Benedict Lovelace and the Travelling Show

By Jeff Hopkins

Benedict Lovelace engages 19-year-old Tommy Turkin to do some rat catching, renovations, and recruiting for his bold new ‘project’. Minnie Dix joins Tommy to provide some much-needed domestic help for his expanding troupe, which numbers ten when Johnny Sharp arrives. Tommy Turkin’s ‘Golden Boys’ train hard, swim well, and learn a host of new skills in Old Fremantle without really knowing what their role is going to be.

Christmas and New Year bring further surprises, and at the end of January, 1898 the Travelling Show, expanded by Silas Appleyard and his ‘Gospel Group’, head for the West Australian goldfields. As they progress town by town towards Kalgoorlie, not everyone in the ‘unofficial gold capital’ of Australia looks forward to their arrival.

Michael Doyle and ‘Old Man’ Casey anticipate the problems that Benedict Lovelace and Travelling Show may bring. They try to enlist the help of the goldfields policeman, Sergeant O’Malley, and his assistant Constable Thompson, with limited success.

A blind boy, Jimmy Gimmick, and his guide dog, Sam, further complicate matters, which race to a conclusion involving deception and death.

Will this spell the end for the Master Showman, Benedict Lovelace, and his troupe, or does he still have some tricks up his sleeve?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Feb 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9781925447361

Jeff Hopkins

Jeff Hopkins (1950) is a retired schoolteacher. He lives in Walyalup, Western Australia. Walyalup which means 'lungs' is the Whadjuk name for Fremantle, and is part of the Noongar Nation. As the drama master at Hale School in Perth, he wrote ten original musical plays and produced and directed them at the school.In 1992, he researched and wrote a family history, 'Life's Race Well Run', and after retiring in 2006 he has written twenty novels, a memoir, and three 'faction' biographies.

Book preview

Chapter 1:

Thomas William Turkington and the Gentlemen’s Outfitters Since 1892

Thomas William Turkington was careless. That was the first thing Benedict Lovelace said to him when they met in Fremantle Prison on the 10th of October 1897. In fact Mr. Lovelace listed a number of things about which Turkington was careless. Included in the list were his appearance, both sartorial and personal, his manner of speech and most important of all his ‘modus operandi’. This latter criticism was expressed in the strongest terms by Mr. Lovelace, who made the point, quite correctly, that if Turkington had not been so careless, he would not be incarcerated in that threatening limestone institution at all. Mr. Lovelace could not be accused of hypocrisy in this regard because he was being held on remand and in subsequent days, his case would be dismissed, due to a lack of evidence and he would walk free for the fourth time in as many years. Benedict Lovelace was a slippery fish.

However, Mr. Lovelace was also a very good teacher and as former apprentice carpenter, Thomas William Turkington slaved away doing his year’s hard labour he remembered the lessons that his brief encounter with that meticulous mentor had taught him. On hot summer’s days, stripped to the waist and sweating profusely, as he broke limestone rocks or built limestone walls, Tommy would occasionally rest on his pick, or put down his trowel and ponder the things Benedict Lovelace had said. Tommy was not strong, but he was well proportioned and wiry and with attention to his diet and the experience of twelve months hard labour, he knew he would get stronger. Most importantly he wanted to. He didn’t have any real plans, but he knew he wanted to do things differently when he was released. When his time was done and the Prison Governor shook his hand and wished him well, Tommy determined there would be changes. He resolved never to be so careless as to wind up in this location ever again.

At nineteen with no family and prospects, Tommy walked under the arch of the imposing façade of Fremantle Prison and into freedom determined to be a new man. Surprisingly, none other than Benedict Lovelace greeted him outside the gaol and that new life, as a new man, began immediately.

Thomas William Turkington, a free man at last. Welcome back to the world of doing want you want to.

It was the skilful, clever voice of Benedict Lovelace as he offered the lean, but wiry, young man his hand in a gesture of friendship. It was a repeat of the gesture he had shown previously on the other side of the wall. Tommy stopped short. No one had ever made an effort to show him any kindness before, certainly not his family who he hadn’t seen since he was a small child and now ‘out of the blue’ this man had made the effort to come to the gaol gates to be there for him. How could he have possibly known this was the day of his release? Why would he have bothered to come and greet a carpenter’s apprentice who was a convicted petty thief, who he had only met once before inside? These questions were swimming in Tommy’s head, but firstly he had to put the record straight on another matter.

