Disclaimer: These are works of fan-fiction created for entertainment. It is not the intention of the author to infringe on anyone's copyright. No rights infringement intended. Warning: General, Safe for All

The Sharpe Fan Fictions of Paul K.

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Sharpe's Family

PART I

Chapter 2

Richard Sharpe sits on his stool. As with most days, he pulls at a piece of rope. He barely fits on the stool anymore. He thinks that he is eight years old. Ma told him he was born in June. Or, did she say it was July? He thought he was four when ma died. It has been four years that he has been here. At almost five feet tall, he is taller than most of the boys in the room. He is skinny like all the children, but has healthy color. His long hair hangs down the sides of his head and frames his face. His blue eyes watch everything going on around him. He has learned to watch out for the other, older boys.

Since he came to the orphanage, he and the other children live not much better than being slaves. Most days he picks apart rope to be used as oakum. It did not take him long to learn how to hide, then use his knife to help him. The attendants noticed he picked more than the other children under four years. They increased his goal to pick a pound an’ a half each day. When he asked why they needed more, he learned that they sold to caulkers and upholsterers. Mrs. Thatcher had told him about the ships on his first day. She doesn’t like answering all his questions, but had explained

“Upholsterers make chairs and such to sit on with padding. They stuff the chairs with oakum so that the quality have a soft space to rest their bums.”

Richard has never seen a chair with padding. But, he has learned to ask only a few questions at a time and to keep the questions simple.

Some days, because he is bigger than many of the children and strong enough to lift the heavy bundles, he carries piles of clothing and cloth to and from the laundry tubs. Each day, after they finish the work and meal, boys and girls make their way to the side of the room assigned to each group. Many are so tired, that they return to their mat to curl up and sleep.

He is happy that he has not been sent to the Bone Room. Children and grownups who have caused trouble are sent to a room to pound bones into powder. Richard doesn’t know that Jem Hocking sells the powder to be made into some kind of paste that is used to pretend as ivory. Jem’s customers pay little, but charge their customers as if it is rare ivory. Richard knows only that those that work in the bone room for many days cough a lot.

Since coming to Jem Hocking’s he has learned Jem’s Rules. Every Sunday, Jem or one of the Overseers, reads them to all. Also, copies are posted on the walls of the Hall. He can’t read, but he knows that there are seventeen rules. The last three punish any one who sins.

RULES & ORDERS
To be observed by
The Poor of the Parish Workhouse of Howick Place,
In the City of London.

Know Ye That

•The Master and Mistress live in the House, and see that the following Rules be observed.
•These Orders be placed in the Hall, Dinner-room, or in any other place that the Overseers may direct; and that they be read on a Sunday at Dinner-time by the Master or an Overseer, so that the Poor may not plead ignorance of the same.
•Hours: In the autumn quarter year, Every Person in health shall rise by Six o’Clock, all the Poor in the House go to bed by Eight o’Clock.
•In the winter quarter year Every Person in health shall rise by Seven o’Clock, all the Poor in the House go to bed by Seven o’Clock.
•From Lady-day to Michaelmas, all the Poor in the House shall rise from Seven o’Clock and go to bed by Dark.
•All the Poor allow by Eight o’Clock a half an hour for breakfast, by Twelve o’Clock one hour for dinner, and by Six o’Clock half an hour for supper
•By go-to-bed time, all candles shall be put out.
•Work & Pay: Every Person in health shall be employed in such labour as their respective age and ability will admit,
•Workers shall be allowed 2d. in every shilling they earn; Cook 4d.per week; doctor’s Nurse from 1s. Washerwomen half a pint of ale each per day and tea in the afternoon.
•Provisions: No one absent themselves from the House without leave, nor stay beyond the time allowed them; nor may any one be admitted into the House without leave of the Governor.
•All the Poor shall have their provisions in a clean and wholesome manner, and their Dinner three times a week to be a hot meat and vegetables, properly cooked, that no waste be made, nor any provisions carried away;
•Grace shall be said before and after Dinner, and none may depart until Grace is said;
•The House be swept from top to bottom every morning and cleaned all over once a week, or so often as the Master and Mistress think necessary; and the windows be opened daily
•All in the House who are able, and can be spared from the duties thereof, shall attend Church or some other Place of Worship twice every Sunday.

