Unlucky

Misery:the story of Uncle Tom

I walked down the street an as the copper turned left into a doorway so did I. Didn't have much choice, sat where he told me.

Tomm talking to someone while waiting ! 

The copper had to trust me it was either handcuff me to him or no handcuffs as I  hadn’t had a bath for months I don’t think he wanted me too close, so no hand cuffs at all, as I didn’t have two hands, Just my luck to be out shooting for rabbits, tripped and shot me self in the arm, it took all day before I got back to the farm house, and got me ears clipped for leaving the gun in the paddock to get wet!

The cook patched me up but then me arm went bad and I don't remember what happened next, but when I woke up me arm was gone. The farmer didn't want me anymore said I was useless.

Oh yes sir, my name is Thomas Blegg. How do I spell that? I don't know sir it's just Blll-egg, sir.

Thomas found himself sitting in front of a magistrate, seemed to be always the way, he thought to himself. At least l know how to behave been here enough!

Stupid old Francis why did he go and die on him looks like they'll get me this time

While the magistrate and coroner droned on about the way Francis John Elmer died, Thomas had plenty of time to think ... what a miserable life.

Eleven of us lived in the shed Pa used for his garden tools, there was never enough to eat and most of the time Ma couldn't be bothered: there was always a baby.
When I was 12 Pa died and next day Ma walked the nine of us from Ouse to Hobart - I hoped we would get a feed, man I was hungry, and my feet hurt something awful. The buildings in Hobart were so big and taller than anything, there were kids everywhere! But no food tonight just a blanket and the cold floor, I should have been used to my stomach making noises.
I was sent to a farm it was hard but at least no one was constantly watching me and I did get one meal a day. 

Then I lost me arm! 

 I rigged up a wire to hold a bag and then I got a job picking potatoes - most of the older men were really fast, think they hired me to have someone to laugh at, but I showed them. I got paid by the pound so got enough cash for one meal a day and could add a few small uns that I stuffed in my pocket, I could get by OK.

Oh if Francis hadn't been always in such a bad mood, he would still be alive, and here I am likely to be charged with murder of the silly old coot.
I just wanted to return his rabbit wires, but he wanted me to pay good money for two of his useless ferrets, if he had looked after them they might have been a decent pair, but he never fed them so first chance they got they would run of in search of a meal, mm I know how they felt, but I didn't want the useless creatures, no good to me, and punching me did him no good , I wasn't going to have them I wouldn't change my mind, then we got into grips and I pushed the silly old fool away and he fell down dead.

Oh what is going on? Will they ever decide if I am going to jail!
The copper was saying that it was an accident, and cause old Francis was a big bloke he didn't see that me, skinny and with just one arm could fight him, he recons the last witness was right, it was like two old ladies trying to stoush.
The magistrate tells me to stand up, oh gosh I'm a goner!

"Mr Thomas Blegg", he called me mister! I had better listen it might be the last chance I get.
"Mr Thomas Blegg you were at the home of Francis John Elmer of Quamby Brook on the 21st of June?" I nod, I can't speak don't know where my voice has gone! He goes on, "When Francis John Elmer met his death,” I nod again, "I find that he died by misadventure due to the condition of his heart and no one is to blame, you are free to go Mister Blegg".

I stood looking like a silly donkey, and the copper came over and shook me hand, we walked out of the court together, but this time he went left and I turned right.

 

I have related part of the story of Uncle Tom, lots of information about him was found on TROVE the rest from my dad who remembered his one armed Uncle Tom, and some of the stories he was told. Dad told me his Uncle was " a character". It seems he certainly was.

I chose to tell the story from Toms point of view, as thoughts as he sat waiting to find if he would be charged with murder. Tom never went to school, was illiterate and until the day he died signed his name with an X. A child of a convict who had a number of Run-ins with the law.

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