AustLit

The Mitre Tavern in Melbourne is one of its oldest buildings, and in this story the author recounts a tale that may have taken place there decades before involving Peter Pinsent Money, a well-known solicitor dubbed 'Pin Money' - 'Pin' being short for 'Pinch' - so called for his habit of stealing from his clients. An English client, Henry Withers, eventually catches up with 'Pin Money' at the Mitre Tavern and demands the return of his money. The case goes to court and judgement is awarded against Pinsent for the full amount. Soon after, he is struck off the Roll of Legal Practitioners, and his wife dies. However, years later he rises back to a position of esteem. Conincidentally, Pinsent's beloved granddaughter Beryl, meets and falls in love with Henry Withers's grandson Herbert! Pinsent, keen to make amends with Henry for Beryl's sake meets with him and the two young lovers are married with the blessing of both the elderly men.

A fourteen year old boy, Victor Kennion, is wandering through the bush near Warburton in the Dandenongs looking for lyre birds, when he bumps into a girl with red hair whom he dubs 'Sunset'. They chat and he offers to show her the lyre birds the following day.

The following day, 'Sunset' and Victor meet, and Victor explains that he does not want to work in the mill like his father, but rather wishes to become a doctor or a lawyer. At their next meeting, however, a timber trolley breaks its coupling and injures 'Sunset' and Victor, who tries to protect her. Victor is injured severely but is glad he has saved 'Sunset' and manages to farewell her before he succumbs to his injuries.

Forty years later, 'Sunset', who had remained unmarried, is dying as a result of the injuries sustained so long ago. She finds herself glad to go, and on the moment of death, believes she sees Victor waiting for her in heaven.

Jack Hewitt, a Council Foreman, meets and falls in love with nurse Mary Morrison after he meets with an accident. She rejects his offer of marriage, however, as she remembers an incident from her childhood in East Brunswick where she was pushed down by a bully who also fought her friend, Jim Young, and caused him to end up with a hunched back. That bully was Jack Hewitt, and when Mary reminds him of what happened, he flies into a jealous rage, assuming that it is Jim Young who is a rival for her affections, and vows to hurt both Mary and Jim. He ambushes and kidnaps Mary - Jim comes to her rescue and Hewitt is told to leave town.

Later, Mary is in the city raising funds for soldiers and sailors when she runs into Jack, who is still angry about what occurred and tries to hit her, but a policeman intervenes. Mary and the policeman, John Alderton, begin chatting, find much in common, and eventually end up marrying. Jim Young, saddened that he was never able to secure Mary's affections, falls ill. She visits him and grants his wish of one kiss before he quietly passes away.

'The dwellers in Australian Fairy Land, although akin to those of other climes, have a distinct character of their own. Even the wicked Desert Fairies endear themselves to us. Although they do not vomit fire, as did the dreadful dragon of our childhood, one feels that, given a sporting chance, they would make that boastful beast curl up like a salted worm'.