Miss Matilda Hayward and the Freak Show (Miss Matilda Hayward series Book 1) Read online

  Miss Matilda Hayward and the Freak Show

  By Helen Goltz

  Miss Matilda Hayward and the Freak Show

  PUBLISHED BY: Atlas Productions

  First published 2021.

  Copyright © Helen Goltz

  All rights reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without the written permission from the author or the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations for review purposes. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Edited by: Sally Odgers.

  Cover images by: LightField Studios, nikkytok, RomarioIen and Kateryna Yakovlieva, Shutterstock.

  Cover design by Atlas Productions.

  Dedicated to the early trailblazers – the women of words:

  Ada Cambridge (1844 –1926)

  Louisa Lawson (1848-1920)

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Special Feature, ‘Freak Show’ in town for two weeks

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Special Feature: The ladies of the travelling show

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Advertisement: For Sale – Freak Show

  Chapter 39

  Miss Matilda Hayward and the Artist’s Muse

  About the Author:

  Chapter 1

  “Now on exhibition for a few days only, the strange, the wonderful, sights you have never beheld before – Burnham’s Freak Show. Including Mrs Anna Tufton, the Giantess.

  Town Hall Reserve. Admission - 6d. Open from 10.30 a.m. to 11 p.m.”

  —Brisbane Courier, 18 April 1888.

  Matilda Hayward stood well back from the crowds gathered at the entrance to the large tent, her eyes searching faces for that of her brother, Daniel. Beside her, her eldest brother, Amos, shuffled and glanced at his timepiece for the second time in brief succession.

  ‘He’s officially late and yet he insisted on coming.’ Matilda sighed.

  ‘Daniel is always late; he was born late and has never quite caught up,’ Amos said.

  Matilda smiled, never taking her eyes from the moving crowd.

  ‘No, it’s true,’ Amos continued. ‘Once when I was complaining about his lateness, Father explained I was on time, so too were the twins – Elijah considerate and punctual as usual and Gideon fashionably on time just after Elijah; you were early, which was no surprise, and Daniel arrived several days later in his own good time. Nothing has changed.’

  Matilda laughed. ‘Lucky he is loveable,’ she said, and Amos made a scoffing sound. ‘But you are right, Amos. I know it must be a burden at times being the eldest and having to be the most responsible.’

  ‘That’s what Minnie says,’ he said, referring to his wife of six months. ‘She worries that the family’s activities might bring me in to disrepute if not checked.’

  Matilda’s eyes widened with surprise, and before she could voice her opinion that Amos’s new bride was a little harsh, Amos continued.

  ‘Which reminds me, I don’t like you doing this story or being here.’ He turned his attention from his time piece to Matilda.

  ‘I know.’

  ‘I wish you’d give up that writing job, it is…’ he glanced around, searching not for the right word, but for the most diplomatic and not the words his wife had offered.

  ‘Unbecoming?’ Matilda suggested.

  Amos nodded. ‘I blame Father.’

  ‘Of course you do,’ she said and rolled her eyes. ‘Poor, darling Pa. How frightfully awful of him to raise an independent, thinking daughter, and treat her as an equal to his four sons. Unthinkable!’

  Amos sighed. ‘I’m not saying you are not an equal, Lord knows you’re brighter than Daniel, Gideon, and on a good day, Elijah, but a few lessons in playing the role of a lady and wife—’

  ‘Really, Amos!’ Matilda cut him off. ‘I may not be keen to rush to the altar, but if you find any of my habits particularly unladylike – like writing for the Women’s Journal – then don’t let me keep you. I’m perfectly capable of waiting alone.’ She turned to glare at him. ‘You were never this preoccupied with my place in society before meeting Minnie. Sometimes, I wonder where the Amos that was once so affable has gone.’

  Amos had the good grace to look as if he regretted his outburst. He bowed slightly. ‘I apologise.’

  ‘You are forgiven; after all, you are my favourite first-born brother.’

  He allowed himself a small smile.

  A handsome man rushed up to the pair, running a hand through his dark hair and straightening his waistcoat.

  ‘Sorry, I’m late,’ he panted. ‘I have no excuse; I somehow seem to be good at being late.’ He grinned.

  ‘That you are,’ Matilda said and kissed her brother on the cheek. ‘It doesn’t matter, here you are.’

  ‘Daniel,’ Amos said coolly.

  ‘Amos,’ Daniel imitated him, which made Matilda laugh. She looped her arm through Daniel’s.

  ‘Are you sure you won’t come with us, Amos?’ she asked.

  ‘Absolutely not,’ he said looking with disdain at the tent and the signage across the top reading, Mr Alfred E. Burnham’s Freak Show.

  ‘I’m sure Minnie will want to know all about it,’ Daniel offered, teasing his brother. ‘I’m surprised she didn’t beg to come with you and wander through the exhibitions.’

  ‘Unlikely,’ Amos snapped.

  ‘Thank you for the ride and for waiting with me, it is appreciated,’ Matilda said, softening towards him after her outburst.