Punishments:

“BE SURE YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT.” Numbers, Chapter 32, Verse 23.
•Any of the Poor shall be punished by being fed on Bread and Water only for two days if they are found defacing or destroying these Rules.
•Any of the Poor shall go without their Next Meal, or be punished in some other way, as the Overseers shall think proper if they; refuse or neglect to attend Services, or do not return as soon as Service is over; absent themselves from the House without leave, nor stay beyond the time allowed them; refuse to work; bring spirituous liquors into the House, or smoke in any part of the premises, except the hall.
•Any of the Poor shall be taken before a Magistrate, and punished with the utmost severity of the Law if they are guilty of stealing, selling their provisions or clothing, or of drunkenness, swearing, quarreling, fighting or in any other way disturbing the peace of the House, act in disobedience of the orders of the Master or Mistress, or of being in any way saucy or abusive to the Master or Mistress, or are in contempt of these Orders.

Jonah Heaton ~ Overseer
Alice Thatcher ~ Overseer
Jem Hocking ~ Master
Missus Hocking ~ Mistress

2nd January 1770

Richard has been in trouble with the attendants for talking, straying to areas he is not allowed to go to and running. Sometimes extra work. So far, he has avoided the Bone Room. Sometimes he has been beaten. After too many times being warned by the Overseers because he was talking too much with Missy and Rachael, they took him to The Master.

“Mr. Sharpe, They tell me that you have not learned to be quiet when ye are told.” The overseers had held him while one lifted his shirt. The Master had taken a long thin rod into his hand. He waved it through the air, then struck Richard across his bare back with the rod. After ten strikes, blood had run down his back. Richard wanted to be brave but sobbed as he was struck again. The next strike was the last.

“One dozen lashes should help you remember to be silent when ye are told.”

Then, Jem walked away to leave the Overseers with Richard. Richard had looked at The Master go, then went with the Overseers back to the work area. He has avoided being whipped again by following the rules when any of the Overseers where near.

Now, he looks at his feet while he works. His breeches are too short and only go to top of his knees. If they were any shorter they barely cover his legs at all. The only times that he has been given new clothes has been when another boy has grown out of something or when one of the patron families of the laundry service donates an article.

Today had started as most days had since he had come to the orphanage. At dawn, everyone formed line to eat breakfast. Every morning they were served cold porridge and a tin of water. After, they were made to set to listen to the scriptures. Brother Jonah Heaton opened a very large, thick Bible. He would read to us after each meal. Richard knew of Abraham and Isaac as they were mentioned often. Whenever anyone of those listening was not duly attentive, Brother Jonah would hold his place in the Bible with a finger, walk to the offending person and then hit that person with the bible. The blow would send the child sailing along the floor.

Richard has seen enough people hit that he made sure he appeared to be paying attention. He really did know who these people that Brother read to them. Nor did he care. Brother Jonah would always end with Jem Hocking’s favorite verse.

“And, as this Good Book tells us in Numbers Chapter 32, Verse 23. BE SURE YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT. Go, Sin Not.”

Richard has heard this so many times. “Numbers Chapter 32 Verse 23. Ha!” He is always glad when the reading is over and that Brother Jonah has put the book away. Working picking oakem was hard work. But, it was much easier than sitting still to listen to the scriptures.

Mrs Thatcher had continued to sit Richard with the girls. He learned that the other girl is Rachael. Missy and Rachael sit near him as they had on his first day and every day since. In the beginning, the attendants thought Richard was the same age because he was as big as the five-year olds.

When they learned that Richard was not as old as Missy and Rachael, they wanted to move him. But, Mrs. Thatcher noticed that Missy and Rachael produced more oakum when they sat with Richard. The three of them often produced more than their quotas. She did not know why, nor care, but liked that they did.

