A Letter from the Workhouse by Erin, 5G

The Workhouse

Drury Lane

London

28th November 1872

Dear Matron,

                     I am writing to inform you of just some of the reasons why you should let us famished, miserable children depart this daunting work house full of broken hearts and lost souls .Let us leave this haunted house before we become the ghosts!

Firstly, I wake up every day only to discover the same painful screams of unsuccessful runaways being beaten and of course the same grimy gruel waiting to be devoured. But we only ever pick at it because even the smell is sickly. Furthermore, the tasks I am expected to overcome are catastrophic for me and other younger children who are unable to manage it. Most of us are deathly pale and yet you still demand that we are to carry on no matter how tired we are.

This would never have occurred if the tragic death of my Ma and Pa hadn't happened. I am still overcome with grief and unless you set us free my broken heart will never be fixed.My parents died of an unfortunate fever and I knew I couldn't save them but if you let us journey beyond the work house then my guilt will fade.Unfortunately, the work house is like a prison so I must beg you for my release. Just give us our freedom and we will know how nice you truly are in your heart.

If you are so kind as to allow me to leave, I will travel far distances to seek out a willing man named Dr Barnardo. If you don't know who this man is, he is a gentleman, amazing and kind to all young children (such as myself) and he will surely give me a place in one of his ragged schools.

I finish this letter in the desperate hope that it will have encouraged you to open up your heart to our plight. It is of course, your choice.

Yours faithfully,

Louis.

P.S. Shortly after I leave, (if you let me) I may write to you again.

By Erin, 5G