THE DEPRIVED... Chapter 2 Part 1.

A continuation of my book.

CHAPTER TWO.

MARY.

 

The poor have no time to mourn. To the poor, time in mourning is less money earned. In this way Mary’s heart and sense of love died a quick death. Through her grief Mary continued to work even harder with the children alongside her but the work was not enough to pay the rent and pay for food. Gradually she began to sell what little they had gained, selling blankets, pots and pans and even the best of her clothes.
“I can get work, Mammy.” said Beth one day. “One of the women at the market told me her son and daughter work in the cesspits. She said they employ children to reach in and clean the parts men can’t and they pay good money, almost a man’s wage.”
Mary began to cry.
“What’s the matter?” asked Beth.
Sam stood with eyes closed. He said nothing, fearing to let loose the tears and so he cried silently in his heart.
“I would sooner die than allow you to work in that filth. That’s what killed your father!” Mary exclaimed.
“But I can help you pay the rent and so can Sam, Mammy. I’m sure Da would have wanted us to help!” cried Beth.
“Your Da always said he never wanted you children to die before your time and that’s his words, not mine! I shall find work.” promised Mary, ending the conversation.

The next morning there came a loud knocking on the door and there stood Eli Dolsman.  Eli Dolsman was never a fair man when it came to money and when he demanded the next week’s rent money and Mary did not have it, he unfairly gave her two days to find it or she and her family were out in the street with nothing.
“You can always come back and work for me as you used to, before you got so high and mighty.” said the landlord. “I will pay you six pennies a week for you and your daughter plus a penny for the boy. I will take that from the rent. Now I can’t be no fairer than that, can I?” he concluded.
“No! I won’t have my children working for you!” exclaimed Mary.
Eli Dolsman gave a shrug.
“Then you have two days to find the rent or I will have you removed.”
“I will have it for you.” promised Mary as she closed the door in his face and stood behind the closed door, listening to him grumble his way down the stairs.
With determination she set about seeking work which would pay enough to cover the rent. Her determination took her through the grey streets of the East-End, knocking on doors and an ever-lasting round of pleading for work. Each time she received the same answer. There was no work for a woman of no quality.

The next morning there stood Eli Dolsman with his hand out.
“I’m looking for work!” came the worried exclamation.
Eli Dolsman gave his habitual shrug.
“The only way a woman will earn enough money to cover the rent is for her to become a Night- Girl!” he said and added as he walked away. “I shall be back tomorrow for the rent or I will sell whatever you own and throw you out!”
Mary spent another day going from place to place, seeking work but there was nothing. Time and again she had been told to seek work in the taverns and public houses, towards the Aldgate end.

“That’s where you’ll earn your brass.” had laughed Polly, a buxom blonde who had laughed her youth away and now laughed at life.
“Go on Nell, you tell her.”
“You take my word on it, dearie. Go up to the Seven Bells in Taplock Street. A pretty girl like you can earn as much as a shilling to two bob a night with them sailors and city gents.” said old Nell from the corner shop.
“I could never do that.” gasped Mary, red-faced with embarrassment.
“Well if you’re that sainted and aint ready to put your back into it then you aint going to make a living!” exclaimed Polly, lifting the hem of her petticoat and blowing her nose on the lining.
“Well she aint exactly got to put her back into it as more lie on her back.” giggled old Nell, which caused both women to laugh out loud.
Mary had walked into the corner shop and asked the two women who shared a glass of gin if there was any work going, no matter what it was. This had led to the suggestion that she get a job as a w***e in the Seven Bells public house. Now Polly, seeing Mary almost in tears, took a serious turn.
“You can always starve in the street, dearie.” she said. “Or you can be like us. Both of us worked the streets, aint that a fact Nell?”
“What!” exclaimed Nell. “Me and Polly here, we worked our fannies off in the taverns. Look at me now. I own this prize establishment and there aint a man in sight.” said old Nell proudly.
“And me too. Look, I owns a gin tub and house with its own well in the garden. But unlike Nell here, I has a man that is as handsome as the day is long!” exclaimed Polly proudly. “A man as I can afford.” she finished.
Nell held her hand up as an idea struck her.
“Here! I have an idea for this madam, Polly!”
Then turning to Mary she said.
“How would you feel about sitting at a table and just encouraging the sailors and gents to buy the drinks. There aint a name for it but you get a farthing for each drink a man buys and more if he gets to liking the expensive tipples. I know the top-man there, he’s the man the girls work for in the Seven Bells pub. His name is Danny Bunser. You go there tonight and speak to him. Tell him that old Nellie sends you.”
“That’s it, dearie. You tell him as it was Nellie and Polly as recommended you to him. There’s a start for you.” interrupted Polly, not caring to be left out.
Mary looked from Nell to Polly.
“And that’s all I do? I just sit there and get the men to buy drinks?” asked Mary, still very unsure.
“Some of the girls do that. It don’t pay as good as selling favours but it will get you a nice few bob.” promised Polly.