“SMILE AWHILE YARNS”  

                                   NELLS  STORY       “SMILE  A  WHILE  YARNS “

                 PREFACE      AND              ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS          

Decided to write a story that includes a life time  of stories  that I have gathered..

 Don’s    War history  written by his son Don . He has done  a remarkable job

to give a word for word account of his fathers remembered war history. I can

still hear Don’s voice ; some time heavy with emotion telling  his son over the phone. 

Our son Don is the author of the poetry with in this book.

My contribution is my life of fifty one and a half years with Don . Also my family of origin...

Decided to dedicate my story to my grandmother who lived in the time of no

contraceptive pills.  The church didn’t allow divorce; so remained married although

separated . I think  she earned  the title. For  after  she had her family of 15 and was

widowed ; she was quickly snapped up and wed for the second time . So I’ll give her

the honour,  by dedicating  the story to    Sexy Susan my  grandmother.

I want to acknowledge my deceased husbands many God given gifts of perfection ;

This is evident in his  ability in tracking , stock work, bush knowledge, buck  jump

riding; to running his own property. They are well documented. As is his A.I.F

service in Syria and Kokoda Track with in this story. it speaks for its self. You either

love or hate Don; but you can never ignore him.  I am making a start to put on paper

some of the many stories that I remember seeing or hearing of from child hood…

stories; that happened many years ago. My hand is unsteady so I will type it using the

computer; thank God for it. I know we are told “don’t cling to yesterday” easier

said than done.              ….

Since Don’s passing ; I have too much time to think of the past with it’s  sad and happy memories.

I know we are told to only allow happy thoughts to enter our head;

if so we would have no character building.  I think the sad and truamatic  events in life teach

us to stand on our own two feet. My dad Charles Brummell  was always a strong reliable anchor

 through out my young life. He taught me self control, of your body and mind; and to always look a person in the eye.

You owe them nothing he said.; your as good as they are! I found by taking his advice;

I felt good. It boosted my confidence ; put real positive thoughts bubbling in my brain,

Mind you with class distinction rife; one wondered were we all equal? . Dad  said in

God’s eyes we were!

Quoting Henry Lawson  ”There will be no class distinction for the toiling sweating

clown; For the rich and educated, will be educated down”

My mum died and left Dad six children to rear  ; no relations close by and in a

depression. So you see we were fortunate to have such a wonderful under standing

strong and loving father; to iron out our problems for us. Sometimes you can share a

thought or word with some one ; and you remember it for life., that was Dad.!

I was also fortunate to marry a man who believed  he could conquer and overcome

anything that befell him. He had so much faith in his own ability. Through life of over

fifty one years with Don; I must say he did manage most things that came to try

him  He was a winner!.

Don could always come out on top in a fist fight. He knew early in his working life

how to use the flying mare; how to break a arm at the elbow Also the leg at the

knee. How to brush off a straight left ; or a right cross or a upper cut to the gut or chin

Henry  Broughten , the “Cock eyed  world “ had given him lessons. He fought  by the

Marquis of Queensbury Rules  If the night before he was too drunk; he always said

“come down at dawn; I’ll be ready .to defend my honour” . Don didn’t live his life in a

envelope!

He could track a black ant up a crow bar after rain; and you can be sure he could

ride a buck jumper, as well as a show horse . He knew cattle and sheep

backwards. Mining and whip plaiting was a breeze. Making a saddle no problem to

Don  He always found away to end up satisfied. with the end results.

Fancies are useful to learn from.; little streams of joy. to a man like Don.   

He wrestled with  giving up smoking  for many years. He had smoked since a boy of

nine when his Dad died. A must to roll a smoke before mounting a rough horse a real

steadier!..

Smoked through the five years at war For the last ten years of his life ; tried many times to give up

 but his nerves beat him. His nerves made it unbearable causing rashes

Strangely enough he needed only one smoke and he was back to normal again ;

free of the itch that drove him mad.

Sadly the day came when Don aged seventy six  with chest and lung problems

faced his worse  battle of all .The xray said cancer of the lung; it was devastation.

