The 'London Gold Rush' 1903: Part 4.

The ‘London Gold Rush’ 1903: Part 4.

Davy awoke on the second week of August 1904, sat up and began to drink the cup of tea left by Mrs. Manners. He looked across the room at the only other bed there and saw that Willie was beginning to stir. "Willie" he called out "what my old mother used to say has a rare knack of coming true – when one door closes another one opens". Willie began to drink his tea which was left on the bedside table and added "God rest his soul Davy, it came as a bit of a shock but sure the news is great about the work".

They had as arranged travelled home to Banbridge on the 15th August to be welcomed with open arms by both sets of parents. They were wearing new suits, new shoes and looked like a pair of city gentlemen in all their finery. They had plenty of money and had learned to hold on to it. Davy’s mother had, with the regular money he sent her, bought almost forty pounds of the most intricate designs in Irish linen that he had ever seen. It ranged from small ladies handkerchiefs, to scarves, table linen and absolutely beautiful bed linen. There were well over two hundred items. Half of his plan in that respect had been completed – at least for the time being in any case.

They had fished the river and caught some beautiful brown trout. They had roamed the hills and revisited places they had not seen for many years. They helped neighbours to pick their potatoes and other crops. All in all they were having a wonderful time.

Mrs. Williams, Davy’s mother had almost fainted when the Telegram Boy arrived on his bicycle and handed her a very official looking telegram. She stood in the hallway without moving or opening it for a good hour until Willie’s mother came to the door. She too was afraid of what news it might contain so instead of reading it, they sat in the kitchen until Davy returned with Willie. The telegram was addressed to him. He had opened it and read it aloud. "It is with regret that I must inform you that Richard Manners died of a heart attack today at work. Return post-haste and report to me at Head Office". Manners was the gang overseer and the message had been sent from the Engineers Head Office in London.

They had said their farewells and left that night. They crossed to Scotland but this time they took a train south to London. Forty-eight hours later Davy reported as directed. The office manager informed him of the circumstances and without hesitation he there and then offered Davy the job of ‘ganger’ that Manners had held. Mr. Manners had on every available occasion sung the praises of Davy to his employers and had recommended him for the position in case of such an incident ever taking place. "You have full control of the gang" he was informed. "You can hire and sack whoever you want and at the end of each contract, the usual bonus will be paid to you". "Bonus" thought Davy "the old bugger kept that one a secret". He then added aloud "There is only one thing sir that I will change if you agree and that is that Willie McLaughlin becomes my deputy and looks after the actual navigation side of the business while I look after the paperwork". The matter was agreed and a new salary was offered. Five pounds per week plus a bonus, not to mention the little fiddle meant that Davy was now earning more per week than his father could earn in a month.

They had visited Mrs. Manners whom they had known for months when her husband had brought them home for tea especially on Sundays. They had no children of their own and she had taken a shine to both of them but especially Willie. She called him her "cheeky little rascal" and he in turn had her wrapped around his little finger.

They attended the funeral, as did the whole gang all immaculately turned out in their dark suits and white shirts as a mark of respect. Willie looked after Mrs. Manners as if she was his own mother and his feelings were genuine. She had insisted that they come back to their little house and spend the afternoon with her.

It was then that she had offered them accommodation and upon inspecting it and hearing the charge, the lads immediately went to Mrs. O’Brien’s and collected their bits and pieces. That night they slept the sleep of the just with no fear that an eighteen stone drunken man would fall on top of them whilst they slept. Mrs. O’Brien was truly sad to see them go but her pain was lessened by the ten shillings that Davy slipped into her hand at the door.

The Irish Linen had been made up into two large parcels so later that morning, Davy opened them up and laid the contents on the two beds. He chose twenty of the highest quality items and made them up into a separate parcel. He then told Willie that he had something to do and that he was to keep Mrs. Manners company for the afternoon. Davy then caught a bus into the City.

He went without hesitation straight to the shop where he had seen the Irish Linen for sale. He walked up to the counter and asked to see the manager. Having introduced himself, adding that he represented a Co-operative Weavers Group from Banbridge County Down and had an offer to make that would not be beaten by any other supplier. He then opened the parcel and began to hand the items one by one to the manager. As he did so, Davy watched the man’s eyes carefully. He immediately saw that he was impressed, truly impressed at the quality of the designs and workmanship.

"And what is your offer?" the manager quietly asked. "Our offer sir, is that if you agree to pay us fifty percent of your retail price, we can keep you supplied with your favourite designs within an agreed time scale". "Fifty percent?" the manager drew in his breath. "That is the deal sir" Davy was confident that he had him. He began to parcel the items up again and added "You will have to excuse me sir, but I have two more high class retailers to visit this afternoon". "Take your time sir" the manager spoke softly "Fifty percent with payment within thirty days, with sole agency for your co-operative, do you agree". "Indeed sir" Davy nodded "if you have a concise agreement drawn up I shall return when I hear from you, here is my address". He wrote down his name and the ‘new’ address at Mrs. Manners. The area was a well-known middle class district of North East London. "Finally sir" said Davy, "as a matter of good faith, I shall leave these items with you for ‘sale or return’". He had not really fancied carrying them back to his address.

As he left the store, Davy had a smile on his face bigger than he had ever seen on Willies face, even when he was eating his favourite Irish stew.

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That night, Davy wrote a long letter to his mother about his good fortune with his new address. He told her precisely about the agreement on the linen and instructed her to call a meeting of the local weavers and explain the details. She was to organise the workload in the town whilst he would deal with the retailer in London. Each item was to be priced by his mother and a thorough record kept of each transaction. Each item would be paid for thirty days after delivery and any further profit made would be divided between the members provided they produced their quota of finished articles to the required standard. Davy did not underestimate the potential and profit if things went to plan.

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