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Vol. V No. I. T THE HIU * 1 This article was written by the late Mr. Herbcrt G. de Lisser, who up to the time of his death was one of the Directors of the Jamaica Mutual, as will be seen from the picture below, which was taken at the time tic article was written. F OR a lotal Society beginning with no- thing, the Jamaica Mutual Life Assur- ance Society has done very well indeed. In fact it has done extremely well, and this year, which is its centenary, it may boast that it is the only Life Assurance Society ever established in Jamaica, with not a penny of capital. or anything except faith in its few Directors and a firm belief in God, that has S made such extraordinary progress. How did it come into being? We are told that its founder was Mr. William Wemyss Andersin. a Scottish lawyer, who had come to Jamaica from t his native land in 1833. He was a mian1 of strong, independent character, an ardent illeral and democrat; and he had not Ieen hlon here before he noticed that the rates fnr life insurance applicable to residents of Jamaica were prohibitively high. A mutual societyty appeared to offer the only pro- spiect of relief. and so he induced some of his professionaIl iiand business friends to join with him in tonniling the Jamaica Mutual. Al- though the S,,ciety was formally founded on the -2lst ,l March, 1844, it took some con- sideralle time before coming actually to birth there lhad to be much talkiin about it: I.ut uiiler any circumstances there would have been much ialikin since' e B 2 - i th JIllll iniclln or thle manil nronll i ectedl i t It JaLilnI ira ha to. to do ) anithingl Ij) otle a1ll+ lh. of1 ta Ilk ias S been exileniledl Ille dete illm illg what l1e qiiiia y is :111n ( IIte ;' .[ l in 11 Sone's 1ini 1 flly l made up yet n.ain. 'Wenimss .An- dimon of Sot- vl l. then is . ,: S reth.- v i .11a v i ' t i le nleli. . noinilen nl why s.i.. i 1 .1 in Q 3 I Ii P ( l ;i i ', I I n I ! (111le 'irinn e of lhe n ly t . t 1 i : t i.. Bn t "- . Weniy S .%ndio- Wila o Lns . snil nirliparently ;' -. w ;Is n ,v ;way (.1 .f ' : Ii\inr n -rt o -f - ,,In ofhciial: he .. '-- - had1 IPenll i- BOARD 01 mil in lltd PPlf'tc- (Left to Right): Sir Alfred D'Co! Ili (i of S rIvP, -Sir William Morrison, Hon. Lindsi. ii t ."* % 1 i e p r FOUNDED BY HE LATE HERBERT G. DE LISSE INDRE PLANTERS' An Interesting Account of the Founding of the Jamaica Mutual Assurance Society in the year 1844. was not finally abolished until August 1838. Technically, of course, it ended in 1834, giving place to what was then known as the Apprenticeship System; anyhow it is evident that what Mr. Wemyss Anderson was really concerned about was having in Ja- maica a really beneficial institution, something solid, well founded, reliable, that would be more and more of a benefit to the island and especially to people of ordinary ri.e-lii- stances. He must have known that other such institutions were certain to spring up as the years went by, but he also felt, not unnatural- ly, that Jamaica should have a Life Assurance Society of its own, and that the Jamaica Mutual should be the first. Wemyss Anderson was right in many re- spects. The Jamaica Mutual had not been founded for more than three years when the Standard Life established a branch in Ja- maica. Many years further were to elapse before another rival came into the field, and today there are many similar competitive or- ganisations. But the Jamaica Mutual stood the strain of competition splendidly, and from a commencement with nothing (so far as money was concerned) may now claim about 8,000 policy-holders and a capital of nearly one million pounds. Who was the first Chairman of the Ja- maica Mutual, who was its first policy-holder, and where did the Society begin its work? A Mr. Alexander Barclay was named its first Chairman, a Mr. Thomas Bland its first F DIRECTORS OF THE JAMAICA MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE sta (Chairman), Mr. E. B. Nethersole (Secretary), Mr. James ay Downer, O.B.E. (Deputy Chairman), Mr Percy UAndo, Mr Seymour, Hon. 0. K. Henriques. Life Secretary, and on the 1st of May 1844 its first policy was issued to Mr. Edward Charles Mowat, a Kingston solicitor, for 500. So far as is known, Alexander Barclay was a Scotsman. Mr. James Davidson, another Director, was evidently Scottish, either by birth or by descent. He was a prominent busi- nessman of the period. Mr. Edward Charles Mowat and the rest may have been English- men or Jamaicans--the record telleth not, except that Mr. Henry John Kemble's family came from New Jersey., IU. S. A.; but he him- self may have been born in Jamaica. I suggest, however, that the first Directorate of the Ja- maica Mutual was a mixture of Scotch, Jamai- cans and English, and were men in business, professional or political life in Jamaica, pro- bably in Kingston and Spanish Town. They_ were, in fact, persons who a few years before the founding of the Jamaica Mutual Life As- surance Society might have been considered members of the political organisation known as the Town Party (so named because they were known to be of Liberal tendencies and either lived in Kingston or in Spanish Town). The other Party, the Country Party, as it was call- ed, were planters who lived on their estates and considered themselves the salt of the earth. But the members of the Town Party, (or to be specific, the members of the Jamaica Mutual's Directorate in those early years of existence, and their like) also considered themselves to be the salt of the earth: in fact it is the tendency of every and any organisa- tion to consid- er themselves the salt of the earth. The Town Party, however, kept their spir- its up by being strictly active; th e Country Party, on the other hand, preferred isola- tionism a n d thus, unless the individuals amongst them were men of 'nut s t'a.n d- ing a1bilityi. faded away into inuign~ti- cance. It is not that the plait- ters of al huln- dred year's ago did not every now and then try to estab- lish something, whether it was an institution for the defence of the Estab- lished (Clihch membership of which was 'E SOCIETY. quitee open to atheists a d ,l Henderson, Mr. Herbert G. DeLisser, Basil O. Parks, Hon. G. Seymour- other profane people--or any- PUNCH For the year 1944-1945 R, 1920. YEARS I - PLANTERS' thing that one could -hink of which would make a showing, and, at any rate for a time, a little noise. But -- and this was the unfor- tunate thing about the efforts and meth- ods of those whom I might consider as belonging to the Country Party even before the Party ex- isted and long after it had been forgotten - nothing that they sought to establish ever endured. They began with a bang, and often ended without a crash. They died, .- and no one knew that they were dead until they were so very dead that only tile historian couhl find out anything about what they had stood for. The mer- chants and leading politicians of King- ston (with whom lay the sympathy of the officials) were BACK ROW (Left to right) more fortunate or Mr. H FRONT ROW (Left to right abler; hence what (Sec they did usually had the seeds of a long life in it. Prominent among these things has been the Jamaica Mutual. Among its first Directors was Edward Jordon, of whom we are hearing more in these days than we have done at almost any other time since his death nearly eighty years ago. 1 think, too, that another of its Directors, Henry John Kemble, was a man who would be considered a democrat; he was the Kemble that became Custos of Kingston as Edward Jordon was before him. Nor can we forget that Mr. Charles )arling, then a member of the House of Assembly, but afterwards Sir Char- les Darling and Governor of Jamaica, was a good friend of the Jamaica Mutual and as- sislcd it greatly. Char- les Darling was not, of course, a Jamaican, but it is evident that unless lie had been of the official attitude of mind lie would not have become Govern- or of Jamaica after having served in the local and still tumul- tuous House of Assem- bly. Jamaica, in fact, in the 1840's was changing steadily in its attitude towards men and things, or perhaps one could say was becoming more clear-cut in its