Don threw himself into beating the cancer  by having it removed. The doctor cut half

of one lung away ; and spoke of a chance  Don would live on. Hunger elbows no

choice; faith means you journey into the unknown; and cling with desperation to hope.

We thought he had won again ; Home two days and his luck ran out; a massive stroke

and darling Don was gone I’m sure he is still watching over us ; giving us that extra

strength  to cope in our daily life.

The start of the story   “SMILE AWHILE YARNS” dedicated to my grandmother Sexy Susan”        

CHAPTER 1

The scheme said “Free transportation to Australia ; need only to work off the cost.

 Jobs already waiting on arrival. Chance of a life time to make good”

The Rohnson family had four sons ;so wasn’t surprised when John said he’d like to give it ago.

The farm wasn’t big enough to  need all hands on the job. Perhaps some of the others would follow him

if things went well for him.

   John’s first thoughts on waking was this is probably the last time I’ll see the sunrise in this timeless land;

A just and peaceful land ;and his thoughts were of the love he had for it. Home ,

he thought ,is where when you return they always take you in.

It was a sad day when  John Rohnson left his home in Hambleton in

Scotland; he was leaving home and every thing dear to him. He was  going to

Australia to  make a new life in a new country. .He was taking advantage of a

wonderful new  Migrant Bounty Scheme ; one had to work where directed until the

fare was paid Then he would be free and able to become a citizen; with rights to take

up land and marry.

His girl friend  didn’t want to go so far away , but wouldn’t stand in his way. He

decided  maybe he would do better on his own for a start.. His parents were middle

aged and still had his three brothers at home with  them on the  farm.. They had put on

a brave face and John had stood proud and kept his real feelings at bay. ”Stiff upper

lip” had applied . No  hanky panicky nonsense with this family.

The  boat  being a bounty ship was made up of young men and females of working

age. They had been given  instructions; and the name of the person they were assigned

to work for.  They were eager to get started .The long journey spent on board a ship

enabled them to make friends ; for  which they would be thankful in years to

come. John became prominent on board the ship ; he was reliable and friendly  One to

look up to as a leader of men ; the women sort him out.

.He made friends with a happy go lucky Irishman who turned out to be a womaniser

David Heade,  David would say ”love them and leave them John; plenty more where

we’re going”

John would end up being the shoulder they cried on. Until one day he met Sarah Irwin

 ; the woman of his dreams. No tears to mop up; she had done that. Now  a wiser

woman and two years older than John . She had learnt you must learn to crawl

first ; then step back. and crawl again. if necessary. She was determined to make a go

 of it in this country. Life is open ended ; it/’s all up to you!

 Like most young women. the time for marrying and settling down was fore most on her 

mind. Sarah was a fair blue eyed woman with long  auburn coloured hair. She was a strong

woman she had to be  to travel into the unknown. Sarah had left a happy home  in

Ireland..

John liked the way Sarah politely    and firmly ; had without fuss put David in his

Place ”Why do you always think only of below your belt ; brain power is what is

needed.. David I notice you tread the hens as you find them . Not a good idea if you

wish to find a wife  and settle down. This love them and leave them ,will end up one

day maintenance to pay. No man should dally with a woman he couldn’t marry if need

be.

David was fond of Sarah but he knew he would always disappoint  her  with his

treatment of women.  John also  spent  many sleepless nights ; imagining life with

Sarah; but he knew first he had to be able to support her, David and John  went to the

same employer who had taken up land and was starting from scratch. Erecting the

necessary first ; like the building of permanent   fixtures such as Houses , barns `yards

, fences, all to be erected; So the work was varied  and the experience gained was

much valuable to them in the future. Only the rich lived in the sort of house they

built Still they had time on their hands  to save money . There was

plenty of work so they could afford to dream.

Alas! dreams  won’t make things happen; no one got  rich that way. Those who failed

often lived in  kerosene tin shanties ; dirt floor. Dying alone ; and soon forgotten. They 

had lost the will to get up and go necessary to survive. Getting hurt is the risk one

takes; when one chooses to participate in life. The only alternate is to sit it out

on the side lines. One knows from experience there’s no pleasure in going  that

way. only disillusion  with the final results....