Mrs. Thatcher has never seen that Richard starts each rope then gives it to one of the girls. He learned how to hide his knife in his sleeve so that no one knows that it is there. When he starts a rope, he slides the knife into his hand, uses the tip of the knife as he would his fingernail to release strands of hemp from the tar. He raises his head enough to watch the attendants. When none are looking his way, he passes the rope to Missy or Rachael, who sit on either side of him. He then pulls another rope to start from the bucket. When all three have a length of rope that is started, he returns the knife to his sleeve.

Although, in the beginning, the girls warned Richard to go slowly, when Richard offered to help them start their ropes, they took the ropes. The ropes Richards started are much easier to pull apart. Their hands don’t hurt as much as when they have to start the ropes themselves.

On days that the three produce more than their quota, Mrs. Thatcher moves the girls to the kitchen and Richard to the laundry. The girls and Richard continue to produce in the kitchen and laundry without being driven. As the girls worked in the kitchen, they liked that they could ‘sample’ what was being cooked. Richard learned that washerwomen earn half a pint of ale each per day and tea in the afternoon. Since he mostly works in the afternoon, he shares the tea with them. They serve the tea with milk and sometimes sugar. He likes the taste and the brief rest before supper.

Both girls have grown and look healthier than the other girls of their ages. When they can, they put ‘extra’ food into a pocket to share with Richard. Missy, Rachael and Richard have grown taller than most of the other children of their same ages. Both girls stand at five feet tall. Richard is only a few inches shorter.

Three years later, the girls are the only friends that Richard has. Missy and Rachael are older than Richard by two years. Missy had come to the orphanage two years before Richard. Both her parents died of fever. Their church took Missy to Jem Hocking. Rachael arrived six months later. Her mother died too of fever. Her father took her to Jem and has never returned. Mrs. Thatcher had put them together. They sleep next to each other. And, when it is cold, they sleep together to stay warm.

Soon it will be time to eat. He looks forward to mealtimes. Right now his stomach is making noises because he is very hungry. He is always hungry. They are fed three times a day. The thin barley soups sometimes contain potatoes. But, there is almost never any meat, fish or fowl. Bread is served at two meals. What each child gets is barely enough to grow healthy, nor in winter to keep warm. “I miss Mr. Drake’s fish porridge.”

Missy giggles softly. “Richard, is that yer stomach?”

“Yes, I am hungry.”

“Ye are always hungry. We will eat soon.” Rachael says, but then frowns at the thought of mealtime. For several months now, at mealtimes and at the end of the workday, three of the older boys have been cornering the girls when the attendants are not paying attention and when Richard is not nearby.

At nine, Missy and Rachael have started to change from homely little girls that are shaped like boys into pretty young women. Because they work in the kitchen, they wash more than most. Their faces and hands are cleaner. They wear their hair tied back to keep it from the food. Missy’s face is lean and narrow with high cheekbones and a slim nose. She has blue eyes and milky white skin. Rachael’s face is rounder and with a broad nose. Her hair is dark brown. Her eyebrows are bushy. Her skin is olive colored.

The older boys notice. The boys tease the girls by trying to touch them and hold them to steal kisses. The girls know not to scream or make a fuss. When they have, the boys have accused them of being crazy. The attendants have then punished the girls by giving them the extra work to empty the chamber pots. The boys continued to paw at the girls until Richard saw what was happening.

Richard had watched other boys fight, but had avoided fighting anyone. He knew that anyone caught fighting would be punished. Sometimes the punishment was to be beaten with a cane across the back of the legs. For those who didn’t learn from that, the next punishment was to be sent to the Bone Room.

Since these boys started to tease the girls, he has stepped in to defend them. He is as tall or taller than all three of the other boys. Noah is the leader of the three. He stands two inches shorter than Richard. Ezekial is Noah’s younger brother and is half an inch shorter. Bill stands an inch taller than Noah. He has been a friend with the brothers since he came to the orphanage. All three of them have been at the orphanage for only a year. They grew up knowing their parents before they were sent to Jem Hocking.