dis- tinctions between men and their attitude towards public and also private matters. Jordon, for example, was known in those days as a coloured man. In these days, if one referred to his colour at all, he would probably be designated as a white man; even those who knew him dill -iii-ly - and they would not be many would simply not dream of expressing their knowledge in words or in public, by speak- ing of the matter at all. Jordon was not only one of the first STAFF OF THE JAMAICA MUTUAL. :Miss M. Lyons, Miss O. Spyer, Miss E. Delvaille, Mr. S. J. A. Kaufmah, Miss K. Owen, Miss E. Richards and Miss P. Will it): Mr. G. C. Livingston, Mr. R. G. Thwaites, Mr. G. R. ( retary), Mr. E. G. Nethersole, Mr. A. H. Neale, Mr. S. A. Bir Directors of the Jamaica MuutNil, but was also its second Chairman. He became Chairman in 1864, which position he retained until lie died in 1869. Of course by then he had been appoint- ed a Companion of the Bath, and had been Mayor and Custos of Kingston, as well as the Island's First Secretary: what in these days we call the Colonial Secretary. But there was another Director of the Jamaica Mutual about whose parentage and origin there could be no doubt, and who must be taken as representing a certain type of the population then rapidly developing in wealth and significance. Reference is here made to George William Gordon. Everybody in Jamaica knows that Gordon was hanged fllr sredition, S though his guilt is more andl more .fiercely denied as time goe Un, and was denied also by the Court that tried the man chiefly re- sponsible oli- his S ieaat h, i .,,ernor John Eqlalrl Eyre. Gordon \\w; a mtlu- latto: li:s Iatther white, bhis mother l ,black. L Hi wa;i pos sessed of a great deal of lIi:t.y. : he ac- (quired I a r g e amount I1I landed property tqiir those Says, eva-i it Ie- did not pay Iol iti; he w as sald to ha ie (lied owing at least 40,000, wh iwh was nlore thln iimiliiva. lent to t'l1111.10iill to- day. Yet lthe lact that hle iuciitl ha\e become a Director of the Jminai'a Man tual Lifi .\sin'l;nce Winder, Mr. A. N. Fulford, Society, ihiil lie iams. was still i.-pkeii of )rrett, Mr. E. B. Nethersole ra. respectfully ;IIIl eren enthnusia.tivl ly ill the then existing Jamaica Monthly M~;vanzine (the editor of which represented tll(e defunctt Country.Party, and represented it a. thIiiilin it were alive and flourishing) showed hIiw the times were changing and money lIe, -rlmini of far more importance in Jamaica tlhii Iblood alone. Gordon, however, was hanged: te ileditor of the M.g,lazine referred to went to I-itkion for forgery; but the Jamaica Mutual toeil unii moved amidst all these changes and ~tormnis. representing as it did a sound, business faculty undisturbed by political qiietliions or any other question, although it uiindl.litedly did represent a change from the :.ttitiue (of not so long ai-go when Ia missionary \a:s con- sidered to lie a scoun- drel by lanIy domi. nant spirit., ill the ia- land, simnily blecaase he was a miu..iionary when men fiiouight for the Church iniliply be- cause they felt that the Church .sto,ll for their int,-i-.t4 and could not f"Ii'-Po the advent of aii Enon Nuttall n h, should strive to mihke hi. great d (-iii-riiiation not only :i I~olou. lar body alllliitist the 54r \very poolesit el.lsses ofl the country hut a leader n i t-li i and not lp1riiini ily 1II 4 -litical wol, k. It w\\ouil seem that the J;o in ica of a hundred years ago, was a very ililf'pren country In.mi Ilile Ja- maica ol (Ih.iy iLl far as hlie teulperia- ment of it. leading personality, rII tilhe expression iit that temperaniollr. \\;a con .cerned. Tlis is i al- firmed by ('olhiiml i[. M. Burke, wh lo jnined the Jamn1il, ia iitiml as a lad in Ilit, or over sixty yvie ;i;g. and worked witl it for many yoa1-s. At the centeniu ;lmY meeting THE JAMAICA MUTUAL'S WELL-KNOWN FORCE OF TRAVELLING REPRESENTATIVES. STANDING (Left to right): Mr. W. L. Shirley, Mr. S. G. Smith, Mr. John daSilva, Mr. M. Phillips. SITTING (Left to right): Mr. W. D. Soutar, Mr. Spencer Thomson, Mr. A. D. Figueroa. PUNCH 11444.5 I .il 1944143 PLANTERS' PUNCH .of the So.cietiy in Apllil ot rthi-, y an. lihe ientriiii.- dseeteral niiimi n. till lamniliar In l iiin pl>rv..,on.s ofBixty ;lIl iner. men II1 plsiitiol and ilitluni.ll. who were idlenititiesl .uith the lJaniaiia Mutii.il either ;as Ipii it.,iis or a. la upiliy, la li-. I b,, lei -. Two of thlic-' Ill. eI.ii reecalled. I ie \;i-wi 3II. I;. H. Pi:arte. w. l bel i-callie lnad ot' the ;iienera.i Post O tiv-e,' tin ...tlie, \\.it Mr. A. 4_'. Sinl.aini the hePl it the l i0ernlnent l'rintinii ('ffici,. and tthli it therim w\-re Jamaicann . I kmi- Ihei-im Iiotlh in my youth. Theyl were sal Ito lhe ili-liiitatious and even cantank ersou iilividiuali. ,iid I think that Mr. Pear(c especially imeriti-l these adjectise.s .anid \I proud i"f tlieiii lint there were others erien more belligere-int ,ii1l disputatious than these two, andi they "erl. all for "improving" the Jamaica Mutui l, ili hlich perhaps, had they had their way. night li;iae I.d to tie early ileniei- of the Si..-iet-y. lint lperhlIaps there \as i' a nI 1 of (eniils ,I i ,id c i t-ln e dlirei tin- ti. ir S eiety's ai'ail'. alind certainly during the last thirty y ai.s iiIl it- Isrxit t- those ial'diri I;at\u- been iiniliin-tiel -iiimo thly. quie-tl3 l.i;iicef lly: perhaps it i that ;is tIi- 'e reipoii ililitie. ,it the .Tlni.ili;i liitu;il grew. Ia a elloe t ire [.ial sibility Ir\e-lilie-l mIinire and more in the minds andl heal.q ,I t ilh,- hi. 1.gn e, 1 w rith thi ll- ',u i iof its lhl- inh .. I 'Iv- n.in l Ilihif it 1r I ..- aii \\it i ni ,thimI Ti - arrianien-iiitt air.tnllly was tliat should any policy I tln-.. i 1 ,1i Il. 111 Iv sle-;ithi ill tli'- Siii, i -tY -RON EDH \I1lD JORDON. (H.All I\IN OF TIII 1 i'lCIIAI I 61- I, 6.i befuil i ll i 1 ii l i -' i l.-il .i l eiety 's lalillls 1- 1 ,1 ,l hl ,',l .-tl [1l hill l l claini .at h ,'e. IlliI -hl, niill I.,c ,lel'i.ined uli five y .11-, a* dl that in til- nl .III. - tinm the -lI.iini ant .slih nil1 re i reile ilitel'-t ;It the lite i l Ihi per -i--lnt. [p-i an. rIiu % h% il the claim i t f shouniil 1-llnlin ;I a first i-hal I ~e- ii l hi- S l,,'it-l 'v , fund-, t io be lii qnildated' ;i- .-, i -- as po-ilblc. Th, ' first pol-ic'l-. il - er Ias .1 i I. abovei w'a- Me. I Chirles E'ls.ir i Mowat, ata -solit ii tor of KinlLiu. .-111 'and aloo :1 mnr-in ber ,f tih, Muil tuil'm i ii-rec.topl.- ate. He tolk l It'ii .his poli iy on iL, WMay let. 1,41. for 500); Iliut li, did not diii in I1844 an .1 1\ ti, PRESI W. WEMYSS ANDERSON, FOUNDER OF THE SOCIETY IN 1844. end of that year there had been taken out fifty- three policies for a total of 31,450. The amount increased the following year, it still further increased in 1846 and so on. Steadily it mounted upwards; by the close of 1864 the number of policies had risen to 430, and the total assurance in force to 170,648; and there t- ere 909 policies representing a total insurance of lC2-i,576 at the end of 1884. At the close of last year tlhe Society's policies, nearly 8,000, had a face value of 2,853,083. or a million pounds more than it stood at some nine years before. Meantime the Society had had its share of natural vicissitudes and calamities. It had been housed at 10 Port Royal Street for abuit two decades when the great fire of 1882 swept down upon the building it occupied, and hundreds of others, reducing them to ashes. Port Royal Street was evidently a favourite site for business organizations of a certain type in those days, however, for we find the Mutual still housed in that thoroughfare, and at the same place, for many years in the future. Then a little past three on January 14th 1907, there was a roar which seemed to approach from the East, and the seemingly solid earth heaved and cracked, walls apparently built of sub- stantial brick tumbled downwards like card houses, and. of course, the Jamaica Mutual's building, not to create any feeling of jealousy, went with the rest. But it was only partly destroyed. Some parts of it were left standing, and here it was decided that business should be conducted as much as usual as possible until the necessary ENT HOME OF THE JAMAICA