Pat Ritter. Books

[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 130:

Finally Herbert Austin arrived with a wagon load of equipment. After they greeted one another, time to knock off for the day and start at daylight the following morning. Herbert and his men stayed with Joe in the Shearing Quarters to get an early start.
After Joe helped unload the machinery from the wagon surprise showed on his face. 'Don't be so surprised. We wouldn't have come this far if I wasn't confident.' Herbert told Joe.
'Don't worry, you don't need to convince me, I'm way ahead of you. From the plans you sent us on where to cut the Shutes and the extra thick timber fastened to the ceiling, I'm convinced. The Boss is the man you need to convince. Not me.'
'When he sees everything working with the machinery for ten shearers instead of seven. He'll notice a huge difference. This machinery has worked efficiently at Dunlop Shed for almost a decade and had no problems, touch wood.' Herbert touched the side of his head and shared this news with Joe.
Together they worked side by side for two weeks, from daylight to dark until the final fixture completed the overhead machinery. Joe stood back to admire the work completed. 'We'd better get some sheep so I can see how this contraption works.' Joe said.

[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 131:

'I'm ahead of you Joe.' Nat called, 'got half a dozen wethers in the yard to try.' Nat soon herded the sheep into a catching pen.
'Here goes,' Joe said and clipped a hand-piece into the socket of the shearing machine. 'Kick the engine to get this thing going.' He called to Herbert who immediately cranked the handle and the motor spluttered into action. Like a well oiled machine the mechanism of pulleys, drives and finally the hand-piece started. Noise from the overhead machinery startled Joe because hand shears were silent.
Instead of hand blades, this latest equipment used combs to shear the sheep. Instead of squeezing the hand shear, one comb on top of the other, top comb smaller, cut through the wool with fine sharp teeth. Thus using less pressure by the shearer to remove the wool.
Joe entered the pen where the sheep stood, grabbed one by the front leg and rolled the sheep onto its back. Dragged it to the board, grabbed the shearing hand-piece, pulled a cord to start the hand-piece and drove the shears into the belly wool removing it clean and quick. 'This is much easier than using hand shears,' Joe complemented.
He shorn the first sheep in half the time it would've taken him to shear with hand shears. Continuing until he'd completed all six sheep, he stood and felt fresh. 'Nat, what do you think?' Joe asked pulling the chord to stop his hand-piece.

[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 132:

'I told you it'd work.' A huge smile spread across Nat's face. 'This is time for celebration. Drinks are on me.' Nat left and soon returned with beer. 'Here everyone, get this into ya. You deserve it.'
After the celebration died down arrangements were made between Nat and Herbert to purchase and transport the next assembly of overhead shearing machinery to his other properties. Shearing season only being a month away before it began he wanted to test the machinery on 'Kahmoo Station' first but he was convinced after witnessing Joe shear six sheep in a shorter time than he would've shorn with hand shears convinced him this was the way of the future. Nat wanted each of his properties to have machinery shears within two years.
On farewelling Herbert and his men Nat said to Joe, 'why don't you take time off to visit Hannah and come back here before the shearing starts. I'm right to do things while you're away.'
'Are you sure. I can stay and help.' Joe explained.
'No! Go and spend time with Hannah, I insist. I picked the right man to be my Overseer.'
'Thank you Nat. I'll clean up and be on my way. Should be in Cunnamulla by night fall.'
Joe missed Hannah, particularly at night thinking about her before he fell asleep. Riding Joker at a quick pace he soon arrived to cross the Warrego River to see Alex's hotel in the distance. Soon he reined Joker to a halt at his stable door, unsaddled, removed the bridle and placed him into his stall.

