
. - WOMAN'S PLUCK AND ENDURANCE '.
MASQUERADED AS A MAN TO OBTAIN WORK SECRET UNDISCLOSED TILL BABY GIRL ARRIVED
'An amazing story disclosing the identity of a young woman, who masqueraded for three years in Windsor as a man, was revealed last week by the birth of a baby girl in the Richmond Hospital.
EVER since they came to Windsor, the young woman and her husband worked together as 'brothers,' doing gardening at vaCrious homes in the town, and not until the happy event of last week were their employers even aware of the woman's disguise.
BUT behind this strange story of 'Jack' Anderson's masquerade lies another story of the pluck and endurance of a young married couple— how, under the guise, of 'brothers' they carried their swags and slept under bridges until, through sheer perseverance, they advanced to a comfortable living.
'WANDERING Into Windsor looking for work, about three years ago, two swagmen set up camp, among other down and outs, under the river bridge. The elder man, perhaps in his early thirties, was dark, good-looking, and of medium height. He gave his name as Harry Anderson, and a broad accent marked him as a Scot. His companion, of 19, was of much slighter build and of fair complexion. 'He'was introduced by Harry Anderson as his 'young brother Jack.' It is strange that' although 'Jack's' voice was soft and decidedly Australian, there was not even the faintest suspicion that these two were not what they claimed to be — brothers. Harry Anderson's first job in Windsor was a day's gardening at the home of Mr.Ronald B. Walker, M.I*. A. On that occasion, he asked that his young brother be allowed to help him. He was only a kid, he said, and would be very lonely under the bridge all day by himself. The Andersons soon worked up a fair connection in Windsor, for their work was not only of a high standard, but they were ever courteous and a clean-living couple.
MASQUERADED AS A MAN TO OBTAIN WORK SECRET UNDISCLOSED TILL BABY GIRL ARRIVED
'An amazing story disclosing the identity of a young woman, who masqueraded for three years in Windsor as a man, was revealed last week by the birth of a baby girl in the Richmond Hospital.
EVER since they came to Windsor, the young woman and her husband worked together as 'brothers,' doing gardening at vaCrious homes in the town, and not until the happy event of last week were their employers even aware of the woman's disguise.
BUT behind this strange story of 'Jack' Anderson's masquerade lies another story of the pluck and endurance of a young married couple— how, under the guise, of 'brothers' they carried their swags and slept under bridges until, through sheer perseverance, they advanced to a comfortable living.
'WANDERING Into Windsor looking for work, about three years ago, two swagmen set up camp, among other down and outs, under the river bridge. The elder man, perhaps in his early thirties, was dark, good-looking, and of medium height. He gave his name as Harry Anderson, and a broad accent marked him as a Scot. His companion, of 19, was of much slighter build and of fair complexion. 'He'was introduced by Harry Anderson as his 'young brother Jack.' It is strange that' although 'Jack's' voice was soft and decidedly Australian, there was not even the faintest suspicion that these two were not what they claimed to be — brothers. Harry Anderson's first job in Windsor was a day's gardening at the home of Mr.Ronald B. Walker, M.I*. A. On that occasion, he asked that his young brother be allowed to help him. He was only a kid, he said, and would be very lonely under the bridge all day by himself. The Andersons soon worked up a fair connection in Windsor, for their work was not only of a high standard, but they were ever courteous and a clean-living couple.

THINGS BECAME BETTER
When they arrived in the town they had only the clothes they stood up in, but as things became better they procured more prosperous looking outfits, and graduated from their camp under the bridge to a more pretentious home in the shape of a barn on Mr. Walker's farm on the Wilberforce Road. It was here, a couple of summers back, that the Andersons, when not gardening, dug potatoes to supplement their earnings. , After work it was usual for the hot and dusty toilers to strip and have a swim under the willows of the Hawkesbury River which fringed the farm. On those occasions, it is now recalled, 'Jack' Anderson persistently refused to splash with the others in the cool and inviting waters. It was put down to natural shyness, and let go at that. 'Jack' Anderson became a familiar figure as he strolled down the main street of Windsor, with a rake or a hoe over his shoulder, and dressed in trousers and open shirt and blucher boots. Gaily he would nod to his many mate acquaintances, and doff his cap respectfully to the women folk. No one ever dreamed his secret. There was not the slightest inkling.
ESTABLISHED A NURSERY!
Recently the Andersons came into their own. They had stacked away the shillings carefully, and eventually were able to take a long lease of a two-storied house with extensive grounds, in March Street, Richmond, where they established a fine nursery.
To-day several stores in Windsor and Richmond act as agents for the well-known 'Anderson Seedlings.' Now comes the startling denouement. 'Jack' Anderson is at present in Richmond Hospital. He, or rather she, has given birth to a daughter. And the father is none other than her 'brother' Harry Anderson, who, in reality, is . . .. . her husband. To say that the Hawkesbury was staggered is to put it simply. Ole Man River was absolutely dumbfounded. When the news spread over the week-end through the Hawkesbury district, no one would believe the amazing story that the two Andersons were husband and wife. But the situation is very, very real. When 'Jack,' in mauve nightie, was interviewed in Richmond Hospital, she blushed deeply, but readily confessed to the deception. 'We had to do it,' she said simply, 'otherwise we would never have got a job.' Just then a lady patron of the lady gardener visited the young mother and made her a present of a pair of bootees.