MUTUAL, IN BARRY STREET, 3 repairs were effected to enable the staff to per- form their work in greater comfoi't. It has been written that "claims arising from the 1907 earthquake were paid by the Secretary and staff under the shade of a coconut tree at 10 Port Royal Street;" but IiIsi.iially I have never perceived the shade given by any well- grown coconut tree. The tree itself is tall, its bunch of rustling fronds is small, and while one may take refuge under a tree because of the inevitable human desire to seek some sort of shelter from the sun or in time of disaster, one does not see the coconut tree giving much if any shade while life insurance policies are being paid. But as a matter of fact the num- ber of policyholders who had been killed by the earthquake was comparatively small, al- though the totality of the policyholders must have been nearly 2,000 at the time. The first claim to be paid was that of a German gentle- man who had really become a Jamaican through long years of residence in this coun- try. He was Mr. E. P. Steinke, a well known organ builder, and doubtless he died with the characteristic courage of the ordinary non- Nazi German if he knew anything whatever about the death that comes so sharply. Which s not likely. Naturally, the Directors of the Jamaica Mutual promptly began to invest the monies received from month to month and week to week by the Society, and also to keep a HENRY FORBES COLTHIRST, CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIETY, 18697-1881. certain floating balance in the Bank in order to meet any claims made. It provided too for a bonus to be paid to the policy- holders every .-- three years, and from this pro- gramme it has never deviated. It arranged for an investiga- tion of its finan- cial affairs every =triennium by a qualified Actu- a ry, who de- clares what the i-- bonus on the last ... three years' op- Serations shall be. There have been times when this bonus has i reached a con- siderable figure indeed; but this last- war and the general reduction of interest and shrinkage of the normal ., field of investment has KINGSTON. affected the Ja- PL .I TE -RS' PUNCH year of residence there was an extra charge of 1. 1/- on every 100 of insurance above the amount charged for the first two years. Per- haps it was then felt that the Jamaica climate was pestilential--which it was-but it gra- dually ceased to be that with the passage of the years, and today nothing whatever is heard about the local pestilential climate or condi- tions. The Society has always been fortunate too in its Chairmen: they always were men of high standing in the community. Here is a list of them from 1844 to the present time. Alexander Barclay; Edward Jordon, C.B., Robert Russell, C.B., LL.D.; Henry Forbes Colthirst; Simon Samuel Pietersz; Francis B. Lyons; Sir John Pringle, K.C.M.G., M.B.; the Hon. Leonard DeCordova; Colonel A. HI. Pin- nock; Sir Alfred II. d'Costa. The late Archdeacon Downer was a Deputy Chairman and was actually offered the Chair- manship of the Society but declined it. In that same year he died. His son Hon. Lindsay P. Downer, 0. B. E., is now the Deputy Chair- man. The Jamaica Mutual has had five Secre- taries; its present Directors are, with the Chairman the Hon. Sir Alfred H. D'Costa, P.C., Hon. Lindsay P. Downer, O.B.E.; Deputy SIMON SAMUEL PIETERSZ, CHAIRMAN, 1886-1895. maica Mutual as it has every other like institu- tibn, bank and investor. Nevertheless, in spite of this, bonus year continues to be a good one with the Jamaica Mutual and is looked for- ward to by thousands of persons long before the actual date for the distribution of the bonus has arrived. The Directorate of the Jamaica Mutual consists today of nine men, the (laii.iiaan and eight other Directors. A picture of these ap- pears on page one of "Planters' Punch;" the present Chairman, Sir Alfred H. ld'c'uct, com- ing first, with the Secretary, Mr. E. B. Nether- sole, seated next to him. The first Directorate consisted of the following gentlemen: Alexan- der Barclay, Chairman; John Samuel Brown; James Davidson; Nathaniel R. Darrell; Henry Franklin; Edward Jordon; Henry John Kem- ble; Edward Charles Mowat; John Vincent Purrier; with Mr. Thomas Bland as the first Secretary. It will have been noticed that the number of persons comprising the first Di- rectorate a hundred years ago is exactly the number the Directorate consists of today, and certainly James Davidson, if not born in Scotland, must have been of Scottish origin, while it is definitely known that John Samuel Brown was a Jamaican. No person was eligible for insurance in the Jamaica Mutual unless he or she had re- sided for over two consecutive years in the is- land, and even in the third, fourth and fifth ALBERTT HENRY JONES, SECRETARY, 1878-1913. DR. T. A. SPRAGUE, A FORMER ACTUARY OF THE SOCIETY. Chairman; the Hon. Sir William Morrison; Mr. Percy H. Lindo; the Hon. George Sey- mour Seymour, O.B.E.; the Hon. O. K. Hen- riques; Mr. Basil Parks; Mr. James Hend- erson; and the Hon. Rudolph Ehrenstein, who was called to the Board to succeed the late lamented Mr. Herbert G. DeLisser, C.M.G. And it no longer meets in Port Royal Street, nor has done so for many a long year. Kingston was slowly being rebuilt after the earthquake of 1907; so the Jamaica Mutual built itself new offices; these it needed even though there had been no destruction of its property caused by the earthquake of 1907. For its staff had grown and the indications were that the staff would continue steadily to grow with the development of business. The number of its employees, from the Secretary downwards, is now 26, a very different show- ing from the one or two employees it possess- ed a hundred yenrs ago. Its new building stands in Barry Street, facing the Cenotaph erected to the memory of the men of Ja- maica who fell in the first Great World War. It has at last offices compatible with the im- portance of an Assurance Society a hundred years old and one which, having begun from the bottom as it were, has steadily climbed to be one of the most important business institu- tions in Jamaica. That it has a future even more satisfac tory than its past has been is the general opin- ion both of people in Jamaica and outside of iFR XN IS BELINF INTE LYONs. CHAIRMAN. 1895-1900. it. It. c'itainly is iu instttitutio t that, com iiencedl liby Jamaicans and other Britishers identified with .inaini-n-alno.t all of w hom sei-ll to hlime hdiil in the ihslanl-hlis steadily llic.-i iiii u- e ;i nd mure of Ia ui-dil to .I. ankiva. 1 llpn li.y it hali ; ail IVWys l, en l ll c n-;i_.r active; it hii .nll t-l l ll ei\ le lii uiriil 'i. it ias in-l\l linm l ti I I', illlV nl it i lir .it i -t lls tit uet 11 c I' ll. iI| ni ii t Illi nild it li;ih l\t iy bet en ali- I to is ri t 1 l tain- .uii-irt ,f th- .Iin -,i puh. lih. It la .iy 1Ii itruell tl It iIa [ mp ilihvt hath i lion. oul iln l hls i n Ci lil 'i r Ilt .1,, s -lty like tlhe j11i ii m.1i l it i ;l e.i ii il iihlltt Wi l tiht lls tlh usta l tI'.l ,l la ln' il li lint. 11' |i';.r.re in t le c> ri i nu u itnl y i \\h i'lh it \ i I, 11l11i \\it-ll l Oline hiillin of .1-. ilw 41 Cipill;l Il any l proof olf 1 -l'r t'flidlrlIi.' it hi ail\'lway r' iiiyeil thle ii'n ilh n 'll: f i lt Jile in iiii l, -Iplllo. And. alwII ays il lN i r1I' nw- ililt-i l thiat I lthe a; .i1st1it'e o tile -in:1ll Iiit-ii is il- l*rint.1y hl1 ty, ainl that Is n III nli. ;I lltIIlt i,, in lIlst li, |aiid I ,l i ln.- .able to insuir' his lilt t- i nl y (- l .1 1.". i s it t le Illian who \wisihes Il in nire hi life ri tl'4.00i, tlhe i iaxiinI in Ii nii. uint in tlhlse ,luays. Its ildeal ism o a hlit in thle liet lit-lical ex- aiiihu nt inis ,iit;iii lev, the blist nirodi'u.nl re- ferees, ani il i' l 't iI-- li-'rk. in ilt-il w ilIth the enlir-'a l piiiu lie. Thlis wao-' its i -l;al ; i hundred .I s 11*' I,-ii a it hlia i nIot ih-in011 led. It i Rafe tio s.iy. theretfol. itferl" it.s illlii-rell yealr' of work and experience in thlie interests ,f tlie country, that this idle.il will not chlii'ge. ARCHDEACON DOWNER. