diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 3987060 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/15524-h.htm | 2625 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/B.png | bin | 0 -> 9808 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/D.png | bin | 0 -> 2156 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/E.png | bin | 0 -> 2225 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/I1.png | bin | 0 -> 2240 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/I2.png | bin | 0 -> 2515 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/I3.png | bin | 0 -> 1968 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/I4.png | bin | 0 -> 2569 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/I5.png | bin | 0 -> 2239 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/M.png | bin | 0 -> 2171 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/N.png | bin | 0 -> 2369 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/O.png | bin | 0 -> 2246 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/T.png | bin | 0 -> 2167 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/W.png | bin | 0 -> 2273 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/bw01.png | bin | 0 -> 160887 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/bw02.png | bin | 0 -> 247572 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/bw03.png | bin | 0 -> 186141 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/bw04.png | bin | 0 -> 180423 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/bw05.png | bin | 0 -> 196311 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/bw06.png | bin | 0 -> 241320 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/bw07.png | bin | 0 -> 273175 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/bw08.png | bin | 0 -> 182412 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/bw09.png | bin | 0 -> 216763 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/bw10.png | bin | 0 -> 223940 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/bw11.png | bin | 0 -> 190008 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/bw12.png | bin | 0 -> 244352 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/bw13.png | bin | 0 -> 358145 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/diggerr.png | bin | 0 -> 20383 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/diggerv.png | bin | 0 -> 30618 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/frntpce.jpg | bin | 0 -> 106312 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/maer.png | bin | 0 -> 39456 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/maev.png | bin | 0 -> 7198 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/paper003.jpg | bin | 0 -> 12234 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/roman.jpg | bin | 0 -> 422087 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/space.png | bin | 0 -> 122 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524-h/images/title_j.jpg | bin | 0 -> 396644 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524.txt | 2248 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15524.zip | bin | 0 -> 33372 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
42 files changed, 4889 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/15524-h.zip b/15524-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..17185b0 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h.zip diff --git a/15524-h/15524-h.htm b/15524-h/15524-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5a10b07 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/15524-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2625 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Digger Smith, by C. J. Dennis</title> +<STYLE TYPE="text/css"> +HW {font-weight: bold; font-family: sans-serif} + +H1 {font-family: Ariel, sans-serif} +h1.pg {font-family: + Times-Roman, serif; + text-align: center; } +h3.pg {font-family: + Times-Roman, serif; + text-align: center; } + +DIV {text-indent: 4%} + +BODY {background-color: #F9E9A0} + +hr.full { width: 100%; + height: 5px; } +pre {font-size: 8pt;} +</STYLE> +</head> +<body BACKGROUND="images/paper003.jpg"> +<h1 class="pg">The Project Gutenberg eBook, Digger Smith, by C. J. Dennis, Illustrated by +Hal Gye</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Digger Smith</p> +<p>Author: C. J. Dennis</p> +<p>Release Date: April 2, 2005 [eBook #15524]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DIGGER SMITH***</p> +<br><br><center><h3 class="pg">E-text prepared by Geoffrey Cowling</h3></center><br><br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<center> +<img src="images/title_j.jpg" ALT="DIGGER SMITH" width="80%"> +</center> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<H1 ID="title" align="center">DIGGER SMITH</H1> + +<h4 align="center">by</h4> + +<h1 align="center">C. J. Dennis</h1> + +<br> +<br> +<h4 align="center">Illustrated by</h4> + +<h2 align="center">Hal Gye</h2> +<br> +<br> +<h4 align="center">1918</h4> +<h4 align="center">(rev. 1919)</h4> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<H3 ID="dedication">TO THE A.I.F.</H3> +<br> +<br> +<br> + + + +<H4>CONTENTS</H4> + + +<A HREF="#I">I</A>. BEFORE THE WAR + <BLOCKQUOTE>"Before the war," she sighs. "Before the war"...</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<A HREF="#II">II</A>. DUMMY BRIDGE + <BLOCKQUOTE> "If I'd 'a' played me Jack on that there Ten..."</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<A HREF="#III">III</A>. DAD + <BLOCKQUOTE> "I've knowed ole Flood this last five year or more..."</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<A HREF="#IV">IV</A>. DIGGER SMITH + <BLOCKQUOTE> "'E calls me Digger; that's 'ow 'e begins ..."</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<A HREF="#V">V</A>. WEST + <BLOCKQUOTE> "I've seen so much uv dirt an' grime ...."</BLOCKQUOTE> + + +<A HREF="#VI">VI</A>. OVER THE FENCE +<BLOCKQUOTE> "'Taint my idea uv argument to call a man a fool ..."</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<A HREF="#VII">VII</A>. A DIGGER'S TALE + <BLOCKQUOTE> "My oath!" the Duchess sez. "You'd not ixpect ..."</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<A HREF="#VIII">VIII</A>. JIM'S GIRL + <BLOCKQUOTE> "'Oo is that girl," sez Digger Smith . . .</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<A HREF="#IX">IX</A>. THE BOYS OUT THERE + <BLOCKQUOTE> "Why do they do it? I dunno..."</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<A HREF="#X">X</A>. HALF A MAN + <BLOCKQUOTE> "I wash me 'ands uv 'im," I tells 'em, straight ...</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<A HREF="#XI">XI</A>. SAWIN' WOOD + <BLOCKQUOTE> I wondered wot was doin'. First I seen ...</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<A HREF="#XII">XII</A>. JIM + <BLOCKQUOTE> "Now, be the Hokey Fly!" sez Peter Begg ...</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<A HREF="#XIII">XIII</A>. A SQUARE DEAL + <BLOCKQUOTE> "Dreamin'?" I sez to Digger Smith . . .</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<A HREF="#gloss">G</A>. GLOSSARY + + + +<H3 ID="I">I. BEFORE THE WAR</H3> + +<center> +<a href="images/bw01.png"> +<IMG SRC="images/bw01.png" width="50%" border=0 +ALT="es jist your kind"></a> +</center> +<H4>Before the War</H4> + + + +<BLOCKQUOTE><IMG SRC="images/B.png" ALT=""B" width="15%" align="middle"> +EFORE the war," she sighs. "Before the war." +<DIV> Then blinks 'er eyes, an' tries to work a smile.</DIV> +"Ole scenes," she sez, "don't look the same no more. +<DIV> Ole ways," she sez, "seems to 'ave changed their style,</DIV> +<DIV> The pleasures that we 'ad don't seem worth while--</DIV> +Them simple joys that passed an hour away-- +<DIV> An' troubles, that we used to so revile,</DIV> +'Ow small they look," she sez. "'Ow small to-day.<BR /><BR /> + + +"This war!" sighs ole Mar Flood. An' when I seen +<DIV>The ole girl sittin' in our parlour there, </DIV> +Tellin' 'er troubles to my wife, Doreen, +<DIV>As though the talkin' eased 'er load uv care, </DIV> +<DIV>I thinks uv mothers, 'ere an' everywhere, </DIV> +Smilin' a bit while they are grievin' sore +<DIV>For grown-up babies, fightin' Over There; </DIV> +An' then I 'ears 'em sigh, "Before the war." +<BR /><BR /> +My wife 'as took the social 'abit bad. +<DIV>I ain't averse--one more new word I've learned--</DIV> +Averse to tea, when tea is to be 'ad; +<DIV>An' when it comes I reckon that it's earned. </DIV> +<DIV>It's jist a drink, as fur as I'm concerned, </DIV> +Good for a bloke that's toilin' on the land; +<DIV>But when a caller comes, 'ere I am turned </DIV> +Into a social butterfly, off-'and. +<BR /><BR /> +Then drinkin' tea becomes an 'oly rite. +<DIV>So's I won't bring the fam'ly to disgrace </DIV> +I gits a bit uv coachin' overnight +<DIV>On ridin' winners in this bun-fed race.</DIV> +<DIV>I 'ave to change me shirt, an' wash me face, </DIV> +An' look reel neat, from me waist up at least, +<DIV>An' sling remarks in at the proper place, </DIV> +An' not makes noises drinkin', like a beast. +<BR /><BR /> + +"'Ave some more cake. Another slice, now do. +<DIV>An' won't yeh 'ave a second cup uv tea? </DIV> +'Ow is the children?" Ar, it makes me blue! +<DIV>This boodoor 'abit ain't no good to me.</DIV> +<DIV>I likes to take me tucker plain an' free: </DIV> +Tea an' a chunk out on the job for choice, +<DIV>So I can stoke with no one there to see. </DIV> +Besides, I 'aven't got no comp'ny voice. +<BR /><BR /> + +Uv course, I've 'ad it all out with the wife. +<DIV>I argues that there's work that must be done, </DIV> +An' tells 'er that I 'ates this tony life. +<DIV>She sez there's jooties that we must not shun. </DIV> +<DIV>You bet that ends it; so I joins the fun,</DIV> +An' puts 'em all at ease with silly grins-- +<DIV>Slings bits uv repartee like "'Ave a bun," </DIV> +An' passes bread an' butter, for me sins. +<BR /><BR /> + +Since I've been marri'd, say, I've chucked some things, +<DIV>An' learned a whole lot more to fill the space.</DIV> +I've slung all slang; crook words 'ave taken wings, +<DIV>An' I 'ave learned to entertain with grace.</DIV> +<DIV>But when ole Missus Flood comes round our place </DIV> +I don't object to 'er, for all 'er sighs; +<DIV>Becos I likes 'er ways, I likes 'er face, </DIV> +An', most uv all, she 'as them mother's eyes. +<BR /><BR /> + +"Before the war," she sighs, the poor ole girl. +<DIV> 'Er talk it gets me thinkin' in between, </DIV> +While I'm assistin' at this social whirl. . . . +<DIV>She comes across for comfort to Doreen,</DIV> +<DIV>To talk about the things that might 'ave been </DIV> +If Syd 'ad not been killed at Suvla Bay, +<DIV>Or Jim not done a bunk at seventeen, </DIV> +An' not been 'eard uv since 'e went away. +<BR /><BR /> + +They 'ave a little farm right next to us-- +<DIV> 'Er an' 'er 'usband--where they live alone. </DIV> +Spite uv 'er cares, she ain't the sort to fuss +<DIV>Or serve up sudden tears an' sob an' moan, </DIV> +<DIV>An' since I've known 'er some'ow I 'ave grown </DIV> +To see in 'er, an' all the grief she's bore, +<DIV>A million brave ole mothers 'oo 'ave known </DIV> +Deep sorrer since them days before the war. +<BR /><BR /> + +"Before the war," she sez. "Yeh mind our Syd? +<DIV>Poor lad. . . . But then, yeh never met young Jim--</DIV> +'Im 'oo was charged with things 'e never did. +<DIV>Ah, both uv you'd 'ave been reel chums with 'im. </DIV> +<DIV> 'Igh-spirited 'e was, a perfect limb. </DIV> +It's six long years now since 'e went away +<DIV>Ay, drove away." 'Er poor ole eyes git dim. </DIV> +"That was," she sighs, "that was me blackest day. +<BR /><BR /> + +"Me blackest day!Wot am I sayin' now? <DIV>There was the day the parson come to tell </DIV> +The news about our Syd. . . . An', yet, some'ow . . . . +<DIV>My little Jim!" She pauses for a spell. . . .</DIV> +<DIV> "Your 'olly'ocks is doin' reely well," </DIV> +She sez, an' battles 'ard to brighten up. +<DIV> "An' them there pinks uv yours, 'ow sweet they smell. </DIV> +An'--Thanks! I think I will 'ave one more cup." +<BR /><BR /> + +As fur as I can get the strength uv it, +<DIV>Them Floods 'ave 'ad a reel tough row to hoe. </DIV> +First off, young Jim, 'oo plays it 'igh a bit, +<DIV>Narks the ole man a treat, an' slings the show. </DIV> +<DIV>Then come the war, an' Syd 'e 'as to go.</DIV> +'E run 'is final up at Suvla Bay-- +<DIV>One uv the Aussies I was proud to know. </DIV> +An' Jim's cracked 'ardy since 'e went away. +<BR /><BR /> + +'Er Jim! These mothers! Lord, they're all the same. +<DIV>I wonder if Doreen will be that kind..</DIV> +Syd was the son 'oo played the reel man's game; +<DIV>But Jim 'oo sloped an' left no word be'ind, </DIV> +<DIV>His is the picter shinin' in 'er mind.</DIV> +'Igh-spirited! I've 'eard that tale before. +<DIV>I sometimes think she'd take it rather kind </DIV> +To 'ear that 'is 'igh spirits run to war. +<BR /><BR /> + +"Before the war," she sez. "Ah, times was good. +<DIV>The little farm out there, an' jist us four </DIV> +Workin' to make a decent liveli'ood. +<DIV>Our Syd an' Jim! . . . Poor Jim! It grieves me sore; </DIV> +<DIV>For Dad won't 'ave 'im mentioned 'ome no more.</DIV> +'E's 'urt, I know, cos 'e thinks Jim 'urt me. +<DIV>As if 'e could, the bonny boy I bore. . . . </DIV> +But I must off 'ome now, an' git Dad's tea." +<BR /><BR /> + +I seen 'er to the gate. (Take it frum me, +<DIV>I'm some perlite.) She sez, "Yeh mustn't mind </DIV> +Me talkin' so uv Jim, but when I see +<DIV>Your face it brings 'im back; 'e's jist your kind. </DIV> +<DIV>Not quite so 'an'some, p'r'aps, nor so refined. </DIV> +I've got some toys uv 'is," she sez. "But there-- +<DIV>This is ole woman's talk, an' you be'ind</DIV> +With all yer work, an' little time to spare." +<BR /><BR /> + +She gives me 'and a squeeze an' turns away, +<DIV>Sobbin', I thort; but when she looks be'ind, </DIV> +Smilin', an' wavin', like she felt reel gay, +<DIV>I wonders 'ow the women works that blind, </DIV> +<DIV>An' jist waves back; then goes inside to find </DIV> +A lookin'-glass, an' takes a reel good look. . . . +<DIV> "'Not quite so 'an'some, p'r'aps, nor so refined!' </DIV> +Gawd 'elp yeh, Jim," I thinks. "Yeh must be crook." +<BR /><BR /> + +</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<H3 ID="II">II. DUMMY BRIDGE</H3> + +<center> +<a href="images/bw02.png"> +<IMG SRC="images/bw02.png" width="50%" border=0 +ALT=""Rubbidge!" shouts Poole"></a> +</center> + +<H4>Dummy Bridge</H4> + + +<BLOCKQUOTE><IMG SRC="images/I1.png" ALT=""I" width="15%" align="middle"> +F I'd 'a' played me Jack on that there Ten," +<DIV>Sez Peter Begg, "I might 'a' made the lot." </DIV> +"'Ow could yeh?" barks ole Poole. "'Ow' could yeh, when +<DIV>I 'ad me Queen be'ind?" Sez Begg, "Wot rot!</DIV> +I slung away me King to take that trick. <BR /> +<I>Which</I> one! Say, ain't yer 'ead a trifle thick? +<BR /><BR /> +Now, don't yeh see that when I plays me King +<DIV>I give yer Queen a chance, an' lost the slam." </DIV> +But Poole, 'e sez 'e don't see no sich thing, +<DIV>So Begg gits 'ot, an' starts to loose a "Damn." </DIV> +'E twigs the missus jist in time to check,<BR /> +An' makes it "Dash," an' gits red down 'is neck. +<BR /><BR /> + + +There's me an' Peter Begg, an' ole man Poole-- +<DIV>Neighbours uv mine, that farm a bit close by--</DIV> +Jist once a week or so we makes a school, +<DIV>An' gives this game uv Dummy Bridge a fly. </DIV> +Doreen, she 'as 'er sewin' be the fire,<BR /> + +The kid's in bed; an' 'ere's me 'eart's desire. +<BR /> +<BR /> + +'Ome-comfort, peace, the picter uv me wife +<DIV>'Appy at work, me neighbours gathered round </DIV> +All friendly-like--wot more is there in life? +<DIV>I've searched a bit, but, better I ain't found. </DIV> +Doreen, she seems content, but in 'er eye<BR /> + +I've seen reel pity when the talk gits 'igh. +<BR /> +<BR /> + +This ev'nin' we 'ad started off reel 'ot: +<DIV>Two little slams, an' Poole, without a score, </DIV> +Still lookin' sore about the cards 'e'd got-- +<DIV>When, sudden-like, a knock comes to the door. </DIV> +"A visitor," growls Begg, "to crool our game." <BR /> + +An' looks at me, as though I was to blame. +<BR /> +<BR /> + +Jist as Doreen goes out, I seen 'er grin. +<DIV>"Deal 'em up quick!" I whispers. "Grab yer 'and, </DIV> +An' look reel occupied when they comes in. +<DIV>Per'aps they'll 'ave the sense to understand. </DIV> +If it's a man, maybe 'e'll make a four;<BR /> + +But if"--Then Missus Flood comes in the door. +<BR /> +<BR /> + +'Twas ole Mar Flood, 'er face wrapped in a smile. +<DIV>"Now, boys," she sez, "don't let me spoil yer game. </DIV> +I'll jist chat with Doreen a little while; +<DIV>But if yeh stop I'll be ashamed I came." </DIV> +An' then she waves a letter in 'er 'and.<BR /> + +Sez she, "Our Jim's a soldier! Ain't it grand?" + +<BR /> +<BR /> +"Good boy," sez Poole. "Let's see.I make it 'earts." +<DIV>"Doubled!" shouts Begg. . . . "An' 'e's been in a fight," </DIV> +Sez Missus Flood, "out in them furrin' parts. +<DIV>French, I suppose. I can't pronounce it right. </DIV> +'E's been once wounded, somewhere in the leg. . . ." <BR /> + +"'Ere, Bill! Yeh gone to sleep?" asks Peter Begg. +<BR /> +<BR /> +I plays me Queen uv Spades; an' plays 'er bad. +<DIV>Begg snorts. . . . "My boy," sighs Missus Flood. "My Jim." . . .</DIV> +"King 'ere," laughs Poole. "That's the last Spade I 'ad." . . . +<DIV>Doreen she smiles: "I'm glad yeh've 'eard from 'im.". . . </DIV> +"We're done," groans Begg. "Why did yeh nurse yer Ace?". . .<BR /> + +"My Jim!" An' there was sunlight in 'er face. +<BR /> +<BR /> +"I always thought a lot uv Jim, I did," +<DIV>Sez Begg. "'E does yeh credit. 'Ere, your deal." </DIV> +"That's so," sez Poole. "'E was an all-right kid. +<DIV>No trumps? I'm sorry that's the way yeh feel. </DIV> +'Twill take yeh all yer time to make the book." . . . <BR /> + +An' then Doreen sends me a wireless look. +<BR /> +<BR /> + +I gets the S.O.S.; but Begg is keen. +<DIV>"My deal," 'e yaps. "Wot rotten cards I get." </DIV> +Ole Missus Flood sits closer to Doreen. +<DIV>"The best," she whispers, "I ain't told yeh yet."</DIV> +I strains me ears, an' leads me King uv Trumps.<BR /> + +"Ace 'ere!" grins Begg. Poole throws 'is Queen--an' thumps. +<BR /> +<BR /> + +"That saves me Jack!" 'owls Begg. "Tough luck, ole sport." . . . +<DIV>Sez Missus Flood, "Jim's won a medal too </DIV> +For doin' somethin' brave at Bullycourt." . . . +<DIV>"Play on, play on," growls Begg. "It's up to you." </DIV> +Then I reneges, an' trumps me partner's Ace,<BR /> + +An' Poole gets sudden murder in 'is face. +<BR /> +<BR /> + +"I'm sick uv this 'ere game," 'e grunts. "It's tame." +<DIV>"Righto," I chips. "Suppose we toss it in?" </DIV> +Begg don't say nothin'; so we sling the game. +<DIV>On my wife's face I twigs a tiny grin. </DIV> +"Finished?" sez she, su'prised. 'Well, p'r'aps it's right.<BR /> + +It looks to me like 'earts was trumps to-night." +<BR /> +<BR /> +An' so they was. An', say, the game was grand. +<DIV>Two hours we sat while that ole mother told </DIV> +About 'er Jim, 'is letter in 'er 'and, +<DIV>An', on 'er face, a glowin' look that rolled </DIV> +The miles all up that lie 'twixt France an' 'ere, <BR /> +An' found 'er son, an' brought 'im very near. +<BR /> +<BR /> +A game uv Bridge it was, with 'earts for trumps. +<DIV>We was the dummies, sittin' silent there.</DIV> +I knoo the men, like me, was feelin' chumps: +<DIV>Foolin' with cards while this was in the air.