[Editor: A short story about a “chat” (a louse). Published in Aussie: The Australian Soldiers’ Magazine, no. 2, 16 February 1918.] Autobiography of a “Chat.” All day an obsession of oncoming evil has oppressed me. The constant recurrence of fatalities of a revolting … [Read more...] about Autobiography of a “Chat” [short story, 16 February 1918]
short story
The Hump on the Dump [short story, 16 February 1918]
[Editor: A short story published in Aussie: The Australian Soldiers’ Magazine, no. 2, 16 February 1918.] The Hump on the Dump. The sizzling sound of snowflakes sliding down the stove pipe reminded one vividly of far away eggs and bacon days. Through the sandbag wall came … [Read more...] about The Hump on the Dump [short story, 16 February 1918]
Sardines [18 January 1918]
[Editor: Published in Aussie: The Australian Soldiers’ Magazine, no. 1, 18 January 1918.] Sardines. I had hoarded them for some time in the interests of war economy, when hunger got the better of me. Morning shift created an appetite, and why not sardines? So I handed … [Read more...] about Sardines [18 January 1918]
An averted horror [short story, 18 January 1918]
[Editor: A short story published in Aussie: The Australian Soldiers’ Magazine, no. 1, 18 January 1918.] An averted horror. When the war began Rupert Robinson (original style Heinrich Schmidt) had been trading in Sydney for about quarter of a century. During all that … [Read more...] about An averted horror [short story, 18 January 1918]
Hopin’ [short story by E.S. Latimer, 3 March 1932]
[Editor: A short story by E.S. Latimer. Published in The Queenslander, 3 March 1932.] Hopin’ Complete story by E.S. Latimer “Hope,” said Billy Angus, “means the business of trying to convince yourself that you’ll find some way out of your difficulties when you know … [Read more...] about Hopin’ [short story by E.S. Latimer, 3 March 1932]
The strange mystery of Mr. Henry P. McRobinson [21 December 1922]
[Editor: A short story, by A. G. Stephens, published in The Worker, 21 December 1922.] The strange mystery of Mr. Henry P. McRobinson [For the Queensland “Worker.”] (By A. G. Stephens.) The little swagman boiled his billy near the main boundary gate of … [Read more...] about The strange mystery of Mr. Henry P. McRobinson [21 December 1922]
‘Sweet Boronia’: A story of a woman’s sacrifice [short story by “Dryblower” Murphy, 13 August 1922]
[Editor: A short story by “Dryblower” Murphy, published in The Sunday Times, 13 August 1922.] ‘Sweet Boronia’ A story of a woman’s sacrifice By Dryblower Should you ever go to Albany, ask for Peter. Tell him you know of Sweet Boronia, and hear his story. You will … [Read more...] about ‘Sweet Boronia’: A story of a woman’s sacrifice [short story by “Dryblower” Murphy, 13 August 1922]
Australia’s Father Christmas [by Charles Rhoades, 12 December 1888]
[Editor: A short story published in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal, 12 December 1888.] Australia’s Father Christmas. By Charles Rhoades. It was Christmas Eve, and the red sun dipped suddenly out of sight in a bath of purple mist, causing a grunt of satisfaction … [Read more...] about Australia’s Father Christmas [by Charles Rhoades, 12 December 1888]
The “Pro.”: A goldfields character [short story by “Dryblower” Murphy, 1 February 1903]
[Editor: A short story by “Dryblower” Murphy, published in The Sunday Times (Perth, WA), 1 February 1903.] The “Pro.” A goldfields character By Dryblower. Few disputed the claim of the “Professor” — or “Pro” as he was more commonly called — to the title of … [Read more...] about The “Pro.”: A goldfields character [short story by “Dryblower” Murphy, 1 February 1903]
The old drover’s yarn [short story, 15 May 1894]
[Editor: A short story. Published in The Barrier Miner, 15 May 1894.] The old drover’s yarn. [By Yanco.] “Thanks, boss, I don’t mind. It is cold this evening.” He took my spirit flask and tilted it. “Where’r yer going to camp? Makin’ for the homestid? Damned mean … [Read more...] about The old drover’s yarn [short story, 15 May 1894]
Algernon the farmer [story, 24 June 1932]
[Editor: This story is from Bill Bowyang’s column, “On The Track”, in the The Townsville Daily Bulletin, 1932.] [Algernon the farmer] “Clemona” writes: Cyril and Algernon were two brothers who had a station in Western N.S.W. Because of a college education they considered … [Read more...] about Algernon the farmer [story, 24 June 1932]