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN IN 1912, WHEN HE DIED. 19!11i I i PLANTERS' PUNCH Jriump ant (Squa tone A TROPICAL EXTRAVAGANZA By Herbert G. deLisser CHAPTER I ilH. SQUALITONE BRINGS THE NEWS I t'. .l:e startled. There was noi .e c'.er.v.lere: in the house, in the street, In tie neighbourhood: the ne-.y.,_.:. ..hoi, seldom came to our subuil.. '.\eie now crying out some extri..iiiriii'.y news; I could hear con- fustil exclamations of surprise; it was cleai that something unusual had happened. I Spianig out of bed and hurried- lv ilie ieci. I was hastily putting the nniijinrg lu: ches to my morning's loilet w. hen a sharp rap at the door sent me to it; I opened it, and Mr. Siqu.lt'n. iluzhed in waving a news- paper, w.'hieh I recognized as a copy ut ihie "Daily Magnifier." *Ha'e \3.ou heard the news, C,.,.,:.: he shouted. "It is tremend- ous A crsils has come!" \"W'hat is it?" I asked endeavouring the paper froni him. He avoided my hand. to take "Try to guess it, Crooks, try to guess it," he insisted. "Recall to your mind all the strange things you have ever heard of, dismiss them and guess again You will never guess right." With that he firmly put behind him the hand which held ihe paper, and sat down to give me time to guess. I beg..n to think the man was not quite sane. I had ai .- known him to be excitable, but his pre-cnt belaviour was exceedingly strange. "If you .tn't tell me what it is that has excited you," I snapped. "and if you won't show me the paper, I'll go and rind out what's the matter for my- self" "N,. don't do that," he implored; "just try and guem.s ionc. the news must be broken by degrees." A spasm of fear shot through my heart. "Is it an.tlhing about the war?" I asked anxiously. "Have the Allies suffered some severe defeat? That can be the only explanation of-" "It is not. it is something different. Mr. Crooks, Jamaica i- no longer a British Colony!" I was immediately persuaded that Squalitone was mad. When I went to bed the night before, Jamaica '.:. as peaceful, contented and loyal as any other pa(t of the British Empire. There was not a German warship within five thousand miles of us. Yet Squalitone had just told me what, if true. me.int nothing less than a revolution in the island's affairs. "Give me that paper," I said per- emptorily. anc grabbed the "Daily Magnifier" from him A glance at the headlines convinced me that Squalitone at least had not been inventing. I rapidly read the despatch which set forth that the biitish Go,.ernment, for some reason not yet ex- pl-.netl. had decided to transform the British West Indian Co.lonles into republics; and beneath this was the comment of a leading English paper, to the effect that these islands would now be able, uriceiteiei. to work out their own destiny accord- ing t:, tie .. i.llective unwisdom of the greatest num- ber :i the inexperienced. i v\: dazed. Could the news be merely a canard."--iut there was the censorship. And the despatch had all the curt brevity of an official do- cument The censor would never have passed it, no ne'.spaper would have ventured to print it, had not the authority of the Governor been ob- tained for its publication. And yet the news it- self ..as almost incredible surely I must be dreaming I caught at the thought with a gasp of rehlet. Ye,, that was it; I was dreaming. "l\Mr Crooks," 'said Squllitone impressively, "thi; is a solemn moment." ilMr Squalitone," I replied decisively, "this is a dream." "Do I look like a dream?" asked Squalitene with dignity. 'N,,t exactly," I answered, eyeing him me- ditati,.ely "You seem substantial enough. But, you kno".. Squalitone, upon reflection I conclude that you would pass for a creditable nightmare. What with that hungry expression of yours, and with your clothes looking as if they had never been new. and with your shoes presenting symp- toms of having been always secondhand, and with your general excitability and crises and solemn moments, and with this news you have brought me this morning-taking all these things into due consideration, I should say that an impartial jury would have no difficulty in bringing you in as a nightmare." "Mr. Crooks!" "I have always thought so in a vague and de- sultory sort of way," I continued, with the care- less freedom of a dreamer, "but now I think so calmly and collectedly. But if I were awake I should not tell you so. That I do tell you so is proof that I am dreaming: it is a bad dream: it must be something that Mrs. Squalitone gave us for supper last night. I shall awake presently and find that you, like all other nightmares, have sud- denly flown. That is, as a man you will still be in existence, but as a bearer' of impossible news you will have ceased to exist, having never act- ually existed as such. You are an ugly nightmare, Squalitone, but you won't last long." "Mr. Crooks," said Squalitone firmly, "I am the last man in the world to tolerate an affront unless it be in the arena of local politics, where of course, one expects to be insulted. But I can- not forget that you are Mrs. Squalitone's lodger, and that your bills are most regularly paid. Re- gular payments cover a multitude of sins, and a man, with a steady income must be allowed lati- tude of speech, especially when he believes that he is dreaming. But if you imagine you are dream- ing, why not try some means of convincing your- self that you are very much awake? That is not difficult. In fact, if you listen you will hear enough noise around you. How could anyone remain asleep in such a noise?" There seemed a lot in this argument: I consid- ered it a moment. "A man might dream about noise," I said at length. "Try something then. Stick yourself with a pin." "Ah, yes," said I, "that might do." And I rose and went to the dressing-table for my scarf- pin. Then it occurred to me that this test might be a painful one. To stick myself, even in sleep, could not be a pleasant experience. On the whole it was an experience to be avoided. Still, some- thing had to be done. Why not stick Squalitone with the pin? The effect upon him would go far to convince me of my condition; if he continued to argue calmly he would be a nightmare that could not be got rid of until I awoke; for night- mares are not to be dissipated with pins. The idea seemed brilliant. I stooped down and jabbed the scarf-pin into the calf of Squalitone's leg. If you have never been through a violent earthquake you will have no conception of what happened at that moment. With a scream of "fire!" Mr. Squalitone leaped up and made a mad rush at the door. He kicked over the chair as he did so, flung my basin with a crash to the floor, tore open the door, disappeared through it, slam- med it behind him and went roaring down the stairs. The suddenness of his disappearance and the yells he emitted made me shriek with laughter. Then I sobered suddenly. If I were really awake I had certainly done a very undignified thing. I listened. There was some commotion down- stars. Girlish voices exclaimed in wonder. Then Months before he died Mr. de Lisser had planned issue of -lla'iints' Punch," and the first thing decide was the republication of this story "Triumphant Squalit which was first published twenty-five years u-",. and so not be known to the present generation. But it mig even more interesting to them than it was to their e because of its political basis, for politics now is every business, and not merely the special interest of the fe was the case before. If aitIvIhiiit., the story is more s to these times than to the days when it was written. there never was a time when there was more talk of forms of Government for Jamaica some of them drast new. Mr. de Lisser anticipated them all years ago and the length of making Jamaica a republic. The story, as be guessed, is a humorous one, written in the author's humorous vein. I heard one voice of decidedly semi- this masculine quality. "That's Mrs. tqualitone!" I exclaimed, "and she's d on Lainug up to interview me." For one," tnere was no mistaking that deer- may mined tread upon the stairs. ht be "Come in," I said, somewhat timidly in answer to a rap at my door, ldeis, and ivirs. bquaitone enterea. Sne Jody's was a stout, tall lady, florid in spite *W as of tropical suns, with resolute face ncd appropriate gestures. She was a suited woman of character, very deliberate