Strangely enough they seemed to know the end was coming and  put their things in

order. Often wrote apologizing, emotional letters to loved ones to be posted They still

in their tortured  minds thought  of great Britain as the mother land; Some were broken

in spirit and body returned soldiers back from the battle fields Through no fault of

their own lived in the bush to try and find peace; with only a dog for a friend Often

living off the bounty of loyal friends.

More often than not dying from…cancer. They would write a bit of a will in the hope

some one would see it, and carry out their wishes. Sadly often their remains wern’t

found for a long period .Then  they would  tack this paper onto the bench

outside; cover with the  over turned dish. Leave also there for safe keeping their few

belongings they treasured. A photo of a woman they loved, and probably had died ; but

still he clung to her photo.; Also a photo of his mother , or a pocket watch his

 father had given him. Or even a few stones he’d saved for a rainy day. Some time they

would  have cancer so bad, that some of their face would be eaten away

Some just waited for death under a mosquito net too late to visit a doctor;

all hope gone. No absolutes left worth fighting for in their world.

That  was the sad side of life; others  worked and prospered..  Were glad of their

new life in such a  democratic and free country as Australia. Land . as far as the eyes

can see.

 John wrote home “I wish you could  be here and see this wide sun burnt sprawling

country ; It will take me a life  time to see it all.. Such things as wonderful  sunshine

would benefit  immensely your tuberculosis father very dry air ; but alas you are miles

away.  Everyone treats every one as a equal  There is none of the forelock  tugging

constantly seen over in England.

One does see police on horse back But only if you see more than one travelling with

pack horses along the roads, do you need to worry. Then they are looking for

someone  and mean business. Rule here seriously applied is to reply if questioned; 

you’ve seen no body; know nobody . Main requirement is to  keep your mouth shut. 

Australians don’t like police pimps Remember the saying “A man who can’t hold his

guts ;or button his lips; could be considered a police pimp or an informer. ” Remember

the general rule "never go through on a mate"  They will share their last bit of bread with

you ; always the cup of tea. Mind you they will bet and fight at the drop of a

hat. Perhaps you would think them  Mum just a little high spirited; their general 

manner and clothes a bit rough to your standard. But  then this is a tough time we live

in. To cry tears only  indicate the inability to do something  about the situation. Life and

death is something ordained for all men; one makes choices . No one has to  live with

the results.; they can be reversed.

In  this land one is forced to develop common sense Join any of the many useful

schemes that  enable young people to get a start . Meet lots of ticket of leave 

Englishmen who will tell you they are here living in Australia; not by choice but are

paid by their family to stay away from home I notice the Welshmen I have met are

unionists they are very active in the work force; and practice what they   preach  

Peter Laylor  already has made a start.

They are handed a mattress  cover and told to fill it with straw  to sleep on.; before

they start work They want their pound  of flesh; no sympathy for the worker.; they

need unions. They work you all hours but Sunday when you do your washing. Some

people get up on a box and with much determination and guts and firm  commitment

sprook their views. Depends, some are pelted with rotten  eggs.. Others popular with

ideas they put forward; get carried high on onlookers shoulders. Some speak long

tiring speeches and I am reminded of Dad’s quotation ”The longer the spoke; the

greater the tyre.”  

Space is what I notice , here ; the state of Victoria is as big as the old country itself.

Yes  I’m proud to be  living  and making a life out here But when the worker ‘s got a

quid.  in his pocket; you can be sure the owner will have one also. love John’’

Sarah together with six other young women went to work in Sydney in a clothing

factory. Sarah was saving money and   having a good time.  She was always on the

lookout  for some one who was going up the ladder in position and money. Her

closest  trusted girlfriend was Faith who she could wrap  around her little finger.

By the time she was free to enter the community; she was convinced John would be

her best bet to get a start in the new country

So she searched for him and in no time  John was writing home“ I have met the most

beautiful young lady   and I wish to spend the rest of my days with her

”No mention of Sarah’s seducing him; perhaps he enjoyed that; forgotten in the heat of love

Sarah to marry; would have to herself eat humble pie. She had dreamed of a nice home

 and church wedding; but alas not to be .A registrar service  with David & Faith as witness.

