DIGGER SMITH

by

C. J. Dennis

Illustrated by

Hal Gye

1918

(rev. 1919)

TO THE A.I.F.

CONTENTS

"Before the war," she sighs. "Before the war"...

"If I'd 'a' played me Jack on that there Ten..."

"I've knowed ole Flood this last five year or more..."

"'E calls me Digger; that's 'ow 'e begins ..."

"I've seen so much uv dirt an' grime ...."

"'Taint my idea uv argument to call a man a fool ..."

"My oath!" the Duchess sez. "You'd not ixpect ..."

"'Oo is that girl," sez Digger Smith . . .

"Why do they do it? I dunno..."

"I wash me 'ands uv 'im," I tells 'em, straight ...

I wondered wot was doin'. First I seen ...

"Now, be the Hokey Fly!" sez Peter Begg ...

"Dreamin'?" I sez to Digger Smith . . .

I. BEFORE THE WAR

Before the War

EFORE 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

F 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 ot 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

'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

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

'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

AINT 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

Y 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