Pat Ritter. Books

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 151:

Hannah's dress looked divine when her mother presented the frock to her on one of the many visits to town. Everything was falling into place. Hannah decided to ask Miss Wallace to be her bridesmaid, 'Oh, Hannah, I'd be delighted to be your bridesmaid.' She cried when asked by Hannah and couldn't believe anyone would ever ask her to take on such an honoured role.
After the shearing finished the second wagon load of machinery arrived to be installed at Moonjaree Station. Joe only needed his two workers to help for he had a good idea of how to install the machinery into the shearing shed after Herbert showed him at Kahmoo Station shearing shed. Like the first one, three bays needed to be added to make a ten stand shed.
The three men worked from daylight until dark and within three months finished fitting the shearing machinery. Joe tested the machinery and everything found correct to his standards. He returned to Kahmoo Station when the first task he performed to replace the sign on the front entrance. Nat didn't want the sign changed because his father made the sign over forty years before.

Hannah finished work to return home. She'd settled with a cup-of-tea at the kitchen table when a knock at the front door startled her, 'coming', she called and walked to open the door, there stood a person who she thought she'd never see again.

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'Hello Hannah,' his voice cut through her like a hot knife through butter.
'What do you want?' She sneered.
'I was passing through and wanted to tell you and Ma how sorry I was. What happened to Ma Guest House?' He queried.
'Burnt down. I don't want you here.' Hannah went to slam the door when a foot stopped the door from closing.
'Hannah, I don't mean any harm. I only wanted to tell you how sorry I was for what I did to you and Ma.' He said in an mellow and sincere voice.
'I don't want your excuses. What you did is unforgettable.' Hannah's rage increased. She tried to close the door but his foot blocked the door from closing. 'Go away!' Her voice trembled. 'I'll speak to you through the door?' Move your foot.' She screamed. As soon as his foot moved Hannah slammed the door and turned the lock. She rushed through the house locked the back door and all the windows then sat at the kitchen table hoping this person would leave.
'Hannah, I need to talk to you. If I've got to speak through this door then I will.' He shouted hoping she would hear his words.
'I don't want you here!' She screamed covering her hands with her face and began to sob. Tears filled her eyes. She knew the voice.

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She knew the person. How could she ever forget it although it'd been more than four years since she last saw him. 'What do you want?' She called.
'I wanted to tell you how sorry I was to do what I did to you and Ma. Where is Ma?' He replied.
'She's living with my parents.' That was a mistake, she thought, I should've told him she was down town and would be back shortly.
'What's she doing living at your parents?' He replied in a sweet and encouraging voice.
'She went to live with them after the fire.' He doesn't sound angry, his voice calm and polite. Am I wrong to think what he wants, she pondered. 'What are you doing here?' Hannah asked more calmer than before.
'Like I told you, I'm passing through. I'm a member of parliament on my way to Sydney to attend a conference. I've changed Hannah. I want to tell you in person rather than through this door. I'm sorry.' He pleaded.
Hannah rose from the chair and walked to the front door, unlocked it, turned the knob and opened the door, 'hello Joe.' She said.
'Hello Hannah. Can I come in please there are so many things I want to tell you.' His pleading voice got the better of Hannah and she decided to allow him inside, worried passer-byers might hear her scream.
Joe entered, 'this is a lovely place. What happened to Ma's Guest House?'

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'It burnt down and I had this one built in its place. Do you want a cup-of-tea?' She asked much calmer than before.
'I'd love one, thanks.' He didn't want to ask for a scone because that would be taking the offer too far. Joe entered the kitchen and sat at the table. Hannah poured tea from the tea pot into a cup and placed in front of him.
'Black tea, as I remember.' Hannah said.
'You have a good memory. When did Ma's Guest House burn down?'
'Early last year. You remember Alex from the pub. He saved Ma, me and Mr Cummings who was staying here at the time. Burnt to the ground. Mr Cummings got out of bed to go to the toilet and accidentally knocked over the lantern. He died the next day in hospital. You may remember him, he once worked for Pa.'
Joe thought, 'yeah, he was a wool presser, wasn't he?'
'That's him. What did you say you do. You certainly didn't dress like you do now when you were here last.' Hannah asked.
'After the strike I travelled to Barcaldine to find out what I could do about making better working conditions for the workers. The Australian Labour Party was formed and I became their representative. Only one in Australia. Hannah, it's like a dream came true. I can now make a difference.'
He sounded sincere enough. Should I mention Joe and I are being married, 'Joe Gibson and I are being married on Christmas Day.' She blurted out.

