Mitchell Doesn't Believe in the Sack

"Mitchell Doesn't Believe in the Sack" is a short story by Australian author Henry Lawson, exploring themes of resilience, camaraderie, and the harsh realities of life in the Australian bush. The narrative follows Mitchell, a man who, despite facing adversity and the threat of unemployment, maintains an unwavering spirit and determination. Through vivid descriptions and character interactions, Lawson captures the struggles of the working class in a developing nation, highlighting the importance of friendship and support in overcoming challenges. The story reflects Lawson's deep understanding of the Australian landscape and the human condition, making it a poignant commentary on social issues of his time.

• Short story

								
“If ever I do get a job again,” said Mitchell, “I'll stick to it while
there's a hand's turn of work to do, and put a few pounds together. I
won't be the fool I always was. If I'd had sense a couple of years ago,
I wouldn't be tramping through this damned sand and mulga now. I'll get
a job on a station, or at some toff's house, knocking about the stables
and garden, and I'll make up my mind to settle down to graft for four or
five years.”

“But supposing you git the sack?” said his mate.

“I won't take it. Only for taking the sack I wouldn't be hard up to-day.
The boss might come round and say:

'I won't want you after this week, Mitchell. I haven't got any more work
for you to do. Come up and see me at the office presently.'

“So I'll go up and get my money; but I'll be pottering round as usual
on Monday, and come up to the kitchen for my breakfast. Some time in the
day the boss'll be knocking round and see me.

“'Why, Mitchell,' he'll say, 'I thought you was gone.'

“'I didn't say I was going,' I'll say. 'Who told you that--or what made
you think so?'

“'I thought I told you on Saturday that I wouldn't want you any more,'
he'll say, a bit short. 'I haven't got enough work to keep a man going;
I told you that; I thought you understood. Didn't I give you the sack
on Saturday?'

“'It's no use;' I'll say, 'that sort of thing's played out. I've been
had too often that way; I've been sacked once too often. Taking the
sack's been the cause of all my trouble; I don't believe in it. If I'd
never taken the sack I'd have been a rich man to-day; it might be all
very well for horses, but it doesn't suit me; it doesn't hurt you, but
it hurts me. I made up my mind that when I got a place to suit me, I'd
stick in it. I'm comfortable here and satisfied, and you've had no cause
to find fault with me. It's no use you trying to sack me, because I
won't take it. I've been there before, and you might as well try to
catch an old bird with chaff.'

“'Well, I won't pay you, and you'd better be off,' he'll say, trying not
to grin.

“'Never mind the money,' I'll say, 'the bit of tucker won't cost you
anything, and I'll find something to do round the house till you have
some more work. I won't ask you for anything, and, surely to God I'll
find enough to do to pay for my grub!'

“So I'll potter round and take things easy and call up at the kitchen as
usual at meal times, and by and by the boss'll think to himself: 'Well,
if I've got to feed this chap I might as well get some work out of him.'

“So he'll find me, something regular to do--a bit of fencing, or
carpentering, or painting, or something, and then I'll begin to call up
for my stuff again, as usual.”
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