It’s Tommy Turkin now, Mr Lovelace. A new name for a new man!

Admirable sentiment, Tommy. I like the change, as I liked you from the first time we met. We are going to make a great team!

What team? said a surprised Tommy Turkin.

You and I, Tommy, we are going to be great!

I really don’t understand what you mean, Mr. Lovelace.

You will Tommy, you will. For the moment there is much to do. Just trust me.

There was really nothing more to say. Tommy Turkin, carrying his world in a small bundle, simply smiled and Benedict Lovelace warmly reciprocated and they fell in step with one another and left the walls of Fremantle Prison well behind them. It was a short walk to the town down the limestone path from the gaol and a simple right turn to the impressive new Town Hall and then a left into the high street, unimaginatively named exactly that.

A casual observer would barely have given a second glance to the elegant and well dressed Mr. Lovelace in his black frock coat, white shirt and striking red necktie, with his top hat, walking cane and black shoes, somewhat dusty after the limestone path from the gaol. They may have questioned his walking companion, the newly named Tommy Turkin, who did look a little dishevelled. Tommy was only of average height and therefore was shorter than the imposing Lovelace in his top hat. Tommy wore working clothes and boots; the garb he had been wearing on the day of his arrest. They had been returned to him on the day of his release, after twelve months in convict canvas. He had long brown hair, which quite neatly framed his sharp but not unattractive features and he bounced along. Up on his toes as he walked, Tommy affected the spring in the step that should have belonged to someone with more prospects than he had. However, as they turned into High Street and headed west, Tommy could not have known that his prospects were about to look up considerably!

Across Market Street Benedict Lovelace and Tommy marched until halfway down the next block, they stopped in front of the impressive façade of Highams – Gentlemen’s Outfitters since 1892. Percival Higham had founded his clothing store in 1892 and had not really prospered. He took small commissions from merchants in the town for modest wardrobes only. He was almost at the point of closing his doors for good when the gold rush began. The influx of fortune seekers to Fremantle, who were planning to make their way to the newly discovered goldfields at Coolgardie, and later Kalgoorlie, changed his business forever. Prospectors and miners needed outfitting and although he had to lower his standards, in terms of the range of materials he carried, Mr. Higham made the adjustment and prospered. He sent clothing on consignment to the goldfields and even toyed with the idea of opening a store in the rapidly expanding gold town of Kalgoorlie. However, as yet he had not and as the end of the century approached he had the best of both worlds. He had developed a flourishing trade in miners’ and general clothes, and a smaller, but equally profitable line in gentlemen’s outfits.

Benedict Lovelace was one of Mr. Percival Higham’s best customers. When Mr. Lovelace called he ordered two of everything. A black frock coat with matching waistcoat and trousers was always matched by an order for a white outfit of similar design and quality. Mr. Higham only questioned this unusual request for white suits once, and when Lovelace winked and said:

It’s for the costume trunk, Mr. Higham. It’s another one of my Travelling Show performance outfits.

Mr. Higham never asked again, even when some of the requests for gentlemen’s designs became quite eccentric and bizarre. The reason Mr. Higham never quibbled or queried was because Benedict Lovelace paid and he paid handsomely, in cash and on time. In trade, customers like that were rare and valuable. If Mr. Higham had known that he was the only merchant Mr. Lovelace paid, he might have been more wary.

The two front display windows of Highams were neatly if not flamboyantly arranged with gentlemen’s outfits on the right hand side and miners and working clothes on the left. The two display windows yawned a wide mouth onto High Street. The yawn then tapered through a twelve-foot long arcade of display windows to a modest, but welcoming set of double doors that gave access to the clothing emporium. Benedict Lovelace pointed the way with his cane and ushered Tommy Turkin into the precinct of his fashionable friend. However, it had been sometime since Mr. Lovelace had called and business had been sufficiently good for Mr. Higham to hire an assistant and it was this assistant, Garrick Brash, who greeted the pair as they stepped into the linen and serge scented domain.

Welcome to Highams, may I be of some assistance?