For in speech and action, and therefore new the very opposite of her husband. Squalitone was a thin sunburnt man ,ically of middle height; his eyes were pale- went blue and vivacious; his nose was of s may indeterminate form, his moustache extraordinarily scraggy. Both hus- Sbest band and wife were of the same age, forty-nve. But ivlrs. Squalitone, with- out positively affirming it, had a way of suggesting that she was not more than forty-two. "Mr. Crooks," said the lady, standing majes- tically in the doorway, "may I ask what is the meaning of this?" "The meaning of what, Mrs. Squalitone?" I asked, with an admirable blend of dignity, surprise and conscious innocence. It would not do to show fear. "Of this unwarranted, nay, murderous attack upon Mr. Squalitone. He says you stuck a dagger in his leg, without warning or justification, and with malice aforethought those are his very words. He thinks he will not be able to move about for days. Now, Mr. Crooks" (here the lady lifted her voice with an intimidating intonation), "I have heard that in republics murder and vio- lence are considered the proper thing in the best society, but I did not expect you to set the ex- ample here. I have always regarded you as a gentleman who might be welcomed into any re- spectable family as a paying guest: a paying guest, for I do not keep a lodging house. And yet, no sooner has the British Government decided to withdraw its protection from us, than you begin by stabbing my husband in his leg with a bayonet. We are not used to republics yet, and I am sure it will take me all the rest of my life to get accus- tomed to one here. In the meantime, Mr. Crooks, if it is your intention to introduce yourself poli- tically to the public by indiscriminate assaults up- on peaceful people, I shall have to ask you to do it elsewhere I shall be sorry to lose you, but life is life; and even six pounds a month will not com- pensate for the loss of a husband." She paused, a little breathless after this long indignant speech. She knew she had me at a dis- advantage. Only two days before I had paid, in advance as usual, my bill. She could therefore utter her ultimatum with perfect security just now, for she was well aware that in a week she could withdraw it graciously, without at all considering my personal inclinations. I was inclined to peace, as I always am when confronted by Mrs. Squalitone. I ventured an ex- planation. "I wanted to find out whether I was dream- ing or not, Mrs. Squalitone. You see, this news about the republic is so strange, so bewildering, that I cannot believe I am in my right senses, if I am really awake." "Very few people will believe you are in your right senses, Mr. Crooks, if you persist in thinking you are dreaming, and injure the fathers of fami- lies while under that impression." "Then I am actually awake!" "Mr. Squalitone's leg is proof of that, Mr. Crooks. And the news about the republic seems true enough, if you want to know my opinion. Mr. Squalitone, though in pain, is already trying to make up his mind as to whom he will support for the Presidency of the Republic, though why he in- terferes with politics I can never make out. It will end in his going to prison some day, I sup- pose." "Very likely," I replied; "I have often thought so myself. Well, Mrs. Squalitone, we are living in strange times, and must make the best of them. If I am not asleep, I should have my coffee about now. Will you send it up for me? I always enjoy your coffee." This, though a manifest untruth, mollified the lady. Having'laid down the canons of conduct 1144 4.1 PLANTERS' PUNCH which she expected me to observe, republic or no republic, she was once more in her ordinary frame of mind, and left the room remarking that we must nw be prepared for the worst. CHAPTER II MIR. SQUALITONE'S ANTICIPATIONS As scon as I had swallowed my coffee and eaten a couple of slices of toast, I went down- stairs. The stairway from the upper storey led down into the dining-room; there I found Squali- tone relating just how I had made the alleged murderous attack upon him. I did not recognize the incident as described by Mr. Squalitone; he was insinuating that there was political motive behind my behaviour, and that my intention had evident- ly been to incapacitate him from taking any activ( part in the political campaign which was now im- pending. Squalitone saw nearly everything through political glasses, and in his present frame of mind was disposed to view even my inoffensive self as a candidate for something or other. He himself was always in the throes of a past, present or fu- ture political contest, and a long record of unsuc- cessful endeavours to be elected a member of some public body or other had filled his soul with sus- picion. The girls were laughing heartily, for they knew their father well. It was their sense of humour and not their; sympathy that he touched as he pathe- tically described his agony of mind and body when he felt his leg pierced by a lethal weapon which, not wishing to exaggerate, he mentioned as a small dag- ger. He stopped in the midst of this recital as he caught sight of me, and the girls burst into another peal of laughter. I surveyed the group with becoming gravity. "Well, Mr. Crooks," said Squalitone, looking as if determined to retreat be- hind hastily prepared defences if I should give indication of another attack upon him, "are you still of opinion that you are dreaming?" "I am not quite sure yet," I replied; "I am-going down-town to see." "Ah! Going to consult with friends no doubt. Supporters, Men of the moment? Well, I am sorry we are like- ly to be on opposite sides." "And what side may yours be, Mr. Squalitone," I enquired. "Papa does not yet know," laughed Bertha, the eldest girl. "Papa never quite knows what side he is on till he is beaten, and then he is on the losing side." "Never mind these girls, Crook's," said Squalitone; "they have their joke at my expense now, but some day they will reverence their father. Are you going to be a candidate for anything?" "I think we must first see what there is to be a candidate for," I replied dry- "There'll be lots of things; I'll tell MnRS. you about them presently. But first you arrived and I have got to come to an under- Myers, standing. I came to let you know a Mrs. l little while ago that a stupendous change has taken place in the local political arena, and you stabbed me with a something. That looks like-an expression of personal and poli- tical animosity. But why personal? We have al- ways been good friends. Why even political? We can surely work together. But I must have a clear understanding." "You can leave me out of politics," I said; "I am not going to change my habits in my old age. But I am taking a walk to the city to hear more about this republic of yours, and, if you like, we can go together. I suppose you can walk?" "I suppose so, though with the greatest dif- ficulty," he muttered. "Bertha, are you going down to work this morning?" "Why, of course, papa," his daughter answer- ed, with a slight lifting of her eyebrows; "I go every day." "Well, not for much longer, then. My oppor- tunity has come. With the position I expect short- ly, there will be no necessity for you to work in an office. And you two girls [addressing the others] will be able to live as you ought to, and as you were born to live, without having to help your mother to slave her life out. We shall short- ly give up taking paying guests." "And starve?" asked Bertha bluntly. "When have you ever been in danger of starv- ing?" asked Mr. Squalitone reproachfully. "So long as your father is alive you cannot starve, and you were never farther off from starvation than now. I don't think I'll do any work to-day; we shall shortly be in the throes of a general election, and I must keep my mind clear. Are you ready, Crooks?" Here Mrs. Squalitone entered the room, and, to avert the solemn warning which I knew she was about to utter, I told Squalitone that I would start at once. We left the house together, turning our faces southwards. As we went along Mr. Squalitone enlarged upon his plans. The house in which Squalitone lived was his own. He had inherited it as a young