Pat Ritter. Books

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 137:

'This is wonderful news, congratulations to you both. Joe, welcome to the family.' Martha said and hugged them both. Ma gave her congratulations with a hug. 'This calls for a celebration, don't you think Nat.' Martha said. She couldn't wipe the smile from her face and felt so proud of Hannah and more pleased she finally met a warm person like Joe to be betrothed. 'I'll put the kettle on.'
'Martha, I think we need more than a cup-of-tea. What about I break open a bottle of whisky I stored away for a celebration like this. Good on you Joe, I can't wait. When's the wedding?' Nat's excitement flowed over to the family.
'No date at this stage. Have we?' He asked Hannah.
'No. We wanted to surprise you with the engagement.'
By the finish of the day everyone including Ma were a little tipsy drinking the whiskey. Nat forced more drink onto them until the bottle emptied. Regularly during drinks he praised Joe on his fine work on completing the machinery shearing equipment ready for the forthcoming season.
'You'd better get your betrothed home before dark. Got a most important job for you when you return.' Nat informed Joe with a wink.

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 138:

'Hannah, it's time to go.' Joe commanded.
'If you think you can tell me when to go Joe, think again. We're not married yet. Bye mother, Ma, and Pa.' She hugged each one and kissed them. A little wobbly on her feet with a light head, 'Joe, do your duty and escort your future wife home.' She hiccuped and took Joe's hand.
Waving farewell to her family Hannah placed her arms around Joe's neck and kissed him firmly on the lips, 'I love you,' she whispered in his ear, leaned her head against his shoulder and soon fell asleep.
By the time they arrived home darkness enveloped the town of Cunnamulla. Joe stopped at the back of the cottage, stepped down and carried Hannah in his arms into their bedroom. After stripping her of clothing, he dressed her in her pyjamas, pulled back the bed linen and lay her head on the pillow. Covered her, kissed her on the cheek, 'sleep safe my love.' He whispered.
Early next morning he rose and cooked bacon and eggs with toast. Placed a plate filled with food and a cup-of-tea on a tray and walked softly into the bedroom and put the tray with food on a side table. Hannah moved, shook her head, placing her hand to her forehead, 'I have a headache.' She swooned.
'Breakfast is ready.' He put the tray in front of her when she sat upright. She can't hold her liquor. He thought.

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 139:

Chapter 15

Joe returned to Kahmoo Station later that day and spoke to Nat, 'what is it you wanted me to do which concerned you before I left yesterday?'
'We've got to do something about that mongrel over on Tilbooroo Station. He still thinks he owns the place. I've owned it for the past four years.' Nat spat, he never had the courage to face him personally since he'd taken ownership nor even set foot on the property.
'What do you want me to do?' Joe asked sitting on a seat on the verandah.
Nat left the verandah and walked inside shortly returned with papers and handed them to Joe. 'Here, have a look at these. They are the deeds to the property and I need him off before we can do any improvements.'
'If it's any consolation, when I worked there more than four years ago, it was a mess then. I'd imagine he's done nothing to improve the property since I worked there.' Joe explained. 'Again, what do you want me to do?' Joe answered reading each page of the documents.
'You go over there and throw him off. I want him off!' Nat spluttered. Redness rose in his cheeks.
'Why me!'

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 140:

'Because you are my Overseer and your job is to attend to these jobs I'm afraid to do.' Nat confessed.
Joe re-read the documents to understand what power he had to throw this person named Clarke off the property. He read the deeds which showed the property belonged to Nat Young and couldn't see any name Clarke only being the previous owner. 'Don't you want to come with me?' Joe asked timidly.
'Not particularly, I'm certain you are fully capable of handling this matter by yourself.' Nat hated confrontation and knew this would be an ugly scene to confront. Preciously he'd written letters of demand to rid this person from his property and never received a reply.
'I'll leave in the morning. Can I take these documents with me?' Joe asked.
'Yes, if they'll help.'
Joe saddled Joker early the next morning thinking about how he was going to approach this job. Apart from installing the shearing machinery, this was the second job Nat gave him since he became Overseer.
Riding across Moonjaree Creek heading directly to Tilbooroo Station as the crow flies, he inspected the boundary fence on the eastern side. This fellow's let the place fall into ruin. Joe thought. No wonder Nat wants to get him off the place. Can't wait to ask him if he's done anything to improve the shearing shed.

