The Lamerton Workhouse Orphanage

by S G Read

  Owls hooted nearby and a fox passed close by making the shrill barking noise to attract a mate. Peterkin unwrapped a biscuit to eat. A light in the old man’s window caused him to wrap in back up. The old man walked out cautiously with an oil lamp, looked about to see if anyone was watching and then headed for the trees a fair step away. Peterkin did not move, he just watched. The light stopped and was hooked on a tree, then Peterkin could hear digging noises. The noises stopped and the old man held something wrapped in an oil skin up to the light. He unwrapped it to show an old tin which he opened and dropped the coin into. He then proceeded to close the lid, wrap it back up again and bury it.

  Peterkin smiled in the dark and waited until the old man returned to the hovel. He waited another half hour before he moved over to where the old man had worked. He did not use a light, as his eyes were well accustomed to the dark by now but when he was where he thought the old man had been he opened his tinder box to make a small light which he kept shielded so that it was not visible from the house. He cast around for disturbed soil and soon found it covered by a few twigs; he set the light down so that it was still not visible from the house and removed the twigs before digging up the box to recover his shilling. There was other money in there, which he left but he also found the note written on parchment which could well be the one he wanted. He could not read but when he held it to the light he could see the Dymonds crest on the note paper. Another smile and he put the tin back where he found it less the shilling and the note. He left the area as he had found it and pictured the old man’s face when he found both gone. It might be well worth waiting for but he had other things to do. He walked back to where he tethered his horse and rode off; it had been an interesting night.

  He rode to the small deserted building he had found soon after reaching Exeter and unsaddled his horse. He, like Andrew, respected the horse and looked after it before he settled down to sleep for what was left of the night. He hid the letter outside before he did so, as to be caught with it might implicate him in the attack on Lady Dymonds and that would not do. His employer had enough on his plate, defending the dogsbody Jenkins.

  Something caused him to stir just before dawn and although he had no idea what it was, he heeded it. He crept out of the building and walked up to the trees where the horse was loosely tethered to stop it wandering into sight. He stayed up there and found himself a vantage point to watch the building he had just left. It took an hour for something to happen and then he saw a young, strange looking man ride up on what he thought was an appaloosa but he had only seen one once, as they were the horse of the gentry. The young man stopped at the building and inspected it inside and out before riding away again. Peterkin waited another hour before he rode down, retrieved the letter and rode for the cross roads by the orphanage; he wanted rid of the letter. He had spent the night to the east of Tavistock and now rode north a short way to pick up the road west which passed right by the orphanage and into Lamerton itself, although there was not much in Lamerton to interest him. He kept his eyes peeled for anyone in front and several times reined in and moved off the road to let them pass. Thus it was gone noon when he left the horse in the orphanage stable for Tom to look after and walked across the road to see Clarence.

  Clarence moved out onto the front veranda to receive him and sat waiting as he walked up; he had been waiting for him.

  ‘What news Peterkin?’ He asked and motioned him to sit down.

  The butler Barton appeared at the door. ‘Does the gentleman what refreshment?’ He asked.

  ‘He’ll take wine Barton, thank you.’ Clarence replied and offered Peterkin a cigar.

  Peterkin took one of the large cigars and placed it behind his right ear before speaking. ‘What I thought was right.’

  ‘Jolly good. Do you have the merchandise?’

  ‘I do.’ Peterkin looked round before passing the letter over to Clarence. ‘And right glad I am to be shot of it as well.’

  ‘What an upstanding pillar of the community like you Peterkin?’

  ‘I have known men hanged for less.’

  ‘Obviously Mr Martyn did not think so.’

  ‘I think he was looking to use it for gain, after they hanged Jenkins.’ Peterkin answered.

  Barton appeared with two glasses of wine and a decanter in case they required more.

  Peterkin waited until he was gone before saying more. ‘I think he saw something in the note but I am unsure what it was Mr McDay.’