man, short- ly after his marriage, and his wife had prevented him from parting with it which, but for her, he certainly would have done. In earlier days he had been an accountant at a good salary. But he had developed a taste for politics, and his remunera- tive vocation did not agree with indulgence in public affairs. Someone has said that if work in- terferes with pleasure, give up work. Mr. Squali- tone's work gave him up. Even the mildest of employers could not tolerate a clerk who would insist upon becoming an electioneering agent when- ever there was an election, and whose tendency to deliver impromptu speeches could not be re- strained during office hours. So Squalitone had drifted from position to po- sition, always obeying the law of commercial grav- ity and sinking to a lower place every time. After a while he had ceased to be regularly employed EUSTACE MYERS, formerly Miss Lillian Garmise, of New Yol i in the Island in 1936 after her marriage in New York to Mr. head of the House of Myers, of Jamaica. Unostentatious i Iyers is a discerning Patron of art, and her hobbies are golf and racing. and had taken to passing warrants at so much a set. Thus he served several masters and flattered himself that he was under none. He spoke of his present calling as a professional man would, and boasted that it made him independent and left him with leisure to devote to public affairs. It deci- dedly left him with plenty of leisure. What he earned was always handed over to his wife, but,' had not that lady hit upon the idea of having pay- ing guests, the family would often have been in dire straits. As it was, though the three bed- rooms of the upper storey of the house were de- voted to the use of paying guests, the Squalitones were obliged to live very simply, "to cut and carve," as Mrs. Squalitone put it. Her husband regretted this, but he did not blame himself for it. He felt that his family's straitened circum- stances were really due to the failure of the coun- try hitherto to recognize and reward his political services. But he-clung to the hope that some day those services would be rewarded, and, building upon this hope, he saw his daughters occupying the social position he desired for them, but did no- thing to achieve. My sympathies were all with the girls, espe- cially Bertha. They were very nice girls, with a strong resemblance to one another and very little to their parents. With complexions of.palest ivory, small, tempting mouths, straight little noses, bright dark eyes and long black hair, they formed a trio that any parents woud be proud of. Bertha was the best-looking of the three; more serious in dis- position than her younger sisters, and prouder in 1944-45 disposition also; she accommodated herself to her situation by the exercise of a certain amount of restraint, but at heart she rebelled against it. She disliked the lodging house, even under its taint disguise of a private residence which accepted pay- *ing guests. "Guests do not pay," she had once said to me, with just a touch of bitterness: "guests do not find fault." I was glad at that moment that I never found fault; the unfalteringly stern resig- nation which Mrs. Squalitone would hlve shown put fault-finding on my part entirely owit of the question. Her dignified humiliation would have lasted for a week, and would have pro,. ert a great- er burden than my spirit could bear. Besides, I was much too fond ot the girls to express a discontent that would have hurt them. Squalitone I did not mind; nobody cover minded Squalitone; it is the fate of unsuccessful politicians that nobody ever minds them. But I had lived with the Squalitones for over five years now, I had seen Bertha grow from a bright laughter- loving girl of fourteen into an elegant but tLibdued young lady of twenty; I had been instrumental in having her taught shorthand and typewriting, and in obtaining for her, about a ye-ar before, a position in a down-town office. I had an interest in her; and when she called me Uncle Joe. a nick- name she had given me years ago, there ,,. as hard- ly anything she could not induce me to do- for her. A confirmed bachelor of over filly years of age is no match for a gl oat twenty. I would not hurt her feel:ing2- r anv- thing. Squalitone's confident .s.ietion that she would soon be able to i-.e up her situation made me ask him, ie v.alk- ed citywards, what he hoped- to gain by his great change in public iffaiis Per- haps, after all, in this case. iwhat was expected by himself alone ....iid actual- ly happen. S "You see, Crooks," :ie explained confidently, "a tropical republic is some- : thing quite different from a Brtihli Col- ony. I love the old Flag, I ;im myself English by descent, as you knowq. But facts are facts and a republic in a re- public: it presents more oppji tunities to people in politics. Consi:ler my posi- tion. At present my professin is to pass commercial warrants, and lutt now 1 have no warrants to pass. Fi-.r .ears I have engaged in politics. I !h e never been elected as anything, it i: triie, but I have successfully preventel tne elec- tion of many an undeservn, candidate by splitting his votes, and that is no small public service. Now I .l...n't pro- S pose to become a political icndridalte again; I want something -olid. iome- thing in my line. Since I !.i.e been passing warrants I have Ic:,nl n great deal about the Customs, san:i nI-_. they can hardly do less for me tclhn mak-: me a collector of customs. I .:In't 'want much salary; I'll take anytli. " "Then I don't see that :u'l'l be j much better off," I remar:i. I :lllji,:,ub - S "That is because you don't knc.w. Under a properly constituted republic a rk City, Eustace collector of customs has pei:quisites n taste, Take the case of Hayti, whicli is near bridge, enough to us to afford us .-nme '.orry in- structive lessons. In Hai nr, oIfficial bothers much about his pay Iirm 'he Government. It is just as well he doein't. tor re'd never get it. But there are his perquisitec. A man brings into the country goods on which the taxes are about, say a hundred dollars. He tip? the collector of taxes a wink and pays rltty dollars. The Government receives twenty-five dollars the collector takes twenty-five, and everybody is per- fectly happy. You see?" "But that is thieving, Squalitone," I said sev- erely. "It is not," said Squalitone emphatically: "v.hat is a recognized and universal custom cannot be thieving." "Well, at any rate it is graft." "And may I ask what is the good of 3 repub- lic if there is no graft?" he instantly Irdc:,rted v.itlh some warmth. "Do you think that in the neigh- bouring republics men risk their lives only for the purpose of living poor and dying violently"' Poli- tical virtue, Crooks, is its own reward, and that is precisely the reward that no politician wants." There was no time for further argument. We had now entered the lower section of the city, and at once we found ourselves in the midst of a crowd such as one sees in a tropical capital only when there is a public procession or something else of unusual spectacular attraction. From the Cen- tral Park right down to the waterfront the street was thronged. The cross-streets were crowded. The people had evidently donned their best suits and dresses and hurried here on learning that Ja- maica was about to become a republic The scene -. A rl' t r !11un.f was v.eli i.: .rth looking at: it was a bright fore- noon ind still early; the public gardens in front o0 the tt.uo great white blocks of public buildings were it their greenest, the sky was a lovely blue. All the rejtic and shops were open, scores of motor cars an1.1 biggies and cabs were pressing down- ward.. ancl with these the laughing throng con- tendedl tu tlie right of way. I glanced at the faces neosr..c me. there was no shadow of anxiety or *curicet up'In them. I felt that the people ought at lejt t.. pretend to feel depressed: it was not g.cl hintrmn t. be happy on learning that England w., Ita.i.gr this part of the world. "And this is their :,.ttril.t sm!" I exclaimed. TI.h.y may have anticipations of profit," said Squ.ilit,.rin. 