Re: Pat Ritter. Books
Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 9:40 pm
'The Year That Never Was' - Page 25:
Chapter 4
Day of reckoning arrived for Joe and Billy to depart Cunnamulla. Most of the townsfolk gathered at the Cunnamulla Railway Station to farewell them with a couple of other young fellows who wanted to join the fight. Hannah couldn’t stop blubbering, wiping her face, not knowing when or if her husband returned.
‘Please don’t go.’ Hannah pleaded to Joe who stood erect shouldering his haversack. Joe looked handsome in his uniform, polished boots, wearing a slouch hat curled at one side, a plume of emu feathers showing his place from the colony he represented.
‘Stop worrying Hannah. Billy will have my back.’ Hugging his wife for the final time. A loud whistle echoed through the covered platform. ‘Time to go.’ Wrapped his arms around Hannah, kissed her on the lips, whispered in her ear, ‘I love you.’
‘Good luck my boy. We’ll miss you both.’ Nat shook Joe and Billy’s hand before they stepped onto the train.
‘Don’t forget your mother-in-law.’ Martha cried out wrapping his arms around Joe’s broad shoulders. ‘May God be with you at all times. We’ll look after Hannah until you return.’
Joe pulled shut the passenger door as the train departed from the station. Waving to Hannah until they were out of sight. Sounds of Waltzing Matilda echoed through the station played by Cunnamulla Town Band.
Cheers rang out from the passengers on the train to show their gratitude for the men going to fight in a foreign country. Joe sat silent thinking about the next couple of years not having a clue of who his enemy will be or if he’ll ever return home. His mate Billy sat beside him solemn.
‘Don’t look so glum.’ Joe said to Billy. ‘We’ll survive. Think about the adventure, sailing overseas, walking on soil from another country. Wonder if their country is similar to ours.’ Joe questioned.
‘She’ll be right mate. We’re in this fight together.’ Billy expressed pulling his slouch hat over his eyes. Soon snores echoed from under his hat. Joe sat silent looking at the countryside from his seat wondering if he or Billy will ever return to this land again. ‘How did he talk himself into this predicament?’ Joe pondered before copying his friend, pulling his hat over his face to grab a shut eye.
Stopping at all stations more soldiers entered the train. Charleville being the first stop for refreshments. Joe and Billy entered the refreshment room to have a cuppa and scone when a cheer rang out from the patrons seated at the table cheering the soldiers plus wishing them the best of luck.
TO PURCHASE THIS BOOK CLICK ONTO THIS LINK: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/758644.
Chapter 4
Day of reckoning arrived for Joe and Billy to depart Cunnamulla. Most of the townsfolk gathered at the Cunnamulla Railway Station to farewell them with a couple of other young fellows who wanted to join the fight. Hannah couldn’t stop blubbering, wiping her face, not knowing when or if her husband returned.
‘Please don’t go.’ Hannah pleaded to Joe who stood erect shouldering his haversack. Joe looked handsome in his uniform, polished boots, wearing a slouch hat curled at one side, a plume of emu feathers showing his place from the colony he represented.
‘Stop worrying Hannah. Billy will have my back.’ Hugging his wife for the final time. A loud whistle echoed through the covered platform. ‘Time to go.’ Wrapped his arms around Hannah, kissed her on the lips, whispered in her ear, ‘I love you.’
‘Good luck my boy. We’ll miss you both.’ Nat shook Joe and Billy’s hand before they stepped onto the train.
‘Don’t forget your mother-in-law.’ Martha cried out wrapping his arms around Joe’s broad shoulders. ‘May God be with you at all times. We’ll look after Hannah until you return.’
Joe pulled shut the passenger door as the train departed from the station. Waving to Hannah until they were out of sight. Sounds of Waltzing Matilda echoed through the station played by Cunnamulla Town Band.
Cheers rang out from the passengers on the train to show their gratitude for the men going to fight in a foreign country. Joe sat silent thinking about the next couple of years not having a clue of who his enemy will be or if he’ll ever return home. His mate Billy sat beside him solemn.
‘Don’t look so glum.’ Joe said to Billy. ‘We’ll survive. Think about the adventure, sailing overseas, walking on soil from another country. Wonder if their country is similar to ours.’ Joe questioned.
‘She’ll be right mate. We’re in this fight together.’ Billy expressed pulling his slouch hat over his eyes. Soon snores echoed from under his hat. Joe sat silent looking at the countryside from his seat wondering if he or Billy will ever return to this land again. ‘How did he talk himself into this predicament?’ Joe pondered before copying his friend, pulling his hat over his face to grab a shut eye.
Stopping at all stations more soldiers entered the train. Charleville being the first stop for refreshments. Joe and Billy entered the refreshment room to have a cuppa and scone when a cheer rang out from the patrons seated at the table cheering the soldiers plus wishing them the best of luck.
TO PURCHASE THIS BOOK CLICK ONTO THIS LINK: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/758644.