"Do you know, a man gave it to me. Just after we arrived, there was a terrific fuss, someone had found a pocket of gold and one of the nuggets he found was absolutely huge about as big as man's fist, and lots of little smaller ones. He gave it to me and asked me to write up all about his finding it, and I will. Isn't it great?"
Tad handed it round for his friends to see. Each one took it in his hand and felt it. It was almost smooth and extremely heavy. Will immediately asked what it would buy, but Tad couldn't answer that.
"Do you think I could keep it, Ricky? Or should I sell it and keep the money. I would rather keep it for I don't suppose I will ever have another one."
"Don't you want to go back and dig for some more Tad?" asked Will.
"Not on your life. I reckon that would be beyond everything. Of all the rotten places. I couldn't think of worse. It was so dry and dusty when we got there, it was awful. But after it rained it was worse. Those poor people up there are living in terrible conditions and as far as I could see very, very few of them ever find more than a few specks of gold. No, it's not for me. Gee, I am glad you gave me those rough clothes, Ricky. Poor Mr Handley teetered around in his town shoes and wasn't able to see nearly as much as me. I reckon I'll have some great stories. I'm to go to the office in the morning and start writing it up."
Tad could not stop talking about the diggings, the country, the bush, the coach and all he had seen. The others were quite sure after listening to all his stories that they knew what a gold field looked like and decided that they wouldn't have to 'go bush' to find out. He quietened down a little by the time he had worked hard on his articles and rewrote and rewrote them, finally producing enough by the end of the week to satisfy his demanding editor. Mr Hughes was secretly very pleased with his efforts, but was reluctant to give Tad anything but the barest praise. Mr Fraser had also filled him in as to the great help Tad was in their shooting incident, and had greatly praised him for his coolness and readiness to help in a nasty situation.
When his first article was published, with illustrations by Mr Fraser, Tad felt that his cup was full. He bought six copies of the paper and rushed home when he could to show his friends. His exuberance was infectious. Even Tom caught some of the excitement, though he couldn't read, he admired the pictures and was pleased when Will read the article to him, especially pointing out that it was headed "by Thaddeus English, our special correspondent".
"Matie, I feel real honoured ter know yer. Shake!"
Tad shook the old man's hand and beamed at all and sundry. Mr Landon came down to offer his congratulations, and then Mr Summerhayes. A phaeton drew up at the door and Mr and Mrs Fishbon asked if they too might come in and congratulate their protege. Altogether it was a day of wonders for Tad.
By the time the whole series had been published, and with very little alteration from the editor, Mr Hughes called Tad in to tell him that he could now consider himself as being on the writing staff permanently. Now his cup was overflowing.
"It's all due to you, Rick, " he said that night.
"Nonsense," retorted Ricky. "I couldn't write like that. You did it. It's not my field at all. Look how hard you've worked to get there."
"Yes, but you started me off," Tad said. "If you hadn't taken me under your wing, I wouldn't have got this far. Anyway, thanks, Rick."
After the big series of articles were written, Ricky felt that he could take his family out in their new vehicle. Up until then Tad had not been much interested in it, but now that he had time to think about it it seemed to have a great deal of potential. As they all wished to drive and as no-one could decide, Ricky told Tom to take the reins. The old man grinned and took over. With Tad sitting beside him he asked, "What are you going to call these beauties, Matie?"
"Oh, I haven't thought, have you, Rick?" Tad asked turning round to address him.
"No, I suppose we'll have to think up names for them. We are getting quite a stable now, and we must have their names on their loose boxes. Will can do that."
"Oh, can I," said that gentleman. "Well if I have to put their names on their boxes, I'll have to name them. Now. What about Spic and Span?" asked Will.
"Well, not bad, I suppose," said Tad. "What about Rise and Shine or High and Mighty?"
"Terrible," said Will. "For a literary man you've got bad taste. I still like Spic and Span. What do you think Ricky?"
"I think Tom should choose. You look after them, Tom. What do you think?" asked Ricky, knowing that he had to be sage about this decision.