</DIV> +It took Doreen to shove us in our place; <BR /> +An' mother 'eld the lot, right from the Ace. +<BR /><BR /> +She told us 'ow 'e said 'e'd writ before, +<DIV>An' 'ow the letters must lave gone astray; </DIV> +An' 'ow the stern ole father still was sore, +<DIV>But looked like 'e'd be soft'nin', day by day; </DIV> +'Ow pride in Jim peeps out be'ind 'is frown, <BR /> +An' 'ow the ole fool 'opes to 'ide it down.<BR /><BR /> + +"I knoo," she sez. "I never doubted Jim. +<DIV>But wot could any mother say or do </DIV> +When pryin' folks asked wot become uv 'im, +<DIV>But drop 'er eyes an' say she never knoo. </DIV> +Now I can lift me 'ead to that sly glance,<BR /> +An' say, 'Jim's fightin', with the rest, in France.'" +<BR /><BR /> +An' when she's gone, us four we don't require +<DIV>No gossipin' to keep us in imploy.</DIV> +Ole Poole sits starin' 'ard into the fire. +<DIV>I guessed that 'e was thinkin' uv 'is boy, </DIV> +'Oo's been right in it from the very start; <BR /> +An' Poole was thinkin' uv a father's part. +<BR /><BR /> +An' then 'e speaks: "This war 'as turned us 'ard. +<DIV>Suppose, four year ago, yeh said to me</DIV> +That I'd sit 'eedless, starin' at a card +<DIV>While that ole mother told--Good Lord!" sez 'e</DIV> +"It takes the women for to put us wise<BR /> +To playin' games in war-time," an' 'e sighs. +<BR /><BR /> +An' 'ere Doren sets out ot put 'im right. +<DIV> "There's games an' games," she sez."When women starts</DIV> +A hand at Bridge like she 'as played to-night +<DIV>It's Nature teachin' 'em to make it 'earts.</DIV> +The other suits are yours," she sez; "but then,<BR /> +That's as it should be, seein' you are men." +<BR /><BR /> +"Maybe," sez Poole; an' both gits up to go. +<DIV>I stands beside the door when they are gone,</DIV> +Watchin' their lantern swingin' to an' fro, +<DIV>An' 'ears Begg's voice as they goes trudgin' on:</DIV> +"If you 'ad led that Queen we might 'ave made. . . ." <BR /> +"Rubbidge!" shouts Poole."You mucked it with yer Spade!" + +</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<H3 ID="III">III. DAD</H3> + +<center> +<a href="images/bw03.png"> +<IMG SRC="images/bw03.png" width="50%" border=0 +ALT="Got no work uv yer own?"></a> +</center> + +<H4>Dad</H4> + +<BLOCKQUOTE> +<IMG SRC="images/I2.png" ALT=""I" width="15%" align="middle"> +'ve knowed ole Flood this last five year or more; <BR /> + +I knoo 'im when 'is Syd went to the war. +<DIV>A proud ole man 'e was. But I've watched 'im, </DIV> +<DIV>An' seen 'is look when people spoke uv Jim: </DIV> +As sour a look as most coves want to see.<BR /> +It made me glad that this 'ere Jim weren't me. +<BR /><BR /> +I sized up Flood the first day that we met--<BR /> +Stubborn as blazes when 'is mind is set, +<DIV>Ole-fashioned in 'is looks an' in 'is ways, </DIV> +<DIV>Believin' it is honesty that pays;</DIV> +An' still dead set, in spite uv bumps 'e's got, <BR /> +To keep on honest if it pays or not. +<BR /><BR /> +Poor ole Dad Flood, 'e is too old to fight <BR /> +By close on thirty year; but, if I'm right +<DIV>About 'is doin's an' about 'is grit, </DIV> +<DIV> 'E's done a fair bit over 'is fair bit. </DIV> +They are too old to fight, but, all the same, <BR /> +'Is kind's quite young enough to play the game. +<BR /><BR /> +I've 'eard it called, this war--an' it's the truth--<BR /> +I've 'eard it called the sacrifice uv youth. +<DIV>An' all this land 'as reckernized it too,</DIV> +<DIV>An' gives the boys the praises that is doo. </DIV> +I've 'eard the cheers for ev'ry fightin' lad; <BR /> +But, up to now, I ain't 'eard none for Dad. +<BR /><BR /> +Ole Flood, an' all 'is kind throughout the land, <BR /> +They ain't been 'eralded with no brass band, +<DIV>Or been much thought about; but, take my tip, </DIV> +<DIV>The war 'as found 'em with a stiffened lip, </DIV> +'Umpin' a load they thought they'd dropped for good, <BR /> +Crackin' reel 'ardy, an'--jist sawin' wood. +<BR /><BR /> +Dad Flood, 'is back is bent, 'is strength is gone;<BR /> +'E'd done 'is bit before this war come on. +<DIV>At sixty-five 'e thought 'is work was done; </DIV> +<DIV> 'E gave the farmin' over to 'is son, </DIV> +An' jist sat back in peace, with 'is ole wife,<BR /> +To spend content the ev'nin' uv 'is life. +<BR /><BR /> +Then come the war. An' when Syd 'esitates <BR /> +Between the ole folk an' 'is fightin' mates, +<DIV>The ole man goes outside an' grabs a hoe. </DIV> +<DIV>Sez 'e, "Yeh want to, an' yeh ought to go. </DIV> +Wot's stoppin' yeh?" 'E straightens 'is ole frame. <BR /> +"Ain't I farmed long enough to know the game?" +<BR /><BR /> +There weren't no more to say. An' Syd went--West: <BR /> +Into the sunset with ole Aussie's best. +<DIV>But no one ever 'eard no groans from Dad. </DIV> +<DIV>Though all 'is pride an' 'ope was in that lad </DIV> +'E showed no sign excep' to grow more grim. <BR /> +'Is son was gone--an' it was up to 'im. +<BR /><BR /> +One day last month when I was down at Flood's <BR /> +I seen 'im strugglin' with a bag uv spuds. +<DIV> "Look 'ere," I sez, "you let me spell yeh, Dad. </DIV> +<DIV>You 'umpin' loads like that's a bit too bad." </DIV> +'E gives a grunt that's more than 'arf a groan. <BR /> +"Wot's up?" 'e snaps. "Got no work uv yer own?" +<BR /><BR /> +That's 'im. But I've been tippin' that the pace <BR /> +Would tell; an' when 'is wife comes to our place, +<DIV>An' sez that Dad is ill an' took to bed,</DIV> +<DIV>Flat out with work--though that ain't wot she said--</DIV> +I ain't su'prised; an' tells 'er when I'm thro'<BR /> +I'll come across an' see wot I can do. +<BR /><BR /> + +I went across, an'--I come back again.<BR /> +Strike me! it's no use reas'nin' with some men. +<DIV>Stubborn ole cows! I'm sick uv them ole fools. </DIV> +<DIV>The way 'e yells, "Keep yer 'ands off my tools!" </DIV> +Yeh'd think I was a thief. 'Is missus said <BR /> +I'd better slope, or 'e'd be out uv bed. +<BR /><BR /> +'E 'eard us talkin' through the open door. <BR /> +"'Oo's that?" 'e croaks, altho' 'e tries to roar. +<DIV>An' when 'is wife ixplains it's only me </DIV> +<DIV>To 'elp a bit: "I want no charity!"</DIV> +'E barks. "I'll do me work meself, yeh 'ear?" <BR /> +An' then 'e gits so snarky that I clear. +<BR /><BR /> +But 'e'll do me. I like the ole boy's nerve. <BR /> +We don't do nothin' that 'e don't deserve; +<DIV>But me an' Peter Begg an' ole man Poole, </DIV> +<DIV>We fairly 'as our work cut out to fool</DIV> +The sly ole fox, when we sneaks down each day <BR /> +An' works a while to keep things under way. <BR /><BR /> + + + +We digs a bit, an' ploughs a bit, an' chops <BR /> +The wood, an' does the needful to 'is crops. +<DIV>We does it soft, an' when 'e 'ears a row </DIV> +<DIV> 'Is missus tells 'im it's the dog or cow. </DIV> +'E sez that it's queer noises for a pup.<BR /> +An'--there'll be ructions when ole Flood gits up. +<BR /><BR /> +It ain't all overwork that's laid 'im out.<BR /> +Ole Pride in 'im is fightin' 'ard with Doubt. +<DIV>To-day 'is wife sez, "Somethin's strange in 'im, </DIV> +<DIV>For in 'is sleep sometimes 'e calls for Jim.</DIV> +It's six long years," she sez, an' stops to shake <BR /> +'Er 'ead. "But 'e don't mention 'im awake."<BR /><BR /> + +Dad Flood. I thought 'im jist a stiff-necked fool<BR /> +Before the war; but, as I sez to Poole, +<DIV>This war 'as tested more than fightin' men. </DIV> +<DIV>But, say, 'e is an 'oly terror when</DIV> +Friends try to 'elp 'im earn a bite an' sup. <BR /> +Oh, there'll be 'Ell to pay when 'e gits up! + +<BR /><BR /> +</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<H3 ID="IV">IV. DIGGER SMITH</H3> +<center> +<a href="images/bw04.png"> +<IMG SRC="images/bw04.png" width="50%" border=0 +ALT="E looked like e was booked for keeps"></a> +</center> + +<H4>Digger Smith</H4> + +<BLOCKQUOTE> +<IMG SRC="images/E.png" ALT=""E" width="15%" align="middle"> + CALLS me Digger; that's 'ow 'e begins.<BR /> +'E sez 'e's only 'arf a man; an' grins. +<DIV>Judged be 'is nerve, I'd say 'e was worth two </DIV> +<IMG src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" width="200" height="1"> Uv me an' you.<BR /> + +Then 'e digs 'arf a fag out uv 'is vest, <BR /> +Borrers me matches, an' I gives 'im best. +<BR /><BR /> +The first I 'eard about it Poole told me.<BR /> +"There is a bloke called Smith at Flood's," sez 'e; +<DIV>Come there this mornin', sez 'e's come to stay, </DIV> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="200" height="1"> An' won't go 'way.<BR /> +Sez 'e was sent there be a pal named Flood; <BR /> +An' talks uv contracts sealed with Flanders mud. +<BR /><BR /> +"No matter wot they say, 'e only grins,"<BR /> +Sez Poole. "'E's rather wobbly on 'is pins. +<DIV>Seems like a soldier bloke. An' Peter Begg </DIV> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="200" height="1"> +'E sez one leg <BR /> +Works be machinery, but I dunno.<BR /> +I only know 'e's there an' 'e won't go. +<BR /><BR /> +"'E grins," sez Poole, "at ev'rything they say. <BR /> +Dad Flood 'as nearly 'ad a fit to-day. +<DIV> 'E's cursed, an' ordered 'im clean off the place;</DIV> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="200" height="1"> But this cove's face <BR /> +Jist goes on grinnin', an' 'e sez, quite carm, <BR /> +'E's come to do a bit around the farm." + <BR /><BR /> +The tale don't sound too good to me at all. <BR /> +"If 'e's a crook," I sez, "'e wants a fall. +<DIV>Maybe 'e's dilly. I'll go down an' see. </DIV> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="200" height="1"> +'E'll grin at me<BR /> +When I 'ave done, if 'e needs dealin' with." <BR /> +So I goes down to interview this Smith. +<BR /><BR /> + +'E 'ad a fork out in the tater patch.<BR /> +Sez 'e, "Why 'ello, Digger. Got a match?" +<DIV> "Digger?" I sez. "Well, you ain't digger 'ere. </DIV> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="200" height="1"> +You better clear.<BR /> +You ought to know that you can't dig them spuds. <BR /> +They don't belong to you; they're ole Dad Flood's." +<BR /><BR /> + +"Can't I?" 'e grins. "I'll do the best I can, <BR /> +Considerin' I'm only 'arf a man. +<DIV>Give us a light. I can't get none from Flood, </DIV> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="200" height="1"> An' mine is dud."<BR /> +I parts; an' 'e stands grinnin' at me still; <BR /> +An' then 'e sez, "'Ave yeh fergot me, Bill?" +<BR /><BR /> + +I looks, an' seen a tough bloke, short an' thin.<BR /> +Then, Lord! I recomembers that ole grin. +<DIV> "It's little Smith!" I 'owls, "uv Collin'wood.</DIV> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="200" height="1"> Lad, this is good!<BR /> +Last time I seen yeh, you an' Ginger Mick<BR /> +Was 'owling rags, out on yer final kick." +<BR /><BR /> +"Yer on to it," 'e sez. "Nex' day we sailed. <BR /> +Now 'arf uv me's back 'ome, an' 'arf they nailed. +<DIV>An' Mick. . . . Ar, well, Fritz took me down a peg." </DIV> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="200" height="1"> 'E waves 'is leg.<BR /> +"It ain't too bad," 'e sez, with 'is ole smile; <BR /> +"But when I starts to dig it cramps me style. +<BR /><BR /> + +"But I ain't grouchin'. It was worth the fun. <BR /> +We 'ad some picnic stoushin' Brother 'Un-- +<DIV>The only fight I've 'ad that some John 'Op </DIV> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width=150 height="1"> Don't come an' stop.<BR /> +They pulled me leg a treat, but, all the same, <BR /> +There's nothin' over 'ere to beat the game. <BR /><BR /> + +"An' now," 'e sez, "I'm 'ere to do a job<BR /> +I promised, if it was me luck to lob +<DIV>Back 'ome before me mate," 'e sez, an' then, </DIV> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="200" height="1"> 'E grins again.<BR /> +"As clear as mud," I sez. "But I can't work<BR /> +Me brains to 'old yer pace. +Say, wot's the lurk?" +<BR /><BR /> + + +So then 'e puts me wise. It seems that 'im <BR /> +An' this 'ere Flood--I tips it must be Jim-- +<DIV>Was cobbers up in France, an' things occurred. </DIV> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="200" height="1"> (I got 'is word<BR /> +Things did occur up there). +But, anyway, <BR /> +Seems Flood done somethin' good for 'im one day. +<BR /><BR /> +Then Smith 'e promised if 'e came back 'ome <BR /> +Before 'is cobber o'er the flamin' foam, +<DIV> 'E'd see the ole folks 'ere, an' 'e agreed, </DIV> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width=150 height="1"> If there was need,<BR /> +'E'd stay an' do a bit around the farm<BR /> +So long as 'e 'ad one sound, dinkum arm. +<BR /><BR /> + + +"So, 'ere I am," 'e sez, an' grins again.<BR /> +"A promise is a promise 'mong us men." +<DIV>Sez I, "You come along up to the 'ouse. </DIV> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width=150 height="1"> Ole Dad won't rouse <BR /> +When once 'e's got yer strength, an' as for Mar, <BR /> +She'll kiss yeh when she finds out 'oo yeh are." +<BR /><BR /> + + +So we goes up, an' finds 'em both fair dazed <BR /> +About this little Smith; they think 'e's crazed.<BR /> +<DIV>I tells the tale in words they understand;</DIV> +<img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width=150 height="1"> + Then it was grand<BR /> +To see Dad grab Smith's 'and an' pump it good, <BR /> +An' Mar, she kissed 'im, like I said she would. +<BR /><BR /> + +Mar sez 'e must be starved, an' right away<BR /> +The kettle's on, she's busy with a tray. +<DIV> An', when I left, this Digger Smith 'e looked </DIV> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width=150 height="1"> +Like 'e was booked <BR /> +For keeps, with tea an' bread an' beef inside. <BR /> +"Our little Willie's 'ome," 'e grins, "an' dried." +<BR /><BR /> +</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<H3 ID="V">V. WEST</H3> + +<center> +<a href="images/bw05.png"> +<IMG SRC="images/bw05.png" width="50%" border=0 +ALT="An when I ask Mar Flood"></a> +</center> + +<H4>West</H4> +<BLOCKQUOTE> +<IMG SRC="images/I3.png" ALT=""I" width="15%" align="middle"> +'VE seen so much uv dirt an' grime +<DIV>I'm mad to 'ave things clean. </DIV> +I've seen so much uv death," 'e said--<BR /> +"So many cobbers lyin' dead-- +<DIV>You won't know wot I mean; </DIV> +But, lad, I've 'ad so much uv strife<BR /> +I want things straightened in my life. +<BR /><BR /> + +"I've seen so much uv 'ate," 'e said-- +<DIV> "Mad 'ate an' silly rage--</DIV> +I'm yearnin' for clear thoughts," said 'e. <BR /> +"Kindness an' love seem good to me. +<DIV>I want a new, white page</DIV> +To start all over, clean an' good, <BR /> +An' live me life as reel men should."<BR /><BR /> + + +We're sittin' talkin' by the fence, +<DIV>The sun's jist goin' down, </DIV> +Paintin' the sky all gold an' pink. <BR /> +Said 'e, "When it's like that, I think--" +<DIV>An' then 'e stops to frown.</DIV> +Said 'e, "I think, when it's jist so,<BR /> +Uv . . . . God or somethin': I dunno. +<BR /><BR /> + +"I ain't seen much uv God," said 'e; +<DIV> "Not 'ere nor Over There;</DIV> +But, partly wot I've seen an' read,<BR /> +An' partly wot the padre said, +<DIV>It gits me when I stare</DIV> +Out West when it's like that is now.<BR /> +There must be somethin' else--some'ow. +<BR /><BR /> + +"I've thought a lot," said Digger Smith-- +<DIV>"Out There I thought a lot.</DIV> +I thought uv death, an' all the rest,<BR /> +An' uv me mates, good mates gone West; +<DIV>An' it ain't much I've got;</DIV> +But things get movin' in me 'ead <BR /> +When I look over there," 'e said. +<BR /><BR /> + +'E's got me beat, 'as little Smith. +<DIV>I knoo 'im years ago</DIV> +I knoo 'im as a reel tough boy <BR /> +'Oo roughed it up with 'oly joy; +<DIV>But now, well, I dunno.</DIV> +An' when I ask Mar Flood she sighs--<BR /> +An' sez 'e's got the Anzac eyes.<BR /> +<BR /> +She sez 'e's got them soldier's eyes +<DIV>That makes 'er own eyes wet.</DIV> +An' we must give 'im wholesome food <BR /> +An' lead 'is thoughts to somethin' good +<DIV>An' never let 'im fret.</DIV> +But 'e ain't frettin', seems to me; <BR /> +More--puzzled, fur as I can see. +<BR /><BR /> + + +The clouds above the hills was tore +<DIV>Apart, until, some'ow,</DIV> +It seemed like some big, shinin' gate.<BR /> +Said 'e, "Why, lad, I tell yeh straight, +<DIV>I feel like startin' now,</DIV> +An' walkin' on, an' on, an' thro', <BR /> +Dead game an'--Ain't it so to you? +<BR /><BR /> + + +"I've seen enough uv pain," 'e said, <BR /> +<DIV> "An' cursin', killin' 'ordes.</DIV> + I ain't the man to smooge with God <BR /> +To get to 'Eaven on the nod, +<DIV>Or 'owl 'ymns for rewards.</DIV> +But this believin'? Why--Oh, 'Struth <BR /> +This never 'it me in me youth. +<BR /><BR /> +"They talk uv love 'twixt men," said 'e. +<DIV>"That sounds dead crook to you. </DIV> +But lately I 'ave come to see." . . . <BR /> +"'Old on," I said; "it seems to me +<DIV>There's love uv women too.</DIV> +An' you?" 'E turns away 'is 'ead. <BR /> +"I'm only 'arf a man," 'e said. +<BR /><BR /> + + +"I've seen so much uv death," said 'e, +<DIV>"Me mind is in a whirl.</DIV> +I've 'ad so many thoughts uv late." . . .<BR /> +Said I, "Now, tell me, tell me straight; +<DIV>Own up; ain't there a girl?"</DIV> +Said 'e, "I've done the best I can. <BR /> +Wot does she want with 'arf a man?" +<BR /><BR /> + +It weren't no use. 'E wouldn't talk +<DIV>Uv nothin' but that sky.</DIV> +Said 'e, "Now, dinkum, talkin' square,<BR /> +When you git gazin' over there +<DIV>Don't you 'arf want to cry?</DIV> +I wouldn't be su'prised to see<BR /> +An angel comin' out," said 'e. +<BR /><BR /> + +"Gone West!" said Digger Smith. "Ah, lad, +<DIV>I've seen 'em goin' West,</DIV> +An' often wonder, when I look, <BR /> +If they 'ave 'ad it dealt 'em crook, +<DIV>Or if they've got the rest</DIV> +They earned twice over by the spell <BR /> +They spent down in that dinkum 'Ell." +<BR /><BR /> +The gold was creepin' up, the sun +<DIV>Was 'arf be'ind the range.</DIV> +It don't seem strange a man should cry <BR /> +To see that glory in the sky +<DIV>To me it don't seem strange. </DIV> +"Digger!" said 'e. "Look at it now! <BR /> +There must be somethin' else--some'ow." +<BR /><BR /> +</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<H3 ID="VI">VI. OVER THE FENCE</H3> + +<center> +<a href="images/bw06.png"> +<IMG SRC="images/bw06.png" width="50%" border=0 +ALT="Winnin the war?"></a> +</center> + +<H4>Over the Fence</H4> + +<BLOCKQUOTE> +<IMG SRC="images/T.png" ALT="T" width="15%" align="middle"> +AINT my idea uv argument to call a man a fool, <BR /> +An' I ain't lookin' round for bricks to 'eave at ole man Poole; +<DIV>But when 'e gets disputin' 'e's inclined to lose 'is 'ead.</DIV> +<DIV>It ain't so much 'is choice uv words as 'ow the words is said.</DIV> +<BR /> + +'E's sich a coot for takin' sides, as I sez to Doreen.<BR /> +Sez she, "'Ow can 'e, by 'imself ?"Wotever that may mean. +<DIV>My wife sez little things sometimes that nearly git me riled. </DIV> +<DIV>I knoo she meant more than she said be that soft way she smiled.</DIV> +<BR /> + +To-day, when I was 'arrowin', Poole comes down to the fence<BR /> +To get the loan uv my long spade; an' uses that pretence +<DIV>To 'ave a bit uv friendly talk, an' one word leads to more, </DIV> +<DIV>As is the way with ole man Poole, as I've remarked before. </DIV> +<BR /> + +The spade reminds 'im 'ow 'e done some diggin' in 'is day, <BR /> +An' diggin' brings the talk to earth, an' earth leads on to clay, +<DIV>Then clay quite natural reminds a thinkin' bloke uv bricks, </DIV> +<DIV>An' mortar brings up mud, an' then, uv course, it's politics.