The Heather to the Hawkesbury

by Sheila Hunter

  “Now you have finished your eating and playing with your new toy, let’s go and look at mine. What will you do about the house Alec. Do you want to look inside it? We could carry you in if you want to,” said Bill eagerly.

  “No,” said Alec firmly, “I have seen enough of it from out here. I am going to have a new house for Meg and it will have just everything she wants in it and ramps, lots of ramps.”

  Meg beamed. “You’ll spoil me and I won’t want to work anymore, just sit and look at the scenery.”

  “That I must see, Meg,” said Murdoch. “We’ll all come here just to see you sit with nothing to do. You just wouldn’t know how to, woman.” Everyone laughed but agreed.

  They packed the picnic things up and once more piled into the wagon. Alec sitting in his new chair, and surveying all he could. Bill’s farm was not too far down the dusty road. They turned through a good gate and could see that the fencing was quite superior to that on Alec’s farm.

  “We will need good fencing on our place first off, Father,” said Ian, riding near the wagon so he could speak with his father, “and we will need lots of yards and housing for the horses,” his face eager in the bright sunlight.

  “We will, son, we will indeed. We will need a lot of new things. The first though will be a new house, I’m thinking.”

  Bills’ farm was almost a replica of the first one and the fences were good all round the farm, as well as first rate sheds and yards.

  “I, too, will build a house, but I’ll bet you it won’t be a fine one like the one you’ll build for your missus, Alec. But, I dunno, mebbe I will settle down with a missus of me own. In that case I would need a big one. You’ll have to advise me on that, Alec.”

  This remark was greeted with roars of laughter, with Bill joining in. Of course he’d meant a big house not a big Missus!

  So, Alec and Bill bought their farms. Very quickly they had builders in to talk of plans for houses. They decided in the end to have two similar houses. It seemed that everything that Alec wanted was all right for Bill, even down to the ramps! In his eyes Alec could do no wrong.

  On one of his trips out west, Fergus called in to see the Frasers and asked Meg about the store. He had a feeling that Mr. Trent would be interested in buying this from Mrs. Milne, as he aimed to have a string of stores along the route west and thought that as this store had proved such a winner, his boss would be interested in acquiring it. Meg suggested that he ask Mrs. Milne about this. She said that this lady was very upset to think that Meg would leave the store when her new house was finished on the farm. So, after having tea with Alec, he made his way to Mrs. Milne’s house to discuss the plans with her so he could speak to Mr. Trent at a later stage, and later onto the Macdonalds where he stayed the night. Over an after dinner cup of tea they discussed all the exciting plans that the Frasers and Bill were making.

  “Trust Alec to want to build a mansion,” said Fergus. “It will

  probably end up most unsuitable to Australia’s climate.”

  “Nay, Fergus, you are being unfair there,” said Murdoch. “Alec is being remarkably sensible. You see, he plans to start a real dynasty of Frasers and so, is doing things properly. I imagined he would build a castle or some such, at least to have a magnificent set of stairs or something, but he isn’t. Mind you, I think Meg put her foot down about that. She wants a place that Alec can move around in and so they are to have a long, low house in the very modern style that seems to be developing here in Australia now, and of course, it will have a wide covered verandah round it.”

  “Yes,” said Mary, “I think it will be a lovely house. It will sit snugly against that hill and look right over the valley.”

  “Just like the house that you will build, eh Sister?” queried Fergus.

  “No, not at all like the house of my dreams, Fergus. Mind you, the real thing will probably end up being quite different to the one in my dreams.”

  “When will you be thinking of looking for a farm, Murdoch I imagine you will have quite a bit saved up now. Do you keep looking for the ideal spot?”

  “Well, I would like to think so, but I do not seem to be saving as quickly as I hoped. But we are getting there. We did make a good start with stock recently. We all went south and brought up a mob of cattle that proved to be a winner. I think it could be a risk though and I do not want to lose my money on such a venture.”

  “Why,” asked Fergus, “tell me more.”

  Murdoch told the story of their trip to Yass and young Donald’s plan for making money.

  “Well, I see quite a lot of the country’ as you know, and I do know that any who will move stock for the squatters are very popular people. I think you could make quite a lot of money that way, but I imagine you would have to leave your job at ‘Forrest Park’ if you wanted to take it on permanently. You would buy a farm quickly that way.”

  Murdoch laughed as he caught Mary’s quick glance at him. “No need to worry, lass. I do not intend to do that. No Fergus, if I can get an occasional trip in I will be quite pleased, but I am not risking my job. I am a patient man.”

  “I know that, Murdoch. Never a more patient man than you.”

  “When the time comes we will get our farm and we will work to keep it.”