  He nodded and bent to kiss her cheek. They were physically similar – fair of face and hair, with light blue eyes, like their mother. That is where their similarities ended. Matilda was similar in nature to Daniel who resembled his father and two brothers, Elijah and Gideon – tall, dark-haired with brown eyes. One would not pick the remaining Hayward men for relatives of Matilda or Amos.

  ‘Sunday then,’ Amos said. It was a ritual to have lunch after mass at the family home. With that, he was off, and Matilda turned to Daniel.

  ‘Shall we?’

  ‘Yes! Thanks for inviting me, and for the work.’ He fished his notebook and a pencil from his pocket, prepared to illustrate as requested by Matilda, and with the two entry tickets retrieved from her purse, they queued at the tent’s entrance.

&
nbsp; ‘No, thank you for supporting me, for being here for this most odd experience,’ she said and waved her arm around at the environment in which they found themselves. The Freak Show’s tent took over a significant piece of the boggy and well-trodden vacant inner-city land that backed onto the mangroves and river. To the side and a little distance from this main tent were several rows of caravans and smaller tents, with a background of a large copse of trees. Nearby, a drinking tent held prime position for patrons to watch the coming and goings.

  Matilda returned her attention to Daniel. ‘Amos wants me to give up my writing.’

  ‘Of course he does. Amos has become such a stick in the mud. It’s a shame he married a society girl and not a show girl,’ Daniel joked.

  Matilda laughed. ‘That was never going to happen. And don’t you get thoughts that way. You and Thomas visit far too many of those places as it is.’ She referred to Thomas Ashdown – Daniel’s lifelong best friend, now Detective Ashdown with the Queensland Police Force.

  ‘We were just making sure Elijah and Gideon got home safely,’ he said, stretching the truth. ‘And anyway, how would you know?’ Daniel raised an eyebrow in her direction, as they shuffled forward in the queue.

  ‘I’ve seen the rouge on both of your collars and on some occasions, the smell of drink from the pair of you would knock a publican over!’ Matilda said and then she smiled. ‘I’m just envious.’

  ‘Of me being with Thomas? I’m sure it would please him to know you feel that way,’ Daniel teased her again – an art of which he had perfected over many years.

  ‘No! Of you going out wherever you so choose,’ Matilda said. She waited for a beat before asking, ‘Why would Thomas care what I thought of him?’

  ‘Why indeed?’ Daniel said. ‘He’s fancied you since the day he first met you, even if you did cry when he beat you at our foot race.’

  ‘I did no such thing. He tripped me.’

  The showman interrupted their exchange and exclaimed loudly on seeing their specially-stamped tickets, ‘Ah, from the Women’s Journal, I see!’

  Matilda bristled; any hope of going in anonymously was dashed.

  ‘I’m the hired illustrator,’ Daniel corrected the man in case there was some confusion that he worked for the Women’s Journal.

  ‘Let the newspaper folks through,’ he continued. ‘Important work to do, and an interview today as well, I believe?’ he asked, knowing full well that had been arranged with Mrs Tufton, the giantess.

  Matilda nodded. As they entered the tent and stepped into a quieter area, the doorman stopped them before they moved on to the exhibitions.

  ‘Alfred E. Burnham at your service,’ he introduced himself with a small bow.

  ‘Mr Burnham, thank you for allowing us to cover your visit to our city. As you know, I am Matilda Hayward from the Women’s Journal, and this is my illustrator and brother, Mr Daniel Hayward.’

  ‘A pleasure, madam,’ he said to Matilda. The gentlemen shook hands.

  ‘I’m sure you would like a few quotes from me, as the owner of this successful theatre of entertainment?’

  Matilda smiled; she knew from growing up in a household of males that flattery went a long way to getting her way and means.

  ‘Of course I would.’ She accepted his invitation to move a little farther into a quieter welcoming area where a single row of chairs was positioned, most likely for guests willing to pay for a private audience. Matilda sat and readied her notepad and pencil.

  ‘Now madam, what can I tell you?’ He didn’t wait for Matilda’s response. ‘Our show has travelled the world and been wildly successful, largely because of our range of artistes.’

  Matilda’s eyes widened at the term.

  ‘Do tell us about some of your artists and how you have come to work together,’ she said.

  ‘Right. Let me start by saying that everyone here is willingly here, and we’re one large family.’ Mr Burnham put on what Matilda would best describe as a sincere face. She did her best not to look at Daniel whose poker face left a great deal to be desired.

  Mr Burnham continued. ‘The artists came to me or accepted my offer to tour for different reasons. They might want to earn a respectable income and enjoy their independence; they might enjoy the art of entertaining and the spectacle they provide; and sadly, for some, it is survival if their families abandoned or sold them. Here they have found security and safety with us.’

  ‘I see,’ Matilda said. ‘And you pay an income?’

  ‘We have a model that includes profits, and of course we provide our artists with accommodation, meals, travel, and that which can’t be valued – support and friendship.’

  Matilda nodded. ‘Of course.’ She subtly nudged Daniel’s foot as he chuckled. He disguised it as a cough.

