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The Sharpe Fan Fictions of Paul K.


Sharpe's Family

PART I

Chapter 3
DECEMBER, 1784
LONDON, ENGLAND – Brewhouse Lane



Richard sits with Missy and Rachel on their bench in the great hall. They have almost finished picking their rope for the day. Dinner was finished, but Richard already is thinking about supper. Meals have become a time that they enjoy. After the fight months ago now, Noah, Bill and Zeke had left Missy and Rachael alone. When the one or more of the three, especially Noah, encountered Richard, they continued to taunt Richard, but no longer made attempts to fight.

Every day after was much the same for Richard. They woke, ate, heard words from the Bible, worked, ate and slept. Missy, Rachael and Richard often finished picking their oakem before the others and were able to leave the work area to help in the kitchen and the laundry. All three of them benefited from the extra food from the kitchen. Richard didn’t need to, but he still shared food with Dan.

In the evenings after supper, Richard would join some of the other boys to kick a ball around the courtyard. He liked being able to run and play with the others, but did not grow close to any others as he ad with the girls and Dan.

After the midday dinner, they had returned to their work. Their meal was the same as every day. Richard is eager for Christmas to come so that he may eat the annual special meal. Quietly he asks the girls what may be extra for their supper. They have to stop talking as Missy, Rachael and he watch Mrs. Thatcher approach them.

“Missy. Rachael. Come with me.”

“Ain’t finished picking.”

“Don’t matter. Come with me.”

Richard asks. “Mrs. Thatcher. What they done?”

“Done nothin’. Need them with the Master. Back ta work.”

Missy and Rachael follow Mrs. Thatcher. Missy turns back to Richard to give him a look that questions what is going on. This is different than when they were taken to work in the kitchen.

Jem is talking with a thin man in a dark coat and breeches. He is not well dressed, but dressed better than any poor person.

Jem has watched Missy and Rachael for some time. Jem liked these two girls. They have worked well at the rope and in the kitchen and behaved when they didn’t work. They have grown big and are bigger than any of the other girls of their same ages. There are always new orphans to replace them. As they are now, they can catch a good price. Although they work well, he knows that soon he will want to sell them to a bawd or pimp to sell their bodies or to someone who manages house servants for the wealthy.

He was pleased that recently a household manager came looking for two girls. That manager asked for two girls to help for the kitchen and household for the holidays and after. Missy and Rachael could go as a pair. The skills they learned in the kitchen make them more valuable than to go to only the streets. The manager had asked to see the girls today. Jem watches Thatcher approach with the girls.

“Here they are now.” Jem says.

Mrs Thatcher steps up to Jem. Missy and Rachael stand behind her.

Jem says, “Step forward, girls. Let us have a look at ye.”

They shyly step forward towards the two men. The man next to The Master takes his time to look at the girls.

“They look ‘ealthy. How old are ye?”

Each replies, “Nine years, sir.” Missy adds, “Nearly ten.”

“Tall. Show me your ‘ands.”

Each turns her hands palm up to the man.

“Not too stained. Show signs that they work.”

“What work ye do besides pick ropes.”

Missy says “Help the cooks. Clean vegetables. Add to pots.”

Rachael adds, “Clean pots, dishes, knives and forks after.”

“Both of ye?”

“Yes.”

“Read? Write?”

“No, sir.”

The man pauses. Before he asks. “Still pure? No trouble with boys?”

Both girls blush, but respond quickly. “Yes, pure. Been with no boys.”

The man looks to Jem. “They seem to fill our need. Can’t have any troublemakers. If any is in the family way, I’ll be bringin her back to ya.”

“All the children with me are pure as the snow. They may get in trouble after they leave me. But, here they don’t sin.”

“Mrs. Thatcher. Help the girls get their things. They will be leavin’ with Mr. Evans.”

Missy looks at Rachael. “Sir? Leavin’?”

“Yes. Ye’ll be leavin’ us to live in the household with Mr. Evans. He manages the house for a wealthy family. If ye do well, ye’ll have plenty to eat and better clothes than we can give ye ‘ere.” Ye are growin’ up. Time to earn yer own keep, eh?”

