The Lamerton Workhouse Orphanage

by S G Read

  ‘Are you hit Kelly?’ A man asked.

  ‘No Riley, I thought you said it was empty.’

  ‘I thought it was; are they dead?’

  Peterkin shot both dead by moonlight and silence fell once more. After half an hour Peterkin moved away from his position, round the house moving cautiously and quietly until he reached where Tom was hiding.

  ‘It’s Peterkin.’ He whispered before he moved up beside him. ‘We must wait for light and be diligent; anyone left alive will run before there is daylight.’

  Tom did not answer and they waited and watched. They were still there when daylight arrived and they could see all around them. Five bodies lay where they had fallen and there was no one else there.

  ‘You will have to fetch the thief taker Tom and tell him what went on.’ Peterkin declared.

  ‘Why does it have to be me?’

  ‘Because I have ridden far enough on the boneshaker of a cart and I am not up to riding my horse yet, that is why I did not bring it!’ Peterkin answered.

  Tom gave in but unhitched the horse and took the saddle which lay in the cart, it was far better to go by horse to Exeter than by cart. He was not happy at going inside the thief taker’s office but he did. He explained what had gone on and what the outcome was which had him riding back with the thief taker and his wagon.

  Peterkin was nowhere to be seen when the thief taker arrived, the thief taker looked at the dead and made notes in a book he carried, before loading the bodies inside the cart.

  ‘They knew it was empty, most new about the trial and its outcome, so they thought they could take all they wanted before anyone knew they had been here. Two are wanted for robbery so you might be in line for a reward.’

  Tom’s eyes lit up at the thought of a reward, although he now was paid for looking after the gate and horses, some was retained to pay for the operation. Extra money could help him do what he wanted. He wanted to rent one of Andrew’s houses and get married to a girl he loved. She did not know it, no one knew it! He watched her work in the washroom and help with the children and he thought she was lovely. In six months she would be sixteen and ready to leave so within six months he needed to have a house for her to live in, so that he could court her. He had read up on courting but so far he had said and done nothing.

  ‘How much of a reward will there be Mr Melhuish?’

  ‘Hard to say, the banks and the man who runs the coaches from Exeter are the ones who put one up. If they both pay up it could be as much as twenty pounds.’

  Tom watched Pip ride away with the dead bodies and Peterkin appeared.

  ‘Where were you hiding?’ Tom asked.

  ‘In plain sight as usual.’ Peterkin replied. ‘The thief taker might have thought he recognised me and I did not want to have to explain anything to him.’

  Tom laughed. ‘And there was me afraid to go anywhere near him! I suppose you will want half the reward?’

  ‘No you can have it, to set up house with.’ Peterkin replied and Tom’s jaw fell open.

  ‘How can you know anything about it? You were nearly dead!’

  ‘I have seen you looking at her and she is a pretty thing but I should say something sooner than later or someone else will ask first!’

  ‘You think so?’

  ‘Oh yes Tom, the longer the wait the more likely it is to be too late and if she is not interested in you it is better to know than to not know, not that it helps that much if you are taken with her.’

  ‘No I don’t know what I’ll do if she turns me down.’

  ‘That is life for you. Had things stayed the same you would not have had this problem but you would just spend the day making sure you did not get whipped. So you have to blame Mr McDay for this problem.’

  ‘I don’t know if I should thank him or what.’ Tom answered as they walked inside and closed the door.

  Later that day three carts arrived laden with workers and wood. They were there to start work on the repairs.

  Tom and Peterkin explained what had happened and the two of them started back leaving three older boys, including James with loaded pistols to make sure they could defend the property should others have the same idea then they started back for Lamerton. Peterkin complained all the way back as he felt every jolt and as soon as they arrived he retired to his room to recuperate.

  Tom went into his room in the stable to think but it had to be done and he walked purposely into the orphanage looking for his chosen girl Victoria. She was teaching a class of small children and he sat in on the class to wait until the children left but the longer he waited the worse he felt. When they finally hurried out into the garden to play Victoria walked over to him.

  ‘Are you alright Thomas?’ She asked. ‘You look very warm.’

  Tom looked up, paused to gain courage then answered her.

  ‘I came to ask if you would consider me as more than a friend.’ He said awkwardly.

  ‘I do already Thomas.’

  ‘More than that even Victoria.’

  ‘What are you trying to say Thomas?’

  It was now or never.

  ‘I want you to consider becoming my wife when you feel the time is right Victoria.’

  ‘I am not sixteen yet Thomas.’

  ‘I know Victoria but I needed you to know how I feel, in case others asked before I did.’ Tom answered.

  ‘I am flattered Thomas and I will answer when I feel I am ready for such a commitment.’

  ‘Can I walk out with you on occasions?’

  ‘I would like that, when I have the time spare.’ Victoria answered. ‘I might be getting a post locally when I leave here; I have discussed it with Mrs McDay but until then we can walk out or go riding.’

  ‘You have a horse?’

  ‘No Thomas but Mrs. McDay said I could use her horse when you asked me.’ Victoria added with a coy smile.

  Ruth was in with the babies and heard what went on and she smiled as well.

  Slowly the two orphanages prospered, one making money washing clothes, enough to keep the second orphanage going and Lamerton was now collecting rent from the houses it had built and was selling fruit and vegetables to earn more. Andrew bought more land as he had children ready to work with little to do and that was planted with crops, where he had no plans to build houses.

  Beth’s house was repaired and it now boasted tenants who paid a fair rent to live there and farm the land which brought in more money. Now if Easterbrook came calling no one worried, he offered the stipend for both orphanages but they were refused, which made him a very happy man and a richer man.

  Beth sought out Andrew two years after Sarah was born to tell him about the next baby and Clarence Andrew McDay was born on a cold winter’s morning but the hospital was up and running and William was there to deliver him. William now spent time travelling to London to see Alice as well as writing every day and when Rosemary insisted on coming to see the new baby, Alice came as well.

  William chose that visit to ask permission to ask for Alice’s hand in marriage and neither Clarence nor Rosemary had any objection. Alice did not delay in saying yes and it was settled. The only person who wanted a delay in the marriage was Beth as she wanted to be able to fit into her gown before the wedding.

  The wedding took place in the church in Tavistock with father Ignacious in full swing. The children who knew Alice and wanted to go were allowed but some had to walk to get there and wait outside as there was no room in the church for all of them. After the wedding the two newly weds took up residence in the house by the hospital and Alice was soon enlisted as a nurse much to the surprise of Rosemary. When Clarence Andrew McDay had his second birthday a room in the hospital echoed with Alice and Williams’s first son.

  A week later Easterbrook came to call. He was shown into the new parlour, another extension to give more room for beds above. He sat and savoured a glass of port in his usual way but Andrew sensed there was more to this visit.

  ‘Have I gone too far in my dealin
gs Mr Easterbrook?’ He asked.

  ‘Far from it Andrew.’ He put the glass down. ‘There is an orphanage in Truro which could really do with your expertise in making it self sufficient!’