</DIV><BR /> + +Now, Poole sticks be 'is Party, an' I don't deny 'is right; <BR /> +But when 'e starts abusin' mine 'e's lookin' for a fight. +<DIV>So I delivers good 'ome truths about 'is crowd; then Poole </DIV> +<DIV>Wags 'is ole beard across the fence an' tells me I'm a fool.</DIV> +<BR /> + +Now, that's the dizzy limit; so I lays aside the reins,<BR /> +An' starts to prove 'e's storin' mud where most blokes keeps + their brains. +<DIV> 'E decorates 'is answers, an' we're goin' it ding-dong,</DIV> +<DIV>When this returned bloke, Digger Smith, comes sauntering along.</DIV> +<BR /> + +Poole's gripped the fence as though 'e means to tear the rails + in two,<BR /> +An' eyes my waggin' finger like 'e wants to 'ave a chew. +<DIV>Then Digger Smith 'e grins at Poole, an' then 'e looks at me, </DIV> +<DIV>An' sez, quite soft an' friendly-like, "Winnin' the war?" sez 'e.</DIV> +<BR /> + +Now, Poole deserves it, an' I'm pleased the lad give 'im that jolt. <BR /> +'E goes fair mad in argument when once 'e gets a holt. +<DIV> "Yeh make me sad," sez Digger Smith; "the both uv you," sez 'e.</DIV> +<DIV> "The both uv us! Gawstruth!" sez I. "You ain't includin' me?"</DIV> +<BR /> + +"Well, it takes two to make a row," sez little Digger Smith. <BR /> +"A bloke can't argue 'less 'e 'as a bloke to argue with. +<DIV>I've come 'ome from a dinkum scrap to find this land uv light </DIV> +<DIV>Is chasin' its own tail around an' callin' it a fight.</DIV> +<BR /> +"We've seen a thing or two, us blokes 'oo've fought on many fronts;<BR /> +An' we've 'ad time to think a bit between the fightin' stunts. +<DIV>We've seen big things, an' thought big things, an' all the </DIV> + silly fuss, +<DIV>That used to get us rattled once, seems very small to us.</DIV> +<BR /> + +"An' when a bloke's fought for a land an' gets laid on the shelf <BR /> + +It pains 'im to come 'ome an' find it scrappin' with itself; +<DIV>An' scrappin' all for nothin', or for things that look so </DIV> + small-- +<DIV>To us, 'oo've been in bigger things, they don't seem reel at all.</DIV> +<BR /> + + +"P'r'aps we 'ave 'ad some skite knocked out, an' p'r'aps we see + more clear,<BR /> +But seems to us there's plenty cleanin'-up to do round 'ere. +<DIV>We've learnt a little thing or two, an' we 'ave unlearnt 'eaps, </DIV> +<DIV>An' silly partisans, with us, is counted out for keeps.</DIV> +<BR /> + +"This takin' sides jist for the sake uv takin' sides--Aw, 'Struth! <BR /> +I used to do them things one time, back in me foolish youth. +<DIV>Out There, when I remembered things, I've kicked meself reel good.</DIV> +<DIV>In football days I barracked once red 'ot for Collin'wood.</DIV> +<BR /> + +"I didn't want to see a game, nor see no justice done. <BR /> +It never mattered wot occurred as long as my side won. +<DIV>The other side was narks an' cows an' rotters to a man; </DIV> +<DIV>But mine was all reel bonzer chaps. I was a partisan.</DIV> +<BR /><BR /> + +"It might sound like swelled-'ead," sez Smith. "But show me, if yeh can." . . .<BR /> +"'Old 'ard," sez Poole. "Jist tell me this: wot is a partisan?" +<DIV>Then Digger Smith starts to ixplain; Poole interrupts + straight out;</DIV> +<DIV>An' I wades in to give my views, an' 'as to nearly shout.</DIV> +<BR /><BR /> + +We battles on for one good hour. My team sleeps where it stands;<BR /> +An' Poole 'as tossed the spade away to talk with both 'is 'ands; +<DIV>An' Smith 'as dropped the maul 'e 'ad. Then I looks round to see</DIV> +<DIV>Doreen quite close. She smiles at us. "Winnin' the war?" sez she.</DIV> +<BR /><BR /> +</BLOCKQUOTE> + + +<H3 ID="VII">VII. A DIGGER'S TALE</H3> + +<center> +<a href="images/bw07.png"> +<IMG SRC="images/bw07.png" width="50%" border=0 +ALT="You ear a lot"></a> +</center> + +<H4>A Digger's Tale</H4> + +<BLOCKQUOTE><IMG SRC="images/M.png" ALT=""I" width="15%" align="middle"> +Y oath!' the Duchess sez. `You'd not ixpect +<DIV>Sich things as that. Yeh don't mean kangaroos?</DIV> +Go hon!' she sez, or words to that effect-- +<DIV> (It's 'ard to imitate the speech they use) </DIV> +I tells 'er, 'Straight; I drives 'em four-in-'and<BR /> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width=170 height="1"> +'Ome in my land.' +<BR /><BR /> + +"You 'ear a lot," sez little Digger Smith, +<DIV>"About 'ow English swells is so stand-off. </DIV> +Don't yeh believe it; it's a silly myth. +<DIV>I've been reel cobbers with the British toff </DIV> +While I'm on leaf; for Blighty liked our crowd, <BR /> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width=170 height="1"> An' done us proud. + +<BR /><BR /> + +"Us Aussies was the goods in London town +<DIV>When I was there. If they jist twigged yer 'at </DIV> +The Dooks would ask yeh could yeh keep one down, +<DIV>An' Earls would 'ang out `Welcome' on the mat, </DIV> +An' sling yeh invites to their stately 'alls<BR /> +<img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="170" height="1"> +For fancy balls. +<BR /><BR /> + +"This Duchess--I ain't quite sure uv 'er rank; +<DIV>She might uv been a Peeress. I dunno. </DIV> +I meets 'er 'usband first. 'E owns a bank, +<DIV>I 'eard, an' 'arf a dozen mints or so.</DIV> +A dinkum toff. 'E sez, `Come 'ome with me <BR /> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="170" height="1"> An' 'ave some tea.' +<BR /> +<BR /> + +"That's 'ow I met this Duchess Wot's-'er-name-- +<DIV>Or Countess--never mind 'er moniker;</DIV> +I ain't no 'and at this 'ere title game-- +<DIV>An' right away, I was reel pals with 'er. </DIV> +`Now, tell me all about yer 'ome,' sez she,<BR /> +<img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="170" height="1"> + An' smiles at me. +<BR /> +<BR /> + +"That knocks me out. I know it ain't no good +<DIV>Paintin' word-picters uv the things I done </DIV> +Out 'ome 'ere, barrackin' for Collin'wood, +<DIV>Or puntin' on the flat at Flemin'ton.</DIV> +I know this Baroness uv Wot-yeh-call <BR /> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="170" height="1"> Wants somethin' tall. +<BR /> +<BR /> +"I thinks reel 'ard; an' then I lets it go. +<DIV>I tells 'er, out at Richmond, on me Run--</DIV> +A little place uv ten square mile or so-- +<DIV>I'm breedin' boomerangs; which is reel fun, </DIV> +When I ain't troubled by the wild Jonops <BR /> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width=150 height="1"> That eats me crops. +<BR /> +<BR /> + + +"I talks about the wondrous Boshter Bird +<DIV>That builds 'er nest up in the Cobber Tree, </DIV> +An' 'atches out 'er young on May the third, +<DIV>Stric' to the minute, jist at 'arf pas' three. </DIV> +'Er eyes get big. She sez, `Can it be true?'<BR /> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="170" height="1"> 'Er eyes was blue. +<BR /> +<BR /> +"An' then I speaks uv sport, an' tells 'er 'ow +<DIV>In 'untin' our wild Wowsers we imploy </DIV> +Large packs uv Barrackers, an' 'ow their row +<DIV>Wakes echoes in the forests uv Fitzroy, </DIV> +Where lurks the deadly Shicker Snake 'oo's breath <BR /> +<img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="200" height="1"> Is certain death. +<BR /><BR /> + + + +<BR /> +"I'm goin' on to talk uv kangaroos, +<DIV>An' 'ow I used to drive 'em four-in-'and. </DIV> +`Wot?' sez the Marchioness. `Them things in Zoos +<DIV>That 'ops about? I've seen 'em in the Strand </DIV> +In double 'arness; but I ain't seen four.<BR /> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="145" height="1"> Tell me some more.' +<BR /><BR /> + +"I baulks a bit at that; an' she sez, `Well, +<DIV>There ain't no cause at all for you to feel </DIV> +Modest about the things you 'ave to tell; +<DIV>An' wot yeh say sounds wonderfully reel. </DIV> +Your talk'--an' 'ere I seen 'er eyelids flick--<BR /> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width=150 height="1"> `Makes me 'omesick. +<BR /><BR /> + +"'I reckerlect,' she sez--`Now, let me see-- +<DIV>In Gippsland, long ago, when I was young, </DIV> +I 'ad a little pet Corroboree,' +<DIV> (I sits up in me chair like I was stung.)</DIV> +`On its 'ind legs,' she sez, `it used to stand. <BR /> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width=150 height="1"> Fed from me 'and.' +<BR /><BR /> + +"Uv course, I threw me alley in right there. +<DIV>This Princess was a dinkum Aussie girl. </DIV> +I can't do nothin' else but sit an' stare, +<DIV>Thinkin' so rapid that me 'air roots curl. </DIV> +But 'er? She sez, 'I ain't 'eard talk so good <BR /> <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width=150 height="1"> Since my child'ood.<BR /><BR /> + +"`I wish,' sez she, `I could be back again +<DIV>Beneath the wattle an' that great blue sky. </DIV> +It's like a breath uv 'ome to meet you men. +<DIV>You've done reel well,' she sez. `Don't you be shy. </DIV> +When yer in Blighty once again,' sez she,<BR /> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width="150" height="1"> `Come an' see me.' +<BR /><BR /> +"I don't see 'er no more; 'cos I stopped one. +<DIV>But, 'fore I sails, I gits a billy doo </DIV> +Which sez, `Give my love to the dear ole Sun, + <DIV>An' take an exile's blessin' 'ome with you. </DIV> +An' if you 'ave some boomerangs to spare, <BR /> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width=150 height="1"> Save me a pair. +<BR /><BR /> + +"'I'd like to see 'em play about,' she wrote, +<DIV> `Out on me lawn, an' stroke their pretty fur.</DIV> +God bless yeh, boy.' An' then she ends 'er note, +<DIV> 'Yer dinkum cobber,' an' 'er moniker.</DIV> +A sport? You bet! She's marri'd to an Earl--<BR /> + <img src="images/space.png" ALT="indent" +width=150 height="1"> An Aussie girl." + +<BR /><BR /> +</BLOCKQUOTE> + + +<H3 ID="VIII">VIII. JIM'S GIRL</H3> + +<center> +<a href="images/bw08.png"> +<IMG SRC="images/bw08.png" width="50%" border=0 +ALT="Jim used to talk to me at night"></a> +</center> + +<H4>Jim's Girl</H4> +<BLOCKQUOTE> +<IMG SRC="images/O.png" ALT=""O" width="15%" align="middle"> + +O is that girl," sez Digger Smith, <BR /> + +"That never seems to bother with +<DIV>No blokes: the bint with curly 'air? </DIV> +<DIV>I've often seen 'er over there </DIV> +Talkin' to Missus Flood, an' she <BR /> +Seems like a reel ripe peach to me. + <BR /> <BR /> + +"Not that I'm askin'" . . . 'Ere 'is eyes <BR /> +Goes sort uv swiv'ly, an' 'e sighs. +<DIV>"Not that I'm askin' with idears</DIV> +<DIV>Uv love an' marridge; 'ave no fears. </DIV> +I've chucked the matrimony plan," <BR /> +'E sez. "I'm only 'arf a man." + <BR /> <BR /> + +This Digger Smith 'as fairly got <BR /> +Me rampin' with 'is "'arf man" rot. +<DIV> 'E 'as a timber leg, it's true;</DIV> +<DIV>But 'e can do the work uv two. </DIV> +Besides, the things 'e's done Out There <BR /> +Makes 'im one man an' some to spare. + <BR /> <BR /> + +I knoo 'is question was jist kid. <BR /> +'E'd met this girl; I know 'e did. +<DIV> 'E knoo Jim Flood an' 'er was booked </DIV> +<DIV> For double when the 'Un was cooked. </DIV> +But, seein' 'er, it used to start<BR /> +'Im thinkin' uv another tart. +<BR /><BR /> + +"Oh, 'er?" sez I. "She is a pearl. <BR /> +I've 'eard she used to be Jim's girl; +<DIV> But she was jist a child when Jim </DIV> +<DIV> Got out. She 'as forgotten 'im."</DIV> +I knows jist wot was in 'is mind,<BR /> +An' sez, "Wade in, if you're inclined." +<BR /><BR /> + +'E give me sich a narsty look<BR /> +I thought 'e meant to answer crook; +<DIV> But, "I ain't out for jokes," sez 'e </DIV> +<DIV> "Yeh needn't sling that stuff to me.</DIV> +I only was jist thinkin'--p'r'aps . . . . . <BR /> +There's some," 'e sez, "that sticks to chaps. +<BR /><BR /> + +"Some girls," sez 'e, "keeps true to chaps, <BR /> +An' wed 'em when they've done with scraps, +<DIV> An' come 'ome whole. Yeh don't ixpec' </DIV> +<DIV> No tart to tie up to a wreck?</DIV> +Besides," 'e sez. . . . "Well, any'ow, <BR /> +That girl's all right; I know it now. +<BR /><BR /> + +"I know," sez Smith. "I got it right. <BR /> +Jim used to talk to me at night +<DIV> About a little girl 'e tracked.</DIV> +<DIV> 'Er name is Flo. Ain't that a fact? </DIV> +That's 'er. I know she writes to 'im<BR /> +Each mail. She ain't forgotten Jim. +<BR /><BR /> + + +"I'd like to swap my luck for Jim's <BR /> +If 'e comes 'ome with all 'is limbs. +<DIV> An', if 'e don't--well, I dunno. </DIV> +<DIV> I've taken notice uv this Flo, </DIV> +An' wonder if"--'e stares at me--<BR /> +"If there is more like 'er" sez 'e. +<BR /><BR /> + +Now, Digger Smith 'as learned a lot <BR /> +Out fightin' there, but 'e ain't got +<DIV> The cunnin' for to 'ide 'is 'eart.</DIV> +<DIV> 'E's too dam honest, for a start;</DIV> +'Is mind's dead simple to a friend.<BR /> +I've read 'im through from end to end. +<BR /><BR /> + +I've learned from things 'e 'asn't said <BR /> +Jist wot's been runnin in 'is 'ead. +<DIV> I know there is a girl, somewhere; </DIV> +<DIV> Some one 'oo 'ad the 'eart to care </DIV> +For 'im when 'e went to the war.<BR /> +I know all that, an' somethin' more. +<BR /><BR /> +I know that since 'e came back 'ere <BR /> +'E 'asn't seen that girl for fear +<DIV>She'd turn 'im down--give 'im the bird, </DIV> +<DIV>An' 'and 'im out the frozen word, </DIV> +Because 'e's left a leg in France; <BR /> +An' 'e's afraid to take a chance. + <BR /> <BR /> + +Well, not afraid, per'aps, but--shook. <BR /> +It's jist the form 'is nerves 'ave took. +<DIV>Now 'e's been watchin' Flo an' seen</DIV> +<DIV> 'Er style, an' 'ow she's always keen</DIV> +For news uv Jim.Then 'e starts out<BR /> +To 'ope, an' 'esitate, an' doubt. + <BR /> <BR /> + + +'E wonders if 'is own girl spoke<BR /> +Jist this same way about 'er bloke. +<DIV> 'E wonders if in 'is girl's eyes</DIV> +<DIV>That same look came; an' then 'e sighs,</DIV> +An' dulls 'is senses with the dope<BR /> +That 'arf a man ain't got no 'ope. +<BR /><BR /> + + + +'E makes me tired. But, all the same,<BR /> +I tries to work a little game. +<DIV> "Look 'ere," I sez. +"About this Flo. </DIV> +<DIV>Jim mightn't come back 'ome, yeh know. </DIV> +You 'ave a fly; yeh're sure to score; <BR /> +Besides, all's fair in love an' war." +<BR /><BR /> + + +"Sling that!" 'e sez; but I goes on<BR /> +"Ole Jim won't blame yeh when she's gone. +<DIV> 'E knows, the same as me an' you, </DIV> +<DIV>These silly tarts, they can't keep true." </DIV> +I piles it on until I've got<BR /> +'Im where I want 'im--jumpin' 'ot. +<BR /><BR /> + +An' then 'e sez, "'Ere, sling that talk!<BR /> +I might be groggy in me walk; +<DIV>But if yeh say them things to me</DIV> +<DIV>I'm man enough to crack yeh; see?"</DIV> +"Righto," sez I. "That was me plan.<BR /> +Now wot about this 'arf a man?" +<BR /><BR /> + +'E stares at me, an' then sez, slow,<BR /> +"Wot is yer game? Wot do yeh know?" +<DIV> "Nothin'," I tells 'im, "only this</DIV> +<DIV>When there's a waitin' tart to kiss</DIV> +Yeh're only 'arf a man; but when<BR /> +There's blokes to fight, yeh're twenty men." +<BR /><BR /> + +"Wot tart?" 'e asks. "Yeh mean this Flo?"<BR /> +"P'r'aps not," I sez. "You ought to know." +<DIV>I waits to let me words sink in.</DIV> +<DIV>An' then--'e beats me with that grin. </DIV> +"Match-makin', Bill?" 'e laughs. "Oh, 'Ell! <BR /> +You take up knittin' for a spell." +<BR /><BR /> +</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<H3 ID="IX">IX. THE BOYS OUT THERE</H3> + +<center> +<a href="images/bw09.png"> +<IMG SRC="images/bw09.png" width="50%" border=0 +ALT="Our granddads; and their women, too"></a> +</center> + +<H4>The Boys Out There</H4> + +<BLOCKQUOTE> +<IMG SRC="images/W.png" ALT=""W" width="15%" align="middle"> + +HY do they do it? I dunno," +<DIV>Sez Digger Smith. "Yeh got me beat. </DIV> +Some uv the yarns yeh 'ear is true,<BR /> + +An' some is rather umptydoo, +<DIV>An' some is--indiscreet.</DIV> +But them that don't get to the crowd, <BR /> +Them is the ones would make yeh proud." +<BR /><BR /> + +With Digger Smith an' other blokes +<DIV>'Oo 'ave returned it's much the same </DIV> +They'll talk uv wot they've seen an' done<BR /> +When they've been out to 'ave their fun; +<DIV>But no word uv the game.</DIV> +On fights an' all the tale uv blood <BR /> +Their talk, as they remark, is dud. +<BR /><BR /> + +It's so with soldiers, I 'ave 'eard, +<DIV>All times. The things that they 'ave done, </DIV> +War-mad, with blood before their eyes,<BR /> +An' in their ears wild fightin' cries, +<DIV>They ever after shun.</DIV> +P'r'aps they forget; or find it well<BR /> +Not to recall too much uv 'Ell. +<BR /><BR /> + +An' when they won't loose up their talk +<DIV>It's 'ard for us to understand</DIV> +'Ow all those boys we used to know,<BR /> +Ole Billo, Jim an' Tom an' Joe, +<DIV>Done things to beat the band.</DIV> +We knoo they'd fight; but they've became <BR /> +'Ead ringers at the fightin' game. +<BR /><BR /> + +Well, wot I've 'eard from Digger Smith +<DIV>An' other soldier blokes like 'im</DIV> +I've put together bit by bit,<BR /> +An' chewed a long time over it; +<DIV>An' now I've got a dim</DIV> +An' 'azy notion in me 'ead<BR /> +Why they is battlers, born an' bred. +<BR /><BR /> + +Wot did they know uv war first off, +<DIV>When they joined up? Wot did I know </DIV> +When I was tossed out on me neck<BR /> +As if I was a shattered wreck +<DIV>The time I tried to go?</DIV> +Flat feet! Me feet 'as len'th an' brea'th<BR /> +Enough to kick a 'Un to death! +<BR /><BR /> + + +They don't know nothin', bein' reared +<DIV>Out 'ere where war 'as never spread--</DIV> +"A land by bloodless conquest won,"<BR /> +As some son uv a writin' gun +<DIV>Sez in a book I read</DIV> +They don't know nix but wot they're told <BR /> +At school; an' that sticks till they're old. +<BR /><BR /> + +Yeh've got to take the kid at school, +<DIV>Gettin' 'is 'ist'ry lesson learned--</DIV> +Then tales uv Nelson an' uv Drake, <BR /> +Uv Wellin'ton an' Fightin' Blake. +<DIV> 'Is little 'eart 'as burned</DIV> +To get right out an' 'ave a go, <BR /> +An' sock it into some base foe. +<BR /><BR /> + +Nothin' but glory fills 'is mind; +<DIV>The British charge is somethin' grand; </DIV> +The soldier that 'e reads about<BR /> +Don't 'ave no time for fear an' doubt; +<DIV>'E's the 'eroic brand.</DIV> +So, when that boy gets in the game, <BR /> +'E jist wades in an' does the same. +<BR /><BR /> + +Not bein' old 'ands at the stunt, +<DIV>They simply does as they are told; </DIV> +But, bein' Aussies--Spare me days!--<BR /> +They never thinks uv other ways, +<DIV>But does it brave an' bold. </DIV> +That's 'arf; an' for the other part <BR /> +Yeh got to go back to the start. +<BR /><BR /> + +Yeh've got to go right back to Dad, +<DIV>To Gran'dad and the pioneers, </DIV> +'Oo packed up all their bag uv tricks<BR /> +An' come out 'ere in fifty-six, +<DIV>An' battled thro' the years;</DIV> +Our Gran'dads; _and their women, too_,<BR /> +That 'ad the grit to face the new. +<BR /><BR /> + +It's that old stock; an', more than that, +<DIV>It's Bill an' Jim an' ev'ry son </DIV> +Gettin' three good meat meals a day <BR /> +An' 'eaps uv chance to go an' play +<DIV>Out in the bonzer sun.