Jewel In the North

by Tricia Stringer

  Georgina was growing more and more anxious for the young family. Johanna had recovered during their enforced period of being confined to the house and she was worried about Prosser’s Run.

  “Swan will have everything in hand there,” William said. “I’m going to see if I can cross the creek and look for Clem.”

  Georgina gave him a worried glance.

  “He’s got the cart and it won’t be easy for him to get back. I’ll take them some supplies, see how they are,” William reassured her.

  He came across them not long after he traversed the creek. Clem was riding beside his family in the cart — he’d rigged a canvas cover over it — and Albie was bringing up the rear. They all looked surprisingly well. Haji waved at him from under a corner of the canvas and then it lifted further and he could see Jessie holding the baby. They all dismounted and started on some morning tea while they caught up.

  “Albie came and got us at the first sign of the storm,” Clem said. “The natives had moved to some caves near their camp and they let us share their space.”

  “We had plenty of supplies,” Albie said. “It was fair trade.”

  “We would have tried to make it back sooner.” Clem’s face had taken on a grim look. “Only we thought we should check to see if Barnes was all right.” He glanced back towards the small fire they’d lit for Jessie to boil water for some tea. Haji was busy scouting for more sticks dry enough to put on it.

  “The claim was completely washed away.” Albie took over the story. “The bank where his camp had been was gone, and no sign of him ever being there. The horses were gone too, so we hoped he’d got away in time. We had accounted for the cattle except for the black bull, so we continued downstream a short way. We found the bull scratching himself against the roots of a tree and …” Albie glanced towards the family at the fire and lowered his voice. “We found Barnes. He was dead. His body was wedged in the fork of a tree.”

  “We buried him there,” Clem said.

  William was sorry. He wanted the claim gone from his property but he had wished Barnes no ill.

  “Come and have your tea,” Jessie called.

  They all took the warm mugs gratefully.

  “I hope we can make it home tonight,” she said. “It will be so good to have a proper roof over our heads again.”

  Haji dashed past with a stick in his hand and boots and trouser legs covered in mud, playing some imaginary game.

  “And at last enough water for a decent bath,” Jessie added with a chuckle and slipped her arm around Clem.

  All of William’s remaining cattle had survived, but gradually they heard from other neighbours and later the mailman of not such happy results. A man had been swept off his horse in a swollen creek, some shops in Hawker had lost their roofs and houses and shops close to the creek in Cradock were flooded. It was not only the towns that suffered from the raging storm. There was widespread damage to fences and properties. From those who had sheep and had managed to keep them alive through the drought came stories of many of the poor animals washed away and drowned. At Wildu Creek Joseph had put his remaining mob in sheds and yards and kept them safe, and the report from Prosser’s Run was they had lost only one of their few remaining cattle in the bulging creeks.

  From drought to flood their lives were still tenuous, but for William at Smith’s Ridge there was cause for optimism. They still had a cold — and hopefully continuing wet — winter to face, but there would be a new baby at the end of it and that was something to be thankful for.

  Forty-nine

  June 1903

  It was a chilly winter morning when William and Georgina set off in the cart to return Johanna to Prosser’s Run. The two women would stay there and sort out the house while William went on to Hawker to find a suitable residence for his mother-in-law.

  Most of the tracks had been washed away and he chose to take the cart over the lower plains where the creek beds were wider and easier to cross. They reached the boundary between the two properties by mid-morning and stopped to stretch their legs and take some water.

  “You will be pleased to see your house again, Mrs Prosser.” William smiled. She had asked him to call her Johanna but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

  “Yes, but I will be saying goodbye to it. The time has come for the next generation to take it on.” She looked at William. “You should move to Prosser’s Run once I’m settled in town.”

  “There is nothing wrong with where we live at Smith’s Ridge. My parents raised four children in that house.”

  “I know that, but the homestead at Prosser’s Run is bigger and it’s too good to let someone like Swan live in it. You have family, too, who would appreciate your house. Jessie and Clem’s cottage is very basic.”

  William glanced at Georgina, but she wouldn’t look at him. Did she agree with her mother? “What do you think?” he asked.

  Georgina lifted her shoulders. “I think I am happy wherever you are.”

  Johanna gave a wry smile. “Think on it, is all I ask.” She turned back to the cart. “Now we should get moving. By the look of this fence there will be work to be done and Swan needs firm directions. I only hope there is no damage to the buildings at home.”

  Two days later after a thorough inspection of the homestead and outbuildings at Prosser’s Run, where nothing more than a water leak in the wash-house window and some loose iron on the big shed was evident, William arrived in Hawker. There had already been a big clean-up around town, judging by the piles of debris arranged here and there along the sides of the roads. The cabinetmaker was on his roof hammering and the chemist had a closed for repairs sign but most of the other shops were open. He noted one side of Wiltshire’s shop was also closed for repairs. It was the older part of the building and had obviously not stood up to the ravages of the storm.

