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Banfield, E. J. (Edmund James), 1852-1923

"Confessions of a Beachcomber"

You only get three months. I been think
you in for a sixer."
Billy--"By golly, Jack, me bin think me be disqualified for life."
MICKIE'S VERSION
Mickie is apt at repeating the sayings of others. Often his rendering of
a commonplace becomes humorous by reason of a slight verbal twist. As
the boys toiled to supplant a glorious strip of primeval jungle by a few
formal rows of bananas, the boss, glancing over the ruined vegetation,
remarked in encouraging tones
"Well, we are getting on fine! Getting on like a house on fire!"
For half an hour or so the boys hacked and chopped away at the vines and
trees, and then Mickie swept the scene with a comprehensive glance,
saying--"We getting on good fella now. All a same burning down house."
HONOURABLE JOHNNY
Johnny was much averse from work. "Work, work, work, all asame
bullocky," as he put it, rasped on his feelings. At midday he was taking
his case, while others toiled packing stones on a breakwater. One of
them called out--"Why you no work, Johnny? You sit down all the time."
Johnny--"Me bin work close up daylight. You lazy black niggers only
work when Boss look out."
THE TRANSFORMATION
The wife of a squatter was about to leave the station for a few years,
that her daughters might have the opportunity of acquiring
accomplishments unobtainable in the Bush.


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