CHAPTER ELEVEN
"PUBLICAN?" ©
Mrs Brandt, it has come to my attention, that you are still running this establishment on your own. Owing to the circumstance of your husband’s sudden death, I have been lenient with pursuing this matter up until now. But as his name is on the Publican’s Licence, I can’t ignore it any further.”
Louisa sat breathing in the early Spring breeze that was wafting through the window. The scent of Eucalyptus cleared her head and she thought of how her sheets on the line would have this lovely fragrance clinging to them when dry.
Would this man be agreeable to what she was about to propose, she wondered?
“Mr Lawson, I have been giving this situation a lot of thought. You may not be aware, that Alfred and I ran this establishment together. Since his accident I have run it by myself, while bringing up my young family. My two eldest boys are at an age where they can help me around the house. The takings on the bar have been enough to keep us all fed and clothed and I am able to pay all my bills. If you would care to take a look of the books, I can show you that we are still making a profit, even though I am not taking lodgers for the time being. I would like you to consider my application to become the Licensee of The Sugarloaf Inn, when the current licence expires next year?”
She held her breath, with her heart beating rapidly. She had considered all of her options and knew she needed to work to provide for her family. She knew this business and was good at it. Why shouldn’t a woman be the Publican?
“Mrs Brandt, this is a very unusual request. There are women in this profession, but not many and only one other in Gunnedah.”
“Well I would like to join their ranks,” she replied, “ I need to provide for my family, this is my home and what I know. I can do it as good as Alfred.”
“I will have to consult the Publican’s Licensee Board and get back to you. So I will leave things as they are for the moment and let you know.” With that he took his leave.
Louisa didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She had a chance. He hadn’t said a straight out No. Maybe, just maybe, this would work.
Louisa Brandt - Publican of Sugarloaf Inn, she thought with a smile.
Turning her wedding band on her finger, her thoughts turned to when Alfred had put it on her finger officially. It was only such a short time ago, after all...
CHAPTER TWELVE
Louisa sat breathing in the early Spring breeze that was wafting through the window. The scent of Eucalyptus cleared her head and she thought of how her sheets on the line would have this lovely fragrance clinging to them when dry.
Would this man be agreeable to what she was about to propose, she wondered?
“Mr Lawson, I have been giving this situation a lot of thought. You may not be aware, that Alfred and I ran this establishment together. Since his accident I have run it by myself, while bringing up my young family. My two eldest boys are at an age where they can help me around the house. The takings on the bar have been enough to keep us all fed and clothed and I am able to pay all my bills. If you would care to take a look of the books, I can show you that we are still making a profit, even though I am not taking lodgers for the time being. I would like you to consider my application to become the Licensee of The Sugarloaf Inn, when the current licence expires next year?”
She held her breath, with her heart beating rapidly. She had considered all of her options and knew she needed to work to provide for her family. She knew this business and was good at it. Why shouldn’t a woman be the Publican?
“Mrs Brandt, this is a very unusual request. There are women in this profession, but not many and only one other in Gunnedah.”
“Well I would like to join their ranks,” she replied, “ I need to provide for my family, this is my home and what I know. I can do it as good as Alfred.”
“I will have to consult the Publican’s Licensee Board and get back to you. So I will leave things as they are for the moment and let you know.” With that he took his leave.
Louisa didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She had a chance. He hadn’t said a straight out No. Maybe, just maybe, this would work.
Louisa Brandt - Publican of Sugarloaf Inn, she thought with a smile.
Turning her wedding band on her finger, her thoughts turned to when Alfred had put it on her finger officially. It was only such a short time ago, after all...
CHAPTER TWELVE
MRS BRANDT ©
It had been six months since Ethel was born.10 Everyone in Gunnedah thought they had been married for over thirteen years.
Alfred wanted to take her back to Tasmania. He explained that he had some money to collect from the Mines he had worked at, in their time there. They could close the Inn and have a little holiday.
Louisa had organised for the children to go to Reverend and Mrs Duncan’s and have a little holiday, as well. Mrs Duncan loved the children and had been offering to have them for sometime. As she had been slow in getting back her strength after Ethel’s birth she decided a little break would be just what she needed. Mrs Duncan was disappointed when she told her, that she was taking Ethel. She couldn’t leave her baby with anyone else and she was still nursing her and if the boys were any judge she wouldn’t be giving up anytime soon!
It had been a lovely time. Travelling back through Gulgong where Magnus, Peter and John had been born. The town didn’t look much different from their time there, a few more buildings now lined the streets, where once tents were scattered throughout. It had been hard times in their tent, with the taste of dust in summer and the feel of mud seeping through the holes in her shoes in winter. Nights in the tent were the worst. Magnus had been born in the field behind their tent. It had been so quick that Louisa didn’t even have time to call out to Alfred. Within another four years, Peter and John joined their family. Alfred had made them a bed, which they all slept in to ward off the bitter cold. But the gold was worth the hardships and it had set them up for their move to Gunnedah.
They had stayed at Gulgong a night, then journeyed to Sydney where they boarded a boat to take them to Tasmania. Louisa regained a pink tinge in her cheeks and she felt her energy returning. Ethel, revelled in being the only contender for her mother’s attention. The journey only required her looking after Ethel and sitting with Alfred in the wagon under the hot January sun. The boat journey was calm and Alfred had booked a cabin, so it was the height of luxury, no meals to prepare, just days of contentment and gentle activity. Although she did miss her boys.
The Port of Devonport appeared in the distance from the deck. The wind blew in icy gusts, another bleak January summer’s day. Louisa remembered summer days of the past and wasn’t surprised. But it was a far cry from the heat of northern New South Wales. Alfred had obtained lodgings for the night at a nearby boarding house. The next morning saw them all on the Mail coach to Laucestion.