Rachael is stunned. Missy tugs her arm to go with Mrs. Thatcher.

Rachael recovers as they walk. “We are goin’. What will it be like?

“Don’t know Rach. But, we will have each other.”

“What will Richard do?”

“Richard?!”

“Mrs. Thatcher, may we tell Richard goodbye?”

“Get yer things fast. We’ll tell him on the way back to Mr. Evans.”

The girls don’t have much that they aren’t wearing. They gather their cloaks and bonnets to wear outside. The few personal things are kept in a bag each has. They look at their blankets one last time, then turn to go.

Thatcher leads them to Richard. “Be quick.”

Richard looks at Missy and Rachael. “Missy?”

“We are going Richard.”

“Going? Coming back?”

“No. Not coming back. We have jobs at a rich person’s house.”

“Jobs? Can I go too?”

Mrs. Thatcher replies before the girls. “No, ye are stayin’ ‘ere. We go girls.”

“Good bye Richard. Take good care. Thank ye fer ‘elpin’ us.”

Rachael adds. “Ye are a good friend, Richard. I’ll miss ye.”

Then they go.

Richard watches them go. He sits alone. He looks around the room to find Dan, but does not see him. Dan is his only friend now. As his stomach rumbles, he wonders who will get him extra food now. Will he have to pick ropes to make up for Missy and Rachael? Will they let him continue to work in the laundry? He listens to his stomach as he returns to picking the rope in his hand.



Today is CHRISTMAS Eve. It’s been two weeks since Missy and Rachael left the orphanage. Around Richard many of the children are excited. After all finished dinner, they did not have to return to work. Richard looked forward to Christmas Day. They did not have to work for the Eve and the Day. Today they would prepare for the holiday celebrations.

In the morning, all would be assembled for a church service. A big, fat parson with funny whiskers from the parish would read the Christmas story to us. Then he would follow the reading with a long, tiring sermon telling all gathered how fortunate they were to be in the foundling home or work house instead of in a manger or on the streets. The overseers would walk around those that were sitting to assure that all heard the messages.

No one wanted to sit in the front rows near the parson. If any one yawned, the parson would leap from the platform that was used as a pulpit to strike the offender across the face with the Holy Book that he carried in his hand. For a big man, he could move quickly. While hardly missing a beat in his sermon, he would climb back onto the platform to resume preaching. None of the children could understand how the story could at one moment be about peace on earth and then so quickly change to an act of violence. All did learn a message from the annual talk to avoid sitting in the front. Those who had been at The Master’s for more than their first Christmas claimed the rows of seats to the rear and herded those hearing the message for the first time to the front.

At his first Christmas at the orphanage, Richard had to sit in the front of the room. He was able to get a seat in the row second from the front. Although he would squirm throughout the service, he was fortunate to be able to stay awake while listening to the parson. Two boys in the first row where not so lucky. One was swatted for falling asleep. Another was struck talking too loudly to his neighbor. The second boy was struck so hard, that he rolled into Richard’s row knocking over the two children next to him. The next Christmas, he moved to rows further back. This year, he will find Dan to sit with.

Christmas Day was the one day all got more to eat. In addition to the normal dinner of a hot meat with vegetables, there was minced tripe and hard boiled eggs. The Overseers called it mincemeat. One time, plum pudding was served. Richard’s mouth watered thinking about more food.

After dinner, all of the children were brought to the front of the workshop hall. Families of the parish that contributed monies to support the orphanage would come to visit. Mothers and fathers would bring their little boys and girls to see how the orphans lived.

The children have to parade in front of the patrons and their children. As the orphans walk bay, they keep their heads down. As each one steps in front of the front row of seats holding the patrons, the orphan must stop, turn to the rows of people, bow, mumble thanks then move on. Beyond the patrons are piles of clothing for boys and girls. The patrons would bring clothing that members of their families no longer could or wanted to wear. Besides more food, some of the children would get new clothes, even if they were handed down from someone older and bigger.

Today, Mrs Thatcher has Richard help with the coal to heat the hall for Christmas Day. It was the one day of the Winter that they heated the place. The Master couldn’t have the children of the rich catching cold when they visit the poor.

