Up the Country: A Saga of Pioneering Days

Philip scorned the loving letters that Charlotte bore from his parents. "Tell him to go to hell and keep his old corn patch. It's only a few acres shut in by a barren kangaroo run," he said roughly. The glamour of the renowned John Bull nugget, weight forty-five pounds, was bemusing his vision. He instructed Charlotte to inform his parents of his sentiments, but Charlotte's natural diplomacy and kindliness kept her from obeying him. Her letter ran thus: Dear Papa and Mamma,

The baby and I have got here at last. It was hard to find Philip but people here are very kind. Philip has been more ill than I can say in a letter and is a shadow of himself. You would not know him. He had to send his mate to meet me as he is not well yet after inflammation of the lungs. The diggings are quieter in the winter so I must take care of the dear boy and get him strong and then he may be ready to go home. At present he says no. He is disappointed that I did not bring Philip too. It is very rough here, all the trees cut down and nothing anywhere but shafts like wells, and tents. There are plenty of things in the stores, which are big tents or humpys of bark with flags on top to show if they are English or Russian or some other nation. Some things are very scarce and nearly everything terribly dear. Honey is 3/6 a pound. How I wish I had some of the honey from dear old Three Rivers. I think the storekeepers strike it more lucky than the diggers because their job is steady. I wish I had some of Mamma's fowls and eggs and butter here. I could make a fortune then. Cheese is 4/6 a pound; sugar 1/6; rice 1/-; coffee and tea 3/-; tobacco 8/-; salt 1/6; candles 1/6. It is light come, light go, with the diggers as far as I can see.