From Otto’s farm at Molesworth I went to work for Jacob Triffit at Black Hills. His farm consisted of wheat and sheep in an elevated part of the country some six miles from Macquarie Plains township on the upper Derwent River. Here I ploughed with a team of horses and enjoyed turning over many acres with large farm implements rather than slaving away by hand with hoe and spade in the Bismarck method. Besides, this was big open country with sheep to tend and shear, though I never learned that special occupation. There was wheat to harvest, horses to feed, ride and groom, cows to milk, and a wide variety of congenial jobs. We had a superb view of the country below. Many miles of wheat fields spread out checker-board fashion across the plains, then roads and rivers, turning the board into snakes and ladders. I would stand on a high rock a short distance from the house and play my cornet. The familiar tunes would float over the farms below. I was rewarded with appreciative feed-back years afterwards.
My wages were pitifully small, but I was fed and housed; I needed little else but simple articles. I don’t remember receiving regular weekly wages. Once I wanted to go to the Hobart Show, and Mr. Triffit gave me three pounds. Then I felt like a millionaire. I had my bicycle, so was blissfully independent. The ride to the Hobart Show was some twenty-five miles or more, but I was young and vigorous and revelled in it. With money in my pocket to spend only on my own whims, and nobody to question what to do with it, I felt in complete control of my own affairs.
I had a wonderful day! All the merry-go-rounds, ferris wheels, high flying dippers, side shows, shooting galleries and knock-em-downs were at my disposal. Sixpence would go a long way those days, and I was prodigal. All those items I had missed in my younger years for lack of the necessary sixpence or threepence, I made up for now. I took over the show and went for it. I went to see the fights in the tents, the fat woman and miniature man, the performing fleas, and the miniature circus. I tried the hoopla, the darts and the quoits, besides a dozen other shouting challenges. And of course I kept with the ring events, the trots, the bands and the Grand Parade, till I exhausted my energies and likewise my money. I slept with relatives that night, and rode home the next day practically broke.
