was still in bed on doctor’s orders, the first Andrew knew about Easterbrook’s visit was when he arrived. He walked in and saw a normal day at the orphanage.

  Andrew hurried over to meet him. ‘You caught us unaware Mr Easterbrook.’

  ‘So I see are there any refreshments available?’

  ‘Of course come into the office.’

  ‘I see you have been building.’

  ‘Yes the children from Tavistock put a strain on the sleeping accommodation so it was necessary.’

  Easterbrook stopped at the office door. ‘Maybe I should look round before I take refreshment.’ He said slyly and walked up the stairs where Beth was teaching.

  Andrew followed.

  Beth stopped in mid sentence when she saw him.

  ‘Oh do not stop for me my dear, I am interested how you are getting on.’

  A seat was made available for him, one which would take his weight and he sat and listened.

  Andrew stood and waited.

  Finally the lesson ended and children went off to do whatever they were meant to do. Easterbrook eased himself out of the chair and walked down to the office, Andrew followed.

  Easterbrook settled himself in Andrew’s favourite armchair before he spoke again.

  ‘I like what I see Andrew. We are supposed to teach the children and see to their welfare but others just want to live a good life at their expense but the gate was not locked, do you not have trouble with children running away?’

  ‘Not at all. Two boys from Tavistock ran the first night they were here but they came back and one now buys all we need as cheaply as he can and I must say he bargains a lot harder than I would.’

  ‘So he goes off in the cart buying for you, with money in his pocket?’

  ‘Yes and he comes back with goods after paying as little as he can for them.’

  ‘What happened to the boy on the gate?’

  ‘He is ill at the moment and in our little hospital room but I hope he will be up
and around again soon.’

  ‘You say a hospital room; do you have a doctor here?’

  ‘No but the doctor in the village is very reasonable and very good.’

  ‘As you obviously have not had time to bring out the accounts you usually fob me off with I suppose you will have to show me the proper books?’

  ‘I will and I am proud of them.’

  Andrew produced the books and Easterbrook read through them in detail.

  ‘I think I have chosen well when I picked you Andrew and I am glad of it, especially now.’

  ‘Why now Mr Easterbrook?’

  ‘Edward Netherton the beadle at Tavistock has resigned his position, as he could no longer make any money at it in the face of the opposition, mainly you and your children! I can see why now. Instead of starving them and whipping them you make them want to work and feed them well.’

  There was a tap at the door.

  ‘Come.’ Andrew called and Ruth walked a little way into the room.

  Easterbrook held a hand up to stop anyone speaking. ‘I will eat with you and the children, my spies tell me you all sit down together to eat. I just hope it is not gruel!’

  ‘So you knew all about this here.’

  ‘Not all but some. Now let us get down to the nitty gritty, I want you to take over Tavistock as from today.’

  ‘Who will run Lamerton from now on then?’ Andrew asked defensively.

  ‘Well you will of course, you will run both from now on and I will leave all decisions on what happens to you.’ He pulled out a bag of coins. ‘This is the stipend for Tavistock and believe me you will need all of it for a start but I do hope in the near future you can make that place run at as much of a profit as this one.’

  ‘I thank you for your belief in my abilities but it has all been done by the children and my reward is to look after them and make sure they can read, write and be able to count. I also have sent some to learn trades so that they can start a better life when they leave here.’

  ‘I see a section in your accounts detailing rent payments from the terrace of houses you have had built but there are no payments noted yet?’ Easterbrook asked as a book keeper.

  ‘They will provide rent in the future when they are working and earning a wage. Ezekiel and his wife should be paying but Eliza comes over and helps look after the younger children every day and I do not pay her.’

  ‘Hidden earnings, I like that and the rent on the six houses will help keep this place running but I am afraid it will take a miracle to make the main orphanage in Tavistock make a profit.’

  ‘How many children are there at the main orphanage Mr Easterbrook?’

  ‘Officially three hundred but local children are taken there all the time and it is only when there is a head count that we know the true figure.’

  Andrew looked round the orphanage.

  ‘Are you thinking of bringing them all here?’ Easterbrook asked in awe. ‘If you can fit them all in here I will double your stipend when I return.’

  ‘It does sound a tall order Mr Easterbrook but I cannot be in two places at once so unless I can find an under beadle I am willing to trust who also can keep the children in order I will have to bed them all down here.’

  A bell rang.

  ‘Food is served Mr Easterbrook let us wash up before we eat.’

  They all sat down together with some children looking at the fat beadle with distrust but it did not stop them eating their food and as they had been taught by Beth, Eliza and Ruth. Half way through the meal the door burst open and Peterkin staggered into the wash room, took two paces forward before falling to the ground.

  ‘Take him to Tom’s room.’ Martin said with authority and moved to Peterkin’s side. ‘Tom you will sleep in the stable tonight. Mrs Fearon this man has been shot we will need your help.’

  ‘Stop the bleeding as best you can and I will get my things.’ Ruth answered. ‘Be gently with him.’

  Martin nodded. ‘Henry get someone to look after his horse, he could not have gone far without one.’

  ‘I’ll do it.’ Tom declared.

  ‘Not with Doctor Knight coming here you won’t.’ Henry replied and Tom looked suitable depressed as he slumped back into his chair. ‘I’ll do it myself Martin you look after him. William ride off and fetch Doctor Knight.’