'though I don't quite see how they can For it everybody gets something out of the reptl.'lic. rin...ody will really get anything. Then hrlile ..ill tie public men come in?" \\'e ro!,..wed the crowd, Squalitone quite for- gethiir; -ii- '.ound in his curiosity. At last we arrn, e l a, t ie waterfront, and then it dawned upon me t i.it ir i gathering in the streets was not a po!itLj. .ixrrinonstration at all. For out in the har- bout. in'. majestically at anchor, was a great bdltt-l- uii l in full war-paint the latest of cj.:lr,,,.,,: It had arrived late on the previous aftei rni..u, and news of its arrival had spread over the cit. ilie wildfire. This had brought the peo- ple iC-ut ,-t their homes by the thousand, and now the -urtace of the spacious harbour-an expanse ot' rippling olue under a canopy of blue-was dot- led o..tih Ib'iats filled to their utmost with sight- see. e t'.ger t) view the warship at close quarters. Sudii-enly tieire was a wild waving of handkerchiefs and a milihty shout. No, not a shout; it was the soun'.i I.f raging. The words of the song were caught pr '-Rule Britannia;"-ten thousand voices weie singing. and the sound arose in a mighty r,.lling '. :,lurne. \\'e 't -..1 there for a while, carried away by the p.F.tplar enthusiasm. "A dire::lnought is more than a match for all West Indian republics," said Squalitone at length, th(oughtfully CHAPTER III il\R CHALKNER IS MENTIONED A- I 'walked away from the waterfront I con- cluded that the sudden transformation of the col- ony into a republic had not yet had time to affect the character of the people. Indeed, they seemed to be g\ing no attention to tie matter, and though I had never before assisted at the birth of a re- pullic. I thought this strange. I know something of the neighbouring Latin-American countries, and I \.%i av..iie that a change like that announced in the newspapers this morning would have been accepted in almost any of them in a very serious and e'.c-n a turbulent spirit. Assassinations would already hI-i\ve been attempted in Central America, two or three fires would have started in Hayti, just toi c:nv\ since the world at large that a serious interest w.as being taken in matters political. But this apparently unconcerned attitude of mind ex- hibited by the Jamaicans could not last long, I thought: then an idea occurred to me. "I am go- ing around to the office of the 'Daily Magnifier,'" 1 said to Squalitone. "Perhaps I shall learn some- thing there. Will you go with me?" He agreed. Pushing our way through the crowd \.e soon reached the newspaper office. The "Daily Magnifier" is one of the many leading newspapers in the West Indies. So far as 1 hate been able to discover, all the newspapers in the \\'et Indies are leading newspapers, though each clenie. the others' claim to such distinction. In the absence of news they specialise in vague prophe es,. so that when anything unusual occurs they as'e calays able to remind their readers that they eXclu lively indicated that very occurrence some time before. I knew the Editor of the "Daily Magnriei-" very well, and, asking Squalitone to wait foi me in the reporters' room, I sent in my card to the chief. I was immediately invited to enter h office. I judged from the editor's appear- ance that he had just come down to work. He wa looking particularly cheerful. "\\hat can I do for you, Crooks?" he asked courteously, after we had shaken hands. "There is this change- I began. "This stupendous change," he corrected me. "Let u: get the right adjectives in their proper place at once: that will help. Yes? Well?" *"'What do you make of it?" "\\'rt does anybody make of it? Speaking editori.illy. Crooks, I have already formed some strong and unalterable opinions about it; speak- ing ais mere man and a brother, I don't know what tj think of it any more than you do. I don't understand it. But I am about to write a long leai lng article in which I shall remind the public of several significant happenings indicated by us in past issues, which must have warned all farseeing persons of the change that was coming. I shall then explain the likely course of events- PLANTERS' PUNCH I only wish I knew what it was-and call upon all right-minded men to rally to the cause of the Republic." "And how are they to do that?" I asked. "How in the name of commonsense can I know? I shall call upon them to rally, that is all: there will be no difficulty about doing that. And of course every man will instantly prepare to rally. What more do you expect a newspaper to do?" "But surely the public must have some sort of guidance!" I protested. I did not quite ap- preciate the editor's flippancy. "Oh, they'll have plenty of guidance," he re- plied, "They'll have so much that they'll be quite confused. But we must get a lead from public opinion before endeavouring to lead public opin- ion. To-day we shall interview several distin- guished public men on the new political situa- tion.'" "Several?" "Hundreds, if necessary. You must have re- marked yourself, Crooks, that we do not lack for distinguished men. You have only to read the newspapers to find that the number of distinguish- ed men here is simply astonishing. Almost every man.who is known at all is a public man, and every public man is distinguished. The practical dif- ficulty is to find a man who is not distinguish- ed. "There is Chiswick, for instance. The news- papers always interview Chiswick. Whatever happens or does not happen, Chiswick is inter- viewed on it: the public expect him to say some- thing, and he expects to be asked to say some- thing. He is a man with a firm grasp of all gen- eral principles. He has apparently made a study of every question. If an earthquake occurs, he has an opinion to give on the origin of earthquakes, and he knows much more about the strategy of General Joffre than the General knows himself. He is a distinguished man. "Wobble will consent to be interviewed, but on the strict understanding that his name is not to be mentioned. Wobble lives in deadly terror of offending someone, and so prefers to make his views known anonymously. Unfortunately he al- ways asks his friends what they think of that particular interview, and so draws suspicion on himself. "Cardigan will give us an interview-to-mor- row. He is going to wait and read what the other fellows say, and then come out with: 'I express my own opinions, and perhaps no one will agree with me,' and so forth. He will express every- body else's opinions, and will pretend to be sur- prised and gratified at the number of persons agreeing with him. He has a reputation of being very far-seeing and wise. He is a very distin- guished man." The editor paused and looked at me with something like a twinkle in his eye. "You see," he said, after a moment, "the public will have plenty of leading." "My dear sir," I cried, "you don't take this change seriously!" "Do you?" he asked: "does anybody? It's more sudden than the plague, and might be as dan- gerous if it were taken seriously. I am glad it isn't, generally speaking. But there are some who will take it seriously soon enough, and then the trouble may begin. I hope it will: trouble temp- ered by the proximity of the policeman. Without trouble of some kind no newspaper can be in- teresting." "But don't you see," I urged, "that if the Re- public is really established the Press may lose its freedom. That often happens in small republics. Then what will the public do?" "The public will acquiesce with a surprising amount of indifference, so long as we are allowed to publish full accounts of murders, divorces, cases of forgery, shooting with intent to injure, and things of that kind. And then, you must remem- ber, we shall be perfectly free to criticise the ac- tions of whoever opposes the Government. We may obtain from the Government a grant for that very purpose: such arrangements are not unknown in republics. My salary may be increased. If it is, I shall regard the Republic as a very happy institution." "Graft again!" I cried. "And, say, who is to be our president?" Even as I asked the question, someone knock- ed at the door. He was told to come in, and he did. He handed the editor a broad sheet, big black type on a blue ground, and took himself off. My friend rapidly read it over. "Already!" he exclaimed, and handed