A dream of Death [story, 24 June 1932]
[Editor: This story is from Bill Bowyang’s column, “On the Track”, in the The Townsville Daily Bulletin, 1932.] [A dream of Death] “Lana Siding” has stiff luck : I am the most sad and lonely man this side of the Gulf. I have been turned out of a good home by a woman who … [Read more...] about A dream of Death [story, 24 June 1932]
The Ghost of Blengfell Falls [story, 16 December 1899]
The Ghost of Blengfell Falls. By Chris Dahl. It was the day before Christmas Eve, 18—, and we were on the road from Blank’s station in the Gulf country, riding behind a mob of 800 bullocks — Billy Brown and I and a black-boy who went by the euphonious title of Nigger … [Read more...] about The Ghost of Blengfell Falls [story, 16 December 1899]
The mystery of Dave Regan [by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in Short Stories in Prose and Verse (1894). Also published in On the Track (1900).] The mystery of Dave Regan. “And then there was Dave Regan,” said the ‘Trav’ler.’ “Dave used to die oftener than any other bushman I knew. … [Read more...] about The mystery of Dave Regan [by Henry Lawson]
Macquarie’s mate [by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in Short Stories in Prose and Verse, 1894.] Macquarie’s mate (A Darling River sketch.) The chaps in the bar of Stiffner’s shanty were talking about “Macquarie” — an absent shearer who seemed, from their conversation, to … [Read more...] about Macquarie’s mate [by Henry Lawson]
The bush undertaker [by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in Short Stories in Prose and Verse, 1894.] The bush undertaker. “Five Bob!” The old man shaded his eyes and peered through the dazzling glow of that broiling Christmas Day. He stood just within the door of a … [Read more...] about The bush undertaker [by Henry Lawson]
A typical bush yarn [by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in Short Stories in Prose and Verse, 1894.] A typical bush yarn. Two chaps named Brummy and Swampy was tramping from Nevermineware to Smotherplace. Brummy was a bad egg, and Swampy knowed it; but they travelled together … [Read more...] about A typical bush yarn [by Henry Lawson]
The union buries its dead [by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in Short Stories in Prose and Verse, 1894.] The union buries its dead A bushman’s funeral. A sketch from Life and Death. While out boating, one Sunday afternoon on a bilabong across the river, we saw a young man on … [Read more...] about The union buries its dead [by Henry Lawson]
The drover’s wife [by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in Short Stories in Prose and Verse, 1894.] The drover’s wife The “house” contains two rooms; is built of round timber, slabs, and stringy-bark, and floored with split slabs. A big bark kitchen stands at the end, and is … [Read more...] about The drover’s wife [by Henry Lawson]
A narrow escape [by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in Short Stories in Prose and Verse, 1894.] A narrow escape I suppose the reader has experienced or heard of hair breadth escapes, the memory of which has caused his own hair to stand on end; yet, when he has read the … [Read more...] about A narrow escape [by Henry Lawson]
Bush cats [by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in Short Stories in Prose and Verse (1894). Also published in On the Track (1900).] Bush cats “Domestic cats” we mean — the descendants of cats who came from the northern world during the last hundred odd years. We do not … [Read more...] about Bush cats [by Henry Lawson]
We called him “Ally” for short [by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in Short Stories in Prose and Verse, 1894.] We called him “Ally” for short I don’t believe in ghosts; I never did have any sympathy with them, being inclined to regard them as a nuisance and a bore. A ghost generally comes … [Read more...] about We called him “Ally” for short [by Henry Lawson]
“Rats” [by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in Short Stories in Prose and Verse, 1894.] “Rats” “Why, there’s two of them, and they’re having a fight! Come on.” It seemed a strange place for a fight — that hot, lonely, cotton-bush plain. And yet not more than half … [Read more...] about “Rats” [by Henry Lawson]