Then into a small tent on a gem field. Nothing to write home about. David & John had decided

 they would give mining a go; perhaps they would find those elusive stones and hi presto

 would get rich quick.   No chance says ye of little faith. “Doubt is the ally of hope ; not the enemy”                   

Sarah wrote to Faith in tears

” The flies and mosquitoes  drive me insane; the snakes

and lizards and goanna’s well they really are the most terrifying animals iv’e  seen over

here . No matter how often I come across them; they still manage to scare the 

daylights out of me.

John built a bed out of four forked posts put in the ground. With poles tied to each

post to make a frame for the bed ; to which wire netting was tied on as the spring .

Then cover this with bushes from the trees; serve the purpose of a mattress Yes a

hard one i must say; and certainly not conventional..  But at least it got us up off the

ground, and away from the nasty creepy crawlies

Cooking is the next problem ; open fire with a camp oven.  Of course wood is scarce

too many people previously camped here.

Not to mention the water situation; which is needed in large quantity to wash the pay

Dirt. As well  as bathe at night. and do the washing . It’s left to me to cart it by

kerosene bucket from. a bore near by. Heavy hard work. for me.; and hot in the

midday sun. I get burnt on the face .and arms badly.

I wash clothes for quite a few miners and get paid a few pence ; which all goes to

wards our upkeep  John & David go by sulky & horse to town  to bring back

provisions . They stop off at the pub always.; utterly careless. Often things get

stolen from the long unattended sulky.

They get into brawls and arrive back with broken noses and thumbs. I notice John is

paranoid he believes firmly ;   that people are talking about him in the pub.  I think

they have chosen the wrong job; not nothing for them to crow about ; look forward

to . I can’t imagine bringing up children in this situation.

I have to put a small piece of carbite in the water to clear it ; very bracken  I noticed

a mother scooping up water from the small drain along side the track ; after a

 heavy down fall of rain. A little stream of joy. to the mother .She was using  a

chipped enamel mug , and poured the water back through a piece of lint. Then when

clear ; with a smile gave it to her baby to drink Is it any wonder they breast feed their

babies until two years old.

Been quite a number of babies died and buried in small boxes in the sandhills.

Not many survive Diptheria, Chickenpox, when very young . Doctors often are miles 

away. So  it is that more often than not a miners wife delivers the baby.

It is registered when next some one goes into town and visits the police station. That is

if the police aren’t away  collecting miners fees etc.

Often I’ve been called upon to act as vet to both humans and animals. To stitch

up with needle and cotton deep wounds. When it’s a animal that requires stitches, I

use the twine that closes the bag of sugar.

The poor dogs are often ripped open by a boar pig or kangaroo in a fight.

Washing is a big day in the camp. We only have three sets of clothes The best we

keep for church, or outings in town . It’s a must to try and always  hold up ones

dignity. The other two is one on and one being washed; it’s a bit hard if it rains . I use a 

fairly large tin bath tub , that serves as  a wash tub . A empty kerosene bucket to boil

on the open fire and a scrubbing brush and a bar of kerosene soap.  I drape clothes

over every bush around; and save the line between the trees to dry the sheets. Many

uses  for this bucket , also to heat water for baths

Too tired from emptying buckets of dirt dug out by the men ; and then winched up

from the mine This had to be lifted off the hook and carefully lifted and emptied away

from the hole. I am always fearful that when I lift the bucket off, I will drop it down

the hole on top of the men. It’s heavy work but   expected of me  They wash the dirt

and sieve  it , when they come up in the late evening.  Has to  be dumped a way from the

mine entrance; to prevent the dirt  falling back into  the mine

                                                     Will close ;

love to all

                                                 Yours to a cinder Sarah “                           

    .

Faith could read between the lines that Sarah wasn’t happy with her life on the mine

fields. Faith’s life had changed for the better of late; she was happy with in herself.