  ‘I will ask Mr Melhuish his opinion when I hand it in to him.’ Clarence answered and toasted Peterkin’s good work with wine.

  While Peterkin settled down to sleep in the stable, Tom drove Clarence into Exeter. Clarence sat in the back with two pistols under his coat just in case of highway men. He knew how to use them, as he had taught Andrew how to shoot. They stopped in front of the thief takers house without any inconvenience and Tom stayed put, while Clarence went inside.

  ‘Good afternoon Mr McDay.’ The thief taker greeted sitting at his table.

  ‘My man managed to locate the missing note.’ Clarence declared and held it out for him to take.

  ‘He did? Can I ask where it was?’

  ‘From what I understand an old man who lives outside Tavistock, on the coast road had it and deemed in worth while keeping. If it was for blackmail purposes and I am not able to say it was, he might well have seen something in the note which escapes me.’

  The thief taker took the note and read it. It was on Dymonds note paper and well written.

  ‘It seems to clear your man but I can see nothing unusual about it. The best thing I can do is ask someone who knows a thing or two about the Dymonds writing; your new daughter in law.’

  ‘Beth?’

  ‘Yes Beth will know if Lady Dymonds wrote this.’

  ‘I suppose she will. I never thought to show it to her; I supposed that you would like to see it as soon as I laid hands on it.’

  ‘You were right there Mr McDay, it is my job to ask Beth her opinion on it but you can warn your son and daughter in law that I will be along later and why.’

  ‘I will do that very thing; good day thief taker.’

  ‘Good day Mr McDay.’

  Tom was glad to ride away from the thief takers office again, he did not like being near it.

  Andrew sat in his office when the doctor walked in unannounced, as that was now the custom with him; He carried two crutches as well as his black bag.

  ‘Good morning William.’ Andrew greeted and looked at his watch. ‘Well just will you eat with us?’

  ‘I will Andrew but first today is the day when I find out if my work on Mrs Webber is successful or not.’

  The doctor knocked and entered the room when Mrs Webber answered. He was in there a full hour before he came out again.

  ‘How is it looking William?’ Andrew asked.

  ‘Very good, she will be slow moving for a while as her muscles will have atrophied to some extent but she will soon be as good as new.’ The doctor turned to look in the open door. ‘And you will use the crutches or answer to me!’

  They could both hear Ann Webber mumbling about using the crutches from inside the room and then the door closed.

  ‘I need you to look at Tom’s ankle and let me know how much you would charge to sort it out, if it is possible to do anything at this late stage, but I would like you not to get his hopes up, in case it is not possible or I cannot afford it.’ Andrew said quietly.

  ‘What happened to him? I have seen him limping.’

  ‘He was dragged into the long tub with the washing and broke it then but they made him work on.’

  ‘No!’

  ‘Oh yes. One of the boys tied a piece of wood to it to help him work on and nothing else was ever done about it, as far as I can tell.’

  ‘Are all beadles monsters? Present company accepted.’

  ‘The previous ones have seemed to be and I am trying to right some of the wrongs but money is always the problem.’


  ‘I will look and see what I think; if Ruth can nurse him here it would save money.’

  ‘That is the way it will have to be, I certainly cannot afford a hospital bed for him.’

  ‘Leave it with me and I will try to look at it out of professional interest.’

  The door opened and Clarence walked in followed by the thief taker. Andrew looked up and was immediately suspicious but he did not show his feelings; since being at the orphanage he had learnt to hide his true feelings and put on a mask of normality.

  ‘Good afternoon father and to you Pip how can I help?’ He said amiably.

  ‘I would like to talk to your good wife if I may.’ Pip answered.

  ‘She is teaching at present is it urgent?’ Andrew replied.

  ‘I have a letter supposedly written by Lady Dymonds and as she has taught the children in there and seen her ladyships writing first hand, I value her opinion on it.’

  ‘I will take over with the children, if you are happy for me to do it.’ William offered.