From a wagon outside, Richard is carrying a bucket of coal in each hand for his second trip to one of the hearths on the four walls of the great hall. The Master will use only those at the front of the room where the patrons will sit. He is thinking about the meal tomorrow more than what he is doing while he works. Before he reaches the hearth, he bumps his leg with one of the buckets. Coal dust from the top of the bucket spills onto the floor. Mrs. Thatcher sees him spill the coal.

“Mr. Sharpe!” Richard stops to wait for Thatcher to come to him.

“Boy, you spilled coal on our floor. Dump your buckets at the hearth. Leave your buckets. Then come back with a broom and pan to clean this.”

“Yes, Mrs. Thatcher.” Richard replies sullenly.

He returns shortly with a broom and dustpan. Thatcher had waited at the spilled coal to direct other boys around it. She has liked Richard since he had arrived at the orphanage. He has been as busy as any of the boys. But, he also is a good worker and made her look good to The Master. While Richard is sweeping, Thatcher asks, “Richard, what is bothering ye? Ye been slow and yer head is afar.”

“Miss Missy and Rachael.”

“Yes, they were like sisters with ye.”

“How are they doing?”

“Don’t know.”

“Who knows?“

“People who leave do not return. They do not send messages. Do you read or write.”

“No. Can someone write for me?

“Missy and Rachael don’t read or write. No way to read yer message, if ye can send one. They have no one to send messages for them.”

“Can ye teach me?”

“Me, no boy, I don’t read or write neither.”

Richard decides to ask her another question.

“What happens to me? Will the Master send me away too?”

“Ye, send ye away? Ye are still young. No need to worry.” She doesn’t tell him that the reason that there are so few older children is that all healthy children are ‘sold’ by the time they reach thirteen years. Only the ill or cripples stay to work with the old women and men until they die.

“Enough talking. Back to work.”

Richard takes the broom back to its spot on the wall, then retrieves his buckets. As he makes more trips to carry coal he wonders “Can’t read or write. Who can? If can send message to Missy and Rachael, maybe someone can read and write for them. Maybe someone here can teach me. Dan taught me to fight.”

By supper, he was tired from hauling the coal and thinking about reading and writing. After supper, he looks for Dan, but has not seen him all day. Did The Master send Dan away too? He will look tomorrow. It will be Christmas.



Christmas Day dawned cold but bright. Richard was woken early to help with the fires in the hearths. The great hall would need to be comfortable by dinner time. He was both sad and happy. This is his first Christmas without Missy and Rachael. Mrs. Thatcher had called them his sisters. He had not realized that they meant so much to him until they were gone. He missed them. But, they are gone.

Richard makes his way to the largest hearth at the front of the room. One of the Overseers greets him. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Sharpe.”

“Merry Christmas, Mr. Hubbard.”

“Come near, we will light the fire. Bring me that rag and the can of coal oil.”

Richard hands him the rag and the can. Hubbard puts the rag into the can of oil. He holds the end to keep it from falling into the can. When the rag has soaked a few minutes. Hubbard pulls it out to place on top of a pile of coal in the hearth.

“Hand me the tinder box.”

“Tinder box.”

“There.” He points to a box lying near the hearth.

“Use it to start the fire.”

Hubbard opens the box to remove a flint and a steel ring. He placed the ring over the fingers of his left hand. While he held the ring over the rag, he struck the flint against it. Sparks flew from the strike onto the rag. He repeated striking the ring until smoke began to rise from the rag. Hubbard backed away and began to blow lightly on the rag. Suddenly a flame appeared and ran the length of the rag.

“Bring me some of those sticks, boy.”

Richard retrieved two handsfull of sticks for Hubbard who lit them from the rag, then placed them in gaps in the lumps of coal. When all the sticks were placed. Hubbard stood back to judge his work.

“This one is good. We have two more. Follow me.”

Richard trotted away to follow.

By the time the third hearth was burning, Richard was anxious to eat. Most of the rest of the hall was awake and in line to eat breakfast. He wasn’t worried that he would miss his meal. The Overseers made sure that those that worked well were fed well, or at least a bit better than the rest.