She had just recently met a elderly man who had a built a large house with room for

three families to live together; and be one big family. He owned also twenty thousand

acres stocked with horses and cattle.   At first she had  hastily rejected his proposal 

of marriage, she didn’t like his religion and what went with it. He was a Mormon  and

believed he could have  three wives. Mind you he knew in this country he could

legally marry only one. He said he would over come  this by going through a form of

marriage with the extra wives ; and support them and his children from them .The legal

wife would decide who and when the other two slept with him . Seeing Faith  would

be his wife she decided that she would give it a go and married Don Dual.

Sarah was wishing something would happen to bring John and her closer.

Then one morning Sarah discovered she was pregnant; she was so excited she

shouted down the  hole to John the news ”John your going to be a proud father ” John

and David gave the digging away and started celebrating Ending up letting off rifle

shots , this time not to put a scare  into the people as often John did when

drunk. David always stayed close to Sarah at these times; and soon John had

noticed. This meant many a night Sarah had to keep out of sight while things were

sorted..

The baby boy arrived on time ;Walter they called him; and Sarah found he took up a

lot of her time. John made him a cot out of tree limbs

When he was two John and Tom  were born. And the men by now had became

better off. They had built her a rough timber building but the toilet was still an outside

building

One day Sarah was sitting on the seat when she felt what she thought was

the cat rub across her leg. She looked down ,and there was this large brown snake with a

green frog in its mouth , moving past her leg. She sprang up on the seat trembling with

fear Then pushed  the door back against the wall, and jumped straight out the

door. The snake in its fright was just passing where she landed. The snake was still

trying to swallow the frog , luckily for Sarah

Sarah had witnessed a carpet snake eating eggs in her chook yard. Then to her horror

saw it swallowing her china egg; the one she hoped would encourage the hens to lay.

 The men caught  the snake and put it in a bag for three days until it passed the china

 egg. The snake was very docile for the days in captivity; but soon revived.

When the boys were twelve, Sarah decided she would leave. John had became

alcoholic and she was always a nervous wreck, When he was drinking so  fearful 

he would  kill some one. So in her letter to Faith she wrote of her fears Her already

fragile confidence had failed her. She had sleepless nights struggling to find the right

answer; was sorry it had come to this . She still loved John as much as ever,  but she 

was stressed out with life there and could see no future, by staying. She didn’t want to

become a wife of Don’s; and it was just help to escape

She would have to be so extra careful ; John was not in a good frame of mind lately.

 But do write back  soon. The boys for awhile would work free  to cover any

expense’ They were strong  of mind and body and only needed the chance to get a

start , to make good in their lives

Walter loved to cook and was a bit of a loner; liked his own company.   He said he

heard voices advising him; and true the advice was good

 John was a womaniser  but Tom was a thinker who thought things out and

worried what he could do about his fathers condition. He had tried with no results for

months.; to get his father to cut back on the grog he consumed.  To join A A for

help. To join AA one needs to really need to want to give up the cursed drink

Not there just because a friend thought it a good idea. It takes a lot of guts and

determination to resist the urge to drink, when in the company of drinkers.

He didn’t want to leave them ; perhaps he could return later when he had more

influence.  He hoped it wouldn’t be too late.; he got on well with his dad.;  as did his

brothers.

Another problem had a risen with David and his gun.; to him it meant power.  David

he always carried a gun . Just  lately had used it to force a young lad to allow some

drunken miners castrate him. Because they accused him of rape of a teenager. The

police jailed the lad. But when he was released he shot all those who had wrongly

dealt to him. David was afraid his turn would come, so kept his gun close by.

Even though the men were making good money at the mining,  They now played two

up ; how to spin the pennies in a game of SWY .  Often lost large sums of money

at a  game..

John built a timber house but divided the rooms by using open sugar bags laced to

posts serving the purpose Using sugar bags sewn together for  doors . No sign of a

wood floor or glass windows. Still wooden windows  , opened by sticks propping

them open.. This didn’t allow much light when closed.

 Still the open fire that smoked and dirt floor. Only other  improvement a

kerosene lantern that  never blew out in the wind or storm A great improvement from

a fat lamp, Still not the home she had envisaged.

