Julia Varley — Life in the Casual Ward

Now I have come to my last visit, and the end of my pilgrimage. After a few days' rest in Liverpool I decided to visit the Belmont Road Test House, a place that I had been especially advised to avoid. Down at the dock gates, at midnight, I had interviewed a couple of old men, who, in company with many others, were shivering in the chilly air, and I asked one who was 65, why he did not go to the test house'? His reply was an echo of many others. "I would rather deep into the dock," he said. He had been in a fortnight previously, and so would have had to serve double time, with Sunday thrown in, as Sunday does not count a day. The men have dry bread and water — fare that does not prepare them to get a job. I was told by a gentleman who spoke with authority that many times when one of the casuals gets a job on the docks. his strength is used up by breakfast-time, and he has to give in. As I listened to him, life seemed a terrible thing. Warehouses rose tall and black behind us, filled with merchandise from the uttermost parts of the earth, while before me stood a unit, whose body held "that" which no genius yet has ever been able to explain or produce; yet starvation, more cunning than talent, was rapidly extinguishing it. Heart-sick I turned away, while the gratitude for a few coppers my friend gave the man made a lump come into my throat, and the world seemed as black as the water I could see

GLITTERING IN THE DOCK.

Clad in the clothes that have seen service in my tour I presented myself at the lodge, and asked for a night's shelter. I gave my professional name, destination, etc.; gave up my valuables, which consisted of an old purse and one penny, and I was put into a room, where I waited about twenty minutes. Then an officer appeared and felt round my pockets and asked me if I had a pipe of tobacco. On being satisfied, I was handed over to an inmate, who took me down a long passage into the bathroom — a large room with four baths, clean towels and carbolic soap. I was told to undress while the woman was preparing the bath. I had to spread my skirt out, and put all the rest of my garments on it, then pin the lot together. Although I was the only casual there at the time, it was a degrading operation to me to be without a scrap of clothing, crouching in the middle of the floor trying to make a bundle with fingers that wouldn't shape it from sheer nervousness, while the attendant watched, then again overlooked while I was in the bath. Then I was given a long roller towel with which to rub myself The nightdress I had supplied here was, should think, warranted to cause the most discomfort in least time. It was dark blue scrubby material, decorated with W. D. U. in big scarlet letters on the front, and reached a little below the knees. I was now ready for bed. Before this was

REACHED A CONCRETED PASSAGE,

which I estimated to be at least twenty yards long and a flight of thirty-Six atone steps, with the day room between, had to be traversed. After the hot bath, I felt the chill of the concrete floor and stone steps very much. The bedroom had beds down each side, and would hold about twenty-four, I think, and there were about fifteen in that night. It was well lighted and ventilated, and the beds wore good. These consisted of tickings filled with straw, had two old counterpanes for coverings and were the most comfortable of any I had yet met with.

A MUG OF "WATER," A CHUNK OF BREAD, AND 2oz. CHEESE. ONE DAY'S DINNER.

We were aroused in the morning about five o'clock by an inmate who had a sharp and commanding manner. I got into trouble the first go off. A young woman who had occupied the next bed to mine had a tiny baby, with feeding bottle. I was holding the baby while she was getting the bottle ready to feed it. It was only a few seconds, yet it brought down the wrath of "the powers that be," and we were bidden in a harsh voice to stir ourselves. Then the walk down and into the bath-room to dress. The pilgrimage down was amusing, and I was forced to smile, although myself a victim, and those lines of Burns flashed across my mind: "Oh wad some power the giftie gi'e us to see ourselves as ithers see us," I saw myself by looking at my companion, with bare feet and legs, clad in the short, blue nightdress, with its crimson embellishments, stepping gingerly along on the cold steps and floor. Then came a sight that roused my indignation.

THE SCENE IN THE DRESSING ROOM WAS ALMOST BEYOND DESCRIPTION —

fifteen women and eleven children, ranging from the age of thirteen years to eleven weeks, all dressing together! One woman, who had five children with her, had a fearful face. Her husband had kicked her, while her arms and neck were black and blue. Another had a black eye that took up nearly half of her face. The sympathy of the women was expressed in lurid language, and the advice how to deal with the donors, if taken, would give the executioner a little work. The majority of these women were fearful specimens of humanity, and the children were open-eared and open-eyed all the time the talking was going on. It was a most disgraceful state of affairs. These people have a varied collection, or absence, of garments, and they require some manipulation, and many of them have never learned to dress themselves decently. The whole thing was painful. I will mention a fact here that will make my case clear. A few days before a woman had been admitted with her daughter, and she refused to stay when she found that she must be bathed in the presence of that child, and she went out.

Now to breakfast. This was served by the aforesaid inmate, who had the manners and airs of a high official, and she sharply put us in order. It consisted of gruel, very hot, thick, and saltless, and a thick piece of day bread. Salt was on the table in shallow basins, and most of the women used their fingers as salt spoons, so I did not want any. I tried one spoonful of the gruel, and was satisfied. Many of the women ate all theirs, and had more. Most of the women had been in before, and did not seem to me to be tramps, but loafers. I seemed to be the only one who did not know some of the others. The pauper attendant was an old acquaintance of many of them, and she got congratulated on her "situation."