  ‘If Mrs McDay is willing to let you, I will have no objection William, can you ask her to come into the parlour please.’

  ‘My pleasure Andrew.’

  While the doctor went up to relieve Beth Andrew remembered his manners.

  ‘Take a seat, can I offer you some refreshment?’

  ‘I need a large sherry after the long ride.’ Clarence answered as he sat down. ‘Will you join me Philip?’

  ‘I will indeed Clarence.’ Pip answered and sat down. He felt a little out of place in such a parlour but he was there on official business.

  A few moments later Beth came into the parlour: All three men stood until she was seated.

  ‘How can I help you Mr Melhuish?’ She asked when she was settled.

  ‘I have this letter which was supposedly penned by Lady Dymonds and would ask your opinion on it.’ The thief taker answered.

  ‘Do you have the letter with you?’ Beth asked.

  The thief taker took the letter out of the pouch it was in and passed it across to her via Clarence. Beth took the time to read it and then read it again but the second time she looked at the writing in more detail.

  ‘Well it is very like her hand but the d’s are not hers.’ She said at length. ‘Let me explain.’ She walked to the desk, took a sheet of paper to be able to demonstrate and then inked a quill. The men followed to watch.

  ‘Do you see this cross where the d ends up looking a little like a t?’

  ‘Yes.’ The thief taker answered.

  ‘Well that is Lady Dymonds d whereas on this letter although most of the writing looks the same the d’s are different. Do you see they end up in a short, carrot like shape?’

  ‘Yes I do.’ The thief taker answered. ‘Have you any idea who wrote the letter?’

  ‘I think I may have. Let me look through my old books, they were the only things I was allowed to take away from that wretched place and Edgar Dymonds wrote a note on one of them.’

  They waited while she went in search of the elusive book. She found it after a few minutes and returned clutching it.

  ‘I warn you now this is the writings of a sick seventeen year old, who has but one thing on his mind, when near a woman.’ She said and displayed the written note in her book.

  ‘I should call him out for that.’ Andrew exclaimed in disgust.

  ‘It is distasteful, agreed,’ Clarence added, ‘but look at the dees they are indeed the same.’

  ‘So Edgar wrote the note to get rid of Jenkins before he shot his own mother?’ The thief taker replied deep in thought. ‘You say you were not privy to taking home their books, that means I should be able find some more in the manor to compare with the note, to save your blushes Mrs McDay.’

  ‘They are kept in a big box in the play room.’ Beth answered. ‘Thank you, what is suggested is not a suggestion I would like bandied about in the inns around Exeter.’

  ‘That I can understand.’ The thief taker replied. ‘I thank you and will take your leave now.’

  They watched the thief taker go before discussing the note on her book.

  ‘No wonder you have a low opinion of him my dear.’ Clarence said when the door was closed. ‘Is the younger one any better?’

  ‘I am afraid Hugo is worse. He cannot communicate well and throws lots of tantrums, which is not good for a fifteen year old.’ Beth answered.

  ‘It does not bode well for when Edgar becomes of age and takes the title of his dead father.’ Clarence exclaimed. ‘And nothing will stop him becoming Lord Dymonds then except…’ Clarence stopped speaking to think before continuing. ‘Unless she could have both of them incarcerated in an asylum for the insane before then. If she is as grasping as I think she is, that might well be her plan and they might well have objected.’

  ‘Are they clever enough to think up this plan Beth?’ Andrew asked.

  ‘It is hard to say what people are capable of, until they are desperate husband.’ She answered pertaining to her own change of occupation, until she returned to teaching.

  ‘Quite so my dear.’ Clarence replied. ‘I think I can safely apply for Mr Jenkins release now and, somehow, I do not think I will be defending Edgar Dymonds.’

  Mrs Webber came out of her room on the crutches. The contraption the doctor had put round her damaged leg was gone but it still looked bruised.

  ‘How does it feel Mrs Webber?’ Andrew asked.