Today, he will have to take on all three. Missy and Rachael are in trouble. He decides to act. With quick purposeful strides, he closed the distance. Bill by the arm and spun him away from Missy.

“Noah! Zeke! Get your hands off Missy and Rachael.” Richard watches Bill, the one he spun, so that he doesn’t come from behind. “or what? Dickie Sharpe. Y’ gonna fight all of us? Last time didn’t go so good for y’ did it? Noah is confident that he can beat Richard.

Richard had been sore for many days from the bruises collected in fights with these three and other boys. Richard seemed always to be the target of one of the older boys. Many times, the fight would start with someone making fun of him about his mother being a whore.

Sometimes, like now, he would fight to protect a girl or a smaller boy from one of the bullies. In his time here, Richard came to know the ways of bullies. He also knew that most bullies were cowards. If you stand up to them, they stop or sometimes try to ambush you. His last fight had been an ambush. But, although he was skinny, he was strong and clever.

In the last fight with these three, Richard had found a mop and used the handle like the bat he played with when he lived at Cat Lane. He had found an opening between Noah’s legs when he swung the mop. Noah had dropped like a sack. Zeke and Bill had kept their distance until the attendants arrived. Richard had been punished with extra work. Noah had been sent to the Bone Room. But Missy and Rachael had escaped the boys’ attentions without being punished.

“Nor for y’ Noah”

“Y’ bastard, Dickie. Y’ don’t have yer stick this time. My turn to pay y’ back, eh?” Noah starts towards Richard while Bill and Zeke approach from each side.

“Missy. Rachael. Go.”

Both the girls scamper off towards the girls’ area of the room. They know that the attendants will keep the boys away from their area

Richard slowly retreats and looks for something that he can use to help defend himself. From behind the other three, he sees someone approach..

“Need some ‘elp Dick?”

Richard sees Dan Pierce as he stands behind Noah. Dan is three years older and like Richard, is taller than Noah. He is thin, with hooded eyes and a long, thin neck. Dan’s mother had worked as a prostitute in Shadwell. Early in life, she had lost the lower part of her leg to and accident with a cart wheel. By the time, Dan had reached an age much older than most who come to the orphanage, his mother could no longer keep up with or support him. She left him at the with Jem Hocking. Noah has fought Dan before, and lost. Dan had lived and learned how to survive on the streets more than most.

“Stay out o’ this Dan. Not yer business.”

“Don’ seem fair. Three fightin’ only one.”

“Y’ don’ want to start now. Look the attendants are ‘ere.. We’ll all ‘ave to pay if y’ fight.”

One of the male attendants had come to see what had caused the shouting.

“What’s ‘appening ‘ere?”

Noah looks to Dan, Richard and then the attendant. “Nothin’ appenin’ ‘ere, Mr. Jonas.”

“Go find somethin’ somewhere else. Or I’ll find somethin’ for y’ to do.”

Noah grabs his brother and walks off. Bill follows.

Dan takes Richard’s arm to lead him away.

“Dick, how do y’ find so much trouble?”

“Don’t know, Dan. Thanks.”

Dan smiles. “Y’ really need to stop fightin’. Or ‘ave somun teach y’ how t’ fight. One o’ these times, y’ll get real hurt.”

Richard thinks about what Dan has said. “I don’ start the fights.”

“I know, but they find y’.”

“So, who could teach me.?”

“I can, but not ‘ere. We will need time after dark and out of sight of the attendants.”

“If I teach ya, what is in it for me?”

“What do you want?”

“Food. Ya always seem to get more than the rest of us.”

Missy and Rachael often work extra helping to cook the meals. They sneak small portions in the hems of their skirts to share with Richard. Many of the children who have only the meals served to them are sickly and small stature for their ages. The extra food has helped Richard to grow and to keep him from getting sick when many others have. Even with the extra food though, he is often hungry,

“How much food?”

“Half of what ya get?”

“For how long?”

“Until I finish teachin’ ya.”

Even if it takes a month, sharing half his food, shouldn’t be too bad.