  During that winter Donald made repeated trips into the country and brought stock to market. He was pleased to see his bank balance grow and felt that if he went along at that rate he would be soon able to really look into the way he could enter the church. It was not easy for anyone in his position, as there was no training for men like him. Most Presbyterian ministers had come already trained from Scotland and the young men who wanted to go into the church often went back to Scotland to train. His father had approached the Rev. Hugh McFadden and had discussed it all with him. Mr. McFadden wanted to see Donald next time he was in the district and try to work something out. Donald never seemed to be at home when the Reverend gentleman came to Riverbend and Donald thought that if he did not see him soon, he would track the man down. Mr. McFadden was forever on the move and did not seem to travel in any set way. He just went to where he felt anyone needed him. Donald so wanted to follow in his steps.

  Donald had a few adventures on the road, and he had employed a local lad to join him on his venture. Young Bert Jenkins was a willing boy who understood stock well for his fifteen years. His father was quite a bad farmer and his family not much to be recommended, but Bert didn’t seem to have the slacking tendencies that his father had. He admired Donald and was willing to do anything he asked. They stayed on the southern route most times, for Donald knew the country well now and was able to use yarding where he wanted. The squatters trusted him to get their stock into market safely and so he bought a great number to the sale-yards over the next months, and each time there was a fe for himself.

  The Frasers were moving into their farm in the Spring and Bill was to stay with them until his house was built. Mr. Trent had bought the store and Meg still ran it and was able to stay until she wanted to leave and go to her new house.

  Chapter 24 - Changing Views

  “Do I pay you to lean on your shovel and gaze into space, Macdonald?”

  At this, Murdoch spun round and looked at his boss who was leaning on the gate, shaking with silent laughter.

  Murdoch chuckled as he dug the tool into the earth and joined Mr. Forrest at the gate. “I really have been working, Mr. Forrest,” he said.

  “I know you were, Mac, but you were so deep in thought just then, I thought I would give you a jolt. Not worried about anything, are you?” the farmer queried.

  “No, not really worried, but I really am concerned about when I should make a move. The others are settled now, and somehow I cannot bring myself to uproot Mary and take her somewhere that will mean very hard work and very little return for quite a while. I am wondering constantly just how to make a move. I would appreciate your thoughts on the matter. I know you do have thoughts about it, sir.”

  “Don’t tell me there is
an envious streak in you after all?” queried Forrest, with a smile. “Don’t tell me you wish to keep up with the Frasers and Bill Turner?” He leaned against the gate and put his pipe between his teeth and proceeded to roll some tobacco in his hands. As he filled his pipe he watched the Scotsman, this man whom he admired very much indeed.

  “You know, I don’t do any of those things, Boss. No, I just cannot see how I can buy a property and stock and have enough money to build a home and then live until we start paying our way. All this without putting too much strain on the family. I want to look for a place and while building up the stock, keep my job here, if you would be agreeable. Or, I wonder whether it would be better to leave the whole idea for another year or two. I just do not know. We are very happy, sir, and I think we will find it as hard to leave the Park as it was to leave Scotland. I am a man who likes to stay in one place.”

  “We certainly do not want you to leave, but I would like to see you settled in a place of your own. How long is it now, four years?”

  “Yes, it is four years this next spring. So three and a half now.”

  “How’s Alec managing?”

  “Very well,” said Murdoch eagerly. “The place is shaping well. It’s hard to believe that they bought it twelve months ago and it must be six months since they moved into their house. They are truly happy. Their first foals will be coming soon. We are very pleased to see them so well settled.”

  “Yes, I know you felt they were quite a responsibility when you first came, but I think you can rest easy now.”

  “Alistair is doing well too, Mr. Forrest. His school is growing and he will soon need a second assistant. This will mean that he will need more room, too. He certainly found his niche. A big surprise, that.”

  “In fact, you have all been surprising people. Murdoch, do you think Mrs. Mac. would welcome us if we asked her for a cup of morning tea?”

  “I am sure she would. Are you encouraging me to loaf, Boss?”

  “It will be the day when I see you loaf, Murdoch. Come, let’s go, and explore that Tea Pot.”

  Murdoch collected his shovel and threw it over his shoulder and joined Forrest on the track.

  “How is young Donald MacLeod getting on with his plans for going into the church, Mac? What a good lad he is.”

  “Yes, he is that, one of the best. He has worked very hard with the stock and by now must have quite a bank balance. He shares everything he earns with his people, but even so, must have quite a lot set by. He is to begin training with Mr. McFadden, you know. His lack of formal education was to be a stumbling block, but after he was examined by the Board, they were well satisfied that his knowledge of the required subjects was good. His father had taught him well and they were impressed with his grasp of Latin and other subjects. I think he will enter a training like and apprenticeship with Mr McFadden.”

  “I am sure he will be a very good shepherd to any flock he has. I will be interested to watch that lad. I think the experience he has gained working on the stock has been very fruitful for him. Look, there’s Mrs. Mac. wondering why we are not working on this lovely Saturday morning. Good morning, Madam.” Forrest doffed his hat to her. “We two thirsty souls wonder if there would be a spare cup of tea in the offing?”

  “Good morning, Mr. Forrest. I assure you, you are always welcome. Is something wrong, Murd?”