Had a bush  brother hood parson ride up a few days ago ; He pulled a paper back from his

 saddle bag said with a cheerie voice ”Sarah I was given some paper backs I thought you might

be short of reading matter.” It took my breath away when I saw it was a romance story;

 I was expecting it to be church instructions . In the saddle bags  he carried used shoes

 of all sizes, Each family could take a pair that fitted their child, They would replace them

 if they had any shoes they didn’t want. This way children often got their first pair

 of shoes to wear Sand shoes,  soles often melted in the heat of summer if left outside.

The poor could’nt afford leather shoes ; although hides from cattle , goats, and roo’s

were many..

Sandshoes were cold in winter and hot in summer. They sold for seven shillings and

six pence. They needed constant washing to remove the smell.. I want a better life for

the children  .  Love yours Sarah”

 Faith was as good as her word  she was looking forward to seeing her old

friend ; Don was more than happy to have Faiths friends stay with them . He was

really pleased to have the extra help on his land. He had hired help  but the lads would

learn the ropes quickly and be like family. Yes it would be a good thing for all to have

young people around

So far there was only Mark, his and his second wife’s  Ruth’s son Beside  Don

wanted to try farming  lambs on his land . Sheep sold for five shillings Lambs was a

idea he had in his mind for some time. But also the wild dogs and; dingoes killed a lot

of the calves So he had hesitated with the idea; but now he would have extra help.

He employed Mick and Jessie. His wife who was a south sea islander , They were

excellent workers,. Employed to  trap dingoes up in the hills He chuckled as he thought of

Jessie.  Mick had said in jest to him the other day

:”now don’t you go kidnapping my wife to make up your numbers” The thought had

passed my mind; but no chance that happening with Jessie : Jessie replied “I sleep in

the nude on a dark  blanket and you couldn’t see me; I’m invisible and the night and

I are as one. So catch me if  you can. ” Her lovely smile  said everything. She was

having fun being dark and enjoying it.

On the station  was a elderly man employed to be the cowboy. Aubrey  chopped the

wood cleaned the yard, killed the meat  , and fed the animals. He  often went on a

bender; when he professed in his strongest convictions to having seen the devil

himself. Aubrey lived in fear of the devil locking horns with him one day. Too horrible to

 imagine; so Aubrey took another swipe at the bottle but found it empty’ . So that’s as far as

Aubrey would say of his round with the devil.

Don would chain him to a shady tree when he  was in the DT’s  so he couldn’t harm

himself while alone.. Quite a teller of stories when sober. He thought his name should  have

been “troubles” ; he was weighed down with them . Aubrey believed in the old saying ”friends

are like fish; they go off after three days!”

The men were having a two day drinking  binge , when a wagon drove up one night and took the family away

They were all sad but realized  it was for the best in the long run. 

Don Dual had offered Sarah shelter in the rooms built for the third wife. She would

help the church and do the door knocking  promoting it .The three boys would work

on the property . It was  a opportunity  for them to learn first hand the handling of

stock .They would learn how to break in horses and become good stockmen.

Sarah found Don had a second wife Ruth; a happy red head who had given him a

son Mark.  Later Ruth would be a dear friend whom she could rely on.

When John and David returned home from drinking;  there was a terrible row. John

was sour from grog; and very angry. As much as he wanted his family back his

stubborn nature wouldn’t let him go after them.

After  a month David decided he would go and find them. In his travel he heard about

Don Duals ’life style; and was surprised to hear Faith’s name mentioned . So he went

to the property and met them again; It turned out Don Dual was finding it hard to

accomodate  two wives. He made a satisfactory to all concerned  deal about sharing

with  two men

So David fell on his feet . He could bring a  woman with him as long as he helped out

with  sex  for  Don’s wives  A young   bull helping a old bull. The need for there to be

children in the family . No big problem to David the womaniser; he thought he was in

paradise  So there was within a year three babies; and  big dad. and little daddy were

bursting with pride.