“Half my food. One month. Ya teach me to fight. All right.”

He’ll need to explain to Missy. But, since Dan will be there to help him to protect Missy and Rachael from Noah and his brother, they should agree.

Two days later, Dan found Richard after they had eaten their evening meal.

“Dick, I have a place that I can teach ya. Do ya have food for me?”

By now, Richard had become used to being called Dick. Before he had come to the orphanage, everyone called him Richard, because his ma called him that. Somehow he missed being called Richard, but when he was called by that name, he remembered that he was alone. Answering to Dick was like being a new person.

“Aye Dan,”

Missy and Rachael were scared that they would be punished if more people knew that they were sharing food. But, Richard explained that they would share it only with him. He would share it with Dan, but no others. For them it would be no different than they were doing now. They would give him food only when they could get it. After a day to think about what he requested, they agreed to continue to help him.

From his pocket, Richard pulled out a small potato that had been cooked. The girls had pulled two of them from the pot that was being used to make the evening meal.

“I got two taters today. One for you. One for me.”

Dan took the potato. Without looking at it, he rolled it in his hand so that it was out of sight of anyone nearby.

“Small one. Only one?”

“One is half of what I got. You can check my pocket if you don’ trust me.”

Dan pauses. “No, Dick. I think I can trust ya.”

“After everyone finished eating, meet me outside by the old men’s door.”

The old men and women who worked at the poor house across the courtyard from the orphanage were divided into two rooms, but never meet. To get there, he will have to go past Jem Hocking’s house.

“How do I get there without the Master seeing me?”

Just walk slowly. Hunch over. Ya are tall enough. In shadow, no one ‘ll know ya are not a grown man. I do it. Ain’t been stopped yet. When I come back, it is too dark for anyone ta care.”

“Aye, when the others finish and go to our rooms. I’ll meet you there.”

At this time of year, the days were long. As the daylight faded, Richard slowly made his way to the place that Dan mentioned.

Dan, waits for him. “Anyone see ya, Dick?”

“Didn’t see anyone on the way here.”

“Good.”

“When I lived with my ma in Shadwell, I had to fight. Boys picked on me cuz my ma had only one leg and she is a whore, like yer ma.”

Richard is angry that Dan calls his mother a whore. Other boys have called his ma a whore to hurt him. Dan didn’t say it to hurt him.

“Sometimes had to fight only one boy. Most times more than one.. Got hurt a lot until I learned how to win.”

“How to win?”

“Yeah. Only fight when ya know ya can win.”

“How can I win all the time?”

“When ya can’t win, don’t fight. Run away.”

“Run away? I’m not scared.”

“I know. That’s why ya get beat up.”

“Don’t get beat up, unless it helps ya win.”

“Beat up to win?”

“Yeah. Beat up to win.”

“Everyone ya fight has a weakness. If the other is stronger, bigger or faster than ya, let em use that against ya where ya can be hurt so ya can get to t’other’s weakness. But don’t get hurt bad before ya can finish t’other.”

“Get hurt, but not hurt bad. Find the weakness and beat it. Win the fight.”

“yeah.”

“What are weaknesses?”

“Balls, knees, fingers, throat, nose or eyes.”

Richard pauses because he is confused. “You can punch only the nose. How do I punch the others?”

“Ya can punch the throat. No rules in fightin’. For others, kick balls or knees. If ya ‘ave a stick, use that. Poke fingers into eyes. Bend fingers like ya wants to break one.”

“No rules?”

“No rules. Just win.”

“Just win.”

“Yeah, just win.”

“Fastest way to take another out is to cripple with hit to the balls or knee. Can’t stand up. Punch the throat. Can’t breathe. Need to take the first out fast. Really need it when ya fight more than one.”

“Fight more than one?”

“Don’t, unless ya ‘ave to. When ya ‘ave to fight, fight an’ cripple the weaker one first. Keep away from t’other. If ya beat the weaker, the stronger one may not want to fight ya.”

“Weaker first? How?”