After breakfast, Richard went outside. With no work, the children could play. Some danced. Some played tag. Some talked. Richard looked for those that had the ball to kick. He wanted to run. Playing ball kept him from thinking about the Missy and Rachael, or about what would be served for dinner.

Richard played kick the ball for a time. The boys placed two barrels at about six feet apart near one of the walls. Each team would take a turn to try to get the ball past the other team and between the barrels. After his team would ‘score a goal’, he would step to the side to give another a chance. When someone else would step out and no one else joined, he would rejoin. The boys played until almost dinner time.

Richard could smell the food from the kitchen. He was ready to eat again. Today would be a bigger meal than they would have until next Christmas. He was ready to eat.

While all were eating, the patrons began to enter the hall. Richard watched as each family came in, looked towards the children eating their meal and then went to sit in the rows of benches near the warm hearths.

the children finished eating, the Overseers sorted them by ages into a line to march in front of the patrons. At one hour after dinner, The Master and his wife grandly enter the hall. Behind them follow the Board of Visitors from the parish. Jem escorts his wife and the Board members to seats at the front that face the patrons.

Jem stands between the Board and the patrons. It is time for him to report to all how their gifts have been used. He clears his throat, puts one hand in the pocket of his waistcoat, then waves the other to the seated families. “Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome. Another year has past. Thank you for your support. Your money has let us take care of the four score and fifteen children we had last year and bring into our fold five girls and three boys. These poor urchins would be homeless on the streets or dead without the gifts that you give. Come children. Add your thanks to mine.” He waves to the first child in line to come forward. The smallest child goes first to stand with Jem.

Richard listens to The Master speak. “He talks about taking care of children. Works us like slaves. Sells children. Patrons reward him.” He stands when the others stand. Waits his turn. Each child shuffles forward to the patrons. Jem stands with each as the child faces those sitting. He beams as each bows, then turns the child to leave.

Now, it’s Richard’s turn. He Steps forward. Unlike with any of the children before, The Master pats him on his back. To the patrons, Jem says. “This boy came to us three years ago. No skills. Scrawny. Look at him now. Tall. Healthy. Learning skills he can use. We have used your gifts to train him. Teach him the words from the Good Book.” From the patrons several men and women nod their heads. Others speak praise to Jem. “With more funds, we can work the Lord’s will with more children like this one.”

Richard stands embarrassed. He want to leave. Jem talks on to the patrons. Richard shuffles at Jem’s side. Jem turns to him. “Go boy. You look like you can use longer breeches. Go find yerself a Christmas gift.“ Points Richard to the piles of clothing. As Richard goes, some of the patrons call out.

“Huzzah Brother Hocking. “

“More funds to do the Lord’s work. Amen.”

Jem smiles because he knows that at Christmas, the Board grants him an annual motion of thanks in funds for him personally. He must account for every penny granted by the parish. Every year, the Board audits the accounts. They always find every penny spent exactly recorded as to why it was spent. All the pennies add up to what was given. Running the orphanage pays no profit. Jem is a business man. He does not tell the Board of the children that he sells.

Richard moves quickly to the clothing piles. At a pile of boys’ clothing he stops to look. Quickly, he finds a pari of breeches that may fit him. He holds them against himself. “These will do.” He takes the breeches to replace his that are too short. In the pile next to the breeches, he sees hats. He has a felt cap he wears now that the weather is cold. But, on colder days, his ears are not kept warm. He would like a hat that covers his ears. He searches the other pile to find many more felt hats. As he is about to go, he finds a wool hat that can be pulled over his ears. It seems big enough for him. Without trying it on, he takes the hat and breeches to leave the hall. Outside, he removes his felt hat to wear the wool hat. “Covers my ears. Good.” He carries the breeches over his arm while he looks for Dan. After scanning most of the courtyard, he sees Dan near the gate to the outside world. He walks to greet him.

“Merry Christmas Dan.”

“Merry Christmas Dick.”

“Where you been? Don’t see you here.”

“Saw you carrying coal.”

“Saw me?”

“Yes. Was outside.”

“Outside? The world outside.”

“Yes. Outside the yard.”

Richard thinks about what Dan said.

“In the street?”