  William was not proud that he was glad the Wiltshires had to deal with damages. Over the years they had caused trouble for many people. He had not given the poisoning of his cattle a thought since the rain had come, but it rankled now to think he’d let Charles get away with such an act. However, Georgina had only agreed to stay back at Prosser’s Run if he promised not to cause trouble. William had to be satisfied that the loss of his claim was repayment of Wiltshire’s debt.

  The business William was seeking was housed in the building alongside Wiltshire’s. He came to a stop in front of the auctioneer’s office and looked up and down the street. People hurried back and forth on foot, in carts or on horseback, most with thick jackets to keep out the cold. Even though the sun shone the wind still chilled to the bone. It was good to see Hawker busy. The storm had done some damage, but it had also brought confidence for the future. And in Mr Reed’s office it looked to be business as usual. William could see the glow of a fire through the window. It would be warm inside and he hoped Mr Reed would know of a suitable house for Mrs Prosser.

  The Wiltshires were unaware of William’s presence in town. They were at home. Henry had called a meeting and since the damage in his office was considerable he had been doing all his work from the dining room. Henry had wanted to meet with Charles alone but Edith had delivered their tea to the dining room and once her tray was empty she had put it aside and taken a seat at the table. No doubt Laura had been commandeered to look after Leonard. Not that the dear girl minded — she adored her little nephew — but Henry didn’t like the way Edith treated her as a house help rather than a sister-in-law.

  “What’s this about, Father?” Charles said.

  “I’ve been taking stock of our assets.” Henry glanced down at the papers spread in front of him then back at Charles. “It seems this house is the only thing we own outright.”

  “And the shop.”

  “We’re still paying the bank for the extensions and the large verandah, and we will need to borrow more to fix the damage.”

  “What about the insurance?” Edith said. “Surely that will cover it.”

  Henry fixed his gaze on Charles, wh
o wouldn’t return his look.

  “What about the insurance, Charles?” he said.

  “I only delayed paying it for a short time.”

  Henry picked up the letter he’d received from the insurance company. “It seems we haven’t paid our dues for over a year.”

  “What?” Edith turned to Charles. “Why didn’t you pay?”

  “There have been several drains on our finances in recent times. You always want the best, Edith.”

  “Don’t you blame me. You know I wouldn’t have asked if there was not enough money.”

  Henry sighed as they bickered beside him. He thought sadly of his original shop, which had also been his home. He had been so proud of his achievements, but now the ceiling over the door between the older shop and the rooms at the back had given way in the storm and the shop was flooded.

  “What about our house?” Edith cut into his thoughts. “That’s bringing in a return.”

  “The rent doesn’t pay what we owe on that either.” Henry looked from one to the other. “It ended up costing far more than my mother’s contribution and we still have no money to finish it.”

  Once more Edith turned to her husband. “I thought you paid off that loan with your transport business.”

  Henry noticed his son didn’t look at her but stared straight ahead, his chin jutted forward. “I needed the money for other things.”

  “Yes, let’s discuss those other things.” Once again Henry looked down at his papers. “The mining claim has been an ongoing drain on our finances.” He looked back at Charles. “For no return.”

  “Well, that’s gone now,” Edith said in her most clipped tone. “We won’t be going back to stake it out again, will we, Charles?”

  Charles remained silent.

  “I should hope not,” Henry snapped. “A man lost his life.”

  “Charles has given some money and supplies to his wife.”

  “That should be some comfort to her.” Henry couldn’t help the sarcasm that dripped from his words. “As well as being another cost to us.”

  “I didn’t know Barnes even had a wife,” Charles growled.

  Henry raised his eyebrows but said no more on the subject of his son’s ridiculous obsession with diamonds. “And your transport endeavours? I don’t have access to your figures there either.”

  Charles thumped the table and stood up. “Don’t play this game with me, Father. I don’t have access to your farming figures. We have always diversified and not tied our various business interests together.”

  “You have farms?” Edith frowned at Henry.

  “Not any more, as Charles well knows. I sold them off during the drought. The pittance I got for them has not gone far.” Henry waved at the chair his son had vacated. “Resume your seat, Charles, and tell me about the state of your transport business. It may be the only thing to ensure our survival.”

  Charles sat heavily and clasped his hands in front of him. “One of the wagons was caught in a wash away when the rains came. The driver only reached Hawker yesterday. The load of bagged grain is ruined. I haven’t heard from the second man. He was doing a run to the north and hasn’t returned as yet.” Charles glared at Henry. “You know that it’s been difficult to get as much carrying work since most of the mines petered out again. I sold off the bullock wagon I had. There were for a time plenty of wagons and not enough loads to keep them all busy.”

  “At least the drought is over.” Edith put a hand on her husband’s shoulder. “Things should improve; we shall just have to tighten our belts.”

  “We most definitely shall.” Henry wanted to shake his head at her but he kept his manner calm. Baker’s unexpected visit during the christening had brought him closer again to Charles — it was an uneasy alliance and one Henry thought it important to maintain. It had shocked him to discover the insurance hadn’t been paid but they would just have to make the best of it if they were to put these dark days behind them and rebuild their empire. Henry needed Charles and therefore Edith. They could look after themselves, but he was not getting any younger, and he had Laura to provide for. At least his house was debt free. All of their loans were against the business.