“Move in circle. Make the weaker one follow you. When he is in front of other, cripple ‘im. If ya needs to, do it again with the next.”

Richard thinks about this. When he fights Bill, Zeke and Noah he always ends up fighting all three. He usually ends up fighting Noah first and while they are fighting, Zeke and Bill join Noah to hold Richard. Last time, he was able to use a stick to knock Noah out of the fight. Zeke and Bill backed off . Maybe they are scared of Richard already.

“So, Dan’s Rules for fightin’ are:

“Only fight when you know you can win.”

“Run away when you can’t win.”

“No rules. Just win.”

“Don’t get beat up, unless it helps you win.”

“Find the weakness and beat it.”

“Balls, knees, fingers, throat, nose or eyes.”

“Use whatever you’ can to ‘elp you.”

“Anything?”

“Anything.”

Richard wonders if he should tell Dan about his knife. The knife could help him. But, if others learn he has it, he could lose it to the attendants. And, the knife could hurt someone really bad. He won’t tell Dan.

“When you ‘ave to fight more than one, fight and cripple the weaker one first.”

“Yeah, Dan’s Rules. I like that. Number one is No rules. Just win.”

Dan can barely see Richard now. The sun has set. He wants to avoid being caught and punished.

“We are done today. Time to go.”

“When do you teach me to punch better?”

“Next time. Punching. Another time kicking, moving, bendidng. I am going now.”

Three days later, Missy and Rachael were able to get some dried peas before they put them into the pot. They gave Richard the peas wrapped in a cloth. The quantity wasn’t very big, so he decided to give it all to Dan so he could learn more about fighting.

Richard and Dan had prepared a signal that Dan would know when there was more food to pay for a lesson. Richard would touch his nose and then tug his right ear. Dan would hold up a finger to signal that he understood and whether they could meet that day, the next, or the day after.

When they finished work for the day, Richard lined up with the others to eat. When he saw Dan, he waited until Dan looked his way to signal. Dan responded by holding a single finger upward. Richard nodded. They would meet that night.

As before, Richard made his way to their spot. Dan had arrived already.

“Good to see ya, Dick.”

“And you, Dan. Here.” He hands Dan the peas that are wrapped in brown paper.

“Not much, eh?”

“All the girls could get.”

“All? Yes, I kept none.”

“None for ya, ya say. Ya are eager to learn, eh?”

“Yes.”

Dan puts the paper into a pocket. “What shall we learn today, eh? Want to hit?”

“Hit, aye.”

“Show me how you hit now.”

Richard balls his fingers into a fist with the thumb inside his fingers.

“Almost right. Keep yer thumb outside. Thumb inside hurts yerself when ya hit.”

Dan holds a hand up with the palm facing Richard.

“’it me ‘and.”

Richard looks at his hand then jabs at it.

“No more ‘n a slap. Ya need ta put yer body into it.”

Dan turns sideways with his left foot facing Richard. “When ya ‘it, drive wi’ yer body.” Dan strikes out to his front with his right side following through behind his arm.

“Whether ya uses yer right or left, drive w’ yer side. More power that ‘urts.”

“Until ya ‘re ready to hit, use t’other ‘and to keep the other away.” Dan uses his left hand in front of him to at as a warning to keep the distance of another from him.

“What did I tell ya last time to hit?”

“Balls, knees, noses or eyes.”

“Aye. Hitting anything else may leave bruises. But won’t end the fight.”

“Can’t hit balls and knees with my hands.”

“No, ya can’t. Kick them.”

“And, if’n ya can’t punch noses or eyes, bite noses. Poke yer fingers into eyes.”

“That doesn’t seem fair.”

“Fair? Who sets the rules? Would fair be that more than one can fight ya?”

“No.”

“Ya fight ta win. Or, ya don’t fight. Them’s the rules.”

Richard wasn’t sure he liked these rules. But, he wanted to stop Noah.

Dan looked around. “We needs ta go now. Next time. Ya practice hitting ma hand. When it hurts, ya’ll be ready.” Then he left.