They had arrived late the next afternoon tired and travel sore from all the bumping and rocking of the coach. Another room had been reserved for them in advance. She wondered when Alfred had made all these arrangements. It was here that Alfred asked if he could have the ring that he had given her when they had left Tasmania twelve years ago in 1870. Confusion gripped her heart, what did he want with the silver band. It was her only tie to respectability. She loved Alfred and had never questioned their relationship, but she did feel a little sad that her marriage was a farce and only for show.
The next morning Alfred rose early and went out before she and Ethel woke. On returning, he greeted her with a bunch of daisies and told her to put on her best dress as they were going out.
They had a lovely walk through streets filled with tall gum trees. Alfred insisted that she carry the daisies why he carried Ethel. Turning the corner they came across the Free Church of Scotland, where Alfred suggested they explore, as it would be cool inside as the day was heating up.
On entering they were greeted by the Minister and his wife. He introduced himself as Reverend and Mrs Lindsay and explained that he was all ready for the service and he led them next door to the manse.
Mrs Lindsay asked if she could hold Ethel. Alfred reached for her hand and gave her a wink. With butterflies circling her tummy, she realised he had arranged for their wedding, back where it had all begun, with the birth of Alfred Jr. As tears filled her eyes she found it difficult to see and a large lump formed in her throat as the Minister read their vows. It was all over in a flash with the Reverend and his wife witnessing the ceremony, as well as their little Ethel of course. The10th January1883, she was now officially Mrs Brandt.11 A name she had used for thirteen years, but it had never sounded as sweet as it did now.
They spent another night in Launceston before embarking on the boat for the return journey home.
10 Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922 Index Reg #17610 Ethel BRANDT; [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010, http://www.ancestry.com.au
Alfred wanted to take her back to Tasmania. He explained that he had some money to collect from the Mines he had worked at, in their time there. They could close the Inn and have a little holiday.
Louisa had organised for the children to go to Reverend and Mrs Duncan’s and have a little holiday, as well. Mrs Duncan loved the children and had been offering to have them for sometime. As she had been slow in getting back her strength after Ethel’s birth she decided a little break would be just what she needed. Mrs Duncan was disappointed when she told her, that she was taking Ethel. She couldn’t leave her baby with anyone else and she was still nursing her and if the boys were any judge she wouldn’t be giving up anytime soon!
It had been a lovely time. Travelling back through Gulgong where Magnus, Peter and John had been born. The town didn’t look much different from their time there, a few more buildings now lined the streets, where once tents were scattered throughout. It had been hard times in their tent, with the taste of dust in summer and the feel of mud seeping through the holes in her shoes in winter. Nights in the tent were the worst. Magnus had been born in the field behind their tent. It had been so quick that Louisa didn’t even have time to call out to Alfred. Within another four years, Peter and John joined their family. Alfred had made them a bed, which they all slept in to ward off the bitter cold. But the gold was worth the hardships and it had set them up for their move to Gunnedah.
They had stayed at Gulgong a night, then journeyed to Sydney where they boarded a boat to take them to Tasmania. Louisa regained a pink tinge in her cheeks and she felt her energy returning. Ethel, revelled in being the only contender for her mother’s attention. The journey only required her looking after Ethel and sitting with Alfred in the wagon under the hot January sun. The boat journey was calm and Alfred had booked a cabin, so it was the height of luxury, no meals to prepare, just days of contentment and gentle activity. Although she did miss her boys.
The Port of Devonport appeared in the distance from the deck. The wind blew in icy gusts, another bleak January summer’s day. Louisa remembered summer days of the past and wasn’t surprised. But it was a far cry from the heat of northern New South Wales. Alfred had obtained lodgings for the night at a nearby boarding house. The next morning saw them all on the Mail coach to Laucestion.
They had arrived late the next afternoon tired and travel sore from all the bumping and rocking of the coach. Another room had been reserved for them in advance. She wondered when Alfred had made all these arrangements. It was here that Alfred asked if he could have the ring that he had given her when they had left Tasmania twelve years ago in 1870. Confusion gripped her heart, what did he want with the silver band. It was her only tie to respectability. She loved Alfred and had never questioned their relationship, but she did feel a little sad that her marriage was a farce and only for show.
The next morning Alfred rose early and went out before she and Ethel woke. On returning, he greeted her with a bunch of daisies and told her to put on her best dress as they were going out.
They had a lovely walk through streets filled with tall gum trees. Alfred insisted that she carry the daisies why he carried Ethel. Turning the corner they came across the Free Church of Scotland, where Alfred suggested they explore, as it would be cool inside as the day was heating up.
On entering they were greeted by the Minister and his wife. He introduced himself as Reverend and Mrs Lindsay and explained that he was all ready for the service and he led them next door to the manse.
Mrs Lindsay asked if she could hold Ethel. Alfred reached for her hand and gave her a wink. With butterflies circling her tummy, she realised he had arranged for their wedding, back where it had all begun, with the birth of Alfred Jr. As tears filled her eyes she found it difficult to see and a large lump formed in her throat as the Minister read their vows. It was all over in a flash with the Reverend and his wife witnessing the ceremony, as well as their little Ethel of course. The10th January1883, she was now officially Mrs Brandt.11 A name she had used for thirteen years, but it had never sounded as sweet as it did now.
They spent another night in Launceston before embarking on the boat for the return journey home.
10 Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922 Index Reg #17610 Ethel BRANDT; [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010, http://www.ancestry.com.au
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