The sight and sound of Garrick Brash surprised even Benedict Lovelace, who was in truth surprised by very little in his dealings with humanity. However, when Brash spoke even Lovelace was flummoxed. Benedict Lovelace loved enunciation and elocution, as later events will reveal, but this young man’s approach and attitude defied description. Tommy Turkin, with twelve months hard labour recently behind him, found the whole thing quite astonishing and he had seen some ‘old lags’ at their worst. So he shelved bravado and slipped behind his mentor for protection until he could get his head around all of this.

And you are? asked Lovelace rather formally.

Garrick Brash, at your service, Sir. I am Mr. Higham’s assistant.

And where is Mr. Higham?

He’s in the new office on the mezzanine at the back of the store.

Tommy heard ‘mezzanine’ and he knew he was well out of his depth, but Mr. Lovelace seemed well in control. So Tommy satisfied himself that he was holding the rearward position and waited for what was to develop.

Please, be so kind as to inform Mr. Higham that Benedict Lovelace has called to make some purchases.

Certainly, Sir!

Garrick Brash skipped his way down the full length of the long, but narrow, store and then signalled to the ‘new mezzanine’, which Lovelace noticed after following the young assistant’s progress. He turned to Tommy Turkin and said:

Business must be booming for Mr. Higham.

Tommy, quite frankly, did not know what to say, but a reply would have been somewhat superfluous as Mr. Higham, once summoned, fairly flew down the stairs from the mezzanine and skated along the shop floor to greet Lovelace like a long lost friend. Garrick Brash, with his particular walk followed along in Percival Higham’s wake.

My dear Lovelace, how do you do? It has been far too long, what is it twelve months?

Closer to eighteen, Higham, but like you, business has been good and I have been kept away.

Higham was enthusiastic:

Yes, yes, I understand and I can’t complain. It’s gold fever you know Lovelace and miners and prospectors must have clothes to wear.

Indeed they do Mr. Higham and they have the money, or the dust to pay for them too.

They do! They do! That’s what puts a smile on both our faces, Mr Lovelace. However, time is money and money is time. What can I do for you?

Lovelace now turned to Tommy Turkin and pulled him from his protective position behind him into open shop space so Mr. Higham could ‘run his eye’ over him. As the clever tailor made mental notes, Lovelace explained his requirements:

Clothes for my new protégé, Mr. Higham. He needs refitting.

Mr. Higham retreated one step and was clearly taken aback by Tommy’s clothes. However, the proprietor was too polite to comment, he merely frowned. Regrettably, to his side and behind him, Garrick Brash, living up to his name, put both palms to his cheeks and exclaimed:

My goodness, he does that!

Tommy almost panicked and bolted for the door, but Lovelace had a good hold of him as he moved him into an observational position and he now strengthened his grip. Mr. Higham silenced young Brash with an icy stare and regained his suit-side manner.

Forgive my young assistant, sometimes he speaks before he thinks. What exactly did you have in mind for your young….friend?

He is my new assistant, recently arrived back in the town and he will need a complete make over.

Complete makeover, Mr Lovelace?

"Yes indeed. Select clothes from both sides of your window displays, if you please, Mr. Higham. Work clothes, two sets and one outfit of your smart young gentlemen’s apparel. He will need underwear as well. Lets say three full changes.

Lovelace paused as if indulging himself in a private jest, then added:

Plus a bowler hat. I rather fancy young Turkin would look good in a bowler hat.

Expensive, Mr. Lovelace!

Cash, Mr. Higham, as always! Oh, and by the way, he will wear the young gentlemen’s outfit when we leave your shop. You can burn his current garb.

Garrick Brash couldn’t help himself:

With pleasure!

Percival Higham almost exploded at his assistant:

Mr. Brash, know your place, if you please!

Then more calmly and congenially:

Mr. Brash will assist your young friend. What about you and I go around the corner to the Imperial Café for some light refreshment, and we can catch up on the news.

Excellent idea! Tommy, you go with Mr. Brash. He will look after you.

Tommy winced and Garrick Brash minced over to the counter where he picked up a tape measure and signed to Tommy to come to him and lift his arms above his head. Tommy did so with trepidation. Benedict Lovelace and Percival Higham watched the pantomime briefly and for different reasons and then turned together and walked out of the front door for tea.