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 141:

Finally arriving at the front of the old homestead, a small building much older than he thought, a man sat on the front verandah holding a bottle to his mouth. Swinging down from his horse he called. 'Good-day. Are you Mr Clarke?' Joe walked to the verandah where this person sat. He never moved but his eyes scanned Joe from head to toe.
'Who might be asking?' His voice rough and slurred. He put the bottle to his lips to take another drink.
'I'm Joe Gibson. I'm the Overseer for Mr Young owner of this property. I want to speak with you.' Joe stood in front of this man who remained seated.
'You want to throw me off my place. I'm not going!' He went to rise and fell off balance back onto the seat. Joe grabbed the bottle and threw it over the railing.
'Are you Mr Clarke?' Joe again asked.
'Yeah! Why?'
Joe took the papers from inside his coat, 'these papers show Mr Young owns this property and you are trespassing.' Joe folded the papers and returned them inside his coat.
'I'm squatting, not trespassing. There's a difference. My father owned this property and handed it down to me.' He started crying and placed both hands to his face. His cry turned into a howl.
Joe felt uncomfortable. Nat owned the property and needed to think of an idea of getting this fellow to leave. 'Do you remember me?' He changed direction.

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 142:

'No. Who are you?' Mr Clarke slurred, removed his hand and appeared to settle and glared at Joe to try and recognise him. 'Can't say I do.'
'Five years ago I worked here as a shearer. This place was run down then. The working conditions we put up with were deplorable.' Joe's stern voice loud enough for Mr Clarke to hear his words clearly. 'Nothing's been done since I worked here. It's a disgrace!'
'Yeah, alright, I'm not cut out to be a cocky. I thought I was after my father died and left the place to me. Honestly, I don't remember you. The place is in ruins. I can't do it any more. What'd you do with my bottle.' He asked.
'I threw it away and it smashed.'
'That's good rum.'
'It's not now.'
Silence came between them, Mr Clarke rubbed his chin with his hand, 'how long before I've got to go?' He asked solemnly.
'I'd like you off before morning.' Joe stated.
'There are no sheep left. I sold them to a neighbour last year. I never want to see another sheep in my life. I'll leave in the morning.' He spat.
Joe remounted his horse and returned to Kahmoo Station. Thought he would've put up a bigger fight. Must have been assertive and straight with the guy. I'll come back tomorrow to see what needs improvements.

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 143:

After explaining to Nat his conversation with Mr Clarke he retired to the shearing quarters to get an early night. Shearing started the following week and he wanted to help Nat.
Sometime through the night Joe got up from his swag to go for a pee. Standing near a gum tree he noticed a far distance glow caught his eye. 'That's a fire coming from Tilbooroo Station', Joe mumbled to himself. He rushed to dress and ran to the homestead, 'Nat!' He shouted as he stepped onto the verandah.
'What's up?' Nat returned the call.
'A fire over on Tilbooroo Station. I'll saddle Joker and ride over.' Joe shouted.
'I'll come with you. Wait for me to get dressed. Saddle my horse, will ya?'
Joe quickly found Joker and a horse for Nat and saddled them before Nat arrived at the yard. 'The flames, it's a good hour ride but it's coming from Tilbooroo Station. Let's go!' Joe threw himself into the saddle, pulled his hat down on his head and kicked Joker into a gallop. Nat followed at a quick pace.
Finally arriving at Tilbooroo Station all that remained were ashes. 'Mr Clarke, where are you?' Joe shouted when he dismounted. No reply.
Everything lay in ruins, burnt to a cinder. The verandah where Mr Clarke sat earlier, totally burnt. Nothing left of the small building only burnt remains. The moon rays shone brightly enough to give Joe sufficient light to search through the remains of the homestead. His eyes fell onto a body completely burnt. Unrecognisable. A scorched bottle lay beside a body. 'Nat, over here,' Joe pointed to the body.