"Well, maties, I like to 'ave a name thet suits a 'orse and as I keep 'em Spic and Span, I reckon thet'll do. After all young Tad, yer named the pony, Lancer, as its yers and Ricky calls the other horse, Brownie, well, I reckon young Will ought ter name these. 'Ow abaht it, matie? Wotcha think?" he asked.
"All right, I agree. Anyway they are spic and span, you do keep them very well, Tom, so I do agree." Looking around he added, "Hey, Tom, where are we going?"
"Well, I reckon'd we'd go dahn to Darlin' 'Arbour and work rarnd ter the Rocks 'n then out ter thet Mrs Macquarie's Chair, which I ain't ever seen, an' hev a look at all thet. I ain't seen much o' this 'ere town and I reckon this is a good enough time ter do it. Wotcha say?"
They all agreed and spent the rest of the day poking in and out of all these things that Tom had said he had never seen. They went down to where the new railway station was being built and wondered what the engines and carriages would look like.
"Mr Handley tells me," said Tad, "that a steam engine is a very big thing, that is even bigger than a big coach. He has seen them in England."
"Yes," said Ricky, "I can remember seeing them, too. I daresay it will cause a great deal of interest when the engines arrive. We'll be able to travel to Parramatta by rail, I believe. In fact, why don't we go down there by ferry next weekend. We could do the journey there and back in a day."
"Wouldn't we get sea-sick, Rick?" asked Will.
"No, stupid, it will be in the harbour and wouldn't be rough. It should be good to do it, what do you think of that, Tom? Would you come?" answered Ricky.
"Yer don' want ter be draggin' me orl round with yer, matie. Yer go orf on yer own. Besides ah bin there." said the old man.
Not wanting to intrude into the man's past but wishing to please him, Ricky asked, "But wouldn't you want to come? We want you, don't we, boys?"
"Yes, sure, Tom. Why don't you come?" Tad said.
"We want you," put in Will.
"Kinda yer," said Tom. "Orl right, I will. Besides I ain't bin in a ferry."
By this time they had pulled up at a rise overlooking Darling Harbour. There were houses and buildings of commerce built near the water, wharves and warehouses below them. Overlooking these they could see all kinds of ships. A steamship with auxiliary sails was just berthing, one that they were not at all familiar with. Most were sailing ships, though, and some ferries which served all the places on the harbour and up to the Parramatta River. The whole place was a hive of industry. There were several ships unloading cargoes. The men working them looking rather like ants, from the top of the hill.
The roads in Sydney were on the whole not good, in fact at times quite horrific, but their new buggy seemed to take them quite well. They threaded their way between ruts all the way along the waterfront to the Rocks, where a great number of people lived. You could see St Philip's Church up on the hill. The Rocks area was not at all a savoury place to live at that time, for it was where deserters from the ships and criminals of all types lived, in fact it seemed to be a place where misery and disease abounded. The houses were quite small and were crowded together allowing many people to live in a small area.
Circular Quay was as busy a place as Darling Harbour seemed to be, ships to be seen everywhere, activity all around all the way to Bennelong Point.
"What does Bennelong mean?" asked Will. "Is it an aboriginal name?"
"I dunno, matie," said Tom. "I think there were a old house there or summat. I did 'ear tell t
het it belonged ter blacks or the like."
"I think I know," said Tad. "I believe Captain Philip, who was here at first caught one of the blacks, called Bennelong, and got him to try to live like a white man. He even took him to England, I think. And later he built him a house on that point. Am I right, Ricky? Have you heard?"
"Yes, that's the story I heard,too, Tad. I think there was another black who went with him. I fancy his name was Arabanoo or some such, but I don't know much about it. I think one of them died of too much drink. Let that be a lesson to you young Tad."
"That's something I won't die of Rick. I saw too much of it when I was a kid."
"Me, too," put in Will. "I've seen too much of it, too and right now with Mr Thomas. Gosh that man's at it all the time. He gets awfully bad tempered when he's had too much."