HUSBAND'S STORY
Interviewed by a representative of this paper, the husband said his wife's name was Myra Anderson (nee Cameron). They were natives of Kilmarnock (Scotland) and Richmond (Victoria) respectively. Although born in Scotland, he had very little recollection of that country, which he left when quite a youngster. He had travelled every part of the globe, and for a number of years past had resided in Australia. Most of his time had been spent in Victoria and New South Wales. 'I have tried almost every occupation open to unskilled labor,' said Anderson, 'although my training and inclination is gardening. Six years ago I was gardening at Richmond (Victoria), where I met my wife, who was, at that time, a maid in the service of my employers. We became firmly attached and were married at Carlton (Victoria) a year later. 'Feeling the need of a change, we came to settle in Sydney, and with a little caution and perseverance soon became fairly well off. The depression, however, hit us hard, and in trying to keep things going our reserve gave out. We then decided to seek our fortune elsewhere and walked off together to an unknown destination. Fate led our footsteps to Windsor, where we decided to stay for a time to see how our luck went.'
DRESSED AS A BOY
Being a man of the world, the husband said he insisted that his wife should temporarily assume the identity of his brother, in order to avoid unwanted attentions during their travels. She dressed as a boy and looked the part to perfection. They had perforce to apply for food relief, which necessitated a visit to the Windsor Police Station. Their plight, and his wife's identity, became known to the police, but they kept the secret well. His wife's real identity also became known to a local doctor. Following the occupation of gardeners, their services soon became very much in demand, mainly through the recommendations of Mrs. Ronald B. Walker. 'All our savings so far,' continued thehusband, 'have been expended on tools and gear necessary to start a seedling nursery. The road is certainly hard, but the goal in sight is worth striving for. Besides helping ourselves, we try and spare as much as we can to assist our relatives, who are also up against it. We have found that a good, brave front is half the battle.
RAISING SEEDLINGS !
'To avoid being left alone whilst at work, my wife decided to come with me. Gradually we became popular and our employers in Windsor treated us well, but my wife could not bear to disclose her identity, so things went on until she was no longer able to carry on her self-imposed task. 'We then decided to go into a proper home and settle down to nursery work, raising seedlings. Failing to find a suitable place in Windsor, we were forced to look elsewhere handy, and finally settled at Richmond, where we are becoming firmly established.' Anderson said the road had been very hard for his wife, who was only 23 years of age; but, as she had said, it was worth it. Neither of them desired publicity, but when a thing was forced on them they must conform. There was still a lot of hard work before them; they had put everything they could spare into their work and were satisfied that they would reap a reward in years to come. They believed in laying a solid foundation on the principle of 'peaceful penetration.' 'We are looking forward to a happy future with our daughter, who was born on the 25th instant,' concluded the proud father.
AFRAID TO STAY ALONE
Mr. Anderson has, during employment, got so used to referring to his wife as 'he' that during the interview he referred to her as 'he' more times than he did 'she.' It is certain that at least one person knew 'Jack' Anderson's secret in Windsor, for, one night, about a year ago, while Harry Anderson was lying ill in Windsor Hospital, 'Jack' visited this person's homeand asked for shelter. He said he was afraid to stay alone in his camp across the river. In between sobs he revealed his real identity. Quite unconsciously, the husband recently made a good joke in connection with the whole affair. 'Jack' hadn't been accompanying him on his rounds lately, and one or two asked why. His reply was: 'Oh, he's got his hands pretty full now. He's looking after the nursery!' Now the masquerade is over the sympathy of the Hawkesbury district is with this couple, who under such difficult and peculiar circumstances, defied the bad times and won through. At present they are receiving congratulations on all sides, and the 'Gazette' joins with a host of friends in admiring their, pluck and courage and wishing them continued success. 'Mother and baby are both doing well. With their daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson look forward to better days, but 'Jack' will not have to give up the work which was a joy to her. In future she will help her husband to care for their own garden — and the nursery !
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/printArticleJpg/86053495/2?print=n
When they arrived in the town they had only the clothes they stood up in, but as things became better they procured more prosperous looking outfits, and graduated from their camp under the bridge to a more pretentious home in the shape of a barn on Mr. Walker's farm on the Wilberforce Road. It was here, a couple of summers back, that the Andersons, when not gardening, dug potatoes to supplement their earnings. , After work it was usual for the hot and dusty toilers to strip and have a swim under the willows of the Hawkesbury River which fringed the farm. On those occasions, it is now recalled, 'Jack' Anderson persistently refused to splash with the others in the cool and inviting waters. It was put down to natural shyness, and let go at that. 'Jack' Anderson became a familiar figure as he strolled down the main street of Windsor, with a rake or a hoe over his shoulder, and dressed in trousers and open shirt and blucher boots. Gaily he would nod to his many mate acquaintances, and doff his cap respectfully to the women folk. No one ever dreamed his secret. There was not the slightest inkling.
