[Editor: This tongue-in-cheek short story was published in “The Moving Picture Show” section of The Sun (Sydney, NSW), 17 September 1921.] Pleasure “Manly Council was indignant at a suggestion read into the remarks of the Chief Harbor Trust Commissioner that Manly was … [Read more...] about Pleasure [17 September 1921]
short stories and anecdotes
Bushed [short story, by T. J. Cunningham, May 1904]
[Editor: This short story, by T. J. Cunningham, was published in Recreation (New York, NY, USA), May 1904.] Bushed. T. J. Cunningham. Six of the niggers had been to the camp that afternoon, headed by their chief, Paddy, and with many grimaces and gestures had made … [Read more...] about Bushed [short story, by T. J. Cunningham, May 1904]
A hero of Babylon [short story by C. A. Jeffries, May 1907]
[Editor: This short story by C. A. Jeffries was published in The Lone Hand (Sydney, NSW), May 1907.] A hero of Babylon. By C. A. Jeffries. Ashley awoke with the consciousness that something was not right. Very slowly the walls of the cell took on form and density, and, … [Read more...] about A hero of Babylon [short story by C. A. Jeffries, May 1907]
“Devil’s luck” [short story, 20 December 1901]
[Editor: This short story was published in The Westralian Worker (Kalgoorlie, WA), 20 December 1901.] “Devil’s luck.” For the Worker. By J.N. He was a most unlucky dog. Everything he touched, ended in failure. Did he buy scrip? The mine was sure to turn out a … [Read more...] about “Devil’s luck” [short story, 20 December 1901]
The economies of Binks [short story by L. E. Homfray, 9 December 1921]
[Editor: This short story by L. E. Homfray was published in The Capricornian (Rockhampton, Qld.), 9 December 1921. It was written in the Australian vernacular.] The economies of Binks. (By L. E. Homfray.) “Now just you listen to this ’ere ’int, ’ow to make 18s. do the … [Read more...] about The economies of Binks [short story by L. E. Homfray, 9 December 1921]
Heart of a child [short story by L. E. Homfray, 20 October 1920]
[Editor: This short story by L. E. Homfray was published in The Sydney Mail (Sydney, NSW), 20 October 1920.] Heart of a child. Athol Gordon sat in his study writing, but somehow his thoughts would wander from the manuscript before him to a letter he had received that day … [Read more...] about Heart of a child [short story by L. E. Homfray, 20 October 1920]
The discovery of Christmas Reef [part 3 of 3; by “Tom Collins” (Joseph Furphy), 8 February 1908]
[Editor: This short story by “Tom Collins” (Joseph Furphy) was published in The Western Mail (Perth, WA), 8 February 1908. The story was printed in three parts; part 1 appeared on 25 January 1908, part 2 on 1 February 1908, and part 3 on 8 February 1908.] The discovery of … [Read more...] about The discovery of Christmas Reef [part 3 of 3; by “Tom Collins” (Joseph Furphy), 8 February 1908]
The discovery of Christmas Reef [part 2 of 3; by “Tom Collins” (Joseph Furphy), 1 February 1908]
[Editor: This short story by “Tom Collins” (Joseph Furphy) was published in The Western Mail (Perth, WA), 1 February 1908. The story was printed in three parts; part 1 appeared on 25 January 1908, part 2 on 1 February 1908, and part 3 on 8 February 1908.] The discovery of … [Read more...] about The discovery of Christmas Reef [part 2 of 3; by “Tom Collins” (Joseph Furphy), 1 February 1908]
The discovery of Christmas Reef [part 1 of 3; by “Tom Collins” (Joseph Furphy), 25 January 1908]
[Editor: This short story by “Tom Collins” (Joseph Furphy) was published in The Western Mail (Perth, WA), 25 January 1908. The story was printed in three parts; part 1 appeared on 25 January 1908, part 2 on 1 February 1908, and part 3 on 8 February 1908.] The discovery of … [Read more...] about The discovery of Christmas Reef [part 1 of 3; by “Tom Collins” (Joseph Furphy), 25 January 1908]
A vignette of Port Phillip [by “Tom Collins” (Joseph Furphy), September 1906
[Editor: This short story by “Tom Collins” (Joseph Furphy) was published in Steele Rudd’s Magazine (Brisbane, Qld.), September 1906.] A vignette of Port Phillip. (For Steele Rudd’s Magazine.) If the heaven of the hedonist be found (as some think) in idyllic conditions … [Read more...] about A vignette of Port Phillip [by “Tom Collins” (Joseph Furphy), September 1906
The Dew Fairies, the Gum Babies and the Old Woman [short story for children, by Eva Oakley]
[Editor: This short story for children, by Eva Oakley, was published in Real Australian Fairy Stories (1945).] The Dew Fairies, the Gum Babies and the Old Woman There once were some exceedingly beautiful Fairies, who, every morning, bathed in the Dew inside the flowers, … [Read more...] about The Dew Fairies, the Gum Babies and the Old Woman [short story for children, by Eva Oakley]
A Queensland Explorer: Speared to death by blacks [short story, 11 March 1911]
[Editor: A short story published in The World’s News (Sydney, NSW), 11 March 1911.] A Queensland Explorer. Speared to death by blacks. (By E.J.W.) As he stood breasting the bar of the “Traveller’s Rest,” away on the verge of the “Never Never” country in Western … [Read more...] about A Queensland Explorer: Speared to death by blacks [short story, 11 March 1911]
