[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in While the Billy Boils (1896).] That there dog of mine Macquarie the shearer had met with an accident. To tell the truth, he had been in a drunken row at a wayside shanty, from which he had escaped with three fractured … [Read more...] about That there dog of mine [short story by Henry Lawson]
year1896
A day on a selection [short story by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in While the Billy Boils (1896).] A day on a selection The scene is a small New South Wales Western selection, the holder whereof is native-English. His wife is native-Irish. Time, Sunday, about 8 a.m. A used-up-looking … [Read more...] about A day on a selection [short story by Henry Lawson]
His country — after all [short story by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in While the Billy Boils (1896).] His country — after all The Blenheim coach was descending into the valley of the Avetere River — pronounced Aveterry — from the saddle of Taylor’s Pass. Across the river to the right, the … [Read more...] about His country — after all [short story by Henry Lawson]
A camp-fire yarn [short story by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in While the Billy Boils (1896).] A camp-fire yarn ‘This girl,’ said Mitchell, continuing a yarn to his mate, ‘was about the ugliest girl I ever saw, except one, and I’ll tell you about her directly. The old man had a … [Read more...] about A camp-fire yarn [short story by Henry Lawson]
Hungerford [short story by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in While the Billy Boils (1896).] Hungerford One of the hungriest cleared roads in New South Wales runs to within a couple of miles of Hungerford, and stops there; then you strike through the scrub to the town. There is no … [Read more...] about Hungerford [short story by Henry Lawson]
The man who forgot [short story by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in While the Billy Boils (1896).] The man who forgot ‘Well, I dunno,’ said Tom Marshall — known as ‘The Oracle’ — ‘I’ve heerd o’ sich cases before: they aint commin, but — I’ve heerd o’ sich cases before,’ and he screwed … [Read more...] about The man who forgot [short story by Henry Lawson]
When the sun went down [short story by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in While the Billy Boils (1896).] When the sun went down Jack Drew sat on the edge of the shaft, with his foot in the loop and one hand on the rope, ready to descend. His elder brother, Tom, stood at one end of the … [Read more...] about When the sun went down [short story by Henry Lawson]
Stiffner and Jim (thirdly, Bill) [short story by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in While the Billy Boils (1896).] Stiffner and Jim (thirdly, Bill.) We were tramping down in Canterbury, Maoriland, at the time, swagging it — me and Bill — looking for work on the new railway line. Well, one afternoon, … [Read more...] about Stiffner and Jim (thirdly, Bill) [short story by Henry Lawson]
Enter Mitchell [short story by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in While the Billy Boils (1896).] Enter Mitchell The Western train had just arrived at Redfern railway-station with a lot of ordinary passengers and one swagman. He was short, and stout, and bow-legged, and freckled, … [Read more...] about Enter Mitchell [short story by Henry Lawson]
Settling on the land [short story by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in While the Billy Boils (1896).] Settling on the land The worst bore in Australia just now is the man who raves about getting the people on the land, and button-holes you in the street with a little scheme of his own. He … [Read more...] about Settling on the land [short story by Henry Lawson]
An old mate of your father’s [short story by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This story by Henry Lawson was published in While the Billy Boils (1896).] An old mate of your father’s You remember when we hurried home from the old bush school how we were sometimes startled by a bearded apparition, who smiled kindly down on us, and whom our … [Read more...] about An old mate of your father’s [short story by Henry Lawson]
Preface [to Henry Lawson’s While the Billy Boils]
[Editor: This preface was published in Henry Lawson’s While the Billy Boils (1896).] Preface In the absence of the author, who is now resident in Western Australia, it devolves upon us to make the customary acknowledgements to the various journals from which these stories … [Read more...] about Preface [to Henry Lawson’s While the Billy Boils]
While the Billy Boils [by Henry Lawson, 1896]
[Editor: This book of short stories by Henry Lawson was published in 1896.] While the Billy Boils by Henry Lawson Author of When the World Was Wide. With eight plates by Mahony. Contents [Preface] An old mate of your father’s Settling on the … [Read more...] about While the Billy Boils [by Henry Lawson, 1896]
