E. Franklin Tregaskis

“ We should have left this life long ago, but those rich patches in the old workings drew me on. This must end it. When there is water enough, and I’ve cleaned up, I’ll take a position in Sydney.”
“I’ve been very happy here, more so than many of my companions in the old life. I realise this when reading between the lines of their letters,” replied the wife.
So the miniatures found their way into the Douglas safe, and the good business man said, in his most oily manner: “Of course, we respect your word, Mr. Hampton, and, looking over the old ledgers, I find you have always paid up. ”

“ It had been a dry winter, the wash dirt put through was poor, and only a portion had been treated, for Hampton had not been able to sluice since August, and now, near the end of December, rain looked as far off as ever. Troubles seldom come singly. The local storekeeper had died recently, and his successor, who decided to run the business on city lines, discouraged long credit. Formerly, the family had the necessaries of life assured, for the old storekeeper knew that when the dirt paid, his account had been squared ”

“ And the old man is too proud to take a fiver!” B.B. always had gold. He was still watching the children fading in the distance, when he struck his hands together. “I’ve got it! I’ll salt his claim. He’ll never find out its Bendigo gold. He doesn’t know the game.”
[A] A gold digger who works by himself.
There is an unwritten law, strictly observed among the diggers, that no man shall go down the shaft of another, without invitation; and to do so at night during the “rushes” was carrying one’s life in one’s hand ”

“ Business is business, you know.”
B.B. had visited the “Corfie Palis,” as the sign announced it, a place which much belied its name, for it did not resemble a palace in any land. It was built of galvanised iron and stringy bark, and coffee was never seen on the premises. There was a tradition that a traveller could procure a cup of tea, if he waited long enough. They certainly dispensed hop beer, and other liquid refreshment. ”

“ Hope, aided by Joy, told the story. “And this is the board. Daddy, with the writing on it.” He had not touched the pannikin, but examined the board carefully; there was nothing visible. He produced a candle and matches from a tin box ”