ESTABLISHED A NURSERY!
Recently the Andersons came into their own. They had stacked away the shillings carefully, and eventually were able to take a long lease of a two-storied house with extensive grounds, in March Street, Richmond, where they established a fine nursery.
To-day several stores in Windsor and Richmond act as agents for the well-known 'Anderson Seedlings.' Now comes the startling denouement. 'Jack' Anderson is at present in Richmond Hospital. He, or rather she, has given birth to a daughter. And the father is none other than her 'brother' Harry Anderson, who, in reality, is . . .. . her husband. To say that the Hawkesbury was staggered is to put it simply. Ole Man River was absolutely dumbfounded. When the news spread over the week-end through the Hawkesbury district, no one would believe the amazing story that the two Andersons were husband and wife. But the situation is very, very real. When 'Jack,' in mauve nightie, was interviewed in Richmond Hospital, she blushed deeply, but readily confessed to the deception. 'We had to do it,' she said simply, 'otherwise we would never have got a job.' Just then a lady patron of the lady gardener visited the young mother and made her a present of a pair of bootees.
HUSBAND'S STORY
Interviewed by a representative of this paper, the husband said his wife's name was Myra Anderson (nee Cameron). They were natives of Kilmarnock (Scotland) and Richmond (Victoria) respectively. Although born in Scotland, he had very little recollection of that country, which he left when quite a youngster. He had travelled every part of the globe, and for a number of years past had resided in Australia. Most of his time had been spent in Victoria and New South Wales. 'I have tried almost every occupation open to unskilled labor,' said Anderson, 'although my training and inclination is gardening. Six years ago I was gardening at Richmond (Victoria), where I met my wife, who was, at that time, a maid in the service of my employers. We became firmly attached and were married at Carlton (Victoria) a year later. 'Feeling the need of a change, we came to settle in Sydney, and with a little caution and perseverance soon became fairly well off. The depression, however, hit us hard, and in trying to keep things going our reserve gave out. We then decided to seek our fortune elsewhere and walked off together to an unknown destination. Fate led our footsteps to Windsor, where we decided to stay for a time to see how our luck went.'
DRESSED AS A BOY
Being a man of the world, the husband said he insisted that his wife should temporarily assume the identity of his brother, in order to avoid unwanted attentions during their travels. She dressed as a boy and looked the part to perfection. They had perforce to apply for food relief, which necessitated a visit to the Windsor Police Station. Their plight, and his wife's identity, became known to the police, but they kept the secret well. His wife's real identity also became known to a local doctor. Following the occupation of gardeners, their services soon became very much in demand, mainly through the recommendations of Mrs. Ronald B. Walker. 'All our savings so far,' continued thehusband, 'have been expended on tools and gear necessary to start a seedling nursery. The road is certainly hard, but the goal in sight is worth striving for. Besides helping ourselves, we try and spare as much as we can to assist our relatives, who are also up against it. We have found that a good, brave front is half the battle.
RAISING SEEDLINGS !
'To avoid being left alone whilst at work, my wife decided to come with me. Gradually we became popular and our employers in Windsor treated us well, but my wife could not bear to disclose her identity, so things went on until she was no longer able to carry on her self-imposed task. 'We then decided to go into a proper home and settle down to nursery work, raising seedlings. Failing to find a suitable place in Windsor, we were forced to look elsewhere handy, and finally settled at Richmond, where we are becoming firmly established.' Anderson said the road had been very hard for his wife, who was only 23 years of age; but, as she had said, it was worth it. Neither of them desired publicity, but when a thing was forced on them they must conform. There was still a lot of hard work before them; they had put everything they could spare into their work and were satisfied that they would reap a reward in years to come. They believed in laying a solid foundation on the principle of 'peaceful penetration.' 'We are looking forward to a happy future with our daughter, who was born on the 25th instant,' concluded the proud father.
AFRAID TO STAY ALONE
Mr. Anderson has, during employment, got so used to referring to his wife as 'he' that during the interview he referred to her as 'he' more times than he did 'she.' It is certain that at least one person knew 'Jack' Anderson's secret in Windsor, for, one night, about a year ago, while Harry Anderson was lying ill in Windsor Hospital, 'Jack' visited this person's homeand asked for shelter. He said he was afraid to stay alone in his camp across the river. In between sobs he revealed his real identity. Quite unconsciously, the husband recently made a good joke in connection with the whole affair. 'Jack' hadn't been accompanying him on his rounds lately, and one or two asked why. His reply was: 'Oh, he's got his hands pretty full now. He's looking after the nursery!' Now the masquerade is over the sympathy of the Hawkesbury district is with this couple, who under such difficult and peculiar circumstances, defied the bad times and won through. At present they are receiving congratulations on all sides, and the 'Gazette' joins with a host of friends in admiring their, pluck and courage and wishing them continued success. 'Mother and baby are both doing well. With their daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson look forward to better days, but 'Jack' will not have to give up the work which was a joy to her. In future she will help her husband to care for their own garden — and the nursery !
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/printArticleJpg/86053495/2?print=n