Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-03-16
The Boss of Myall Blocks
BY Morley Roberts


Gregory-that is to say, the honors are
even between him and Tyson, who is
really not so bad sort as the sundown-
ing fraternity are apt to make out.
For certainly Mat Gregory, or SAY
age Ginger" as some called him, from
his red hair and redder beard, was a
hard man, If he was q good manager.
And as Simpson, who owned Myall
Blocks, made at least $50, 600 out OF that
station alone in a good year, it was not
without justice that he was esteemed
a good man from the employers and
capitalists point of view. But he knew
sheep, horses and cattle a little better
than he knew men, and consequently
he had q bad name among those who
worked for him. He could drive a man
to death just as anyone can ride horse
to death, but he wanted the knack of
getting men to lay themselves out for
his service. There was no one whQ
loved him or even liked him, and pride
in the station itself was a nonexistent
quality.
knew this because worked for him
myself, and when / was boundary-rid-
ing, on an outstation on the line of
fence between US and the next station
east, l found it little annoying to be
pitied by the other boundary rider
whenever we met.
"How's Old Ginger?" he used to ask,
"and are you picked by now?"
But, fortunately, l saw very little of
him, and he left before Iydid. 1t hap
pened this way, according t6 what was
told:
Mat Gregory went up to the Northern
Blocks, and stayed there savaging the
superintendent for about three days,
and making everyone wish he were
dead. For of course, nothing was right.
He was the kind of boss who will go
into matters with q storekeeper, and,
finding half an ounce of tea short, dock
the responsible man. And If it was half
an ounce over he would slate him for
robbing the hands. And yet he was a
regular daylight robber himself
However, at the end of three days he
went off south again, and before he had
ridden ten miles he came up with lit
tie rough old chap, riding beast of a
broken-down crock not worth panni-
kin of flour. His clothes had never been
good, bat now they were ragged and
sunburned, and his very hat was full of
holes. But Nat ranged up alongside
him and said Good day" very civilly
for him. He was, maybe, pleased with
the jar he had given the North Block
lot Anyhow, he slung the traveller
Good day." and made as II he, would
chum in with him for the le" a'h of one
of the big paddocks.
DAY to you," said the traveller, who
was strong, wiry old boy, with griz-
zled eyebrows that hung over his eyes.
Are you travelling down to Myall
Blocks station?" queried Matt.
II am So" answered the old man,
cnldlSr "and farther, too-very likely"
It's a very fine station, this?" said
"Not SO bad" answerru vrrv-..-------
DO you know how many sheep run on
ft?"
"Two hundred thousand and two hun
dred and five, by the last count" " said
Mat, feeling quite good and proud OF
the job.
What? No more?" asked the old
man.
"And how many more do you want?'
asked Mat, quite surprised and not lit
tie snake-headed. "Ain't that enough
for a rusty old sundowner that never
owned more of sheep than a lump OF
mutton-and mebbe stolen at that?'
said Mat.
.'Be civil" said the old man. "How
many sheep do you own, or are you
boundary rider?"
And Mats horse gave mighty jump,
for Mat dug the spurs into him in his
rage. And before Ginger could pull
him up he was a hundred yards away.
But Ginger turned him and came gal
Looping back. :,
you rusty old whaler!" he roared.
so I'm to be civil to you, am l? A
boundary rider, indeed I'm the man
ager of this run. I'm Matthew Greg
ory, that's known from Adelaide to Sgd
ney, and from"
"You might be rich by the way you
brag about yourself" said the old boy,
with a sneer. $50 you re only maA-
ager?"
"And what are your" asked Mat,
foaming with rage. you might be old
Jim Gleeson, / should think. Only you
amt"
For Jim Gleeson was the richest man
between Wilcannia and the Began, and
a deal further than that.
And Mat galloped Off in fury. He
found a wire broken near the second
fence from the home station, and, rid
ing in, discharged the boundary rider
who was responsible.
just about sundown the old chap
with whom he had had the quarrel
came riding past. So Mat went out and
shouted over to the storekeeper:
Don't give that old ruffian any -four.
And, Jack this was to roustabout
cutting frewood-"you go up to the
cook double quick and tell him not TO
give the scrapings Of frying pan to
him."
But the old chap stopped Jack as he
was going up to the mems hut on his er-
rand.
Nice boss. that OF yours!" he ex-
claimed.
"Aln't he just?" said Jack.
DO you like him?"
"Do we?" asked Jack, angrlly. But
be did whnt be was told. all the same
And then, to get even with Ginger, he
took the best part OF leg Of mutton /!
and half a hatful Of tea and went out
with it. He lodged round the back Of
the stables and came on the old boy rid |!
Ing along easy.
al say!" said Jack, and the other
pulled up.
what is It? What's the matterT
81 got this stuff from the cook" said
Jack. "And three miles down the road,
on the left, beyond the little clump
down the fence, there's good water and
a good bite of grass"
"You're a fine young fellow, you
are" said the old man. ITS pity you
are not a manager. Would You Like
better job?"
Rather; but good jobs scarce"
"Not so scarce as good men," nodded
the traveller Will you be here In
fortnight? I'm coming back, maybe,
and l might hear of something"
Il shall be here" said the boy; that
is, II l don't get shot out"
"You STAY" gruuted the old man.