The Little Town Mouse

By Lorraine F Ellis

Its hard times in the city and the threat of the poor house looms heavy for many living in the overcrowded tenement blocks. Taking the strong advice from his Father John Allinson, Isaac Allinson along with Nancy his six year old daughter take to the road to seek a better life.

Having taken the ferryboat across the water they make for the hamlet of Danesrest in search of a long lost aunt. When they become lost on the open moorland a tribe of Romanys gives them help and hospitality. But things begin to take an unexpected turn of events including a lost and forbidden love affair, family secrets coming to light and an eventual wrongful imprisonment where Nancy is forced to endure the harsh and appalling conditions of the early nineteenth century prison.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Nov 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496994103

Lorraine F Ellis

Although Lorraine has been previously published, The Little Town Mouse is her first historical novel. Lorraine has a natural flair for writing which lights up among the pages of this story. She has studied creative writing both at college and university. Lorraine is a very family orientated person she has three grown up daughters and four granddaughters, She lives in the small village of Paull in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England with her husband of thirty seven years. Her main reasons for writing this book is to leave something behind for her grandchildren and also to give enjoyment to others.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Nancy

It was a chilly morning down Florence Street. The grey sky cast a desolate shadow over the tenement blocks. A little girl walked by her Father’s side trying hard to keep in step with his long legs. Nancy was six years old but she wore the look of someone much older. Her long tangled hair hung matted around her tiny face. Wiping away a solitary tear that had fallen down her pale cheeks she quickly turned her head towards the sky and prayed that the rain would stay in the clouds. She trembled her thin calico dress did little to keep out the cold and her tummy grumbled. She could ignore the gnawing hunger pains for they were quite familiar to her, but she wasn’t used to the sadness, the despondency which tore at her stomach more than any hunger pain ever had.

They neared the end of the street. Isaac Allinson slowed down his pace and turned to face his daughter. Don’t you fret now my little lass, he said as though sensing her mood, this is going to be an adventure, an exciting fresh start for the pair of us.

Nancy sniffed loudly, she was not at all sure she welcomed a fresh start. However, she was certain about one thing she didn’t want anything to do with fresh ‘starts’ that didn’t include her Granda. The image of his grey tired face was still fresh in her mind and his voice echoed in her head. Now don’t you weep little ‘un’ he’d said, tis for the best that you go, you see Nancy I’m growing older, and well, I’ll be needing some peace in me old age, can’t be doing with a noisy little vixen like you under my feet,

Nancy’s bottom lip curved and her little face crumpled. Don’t you like me anymore then Granda? she asked. Is that why I have to go, is that why you don’t want me around?

Yeah, Yeah that’s right so go on just clear off and don’t you ever come back.

Well I don’t like you anymore then said Nancy sticking out a pink strawberry tongue.

Without uttering a word Isaac Allinson lay his hand briefly on his father’s shoulder, turned took his daughter by the hand and walked away. Their journey had begun.

Unshod children played in the gutters and shouted at them as they went by. Women young and old stood on grey doorsteps gossiping and nodding their heads towards the little girl and her father. They reached the top of Florence Street. Nancy turned to see her Granda he was standing dead in his tracks as though rooted to the spot. There was something about his stoop his very frailty which spoke of his sorrow. He stood there wiping his grey cheeks with a dirty rag. He doesn’t really want us to go, muttered Nancy to herself and she knew then that her Granda really did love her.

As they headed towards Kings Bridge, Nancy grew more and more anxious. She trembled as they reached the bridge for it seemed such a long way down. Her father picked her up and clumsily placed her on his shoulders. Nancy could then easily see the brown sludge water below, so she closed her eyes until they had reached the other side.

"Are you alright up there Nancy lass? You be so quiet!

I was just a little feared Da.

Tis alright to be afraid at times tis sensible.

Nancy sighed she knew her Da was a wise man, however she could see nothing sensible about leaving the streets the only home she had ever known. Why did we have to go Da? she asked.

