Chinkie's Flat by Louis Becke

There was nothing mysterious about Sheila Carolan; her story was a very simple one. Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years. The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world. There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's -- a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple -- and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess. Six weeks later she received a warmly worded and almost affectionate letter.

"My dear Sheila, -- Why did you not write to me long, long ago, and tell me that you and your Aunt Margaret did not get on well together! I remember as a girl that she was somewhat 'crotchetty. ' I am not going to write you a long letter. _I want you to come to us_. Be my children's governess -- and I really do want a governess for them -- but remember that you are coming to your mother's friend and schoolmate, and that although you will receive L100 a year -- if that is too little let us agree for L160 -- it does not mean that you will be anything else to me but the daughter of your dear mother. Now I must tell you that Minerva Downs is a difficult place to reach, and that you will have to ride all the way from Townsville -- 250 miles -- but that will be nothing to an Australian-born girl 'wid Oirish blood in her. ' When you get to Townsville call on Mr. Mallard, the editor of the _Champion_, who is a friend of ours (I've written him), and he will 'pass' you on to another friend of ours, a Mr. Grainger, who lives at a mining town called Chinkie's Flat, ninety miles from here, and Mr. Grainger (don't lose your heart to him, and defraud my children of their governess) will 'pass' you on with the mailman for Minerva Downs. The enclosed will perhaps be useful (it is half a year's salary you advance), and my husband and _all_ my large and furious family of rough boys and rougher girls will be delighted to see you.