Pat Ritter. Books

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'The Proposition - Page 1:
(A Bundy Quicksilver Mystery)
By Pat Ritter
Published by Pat Ritter on Smashwords
Copyright 2012 Pat Ritter
Thank you for downloading this ebook. It remains the copyright property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy, where they can also discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents have been produced by the author’s imagination or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, or to any actual events or precise locations is entirely coincidental or within the public domain.
Acknowledgements:

Diana Hockley has been good enough to be a beta reader. Thank you Diana, for without your words of wisdom – you kept me on the right track. Diana can contacted on http://www.dianahockley.webs.com/

Victoria Bartley, a fellow member of Pomona Writers Group has also been good enough to be a beta reader. I highly value your feedback. I personally thank you for taking your time to read the first draft of the book.
Front and back covers. I want to express my gratitude to Melissa Smith. Thank you for doing a great job. I know it was difficult at times to get it right – you did it! If you want Melissa to create your next cover, I highly recommend you do: she can be contacted on melissasmithbooks@hotmail.com.

If you have enjoyed reading this book, or if you haven’t enjoyed it, still let me know. I would love to receive your feedback. You can contact me on my e-mail: patritter@outlook.com. I’d love to receive your feedback.


Pat Ritter
Author/Self Publisher


http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/pat48.

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 2:

Chapter 1

‘What have you done?’ Hannah shouted when Joe told his story. He’d changed identity to now become Joe Gibson instead of Joe Ryan as she’d known him. The real Joe Gibson changed clothes with him to take his place when police came to arrest him for inciting the shearers to go on strike. The real Joe Gibson arrested as Joe Ryan and the real Joe Ryan changed his identity to now become Joe Gibson. Hannah couldn't believe his words.
‘This may sound confusing to both of you but I’m now Joe Gibson. Not Joe Ryan. We changed clothes and he took my place. They were going to arrest me. I’d never see you again if I went to prison.’ Joe pleaded.
‘What happened to Joe. The other Joe – I mean.’ Hannah asked, confused, her temper slowly subsided, breathing slower to try and understand his story.
‘Constable Fitzgerald arrested him.’ Joe explained.
‘You can’t change your name. Just like that!’ Ma shocked to hear what Joe had done.
‘Do you want me to go to prison? He gave me his papers and everything I need to change to his name.’ His voice raised. He reached inside his coat, extracted papers and placed them on the kitchen table.
‘He’s a brave man to go in your place. A brave man indeed.’ Ma quoted. ‘This is not right. You can’t be someone you’re not. What happens if something goes wrong? You can’t stay here. I don’t want police coming around here. I can’t lie to them or anyone else.’ She answered sternly. Her face set in stone.
‘I’ll go then. What about you Hannah. Do you want me to go?’
‘I still love you. It’s not your ring any longer. Is it? You’ve changed Joe! I tried to see you at the camp when you were on strike and each time turned away not knowing how you were or if still alive. Honestly Joe, I don’t know!’ She sobbed.
Joe moved to her and placed his arm around her shoulders. ‘Don’t worry. I will not bother either of you again. You keep the ring as a token of our love. I’ll move on.’
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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 3:

‘What about the other Joe. He’s in jail and no doubt will go to prison because of you and what you’ve done.’ Ma expressed in a stern angry voice. Disappointment covered her face. ‘I think it’s a good thing you leave Joe,’ her voice quivered. She stood and left the kitchen.
‘Here is your ring Joe,’ Hannah unclipped the necklace and handed both the necklace and ring to him. ‘I hope you find what you’re looking for.’ She sobbed, turned and walked away.
Joe scooped the papers from the kitchen table, gathered his things and left. He decided to cool down and think about the consequences of what his friend did. Relief washed over him knowing he wasn’t going to prison for he believed in his heart he did the right thing by his fellow shearers. Something needed to be done to make work conditions better and improve wages. Although ‘The Great Shearers Strike of 1891’ failed, it would go down in Australian history as an event to change conditions for his fellow shearers, he thought walking from Ma’s home.
His mind recalled the previous five months. Each moment thinking of different ways to convince his fellow shearers to keep going with their fight for justice. Alas, in the end even Joe gave up. Then his best mate Joe Gibson visited him in his tent to say the police were on their way to arrest him.
Joe Gibson decided to change identity and go in his place. They switched clothes and Joe Gibson handed Joe Ryan his identity papers and told him from that moment on he would be Joe Gibson and not Joe Ryan. Shortly afterwards he left the tent and arrested by Constable Fitzgerald, the police officer assigned to arrest Joe Ryan.
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'The Year That Never Was' - Page 4:

Nat and Martha agreed to Joe’s idea to travel with them to Brisbane after shearing completed. Joe worked from daylight until dark through the shearing period. This time taking half the time to shear the sheep because of overhead shearing equipment with machine driven hand pieces instead of hand shearing. Hannah arranged tickets for travel on the train from Cunnamulla to Brisbane.
Beginning first week in June they boarded the steam train at Cunnamulla Railway Station. A board smile spread across her face. She leaned over kissed Joe on the lips, ‘I love you.’ Joe smiled, returned the kiss.
Pulling out of Cunnamulla Railway Station Hannah said to Joe, ‘I’ve never travelled by train this far west. When I was eighteen years old, went to Brisbane to school was the last time I travelled by train. Such a long time ago.’ She pondered. ‘Do you think we’ll stop at Coongoola Railway Siding to catch up with Daisy, Desi, Keith and Little Daisy?’ She asked.
‘I hope so. I think the train stops for water to keep the steam going.’ Joe answered.
Martha and Nat sat across from Joe and Hannah in their carriage. Most of the train filled with passengers excited to be journeying from the final stop west to the first stop in Brisbane. A loud whistle sounded indicating the train about to start their journey. A journey for the next couple of days stopping at Railway Stations with Refreshment Rooms for passengers to partake of refreshments on their journey east.
Leaving Cunnamulla Railway Station they commenced their journey. After about twenty minutes Hannah said to Joe. ‘Look Joe. The place Billy Wells held the stagecoach up the morning I returned to school. How life has changed. If Mr Shirley hadn’t been a passenger on the stagecoach.’ Hannah stopped to reflect about this life changing event. Mr Shirley started her career as a school teacher in Cunnamulla. ‘My life would’ve been different. I’d never have found you.’ Her eyes sparkled with joy.
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[dub]

Some type of mental therapy going on here.' Joe

Poetic

[patritter]

Thank you dub: Here is the page for today. I will be absent until 22nd July 2021:

'The Suffragette' - Page 3:

'Joe's right Hannah. You take everything easy. You'll need to stop work, come stay with me when Joe is working. I'll take good care of you.' Martha explained.
'I'll do no such thing. I'll continue to work as long as I can.' Hannah touched her belly. 'Little bub and I will be right.' Hannah said, using her stern teacher voice.
Noise of rain falling on the roof stopped their conversation. Nat stood, walked to the front veranda. Rain fell heavier smelling of sweet aroma. Nat smiled. ‘Have a look at this Joe. Not only your wife is having a baby, rain. Falling heavy. Drought may be over.’ Nat shouted over the noise of the rain falling on the roof.
Everyone joined Nat on the veranda not believing after six years of the greatest drought in Australian history, rain poured down in torrents. Noise almost deafening. All four allowed the rain to splash onto their faces drawing in odours of freshness.
‘This is not a shower Joe. Look at those dark clouds on the horizon. Rain.’ Words exploded from Nat’s mouth.
Over the next couple of hours rain continued. ‘If this rain keeps up. We won’t be able to go home.’ Martha told her family.
‘Don’t worry Mother we need rain. Always a place for you and Pa here at our place.’ Hannah assured her mother of a safe place to wait out the rain.
Nat sat silent. Thoughts of a previous downpour; like this one caused Cunnamulla to be isolated for weeks until water flowed down Warrego River into Darling River. ‘Thank you, Hannah, for putting up with us. Haven’t seen this amount of rain since I was a young fella. Isolated the town for weeks.’ Nat replied in a concerned voice.
A knock on the front door caused Joe to investigate. Who would be out in this weather? He thought. Opening the front door Keith, Daisy, Desi, Little Daisy stood drenched from the weather. ‘Come in. Come in.’ Joe ushered his friends into his home closing the door to keep the rain and wind out.