Richard waited until he had gone, then took off too. He made sure no one saw him. When he was in his bed, he thought about the lesson. “Fight only when can win. Don’t fight if you can’t. If I don’t fight,, will they think that I am afraid. If I fight them when I’m not ready, I’ll get hurt again, and the girls won’t have anyone to help them.” Richard went to sleep weighing his choices.



Until he was ready, Richard listened to Dan’s advice. He stayed with Missy and Rachael each day to keep Noah, Zeke and Bill away from the girls. When one or more of the boys approached, Richard moved them towards the attendants and away from Noah.

Missy and Rachael noticed how Richard had changed his behaviour.

“Richard, didn’t ye ask for food so that ye could be taught to fight? Why are we still giving you food, if ye are not fighting Noah?” Missy asked.

“Still learning, Missy. Not ready yet to fight.”

“Not ready? Ye have changed. Ye were always ready.” Missy wanted to giggle, because too many times, Richard had fought for them when they had tried to hold him back. She thought it better not to giggle.

Rachael added. “We ‘re happy that ye aren’t beat up all the time. We worry for ye.”

Richard nodded as he subtly moved them within range of an attendant. He would settle with Noah another day.

Noah was becoming frustrated that Richard was keeping the girls away from him. The next time he saw Richard he called out.

“Dick Sharpe.”

“Yer ma was a whore. Ya are nothin’ but a waste from one o’ her gennlemen. Don’t even know who yer da’ is.”

Richard burns as he listens to Noah. But, unlike many times before, he ignores Noah, turns his back to herd Missy and Rachael further from Noah.

Noah calls after them.

“Girls are nothin’ to ya, ya bastard boy. Leave ‘em to us. We’ll take proper care o’ ‘em.”

Noah grins at Richard then turns his attention to the girls.

Although he was angry at what Noah called to him, Richard wasn’t ready to fight.

One of the attendants heard Noah’s last words.

“Noah, was that ya that used profanity? “

“No, not me.”

The attendant points to the sign on the wall that the all see many times a day. “BE SURE YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT.”

“What does that say?”

“What sin have you commited? We will find out.”

Noah looks to Richard then to the attendant. “No sin, maam. No sin.”

“I don’t believe ya. Always sinnin’ somethin’ Noah. Go. Take yer bad self somewhere else.”

Noah turns to the other boys and walks away from the attendant.

Richard watches them go. One time, soon he will be ready to settle with Noah. But, not today.



Dan Pierce watched Richard avoid fight after fight. He is surprised. Richard was always quick to react to every slur thrown at him or to defend Missy and Rachael when he thought that they needed to be. Now, he sees Richard resisting the temptations to react blindly to each taunt. Dan learned how to fight on the streets when he was Richard’s age. He hadn’t learned as fast, so he had learned the lessons through many bruises and cuts. He has come to think of Richard as a brother.

Like Richard, he had no other kin. He had made few friends since he came to the orphanage; not even any of the girls like, Richard had. He envies the friendship that Richard has with Missy and Rachael. The times that he trains Richard are the few times he talks with anyone else. When they finish training, and that time is soon to come, he wonders if he will still have times to talk with Richard. And, he has eaten the extra food during the time that they trained. He will miss the food. He will have to think of ways he can continue to get extra food whether through Richard or some other way. Today’s lesson will be their last.

“Dick, I think ya are ready.”

“Ready? To fight?”

“Yes, to fight. Remember the rules.”

“Yes, Dan’s Rules.” Richard repeats them one more time.

“Only fight when ya know ya can win.”

“Run away when ya can’t win.”

“No rules. Just win.”

“Don’t get beat up, unless it helps ya win.”

“Find the weakness and beat it.”

“Balls, knees, noses or eyes.”

“Use whatever ya’ can to ‘elp ya.”

“Yes. Noah is a bully. He wants to prove that he can best ya. Don’t let ‘im. Pick yer time. And, don’t let the attendants catch ya. It’ll be hell ta pay for both of ya, if’n they do.”

“Don’ like bullies.”