“Yes. The Master gave me a new job.”

“Tired of picking rope, laundry? Dick? “Master’s looking for someone to help.

“Help?”

“Dog pit boys.”

“Dog pit?”

“Dog’s fight. Men bet money. Boys take care o’ the dogs. Get rid o’ the dead ‘uns. Run food and drink to the men there.”

“Paid?”

“Yes. And, get to go to the city.”

“When you work, can buy treats if’n ye have money.”

“Give your name to the Master?”

Richard thinks about what has changed this month. He no longer has Missy and Rachael. He doesn’t get extra food anymore. He is still hungry. Dan is busy with his new work. No time to talk with him anymore.

Working dogpit, he can be with Dan. May get money to buy more food. Can learn about world outside.

“Yes. Give the Master my name.”

“Aye, Dick.” Dan looks to the group of boys assembling in the courtyard to play ball. “Play ball?”

“With me, or agin me?”

“With ye.”

“Aye. Play ball”

Richard and Dan played ball for the remaining daylight of Christmas Day until supper. The Christmas Day supper was better than normal too because the Overseers served food left over from the dinner with the evening meal. Richard was not able easily to sleep. His stomach was fullest feeling that he can remember. And, he wonders what it will be like to work at the dogpit and to go outside the orphanage. He barely remembers life before his mother died. Since coming to the orphanage, he has been outside only once when the Master took children to see a hanging at Tyburn.



Boxing Day dawned cold and clear. He woke without his stomach making the noises of lack of food as on most days. When he goes to the food line to eat breakfast, he wears his new breeches and hat. His knees no longer stick out of the bottom of the breeches. And his head and ears are warm. He looks for Dan in the line. He sees that Dan has his food already and sits at a bench. Richard takes a bowl to get his gruel. Dan still sits when Richard walks up to him.

“Told the Master ye want to work the dogpit. He knows about ye. Remembers that he showed ye to the patrons yesterday. Think he will pick ye.”

“Thank ye Dan.”

“Eat yer breakfast. I need to go.”

“OK Dan.”

Richard finished eating. Walked around the hall before he went to his bench. Two new children had been joining him on the bench. He does not talk to them. Or does he share the rope ends he picks with his knife. He keeps that secret.

By dinner he has almost finished his quota for the day. He goes to eat but does not see Dan. When he returns to the bench he finishes his last rope. He signals Mrs. Thatcher that he has finished. Thatcher moves him to the laundry. He picks his first pile of linens and moves them to the washtubs. Before he goes for another pile, looks at the pile of laundry that he just moved .

He did not see The Master enter the hall, but he is talking with Thatcher. When they finish talking, Thatcher comes to see Richard

“The Master wants to talk with ye.”

“With me?”

“Yes. Now.”

Until Christmas Day, Richard had never been with The Master alone. The closest he had been was when he was whipped. Since that time, Richard has feared Hocking. “Am I leaving too.?”

“Don’t know. Just says he wants to talk with ye.”

Richard notes that The Master is wearing a new coat. He doesn’t know that the Board granted him his stipend for running the orphanage. .

“Sharpe, eh? Hear good things about ye..

“Thatcher here says ye work hard. Follow our rules. Yer friend Pierce says ye are strong and smart. Pierce works for me outside the orphanage. I need another lad to help. He thinks I should use ye. Why should I?”

Richard has never said more than single word answers to The Master’s questions. He needs to think before he speaks.

“What work?”

“What work? What work? Ye ask. At a dog pit. Need someone who is smart, strong and quick. Are ye?”

“Yes.”

“Yes?” Jem laughs. “Quiet too. Ye don’t say much.”

Jem stands back. Folds his arms across his chest. Looks at Richard while he thinks about his choice.

“New Year’s Day will be busy. Need to train ye before then.

“Thatcher, tomorrow after Sharpe here finishes his dinner, bring him to me.”

“Yes, Mr. Hocking.”

Jem leaves Thatcher and Richard alone.

“Well, Richard. Mr. Hocking has taken a fancy to ye. Tomorrow, ye will work in his world outside. She walks him back to the bench to pick more rope.

As Richard picks at a rope, he wonders what the world outside will be like.


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