Ah tis not for you to worry your pretty head about just look to the future now.

With a grim look of concentration on his face Isaac walked on.

CHAPTER TWO

They had been on the road for three days, only stopping to sleep and take short rests. The first night they had slept in a church doorway. That morning a lady had taken pity on them and had thrown some coins at their feet.

Leave them, just leave them where they are! shouted Isaac Allinson. For we are not beggars nor shall we be.

Nancy gazed at the coins and imagined the food they could have bought with them. At the same time her stomach growled, she tried in vain to ignore it for she knew that the food they had left was scarce. She could not grasp her father’s judgement and why the coins were to be left on the ground for her six year old brain could not take in the meaning of simple pride. All she could understand were the signals her body gave out to her, telling her that she hungered, and it hurt. Isaac opened the sack which contained their meagre food supply and they shared a small breakfast of stale bread and mutton fat. Nancy chewed the hard bread in silence trying to savour each mouthful for she wasn’t sure how long it would be before they would eat again. She took a sip from the flagon of water and turned to her Father. When are we going to get there, will it be today Da? she asked in a tired little voice.

Well not today lass, today we may just reach the docks, where we will catch the ferryboat that will take us to Country.

When we get ––––––- a ferryboat! shouted Nancy suddenly springing to life. You mean a real ferryboat which sails on the big waters!".

Yeah it will be a real ferryboat alright said Isaac.

I be a little feared Da, stammered Nancy her eyes now like saucers. Mr Trot from number nine, well he do say that boats they often sink and you just got to swim for your dear life or you drown to death, and___ Da, went on Nancy, I can’t swim.

I can, and I would soon save you if that do happen. You have nothing to be fearful about lass for I would never let my little Nancy drown.

They finished their meal in silence then Isaac picked up his daughter and placed her back on his shoulders. He walked on his thoughts drifting. He recalled the last hours he had spent with his father and how he had tried in vain to persuade him to flee with them.

Listen Da he had said. I just can’t leave you here the bailiffs they will be here come daylight. You will be taken to the poorhouse that’s for sure. You must Da you must come with us no one do bother about a few paupers, that poorhouse master well, he can do anything.

Oh son, sighed John Allinson, I knows only too well how paupers are treat, and that is why I want you to take that bairn and get the hell out of here! John Allinson reached into his pocket and brought out a small brown money bag. Here Son take this, taint much but it will be enough to pay for the trip over the waters and they should be plenty left to tide you over for a short while. Get to Danesrest try to seek out my long lost sister, remember she is your kin too. She’s a good woman is our Polly. If she still be alive she will help you. And if not…. John Allinson paused as he swallowed the lump in his throat. You might get work on the land, t’wud be far better for that bairn then the poorhouse.

Isaac hesitated and then knowing he had little choice he took the bag from his Father’s hand.

Your ring Da, he said what’s happened to your ring? John Allinson looked down at his middle finger now missing his treasured ring, tis what Cora would have wanted, he muttered half to himself.

Isaac overcome by a sharp pang of guilt faced his father, and what about you Da? I can’t just leave you here.

There be no need to worry about me, said John a sheepish grin spreading across his crumpled cheeks. That widow woman Buckley, well she says she’ll take me in, she doesn’t want me to end me days in the poorhouse either. She has a plan.

A plan?

Aye she is going to hide me in her coal ‘ole’ until the bailiffs have gone.

A slow smile crept on Isaac’s face, Widow Women Buckly, he muttered half to himself. She, she has a heart of gold and has always been very fond of you Da..

Ah don’t you talk like that lad, I’ll just be her lodger for a while and nothing more, you know there was only one woman in the world for me and that was your Mother. I said that the morning she passed on Son and I will always mean it.

Sorry Da, sighed Isaac a little subdued, but I meant no bad.

It’s alright lad, John Allinson handed Isaac a mug of brown ale.

Here son drink this And then try and get some sleep you’ve a long day tomorrow.