“Then stop ‘im. I’ll not step in next time. Yer time.”

“Aye.”



More than a week later, as Missy, Rachael and Richard finished the evening meal, Noah, Bill and Zeke moved to cut them off from returning to an area where the attendants could watch them.

“Dick Sharpe. Ya ‘r a coward.. Ya should start wearin’ a dress like these girls. Always with ‘em. Yer friend there, Missy be ‘er name. You should be Sissy. Sissy Sharpe.” He laughs. Dutifully, Bill and Zeke laugh too.

Richard glows red at the insults. But, instead of attacking Noah, he looks around to their situation. He can move Missy and Rachael towards a route away, but not fast enough to avoid Noah. They had made a mistake moving too far away from all the others.

“Missy, take Rachael to the attendants. I’ll make sure ya are safe to go.”

“Richard, don’t fight.”:

“Missy, go!” He pushes her towards Rachael.

“Sissy Sharpe it is.” Noah continues to taunt.

Richard makes sure the girls are away before he turns to Noah.

“Ya always want to be close to the girls. Come get close to this girl, then.” Richard puts his fists up in front of his chest.

“So ya think ya are a boy then.” Noah signals for Bill and Zeke to move around Richard on each side. Richard walks backwards to keep them from getting around them.



“Are ya goin’ to fight or run, Sissy Sharpe?”

“Will fight ya, Noah. Can’t fight three at once. Will fight ya one at a time. Who first?”

Dan taught him to take the weakest, but he thinks that today, Bill and Zeke will leave him alone if he first defeats Noah.

Noah signals to Bill and Zeke to stay. “Ya have no stick to whack me with this time. I owe ya from the last time.” Noah steps forward.

“Gonna hurt ya Dick Sharpe.” He grins.

Richard lets him come to him. Bill and Zeke remain at a distance When Noah, is within reach he starts flailing punches that Richard takes all on his left shoulder and arm. He keeps his right side away from Noah. He makes sure that none of the blows go to his head. When he raises his arm, Noah switches his attacks to Richard’s ribs. As Noah lowers himself to pummel Richard’s side, he leaves his head open. Richard sees his opportunity. As he had practiced with Dan, he unleashes his right fist into Noah’s nose. The punch lands with such force that Noah reels backward several steps. He raises his hands to his nose. While he tries to recover, Richard steps up to deliver another blow. This time he lands the blow between Noah’s legs. With a groan, Noah doubles over and falls to the floor.

Bill and Zeke watch as Noah rolls on the floor. They are stunned by what has happened. Bill walks to Noah to help him. “Noah?”

Richard looks at them.

“Which one o’ ya turds is next?” He steps towards Bill. While Zeke tends to his brother.

Bill and Zeke aren’t sure what to do. Before they can make a choice, they see that one of the attendants is walking their way.

“Come on Noah. We got to go.” Bill joins Zeke to help Noah to his feet. Noah looks to Richard, but says nothing. Blood trickles from his nose. He needs Zeke and Bill to help him walk as they leave.

“Noah, leave the girls and me alone. Next time, I’ll knock yer teeth out o’ yer head if ya don’t. Pick on someone else.” He turns to walk slowly back to the girls.

Missy and Rachael saw Richard walking towards them. The attendant looks at Richard as he approaches her. He hangs his head as he passes, but does not stop.

“Richard, are ye hurt?” Missy asked.

“Not much.” He points to his left side. “Here, a little bit.”

“Ye beat Noah?”

“Yes, and will again if he doesn’t leave us alone.”

“Oh, thank ye Richard.”

“Thank Dan. And yerselves. That food ya gave me, helped us.”

Missy, Rachael and Richard returned to their areas. Richard saw Noah, Bill and Zeke at their beds. None of them looked at him as he settled in for the night. Richard smiled. He had learned how to fight. He would remember ‘Dan’s Rules’. He didn’t know how many times he would have to fight, but he knew he would be ready.

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Fiction Index | Sharpe Tales Home | Sharpe's Family Index | Chapter 3

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