  All the time they spoke Andrew said and did nothing. The injured man was carried away and two girls mopped up the blood Peterkin left on the floor.

  The others finished their meal before Martin returned.

  ‘He has a bullet in him Mr McDay but Mrs Fearon has stopped the bleeding. Should I tell Doctor Knight to take it out?’

  ‘See what he says Martin, if it is too dangerous to take it out then it stays in but if it has to come out, it comes out and our visitor takes his chance.’

  ‘Yes Mr McDay. Mrs McDay Mrs Fearon would like your opinion on the wound.’

  ‘Of course Martin I will be there directly will you Get Eliza to take my class and get one of the girls to tend the babies for her?’

  ‘Yes Mrs McDay.’

  The table emptied leaving Andrew and Easterbrook sitting there.

  ‘That was a very good meal. Not as opulent as other meals but nice tasting and very filling.’ Easterbrook declared. ‘And the children get a meal like that every day?’

  ‘And the have a snack in the morning to get them moving, it varies, it is a case of what is available.’

  ‘Was he not a trouble maker and a runaway from the main orphanage at Tavistock?’

  ‘I believe he was Mr Easterbrook but as you see he is now a leader and well liked.’

  ‘What I have seen I have liked, normally I would go on to Tavistock but with no one apart from the whip to keep them in order I will let you go there and do what you will. Instead I will go and see the other orphanages under my scrutiny and I might offer some advice on how to get more out of the children.’

  Andrew saw Easterbrook to his coach and watched them drive away before checking on Peterkin.

  ‘How is he Beth?’ He asked when she came out of the little room.

  ‘Poorly husband, does he not work for your father?’

  ‘He does. I feel he was dispatched to warn us about an impending visit but met ill luck on the way; probably a highwayman. It was a waste if he dies as Easterbrook had knowledge of what we were about but still judged us on outcome. He is pleased by what we have achieved, so much so that now that with Netherton leaving Tavistock he wants me to take over there.’

  ‘Are you leaving us Mr McDay?’ Martin asked from nearby.

  ‘What have I said about eavesdropping?’ Beth scolded.

  ‘No Martin, far from it. He feels I can run both but it is a large undertaking and I will need a lot of help.’

  ‘You shall have all the help you want Mr McDay.’ Martin answered.

  ‘Good, how many boys were there when you left?’

  ‘I don’t know Mr McDay, I couldn’t count before I came here but there were a lot. Do you want me to go there and count them?’

  ‘We will go together Martin, select boys and girls to come with us and we will take the wagon but I cannot go until I know how Peterkin is faring.’

  Life went on at the orphanage but necks craned to see when the doctor arrived and again when he came out of the room and ten minutes later.

  ‘I need to take the bullet out and for that I need light, a lot more light.’ The doctor ordered.

  ‘Then you shall have it William.’ Andrew replied and they brought in more light.

  There was nothing more to do but wait. An hour later the doctor emerged from the little room and rolled down his shirtsleeves before putting on his coat.

  ‘What news is there William?’ Andrew asked trying not to sound impatient.

  ‘I have removed the ball and sewn him up, now it is up to him. I have left instructions on his care from now and I will call again in the morning. It will be a good sign if he is alive then!’

  ‘That bad?’ />
  ‘It is touch and go Andrew, oh and by the way congratulations on the promotion.’

  ‘News moves round here, quicker than the water in the millstream.’ Andrew declared.

  ‘You deserve it Andrew and as you can do nothing here for the injured man you might as well go and survey your new premises.’

  They loaded the cart with what food they could easily spare and children to help at the main orphanage, tied Hopscotch to the back then set out for Tavistock. The first thing Andrew looked for when they arrived was a gate keeper. An old man came out of a little shack as the cart approached and opened the gate to allow them to go inside before locking it behind them. Andrew jumped down from the cart and walked over to him.

  ‘And you are?’ He asked without introducing himself.

  ‘I am Norrie sir, Theodore Norrie! You’ll be Mr Andrew McDay.’

  ‘That I am Theodore, tell me about the place.’ Andrew escorted him into the little shack while the others stayed in the cart.

  ‘How did Netherton see fit to run the place?’

  ‘He didn’t Mr McDay! He left all that to Jacob Sly the whip. All he did was eat drink and invite loose women in for their company.’ Theodore answered.

  ‘And more I’ll be bound.’ Andrew added. ‘So why did he leave?’

  ‘Not enough work to make him enough money to live and keep the children fed. Several died of starvation and Doctor Knight threatened to write to Mr Easterbrook about it.’

  ‘A good man is William, so things are still fairly normal inside without Netherton?’

  ‘Oh yes, children getting whipped for not working hard enough when they are starving. He sent the babies away to be able to sack Mrs Malonck to save money but it still wasn’t enough.’

  ‘Well you rest in here while I sort things out inside Theodore.’

  ‘I’d rather watch if you don’t mind.’ Theodore answered picking up a pickaxe handle as he followed Andrew out.

  ‘As you wish.’ Andrew walked back out to the cart. ‘We need to get them to finish what they are washing but send the unwashed items back to Lamerton for washing, we also need to feed them- oh and we need to get rid of Jacob Sly.’