[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 133:

Footsteps came toward him. Hannah rushed toward him, 'you're home,' she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him heavily on the lips. Her Joe home filled her mind.
Joe returned the kiss, 'I've missed you too.'
They released their embrace and walked to the cottage, 'I'll make you a cuppa.' Hannah said and ran ahead to put the kettle on. A smile spread across her face. Her delight to have her Joe home filled her mind and body with satisfaction.
By the time Joe placed the saddle and bridle on the floor in the spare room he joined Hannah at the kitchen table. A boiling cup-of-tea with a plate filled with fresh piece of sponge cake placed before him. Joe thought he'd died and gone to heaven.
They caught up with most of the local gossip. Joe told his story of the machinery now installed at the shearing shed at 'Kahmoo Station'. 'I was the first to use the new machinery. Honestly Hannah, I shore six sheep in half the time as compared with hand shears, and I haven't shorn a sheep in almost five years. So easy. I suppose like learning to ride a horse after being bucked off.' Joe said excitedly.

[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 134:

'Not much excitement here, only school. How long are you in town?'
'Be back to start the shearing season.'
'That's a month. The shearing season starts on my birthday. Joe I turn twenty-eight this year.' Hannah confessed.
'We'll need to celebrate your birthday. What would you like to do?' Joe finished his refreshments, sat back and felt relaxed.
'I don't know. I'm taking time off work whilst you're home. I want us to spend as much time as possible together before you go back. I'd better cook us a meal. I bet you're hungry.' Hannah gathered the cups and sauces and washed them.
'Yes, a little. Eaten nothing since breakfast only the piece of cake. When your father told me to visit you I couldn't wait and rode as quick as I could. First thing tomorrow I'm getting into the garden.' Joe finished drying the dishes.
'Why don't you go and sit on the verandah whilst I cook dinner.' Hannah almost pushed Joe out the front door. 'I'll call you when it's ready.'
Hannah cooked a delicious meal of chops and vegetables covered with thick gravy. She called Joe inside, 'smells great.' He said and took his place.
Later after finishing their dinner, washing and drying the dishes, they sat on the swing on the front verandah. Moonlight covered the verandah with light almost turned into daytime. Joe closed his eyes, sat back on the swing, breathed slow and easy, 'Hannah, there is something I need to tell you.' He turned to face Hannah.

[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 135:

'What is it Joe. Is there something wrong?' She asked, concerned.
'I love you Hannah. I've loved you since the moment I first heard your voice when you spoke to me behind the cell door.' There it's out. My conscious is clear.
Hannah wrapped her arms around Joe's neck and kissed him strongly on the lips, 'I love you too. I didn't think I could love or trust anyone again, but I do love you.' She confessed.
After they confirmed their dying love for one another, wrapped in one another's arms, Joe thought he couldn't be in a better place. Hannah couldn't wipe the smile from her face. Joy filled her soul.
They wanted to share their love for one another with the world. This couldn't be possible for they were seen as single people living under the same roof with no chaperone. Enough gossip circulated through the town to know everyone in Cunnamulla were aware of their living arrangements. They didn't care. Each time they were seen in company, they held hands and often showed their love by publically kissing in the main street to display their affection.
Hannah couldn't get over how quickly the month passed before Joe needed to return to 'Kahmoo Station' to begin shearing. On their final day together whilst picnicking on the banks of the Warrego River Joe knelt on his right knee, took Hannah's hand in his and said, 'Hannah Young. Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife.'

[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 136:

Without hesitation Hannah wrapped her arms around Joe's neck and screamed, 'yes, yes, yes. I'd love to be your wife.' They kissed to seal the deal.
Joe placed his hand into his trouser pocket and extracted a ring, he placed it on Hannah's left ring finger. Hannah couldn't be more happier nor could Joe. She held her hand up to the light, the bright sparkle from the ring shone. 'I'm coming with you when you ask my parents.' Hannah admonished.
Early next morning Joe hired a sulky and with Hannah drove to 'Kahmoo Station' to tell her parents and Ma about their engagement. Pulling alongside the front gate to the homestead Nat was the first to greet them when they climbed down from the sulky, 'I didn't know when you were returning. Martha and Ma will be happy to your both are here. Hannah you look radiant. This young man asked you to marry him?' Nat said and cuddled Hannah.
'Yes, he did Pa and I accepted. I want to tell the world.' She took Joe's hand and walked to the verandah. 'Hello mother and Ma, got some great news to share with you two. Joe asked me to marry him and I accepted.' She showed them the sparkling diamond ring Joe gave her.