Happy Tassy: A Long Way after Little Jack Sheppard [song, 5 September 1896]
[Editor: A sarcastic Tasmanian song (adapted from the popular song “Botany Bay”, from the stage show “Little Jack Sheppard”, 1885). Published in The Clipper, 5 September 1896.] Happy Tassy. A Long Way after Little Jack Sheppard. We’re abiding in prosperous … [Read more...] about Happy Tassy: A Long Way after Little Jack Sheppard [song, 5 September 1896]
In Memoriam [poem by Louisa Lawson, 1 June 1896]
[Editor: A poem by Louisa Lawson.] In Memoriam. By Louisa Lawson. The white convolvulus, sweet, fragile flower Ope’s its pure petals at day’s tenderest hour, And they who gaze upon its virgin face, Know God is good, and take fresh heart of grace. At morn a joy, at … [Read more...] about In Memoriam [poem by Louisa Lawson, 1 June 1896]
[Photograph of Henry Lawson, from In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses, 1896]
[Editor: This photograph of Henry Lawson was published in In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses, 1896, opposite the title page.] Source: Henry Lawson. In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses, Angus and Robertson, Sydney, 1903 [first … [Read more...] about [Photograph of Henry Lawson, from In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses, 1896]
[Vignette] [Henry Lawson, from a sketch by F.P. Mahony]
[Editor: This illustration of Henry Lawson, drawn by F.P. Mahony, was published in In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses, 1896, on the title page.] Source: Henry Lawson. In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses, Angus and Robertson, … [Read more...] about [Vignette] [Henry Lawson, from a sketch by F.P. Mahony]
The Ghost [poem by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Henry Lawson was published in In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses, 1896.] The Ghost Down the street as I was drifting with the city’s human tide, Came a ghost, and for a moment walked in silence by my side — Now my heart was hard … [Read more...] about The Ghost [poem by Henry Lawson]
Australian Bards and Bush Reviewers [poem by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Henry Lawson was published in In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses, 1896.] Australian Bards and Bush Reviewers While you use your best endeavour to immortalise in verse The gambling and the drink which are your country’s greatest … [Read more...] about Australian Bards and Bush Reviewers [poem by Henry Lawson]
The Poets of the Tomb [poem by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Henry Lawson was published in In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses, 1896.] The Poets of the Tomb The world has had enough of bards who wish that they were dead, ’Tis time the people passed a law to knock ’em on the head, For ’twould … [Read more...] about The Poets of the Tomb [poem by Henry Lawson]
Marshall’s Mate [poem by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Henry Lawson was published in In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses, 1896.] Marshall’s Mate You almost heard the surface bake, and saw the gum-leaves turn — You could have watched the grass scorch brown had there been grass to … [Read more...] about Marshall’s Mate [poem by Henry Lawson]
After All [poem by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Henry Lawson was published in In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses, 1896.] After All The brooding ghosts of Australian night have gone from the bush and town; My spirit revives in the morning breeze, though it died when the sun went … [Read more...] about After All [poem by Henry Lawson]
The Cambaroora Star [poem by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Henry Lawson was published in In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses, 1896.] The Cambaroora Star So you’re writing for a paper? Well, it’s nothing very new To be writing yards of drivel for a tidy little screw; You are young and … [Read more...] about The Cambaroora Star [poem by Henry Lawson]
The Song and the Sigh [poem by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Henry Lawson was published in In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses, 1896.] The Song and the Sigh The creek went down with a broken song, ’Neath the sheoaks high; The waters carried the song along, And the oaks a sigh. The song … [Read more...] about The Song and the Sigh [poem by Henry Lawson]
A Prouder Man than You [poem by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Henry Lawson was published in In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses, 1896.] A Prouder Man than You If you fancy that your people came of better stock than mine, If you hint of higher breeding by a word or by a sign, If you’re proud … [Read more...] about A Prouder Man than You [poem by Henry Lawson]