</DIV> +It's partly that; but, don't forget, <BR /> +When it's all said, there's somethin' yet. +<BR /><BR /> + +There's somethin' yet; an' there I'm beat. +<DIV>Crowds uv these lads I've known, but then, </DIV> +They 'ave got somethin' from this war, <BR /> +Somethin' they never 'ad before, +<DIV>That makes 'en better men. </DIV> +Better? There's no word I can get <BR /> +To name it right. There's somethin' yet. +<BR /><BR /> + +We 'ear a lot about reward; +<DIV>We praise, an' sling the cheers about; </DIV> +But there was debts we can't repay <BR /> +Piled up on us one single day-- +<DIV>When that first list come out. </DIV> +There ain't no way to pay that debt. <BR /> +Do wot we can--there's somethin' yet. +<BR /><BR /> +</BLOCKQUOTE> + + +<H3 ID="X">X. HALF A MAN</H3> + +<center> +<a href="images/bw10.png"> +<IMG SRC="images/bw10.png" width="50%" border=0 +ALT="Then, fore e knows"></a> +</center> + +<H4>Half a Man</H4> + +<BLOCKQUOTE> +<IMG SRC="images/I4.png" ALT=""I" width="15%" align="middle"> + + WASH me 'ands uv 'im," I tells 'em, straight. +<DIV>"You women can do wot yeh dash well like. </DIV> +I leave this 'arf a man to 'is own fate; +<DIV>I've done me bit, an' now I'm gone on strike. </DIV> +Do wot yeh please; but don't arsk 'elp from me; <BR /> + +'E's give me nerves; so now I'll let 'im be." + <BR /> <BR /> +Doreen an' ole Mar Flood 'as got a scheme. +<DIV>They've been conspirin' for a week or more </DIV> +About this Digger Smith, an' now they dream +<DIV>They've got 'is fucher waitin' in cool store </DIV> +To 'and 'im out, an' fix 'im up for life. <BR /> +But they've got Buckley's, as I tells me wife. + <BR /> <BR /> + +I've seen 'em whisperin' up in our room. +<DIV>Now they wants me to join in the debate; </DIV> +But, "Nix," I tells 'em. "I ain't in the boom, +<DIV>An' Digger Smith ain't risin' to me bait; </DIV> +'E's fur too fly a fish for me to catch, <BR /> +An' two designin' women ain't 'is match." + <BR /> <BR /> + +I puts me foot down firm, an' tells 'em, No! +<DIV>Their silly plan's a thing I wouldn't touch. </DIV> +An' then me wife, for 'arf an hour or so, +<DIV>Talks to me confident, of nothin' much; </DIV> +Then, 'fore I know it, I am all red 'ot <BR /> +Into the scheme, an' leader uv the plot. + <BR /> <BR /> +'Twas Mar Flood starts it. She got 'old uv 'im-- +<DIV>You know the way they 'ave with poor, weak men--</DIV> +She drops a tear or two concernin' Jim; +<DIV>Tells 'im wot women 'ave to bear; an' then</DIV> +She got 'im talkin', like a woman can. <BR /> +'E never would 'ave squeaked to any man. + <BR /> <BR /> +She leads 'im on--It's crook the way they scheme +<DIV>To talk about this girl 'e's left be'ind.</DIV> +Not that she's pryin'! Why, she wouldn't dream!-- +<DIV>But speakin' uv it might jist ease 'is mind. </DIV> +Then, 'fore 'e knows, 'e's told, to 'is su'prise, <BR /> +Name an' address--an' colour uv 'er eyes! + <BR /> <BR /> + +An' then she's off 'ere plottin' with Doreen-- +<DIV>Bustin' a confidence, I tells 'em, flat.</DIV> +But all me roustin' leaves 'em both serene +<DIV>Women don't see a little thing like that. </DIV> +An' I ain't cooled off yet before they've got <BR /> +Me workin' for 'em in this crooked plot. + <BR /> <BR /> + +Nex' day Mar Flood she takes 'er Sund'y dress +<DIV>An' 'er best little bonnet up to town.</DIV> +'Er game's to see the girl at this address +<DIV>An' word 'er in regard to comin' down </DIV> +To take Smith be su'prise. My part's to fix <BR /> +A meetin' so there won't be any mix. + <BR /> <BR /> + +I tips, some'ow, that girl won't 'esitate. +<DIV>She don't. She comes right back with Mar nex' day, </DIV> + +All uv a fluster. When I seen 'er state +<DIV>I thinks I'd best see Digger straight away; </DIV> +'Cos, if I don't, 'e's bound to 'ear the row, <BR /> +With 'er: "Where is 'e? Can't I see 'im now?" + <BR /> <BR /> + +I finds 'im in the paddick down at Flood's. +<DIV>I 'ums an' 'ars a bit about the crops.</DIV> +'E don't say nothin': goes on baggin' spuds. +<DIV> "'Ow would yeh like," I sez to 'im, an' stops. </DIV> +"'Ow would it be" . . . 'E stands an' looks at me <BR /> +"Now, wot the 'Ell's got into you?" sez 'e. <BR /> <BR /> + +That don't restore me confidence a bit. +<DIV>The drarmer isn't goin' as I tipped. </DIV> +I corfs, an' makes another shot at it; +<DIV>While 'e looks at me like 'e thinks I'm dipped. </DIV> +"Well--jist suppose," I sez; an' then I turn <BR /> +An' see 'er standin' there among the fern. + <BR /> <BR /> +She don't want no prelimin'ries, this tart; +<DIV>She's broke away before they rung the bell; </DIV> +She's beat the gun, an' got a flyin' start. +<DIV>Smith makes a funny noise, an' I sez, "'Ell" </DIV> +Because I tumbles that I'm out uv place: <BR /> +But, as I went, I caught sight uv 'er face. + <BR /> <BR /> + +That's all I want to know. An', as I ran, +<DIV>I 'ears 'er cry, "My man! Man an' a 'arf! </DIV> +Don't fool me with yer talk uv 'arf a man!". . . . +<DIV>An' then I 'ears ole Digger start to larf.</DIV> +It was a funny larf, so 'elp me bob: <BR /> +Fair in the middle uv it come a sob. . . . + <BR /> <BR /> + +I don't see Digger till the other night. +<DIV> "Well, 'Arf-a-man," I sez. "'Ow goes it now?" </DIV> +"Yes, 'arf a man," sez 'e. "Yeh got it right; +<DIV>I can't change that, alone, not any'ow.</DIV> +But she is mendin' things." 'E starts to larf. <BR /> +"Some day," 'e sez, "she'll be the better 'arf." + <BR /> <BR /> +</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<H3 ID="XI">XI. SAWIN' WOOD</H3> + +<center> +<a href="images/bw11.png"> +<IMG SRC="images/bw11.png" width="50%" border=0 +ALT="But nothins doin"></a> +</center> + +<H4>Sawin' Wood</H4> +<BLOCKQUOTE> +<IMG SRC="images/I5.png" ALT="I" width="15%" align="middle"> + + WONDERED wot was doin'. First I seen +<BR /> +Ole Missus Flood wave signals to Doreen. +<DIV>I'm in the paddick slashin' down some ferns; </DIV> +<DIV>She's comin' up the road; an' if she turns </DIV> +An 'andspring I won't be su'prised a bit,<BR /> +The way she's caperin', an' goin' it. +<BR /><BR /> + +She yells out some remark when she gets near, <BR /> +Which I don't catch, I'm too fur off to 'ear. +<DIV>An' then Doreen comes prancin' to our door, </DIV> +<DIV>An' Missus Flood she sprints, an' yells some more; </DIV> +My wife runs to the gate an' waves 'er arms. . . . <BR /> +But I lays low; I'm used to these alarms. +<BR /><BR /> + +A marri'd bloke, in time, 'e learns a bit; <BR /> +An' 'e ain't over keen to throw a fit +<DIV>Each time the women calls the fire-reel out. </DIV> +<DIV>It's jist a trifle 'e'll know all about</DIV> +When things get normal. That's a point I learn; <BR /> +So I saws wood, an' keeps on cuttin' fern. +<BR /><BR /> + +At least, I cut a few. I got to give<BR /> +Reel fac's, an' own I was inquisitive; +<DIV>An' these 'ere fireworks gets me fair perplexed. </DIV> +<DIV>I watch the 'ouse to see wot 'appens next;</DIV> +But nothin's doin'. They jist goes on in, +<BR /> +An' leaves me wonderin' wot's caused the din. +<BR /><BR /> + +I stands it for a full 'arf-hour or more; <BR /> +Then gets dead sick uv starin' at the door. +<DIV>I goes down to the 'ouse an' 'unts about</DIV> +<DIV>To find some 'baccer, which I 'ave no doubt </DIV> +Is in me trousers pocket all the while.<BR /> +When I goes in, the talk stops, an' they smile. +<BR /><BR /> + +I sez I've lost me smoke, an' search a bit, <BR /> +An' ask Doreen wot 'as became uv it, +<DIV>An' turns the mantelshelf all upside-down, </DIV> +<DIV>An' looks inside the teapot, with a frown; </DIV> +Then gives it up, an' owns I'd like a drink;<BR /> +When Missus Flood sez, "Bill, _wot do you think_?" +<BR /><BR /> + +Now, ain't that like a woman? Spare me days, <BR /> +I'll never get resigned to all their ways. +<DIV>When they 'as news to tell they smile, an' wink, </DIV> +<DIV>An' bottle it, an' ask yeh wot yeh think.</DIV> +It's jist a silly game uv theirs, an' so,<BR /> +I gives the countersign: "Wot? I dunno." +<BR /><BR /> + +"Then guess," she sez. Well, I'm a patient bloke, <BR /> +So I sits down an' starts to cut a smoke.<BR /> +<DIV> (To play this game yeh've got to persevere.) </DIV> +<DIV>"Couldn't," I sez, "if I guessed for a year"; </DIV> +Then lights me pipe, an' waits for 'er to speak. <BR /> +At last she sez, "<I>Jim's comin' back next week</I>!" +<BR /><BR /> + +"Go on," sez I; an' puffs away awhile<BR /> +Quite unconcerned. But for to see 'er smile +<DIV>Was jist a treat: 'er eyes was shinin' bright, </DIV> +<DIV>An' she'd grow'd ten years younger in a night. </DIV> +Jist 'ere, Doreen she sez to me, "Good Lor, <BR /> +Wot do yeh want <I>two</I> plugs uv 'baccer for?" +<BR /><BR /> + +I takes me pipe out uv me mouth an' stares,<BR /> +An' stammers, "Must 'ave found a piece--somewheres." +<DIV>But, by the way she smiles--so extra sweet--</DIV> +<DIV>I know she twigs me game, an' I am beat. </DIV> +"Fancy," she sez. "Yeh're absent-minded, dear. <BR /> +Sure there was nothin' else yeh wanted 'ere?" +<BR /><BR /> + +"Nothin'," I sez, an' feels a first-prize fool; <BR /> +An' goes outside, an' grabs the nearest tool. +<DIV>It was the crosscut; so I works like mad </DIV> +<DIV>To keep me self-respeck from goin' bad. </DIV> +"This game," I tells meself, "will do yeh good. <BR /> +You ain't proficient, yet, at sawin' wood." +<BR /><BR /> +</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<H3 ID="XII">XII. JIM</H3> + +<center> +<a href="images/bw12.png"> +<IMG SRC="images/bw12.png" width="50%" border=0 +ALT="Rooked for arf me tucker"></a> +</center> + +<H4>Jim</H4> +<BLOCKQUOTE> +<IMG SRC="images/N.png" ALT=""N" width="15%" align="middle"> +OW, be the Hokey Fly!" sez Peter Begg. <BR /> +"Suppose 'e comes 'ome with a wooden leg.<BR /> +<DIV>Suppose 'e isn't fit to darnce at all, </DIV> +<DIV>Then, ain't we 'asty fixin' up this ball? </DIV> +A little tournament at Bridge is my <BR /> +Idear," sez Peter. "Be the Hokey Fly!" +<BR /><BR /> + +Ole Peter Begg is gettin' on in years.<BR /> +'E owns a reel good farm; an' all 'e fears +<DIV>Is that some girl will land 'im, by are by, </DIV> +<DIV>An' share it with 'im--be the Hokey Fly. </DIV> +That's 'is pet swear-word, an' I dunno wot <BR /> +'E's meanin', but 'e uses it a lot. +<BR /><BR /> + +"Darncin'!" growls Begg. We're fixin' up the 'all <BR /> +With bits uv green stuff for a little ball +<DIV>To welcome Jim, 'oo's comin' 'ome nex' day. </DIV> +<DIV>We're 'angin' flags around to make things gay, </DIV> +An' shiftin' chairs, an' candle-greasin' floors, <BR /> +'As is our way when blokes come 'ome from wars. +<BR /><BR /> + +"A little game uv Bridge," sez Peter Begg, <BR /> +"Would be more decent like, an' p'r'aps a keg +<DIV>Uv somethin' if the 'ero's feelin' dry. </DIV> +<DIV>But this 'ere darncin'! Be the Hokey Fly, </DIV> +These selfish women never thinks at all <BR /> +About the guest; they only wants the ball. +<BR /><BR /> + +"Now, cards," sez Begg, "amuses ev'ry one. <BR /> +An' then our soldier guest could 'ave 'is fun +<DIV>If 'e'd lost <I>both</I> 'is legs. It makes me sick</DIV> +<DIV> 'Ere! Don't yeh spread that candle-grease too thick </DIV> +Yeh're wastin' it; an' us men 'as to buy<BR /> +Enough for nonsense, be the Hokey Fly!" +<BR /><BR /> + +Begg, 'e ain't never keen on wastin' much. <BR /> +"Peter," I sez, "it's you that needs a crutch. +<DIV>Why don't yeh get a wife, an' settle down?" </DIV> +<DIV> 'E looks reel fierce, an' answers, with a frown,</DIV> +"Do you think I am goin' to be rooked<BR /> +For 'arf me tucker, jist to get it cooked?"<BR /><BR /> + +I lets it go at that, an' does me job; <BR /> +An' when a little later on I lob +<DIV>Along the 'omeward track, down by Flood's gate </DIV> +<DIV>I meet ole Digger Smith, an' stops to state</DIV> +Me views about the weather an' the war. . . . <BR /> +'E tells me Jim gets 'ere nex' day, at four. +<BR /><BR /> + +An' as we talk, I sees along the road<BR /> +A strange bloke 'umpin' some queer sort uv load. +<DIV>I points 'im out to Smith an' sez; "'Oo's that? </DIV> +<DIV>Looks like a soldier, don't 'e, be 'is 'at?" </DIV> +"Stranger," sez Digger, "be the cut uv 'im."<BR /> +But, trust a mother's eyes. . . . "<I>It's Jim! My Jim</I>!<BR /><BR /> + +"My Jim!" I 'ears; an', scootin' up the track <BR /> +Come Missus Flood, with Flo close at 'er back. +<DIV>It was a race, for lover an' for son;</DIV> +<DIV>They finished neck an' neck; but mother won, </DIV> +For it was 'er that got the first good 'ug.<BR /> +(I'm so took back I stands there like a mug.) +<BR /><BR /> + +<I>Then</I> come Flo's turn; an' Jim an' Digger they <BR /> +Shake 'ands without no fancy, gran'-stand play. +<DIV>Yeh'd think they parted yesterd'y, them two. </DIV> +<DIV>For all the wild 'eroics that they do.</DIV> +"Yeh done it, lad," sez Jim. "I knoo yeh would." <BR /> +"You bet," sez Smith; "but I'm all to the good."<BR /> +<BR /> + +Then, uv a sudden, all their tongues is loosed. <BR /> +They finds me there an' I am intrajuiced; +<DIV>An' Jim tells 'ow it was 'e come to land</DIV> +<DIV>So soon, while Mar an' Flo each 'olds a 'and. </DIV> +But, jist as sudden, they all stop an' stare<BR /> +Down to the 'ouse, at Dad Flood standin' there. +<BR /><BR /> + +'E's got 'is 'and up shadin' off the sun.<BR /> +Then 'e starts up to them; but Dad don't run +<DIV>'E isn't 'owlin' for 'is lost boy's kiss;</DIV> +<DIV>'E's got 'is own sweet way in things like this. </DIV> +'E wanders up, an' stands an' looks at Jim. <BR /> +An', spare me days, that look was extra grim! +<BR /><BR /> +I seen the mother pluckin' at 'er dress;<BR /> +I seen the girl's white face an' 'er distress. +<DIV>An' Digger Smith, 'e looks reel queer to me </DIV> +<DIV>Grinnin' inside 'imself 'e seemed to be.</DIV> +At last Dad sez--oh, 'e's a tough ole gun!<BR /> +"Well, are yeh sorry now for wot yeh done?" +<BR /><BR /> +Jim gives a start; but answers with a grin, <BR /> +"Well, Dad, I 'ave been learnin' discipline. +<DIV>An' tho' I ain't quite sure wot did occur</DIV> +<DIV>Way back"--'e's grinnin' worse--"I'm sorry, sir." </DIV> +(It beats me, that, about these soldier blokes <BR /> +They're always grinnin', like all things was jokes.) +<BR /><BR /> +P'r'aps Dad is gettin' dull in 'is ole age; <BR /> +But 'e don't seem to see Jim's cammyflage. +<DIV>P'r'aps 'e don't want to; for, in 'is ole eye, </DIV> +<DIV>I seen a twinkle as 'e give reply.</DIV> +"Nex' week," 'e sez, "we will begin to cart <BR /> +The taters. Yeh can make another start." +<BR /><BR /> + + +But then 'e grabs Jim's 'and. I seen the joy<BR /> +In mother's eyes. "Now, welcome 'ome, me boy," +<DIV>Sez Dad; an' then 'e adds, "Yeh've made me proud;" </DIV> +<DIV>That's all. An' 'e don't add it none too loud.</DIV> +Dad don't express 'is feelin's in a shout; <BR /> +It cost 'im somethin' to git that much out.<BR /><BR /> + + . . . . . . . . . +<BR /><BR /> + +We 'ad the darnce. An', spite uv all Begg's fears, <BR /> +Jim darnced like 'e could keep it up for years; +<DIV>Mostly with Flo. We don't let up till three; </DIV> +<DIV>An' then ole Peter Begg, Doreen an' me </DIV> +We walk together 'ome, an' on the way,<BR /> +Doreen 'as quite a lot uv things to say. +<BR /><BR /> + +"Did you see Flo?" sez she. "Don't she look grand? <BR /> +That Jim's the luckiest in all the land-- +<DIV>An' little Smith--that girl uv 'is, I'm sure, </DIV> +<DIV>She'll bring 'im 'appiness that will endure." </DIV> +She 'ugs my arm, then sez, "'Usband or wife, <BR /> +If it's the right one, is the wealth uv life." +<BR /><BR /> + +I sneaks a look at Begg, an' answers, "Yes, <BR /> +Yeh're right, ole girl; that's the reel 'appiness. +<DIV>An' if ole, lonely growlers was to know </DIV> +<DIV>The worth uv 'appy marridge 'ere below, </DIV> +They'd swap their bank-books for a wife," sez I. <BR /> +Sez Peter Begg, "<I>Well! Be the--Hokey--Fly</I>!" +<BR /><BR /> +</BLOCKQUOTE> + +<H3 ID="XIII">XIII. A SQUARE DEAL</H3> + +<center> +<a href="images/bw13.png"> +<IMG SRC="images/bw13.png" width="50%" border=0 +ALT="Then I gets up and steals away"></a> +</center> + +<H4>A Square Deal</H4> + +<BLOCKQUOTE> +<IMG SRC="images/D.png" ALT=""D" width="15%" align="middle"> + +REAMIN'?" I sez to Digger Smith. +<DIV>"Buck up, ole sport, an' smile. </DIV> +Ain't there enough uv joy to-day <BR /> +To drive the bogey man away +<DIV>An' make reel things worth while? </DIV> +A bloke would think, to see you stare,<BR /> +There's visions on the 'ill-tops there." +<BR /><BR /> + +"Dreamin'," sez Digger Smith. "Why not? +<DIV>An' there is visions too.</DIV> +An' when I get 'em sorted out, <BR /> +An' strafe that little bogey, Doubt, +<DIV>I'll start me life all new.</DIV> +Oh, I ain't crook; but packed in 'ere <BR /> +Is thoughts: enough to last a year. +<BR /><BR /> + +"I'm thinkin' things," sez Digger Smith. +<DIV> "I'm thinkin' big an' fine</DIV> +Uv Life an' Love an' all the rest,<BR /> +An' wot is right an' wot is best, +<DIV>An' 'ow much will be mine.</DIV> +Not that I'm wantin' overmuch<BR /> +Some work, some play, an' food an' such." +<BR /><BR /> + +"See 'ere," I sez. "You 'ark to me. +<DIV>I've done some thinkin' too.</DIV> +An' this 'ere land, for wot yeh did,<BR /> +Owes some few million solid quid +<DIV>To fightin' blokes like you.</DIV> +So don't be too dam modest or<BR /> +Yeh'll git less than yeh're lookin' for." +<BR /><BR /> + +"Money?" sez Digger. "Loot?" sez 'e +<DIV>"Aw, give that talk a rest!</DIV> +I'm sick uv it. I didn't say<BR /> +That I was thinkin' all uv pay, +<DIV>But wot was right an' best.</DIV> +An' that ain't in the crazy game<BR /> +Uv grabbin' wealth an' chasin' fame. +<BR /><BR /> + +"Do you think us blokes Over There, +<DIV>When things was goin' strong, </DIV> +Was keepin' ledgers day be day<BR /> +An' reck'nin' wot the crowd would pay? +<DIV>Pull off! Yeh got it wrong.</DIV> +Do you think all the boys gone West<BR /> +Wants great swank 'ead-stones on their chest? +<BR /><BR /> + +"You chaps at 'ome 'as small ideer +<DIV>Uv wot we think an' feel.</DIV> +We done our bit an' seen it thro', <BR /> +An' all that we are askin' you +<DIV>Is jist a fair, square deal.</DIV> +We want this land we battled for <BR /> +To settle up--an' somethin' more. +<BR /><BR /> + +"We want the land we battled for +<DIV>To be a land worth while.</DIV> +We're sick uv greed, an' 'ate, an' strife,<BR /> +An' all the mess that's made uv life." . . . +<DIV>'E stopped a bit to smile.</DIV> +"I got these thoughts Out There becos<BR /> +We learnt wot mateship reely was." +<BR /><BR /> + + . . . . . . . . + +<BR /><BR /> + +The hills be'ind the orchard trees +<DIV>Was showin' misty blue.</DIV> +The ev'nin' light was growin' dim; <BR /> +An' down I sat 'longside uv 'im, +<DIV>An' done some dreamin' too.</DIV> +I dreams uv war; an' wot is paid<BR /> +By blokes that went an' blokes that stayed.<BR /><BR /> + +I dreams uv honour an' reward, +<DIV>An' 'ow to pay a debt.</DIV> +For partin' cash, an' buyin' farms, <BR /> +An' fittin' chaps with legs an' arms +<DIV>Ain't all--there's somethin' yet. </DIV> +There's still a solid balance due;<BR /> +An' now it's up to me an' you. +<BR /><BR /> + +There's men I know ain't yet woke up, +<DIV>Or reckernized that debt--</DIV> +Proud men 'oo wouldn't take yeh down <BR /> +Or owe their grocer 'arf-a-crown-- +<DIV>They ain't considered, yet,</DIV> +There's somethin' owin'--to the dead, <BR /> +An' Diggers live for more than bread. +<BR /><BR /> + +"<I>We</I> learnt wot mateship was," 'e sez. +<DIV>"Us Diggers found the good </DIV> +That's hid away somewhere in chaps, <BR /> +An' ain't searched for enough, per'aps, +<DIV>Or prized, or understood.</DIV> +But all this game uv grab an' greed <BR /> +An' silly 'ate--Why, where's the need?" +<BR /><BR /> + +The hills be'ind the orchard trees +<DIV>Jist caught the settin' sun.</DIV> +A bloke might easy think that there, <BR /> +'Way back be'ind the range somewhere, +<DIV>Where streaks uv sunlight run, </DIV> +There was a land, swep' clear uv doubt,<BR /> +Where men finds wot they dreams about. +<BR /><BR /> + + + . . . . . . . . +<BR /><BR /> + +"Beauty," sez Digger, sudden-like, <BR /> +<DIV> "An' love, an' kindliness;</DIV> +The chance to live a clean, straight life, <BR /> +A dinkum deal for kids an' wife +<DIV>A man needs nothin' less. . . . </DIV> +Maybe they'll get it when I go<BR /> +To push up daisies. I dunno." +<BR /><BR /> + +"Dreamin'," sez Digger Smith. "Why not? +<DIV>There's visions on the hill.". . .