Pat Ritter. Books

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 144:

'Bloody hell,' Nat said. 'Must've died in the fire. I'll ride into Eulo and get the constable. You wait here.' Nat commanded, remounted and rode off in the distance. Joe couldn't find anything but the ruin remains of the building. Everything got too much for him, I guess. Now he doesn't need to worry about leaving. Joe thought and waited.
Daylight broke when two horses approached. Nat and the constable arrived. They stopped their horses in front of Joe and dismounted. Nat introduced the constable to Joe as his Overseer. 'Let's have a look about?' The constable said and walked over to the ruins. Stepping across the burnt verandah the fire had cooled. He leaned down to touch the body and said, 'can't help this fellow,' and returned to where Joe and Nat stood.
'Not much else we can do here. I'll come back with a buggy and canvas to retrieve his body. I'll grab someone from Eulo to help me if you two want to return home. Thanks for letting me know. I'll come by your place next week to take a statement.' The constable said.
Nat and Joe farewelled the constable, remounted and rode home.

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 145:

When they arrived home Martha met them at the front gate, 'is everything alright?' She asked.
'There's been a fire at Tilbooroo Station. Homestead is burnt to the ground. The fellow who lived there died in the fire. We've left the constable from Eulo to take care of everything. What about some breakfast, I could eat the arse out of a dead horse.' Nat said, 'Joe, would you put the horses away and come in for breakfast. We got enough for Joe?' Nat asked Martha.
'We always have enough for Joe.' Martha left the men to enter the kitchen and prepare their breakfast.
Meanwhile Joe unsaddled the horses and released them into a paddock. He returned to the house and smelt bacon cooking. 'Good morning Ma, we had an early start.' Joe said.
'A terrible thing to happen to that poor man. Reminds me of Mr Cummings.' Ma said as she set plates at the table. 'I'll make tea Martha.' Ma poured hot water into the kettle and made a pot of tea.
After everyone finished breakfast Joe said, 'Nat, shearing doesn't start until Monday. Will you be okay here by yourself until then? I want to go and tell Hannah what happened. You know what the bloody bush telegraph's like, they'll tell her I'm the one who perished in the fire.' Joe explained.
'You go right ahead. Say hello to our lovely daughter.' Nat gave his approval.

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 146:

Joe arrived as Hannah finished school that afternoon and tied his horse on the hitching rail in front of the school yard. Hannah sighted Joe and called out, 'what are you doing here? Pa give you the sack.' She smiled knowing her Pa wouldn't sack Joe. Something else must be up.
'I wanted to be the first to tell you about the fire.' Joe met Hannah at the bottom of the stairs. He couldn't get over how beautiful she was. They were engaged to be married and he was the luckiest man alive to become her husband.
'What fire!' She exclaimed.
'The fellow living on Tilbooroo Station set fire to the homestead and burnt it to the ground. He perished.' Joe told Hannah.
'Not another fire.' She rushed to Joe and wrapped her arms around his neck. 'You weren't hurt, were you?' She asked and kissed him on the lips.
'No, yesterday I spoke to him and he told me he was leaving this morning. Guess he didn't want to leave. He'd been drinking heavy so it doesn't take much imagination on how the fire started. Everything burnt to the ground.' Joe explained. He walked beside Hannah with Joker following to the cottage. Joe held the reins.
After placing Joker in his stable he entered the kitchen Hannah stoked the fire to heat water in the kettle, 'I'll make a pot of tea. How you feeling?' She asked as she went about her task.

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 147:

'I'm okay. I wanted to make sure you didn't think it was me in the fire because you realise what the bush telegraph is like. People around here would've had me burnt and buried by the time the news reached you.' Joe explained.
They shared their afternoon tea and spoke about general things happening in town. 'How long until you return to 'Kahmoo Station'?' Hannah asked.
'Monday morning to help out with the shearing.'
'Almost a week to be together. I'll get time off work while you're in town so we can enjoy one another. I want to do so much with you.' Hannah said and wrapped her arms around his neck. 'What about we go for a picnic tomorrow.' She whispered in his ear.
'I miss you. Have you thought of a date for our wedding?' Joe asked sipping his tea.
'Yes. Is Christmas Day alright!' Hannah squealed with excitement.
'Perfect,' Joe replied wrapped his arms around Hannah and kissed her. 'I'll tell your parents. Should we advise Brother Paul of the date?' Joe asked.
'Why don't we go and see him now and ask him. I know it's more than seven months away which should give him sufficient time to arrange everything. I want Nana and grandfather to be here. What about your parents? I haven't met them yet.' Hannah frowned.

