y separately published work icon Sketches from Real Life series - author   short story  
Issue Details: First known date: 1864... 1864 Sketches from Real Life
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Includes

Poor Girl! Old Boomerang , 1864 single work short story
— Appears in: Australian Tales and Sketches from Real Life 1868; (p. 54-63)
The story relates the misfortunes of Mary May, seduced, promised marriage, jilted and left with an illegitimate child. Mary's mother dies of 'a broken heart' and her child also dies. A moral tale which warns of wealthy, unprincipled 'fast men', the story concludes with a promotional spiel, inviting charitable donations for the [Sydney] 'Female Refuge', where woman such as Mary May, 'polluted as she is... may find a refuge from the cold winds and still colder blasts of the world's scorn.'
Sailors' Yarns! Old Boomerang , 1865 single work short story
— Appears in: Australian Tales and Sketches from Real Life 1868; (p. 300-308)
A series of stories linked together around a nautical narrator, attempting to illustrate the positive outcomes of righteous moral and religious conduct, and the negative outcomes attendant on the lack of such conduct.
Shove it on Board Old Boomerang , 1866 single work short story
— Appears in: Australian Tales and Sketches from Real Life 1868; (p. 219-231)
The problem of overloading a coastal steamer on its way to Sydney - each passenger insists on his share of baggage being taken aboard. The ship nearly sinks, but manages to pull through the storm.
Don't Forget Your Poor Old Mother! Old Boomerang , 1864 single work short story
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 13 August vol. V no. 215 1864; (p. 8) Australian Tales and Sketches from Real Life 1868; (p. 170-173)
Presents a portrait of two contrasting sons - one remembers his old mother and looks after her in her old age - the other neglects his mother, who is destitute.
Dropping in at Dinner Time Old Boomerang , 1866 single work short story humour
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 16 June vol. 7 no. 311 1866; (p. 11)

— Appears in: Australian Tales and Sketches from Real Life 1868; (p. 213-218)
The frustration of having an uninvited guest regularly turn up unannounced at dinner time results in family discord at the dinner table.
How Goliah Trump Cured Widow Blunt's Lazy Donkey Old Boomerang , 1866 single work short story humour
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 26 May vol. 7 no. 308 1866; (p. 7)

— Appears in: Australian Tales and Sketches from Real Life 1868; (p. 232-239)
Having left England for Australia to make his fortune, and realised his goal, Goliah Trump decides to return to his homeland to visit his father. He also promises to visit the elderly mother of his friend, Sam Blunt. Whilst visiting Sam's mother, Goliah also manages to teach her recalcitrant donkey a lesson.
How Mr Moans Tried 'Change of Scene and Fresh Air' Change of Scene, and Fresh Air Old Boomerang , 1866 single work short story adventure
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 3 February vol. 7 no. 292 1866; (p. 7-8) Australian Tales and Sketches from Real Life 1868; (p. 249-257)
Persuaded by his friend, Captain Gimble, of the benefits of sea, air Mr Moans travels on an overloaded collier from Sydney to Melbourne. Though the trip proves rough and somewhat dangerous, Mr. Moans endures and appreciates the refreshing change afforded by his twelve days on board.
Jack Tars, Ahoy! Old Boomerang , 1863 single work short story adventure
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 18 July vol. 4 no. 159 1863; (p. 8)

— Appears in: Australian Tales and Sketches from Real Life 1868; (p. 331-338)
The narrator relates his recollections of seafaring stories and sailors with whom he has worked, and implores readers to 'lend a hand' to the worthy 'Jack Tars', i. e. British seafarers.
Little Strangers Old Boomerang , 1863 single work short story
— Appears in: Australian Tales and Sketches from Real Life 1868; (p. 314-329)
Mr Wobble describes the birth of his first child, and the joys of parenthood generally.
Mr Moans' Visit to Melbourne Old Boomerang , 1866 single work short story
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 3 March vol. 7 no. 296 1866; (p. 8)

— Appears in: Australian Tales and Sketches from Real Life 1868; (p. 258-264)
A comparison between Sydney and Melbourne in the 1860s.
y separately published work icon Old Dick Larking's Love Old Boomerang , 1863 Z1319663 1863 single work short story romance Dick, a clerk in a law firm, falls in love with his cousin, who is already engaged. He leaves England and settles in Australia where he is successful.
"Old Folks at Home!" Old Boomerang , 1862 single work short story
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 15 November vol. 3 no. 124 1862; (p. 2)
Out Of His Element Old Boomerang , 1871 single work short story
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 25 February vol. 11 no. 556 1871; (p. 11)
Failures of an amateur farmer.
Poor Mutton Old Boomerang , 1871 single work short story
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 18 February vol. 11 no. 555 1871; (p. 11)
The story of Mutton, an aboriginal servant to Old B.
Stone Blind Old Boomerang , 1863 single work short story
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 24 January vol. 4 no. 134 1863; (p. 5) Australian Tales and Sketches from Real Life 1868; (p. 265-268)
Mr Guldman attempts to auction off his shipwrecked cargo but is thwarted by devious rogues.
Tim Rafferty and the Cow's Ghost Old Boomerang , 1865 single work short story humour
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 5 August vol. 6 no. 266 1865; (p. 8) Australian Capers, or Christopher Cockle's Australian Experiences 1867;
A ventriloquist plays a practical joke on Tim, the steward (on board ship with Christopher Cockle).
"Try" Old Boomerang , 1863 single work short story
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 10 January vol. 4 no. 132 1863; (p. 2)
The Try company provides free breakfasts on Sundays to all the homeless people of Sydney and persuades them to sign the temperance pledge.
'Why Don't You Speak to Him?' Old Boomerang , 1868 single work short story
— Appears in: Australian Tales and Sketches from Real Life 1868; (p. 146-151) The Sydney Mail , 11 July vol. 9 no. 419 1868; (p. 3)
Recounts the story of a sailor whom 'Old Boomerang' claims to have rescued from alcoholism and sin by speaking to him, and getting him to sign the Temperance pledge, successfully turning him into a gentleman.
Widow Giles's Little Grocery Shop Old Boomerang , 1866 single work short story
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 14 July vol. 7 no. 315 1866; (p. 3) Australian Tales and Sketches from Real Life 1868; (p. 131-137)
The story introduces the widow Giles as a model grocer of the 1860s. Her shop, and her ability to provide for her five children, was made possible by her late husband's fortunate decision to give up drinking and take out a life insurance policy.
Bolters in Bygone Days Old Boomerang , 1870 single work short story
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 12 November vol. 11 no. 541 1870; (p. 11)
Every Man to his Calling Old Boomerang , 1871 single work short story
— Appears in: The Sydney Mail , 4 February vol. 12 no. 553 1871; (p. 11)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Last amended 4 Nov 2016 10:56:04
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