</DIV> +Then I gets up an' steals away, <BR /> +An' leaves 'im with the dyin' day, +<DIV>Dreamin' an' doubtin' still. . . . </DIV> +Cobber, it's up to me an' you <BR /> +To see that 'arf 'is dream comes true. + +</BLOCKQUOTE> + + + <P align="center"> THE END</P> + +<center> +<a href="images/frntpce.jpg"> +<img src="images/frntpce.jpg" width="50%" border=0 +ALT="The end"></a> +</center> + + +<H4 ID="gloss">GLOSSARY</H4> +<DL> +<DT>Alley, to throw in the.<DD>To surrender.<BR /> +<DT>Ar.<DD>An exclamation expressing joy, sorrow, surprise, etc., <BR /> + according to the manner of utterance. +<DT>Aussie.<DD>Australia; an Australian.<BR /> +<BR /> +<DT>Bag of tricks.<DD>All one's belongings. <BR /> +<DT>Barrack.<DD>To take sides.<BR /> +<DT>Beat the band.<DD>To amaze. <BR /> +<DT>Bint.<DD>Girl.<BR /> +<DT>Bird, to give the.<DD>To treat with derision. <BR /> +<DT>Blighty.<DD>London.<BR /> +<DT>Blind.<DD>Deception, "bluff."<BR /> +<DT>Bloke.<DD>A male adult of the genus homo.<BR /> +<DT>Bluff.<DD>Cunning practice; make-believe; to deceive; to mislead. <BR /> +<DT>Bonzer,<DD>The best. [In text, only Boshter]<BR /> +<DT>Book.<DD>In whist, six tricks. <BR /> +<DT>Booked.<DD>Engaged.<BR /> +<DT>Buckley's (Chance)<DD>A forlorn hope. <BR /> +<DT>Buck up.<DD>Cheer up.<BR /> +<DT>Bunk, to do a.<DD>To depart.<BR /> +<BR /> +<DT>Chap.<DD>A "bloke" or "cove."<BR /> +<DT>Chuck off<DD>To chaff; to employ sarcasm. <BR /> +<DT>Chuck up.<DD>To relinquish.<BR /> +<DT>Chump.<DD>A foolish fellow. <BR /> +<DT>Cobber<DD>A boon companion. <BR /> +<DT>Coot.<DD>A person of no account (used contemptuously). <BR /> +<DT>Cove<DD>A "chap" or "bloke." q.v. (Gipsy).<BR /> +<DT>Cow.<DD>A thoroughly unworthy, not to say despicable person, <BR /> + place, thing or circumstance. +<DT>Crack<DD>To smite.<BR /> +<DT>Crack hardy.<DD>To suppress emotion; to endure patiently; <BR /> + to keep a secret. +<DT>Crook.<DD>Unwell; dishonest; spurious; fraudulent. <BR /> + <I>Superlative</I>=dead crook. +<DT>Crook.<DD>A dishonest or evil person. <BR /> +<DT>Crool.<DD>To frustrate; to interfere with.<BR /> +<BR /> +<DT>Dead.<DD>In a superlative degree; very. <BR /> +<DT>Deal.<DD>A "hand" at cards. <BR /> +<DT>Digger.<DD>An infantryman; a comrade. <BR /> +<DT>Dilly.<DD>Foolish; half-witted. <BR /> +<DT>Dinkum.<DD>Honest; true. <BR /> +<DT>Dipped.<DD>Mentally deficient.<BR /> +<DT>Dizzy limit<DD>The utmost; the superlative degree. <BR /> +<DT>Dope.<DD>A drug.<BR /> +<DT>Dud.<DD>No good; ineffective; used up.<BR /> +<BR /> +<DT>Fag.<DD>A cigarette.<BR /> +<DT>Final, to run one's.<DD>To die. <BR /> +<DT>Final kick.<DD>Final leave. <BR /> +<DT>Fly.<DD>A turn; a try.<BR /> +<BR /> +<DT>Game.<DD>Occupation; scheme; design. <BR /> +<DT>Grandstand play.<DD>Playing to the gallery. <BR /> +<DT>Groggy.<DD>Unsteady.<BR /> +<DT>Grouch.<DD>To mope; to grumble.<BR /> + +<DT>Hokey Fly, by the.<DD>A mild expletive, <BR /> + without any particular meaning. +<DT>Hump, to<DD>To carry, as a swag or other burden.<BR /> +<BR /> +<DT>Job.<DD>Work, occupation.<BR /> +<DT>John 'Op (or Jonop)<DD>Policeman. <BR /> +<DT>Jolt.<DD>A blow.<BR /> +<BR /> +<DT>Keep one down.<DD>Take a drink.<BR /> +<DT>Kick.<DD>Leave. <BR /> +<DT>Kick about.<DD>To loaf or hang about. <BR /> +<DT>Kid<DD>A child.<BR /> +<DT>Kid, to.<DD>To deceive; to persuade with flattery.<BR /> +<DT>Lob, to<DD>To arrive.<BR /> +<DT>Lurk<DD>A plan of action; a regular occupation.<BR /> +<DT>Moniker.<DD>A name; a title; a signature. <BR /> +<DT>Mug.<DD>A simpleton.<BR /> + +<DT>Nail.<DD>Catch.<BR /> +<DT>Nark.<DD>s., a spoilsport; a churlish fellow. <BR /> +<DT>Nark, to.<DD>To annoy; to foil.<BR /> +<DT>Neck and neck.<DD>Side by side. <BR /> +<DT>Nix.<DD>Nothing.<BR /> +<DT>Nod, on the.<DD>Without payment.<BR /> +<BR /> +<DT>Pal.<DD>A friend; a mate (Gipsy). <BR /> +<DT>Part.<DD>Give; hand over. <BR /> +<DT>Pins.<DD>Legs.<BR /> +<DT>Pull, to take a.<DD>To desist; to discontinue. <BR /> +<DT>Pull off.<DD>Desist.<BR /> +<DT>Pull my (or your) leg.<DD>To deceive or get the best of. <BR /> +<DT>Punter.<DD>The natural prey of bookmakers (betting men). <BR /> +<DT>Push up daisies, to.<DD>To be interred.<BR /> +<BR /> +<DT>Quid.<DD>A sovereign, or pound sterling.<BR /> +<BR /> +<DT>Rag.<DD>Song in rag time. <BR /> +<DT>Rattled<DD>Excited; confused. <BR /> +<DT>Recomeniber.<DD>Remember. <BR /> +<DT>Renege.<DD>To fail to follow suit (in playing cards); to quit. <BR /> +<DT>Rile<DD>To annoy. <BR /> +<DT>Riled<DD>Roused to anger. <BR /> +<DT>Ringer.<DD>Expert.<BR /> +<DT>Rook, to.<DD>To "take down."<BR /> +<DT>Rouse (or Roust).<DD>To upbraid with many words. <BR /> +<DT>Ructions.<DD>Growling; argument.<BR /> +<DT>Run 'is final.<DD>Died.<BR /> +<BR /> +<DT>Sawing wood<DD>"Bluffing;" biding one's time. <BR /> +<DT>School.<DD>A club; a clique of gamblers, or others. <BR /> +<DT>Scoot.<DD>To hurry; to scuttle.<BR /> +<DT>Scrap.<DD>Fight. <BR /> +<DT>Shicker<DD>Intoxicating liquor. <BR /> +<DT>Skite.<DD>To boast. <BR /> +<DT>Slam,<DD>Making all the tricks (in card-playing). <BR /> +<DT>Sling.<DD>Discard; throw.<BR /> +<DT>Slope, to.<DD>To leave in haste.<BR /> +<DT>Smooge.<DD>To flatter or fawn; to bill and coo. <BR /> +<DT>Snarky<DD>Angry.<BR /> +<DT>Sock it into.<DD>To administer physical punishment. <BR /> +<DT>S.O.S<DD>Signal of distress or warning, used in telegraphy. <BR /> +<DT>Spare my days.<DD>A pious ejaculation.<BR /> +<DT>Spell.<DD>Rest or change.<BR /> +<DT>Sprag<DD>To accost truculently; to convince. <BR /> +<DT>Spuds.<DD>Potatoes.<BR /> +<DT>Square.<DD>Upright; honest. <BR /> +<DT>Squeak.<DD>To give away a secret. <BR /> +<DT>Stoke.<DD>Eat.<BR /> +<DT>Stop one.<DD>To receive a blow.<BR /> +<DT>Stoush<DD>To punch with the fist. s., Violence. <BR /> +<DT>Strength.<DD>Truth; correct estimate.<BR /> +<DT>Strike me!<DD>The innocuous remnant of a hardy curse. <BR /> +<DT>'Struth!<DD>An emaciated oath.<BR /> +<DT>Stunt.<DD>A performance; a tale. [At the front: a battle, engagement] <BR /> +<DT>Swank.<DD>Affectation; ostentation. <BR /> +<DT>Swap.<DD>Exchange.<BR /> +<DT>Swiv'ly<DD>Afraid, or unable, to look straight.<BR /> +<BR /> +<DT>Take down.<DD>Deceive; get the best of.<BR /> +<DT>Tart.<DD>A young woman (contraction of sweetheart). <BR /> +<DT>Tater<DD>Potato.<BR /> +<DT>Throw in the alley.<DD>To surrender.<BR /> +<DT>Tip.<DD>A warning; a prognostication; a hint. <BR /> +<DT>Toff.<DD>An exalted person.<BR /> +<DT>Tony.<DD>Stylish.<BR /> +<DT>Tossed out on my neck.<DD>Rejected.<BR /> +<DT>Track with<DD>To woo; to "go walking with." <BR /> +<DT>Treat.<DD>Very much or very good. <BR /> +<DT>Tucker.<DD>Food.<BR /> +<DT>Twig.<DD>To observe; to espy.<BR /> +<BR /> +<DT>Umptydoo.<DD>Far-fetched; "crook." <BR /> +<DT>Up to us.<DD>Our duty.<BR /> +<BR /> +<DT>Wade in<DD>Take your fill.<BR /> +<DT>Wise, to put.<DD>To explain; to instruct. <BR /> +<DT>Wowser<DD>A narrow-minded, intolerant person.<BR /> +<BR /> + +<DT>Yap<DD>To talk volubly.<BR /> +<BR /> +</DL> + +<br> +<br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DIGGER SMITH***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 15524-h.txt or 15524-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/5/5/2/15524">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/5/2/15524</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution.</p> + + + +<pre> +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +<a href="https://gutenberg.org/license">https://gutenberg.org/license)</a>. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS,' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: +https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">https://www.gutenberg.org</a> + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/">https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/</a> + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/15524-h/images/B.png b/15524-h/images/B.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..239e9d0 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/B.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/D.png b/15524-h/images/D.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..29f351a --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/D.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/E.png b/15524-h/images/E.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cb932c5 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/E.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/I1.png b/15524-h/images/I1.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e18a32e --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/I1.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/I2.png b/15524-h/images/I2.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b8e65bc --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/I2.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/I3.png b/15524-h/images/I3.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b7d5d44 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/I3.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/I4.png b/15524-h/images/I4.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..32e8ab7 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/I4.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/I5.png b/15524-h/images/I5.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4da148c --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/I5.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/M.png b/15524-h/images/M.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ccb804a --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/M.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/N.png b/15524-h/images/N.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c91c966 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/N.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/O.png b/15524-h/images/O.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9ab3085 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/O.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/T.png b/15524-h/images/T.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..40fac1a --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/T.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/W.png b/15524-h/images/W.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7858ca4 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/W.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/bw01.png b/15524-h/images/bw01.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..402f2d3 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/bw01.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/bw02.png b/15524-h/images/bw02.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a70d50a --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/bw02.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/bw03.png b/15524-h/images/bw03.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ebe0fd9 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/bw03.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/bw04.png b/15524-h/images/bw04.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0c0f927 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/bw04.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/bw05.png b/15524-h/images/bw05.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e02c064 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/bw05.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/bw06.png b/15524-h/images/bw06.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f7eea9c --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/bw06.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/bw07.png b/15524-h/images/bw07.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c7ed3c1 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/bw07.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/bw08.png b/15524-h/images/bw08.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..aad07f8 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/bw08.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/bw09.png b/15524-h/images/bw09.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f03cbce --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/bw09.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/bw10.png b/15524-h/images/bw10.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b12f311 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/bw10.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/bw11.png b/15524-h/images/bw11.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f8177ab --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/bw11.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/bw12.png b/15524-h/images/bw12.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7fd8cf6 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/bw12.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/bw13.png b/15524-h/images/bw13.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4efe172 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/bw13.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/diggerr.png b/15524-h/images/diggerr.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8dc781f --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/diggerr.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/diggerv.png b/15524-h/images/diggerv.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d09e763 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/diggerv.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/frntpce.jpg b/15524-h/images/frntpce.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b7a4f37 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/frntpce.jpg diff --git a/15524-h/images/maer.png b/15524-h/images/maer.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1c1171a --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/maer.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/maev.png b/15524-h/images/maev.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d5e5f34 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/maev.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/paper003.jpg b/15524-h/images/paper003.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bae219b --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/paper003.jpg diff --git a/15524-h/images/roman.jpg b/15524-h/images/roman.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..520996e --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/roman.jpg diff --git a/15524-h/images/space.png b/15524-h/images/space.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..382fa8c --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/space.png diff --git a/15524-h/images/title_j.jpg b/15524-h/images/title_j.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..456a460 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524-h/images/title_j.jpg diff --git a/15524.txt b/15524.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ad4b2ce --- /dev/null +++ b/15524.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2248 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Digger Smith, by C. J. Dennis, Illustrated by +Hal Gye + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Digger Smith + + +Author: C. J. Dennis + +Release Date: April 2, 2005 [eBook #15524] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DIGGER SMITH*** + + +E-text prepared by Geoffrey Cowling + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 15524-h.htm or 15524-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/5/5/2/15524/15524-h/15524-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/5/5/2/15524/15524-h.zip) + + + + + +DIGGER SMITH + +by + +C. J. Dennis + +1918 (rev. 1919) + + + + + + + +TO THE A.I.F. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + I. BEFORE THE WAR + "Before the war," she sighs. "Before the war"... + + II. DUMMY BRIDGE + "If I'd 'a' played me Jack on that there Ten..." + + III. DAD + "I've knowed ole Flood this last five year or more ..." + + IV. DIGGER SMITH + "'E calls me Digger; that's 'ow 'e begins ..." + + V. WEST + "I've seen so much uv dirt an' grime ..." + + VI. OVER THE FENCE + "'Taint my idea uv argument to call a man a fool ..." + + VII. A DIGGER'S TALE + "My oath!" the Duchess sez. "You'd not ixpect ..." + + VIII. JIM'S GIRL + "'Oo is that girl," sez Digger Smith . . . + + IX. THE BOYS OUT THERE + "Why do they do it? I dunno..." + + X. HALF A MAN + "I wash me 'ands uv 'im," I tells 'em, straight ... + + XI. SAWIN' WOOD + I wondered wot was doin'. First I seen ... + + XII. JIM + "Now, be the Hokey Fly!" sez Peter Begg ... + + XIII. A SQUARE DEAL + "Dreamin'?" I sez to Digger Smith . . . + + GLOSSARY + + + + + +I. BEFORE THE WAR + + +Before the War + +"BEFORE the war," she sighs. "Before the war." + Then blinks 'er eyes, an' tries to work a smile. +"Ole scenes," she sez, "don't look the same no more. + Ole ways," she sez, "seems to 'ave changed their style, + The pleasures that we 'ad don't seem worth while-- +Them simple joys that passed an hour away-- + An' troubles, that we used to so revile, +'Ow small they look," she sez. "'Ow small to-day. + +"This war!" sighs ole Mar Flood. An' when I seen + The ole girl sittin' in our parlour there, +Tellin' 'er troubles to my wife, Doreen, + As though the talkin' eased 'er load uv care, + I thinks uv mothers, 'ere an' everywhere, +Smilin' a bit while they are grievin' sore + For grown-up babies, fightin' Over There; +An' then I 'ears 'em sigh, "Before the war." + +My wife 'as took the social 'abit bad. + I ain't averse--one more new word I've learned-- +Averse to tea, when tea is to be 'ad; + An' when it comes I reckon that it's earned. + It's jist a drink, as fur as I'm concerned, +Good for a bloke that's toilin' on the land; + But when a caller comes, 'ere I am turned +Into a social butterfly, off-'and. + +Then drinkin' tea becomes an 'oly rite. + So's I won't bring the fam'ly to disgrace +I gits a bit uv coachin' overnight + On ridin' winners in this bun-fed race. + I 'ave to change me shirt, an' wash me face, +An' look reel neat, from me waist up at least, + An' sling remarks in at the proper place, +An' not makes noises drinkin', like a beast. + +"'Ave some more cake. Another slice, now do. + An' won't yeh 'ave a second cup uv tea? +'Ow is the children?" Ar, it makes me blue! + This boodoor 'abit ain't no good to me. + I likes to take me tucker plain an' free: +Tea an' a chunk out on the job for choice, + So I can stoke with no one there to see. +Besides, I 'aven't got no comp'ny voice. + +Uv course, I've 'ad it all out with the wife. + I argues that there's work that must be done, +An' tells 'er that I 'ates this tony life. + She sez there's jooties that we must not shun. + You bet that ends it; so I joins the fun, +An' puts 'em all at ease with silly grins-- + Slings bits uv repartee like "'Ave a bun," +An' passes bread an' butter, for me sins. + +Since I've been marri'd, say, I've chucked some things, + An' learned a whole lot more to fill the space. +I've slung all slang; crook words 'ave taken wings, + An' I 'ave learned to entertain with grace. + But when ole Missus Flood comes round our place +I don't object to 'er, for all 'er sighs; + Becos I likes 'er ways, I likes 'er face, +An', most uv all, she 'as them mother's eyes. + +"Before the war," she sighs, the poor ole girl. + 'Er talk it gets me thinkin' in between, +While I'm assistin' at this social whirl. . . . + She comes across for comfort to Doreen, + To talk about the things that might 'ave been +If Syd 'ad not been killed at Suvla Bay, + Or Jim not done a bunk at seventeen, +An' not been 'eard uv since 'e went away. + +They 'ave a little farm right next to us-- + 'Er an' 'er 'usband--where they live alone. +Spite uv 'er cares, she ain't the sort to fuss + Or serve up sudden tears an' sob an' moan, + An' since I've known 'er some'ow I 'ave grown +To see in 'er, an' all the grief she's bore, + A million brave ole mothers 'oo 'ave known +Deep sorrer since them days before the war. + +"Before the war," she sez. "Yeh mind our Syd? + Poor lad. . . . But then, yeh never met young Jim-- +'Im 'oo was charged with things 'e never did. + Ah, both uv you'd 'ave been reel chums with 'im. + 'Igh-spirited 'e was, a perfect limb. +It's six long years now since 'e went away + Ay, drove away." 