The Beneficial Duffing.

[thestoryteller]

THE BENEFICIAL DUFFING

Old Uncle Jim lived in the bush out Moonie river way
and finished stock on prickly pear, but balked when folk would say.
"Why don't you sell them loc'lly Jim; the money's best right here."
While others pressed, "Try Brisbane mate; the money's there I fear."

As muster time come 'round again the stock had to be sold,
so saddling up old Jim prepared to ride off in the cold.
Then as he searched the paddock, where he thought his stock should be,
he could not find a single beast and went right off his tree.

"They've cut me fence!" was what Jim roared "and duffed the lot by heck!
Just let me find the thieving curs, I'll wring their flam'in necks.
They've tried to hide their tracks as well by burning off I see.
They'll rue the day when it comes time to meet the likes of me."

He picked their trail as best he could though night got in his way.
"I'll sleep right here" said Uncle Jim, "but rise at break of day."
Though stiff and sore old Jim was up before the crack of dawn
and swore that when he caught the crooks they'd wish they’d not been born.

I have a hunch thought Uncle Jim on where they plan to go
and on his face a cheeky grin revealed he might just know.
His hunch was right, the stock were there in wagons at the rail.
"Now how to find these thieving crooks?" He'd put these blokes in jail.

Jim walked towards the railway yards to see what he could find
and straight away he spied the boys the ones who robbed him blind.
Most bushman would have done their blocks and dropped them on the spot,
but Jim he was a thinking man, he'd teach these boys a lot.

He strode towards the boys he knew his face gave naught away,
but all the time he'd on his mind just how these boys would pay.
"You lads have done a mighty job; it seems you've read my mind;
to bring the stock down to the rail; the thought was rather kind."

"I'm giving you a pound a piece, for surely that is fair,
and when you get to Brisbane lads you'll meet the Agent there.
We'll have a talk on your return, I'm sure you've lots to say.
Now off you go and do the job and get things underway."

They did the job and came on home their faces rather red,
apologised and told the tale of how they got misled.
"We have two girls we'd like to wed as we do love them so,
that's why we stole the stock from you. 'Twas stupid now we know."

"I see your plight," said Uncle Jim, "and think I understand,
though don't condone your efforts though to win a lass' hand.
I'd like to help your dreams come true, here's forty pound apiece,
but never let me hear of you at odds with the Police."

They took to heart what Jim had said and both lived happy lives,
but kept the secret to themselves and never told their wives.
One day perhaps they'd tell their sons, if tempted they should be,
the beneficial duffing tale old Jim had told to me.

From Tales of Uncle Jim 1996