After breakfast the door was unlocked, and an official appeared. She called the names of the women who had to go, and six of us were left. She then put us through a stiff cross-examination in a harsh, contemptuous voice. I had heard many times during my tour that the officials were tyrants, but this was the first time that I had met with one that was

UNREASONABLE OR UNKIND,

and it was easy to see who the paupers under studied. I was put to wash some landings and staircases. When I had nearly finished, she rated me about the "skirting boards," which she thought I had missed. I meant to wipe them with a clean cloth when I had done. However, I did as I was told, and washed them as I went on with the floor cloth and "whitey" water I was using, and consoled myself with the thought that "there's no accounting for tastes." After I had finished this, I was told to clean all the nobs, the nozzles of the fire plugs, and dust the doors, etc.

STARTING HER DAY'S WORK AT LIVERPOOL.

Some of my fellow casuals told me with many oaths "I did the work too quickly, she would give me some more, and I should spoil it for others who did not believe in killing themselves, as people who did so got no better thought of." I found that that was so. When I reported myself I was put to pick oakum. This was done in a shed in the yard. Here I found two women who had been in all day. One of them, an old woman of 63, had been so occupied for three days, yet she had dared to ask hospitality twice in a month. She had got a pile of hard pieces of twine and her poor old fingers were sore. My share was much easier than hers, so I changed her some. She had seen better days, and as she talked and told us of her past glories and how she never thought to come to this," I felt very sad. She longed for a drink of tea, but she was only a casual, so gruel must serve. I was told while in that shed of

AN OLD WOMAN OF EIGHTY-TWO,

who had the previous day sat in the place I occupied, and she had her share given her to pick. There were four or five picking at the same time, and they let the old woman rest, and each gave her some picked oakum to make up her portion. This "somebody's mother" had been in two days, and the woman said "never a bite passed her lips," but they had nothing different to give her. Eighty-two years of age and thick gruel and dry bread! Good heavens, one envies the tramps their expressive remark to relieve one's feelings.

Dinner-time came, and with it the usual thick bread, one and a half oz. of cheese, washed down with cold water, and we were locked in whilst we fed. The conversation was enlivening. Two of the women, who were barefooted, were busily engaged in recounting their deeds of daring, an attack on a husband with bottles having the Place of honour. These tales, mixed with the reminiscent mourning of the old woman, passed the dinner hour, and at last the turning of the lock roused us to our duties. Once more we were sent to the oakum room. My pile grew slowly. I took great pains with the stuff and got it very fine. However, I got spoken sharply to because I had not done enough. I really believe now that the advice given me at the beginning of my journey was good, "Slip it, missie, ye'll get on best;" but my life as a casual was so short it was not worth it. The tramp mistress came for us about 5 o'clock, and after taking the finished stuff from us gave us our supper. This was the most uncomfortable meal I have ever had in my life. The six of us were on one side of the table, the gruel was scalding hot, and the tramp mistress sat, on a chair looking on, her fingers busily occupied knitting. The silence was oppressive. Two of the women ate a little of the gruel and slipped, away: a snappy "hurry up" caused two more to go, and I was left with a woman who was hungry and could eat her gruel. I dawdled with mine to keep her company, but another growl sent me away, and the

OTHER DARED STAY NO LONGER,

and had to leave half her gruel and all her bread. Then to bed just after five at midsummer, and the sun shining gloriously! I looked round in the bathroom to wash myself but could find neither soap nor towel. The inmate attendant being busy, I asked her for some soap, and after a surprised, contemptuous stare, she pointed to a piece the size of a florin. I let the tap run too long, and after another stare she sharply turned it off. I dried my hands on my pocket handkerchief. The other woman could not have the soap, so did not get a wash. We undressed in the same place as we had dressed in, and had the nightdresses given out. My companion got one that was filthily dirty, and she was so afraid of the officer I believe she would have put it on if I had not persuaded her to ask for another. She asked the inmate, who again looked and said "Put it down there." She had to wait a time for another. Then once more the tramp mistress came to investigate the reason for the delay, and rated the victim soundly; the woman looked ill, she was so frightened. At last we were in bed, and I thanked my lucky star I was not a professional casual.

Morning came at last, and the promenade down stairs to the bath room once more. We were allowed to wash in the morning, and then breakfast. I gave my bread to one of the women, who wrapped it up and took it out with I her. My gruel I left. Three of us were passed out, and at the office I gave my professional name for the last time. I had to ask for my purse, and when questioned as to its contents I said "One penny." It was found to be empty. However, one was got from somewhere, and my property was given to me with what was intended as a joke, but would have been a cruel hoax to a proper tramp. "There, missus, there's your purse and twopence for you." I thanked him sincerely, feeling clad that I had found one at least who was not hard-hearted; but alas! I had been deceived. There was only the solitary penny. At last my self-imposed task is done; I have given a true account of my life as a casual in these few articles; and I hope in the last to sum up the whole of my experiences.