'Er poor ole eyes git dim. +"That was," she sighs, "that was me blackest day. + +"Me blackest day! Wot am I sayin' now? + There was the day the parson come to tell +The news about our Syd. . . . An', yet, some'ow . . . . + My little Jim!" She pauses for a spell. . . . + "Your 'olly'ocks is doin' reely well," +She sez, an' battles 'ard to brighten up. + "An' them there pinks uv yours, 'ow sweet they smell. +An'--Thanks! I think I will 'ave one more cup." + +As fur as I can get the strength uv it, + Them Floods 'ave 'ad a reel tough row to hoe. +First off, young Jim, 'oo plays it 'igh a bit, + Narks the ole man a treat, an' slings the show. + Then come the war, an' Syd 'e 'as to go. +'E run 'is final up at Suvla Bay-- + One uv the Aussies I was proud to know. +An' Jim's cracked 'ardy since 'e went away. + +'Er Jim! These mothers! Lord, they're all the same. + I wonder if Doreen will be that kind.. +Syd was the son 'oo played the reel man's game; + But Jim 'oo sloped an' left no word be'ind, + His is the picter shinin' in 'er mind. +'Igh-spirited! I've 'eard that tale before. +I sometimes think she'd take it rather kind +To 'ear that 'is 'igh spirits run to war. + +"Before the war," she sez. "Ah, times was good. + The little farm out there, an' jist us four +Workin' to make a decent liveli'ood. + Our Syd an' Jim! . . . Poor Jim! It grieves me sore; + For Dad won't 'ave 'im mentioned 'ome no more. +'E's 'urt, I know, cos 'e thinks Jim 'urt me. + As if 'e could, the bonny boy I bore. . . . +But I must off 'ome now, an' git Dad's tea." + +I seen 'er to the gate. (Take it frum me, + I'm some perlite.) She sez, "Yeh mustn't mind +Me talkin' so uv Jim, but when I see + Your face it brings 'im back; 'e's jist your kind. + Not quite so 'an'some, p'r'aps, nor so refined. +I've got some toys uv 'is," she sez. "But there-- + This is ole woman's talk, an' you be'ind +With all yer work, an' little time to spare." + +She gives me 'and a squeeze an' turns away, + Sobbin', I thort; but when she looks be'ind, +Smilin', an' wavin', like she felt reel gay, + I wonders 'ow the women works that blind, + An' jist waves back; then goes inside to find +A lookin'-glass, an' takes a reel good look. . . . + "'Not quite so 'an'some, p'r'aps, nor so refined!' +Gawd 'elp yeh, Jim," I thinks. "Yeh must be crook." + + + + +II. DUMMY BRIDGE + + +Dummy Bridge + +"IF I'd 'a' played me Jack on that there Ten," + Sez Peter Begg, "I might 'a' made the lot." +"'Ow could yeh?" barks ole Poole. "'Ow' could yeh, when + I 'ad me Queen be'ind?" Sez Begg, "Wot rot! +I slung away me King to take that trick. +Which one! Say, ain't yer 'ead a trifle thick? + +"Now, don't yeh see that when I plays me King + I give yer Queen a chance, an' lost the slam." +But Poole, 'e sez 'e don't see no sich thing, + So Begg gits 'ot, an' starts to loose a "Damn." +'E twigs the missus jist in time to check, +An' makes it "Dash," an' gits red down 'is neck. + +There's me an' Peter Begg, an' ole man Poole-- + Neighbours uv mine, that farm a bit close by-- +Jist once a week or so we makes a school, + An' gives this game uv Dummy Bridge a fly. +Doreen, she 'as 'er sewin' be the fire, +The kid's in bed; an' 'ere's me 'eart's desire. + +'Ome-comfort, peace, the picter uv me wife + 'Appy at work, me neighbours gathered round +All friendly-like--wot more is there in life? + I've searched a bit, but, better I ain't found. +Doreen, she seems content, but in 'er eye +I've seen reel pity when the talk gits 'igh. + +This ev'nin' we 'ad started off reel 'ot: + Two little slams, an' Poole, without a score, +Still lookin' sore about the cards 'e'd got-- + When, sudden-like, a knock comes to the door. +"A visitor," growls Begg, "to crool our game." +An' looks at me, as though I was to blame. + +Jist as Doreen goes out, I seen 'er grin. + "Deal 'em up quick!" I whispers. "Grab yer 'and, +An' look reel occupied when they comes in. + Per'aps they'll 'ave the sense to understand. +If it's a man, maybe 'e'll make a four; +But if"--Then Missus Flood comes in the door. + +'Twas ole Mar Flood, 'er face wrapped in a smile. + "Now, boys," she sez, "don't let me spoil yer game. +I'll jist chat with Doreen a little while; + But if yeh stop I'll be ashamed I came." +An' then she waves a letter in 'er 'and. +Sez she, "Our Jim's a soldier! Ain't it grand?" + +"Good boy," sez Poole. "Let's see. I make it 'earts." + "Doubled!" shouts Begg. . . . "An' 'e's been in a fight," +Sez Missus Flood, "out in them furrin' parts. + French, I suppose. I can't pronounce it right. +'E's been once wounded, somewhere in the leg. . . ." +"'Ere, Bill! Yeh gone to sleep?" asks Peter Begg. + +I plays me Queen uv Spades; an' plays 'er bad. + Begg snorts. . . . "My boy," sighs Missus Flood. "My Jim." . . . +"King 'ere," laughs Poole. "That's the last Spade I 'ad." . . . + Doreen she smiles: "I'm glad yeh've 'eard from 'im.". . . +"We're done," groans Begg. "Why did yeh nurse yer Ace?". . . +"My Jim!" An' there was sunlight in 'er face. + +"I always thought a lot uv Jim, I did," + Sez Begg. "'E does yeh credit. 'Ere, your deal." +"That's so," sez Poole. "'E was an all-right kid. + No trumps? I'm sorry that's the way yeh feel. +'Twill take yeh all yer time to make the book." . . . +An' then Doreen sends me a wireless look. + +I gets the S.O.S.; but Begg is keen. + "My deal," 'e yaps. "Wot rotten cards I get." +Ole Missus Flood sits closer to Doreen. + "The best," she whispers, "I ain't told yeh yet." +I strains me ears, an' leads me King uv Trumps. +"Ace 'ere!" grins Begg. Poole throws 'is Queen--an' thumps. + +"That saves me Jack!" 'owls Begg. "Tough luck, ole sport." . . . + Sez Missus Flood, "Jim's won a medal too +For doin' somethin' brave at Bullycourt." . . . + "Play on, play on," growls Begg. "It's up to you." +Then I reneges, an' trumps me partner's Ace, +An' Poole gets sudden murder in 'is face. + +"I'm sick uv this 'ere game," 'e grunts. "It's tame." + "Righto," I chips. "Suppose we toss it in?" +Begg don't say nothin'; so we sling the game. + On my wife's face I twigs a tiny grin. +"Finished?" sez she, su'prised. "Well, p'r'aps it's right. +It looks to me like 'earts was trumps to-night." + +An' so they was. An', say, the game was grand. + Two hours we sat while that ole mother told +About 'er Jim, 'is letter in 'er 'and, + An', on 'er face, a glowin' look that rolled +The miles all up that lie 'twixt France an' 'ere, +An' found 'er son, an' brought 'im very near. + +A game uv Bridge it was, with 'earts for trumps. + We was the dummies, sittin' silent there. +I knoo the men, like me, was feelin' chumps: + Foolin' with cards while this was in the air. +It took Doreen to shove us in our place; + An' mother 'eld the lot, right from the Ace. + +She told us 'ow 'e said 'e'd writ before, + An' 'ow the letters must lave gone astray; +An' 'ow the stern ole father still was sore, + But looked like 'e'd be soft'nin', day by day; +'Ow pride in Jim peeps out be'ind 'is frown, +An' 'ow the ole fool 'opes to 'ide it down. + +"I knoo," she sez. "I never doubted Jim. + But wot could any mother say or do +When pryin' folks asked wot become uv 'im, + But drop 'er eyes an' say she never knoo. +Now I can lift me 'ead to that sly glance, +An' say, 'Jim's fightin', with the rest, in France.'" + +An' when she's gone, us four we don't require + No gossipin' to keep us in imploy. +Ole Poole sits starin' 'ard into the fire. + I guessed that 'e was thinkin' uv 'is boy, +'Oo's been right in it from the very start; +An' Poole was thinkin' uv a father's part. + +An' then 'e speaks: "This war 'as turned us 'ard. + Suppose, four year ago, yeh said to me +That I'd sit 'eedless, starin' at a card + While that ole mother told--Good Lord!" sez 'e +"It takes the women for to put us wise +To playin' games in war-time," an' 'e sighs. + +An' 'ere Doren sets out to put 'im right. + "There's games an' games," she sez. "When women starts +A hand at Bridge like she 'as played to-night + It's Nature teachin' 'em to make it 'earts. +The other suits are yours," she sez; "but then, +That's as it should be, seein' you are men." + +"Maybe," sez Poole; an' both gits up to go. + I stands beside the door when they are gone, +Watchin' their lantern swingin' to an' fro, + An' 'ears Begg's voice as they goes trudgin' on: +"If you 'ad led that Queen we might 'ave made. . . ." +"Rubbidge!" shouts Poole. "You mucked it with yer Spade!" + + + + +III. DAD + + +Dad + + +I've knowed ole Flood this last five year or more; +I knoo 'im when 'is Syd went to the war. + A proud ole man 'e was. But I've watched 'im, + An' seen 'is look when people spoke uv Jim: +As sour a look as most coves want to see. +It made me glad that this 'ere Jim weren't me. + +I sized up Flood the first day that we met-- +Stubborn as blazes when 'is mind is set, + Ole-fashioned in 'is looks an' in 'is ways, + Believin' it is honesty that pays; +An' still dead set, in spite uv bumps 'e's got, +To keep on honest if it pays or not. + +Poor ole Dad Flood, 'e is too old to fight +By close on thirty year; but, if I'm right + About 'is doin's an' about 'is grit, + 'E's done a fair bit over 'is fair bit. +They are too old to fight, but, all the same, +'Is kind's quite young enough to play the game. + +I've 'eard it called, this war--an' it's the truth-- +I've 'eard it called the sacrifice uv youth. + An' all this land 'as reckernized it too, + An' gives the boys the praises that is doo. +I've 'eard the cheers for ev'ry fightin' lad; +But, up to now, I ain't 'eard none for Dad. + +Ole Flood, an' all 'is kind throughout the land, +They ain't been 'eralded with no brass band, + Or been much thought about; but, take my tip, + The war 'as found 'em with a stiffened lip, +'Umpin' a load they thought they'd dropped for good, +Crackin' reel 'ardy, an'--jist sawin' wood. + +Dad Flood, 'is back is bent, 'is strength is gone; +'E'd done 'is bit before this war come on. + At sixty-five 'e thought 'is work was done; + 'E gave the farmin' over to 'is son, +An' jist sat back in peace, with 'is ole wife, +To spend content the ev'nin' uv 'is life. + +Then come the war. An' when Syd 'esitates +Between the ole folk an' 'is fightin' mates, + The ole man goes outside an' grabs a hoe. + Sez 'e, "Yeh want to, an' yeh ought to go. +Wot's stoppin' yeh?" 'E straightens 'is ole frame. +"Ain't I farmed long enough to know the game?" + +There weren't no more to say. An' Syd went--West: +Into the sunset with ole Aussie's best. + But no one ever 'eard no groans from Dad. + Though all 'is pride an' 'ope was in that lad +'E showed no sign excep' to grow more grim. +'Is son was gone--an' it was up to 'im. + +One day last month when I was down at Flood's +I seen 'im strugglin' with a bag uv spuds. + "Look 'ere," I sez, "you let me spell yeh, Dad. + You 'umpin' loads like that's a bit too bad." +'E gives a grunt that's more than 'arf a groan. +"Wot's up?" 'e snaps. "Got no work uv yer own?" + +That's 'im. But I've been tippin' that the pace +Would tell; an' when 'is wife comes to our place, + An' sez that Dad is ill an' took to bed, + Flat out with work--though that ain't wot she said-- +I ain't su'prised; an' tells 'er when I'm thro' +I'll come across an' see wot I can do. + +I went across, an'--I come back again. +Strike me! it's no use reas'nin' with some men. + Stubborn ole cows! I'm sick uv them ole fools. + The way 'e yells, "Keep yer 'ands off my tools!" +Yeh'd think I was a thief. 'Is missus said +I'd better slope, or 'e'd be out uv bed. + +'E 'eard us talkin' through the open door. +"'Oo's that?" 'e croaks, altho' 'e tries to roar. + An' when 'is wife ixplains it's only me + To 'elp a bit: "I want no charity!" +'E barks. "I'll do me work meself, yeh 'ear?" +An' then 'e gits so snarky that I clear. + +But 'e'll do me. I like the ole boy's nerve. +We don't do nothin' that 'e don't deserve; + But me an' Peter Begg an' ole man Poole, + We fairly 'as our work cut out to fool +The sly ole fox, when we sneaks down each day +An' works a while to keep things under way. + +We digs a bit, an' ploughs a bit, an' chops +The wood, an' does the needful to 'is crops. + We does it soft, an' when 'e 'ears a row + 'Is missus tells 'im it's the dog or cow. +'E sez that it's queer noises for a pup. +An'--there'll be ructions when ole Flood gits up. + +It ain't all overwork that's laid 'im out. +Ole Pride in 'im is fightin' 'ard with Doubt. + To-day 'is wife sez, "Somethin's strange in 'im, + For in 'is sleep sometimes 'e calls for Jim. +It's six long years," she sez, an' stops to shake +'Er 'ead. "But 'e don't mention 'im awake." + +Dad Flood. I thought 'im jist a stiff-necked fool +Before the war; but, as I sez to Poole, + This war 'as tested more than fightin' men. + But, say, 'e is an 'oly terror when +Friends try to 'elp 'im earn a bite an' sup. +Oh, there'll be 'Ell to pay when 'e gits up! + + + + +IV. DIGGER SMITH + + +Digger Smith + +'E CALLS me Digger; that's 'ow 'e begins. +'E sez 'e's only 'arf a man; an' grins. + Judged be 'is nerve, I'd say 'e was worth two + Uv me an' you. +Then 'e digs 'arf a fag out uv 'is vest, +Borrers me matches, an' I gives 'im best. + +The first I 'eard about it Poole told me. +"There is a bloke called Smith at Flood's," sez 'e; + Come there this mornin', sez 'e's come to stay, + An' won't go 'way. +Sez 'e was sent there be a pal named Flood; +An' talks uv contracts sealed with Flanders mud. + +"No matter wot they say, 'e only grins," +Sez Poole. "'E's rather wobbly on 'is pins. + Seems like a soldier bloke. An' Peter Begg + 'E sez one leg +Works be machinery, but I dunno. +I only know 'e's there an' 'e won't go. + +"'E grins," sez Poole, "at ev'rything they say. + Dad Flood 'as nearly 'ad a fit to-day. + 'E's cursed, an' ordered 'im clean off the place; + But this cove's face +Jist goes on grinnin', an' 'e sez, quite carm, +'E's come to do a bit around the farm." + +The tale don't sound too good to me at all. +"If 'e's a crook," I sez, "'e wants a fall. + Maybe 'e's dilly. I'll go down an' see. + 'E'll grin at me +When I 'ave done, if 'e needs dealin' with." +So I goes down to interview this Smith. + +'E 'ad a fork out in the tater patch. +Sez 'e, "Why 'ello, Digger. Got a match?" + "Digger?" I sez. "Well, you ain't digger 'ere. + You better clear. +You ought to know that you can't dig them spuds. +They don't belong to you; they're ole Dad Flood's." + +"Can't I?" 'e grins. "I'll do the best I can, +Considerin' I'm only 'arf a man. + Give us a light. I can't get none from Flood, + An' mine is dud." +I parts; an' 'e stands grinnin' at me still; +An' then 'e sez, "'Ave yeh fergot me, Bill?" + +I looks, an' seen a tough bloke, short an' thin. +Then, Lord! I recomembers that ole grin. + "It's little Smith!" I 'owls, "uv Collin'wood. + Lad, this is good! +Last time I seen yeh, you an' Ginger Mick +Was 'owling rags, out on yer final kick." + +"Yer on to it," 'e sez. "Nex' day we sailed. +Now 'arf uv me's back 'ome, an' 'arf they nailed. + An' Mick. . . . Ar, well, Fritz took me down a peg." + 'E waves 'is leg. +"It ain't too bad," 'e sez, with 'is ole smile; +"But when I starts to dig it cramps me style. + +"But I ain't grouchin'. It was worth the fun. +We 'ad some picnic stoushin' Brother 'Un-- + The only fight I've 'ad that some John 'Op + Don't come an' stop. +They pulled me leg a treat, but, all the same, +There's nothin' over 'ere to beat the game. + +"An' now," 'e sez, "I'm 'ere to do a job +I promised, if it was me luck to lob + Back 'ome before me mate," 'e sez, an' then, + 'E grins again. +"As clear as mud," I sez. "But I can't work +Me brains to 'old yer pace. Say, wot's the lurk?" + +So then 'e puts me wise. It seems that 'im +An' this 'ere Flood--I tips it must be Jim-- + Was cobbers up in France, an' things occurred. + (I got 'is word +Things did occur up there). But, anyway, +Seems Flood done somethin' good for 'im one day. + +Then Smith 'e promised if 'e came back 'ome +Before 'is cobber o'er the flamin' foam, + 'E'd see the ole folks 'ere, an' 'e agreed, + If there was need, +'E'd stay an' do a bit around the farm +So long as 'e 'ad one sound, dinkum arm. + +"So, 'ere I am," 'e sez, an' grins again. +"A promise is a promise 'mong us men." + Sez I, "You come along up to the 'ouse. + Ole Dad won't rouse +When once 'e's got yer strength, an' as for Mar, +She'll kiss yeh when she finds out 'oo yeh are." + +So we goes up, an' finds 'em both fair dazed +About this little Smith; they think 'e's crazed. + I tells the tale in words they understand; + Then it was grand +To see Dad grab Smith's 'and an' pump it good, +An' Mar, she kissed 'im, like I said she would. + +Mar sez 'e must be starved, an' right away +The kettle's on, she's busy with a tray. + An', when I left, this Digger Smith 'e looked + Like 'e was booked +For keeps, with tea an' bread an' beef inside. +"Our little Willie's 'ome," 'e grins, "an' dried." + + + + +V. WEST + + +West + +"I'VE seen so much uv dirt an' grime + I'm mad to 'ave things clean. +I've seen so much uv death," 'e said-- +"So many cobbers lyin' dead-- + You won't know wot I mean; +But, lad, I've 'ad so much uv strife +I want things straightened in my life. + +"I've seen so much uv 'ate," 'e said-- + "Mad 'ate an' silly rage-- +I'm yearnin' for clear thoughts," said 'e. +"Kindness an' love seem good to me. + I want a new, white page +To start all over, clean an' good, +An' live me life as reel men should." + +We're sittin' talkin' by the fence, + The sun's jist goin' down, +Paintin' the sky all gold an' pink. +Said 'e, "When it's like that, I think--" + An' then 'e stops to frown. +Said 'e, "I think, when it's jist so, +Uv . . . . God or somethin': I dunno. + +"I ain't seen much uv God," said 'e; + "Not 'ere nor Over There; +But, partly wot I've seen an' read, +An' partly wot the padre said, + It gits me when I stare +Out West when it's like that is now. +There must be somethin' else--some'ow. + +"I've thought a lot," said Digger Smith-- + "Out There I thought a lot. +I thought uv death, an' all the rest, +An' uv me mates, good mates gone West; + An' it ain't much I've got; +But things get movin' in me 'ead +When I look over there," 'e said. + +'E's got me beat, 'as little Smith. + I knoo 'im years ago +I knoo 'im as a reel tough boy +'Oo roughed it up with 'oly joy; + But now, well, I dunno. +An' when I ask Mar Flood she sighs-- +An' sez 'e's got the Anzac eyes. + +She sez 'e's got them soldier's eyes + That makes 'er own eyes wet. +An' we must give 'im wholesome food +An' lead 'is thoughts to somethin' good + An' never let 'im fret. +But 'e ain't frettin', seems to me; +More--puzzled, fur as I can see. + +The clouds above the hills was tore + Apart, until, some'ow, +It seemed like some big, shinin' gate. +Said 'e, "Why, lad, I tell yeh straight, + I feel like startin' now, +An' walkin' on, an' on, an' thro', +Dead game an'--Ain't it so to you? + +"I've seen enough uv pain," 'e said, + "An' cursin', killin' 'ordes. +I ain't the man to smooge with God +To get to 'Eaven on the nod, + Or 'owl 'ymns for rewards. +But this believin'? Why--Oh, 'Struth +This never 'it me in me youth. + +"They talk uv love 'twixt men," said 'e. + "That sounds dead crook to you. +But lately I 'ave come to see." . . . +"'Old on," I said; "it seems to me + There's love uv women too. +An you?" 