Pat Ritter. Books

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 4:

What should he do? Go to the police station and tell them they have the wrong person? Or do as Joe, his mate, wanted and get on with his life. His possessions consisted of swag, billy, two shillings, identification papers, and a membership card for the Non-Shearers Union in the name of Joe Gibson.
Instead of walking west to Eulo Joe headed north, I want to reach Barcaldine and carry on the work to give shearers improved working conditions and wages. His mind focused on these ideals. Camping on the bank of the Warrego River at the six mile, he undressed, jumped into the muddy brown coloured water to wash. After shaving his beard, he dressed in clean clothes.
Food was next. He’d survived in the bush more times than he cared to remember, snaring a rabbit, skinning and baking it over an open fire, fishing to catch a feed from the river. He’d do it again. He needed work, shearing. After unrolling his swag near a huge box tree he lay down and soon his mind drifted off to sleep. Tomorrow would be a new day.

Hannah and Ma sat across from each other at the kitchen table having breakfast, ‘Ma, this is terrible what happened yesterday. I never want Joe under this same roof again because he can’t be trusted.’
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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 5:

‘I agree,’ Ma spoke between eating. ‘I should go and speak to Sergeant Gray about what happened. They can’t lock up the wrong person.’
‘I’ll go Ma. I’d like to meet this person whose given his life for Joe. He must be truly brave.’
Hannah dressed after clearing the dishes and walked to the police station. Sergeant Gray stood behind the desk. ‘Good morning Hannah. You here to say goodbye to your boyfriend.’
‘If I may Sergeant. I’d like to speak with him.’ Hannah smiled.
‘Come this way. We’re taking him to Charleville where he’ll be escorted to Rockhampton to stand trial with the other leaders who caused the strike.’
Hannah followed the sergeant to a building at the rear of the police station. ‘I’ll allow you to speak with him on the veranda, not in the cell. Can’t allow him to be released. Don’t be too long. I’ll give you ten minutes to say your goodbyes.’ Sergeant Gray unlocked the veranda door to allow Hannah to walk along to the cell containing the prisoner.
‘Hello. Are you there Joe?’ Hannah whispered. She didn’t want to speak loud because she didn’t want any other person listening to their conversation.
‘Who’s there?’ A voice echoed from inside the cell.
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'Click Go The Shears': Page 6:

‘Hannah. Hannah Young. Joe told me what you did. I wanted to tell you how brave and courageous you are.’
‘Is Joe alright?’
‘He’s gone. I couldn’t live with a person who allowed his best friend to do what you’ve done.’
‘I did it for you and Joe.’
‘Why?’
‘Because the way he always spoke about you both, wanted to get married and settle down. I did it for each of you.’ He repeated, sadness in his voice.
‘You are a brave person. What’s going to happen to you?’
‘Go to gaol. I’m not afraid. Never done anything like this in my life before. I wanted to help you and Joe.’
‘It didn’t help. I can’t be with a person I don't trust.’
‘Too late for that now. I’ll be right. Don’t worry.
‘I feel guilty this has happened to you.’
‘No. I’m the guilty one taking Joe’s place. You leave now because they’re coming to get me soon to go to Charleville. Thank you for coming. You're like Joe described.’
‘Isn’t there anything I can do? This is not right.’ Hannah pleaded.
‘Forget about me and get on with your life.’
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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 7:

‘Sorry for everything to turn out this way. Bye.’
No reply came from inside the cell. Hannah called to Sergeant Gray who opened the veranda door for her to leave.
‘Sergeant?’ Joe called from inside his cell.
‘Yes Joe.’ Sergeant Gray answered.
‘Would you give Hannah my horse and saddle while I’m away?’ He asked.
‘I can do that.’ Sergeant Gray replied.
‘Thank you Joe, I’ll take good care of your horse and saddle. They will be waiting for you when you return.’ Hannah replied with a smile in her voice.
Hannah didn’t know when Joe would return, if ever. She'd certainly take good care of his horse and saddle. Her memory flashed back to bushranger Billy Wells who held up the stagecoach north of Cunnamulla. At the time she was a passenger on the Cobb & Co stagecoach. Mr John Shirley another passenger whose occupation District Inspector for schools sat across from her. Mr Shirley not only saved her life also through his generosity offered her a position as assistant teacher at Cunnamulla State School.
She remembered Billy Wells, riding the same horse now belonging to Joe. Those blue eyes continued to pierce her soul. He wanted her necklace and ring from around her neck which Joe gave to her to show his love. Joe identified the necklace and ring the moment Billy Wells introduced himself at the Eulo Queen Hotel. Joe fought Billy Wells to retrieve Hannah's property.
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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 8:

Once the police arrived and arrested Billy Wells, Joe escorted the prisoner with the police to Cunnamulla. On the journey Joe purchased the horse and saddle for five quid from Billy Wells. She ed at the thought, thinking about the present circumstances. She must’ve been a fool.
‘Miss Young, I’ll get you to sign for the release of the horse and saddle.’ Sergeant Gray's voice broke into her thoughts when she realised where she was.
‘Yes sergeant. Where do I sign?’
He handed her a nib and pen, ‘sign here please?’
Hannah signed at the spot.
‘I’ll show you where your horse is and here is the saddle and bridle.’ Sergeant Gray lifted the saddle from the floor, ‘I’ll carry them to your horse. Are you right to saddle the horse?’
‘I think I can handle the task. Thank you sergeant. Look after Joe.’
‘We will. Sorry about this.’
Hannah followed Sergeant Gray to the police paddock at the rear of the police station. ‘Hi boy, let’s get you out of there and take you home.’ Hannah placed the bridle over the horse’s head, slide the steel bit into the horse's mouth, fastened the chin strap, and folded the reins over her forearm. She lifted the saddle onto the back of the horse, secured the surcingle, and led him from the paddock. Normally she would’ve ridden him only for her dress. Wasn’t ladylike to ride a horse in the type of dress she wore.
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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 9:

‘Ma, come outside.’ She called when she led the horse around to the rear of the house.
‘Isn’t this Joe’s horse?’ Ma questioned frowning.
‘Yes. I went and spoke to Joe at the cells in the police station. I only heard his voice; he sounds a lovely person, quiet, solemn and sincere. He told Sergeant Gray to give me the horse and saddle.’
‘Did you tell Sergeant Gray about the right Joe Ryan?’
‘No – he’s not afraid to go to gaol and wants me to get on with my life. I told him Joe left.’
‘Isn’t this a right ole mess? You go to the police station to save an innocent man and return with a horse. I’m going to write to your grandmother to tell her the whole story. Might be a good idea for you to ride and tell your parents about Joe, in case he tries to get a job shearing on their property.’
‘I will Ma as soon I eat.’ Hannah attended to her horse and placed him in the paddock behind Ma’s house. She carried the saddle and bridle inside and placed them on the floor in the corner of the spare room used for bathing.
Ma went to her bedroom, gathered parchment, pen, nib and ink, sat on her bed and began to write her sister a letter:
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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 10:

My Dearest Sister Gloria,

I sincerely hope this letter finds you and George in good health. I think of you both often, praise the Lord how we were bought together at Christmas Dinner after many years of separation.
Hannah is doing well as a trainee school teacher and learning from Miss Wallace. With further training she should become a fully qualified teacher in three years.
People are flocking to live in Cunnamulla daily with children attending the local school. Hannah will make a fine teacher when her time finishes.
There is important news I need to tell you about Joe and Hannah. You no doubt know about ‘The Great Shearers Strike’ we’ve had here in Cunnamulla which finished yesterday. Joe was the leader of the men who set up a camp on the outskirts of this town.
Yesterday Joe came home after the police closed the camp. Whilst in the camp he changed identity with another shearer named John Gibson, so our Joe is no longer Joe Ryan. He is Joe Gibson. I can’t believe what he’s done!
Gloria, I had to tell him to leave. My conscious wouldn’t allow me to let him sleep under the same roof when he isn’t who he said he is. He left Hannah and me behind and I don’t care where he’s gone. I’m most disappointed in him, Gloria.
The guy who Joe changed identity was arrested as Joe Ryan and charged with inciting men to strike. I wanted to go to the police and explain the story but Hannah went instead.
She returned with Joe’s horse and saddle to explain she spoke to the person using the name Joe Ryan who told her ‘to get on with her life’. He gave her the horse and saddle to take care of whilst he is in prison.
Gloria, I can’t understand why Joe would do what he’s done to another human being, honestly! Since he arrived to live in Cunnamulla I treated him as if he was my son. Now he’s another person. I’m most disappointed.
Hannah is riding to tell her parents about Joe and give them the news so if he tries to get a job on their property to send him on his way. Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say.
That’s all the news for now.
Your Loving Sister
Margaret.

Ma finished the letter, folded it and placed it into an envelope. She addressed the envelope to her sister’s address in Brisbane. Picking up her cape she called to Hannah to tell her she was posting her letter at the post office and wouldn’t be long.
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