  Charles straightened. “I shall go and visit Grandmother.”

  “Good heavens, Charles.” Henry was really struggling now to remain composed. “Times have been difficult across the country. There are few places that haven’t been affected by this drought. Your grandmother has suffered too and now that she can barely see she has little input into her business. You must allow her to put aside some money for her final years.”

  “We can let Miss Fisher go.”

  Charles and Henry both turned to Edith.

  “It will be some time before the old shop will be able to open. I can help Mr Hemming.”

  “But you have Leonard,” Charles said.

  “I can take Leonard with me. He can sleep in the storeroom or perhaps in the afternoons Laura and Mrs Coleman could watch him. That would be a saving.” She nodded her head emphatically.

  “It would indeed, my dear.” Charles stood and looked at Henry. “We will get out of this, Father, you will see. But I should return to the shop now and continue sifting through what is salvageable and what is not.” Charles kissed his wife and left.

  Edith gathered their only partly drunk cups of tea. Henry settled back in his chair and looked along the length of his fine mahogany table. This house was still grand in spite of their current financial troubles and for the first time in years he felt as if he were in charge again. The loss of Flora had set him back but he had survived it. Regular trips to Adelaide to visit his mother allowed him other discreet outlets for his physical needs.

  Henry ran his fingers over the bump in the table’s edge, where years ago his half-brother had gouged his initials in the expensive wood. He’d survived Jack Aldridge’s attempts to take what he had built up and he would survive this current setback. He did feel a little sorry for Miss Fisher, however; her wage helped her care for her ageing father. As Edith had said, it was a start in clawing back from their financial difficulties but he would be sad to let Miss Fisher go. He’d grown quite fond of her pretty face in his shop.

  William folded the papers Mr Reed had given him and stepped out of the warm office. He buttoned his outer coat tight against the sudden cold. Mrs Prosser had been clear about the kind of residence she wanted, and he thought she would be well pleased with the house he had chosen. It was only one street back from the shops and, while not huge, was still a good size with a lovely garden that had already sprung back to life since the rain. Mr Reed had given him a sketch of the house to show her.

  William was knocked sideways by a man hurrying past. An elbow had caught him in the ribs and had he not caught hold of the verandah post he would have toppled onto the road.

  “I’m very sorry.”

  The hairs on the back of William’s neck prickled at the voice. He straightened himself and looked directly into the face of the man who had knocked him. Charles Wiltshire stood in front of him, feet planted, arms crossed. William could tell by Wiltshire’s smug smile that the knock had been no accident. He felt his old anger stir.

  “Well, well, Baker.” Charles’s grin grew wider. “I didn’t realise it was you.”

  “Very clumsy of you.” William kept his voice even.

  Now, as the winter evening closed in, the street was deserted except for one horse and buggy at the front of Wiltshire’s shop. Somewhere nearby a bell tinkled. Neither man looked away.

  “What’s brought the native lover to town?” Charles postured. “I thought you were self-sufficient in your little hills paradise.”

  “I’m doing business for my mother-in-law. Not that it’s any concern of yours.”

  “Ah, yes. Mrs Prosser. Such a needy woman. We were glad when you married her daughter. Took them off our hands.”

  A woman gasped.

  “Charles!” Henry Wiltshire’s scolding tone distracted them from each other.

>   Henry was standing outside his shop; he carried several parcels and beside him was Mrs Hill, who had a face that looked as if she’d swallowed a sour lemon.

  “Good evening, Mrs Hill. I was just saying it’s a son-in-law’s duty to look after his wife’s mother. I only wish my dear Edith’s mother were still alive so I could have the honour.”

  Henry glowered at his son and turned away to help Mrs Hill into her buggy.

  William shook his head. “Lying comes so naturally to you, Wiltshire. You no longer know the difference between reality and your fabrications.”

  Behind him Henry called goodbye and the horse and buggy set off down the road.

  “I know what I want and I go for it.” Charles lifted his chin and smirked.

  “Like your search for diamonds. How many of those did you find?”

  The smirk disappeared and Wiltshire’s eyes narrowed. “I know they’re there. Once the creek goes down I will keep looking.”

  This time William smirked. “You won’t find anything.”

  “I don’t care how long it takes, Baker, I will keep that claim alive.”

  “I still have that bottle you used to poison my cattle.”

  Charles lurched at William and grabbed him by his coat. His blotchy red face was only inches from William’s. “Don’t you dare threaten me, Baker.”

  “Charles, that’s enough.” Henry had come closer. “I will not have you making a scene in the street like a common man.”

  Both men ignored him, their angry looks locked on each other.

  “It’s not a threat, it’s a surety, Wiltshire. One day you’ll get what you deserve. It might not be from me.” William stared hard into the other man’s eyes. “But you will get it.” He brought his hands up swiftly and shoved Charles hard in the chest so that his grip was wrenched from William’s coat, then spun on his heel and strode away. He hadn’t exactly broken his promise to Georgina. Trouble had found him and he hadn’t been prepared to walk away without shutting it back in its box.