'E turns away 'is 'ead. +"I'm only 'arf a man," 'e said. + +"I've seen so much uv death," said 'e, + "Me mind is in a whirl. +I've 'ad so many thoughts uv late." . . . +Said I, "Now, tell me, tell me straight; + Own up; ain't there a girl?" +Said 'e, "I've done the best I can. +Wot does she want with 'arf a man?" + +It weren't no use. 'E wouldn't talk + Uv nothin' but that sky. +Said 'e, "Now, dinkum, talkin' square, +When you git gazin' over there + Don't you 'arf want to cry? +I wouldn't be su'prised to see +An angel comin' out," said 'e. + +"Gone West!" said Digger Smith. "Ah, lad, + I've seen 'em goin' West, +An' often wonder, when I look, +If they 'ave 'ad it dealt 'em crook, + Or if they've got the rest +They earned twice over by the spell +They spent down in that dinkum 'Ell." + +The gold was creepin' up, the sun + Was 'arf be'ind the range. +It don't seem strange a man should cry +To see that glory in the sky + To me it don't seem strange. +"Digger!" said 'e. "Look at it now! +There must be somethin' else--some'ow." + + + + +VI. OVER THE FENCE + + +Over the Fence + +'TAINT my idea uv argument to call a man a fool, +An' I ain't lookin' round for bricks to 'eave at ole man Poole; + But when 'e gets disputin' 'e's inclined to lose 'is 'ead. + It ain't so much 'is choice uv words as 'ow the words is said. + +'E's sich a coot for takin' sides, as I sez to Doreen. +Sez she, "'Ow can 'e, by 'imself ?" Wotever that may mean. + My wife sez little things sometimes that nearly git me riled. + I knoo she meant more than she said be that soft way she smiled. + +To-day, when I was 'arrowin', Poole comes down to the fence +To get the loan uv my long spade; an' uses that pretence + To 'ave a bit uv friendly talk, an' one word leads to more, + As is the way with ole man Poole, as I've remarked before. + +The spade reminds 'im 'ow 'e done some diggin' in 'is day, +An' diggin' brings the talk to earth, an' earth leads on to clay, + Then clay quite natural reminds a thinkin' bloke uv bricks, + An' mortar brings up mud, an' then, uv course, it's politics. + +Now, Poole sticks be 'is Party, an' I don't deny 'is right; +But when 'e starts abusin' mine 'e's lookin' for a fight. + So I delivers good 'ome truths about 'is crowd; then Poole + Wags 'is ole beard across the fence an' tells me I'm a fool. + +Now, that's the dizzy limit; so I lays aside the reins, +An' starts to prove 'e's storin' mud where most blokes keeps + their brains. + 'E decorates 'is answers, an' we're goin' it ding-dong, + When this returned bloke, Digger Smith, comes sauntering along. + +Poole's gripped the fence as though 'e means to tear the rails + in two, +An' eyes my waggin' finger like 'e wants to 'ave a chew. + Then Digger Smith 'e grins at Poole, an' then 'e looks at me, + An' sez, quite soft an' friendly-like, "Winnin' the war?" sez 'e. + +Now, Poole deserves it, an' I'm pleased the lad give 'im that jolt. +'E goes fair mad in argument when once 'e gets a holt. + "Yeh make me sad," sez Digger Smith; "the both uv you," sez 'e. + "The both uv us! Gawstruth!" sez I. "You ain't includin' me?" + +"Well, it takes two to make a row," sez little Digger Smith. +"A bloke can't argue 'less 'e 'as a bloke to argue with. + I've come 'ome from a dinkum scrap to find this land uv light + Is chasin' its own tail around an' callin' it a fight. + +"We've seen a thing or two, us blokes 'oo've fought on many fronts; +An' we've 'ad time to think a bit between the fightin' stunts. + We've seen big things, an' thought big things, an' all the + silly fuss, + That used to get us rattled once, seems very small to us. + +"An' when a bloke's fought for a land an' gets laid on the shelf +It pains 'im to come 'ome an' find it scrappin' with itself; + An' scrappin' all for nothin', or for things that look so + small-- + To us, 'oo've been in bigger things, they don't seem reel at all. + +"P'r'aps we 'ave 'ad some skite knocked out, an' p'r'aps we see + more clear, +But seems to us there's plenty cleanin'-up to do round 'ere. + We've learnt a little thing or two, an' we 'ave unlearnt 'eaps, + An' silly partisans, with us, is counted out for keeps. + +"This takin' sides jist for the sake uv takin' sides--Aw, 'Struth! +I used to do them things one time, back in me foolish youth. + Out There, when I remembered things, I've kicked meself reel good. + In football days I barracked once red 'ot for Collin'wood. + +"I didn't want to see a game, nor see no justice done. +It never mattered wot occurred as long as my side won. + The other side was narks an' cows an' rotters to a man; + But mine was all reel bonzer chaps. I was a partisan. + +"It might sound like swelled-'ead," sez Smith. "But show me, if yeh can...." +"'Old 'ard," sez Poole. "Jist tell me this: wot is a partisan?" + Then Digger Smith starts to ixplain; Poole interrupts straight out; + An' I wades in to give my views, an' 'as to nearly shout. + +We battles on for one good hour. My team sleeps where it stands; +An' Poole 'as tossed the spade away to talk with both 'is 'ands; + An' Smith 'as dropped the maul 'e 'ad. Then I looks round to see + Doreen quite close. She smiles at us. "Winnin' the war?" sez she. + + + + +VII. A DIGGER'S TALE + + +A Digger's Tale + +MY oath!' the Duchess sez. 'You'd not ixpect + Sich things as that. Yeh don't mean kangaroos? +Go hon!' she sez, or words to that effect-- + (It's 'ard to imitate the speech they use) +I tells 'er, 'Straight; I drives 'em four-in-'and + 'Ome in my land.' + +"You 'ear a lot," sez little Digger Smith, + "About 'ow English swells is so stand-off. +Don't yeh believe it; it's a silly myth. + I've been reel cobbers with the British toff +While I'm on leaf; for Blighty liked our crowd, + An' done us proud. + +"Us Aussies was the goods in London town + When I was there. If they jist twigged yer 'at +The Dooks would ask yeh could yeh keep one down, + An' Earls would 'ang out 'Welcome' on the mat, +An' sling yeh invites to their stately 'alls + For fancy balls. + +"This Duchess--I ain't quite sure uv 'er rank; + She might uv been a Peeress. I dunno. +I meets 'er 'usband first. 'E owns a bank, + I 'eard, an' 'arf a dozen mints or so. +A dinkum toff. 'E sez, 'Come 'ome with me + An' 'ave some tea.' + +"That's 'ow I met this Duchess Wot's-'er-name-- + Or Countess--never mind 'er moniker; +I ain't no 'and at this 'ere title game-- + An' right away, I was reel pals with 'er. +'Now, tell me all about yer 'ome,' sez she, + An' smiles at me. + +"That knocks me out. I know it ain't no good + Paintin' word-picters uv the things I done +Out 'ome 'ere, barrackin' for Collin'wood, + Or puntin' on the flat at Flemin'ton. +I know this Baroness uv Wot-yeh-call + Wants somethin' tall. + +"I thinks reel 'ard; an' then I lets it go. + I tells 'er, out at Richmond, on me Run-- +A little place uv ten square mile or so-- + I'm breedin' boomerangs; which is reel fun, +When I ain't troubled by the wild Jonops + That eats me crops. + +"I talks about the wondrous Boshter Bird + That builds 'er nest up in the Cobber Tree, +An' 'atches out 'er young on May the third, + Stric' to the minute, jist at 'arf pas' three. +'Er eyes get big. She sez, 'Can it be true?' + 'Er eyes was blue. + +"An' then I speaks uv sport, an' tells 'er 'ow + In 'untin' our wild Wowsers we imploy +Large packs uv Barrackers, an' 'ow their row + Wakes echoes in the forests uv Fitzroy, +Where lurks the deadly Shicker Snake 'oo's breath + Is certain death. + +"I'm goin' on to talk uv kangaroos, + An' 'ow I used to drive 'em four-in-'and. +'Wot?' sez the Marchioness. 'Them things in Zoos + That 'ops about? I've seen 'em in the Strand +In double 'arness; but I ain't seen four. + Tell me some more.' + +"I baulks a bit at that; an' she sez, 'Well, + There ain't no cause at all for you to feel +Modest about the things you 'ave to tell; + An' wot yeh say sounds wonderfully reel. +Your talk'--an' 'ere I seen 'er eyelids flick-- + 'Makes me 'omesick. + +"'I reckerlect,' she sez--'Now, let me see-- + In Gippsland, long ago, when I was young, +I 'ad a little pet Corroboree,' + (I sits up in me chair like I was stung.) +'On its 'ind legs,' she sez, 'it used to stand. + Fed from me 'and.' + +"Uv course, I threw me alley in right there. + This Princess was a dinkum Aussie girl. +I can't do nothin' else but sit an' stare, + Thinkin' so rapid that me 'air roots curl. +But 'er? She sez, 'I ain't 'eard talk so good + Since my child'ood. + +"'I wish,' sez she, 'I could be back again + Beneath the wattle an' that great blue sky. +It's like a breath uv 'ome to meet you men. + You've done reel well,' she sez. 'Don't you be shy. +When yer in Blighty once again,' sez she, + 'Come an' see me.' + +"I don't see 'er no more; 'cos I stopped one. + But, 'fore I sails, I gits a billy doo +Which sez, 'Give my love to the dear ole Sun, + An' take an exile's blessin' 'ome with you. +An' if you 'ave some boomerangs to spare, + Save me a pair. + +"'I'd like to see 'em play about,' she wrote, + 'Out on me lawn, an' stroke their pretty fur. +God bless yeh, boy.' An' then she ends 'er note, + 'Yer dinkum cobber,' an' 'er moniker. +A sport? You bet! She's marri'd to an Earl-- + An Aussie girl." + + + + +VIII. JIM'S GIRL + + + +Jim's Girl + + +"'Oo is that girl," sez Digger Smith, +"That never seems to bother with + No blokes: the bint with curly 'air? + I've often seen 'er over there +Talkin' to Missus Flood, an' she +Seems like a reel ripe peach to me. + +"Not that I'm askin'" . . . 'Ere 'is eyes +Goes sort uv swiv'ly, an' 'e sighs. + "Not that I'm askin' with idears + Uv love an' marridge; 'ave no fears. +I've chucked the matrimony plan," +'E sez. "I'm only 'arf a man." + +This Digger Smith 'as fairly got +Me rampin' with 'is "'arf man" rot. + 'E 'as a timber leg, it's true; + But 'e can do the work uv two. +Besides, the things 'e's done Out There +Makes 'im one man an' some to spare. + +I knoo 'is question was jist kid. +'E'd met this girl; I know 'e did. + 'E knoo Jim Flood an' 'er was booked + For double when the 'Un was cooked. +But, seein' 'er, it used to start +'Im thinkin' uv another tart. + +"Oh, 'er?" sez I. "She is a pearl. +I've 'eard she used to be Jim's girl; + But she was jist a child when Jim + Got out. She 'as forgotten 'im." +I knows jist wot was in 'is mind, +An' sez, "Wade in, if you're inclined." + +'E give me sich a narsty look +I thought 'e meant to answer crook; + But, "I ain't out for jokes," sez 'e + "Yeh needn't sling that stuff to me. +I only was jist thinkin'--p'r'aps . . . . . +There's some," 'e sez, "that sticks to chaps. + +"Some girls," sez 'e, "keeps true to chaps, +An' wed 'em when they've done with scraps, + An' come 'ome whole. Yeh don't ixpec' + No tart to tie up to a wreck? +Besides," 'e sez. . . . "Well, any'ow, +That girl's all right; I know it now. + +"I know," sez Smith. "I got it right. +Jim used to talk to me at night + About a little girl 'e tracked. + 'Er name is Flo. Ain't that a fact? +That's 'er. I know she writes to 'im +Each mail. She ain't forgotten Jim. + +"I'd like to swap my luck for Jim's +If 'e comes 'ome with all 'is limbs. + An', if 'e don't--well, I dunno. + I've taken notice uv this Flo, +An' wonder if"--'e stares at me-- +"If there is more like 'er" sez 'e. + +Now, Digger Smith 'as learned a lot +Out fightin' there, but 'e ain't got + The cunnin' for to 'ide 'is 'eart. + 'E's too dam honest, for a start; +'Is mind's dead simple to a friend. +I've read 'im through from end to end. + +I've learned from things 'e 'asn't said +Jist wot's been runnin in 'is 'ead. + I know there is a girl, somewhere; + Some one 'oo 'ad the 'eart to care +For 'im when 'e went to the war. +I know all that, an' somethin' more. + +I know that since 'e came back 'ere +'E 'asn't seen that girl for fear + She'd turn 'im down--give 'im the bird, + An' 'and 'im out the frozen word, +Because 'e's left a leg in France; +An' 'e's afraid to take a chance. + +Well, not afraid, per'aps, but--shook. +It's jist the form 'is nerves 'ave took. + Now 'e's been watchin' Flo an' seen + 'Er style, an' 'ow she's always keen +For news uv Jim. Then 'e starts out +To 'ope, an' 'esitate, an' doubt. + +'E wonders if 'is own girl spoke +Jist this same way about 'er bloke. + 'E wonders if in 'is girl's eyes + That same look came; an' then 'e sighs, +An' dulls 'is senses with the dope +That 'arf a man ain't got no 'ope. + +'E makes me tired. But, all the same, +I tries to work a little game. + "Look 'ere," I sez. "About this Flo. + Jim mightn't come back 'ome, yeh know. +You 'ave a fly; yeh're sure to score; +Besides, all's fair in love an' war." + +"Sling that!" 'e sez; but I goes on +"Ole Jim won't blame yeh when she's gone. + 'E knows, the same as me an' you, + These silly tarts, they can't keep true." +I piles it on until I've got +'Im where I want 'im--jumpin' 'ot. + +An' then 'e sez, "'Ere, sling that talk! +I might be groggy in me walk; + But if yeh say them things to me + I'm man enough to crack yeh; see?" +"Righto," sez I. "That was me plan. +Now wot about this 'arf a man?" + +'E stares at me, an' then sez, slow, +"Wot is yer game? Wot do yeh know?" + "Nothin'," I tells 'im, "only this + When there's a waitin' tart to kiss +Yeh're only 'arf a man; but when +There's blokes to fight, yeh're twenty men." + +"Wot tart?" 'e asks. "Yeh mean this Flo?" +"P'r'aps not," I sez. "You ought to know." + I waits to let me words sink in. + An' then--'e beats me with that grin. +"Match-makin', Bill?" 'e laughs. "Oh, 'Ell! +You take up knittin' for a spell." + + + + +IX. THE BOYS OUT THERE + + +The Boys Out There + +"WHY do they do it? I dunno," + Sez Digger Smith. "Yeh got me beat. +Some uv the yarns yeh 'ear is true, +An' some is rather umptydoo, + An' some is--indiscreet. +But them that don't get to the crowd, +Them is the ones would make yeh proud." + +With Digger Smith an' other blokes + 'Oo 'ave returned it's much the same +They'll talk uv wot they've seen an' done +When they've been out to 'ave their fun; + But no word uv the game. +On fights an' all the tale uv blood +Their talk, as they remark, is dud. + +It's so with soldiers, I 'ave 'eard, + All times. The things that they 'ave done, +War-mad, with blood before their eyes, +An' in their ears wild fightin' cries, + They ever after shun. +P'r'aps they forget; or find it well +Not to recall too much uv 'Ell. + +An' when they won't loose up their talk + It's 'ard for us to understand +'Ow all those boys we used to know, +Ole Billo, Jim an' Tom an' Joe, + Done things to beat the band. +We knoo they'd fight; but they've became +'Ead ringers at the fightin' game. + +Well, wot I've 'eard from Digger Smith + An' other soldier blokes like 'im +I've put together bit by bit, +An' chewed a long time over it; + An' now I've got a dim +An' 'azy notion in me 'ead +Why they is battlers, born an' bred. + +Wot did they know uv war first off, + When they joined up? Wot did I know +When I was tossed out on me neck +As if I was a shattered wreck + The time I tried to go? +Flat feet! Me feet 'as len'th an' brea'th +Enough to kick a 'Un to death! + +They don't know nothin', bein' reared + Out 'ere where war 'as never spread-- +"A land by bloodless conquest won," +As some son uv a writin' gun + Sez in a book I read +They don't know nix but wot they're told +At school; an' that sticks till they're old. + +Yeh've got to take the kid at school, + Gettin' 'is 'ist'ry lesson learned-- +Then tales uv Nelson an' uv Drake, +Uv Wellin'ton an' Fightin' Blake. + 'Is little 'eart 'as burned +To get right out an' 'ave a go, +An' sock it into some base foe. + +Nothin' but glory fills 'is mind; + The British charge is somethin' grand; +The soldier that 'e reads about +Don't 'ave no time for fear an' doubt; + 'E's the 'eroic brand. +So, when that boy gets in the game, +'E jist wades in an' does the same. + +Not bein' old 'ands at the stunt, + They simply does as they are told; +But, bein' Aussies--Spare me days!-- +They never thinks uv other ways, + But does it brave an' bold. +That's 'arf; an' for the other part +Yeh got to go back to the start. + +Yeh've got to go right back to Dad, + To Gran'dad and the pioneers, +'Oo packed up all their bag uv tricks +An' come out 'ere in fifty-six, + An' battled thro' the years; +Our Gran'dads; _and their women, too_, +That 'ad the grit to face the new. + +It's that old stock; an', more than that, + It's Bill an' Jim an' ev'ry son +Gettin' three good meat meals a day +An' 'eaps uv chance to go an' play + Out in the bonzer sun. +It's partly that; but, don't forget, +When it's all said, there's somethin' yet. + +There's somethin' yet; an' there I'm beat. + Crowds uv these lads I've known, but then, +They 'ave got somethin' from this war, +Somethin' they never 'ad before, + That makes 'en better men. +Better? There's no word I can get +To name it right. There's somethin' yet. + +We 'ear a lot about reward; + We praise, an' sling the cheers about; +But there was debts we can't repay +Piled up on us one single day-- + When that first list come out. +There ain't no way to pay that debt. +Do wot we can--there's somethin' yet. + + + + +X. HALF A MAN + + +Half a Man + +"I WASH me 'ands uv 'im," I tells 'em, straight. + "You women can do wot yeh dash well like. +I leave this 'arf a man to 'is own fate; + I've done me bit, an' now I'm gone on strike. +Do wot yeh please; but don't arsk 'elp from me; +'E's give me nerves; so now I'll let 'im be." + +Doreen an' ole Mar Flood 'as got a scheme. + They've been conspirin' for a week or more +About this Digger Smith, an' now they dream + They've got 'is fucher waitin' in cool store +To 'and 'im out, an' fix 'im up for life. +But they've got Buckley's, as I tells me wife. + +I've seen 'em whisperin' up in our room. + Now they wants me to join in the debate; +But, "Nix," I tells 'em. "I ain't in the boom, + An' Digger Smith ain't risin' to me bait; +'E's fur too fly a fish for me to catch, +An' two designin' women ain't 'is match." + +I puts me foot down firm, an' tells 'em, No! + Their silly plan's a thing I wouldn't touch. +An' then me wife, for 'arf an hour or so, + Talks to me confident, of nothin' much; +Then, 'fore I know it, I am all red 'ot +Into the scheme, an' leader uv the plot. + +'Twas Mar Flood starts it. She got 'old uv 'im-- + You know the way they 'ave with poor, weak men-- +She drops a tear or two concernin' Jim; + Tells 'im wot women 'ave to bear; an' then +She got 'im talkin', like a woman can. +'E never would 'ave squeaked to any man. + +She leads 'im on--It's crook the way they scheme + To talk about this girl 'e's left be'ind. +Not that she's pryin'! Why, she wouldn't dream!