  ‘I can at least walk on it but the sooner I get rid of these things the better.’ She answered indicating the crutches by holding them both forward without falling over.

  She walked past them and out into the wash room, she had seen the same four walls for a long time now and wanted a change of scenery. Beth hovered behind as though she could catch her, should she fall and followed her out.

  ‘You might soon have your bedroom back Andrew.’

  ‘Yes father although I am quite fond of the other room but there are no windows in it and it will be nice to be able to see the garden when it is growing.’

  The noise in the washroom suddenly stopped and all was quiet out there.

  ‘I think all the clothes are washed father and there was more than the normal load today, which is good as we need every penny we can earn.’

  ‘I am always ready to help if necessary.’ Clarence replied, as he finished his sherry and stood up.

  ‘I know father and the increase in the allowance will help immeasurably but we need to make this orphanage self sufficient which will please Mr Easterbrook no end.’

  ‘It will indeed Andrew and it will keep you here doing your good work.’

  ‘For which I have you to thank father. For without your little push, I would still be unaware that things like this were going on in this country.’

  ‘I did what I thought had to be done Andrew and you have borne it well. You have my complete admiration.’

  They embraced something they had not done for some years.

  ‘I owe you a lot father and will do my best to make you proud of the two of us.’

  ‘I hope you make that the three of you before I am too old to appreciate a grandchild.’

  ‘Nature will take its course I am sure father but if it is not to be, I will be satisfied with my blue eyed Beth.’

  ‘I am sure if nature is hesitant your mother will have ideas how to help it along.’ Clarence answered with a smile which was unusual for him.

  ‘If help is needed, I am sure mother will be invited to give her opinion.’

  ‘Very candid, you have the makings of a fine lawyer.’ Clarence exclaimed and they walked out into the now almost quiet wash room. Only two boys remained and they were mopping the floor which always ended up wet during the washing but was not mopped until they stopped work for the day. With the exception of Ruth who was cooking the evening meal; the rest were upstairs with Beth catching up on the lessons they had missed during the day. Andrew saw Clarence to the gate. He watched him cross the road and start up to the cottage before he walked
back inside. As he could see no sign of Mrs Webber he walked out into the garden but it was chilly and there no sign of her. He scratched his head and walked back inside, closing the door against the cold as he did so. She had either gone back into her room or gone upstairs on the crutches, which was unthinkable. With no other option he walked upstairs and found her sitting on a bed up there.

  ‘And what would the doctor say about this?’ Andrew asked.

  ‘He said get some exercise and use the crutches so I did. Mrs McDay saw to it that I did not fall.’ She answered.

  A list of answers came to mind but the fact that she actually made it up the stairs, was an achievement in itself.

  ‘Just be careful going down.’ He replied and sat down to listen to what was going on.

  The thief taker rode back to Exeter and collected more men and the wagon before going out to Dymonds manor. Edgar opened the door.

  ‘What do you want?’ He asked haughtily.

  The thief taker had had the dubious pleasure of meeting lord Dymonds before he died and he sounded just like him. Lord Dymonds had died of Syphilis and it had not been a nice death. He had been a womaniser all his life and had paid for it in the end; this man sounded just like him and he appeared to be as much a womaniser as his father at seventeen.

  ‘We want to search this manor for samples of your hand writing and the missing jewels.’ He said with great relish. ‘Put him in the cart.’

  Another in the party came round from the rear of the house with the younger boy who was squirming and screaming.

  ‘I found this one round the back burning paper and thought they might be important.’ The man declared. ‘John Pratt is putting the fire out.’

  ‘Good, keep hold of him while we search but at the moment we will assume it was all done by Edgar here.’

  The search was limited to looking for the jewels, as all the school work was outside and they had saved enough to check the note against the writing it contained. It took an hour to find where the jewels were hidden then they released Hugo to look after himself and took Edgar into Exeter. Hugo stood and shouted obscenities after the men, long after they had gone; he was a troubled young man.