G
Guest
One of the most amazing stories which still evokes laughter on the old Turon fields is that popularly known as 'Gaffney's Nugget'.
Paddy Gaffney was something of a hard worker at Wattle Flat, and honest as far as his earnings would extend, but he liked his joke as the following will show.
He worked hard one year on various claims, but his luck was out and he was obliged, with many others, to secure credit at Neds Guard's Hotel and provision store. The goddess continued to turn a grim countenance on Gaffney, and he got into debt rather deeply at Guard's for provisions - so deeply, in fact, that Ned was compelled to stop all further credit.
Then the goddess smiled.
Great excitement prevailed when the news spread around that Gaffney had unearthed a 50 ounce nugget.
Guard by whom the news was received with feelings of relief, mingled with the innate exultation of the miner, was one of the first to call and congratulate the Gaffney's on their find. When Ned called, Gaffney was absent, but so pressing was he in his demands to have "just a peep" at the nugget that Mrs Gaffney weakened, and got it from its hiding place.
"Gaffney'd kill me, for sure, Mr Guard, if he knew I was showin' it to yer," said the poor woman who, herself, was almost overcome with excitement.
"Never fear," said Guard, anxious to see the treasure. "I won't tell."
But Paddy's footsteps were heard, and Mrs Gaffney had to replace the nugget in its hiding place before she had even unwrapped it. Guard promised unlimited credit, of course, pending the sale of Gaffney's nugget to the bank. That evening, Gaffney "gave" the usual party to celebrate the discovery of the nugget, which had given the miners, without exception, fresh heart.
The next morning it was learned that Gaffney and his wife had left Wattle Flat. Nobody knew why, or whence they had gone so hurriedly - until they search the house and found the top of a six pound hammer carefully wrapped in several layers of thick brown paper.
With the words written - Gaffney's Nugget.
Paddy Gaffney was something of a hard worker at Wattle Flat, and honest as far as his earnings would extend, but he liked his joke as the following will show.
He worked hard one year on various claims, but his luck was out and he was obliged, with many others, to secure credit at Neds Guard's Hotel and provision store. The goddess continued to turn a grim countenance on Gaffney, and he got into debt rather deeply at Guard's for provisions - so deeply, in fact, that Ned was compelled to stop all further credit.
Then the goddess smiled.
Great excitement prevailed when the news spread around that Gaffney had unearthed a 50 ounce nugget.
Guard by whom the news was received with feelings of relief, mingled with the innate exultation of the miner, was one of the first to call and congratulate the Gaffney's on their find. When Ned called, Gaffney was absent, but so pressing was he in his demands to have "just a peep" at the nugget that Mrs Gaffney weakened, and got it from its hiding place.
"Gaffney'd kill me, for sure, Mr Guard, if he knew I was showin' it to yer," said the poor woman who, herself, was almost overcome with excitement.
"Never fear," said Guard, anxious to see the treasure. "I won't tell."
But Paddy's footsteps were heard, and Mrs Gaffney had to replace the nugget in its hiding place before she had even unwrapped it. Guard promised unlimited credit, of course, pending the sale of Gaffney's nugget to the bank. That evening, Gaffney "gave" the usual party to celebrate the discovery of the nugget, which had given the miners, without exception, fresh heart.
The next morning it was learned that Gaffney and his wife had left Wattle Flat. Nobody knew why, or whence they had gone so hurriedly - until they search the house and found the top of a six pound hammer carefully wrapped in several layers of thick brown paper.
With the words written - Gaffney's Nugget.
