Farm Story Chapter One

The last of the sheep ran through the gate. “Shirley” my brown Kelpie snapping at their heels.

Seems she always like to put her seal of approval on the job, and with a few loud barks showed who was in charge, then off to sit in the shade of my horse. 

I put the chain around the old post, that barely held the yards together, realising for the first time we needed new yards, but this year there would be no money for things like that, we would have to make do, and keep repairing things as we went.  The noise of the shearing, coming through the corrugated iron wall of the shed, sounded a long way off, gently droning in the mid-day sun. Two more hours and they would be finished for the day, and today being Friday, meant payday. Off into the local town for a well earned rest and a rowdy night of drinking with the mates.

Well that’s for the hired hands, but for me, being the bosses’ son, work would continue through the weekend, with the normal chores that had to be done, even when the shearing was going on. There was always something to be done, like milking, wood cutting, odd jobs, and caring for the endless repairs needed to keep the farm going. All this was going through my mind when I looked up to see dust  rising,  in the front paddock,  someone was coming,  oh well they were three miles away yet,  so I could get some of these into the shed before they arrived.  We were not expecting anyone today, though it set me thinking, who might be, a visitor at Craig Leigh, this time of the week so far from town? 

I had become so involved in penning the sheep, inside, that I was startled when I looked up to see the tall stranger, in the shed, walking towards me, climbing over the rails with ease.  My mind raced, had I meet him before? I couldn't think, though he looked somehow familiar, perhaps he was a stock agent that I hadn't seen for a while, or some one Dad had sent out to look over the sheep. 

Dad often failed to warn me of things like that, suddenly I felt anger, I was sick and tired of being put in these situations.  I quickly overcome the phase and looked up and saw him almost on top of me. He was wearing a country smile, stretched out a hand and said you must Darryl. I reached and took his hand; we shook, eye to eye. You don't remember me, do you? I had to admit, I didn't. 

These situations always annoyed me; they put me at a disadvantage. I said as coolly as I could, should I?  He stepped back a way, into the sheep, and laughed, you should know me, he said, we spent the last few months of our schooling together, in Orange, at the Agricultural College.  Well that was ten years ago, he had changed quite a bit since then. Now I knew who it was,  I couldn't help wondering why he was here,  we weren't great mates,  in fact we barely tolerated each other,  we hadn't  keep contact over the years,  we moved in different circles. 

I can see your wondering why I'm here, well I'll tell you.  Say you Haven’t got a cold one in the fridge, by any chance, I could see by his generous proportions he was used to having a drink while talking.  I beckoned to the roustabout, come and take over here George. We walked out into the sunlight and headed off to the house. We chattered about our days in Orange, remembering the freezing weather, and how a cold day would be just the thing today, as we walked the couple of hundred yards to the homestead. Suddenly I felt proud of the old home, still in good condition, even though it was built in the 1880’s it had all the mod cons. 

Lionel Turner was this fellows name, I remember him alright, wealthy parents from Mosman, in Sydney.  He was sent out to the Agricultural College in Orange,  more to get him out of Sydney,  and out of their hair,  than any thing else. Hugh, old man Turner, his Dad, had made his money, up on the Macquarie, near Warren.  Mostly breeding sheep and dealing in them.  I guess he hoped the young fellow would follow in his footsteps. Hugh Turner didn't learn his trade in any Agricultural College. He was a hard worker, schrude, but an honest dealer, and not to be trifled with. 

From what I had heard, he was well thought, of out in that area. Lionel was about the same size as his old man, even looked a bit like him, but that’s where it finished.  Except maybe, for the sandy straight hair, that stuck out all over, no matter what, and the fair freckled skin. They were not well suited for the sun and heat. I called to Fran, as we walked up the front stairs, on to the veranda. She arrived as we were heaving off our Williams, and held the door as we walked in, in stockinged feet.  I arranged the introductions, both nodded to each other, with nervous smiles,

it’s always the same when hansom people meet, I guess they are aware of the others good looks. I invited Fran to join us, she hesitated, and then said no, Fridays are always busy, plus she had to meet the bus, at the front gate, to collect our three children.  She suggested we go to the family room, it was cooler there, and it looked out over the Lachlan one of our best views.  Fran offered to get the drinks, beer be o.k.?  She read our smiles and nods as we moved up the hall won’t be a minute, we heard her say. We sat opposite each other, in large leather chairs.  Lionel relaxed back and made himself at home.  Nice place you've got here, Darryl. Takes a bit of work, I guess, fair bit of money to keep it all going, eh. 

Well that’s partly why I'm here; he leaned forward, just as Fran arrived with the beers. I could have hit her on the head, as she said,  I hope you can stay for dinner, Lionel; we don't often have the chance to entertain. Smiling, he reached for the beer, and said he didn’t want to put us out, but if it was ok he would love to. I still had to pay the shearers and finish up, at the shed, it all began to become a source of annoyance, and I wished he would hurry up and get to the point. As I was saying, continued Lionel, I guess we could all so with a little extra cash now and then. It seemed he was inviting my curiosity, it was working.  Well that’s true enough, I nodded, but what is this all about, Lionel, can it wait till later, I have to finish up at the shed, payday you know, few more things to do. Sure, there's no hurry, I have all the time in the world, he said, easing back into the big chair, and taking a sip on his beer. Well, ok, I said, getting to my feet, you are welcome to sit here for a while, and take it easy, or if you prefer come along with me. I could see he wasn't going to move, so I said, there's was more beer in the fridge, just help yourself, Fran will be back soon, you can meet the kids.  I headed off back to the shed. 

Walking back, I couldn't help wondering what this was all about.  We could certainly do with more cash, and Lionel was still the same as he was in Orange,  a fairly exciting fellow to be around,  even though things often ended up a bit sticky at times,  still we were a lot older now so I left it at that and began to get back to the job at hand.  As I stepped into the shed, the shearing plant was turned off and the drone began to wind down, it is a wonderful feeling knowing the days work is over. The men were straightening up and rubbing legs and backs, beginning to talk amongst themselves. The contractor, Fred came towards me, saying, they're good sheep Darryl, a pleasure to shear, pity there is no money in the wool, just now.  I walked to the wool table, Fred followed, I grabbed my old leather brief case up and we both began the task of reckoning and cheque writing. 

Fred had a good gang of shearers, I knew them all.  Some I went to school with, they all knew the problems we had on the property.  One of them, Tommy, came up and said, who’s the millionaire visitor, did you finally find a buyer for Craig Leigh? I tried to put on a good face, and said, he is an old friend, come to visit. He thinks he might be able to help me make a few more bob, we'll see.  I wont be in town tonight for a beer,  he is staying a couple of days,  wants to talk,  so we  better do it out here, other wise you blokes will want to listen and get in on the deal. I said this all in an off handed manner, but hoping inwardly that Lionel did have an idea that would help. A few wisecracks, then each had their cheques, see you at the pub was the word. 

Darryl stood with his back to a magnificent sun set watching the palls of dust chasing each of the vehicles until there was nothing but approaching twilight and the ewes bleating in their search for lost lambs. He turned towards the homestead, this was a beauty, one was prepared to risk all for, understood only by those infected as Darryl was.

More to come…..