Hapless Eliza [short story, 24 March 1832]
[Editor: This short story was published in the Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (Sydney, NSW), 24 March 1832.] Hapless Eliza. [For the Sydney Gazette]. About two years ago I was induced to visit Australia, with a view to find out or ascertain the fate of a … [Read more...] about Hapless Eliza [short story, 24 March 1832]
A variant: The innocent abroad [short story, 2 October 1927]
[Editor: This short story was published in The Sunday Mail (Brisbane), 2 October 1927.] A variant The innocent abroad (By “’Varsity Mac.”) Attired in a grey-tweed suit little too large for him, and carrying all the earmarks of a young dairy-farmer from the Darling … [Read more...] about A variant: The innocent abroad [short story, 2 October 1927]
Grapes from a thorn [short story by Agnes L. Storrie, 15 October 1887]
[Editor: This short story by Agnes L. Storrie was published in The Adelaide Observer, 15 October 1887.] The story-teller. Grapes from a thorn. A short story. [By “Ayea” — Agnes L. Storrie, Glenelg.] Being the First-prize Novelette at the S. A. Literary … [Read more...] about Grapes from a thorn [short story by Agnes L. Storrie, 15 October 1887]
The great Mendax transmitter [short story by Erle Cox, 27 March 1920]
[Editor: This short story by Erle Cox was published in The Australasian (27 March 1920).] The great Mendax transmitter. By Erle Cox. He lives a retired, misanthropic life, in spite of his big income. Partly, I think, because he is without exception the vilest-mannered … [Read more...] about The great Mendax transmitter [short story by Erle Cox, 27 March 1920]
Joe Brunnel’s Dream [10 August 1895]
[Editor: This short story was published in The Worker (Brisbane, Qld.), 10 August 1895.] Joe Brunnel’s Dream. Shearing was about to commence at —— station, and about a dozen of the old hands had arrived. Seated in the hut after the usual evening meal, we were relating … [Read more...] about Joe Brunnel’s Dream [10 August 1895]
The quiet hour [story by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This story by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The quiet hour I have found in this Australian scene, of mountain and forest, of shaded creek and fern-filled gully, of cultivated gardens bordered by the virgin bush, much quiet peace and … [Read more...] about The quiet hour [story by C. J. Dennis]
The besting of Bombastes [story by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This story by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The besting of Bombastes On the day that he brought himself first (and very confidently) under our notice we named him “Bombastes Furioso,” without hesitation, for it seemed to us that no … [Read more...] about The besting of Bombastes [story by C. J. Dennis]
Birdland on the dole [story by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This story by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Birdland on the dole The weather-wise up here in the mountain country amongst the big gums are talking of records. Even the oldest inhabitant admits that “he has never seen the likes … [Read more...] about Birdland on the dole [story by C. J. Dennis]
The case of Long John Silver [story by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This story by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The case of Long John Silver We have always made it a matter of justice that we should feed the magpies as well as the other and lowlier birds about this little clearing in the forest. We … [Read more...] about The case of Long John Silver [story by C. J. Dennis]
The Kookaburra Murder Case [story by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This story by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Kookaburra Murder Case During the last few days I have received letters contradicting, upbraiding, abusing, impeaching and downright bully-ragging me for daring, in a recent article, to … [Read more...] about The Kookaburra Murder Case [story by C. J. Dennis]
Recuperation [story by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This story by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Recuperation You must imagine this Singing Garden of ours, a remote and rather unexpected patch of livelier green, set among the dark green of gum- and wattle-trees in a land without … [Read more...] about Recuperation [story by C. J. Dennis]
This lonely forest [story by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This story by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] This lonely forest That alleged “loneliness” which some city visitors assure me would inevitably overwhelm them were they compelled to live for long in this quiet forest place, seems to me a … [Read more...] about This lonely forest [story by C. J. Dennis]
Blandishing the Birds [story by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This story by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Blandishing the Birds The honourable company of bird-lovers, we are told, is rapidly increasing in numbers in all parts of the country; and while one delights to observe this growing interest … [Read more...] about Blandishing the Birds [story by C. J. Dennis]