"You didn't tell us that, Will. I hope he isn't a problem to you. I don't think I like the sound of Thomas," Ricky said.
"He isn't so bad first thing in the morning, but as the day goes on he's had enough to make him rotten. I agree, he isn't a nice person, but he paints well and is a good teacher, I think. Can I drive now, please Tom?" asked Will wanting to change the subject.
"What say Tad drives until we get to thet Mrs Macquarie's Chair and then yer kin take over after?" asked Tom., handing the reins over to Tad.
"All right," said Will.
"Look," said Ricky, "there's Government House.
Government House could be seen with the Botanic Gardens, and the road that led to Mrs Macquarie's Chair. They left the buggy and walked down to the point. Tom saying that it wasn't all that much to see anyway. He did admit that one did get a good view of the harbour from there and you could see over Wooloomooloo.
Will drove back past the Domain and the Rum Hospital whose real name was the Sydney Hospital and back home past St James' Church.
They all called it a great day and felt that they knew their town a little better than they had previously. They decided to make this a habit in future until they knew their home territory well. They could take a ferry to Parramatta, of which several a day now ran. They could take a ferry to North Sydney from Dawes Point. This was a steam ferry with two paddles and it was said that one did not even have to leave one's vehicle during the ten minute ride to North Sydney. The roads on that side were not well developed, but there was a move afoot to improve that.
That night on reaching Mr and Mrs Fishbon's house they found that the people they first met there, Mr and Mrs Reeves, were to dine. After the gentlemen rejoined the ladies, the boys were surprised to find that the drawing room carpet had been rolled up and an expanse of polished floor exposed. Trying to be polite and not remarking on it, they each took surreptitious looks at it and wondered what was in store for them for they knew their hosts did nothing without a good reason.
Their hostess smiled at them, remarking to herself that their restraint was commendable, and said, "Tonight, gentlemen, we learn to dance. Mr Reeves, you may take your place at the piano."
There was an audible gasp from the three. "That counts me out," said Will, happily.
"No it doesn't my lad," said Mr Fishbon. "You may never be an expert, but you can learn just as the others will."
"But sir, my leg. I could not do it." Will protesting.
"Yes, you can. You probably will not be able to dance for long, but you must learn the steps. You can do it if you really try," persisted his tutor.
"But, sir, does a newspaper reporter need to be able to dance?" asked Tad. "I really don't like the thought of it."
"Yes, my lad, it is not only necessary, but desirable." Turning to Ricky, he said, "You do not protest, Ricky, as do your brothers?"
"No, sir, as a matter of fact I would like to learn. We might be able to meet some nice young ladies if we can dance and be sociable. Thank you for thinking of it."
"Now, there's a philosopher. Take heed, young Will, and Thaddeus, take heed of your elder."
"Who wants to meet young girls, anyway?'' said Will.
"You will one day," said Mrs Fishbon. "Now Mrs Reeves if you will allow Thaddeus to partner you, then I will undertake to escort Richard. We will then take turns with the boys and Mr Fishbon will direct the proceedings. Now Geoffrey tell us what you wish us to do."
After two hours at this pastime the boys at least felt they knew what was expected of them on a dance floor, but they realised that dancing was not as easy as they had thought. There were a lot of steps to learn, but agreed that it had been a very pleasant evening, and they thanked their teachers sincerely.
CHAPTER
8 The English Stores
The new shop opened on the stated date. Ricky had asked his various friends to come to share in the actual opening, so Mr and Mrs Landon, Mr Hughes, Mr and Mrs Fishbon and Mr and Mrs Reeves all came to breakfast with the boys to see the opening of the new door which led to the new shop. All of Ricky's staff were present, too.
Across the building above the new verandah a big sign said, "THE ENGLISH STORES". Ricky had thought very carefully about the name, and he chose that for he felt that it included Tad and Will in it. He knew that one day he would move from this present site and maybe one day it would be changed to "THE ENGLISH EMPORIUM". He was a young man with ambitions.