  “No, nothing, lass. Mr. Forrest found me leaning on my shovel, gazing into space and he decided that I might work better if we had some tea. Or perhaps he is going to give me the sack, don’t know. Anyway here we are.”

  “Well, do sit down and l’ll bring the tea. I’ve just made some griddle cakes, so we’ll have a party.”

  The men sat quietly on the sunny verandah. Mr Forrest smoking and Murdoch waiting expectantly. He had a feeling that his boss was brooding on some idea and he wondered.

  It was only a matter of minutes before Mary returned with the laden tray. “The kettle was boiling,” she said and gave a quizzical look towards Murdoch. He gently shrugged his shoulders as an answer and smiled.

  “Excellent tea, as usual, dear lady. What a delightful place you have made, Mrs. Mac. You have the touch of the homemaker.”

  The front garden of the cottage was always neat and tidy and even in the late autumn there were still flowers.

  “Well, I do like flowers and chrysanthemums can look so petty, but the chrysanthemums seem to keep the bugs off the vegetables too. I am fortunate that the soil is so good.”

  It was not until they had finished their cakes and tea that Mr. Forrest pushed his chair round to face the Macdonalds and said, “I saw Archie Scattersgood in Sydney Town when I was up through the week. In fact, I brought him back to the Park with me.”

  “I heard that Mr. Scattersgood had gone to the northern rivers, or at least, I thought I heard that,” said Murdoch. “why he would want to leave ‘Scattersdene’ I wouldn’t know. It’s a fine place.”

  “Yes, Mac, I thought we would have a good neighbour in Archie. You know they both loved the property. What a name to call it though ... ‘Scattersdene’! They planned their house and then decided to live in Sydney until it was built. So Mrs. Scattersgood and the children moved into a lovely home in Rose Bay until this house was finished. Archie never liked town life, so he decided to go and look at the north while his family was safely in town. He fell in love with the northern rivers and bought a place up there, on the Clarence River somewhere. He then decided to move there instead of settling here. So he sent for his wife and little ones and stopped the building of this house. He always did have itchy feet. I don’t think he will settle anywhere. Anyway, Mrs. Scattersgood set sail with the children and unfortunately it was in the “Fair Maid”. As you know, she went down in a gale and many were lost. Mrs. Scattersgood and the three children were all drowned. Archie is devastated, as you can imagine.”

  “Poor man, he would be,” said Mary. “Poor Mrs. Scattersgood and those dear little children.”

  “What a terrible tragedy,” said Murdoch.

  “I found him at the hotel, putting all his Australian business in order prior to going home to England. He was trying to sell all his property, except this property here. Apparently his wife really loved ‘Scattersdene’ and so he feels very sentimental about it.”

  “Perhaps he will come back again soon, when the pain wears off a little,” said Mary.

  “No. Apart from losing his family, he has had word from England that his father is now frail and so he is going back to run the family estates which are quite considerable and he is heir. No, he wants to be free of all his property here, but he doesn’t want to see this property go on the open market, but wants to choose the new owner himself. He wants to find a good solid family man who will love the place and I have suggested you Murdoch.” William Forrest finished quickly and looked intently at the two surprised people before him.

  “Oh, no” cried Mary.

  “Oh, no,” echoed Murdoch. “It’s too big. We haven’t that kind of money.”

  “Well, there’s more to the story, As I said, Archie is very sentimental about this and if he can find the right man, someone who will build the farm up to what he dreamed of, and somebody who will build the house he began, he will let it go very cheaply, very cheaply. It’s freehold too so no repayments to the Government. He wants the place his wife loved so much to become a reality. What do you say?”

  “Well, sir, what does he call cheap? I couldn’t ever imagine having a place like that. Why, it would be like having a ‘Forrest Park’.”

  “Well, what’s wrong with that? Any complaints? I’ve told Archie a great deal about you and he would like to meet you both to talk it over. The only thing is that you will have to come to see him now and decide quickly, for he wants to put the sale through before he leaves, and that is very soon.”

  “You mean right now? Today? How can I make a decision like that in five minutes?”

  “I would suggest that I leave now and you talk it over quickly and
then come up to the house. Say, in half an hour.”

  “Why, Mr. Forrest, Mary hasn’t even seen the place and I’ll not buy it if she doesn’t like it.”

  “I’ve thought that out. As soon as you’ve talked it over with Archie, gather up the family and take them over in my carriage. Mick can drive you and you can do it in comfort.”

  Mary had sat stunned all through this and all she could say was, “I have to change my dress.”

  “I daresay you will, Mrs. Mac. I’ll leave you to it. But hurry.”

  Mary laughed. “You designing man, sitting there quietly all this time with this going round in your mind.”

  Mr. Forrest held out both his hands and took theirs. “My friends, I am so glad this has happened. I can see you both in this fine place and we won’t lose you, you will be close by.” With that he hurried down the steps with a wave of his arm.