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Thank you dub. Here is your page for today: 'The Suffragette' - Page 4:

Hannah and Martha rushed to the family. ‘Come closer to the stove to dry off. Joe, dry clothes for our friends. Otherwise they’ll die of a death of cold.’ Joe rushed off to gather clothing for his friends.
Warming beside the stove Keith’s teeth chattered. ‘Tried to ride to town. Coongoola almost washed away. Only place here. Can we stay here until the rain stops?’ His voice pleading.
‘You are always welcome in our home.’ Hannah told them. Joe arrived with towels and clothes for his friends. After changing to dry clothes, they clustered close to the stove to warm their bodies. ‘How about something to eat?’ Hannah finished. Their friends nodded in agreement.
‘I’ll do this. Can’t have you doing too much in your condition.’ Martha stepped up beside Hannah to take control. ‘Take a seat with Daisy by the table. I’ll attend to the meal.’
‘Hannah. Why is your mother so concerned about your condition?’ Daisy asked her friend, a frown on her face.
‘I’m pregnant.’ Excitement curled in her voice sharing this news with everyone.
Daisy jumped to her feet, wrapped her arms around Hannah’s shoulder, squeezed, tears filled her eyes. ‘This is wonderful news. Congratulations. I’ll be here for you.’ Daisy released her hold.
Keith leaned across the table to shake Joe’s hand, ‘Congratulations my friend. You’re to be a father.’ A knock sounded on the front door.
‘Bloody hell. We never receive visitors. Now everyone wants to visit us. Like Norah’s Ark. All we need now is rain for forty days and forty nights.’ Joe stood to answer the knock.
Billy Campbell stood at the doorway soaked to his skin. Rubbing his boots on the front mat. ‘Billy, come in my friend.’ He entered the warm kitchen.

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'Build An Empire' - Page 1:

Story Thus Far:
The Shearer’:
‘The Shearer’ is the first book in 'Outback Australia' series. Set in 1891. Scene ‘The Great Shearers Strike’. Major character Joseph Ryan who fought for better working conditions and wages for his fellow shearers.
1890 Joseph Ryan met his friend Joe Gibson, a fellow shearer to help fight for better working conditions and wages.
During the strike, graziers wouldn’t permit ‘striking shearers’ to shear their sheep. Contracted shearers were those who held a ‘non-union ticket to shear’ only hired by graziers. Joe Gibson held this ticket.
At the height of ‘Great Shearers Strike of 1891’ Joseph Ryan gathered his shearers to strike on the outskirts of Cunnamulla. Four months they survived until police intervened to stop the strike. Joe Gibson met his friend Joseph Ryan on the final day at the strike camp before police arrived. They exchanged clothes and personal items. Joe Gibson took Joseph Ryan’s identity.

The story continues:
‘Click Go The Shears’:
‘Click Go The Shears’ is the second book in 'Outback Australia' series. Follow-on from ‘The Shearer’. Joseph Ryan who has the identity of Joe Gibson escaped capture whilst Joe Gibson takes the place of Joseph Ryan tried for leading the strikers. Thirteen strikers appeared in court. Each sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for their part in the strike. Joseph Ryan (Gibson) served his imprisonment at St Helen Island Prison in Moreton Bay.
At the end of his prison term Joseph Ryan and Joe Gibson meet at Barcaldine (original town where strike occurred) to return to their own identities. Joe Gibson returned to Cunnamulla met Hannah Young who still resided with Ma at her boarding house. Joe and Hannah fell in love. They married. Hannah’s father gifted his property ‘Tilbaroo Station’ to them for their wedding gift.

The story continues:
‘Tilbaroo Station’
‘Tilbaroo Station’ is the third book in 'Outback Australia' series. Joe discovered an artisan bore on ‘Tilbaroo Station’. Nat wants his nine remaining properties to have bores. The only person who divined for water is deceased. By accident Hannah discovers a student in her class, ten-year-old Ryan Carlson who discovered water on Nat’s properties.
Underground artisan water discovered in 1897. Ryan’s father, Todd Carlson, Chief Engineer for Queensland Railway Department employed to build the rail link from Charleville to Cunnamulla selected by The Honourable Joseph Ryan, Esquire, MLA to oversee the bores established in the region. A committee formed with Joe Gibson, Nat Young being members of the committee. Todd Carlson, Chairman.
By the end of 1898, a newly constructed Cunnamulla Railway Station built. Underground water discovered on all Nat Young’s properties. Todd Carlson, Chairman of ‘Great Artisan Water Basin Committee’ appointed Commissioner of Water Resources for Queensland.