The old man sat back in his chair and closed his grey eyes.

Isaac covered his Father with a tattered blanket. He looked around the small dingy room almost as though he had never seen the place before. This was the room he had grown up in, the room where he had slept, ate, and spent most of his childhood.

He looked towards the old chair in the corner, that chair had been empty for a long time. He still could visualise his mother as she had sat there, her tiny hands busily engaged in her needlework. A lump formed in his throat as he thought of his mother with her soft placid nature. She was so very different to the other women of the street. It was often said that she had the voice of a true lady. Some would shun her accusing her of snobbery but she was just extremely shy, So shy that her timid nods were looked upon as an insult

It wasn’t until she had lived in the street for some years that she gradually became accepted. Isaac had always known his mother wasn’t strong for she was often ailing. He recalled hearing his Father words as he had stood over her sick bed. It pains me so much to say this, but you must go back Cora love, he said. Back to your own kind who can pay for doctors and medicine which will get you well.

They are no longer my kind, you and that boy are my only kin, and I will never go back, never, do you hear me now John Allinson.

John swallowed back the lump which had formed in his throat,you must lass you must……

Cora eased herself up from her grey pillow her eyes glassy with determination and unshed tears. As long as there is breath in my body I will stay where I am, she gasped. For I would rather die in your arms then be looked down on and regarded as a sinner. Her face the colour of parchment she laid back in the bed overcome with exhaustion.

Ten days later Cora Ann Allinson was laid to rest in a paupers’ grave.

It makes little difference Pa, Isaac said.

I can’t see how it matters where you’re buried. Tis only the rich and fortunate that can afford a nicer place to lay their loved ones, but I don’t suppose it makes any difference to God it’s the person that counts."

Aye you’re right there son, you come into this world with nothing and you leave this world with nothing, it makes no difference be you rich or poor.

Reverend Soams mumbled a hasty prayer and the small gathering paid their respects. Earth was thrown down on to the makeshift coffin and the mourners departed. It was not a very dignified end, but it was regarded as ‘Good enough for a pauper.’

Over the coming weeks Isaac grew concerned about his father. He saw reverend Soams just leaving the church.

I would like a little talk with you sir, if tisn’t too much trouble.

"What’s bothering you man? Reverend Soams coughed irritably.

It’s me Da he real bad reverend, he be ridden with guilt seems to be eating him away.

Him has just put his woman in the earth, tis only natural he be saddened and perhaps a little bitter.

Isaac hung his head, he’s ill with grief and I don’t know what will ease his pain.

Then you must tell him to prayer replied the reverend, for tis only prayer that will give him solace and calm his conscience".

Reverend Soames pulled open the small gate and tried to usher Isaac out of the churchyard.

My father he has lost his faith reverend, he lost it a long time ago. Maybe you could visit him and help him back on the road.

If the man has become a heathen then there is nothing that I can do,

But did you not help Master Symth during his troubled times, him that never had any faith to lose in the first place? Folks say that you prayed together until the sun went down. My father he be a poor man and cannot donate half a farthing towards your ‘church funds.’ That be the only reason why you shun him in his hour of need, With his head held high Isaac walked away. By the time he’d strode out of the churchyard he too had lost his faith..

Da! Da! I have been talking and talking and you haven’t answered me".

Isaac was quickly jolted back to the present. Sorry little lass, I was just thinking to myself that’s all.

Nancy shook her head in exasperation, Da I’ve gone and asked you four times now when will we be getting that ferry boat.

We won’t be long now Nancy, if all goes well we should reach the docks in about four hours.

It won’t be the same as when we crossed that bridge, it won’t be high up will it? said Nancy with a tremor in her voice.

You’ll be safe Nancy stop fretting now.

They walked on for some time Isaac was growing very tired and his shoulders were beginning to ache. But he had only one thing on his mind and that was to reach the docks and board that ferryboat which would take him and his cherished daughter to their new life

CHAPTER THREE

The Romany’s

The caravans and wagons lined the road,