The new shop was mainly clothing and materials for men and women. He had appointed three new staff for it and thought that they would be very successful in promoting its growth. Ricky was very proud of it.
The breakfast was a great success. He had hired a woman to come and cook and serve the meal. Tad and Will were very excited, too, being included in their first social event as hosts. They were happy about those they knew but all were very wary of Mrs Langdon whom they had not previously met. However, that lady was a pleasant surprise for them for she was most enthusiastic about the venture, and pleased them no end by asking them to come and visit her and her family at their home.
In due course the ribbon which was stretched across the doorway was cut by Mrs Landon and the door of the new shop was opened, and the first of their customers came.
There was always a great call for men's clothing and so selling those were no trouble. Their stock ranged from all kinds of working clothes to gentlemen's attire, the latter having a very pleasant area set aside for it. But for some reason which Ricky could not fathom, the ladies section was not doing well at all. There was no want of customers and the items for sale could not be faulted and so Ricky presumed that Miss Jones, who was in charge of that section, was the problem. He watched as carefully as he could but whenever he was in the vicinity he could find no fault in her treatment of the customers. It was a problem that he could not solve.
One evening when he was returning home late he was surprised to find someone sheltering under the verandah in the shop doorway. At first all he could see was a huddle sheltering from the rain. He could hear a whimpering sound , and so presumed that there was a child there. He nudged the form and he could then see that it was a woman with a small child. He was wet from the rain and it was very cold. He was unable to pass through the door and so asked the woman to move aside so he could enter. He caught sight of her white face and then the child coughed a terrible croupy cough.
"Have you nowhere else to go?" he asked.
"No, sir I haven't," came the reply.
"Is your child sick? Can't you find somewhere to go? Perhaps you should take her to the hospital."
"It's my little boy, sir. He is really sick, but I haven't any means of getting to hospital. I have no money at all."
Ricky looked down at her. She spoke well and looked as though she ought to have somewhere to go. "I think you had better come in with me, at least I can give you something to eat and a bed for the night. It will be warm, too."
"No, thank you sir, I would not accept taking that from a gentleman. We will just make do here." The little one was coughing badly.
"I am not offering anything to you but shelter for the night. There are only my two brothers and an old friend and
we will not harm you. Come in and see. Come, be sensible, we will not harm you and you must have care for your son," Ricky said. He opened the door as she stood up holding her bundle tightly. "Have you no possessions?" he asked.
"They wouldn't let me get them," she answered.
"Who wouldn't?" he queried.
"At the hotel. I was working there and they threw me out because Phil was sick and they didn't want to have him there. I couldn't take my things anyway for I didn't have the price of a cab. In any case I had no-where to go." She didn't speak in a complaining way just spoke straight out telling her plight.
Ricky ushered her in through the shop to the residence at the rear. For the first time he could see what she was like. She was still carrying her child, who was so wrapped up that you could not really see what he was like. He appeared to be quite large, but she didn't stoop in her carrying of him, she was quite a tall woman and very upright in stance. She clutched him to her almost fiercely, as though she was preventing anyone from removing him.
But Ricky didn't attempt to remove her big bundle but led her to the kitchen where Tad was reading by the fire and Tom snoozing gently. Tad jumped up at the entry of the woman and said in an amazed voice, "Who have we here, Rick?"
Ricky motioned the woman to a chair and said, "Put the stew back on the fire Tad, this lady is in need of some."
"I thank you, sir. I do not want to be any trouble to you." The child had another terrible paroxysm of coughing.
"My goodness," said Tad, "your little one sounds very sick."
"Yes, he is sir. I would like to have had a doctor to him but I cannot see my way to doing that. I will just have to manage. I can look after him, thank you," she said.
"Tad, I think we might do something about that little room next to Will's studio. Can we make it habitable, do you think?" Ricky asked. Turning to the woman he said, "We have a room behind the next shop that I think will be all right for you to use until you can make other arrangements. Would that do?"
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