  Mr Burnham continued, ‘Plus, our artists can create opportunities for themselves that allow them to save for their future security. Some of them have trading cards for sale or allow for exclusive visits and appearances at the right fee.’

  ‘And how many artists do you have in your exhibition?’ Daniel asked, keen to put an end to the interview and see the “artists” for himself.

  ‘We have eight exhibiting artists on this tour, and it is not just a tour for the curious. There are medical marvels and magnificent feats to be seen. Our giantess can pick up two fully grown men at the same time!’ Mr Burnham exclaimed in his showman’s voice.

  ‘Amazing,’ Daniel agreed.

  ‘Thank you, Mr Burnham, that has been most insightful,’ Matilda said. ‘Daniel and I shall wander through to find Mrs Tufton and let you return to your duties. It appears you have a good crowd outside and are much in demand.’

  ‘Yes, it is so, and we allow only twenty guests through at any one time for comfort. But some guests need encouragement to come beyond the tent door,’ he said, rising. With a glance to his timepiece, he said, ‘The giantess will perform in ten minutes, and you may interview her after that if it is convenient?’

  ‘Perfectly so,’ Matilda said, and thanking him, they allowed Mr Burnham to return to the front of the tent before they walked down the makeshift hallway into the start of the exhibition.

  Matilda was not easily frightened. Growing up the youngest with four brothers put an end to that, but she felt a level of anxiety rising at the thought of seeing these unfortunate people.

  ‘Artists?’ Daniel whispered, following closely.

  ‘Indeed,’ Matilda said, ‘one big happy family.’

  ‘I heard that some of these artists earned more in a year than the good folk viewing them,’ Daniel said.

  ‘I guess we all must do what we can to survive,’ Matilda said, stepping into a large area where she found herself face-to-face with an exhibit.

  Matilda stepped back straight into Daniel, who steadied her.

  In front of them, frightening for the ill-prepared, was a poor creature – a man nonetheless covered in long hair and displayed for all to see.

  Matilda nodded at the man, and he reciprocated but continued to pose and move as required for all to see his terrifying state of being.

  Daniel read the sign so only Matilda and another nearby paying guest could hear. ‘Jo-Jo, the Russian dog-faced man. A wonderful freak of nature, hairy all over.’

  ‘Come, let us not dally,’ Matilda said. ‘You may stay on when I leave if you like.’

  Daniel nodded, intending to do so, his curiosity piqued.

  Matilda kept close to the wall of the tent and made her way around with her eyes dipped, allowing herself the smallest of glances and to read the signs only – Unzie, the Circassian youth from the Black Sea – white all over with pink eyes!

  Daniel’s eyes were wide opened, his reactions audible. The two-headed woman – meet sisters Ella and Elvira.

  ‘Oh, the poor, poor girls,’ Matilda whispered. At last came the sign she was seeking – The Giantess, Anna Tufton – A Marvel.

  ‘Here she is,’ Matilda s
aid, ‘Mrs Tufton.’

  ‘Mrs… I can’t believe she’s married,’ Daniel muttered.

  They stopped and were directed by another showman to two vacant seats in the front row. A show of some sort was about to start, and guests had taken the safety of the rows behind. The viewers were predominantly men, but there was a smattering of women.

  A gentleman half-stood as Matilda went to sit beside him, nodded, and returned to his seat. Daniel sat beside her and opened the cover of his notebook, intending to illustrate the scene.

  They were only waiting a few minutes before the showman made the announcement.

  ‘Ladies and gentlemen, today you are in for a treat. Known to be the largest woman in the southern hemisphere, maybe even the world, I present on this stage, the giantess!’

  It could hardly be called a stage, as it was on the same level, but it was roped off with a thick red coil of rope and hidden by a makeshift curtain that was pulled back for effect. A smattering of polite applause began, and then an enormous lady made her way to the centre of the area in front of them.

  The audience gasped, and Matilda’s breath hitched. Mrs Anna Tufton was indeed enormous in every respect.

  The showman continued, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, did I not tell you so? The giantess – Mrs Anna Tufton is a sight to behold, and light on her feet on the dance floor I’m told!’

  The audience applauded again, and Mrs Tufton gave the showman a nod and smile. Daniel began sketching furiously and Matilda could not take her eyes off the woman who could not have been much older than herself. The giantess had shoulder-length, brown, tightly curled hair, and wore a fitted, sleeveless, knee-length gown of what appeared to be red satin. She didn’t appear to be unhappy or happy, she was just present.

  The showman continued. ‘Isn’t she the most marvellous woman of the age? Our giantess measures 90 inches around the body—’ he waited for the gasps to subside before announcing what everyone wanted to know.

  ‘—and weighs 42 stone, 10 pounds!’

  ‘Heavens!’ Matilda said, her mouth dropping open.

  Daniel chuckled beside her.

  ‘Why would she want to parade herself like this?’ Matilda whispered to him. ‘Does she really like the attention? She has a husband so surely she doesn’t need to do this.’