David often thought of rescuing  John But he was long past being interested in sex;

booze was his master. Sarah didn’t take any part in the breeding program; she 

was a married woman .and remained  faithful to John

She had many admirers ; Keith Hall had taken her to look at sheep and cattle

properties . It was a eye opener to her to see how the women managed. Loneliness

was a big problem. need of other women’s  company.

He said “I visited this place a few years back; and stayed over night Got drunk and

went up a wire  rope in    to a bedroom to sleep. So   here I’m back hoping  to buy

it ”Sarah asked him “Why the rope  instead of stairs?” Then as an after thought he

said ”The snakes are so bad ; but won’t climb the rope. Be careful near the shower ;

that’s where they rest in the cool ; they don’t appreciate company” By now Sarah had

lost interest in the place , snake weren’t  her cup of tea. The snakes could have the

place for all she cared.

Another place they visited wasn’t much better, The wife a city person spent most of

her time under a mosquito net .The floor boards were so spaced that the snakes

came up through them after the mice.  She would almost faint with the thought of

seeing one.  She felt a wee bit safer from the snakes under the net. Her old deaf

husband was left to the mercy  of many rats  and snakes minus a net. He had held his

finger in a tap that the top had fallen off ; to stop the  flow of water  When Keith

arrived he’d been there a hour. His wife wouldn’t step down from the verandah,

no matter what the consequences ; life or death, for fear of a snake.

Sarah especially remembered one property they visited where the single owner and

his man of all trades lived on a sand hill  in a bush dwelling. This also had wide spaced

floor boards Rabbits bred in the sand and snakes slid in between the boards in

pursuit of the   rabbit   kittens .The man had a mosquito net he got under at night. He 

tied a dog under the bed to scare them  away. The owner ate peanuts by the sugar bag. and

the shells were full up under the bed When he opened the door  flowed out the door,.

no room for snakes in his room.

As Keith drove up the lane to the house he said : ”look at those sheep they appear to

be pawing the ground; there is no grass growing there. I suppose they are just scavenging;

mind you there is a drought” Then to his surprise “it’s the grass roots in the ground

they are after. must be hungry; they need shifting. . I think I’ll take a look at the

other sheep .The wind is blowing from the north so they should be in the northern

corner of the paddock Sheep walk into the wind when its blowing.”

As they drew near to the mob of sheep  that were being held in the corner; a tall

Aborigine rode out. He was bare footed with spurs wired onto his feet . He rode bare

Back .Keith recognized the well known stockman Cubbie  Jack He use to say ”I’m

Cubbie Jack  King of the blacks and many white people to  “ Keith knew they were

in  capable .  hands with him. With him was Tommy Tooth pick who was busy

catching their dinner; a goanna. Was tail pulling it out of a hole . He had a good few

coals left from their lunch fire.  After killing the goanna threw it on the coals to

cook. A speciality  much enjoyed. by the old warriors.

On  their way home they pulled up at a drovers camp  near a tank. The drover kicked

in the coals and threw on a bit  of wood .Then put the tea billy on .He was in his sixties

but his wife was only a girl. and eager for a chat. Sarah  mentioned the empty Vicks

jars scattered around the camp ”oh we use Vicks  for contraception; don’t want

kids yet” was the instant reply.

It wasn’t surprising to see young girls married off to elderly men who had a bit of

money put by. On farms one would see  men from one farm married into girls from

another close by. It looked to a onlooker as though they swapped over ; after all they

seldom had time for travelling long distances to court .They had every thing a man

needed in a farm girl.; capable wives they made.

Very few women went out to work amongst the land owners ; always things to be

done at home on the property. Bread  to bake and the men to be taken care of.

 A elderly stockman was also  travelling with the drover on their way to another

job. He was complaining about  the treatment he got from the moll at the pub. ”I gave

her my five pound and I had shed my trousers and we got going. Alas of all times I 

wasn’t feeling too good and asked her to stop while I took a Bex powder. She got

cranky  and said time was running out . I said  give a man a fair go ; and

she got on her high horse. She  kept looking at her clock on the wall; and said I was

blaming her for my poor showing If only she had waited until the Bex cut in, instead

she chucked me out.”                          

Tom and Walter and John all became  good stock