The story continues:
‘The Year That Never Was’
‘The Year That Never Was’ is the fourth book in 'Outback Australia' series. This is an exciting period for Australia because after Captain Cook discovered Australia in 1770, settled by Europeans, Australia finally became a Nation with election of their first Prime Minister. Young Australians represented their Colony on behalf of British Empire left their homeland to fight Boers in 'Boer War' in South Africa. This important occasion involved Joe, Hannah, and her family.

The story continues:
‘The Suffragette’
‘The Suffragette’ is the fifth book in ‘Outback Australia’ series. This is set between 1903-1905. Women not permitted to vote. Margaret Wallace, Principal at Cunnamulla State School decided to be effective. With help from The Honourable Joseph Ryan, Esquire, MLA they worked together to ensure women in Queensland empowered the government of the day to pass legislation for women to vote. Read on to fight alongside Margaret with her friend Marilyne Pankhurst to force the government to change rules for women to vote. The story continues:

‘The Bush Detective’
‘The Bush Detective’ is the sixth book in ‘Outback Australia’ series. This is set in 1907. Catherine Smith, wife of Herbert Smith, a hawker residing at Tego Springs, near Cunnamulla murdered. The Smiths were on friendly terms with a man named James Brokenborough, who stayed with them when he was out of work. Smith noticed a coolness develop between his wife and Brokenborough. On June 24, 1907, at noon, James Brokenborough reported to Herbert Smith he shot Catherine accidently while out pigeon shooting.
Sergeant Gray, Officer-in-Charge, Cunnamulla Police Station sought assistance of a detective to investigate the murder.
The story continues.
‘Build A Nation’

‘Build A Nation’ is the seventh book in ‘Outback Australia’ series. Set in 1908. Treasure House of a Nation’s Heart: The Search for an Australian Capital City decided. Nat Young purchased nine properties in south western Queensland a decade before thinking Founding Fathers decision to have Treasure House of a Nation’s Heart: The Search for an Australia Capital in far south western Queensland would eventuate. What happened? Lord Nolan wins Melbourne Cup: Queensland Rugby League formed; Queensland State Election; Boy Scout movement commenced in Queensland.
The story continues.
‘Build An Empire’

‘Build An Empire’ is the eighth book in ‘Outback Australia’ series. Set in 1909. Sidney Kidman wanted to expand his cattle empire by purchasing ‘Tilbaroo Station’ from Joe and Hannah Gibson. First motor vehicles imported to Australia. First thoroughbred race meeting held in Cunnamulla. Final book.
Enjoy!

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'Build An Empire' - Page 2:

Chapter 1

Nat Young sat on the front swing at their home in Cunnamulla with his son-in-law Joe Gibson happily chatting about what they intend to accomplish in 1909. A smile came to Joe Gibson’s face.
‘How long have Hannah and I owned ‘Tilbaroo Station’?’
‘As long as you’ve been married. Should remember. Gifted you the property as a wedding present.’ Nat explained puffed on his pipe. ‘Why should you ask?’
‘Do you know Sidney Kidman?’ Joe asked taking a sip from his tumbler of beer.
‘Why yes, I do know Sidney Kidman. Not personally. He’s known as Cattle King. Owns more properties throughout Queensland than anyone else. Is there a reason you ask me this Joe?’
‘Have a meeting with him next month.’
‘Why?’
‘He wants to purchase ‘Tilbaroo Station’.
‘What! Sidney Kidman wants to purchase ‘Tilbaroo Station’? Nat replied astonished.
‘Yeah. ‘Tilbaroo Station’ will add to his other properties to expand his empire.’ Joe sipped another drink.
‘Joe. This is your decision to make. Remember when I wanted to purchase properties, around this area thinking Founding Fathers would decide to have Treasure House of Nation’s Heart. Instead, they chose Yass/Canberra. Mate, you do what you think is right for you, Hannah, and the girls. What would you do if you sold ‘Tilbaroo Station’?’