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Joe's expression didn't change. 'That's wonderful Hannah.' He said sincerely, 'I last spoke with Joe after he and the other leaders of 'The Great Shearers Strike' returned to Barcaldine. We made our peace. He told me then he was going to Cunnamulla to find you. We left on good terms. Congratulations. He is a good man.'
'Why did you let him take your place?' Hannah wanted to ask Joe this question from the time he left.
'Honestly, I don't know. Everything happened so fast that morning he came to see me to say the police were coming to arrest me. When he suggested the switch I'd had enough and didn't know what to do. Ah, don't worry, I've paid dearly for it ever since. He is one courageous human being.' Joe felt remorse for his actions.
Joe finished his cup-of-tea, stood and said, 'Hannah, thank you for listening to me and congratulations on your up and coming marriage to one mighty good fellow. I know you both will be happy. He truly loves you. Say hello to Ma for me and please explain how sorry I am for what I put you both through.' He shook Hannah's hand, walked to the front door, opened it, 'before I go. How is the horse going?'
'Joker is fine. He's with Joe at 'Kahmoo Station'. Joe is Pa's Overseer.' Hannah replied.
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'Wonderful news. I'll give him to you and Joe as a wedding present.' He left.
Once Joe left he kept walking never to know the expression on Hannah's face, could he have changed? She pondered. Who would've thought by what Joe Ryan had done she would meet her soul mate and within a couple of weeks become Mrs Hannah Gibson.' Hannah closed the door to her cottage, leaned against it and smiled.
Christmas Eve arrived Joe decided to stay the night at Alex's hotel where Alex arranged his buck's party. Earlier his parents arrived as did Hannah's grandparents. Hannah insisted they all stay at the cottage until they decide to return to Brisbane.
'Come on Joe, this is your last night of freedom before you're under the control of the ball and chain.' Alex ed.
'Hannah's not a ball and chain.' Joe sipped his beer Alex placed before him. Nat and his father joined them in his celebrations. Life couldn't be any better than his marriage to Hannah. His love for her sunk deep within his soul. He considered himself the luckiest man on earth.
Joe didn't want to write himself off but Alex had different ideas. Many of the shearers he'd worked with sent beer after beer to him through Alex to celebrate his upcoming nuptials to the most beautiful and caring woman in Cunnamulla. By the end of the night he became legless. Alex with the help of Nat carried him to his room.

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When Joe awoke early Christmas morning his head had a thousand drums beating all at once. Entering the kitchen Alex readied a breakfast of bacon and eggs, 'how're you this morning? You remember you're getting married today.' Alex told him when he placed a plate of food in front of him.
Joe almost vomited smelling the odour of the food, 'I'm sick Alex. Need something strong for a hangover?' He slurred.
'Eat up and drink plenty of water. You'll be better in a couple of hours.'
'What time is it?' Joe asked trying to swallow a piece of bacon.
'Ten o'clock. Lucky it's Christmas Day. I don't open today but no doubt there'll be someone who wants their grog. Everything is right for your reception. Food will be cooked shortly. Mrs White is coming to cook. She's delighted to do it even though it's Christmas Day.'
'What time is the wedding?' Joe asked, confused.
'Three o'clock. Got plenty of time to get ready and be at the church on time.'

Joe and Alex stood side-by-side before the alter at the church waiting for Hannah's arrival. Joe glanced at his watch. 'She's an half-an-hour late.' He whispered to his best man.