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He walked right by them. In his top hat and coattails, he past them. He went inside the shiny store. He never even thought twice about them. No one ever did. They were just children. There were 5 of them. Maddie, who was the oldest, 12; Charley, second, 10; Adelaine, third, 7; Samson, fourth, 5. And the youngest of all was only 18 months old, and she had no named because their mother had died giving her birth. They were from the poorhouse. And seeing as how the country was in a war, almost all of the orphanages were full of other children. Foster care was impossible and the children had no living relatives. So, they wandered the streets, begging day to day for some milk for their sister or just some bread for the younger ones.

When their mother had passed, the midwife asked Maddie where the father was. Maddie said their father had been imprisoned for crimes in the war. The midwife just shook her head at Maddie.
"Well, that be the case, its up ter 'ou ter name that child 'ere."
"I couldn't possibly name her. She's only my sister."
"Not my p'blem. E'ter name 'er or git ou'."
Maddie's eyes just welled up with tears. She looked away. Glancing at her mother, she understood that her mother would not be getting up. They would not be going to the country anymore.
The midwife, whose name was Carol, ended giving the children a place to stay and food. They had to work for her and it was hard work but it helped them get out of the poorhouse. Eventually, they got used to their daily routine and started to do extra stuff so they could save up.
With Maddie being the oldest, she was an apprentice to Carol. Carol required Maddie to call her Miss. And Maddie assisted in all apothecary duties and deliveries, surgeries. Maddie soon learned that Carol was more than a mid-wife but a healer. Maddie learned all that she could from her. Every day, she was taught about a new herb and its healing powers. She learned about symptoms that went along with illnesses and diseases or just plain chronic back pain. Maddie worked hard, earning the milk for their baby sister.

Charley who was only nine, found work with a bookkeeper. Carol had a few contacts because she had saved his wife from a long term disease a few years back that he owed her a favor. He made Charley become his errand boy. Charley ran all over the city, meeting new people. He saw big luxurious homes where people had parties and feasts to the countryside of a small little cottage that housed 6 different families. Charley collected debts. He learned soon that the man was not harsh but strict. Eventually, Charley was started to be invited to the bookkeeper's home for lunch. Charley accepted and didn't mind too much. He was never hungry when he went home. He liked having his stomach full of custard and pheasant. Besides, it left more for the growing siblings.
Adelaine, who was just six was sent to the factory. She had the worst job of all. The factory was a dangerous place for a child to be. One day, when she was there, she saw a girl get her scalp ripped from her because her long sleek black hair got caught on the machine. When she went home, she climbed into Maddie's lap, crying her eyes out about the horrifying screams she had heard. When Adelaine finally slipped off into sleep, Maddie started thinking. The next morning, at breakfeast, Maddie took scissors to her sister's curly blonde hair. She cut it all off. Adelaine sat there, silently. When she showed up at the factory, everyone just stared at her. She looked like a young boy. She recieved many heckles and taunts from the other children. Adelaine made no friends but she worked hard for her money.
Samson, who was four, was left to go to the church. He was given the duty to attend the church and learn all that he could. Samson went to school there and he became an altar boy. All the nuns made a bustle around him because he was so adorable. They would do all that they could to make him smile. He was so charming that they would slip him sweets before he left for home. Samson had it easy.
But what about their poor newborn baby sister. Well, Samson was too young to take care of her. A factory was no place for a baby and it wouldn't look right for a bookkeeper's shop to become a nursery. So, poor Maddie had to watch over her. Maddie, had to balance her duty as an apprentice and maternal role. Carol, allowed Maddie to keep the baby there with her in the shop as long as she was kept out of sight, and quiet. Keeping a baby quiet is not possible. But somehow, Maddie managed to do so. That is, until one day.

Just over a year had passed in the family. Charley was sent to make his daily rounds. And he noticed on the list that he would be passing where Maddie was working. He thought he would pop in and say hi to his sister. She might slip him a sweet or two. So, Charley hurried his errands along. He stopped in his sister's shop. She was busy with a customer. Her hair had been pulled back into a bun. She was sweating in the sweltering heat of summer. The customer it seemed was complaining of constant headaches from reading. Maddie went into the backroom and came back with a bottle. She explained to the customer that if they were to take 2 of those every night before bed, the headaches should disappear within a few days, if not then they should come back. The customer paid, thanked her and left.
Charley walked up to the counter.
"Hiya sis!"
"Hello Charley. What brings you here today?"
"Just my rounds today."
"And have you finished your rounds yet?"
"Almost. Just have one more. Mister Edgar Hornmund."
"Who?"
"You know, the grouchy man who lives at the end of Sweatner street. He lives in that creepy old mansion."
"ah yes. I remember him. His daughter had caught the pneumonia. I remember Miss Carol had to go and take care of her for one week. It was the best week ever. I got to run the shop in peace."
"Yea...anyway, I was wondering if I could have a treat or something."
He gave her his best toothy grin ever.
“I can’t do that Charley. I’m behind schedule and pay might get docked again.”
Charley just sighed. “ya know, sis, we might have almost enough finally to leave.”
Maddie just grunted at this. And just as Carol came through the door, Charley hugged his sister goodbye until dinner time. Carol nodded to him. After the shop door closed, she started on Maddie.
“Maddie, ‘ou know I don’ condone family visi’ durin’ ter day. An’ did ‘ou e’en fini’h Mrs. Clarive’s remedy? An’ Has Colonel George stop by for Alyssa’s perfume?? Its very importan’ ter git it ter him today.”
Maddie just sighed. “Yes, Miss Carol. I have gift wrapped the colonel’s gift for his..ahem…sister. And Mrs. Clarive sent her servant over earlier this morning for the remedy. Paid for and everything. And Charley was just stopping by to make sure, I don’t forget about paying Lord Ornell this month’s tax. And that reminds me, Miss Carol. Do you think its time for me to maybe take on a few more duties now that I have been here for a year?”