Garrick Brash was surprisingly efficient. After taking Tommy’s measurements he led him to the area below the mezzanine, which had been converted into two quite spacious fitting rooms. Both fitting rooms had back doors, which led to the tailor’s workroom. He ushered Tommy inside and told him to remove all of his clothes and place them in the service space next to the door. When he was ready he should close the service space door on his side and ring the bell. Garrick Brash explained he would reciprocate by placing new clothes in the service space and so on.

This way your privacy is completely preserved. It’s Mr. Higham’s idea and customers seem to like it. Each time you are fully dressed in a new outfit, come out into the store and I will check you out for fit.

Tommy gained a little confidence and closed the door to the fitting room and was amazed at the three versions of himself that he saw in the mirrors around the walls. Somewhat nervously, Tommy removed all his clothes and placed them in the service space and rang the bell. When he turned back from the little alcove he looked at himself fully naked in the mirrors. Twelve months hard labour had certainly done the trick. His body had matured and although he was still lean, he could see for himself that he was wiry and strong. A bell that indicated he should open the service space door cut his self-admiration short. In it he found wonderful new clothes of a quality he had never dreamed of owning. He dressed with alacrity and admired himself, this time fully clothed, in the mirrors. When Tommy emerged from the fitting room even Garrick Brash was impressed; the young man he saw in front of him wore clothes well.

The whole makeover of Thomas William Turkington was completed with a haircut and shave and then Benedict Lovelace booked them into the National Hotel, where after an excellent meal, they retired for the night. Lovelace was pleased. He had a new right hand man, and tomorrow he would put him to work on his latest project.

Chapter 2:

Tommy Turkin and the Henry Street Warehouse

Benedict Lovelace liked to walk. Hence on the second morning after he had reacquainted himself with Tommy Turkin, he was up before breakfast and took a stroll around the Port of Fremantle, on what promised to be a beautiful spring day in late October 1897. After walking for nearly an hour he returned to the National Hotel on the corner of High and Market Streets and was just in time to join Tommy Turkin for breakfast in the spacious and elegant first floor dining hall. Tommy looked ‘spic and span’ and had clearly followed Lovelace’s instructions that everyday must begin with a shower and a shave. In his new outfit, Tommy Turkin looked the part and Lovelace suppressed a self-satisfied smile when he saw him. Served on a table with a white linen cloth and sparkling silverware, breakfast was traditional: bacon, eggs, sausages, tomato and toast, washed down with tea poured from a silver pot. Tommy had difficulty coming to terms with the sudden change in his fortunes. He had been disappointed many times in the past when ‘good prospects’ came to nothing. He was just hoping that this new venture with Benedict Lovelace, whatever it was, might amount to something.

After breakfast, Lovelace sat back in his chair and examined his new protégé with some care. Then he began the first interrogation:

I assume you can read and write, Tommy?

Yes I can, Mr. Lovelace.

That’s good, I was confident that you would be able to.

I didn’t have much formal schooling, but I picked my letters up along the way, when I did my apprenticeship as a carpenter.

Yes I suppose you did. From what I can gather though, you have been through some hard experiences to learn your lessons.

Tommy looked down at the white linen tablecloth, and then looked back and fixed his gaze on Lovelace:

It hasn’t been all that easy!

Neither will working for me, Tommy. I expect high standards in everything I give you to do. Let’s make that clear from the outset.

Yes, Mr. Lovelace.

I am glad to see you have followed my instructions about personal cleanliness. Never waver from that regime. Always take breakfast and eat well. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

Tommy realised that this was his new employer talking and they were establishing the ground rules for a working relationship.

Yes, Sir!

Now this morning I will take you to my Henry Street headquarters and outline my requirements for this week. From next week I shall be away for almost two months and you will be in sole charge of our operation. Do you think you are up to it?

I hope so, Sir!

Don’t hope anything, Turkin, know so!

Yes I am, Sir!

Good. Every Friday you will go to the Post Office in Cliff Street. It is just around the corner from my headquarters. There will be a letter waiting for you there. Inside will be half of a five-pound note. The next week you will receive the other half in exactly the same way. Your first five pounds I will give you intact before I leave.

Tommy’s head was spinning. Five pounds was an enormous amount of money. He was to get five pounds every two weeks. What was