-- + But speakin' uv it might jist ease 'is mind. +Then, 'fore 'e knows, 'e's told, to 'is su'prise, +Name an' address--an' colour uv 'er eyes! + +An' then she's off 'ere plottin' with Doreen-- + Bustin' a confidence, I tells 'em, flat. +But all me roustin' leaves 'em both serene + Women don't see a little thing like that. +An' I ain't cooled off yet before they've got +Me workin' for 'em in this crooked plot. + +Nex' day Mar Flood she takes 'er Sund'y dress + An' 'er best little bonnet up to town. +'Er game's to see the girl at this address + An' word 'er in regard to comin' down +To take Smith be su'prise. My part's to fix +A meetin' so there won't be any mix. + +I tips, some'ow, that girl won't 'esitate. + She don't. She comes right back with Mar nex' day, +All uv a fluster. When I seen 'er state + I thinks I'd best see Digger straight away; +'Cos, if I don't, 'e's bound to 'ear the row, +With 'er: "Where is 'e? Can't I see 'im now?" + +I finds 'im in the paddick down at Flood's. + I 'ums an' 'ars a bit about the crops. +'E don't say nothin': goes on baggin' spuds. + "'Ow would yeh like," I sez to 'im, an' stops. +"'Ow would it be" . . . 'E stands an' looks at me +"Now, wot the 'Ell's got into you?" sez 'e. + +That don't restore me confidence a bit. + The drarmer isn't goin' as I tipped. +I corfs, an' makes another shot at it; + While 'e looks at me like 'e thinks I'm dipped. +"Well--jist suppose," I sez; an' then I turn +An' see 'er standin' there among the fern. + +She don't want no prelimin'ries, this tart; + She's broke away before they rung the bell; +She's beat the gun, an' got a flyin' start. + Smith makes a funny noise, an' I sez, "'Ell" +Because I tumbles that I'm out uv place: +But, as I went, I caught sight uv 'er face. + +That's all I want to know. An', as I ran, + I 'ears 'er cry, "My man! Man an' a 'arf! +Don't fool me with yer talk uv 'arf a man!". . . . + An' then I 'ears ole Digger start to larf. +It was a funny larf, so 'elp me bob: +Fair in the middle uv it come a sob. . . . + +I don't see Digger till the other night. + "Well, 'Arf-a-man," I sez. "'Ow goes it now?" +"Yes, 'arf a man," sez 'e. "Yeh got it right; +I can't change that, alone, not any'ow. +But she is mendin' things." 'E starts to larf. +"Some day," 'e sez, "she'll be the better 'arf." + + + + +XI. SAWIN' WOOD + + +Sawin' Wood + +I WONDERED wot was doin'. First I seen +Ole Missus Flood wave signals to Doreen. + I'm in the paddick slashin' down some ferns; + She's comin' up the road; an' if she turns +An 'andspring I won't be su'prised a bit, +The way she's caperin', an' goin' it. + +She yells out some remark when she gets near, +Which I don't catch, I'm too fur off to 'ear. + An' then Doreen comes prancin' to our door, + An' Missus Flood she sprints, an' yells some more; +My wife runs to the gate an' waves 'er arms. . . . +But I lays low; I'm used to these alarms. + +A marri'd bloke, in time, 'e learns a bit; +An' 'e ain't over keen to throw a fit + Each time the women calls the fire-reel out. + It's jist a trifle 'e'll know all about +When things get normal. That's a point I learn; +So I saws wood, an' keeps on cuttin' fern. + +At least, I cut a few. I got to give +Reel fac's, an' own I was inquisitive; + An' these 'ere fireworks gets me fair perplexed. + I watch the 'ouse to see wot 'appens next; +But nothin's doin'. They jist goes on in, +An' leaves me wonderin' wot's caused the din. + +I stands it for a full 'arf-hour or more; +Then gets dead sick uv starin' at the door. + I goes down to the 'ouse an' 'unts about + To find some 'baccer, which I 'ave no doubt +Is in me trousers pocket all the while. +When I goes in, the talk stops, an' they smile. + +I sez I've lost me smoke, an' search a bit, +An' ask Doreen wot 'as became uv it, + An' turns the mantelshelf all upside-down, + An' looks inside the teapot, with a frown; +Then gives it up, an' owns I'd like a drink; +When Missus Flood sez, "Bill, _wot do you think_?" + +Now, ain't that like a woman? Spare me days, +I'll never get resigned to all their ways. + When they 'as news to tell they smile, an' wink, + An' bottle it, an' ask yeh wot yeh think. +It's jist a silly game uv theirs, an' so, +I gives the countersign: "Wot? I dunno." + +"Then guess," she sez. Well, I'm a patient bloke, +So I sits down an' starts to cut a smoke. + (To play this game yeh've got to persevere.) + "Couldn't," I sez, "if I guessed for a year"; +Then lights me pipe, an' waits for 'er to speak. +At last she sez, "_Jim's comin' back next week_!" + +"Go on," sez I; an' puffs away awhile +Quite unconcerned. But for to see 'er smile + Was jist a treat: 'er eyes was shinin' bright, + An' she'd grow'd ten years younger in a night. +Jist 'ere, Doreen she sez to me, "Good Lor, +Wot do yeh want _two_ plugs uv 'baccer for?" + +I takes me pipe out uv me mouth an' stares, +An' stammers, "Must 'ave found a piece--somewheres." + But, by the way she smiles--so extra sweet-- + I know she twigs me game, an' I am beat. +"Fancy," she sez. "Yeh're absent-minded, dear. +Sure there was nothin' else yeh wanted 'ere?" + +"Nothin'," I sez, an' feels a first-prize fool; +An' goes outside, an' grabs the nearest tool. + It was the crosscut; so I works like mad + To keep me self-respeck from goin' bad. +"This game," I tells meself, "will do yeh good. +You ain't proficient, yet, at sawin' wood." + + + + +XII. JIM + + +Jim + +"NOW, be the Hokey Fly!" sez Peter Begg. +"Suppose 'e comes 'ome with a wooden leg. + Suppose 'e isn't fit to darnce at all, + Then, ain't we 'asty fixin' up this ball? +A little tournament at Bridge is my +Idear," sez Peter. "Be the Hokey Fly!" + +Ole Peter Begg is gettin' on in years. +'E owns a reel good farm; an' all 'e fears + Is that some girl will land 'im, by are by, + An' share it with 'im--be the Hokey Fly. +That's 'is pet swear-word, an' I dunno wot +'E's meanin', but 'e uses it a lot. + +"Darncin'!" growls Begg. We're fixin' up the 'all +With bits uv green stuff for a little ball + To welcome Jim, 'oo's comin' 'ome nex' day. + We're 'angin' flags around to make things gay, +An' shiftin' chairs, an' candle-greasin' floors, +'As is our way when blokes come 'ome from wars. + +"A little game uv Bridge," sez Peter Begg, +"Would be more decent like, an' p'r'aps a keg + Uv somethin' if the 'ero's feelin' dry. + But this 'ere darncin'! Be the Hokey Fly, +These selfish women never thinks at all +About the guest; they only wants the ball. + +"Now, cards," sez Begg, "amuses ev'ry one. +An' then our soldier guest could 'ave 'is fun + If 'e'd lost _both_ 'is legs. It makes me sick + 'Ere! Don't yeh spread that candle-grease too thick +Yeh're wastin' it; an' us men 'as to buy +Enough for nonsense, be the Hokey Fly!" + +Begg, 'e ain't never keen on wastin' much. +"Peter," I sez, "it's you that needs a crutch. + Why don't yeh get a wife, an' settle down?" + 'E looks reel fierce, an' answers, with a frown, +"Do you think I am goin' to be rooked +For 'arf me tucker, jist to get it cooked?" + +I lets it go at that, an' does me job; +An' when a little later on I lob + Along the 'omeward track, down by Flood's gate + I meet ole Digger Smith, an' stops to state +Me views about the weather an' the war. . . . +'E tells me Jim gets 'ere nex' day, at four. + +An' as we talk, I sees along the road +A strange bloke 'umpin' some queer sort uv load. + I points 'im out to Smith an' sez; "'Oo's that? + Looks like a soldier, don't 'e, be 'is 'at?" +"Stranger," sez Digger, "be the cut uv 'im." +But, trust a mother's eyes. . . . "_It's Jim! My Jim_! + +"My Jim!" I 'ears; an', scootin' up the track +Come Missus Flood, with Flo close at 'er back. + It was a race, for lover an' for son; + They finished neck an' neck; but mother won, +For it was 'er that got the first good 'ug. +(I'm so took back I stands there like a mug.) + +_Then_ come Flo's turn; an' Jim an' Digger they +Shake 'ands without no fancy, gran'-stand play. + Yeh'd think they parted yesterd'y, them two. + For all the wild 'eroics that they do. +"Yeh done it, lad," sez Jim. "I knoo yeh would." +"You bet," sez Smith; "but I'm all to the good." + +Then, uv a sudden, all their tongues is loosed. +They finds me there an' I am intrajuiced; + An' Jim tells 'ow it was 'e come to land + So soon, while Mar an' Flo each 'olds a 'and. +But, jist as sudden, they all stop an' stare +Down to the 'ouse, at Dad Flood standin' there. + +'E's got 'is 'and up shadin' off the sun. +Then 'e starts up to them; but Dad don't run + 'E isn't 'owlin' for 'is lost boy's kiss; + 'E's got 'is own sweet way in things like this. +'E wanders up, an' stands an' looks at Jim. +An', spare me days, that look was extra grim! + +I seen the mother pluckin' at 'er dress; +I seen the girl's white face an' 'er distress. + An' Digger Smith, 'e looks reel queer to me + Grinnin' inside 'imself 'e seemed to be. +At last Dad sez--oh, 'e's a tough ole gun! +"Well, are yeh sorry now for wot yeh done?" + +Jim gives a start; but answers with a grin, +"Well, Dad, I 'ave been learnin' discipline. + An' tho' I ain't quite sure wot did occur + Way back"--'e's grinnin' worse--"I'm sorry, sir." +(It beats me, that, about these soldier blokes +They're always grinnin', like all things was jokes.) + +P'r'aps Dad is gettin' dull in 'is ole age; +But 'e don't seem to see Jim's cammyflage. + P'r'aps 'e don't want to; for, in 'is ole eye, + I seen a twinkle as 'e give reply. +"Nex' week," 'e sez, "we will begin to cart +The taters. Yeh can make another start." + +But then 'e grabs Jim's 'and. I seen the joy +In mother's eyes. "Now, welcome 'ome, me boy," + Sez Dad; an' then 'e adds, "Yeh've made me proud;" + That's all. An' 'e don't add it none too loud. +Dad don't express 'is feelin's in a shout; +It cost 'im somethin' to git that much out. + + . . . . . . . . . + + +We 'ad the darnce. An', spite uv all Begg's fears, +Jim darnced like 'e could keep it up for years; + Mostly with Flo. We don't let up till three; + An' then ole Peter Begg, Doreen an' me +We walk together 'ome, an' on the way, +Doreen 'as quite a lot uv things to say. + +"Did you see Flo?" sez she. "Don't she look grand? +That Jim's the luckiest in all the land-- + An' little Smith--that girl uv 'is, I'm sure, + She'll bring 'im 'appiness that will endure." +She 'ugs my arm, then sez, "'Usband or wife, +If it's the right one, is the wealth uv life." + +I sneaks a look at Begg, an' answers, "Yes, +Yeh're right, ole girl; that's the reel 'appiness. + An' if ole, lonely growlers was to know + The worth uv 'appy marridge 'ere below, +They'd swap their bank-books for a wife," sez I. +Sez Peter Begg, "_Well! Be the--Hokey--Fly_!" + + + + +XIII. A SQUARE DEAL + + +A Square Deal + +"DREAMIN'?" I sez to Digger Smith. + "Buck up, ole sport, an' smile. +Ain't there enough uv joy to-day +To drive the bogey man away + An' make reel things worth while? +A bloke would think, to see you stare, +There's visions on the 'ill-tops there." + +"Dreamin'," sez Digger Smith. "Why not? + An' there is visions too. +An' when I get 'em sorted out, +An' strafe that little bogey, Doubt, + I'll start me life all new. +Oh, I ain't crook; but packed in 'ere +Is thoughts: enough to last a year. + +"I'm thinkin' things," sez Digger Smith. + "I'm thinkin' big an' fine +Uv Life an' Love an' all the rest, +An' wot is right an' wot is best, + An' 'ow much will be mine. +Not that I'm wantin' overmuch +Some work, some play, an' food an' such." + +"See 'ere," I sez. "You 'ark to me. + I've done some thinkin' too. +An' this 'ere land, for wot yeh did, +Owes some few million solid quid + To fightin' blokes like you. +So don't be too dam modest or +Yeh'll git less than yeh're lookin' for." + +"Money?" sez Digger. "Loot?" sez 'e + "Aw, give that talk a rest! +I'm sick uv it. I didn't say +That I was thinkin' all uv pay, + But wot was right an' best. +An' that ain't in the crazy game +Uv grabbin' wealth an' chasin' fame. + +"Do you think us blokes Over There, + When things was goin' strong, +Was keepin' ledgers day be day +An' reck'nin' wot the crowd would pay? + Pull off! Yeh got it wrong. +Do you think all the boys gone West +Wants great swank 'ead-stones on their chest? + +"You chaps at 'ome 'as small ideer + Uv wot we think an' feel. +We done our bit an' seen it thro', +An' all that we are askin' you + Is jist a fair, square deal. +We want this land we battled for +To settle up--an' somethin' more. + +"We want the land we battled for + To be a land worth while. +We're sick uv greed, an' 'ate, an' strife, +An' all the mess that's made uv life." . . . + 'E stopped a bit to smile. +"I got these thoughts Out There becos +We learnt wot mateship reely was." + + . . . . . . . . + + +The hills be'ind the orchard trees + Was showin' misty blue. +The ev'nin' light was growin' dim; +An' down I sat 'longside uv 'im, + An' done some dreamin' too. +I dreams uv war; an' wot is paid +By blokes that went an' blokes that stayed. + +I dreams uv honour an' reward, + An' 'ow to pay a debt. +For partin' cash, an' buyin' farms, +An' fittin' chaps with legs an' arms + Ain't all--there's somethin' yet. +There's still a solid balance due; +An' now it's up to me an' you. + +There's men I know ain't yet woke up, + Or reckernized that debt-- +Proud men 'oo wouldn't take yeh down +Or owe their grocer 'arf-a-crown-- + They ain't considered, yet, +There's somethin' owin'--to the dead, +An' Diggers live for more than bread. + +"_We_ learnt wot mateship was," 'e sez. + "Us Diggers found the good +That's hid away somewhere in chaps, +An' ain't searched for enough, per'aps, + Or prized, or understood. +But all this game uv grab an' greed +An' silly 'ate--Why, where's the need?" + +The hills be'ind the orchard trees + Jist caught the settin' sun. +A bloke might easy think that there, +'Way back be'ind the range somewhere, + Where streaks uv sunlight run, +There was a land, swep' clear uv doubt, +Where men finds wot they dreams about. + + . . . . . . . . . + + +"Beauty," sez Digger, sudden-like, + "An' love, an' kindliness; +The chance to live a clean, straight life, +A dinkum deal for kids an' wife + A man needs nothin' less. . . . +Maybe they'll get it when I go +To push up daisies. I dunno." + +"Dreamin'," sez Digger Smith. "Why not? + There's visions on the hill.". . . +Then I gets up an' steals away, +An' leaves 'im with the dyin' day, + Dreamin' an' doubtin' still. . . . +Cobber, it's up to me an' you +To see that 'arf 'is dream comes true. + + + THE END + + + +GLOSSARY + +Alley, to throw in the.--To surrender. +Ar.--An exclamation expressing joy, sorrow, surprise, etc., + according to the manner of utterance. +Aussie.--Australia; an Australian. + +Bag of tricks.--All one's belongings. +Barrack.--To take sides. +Beat the band.--To amaze. +Bint.--Girl. +Bird, to give the.--To treat with derision. +Blighty.--London. +Blind.--Deception, "bluff." +Bloke.--A male adult of the genus homo. +Bluff.--Cunning practice; make-believe; to deceive; to mislead. +Bonzer,--The best. +Book.--In whist, six tricks. +Booked.--Engaged. +Buckley's (Chance)--A forlorn hope. +Buck up.--Cheer up. +Bunk, to do a.--To depart. + +Chap.--A "bloke" or "cove." +Chuck off--To chaff; to employ sarcasm. +Chuck up.--To relinquish. +Chump.--A foolish fellow. +Cobber--A boon companion. +Coot.--A person of no account (used contemptuously). +Cove--A "chap" or "bloke." q.v. (Gipsy). +Cow.--A thoroughly unworthy, not to say despicable person, + place, thing or circumstance. +Crack--To smite. +Crack hardy.--To suppress emotion; to endure patiently; + to keep a secret. +Crook.--Unwell; dishonest; spurious; fraudulent. + Superlative, dead crook. +Crook.--A dishonest or evil person. +Crool.--To frustrate; to interfere with. + +Dead.--In a superlative degree; very. +Deal.--A "hand" at cards. +Digger.--An infantryman; a comrade. +Dilly.--Foolish; half-witted. +Dinkum.--Honest; true. +Dipped.--Mentally deficient. +Dizzy limit--The utmost; the superlative degree. +Dope.--A drug. +Dud.--No good; ineffective; used up. + +Fag.--A cigarette. +Final, to run one's.--To die. +Final kick.--Final leave. +Fly.--A turn; a try. + +Game.--Occupation; scheme; design. +Grandstand play.--Playing to the gallery. +Groggy.--Unsteady. +Grouch.--To mope; to grumble. + +Hokey Fly, by the.--A mild expletive, + without any particular meaning. +Hump, to--To carry, as a swag or other burden. + +Job.--Work, occupation. +John 'Op (or Jonop)--Policeman. +Jolt.--A blow. + +Keep one down.--Take a drink. +Kick.--Leave. +Kick about.--To loaf or hang about. +Kid--A child. +Kid, to.--To deceive; to persuade with flattery. +Lob, to--To arrive. +Lurk--A plan of action; a regular occupation. +Moniker.--A name; a title; a signature. +Mug.--A simpleton. + +Nail.--Catch. +Nark.--s., a spoil--sport; a churlish fellow. +Nark, to.--To annoy; to foil. +Neck and neck.--Side by side. +Nix.--Nothing. +Nod, on the.--Without payment. + +Pal.--A friend; a mate (Gipsy). +Part.--Give; hand over. +Pins.--Legs. +Pull, to take a.--To desist; to discontinue. +Pull off.--Desist. +Pull my (or your) leg.--To deceive or get the best of. +Punter.--The natural prey of bookmakers (betting men). +Push up daisies, to.--To be interred. + +Quid.--A sovereign, or pound sterling. + +Rag.--Song in rag time. +Rattled--Excited; confused. +Recomeniber.--Remember. +Renege.--To fail to follow suit (in playing cards); to quit. +Rile--To annoy. +Riled--Roused to anger. +Ringer.--Expert. +Rook, to.--To "take down." +Rouse (or Roust).--To upbraid with many words. +Ructions.--Growling; argument. +Run 'is final.--Died. + +Sawing wood--"Bluffing;" biding one's time. +School.--A club; a clique of gamblers, or others. +Scoot.--To hurry; to scuttle. +Scrap.--Fight. +Shicker--Intoxicating liquor. +Skite.--To boast. +Slam,--Making all the tricks (in card-playing). +Sling.--Discard; throw. +Slope, to.--To leave in haste. +Smooge.--To flatter or fawn; to bill and coo. +Snarky--Angry. +Sock it into.--To administer physical punishment. +S.O.S--Signal of distress or warning, used in telegraphy. +Spare my days.--A pious ejaculation. +Spell.--Rest or change. +Sprag--To accost truculently; to convince. +Spuds.--Potatoes. +Square.--Upright; honest. +Squeak.--To give away a secret. +Stoke.--Eat. +Stop one.--To receive a blow. +Stoush--To punch with the fist. s., Violence. +Strength.--Truth; correct estimate. +Strike me!--The innocuous remnant of a hardy curse. +'Struth!--An emaciated oath. +Stunt.--A performance; a tale. [At the front: a battle, engagement] +Swank.--Affectation; ostentation. +Swap.--Exchange. +Swiv'ly--Afraid, or unable, to look straight. + +Take down.--Deceive; get the best of. +Tart.--A young woman (contraction of sweetheart). +Tater--Potato. +Throw in the alley.--To surrender. +Tip.--A warning; a prognostication; a hint. +Toff.--An exalted person. +Tony.--Stylish. +Tossed out on my neck.--Rejected. +Track with--To woo; to "go walking with." +Treat.--Very much or very good. +Tucker.--Food. +Twig.--To observe; to espy. + +Umptydoo.--Far-fetched; "crook." +Up to us.--Our duty. + +Wade in--Take your fill. +Wise, to put.--To explain; to instruct. +Wowser--A narrow-minded, intolerant person. + + +Yap--To talk volubly. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DIGGER SMITH*** + + +******* This file should be named 15524.txt or 15524.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/5/5/2/15524 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: +https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + diff --git a/15524.zip b/15524.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..881d907 --- /dev/null +++ b/15524.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..16bd356 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #15524 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/15524) |
