Joe Wilson and His Mates

  The Writer Wants to Say a Word.

  In writing the first sketch of the Joe Wilson series, which happenedto be 'Brighten's Sister-in-law', I had an idea of making Joe Wilson astrong character. Whether he is or not, the reader must judge. It seemsto me that the man's natural sentimental selfishness, good-nature,'softness', or weakness--call it which you like--developed as I wroteon.

  I know Joe Wilson very well. He has been through deep trouble since theday he brought the double buggy to Lahey's Creek. I met him in Sydneythe other day. Tall and straight yet--rather straighter than he hadbeen--dressed in a comfortable, serviceable sac suit of 'saddle-tweed',and wearing a new sugar-loaf, cabbage-tree hat, he looked over thehurrying street people calmly as though they were sheep of which he wasnot in charge, and which were not likely to get 'boxed' with his. Notthe worst way in which to regard the world.

  He talked deliberately and quietly in all that roar and rush. He is ayoung man yet, comparatively speaking, but it would take little Mary along while now to pick the grey hairs out of his head, and the processwould leave him pretty bald.

  In two or three short sketches in another book I hope to complete thestory of his life.

  Part II.