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 148:

'Yes, my parents. I almost forgot to mention. I wrote them a letter introducing you to advise them we were engaged.' Joe admitted.
'Why didn't you tell me? I would've written a letter to put with your letter.'
'You can still write them a letter. I need to write another to advise them of the date of the wedding.'
Soon after they finished their afternoon tea, excitement filled their minds, they walked to speak with Brother Paul at the church. Brother Paul greeted them with a smile and when they asked him about the date of their wedding his words, 'that's the birth of Jesus. Can't your wedding be another day?' He asked sincerely.
'Brother Paul, if 25th December 1896 is available for our wedding in your church. We would be grateful.' Joe stated matter-of-fact.
'Yes, yes, it's so unusual for a wedding on that day. I'll make the arrangements. Before you are married I need to explain to both of you about what marriage is and its meaning.' He continued.
'When ever you want to speak with us about our vows, you let us know and we'll arrange a time when Joe is in town.' Hannah explained.
'Thank you both and congratulations. I wish you the best.' He shook their hands and allowed them to leave.
They couldn't wipe the smiles from their faces.

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 149:

Chapter 16

When Joe returned to Kahmoo Station his smile told a story, 'what are you so happy about?' Nat asked when Joe pulled his horse to a halt at the front homestead gate.
'I'm the happiest man in the world.' He told Nat and swung down from his horse and tied it to the fence. 'Hannah and I finally set a date for the wedding, 25th December this year.' He replied excitedly.
'That's Christmas Day!' Nat exclaimed. 'You can't get married on Christmas Day. What will the Lord think?' He scolded Joe.
'I couldn't think of a better day to marry the girl of my dreams. Is Martha and Ma inside? I want to share the news.' Joe rushed past Nat jumped the steps, landed on the verandah and entered the house. Ma was the first person he sighted. He rushed over and wrapped his arms around her waist, almost lifting her off the floor and said, 'Hannah and I are being married on Christmas Day.' He smiled and released his hold.
'What!' Martha exclaimed taking her apron off and strutted toward Joe. 'Are you mad. Marry on the day Jesus was born.' Her voice vibrated around the room.
'I told him the same,' Nat echoed from behind.
'You spoke to the minister?' Martha asked bewildered.

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 150:

'Yes, we've spoken with Brother Paul and he's agreed to marry us on Christmas Day at Cunnamulla. I can't wait, only seven months away.' Joe stated.
'Well, if Brother Paul agreed, than who are we to say the date is not right. At least you'll never forget your anniversary.' Martha concluded. I'll put the kettle on. I need to sit down.' Martha went to place the kettle on top of the stove.
'I'll join you.' Nat and Ma said in unison.
After the excitement of the news settled down all four discussed plans for the wedding, 'Got plenty to do. Make Hannah's dress. How many guests. You decided where the reception is to be held?' Martha smiled.
'We haven't decided anything, only a date.' Joe informed his future mother-in-law. 'What if I ask Alex at the pub to be my best man. He saved Hannah, Ma and poor Mr Wilson from the fire. I could ask him.'
'Good choice.' Ma concluded.
Next visit to Cunnamulla Alex agreed to be Joe's best man. 'You'll need the reception at the hotel. Won't you? Be my pleasure to pay for everything.' Alex shook Joe's hand, his thoughts over the moon to be chosen to be Joe's best man.
'Alex, thanks but I think Nat wants to pay for everything and my parents will pay for liquid refreshments.' Joe explained.
'Then I'll provide the venue. The best wedding Cunnamulla will ever have seen. I'll make it the best.' His excitement overflowed to Joe who couldn't believe how the wheels of fortune had spun his way after everything he'd experienced. There must be a God, he thought.