me the paper without a word. It briefly recapitulated the news of that morn- ing, it called upon the people to prepare for their new responsibilities, it mentioned that Arthur Chris'opher Chalkner, known as a patriot, as a man of wealth, ability, stern resolution and un- limited sympathy with the working classes, was the man to whom the people could safely turn for guidance and leadership at this crisis. It was sign- ed by someone whose very name I did not know. But I was certain it had been inspired by Chalk- ner. I questioned the editor with my eyes. "Not perhaps the best man, I should say off- hand, for the people to follow," he remarked. "But he knows the value of moving before anyone else has thought of doing so. I suspect he has already sent to hire all the brass bands in the city. The moral effect of brass bands on an election has never been scientifically ascertained but is believ- ed to be immense." "But this man is wholly unfit to be president!" I cried; "I could never think of him-the ignor- ant, conceited-- " "Ah," said the editor, "I see you already be- long to the Opposition. There are lively times in front of us." "And you?" I asked, rising to leave. "You of course will oppose this Chalkner to the last?" "Of course, if he hasn't a good chance of win- ning. But you will admit that there is little sense in opposing a man tooth and nail when there is reason to believe he will be victorious. We shall begin with mild criticism, feeling our way as we go. If Chalkner is strong, we shall find elements of commonsense in his speeches, merely throwing out a word of warning now and then. If he is very strong, we shall be struck with his mastery of subjects to which we had never thought he had given any particular attention. If he is over- whemingly strong, we shall rejoice that he has obeyed the voice of his countrymen, however much against his own will, and has left the peace and calm of competitive commercial life, where how- ever he has already gained the admiration and re- spect of thousands, to come forth and give to us the benefit of his ripe wisdom and political genius. He will be a most distinguished man." "The Republic will not succeed on those lines," 1 said sadly. "No one expects its success," said the editor laughing, and I bade him good-day. * I found Squalitone in the midst of a fiery ar- gument with a reporter, who was explaining at length how the Allies would already have defeat- ed the Germans if only they had followed a plan of his which, however, as it seemed, he had hither- to neglected to submit to them. As Squalitone had also organised victory, though on an entirely different basis, war was in imminent danger of being declared between the two disputants, when I appeared and dragged my landlord away, protest- ing. "What now?" I said to him, when we got into the street, where there was still a large number of people moving about. "I have plenty of time on my hands, and you-you say you are not work- ing to-day?" "The truth is, Crooks," he answered confiden- tially, "I have no work to do to-day and many days to come. This change in the political affairs of the country has happened just in the nick of time for me. You know, Crooks, how strenuously I have worked at passing warrants?" "I have some idea of it, gathered from your own remarks on the subject," I replied diplomat- ically. "'Very good. Perhaps you don't know that the regular fee for passing a set of warrants is 2/6. It corresponds in principle, though not in amount, to the lawyer's charge of 6/8. Now will you believe it, Crooks, that there are men in this country degraded enough to do the work for 1/3? That is what some men have been doing of late: there is no saying to what depths of depravity some human beings will not sink." "And that cuts your earnings down?" I re- marked. "Well, the times are hard and men must live." "The hard times are no excuse for degraded lives," said Squalitone decisively; "and nothing can be said in defence of the blacklegs of any profes- sion. I have not yet told Mrs. Squalitone of this alteration in my circumstances. I cannot bring my self to break the news to her; after all, she was born and brought up a lady. But the work is pass- ing out of my hands, Crooks, for I will not sink to the level of 1/3. Happily my affairs are now certain to take a turn for the better; the Republic is marching on, and I propose to go to-day to see the Collector General for the purpose of fami- liarising the men in his department with my pres- ence in a new capacity." "They know you already, then?" I asked, some- what interested. "As a taxpayer merely, and, incidentally, as one of that large number of persons who are some- times obliged to ask for time to pay their taxes, a concession never granted. I can tell you, Crooks, that the ingenuity expended in finding excuses for non-payment of taxes would make the fortune of any man with a little capital to back him." But before we reached the Government build- ings in the main thoroughfare of the city, our at- tention was attracted by a crowd that had gath- ered at a street corner. On the sidewalk, which stood a few inches higher than the street, we could 8 see a tail, brownish man, with a strong cast of fea.u es, holding forth. He was gesticulating like a s reet preacher. "What is this now!" exclaimed Squahltone, and began pushing his way through the pecp-e towards the passionate orator. I followed closely, heard the name "Chalk- ner," and knew at once that this was an impromp- tu poll ical meeting, perhaps the first of hundreds to be held all over the country. The man wars a stranger to me, though I thought I knew the faces of all the local political ora:ors in the city. He was speaking of the great ivir. Cnaikner, proposing him as the one man who could save the Republic. He, the speaker declared that he knew about republics, had lived many years in some of them, was acquainted with their conditions. It was a good thing for Jamaica that it was about to become a republic, to become in- dependent and free. "An era of prosperity dawns upon this country at last!" he shouted. "Now you will have liberty. The old reign of oppression is at an end!" "Who is he?" I whispered to Squalitone in- dignantly; "he is stirring up the people dangerous- ly." "That man knows what real politics means," replied my friend in a frightened undertone. "His name is Blakely; he was in the last revolution in Panama. Whew! He means business!" "You have heard a great deal about the Brit- ish Government," thundered the speaker. "What has the British Government done for such as you? You thought you had freedom. You have only had oppression. But with a man like Mr. Chalkner as President, with government of the people, by the people, for the people you will know what true liberty is!" The crowd listened affrighted. This indeed was the sort of politics they knew nothing about, and they did not know what to make of it. They repeated his words amongst themselves. One man called out: "Mind you get yourself into trouble!" As for me, I felt it bitterly that before a day had elapsed since the publication of the Home Government's decision regarding the future of the colony, a man of this type should dare to con- demn our administration so openly. For I was an Englishman, and thirty years' residence in Jamai- ca, whatever its effect upon me otherwise, had not caused me to forget that fact. This could not have happened yesterday! But now the lion wvas dying and the jackal could laugh at will. But if the lion was dying he certainly was not quite dead yet. For there was a young black po- liceman who had been listening attentively to the speech, and who, when he heard the word oppres- sion, thought it incumbent upon him to interfere. With measured step for a policeman avoids hurry as being unsuited to the elemental dignity of all policemen-he marched up to the orator, tapped him lightly on the shoulder, and quietly remarked: "I t'ink dat word 'oppression' is a seditions." "Yes," murmured several voices in the crowd, "it is a seditions." Those who were most emphat- ic on this point had been, a while before, as I had observed, inclined to encourage the: orator to fur- ther efforts. The policeman, pleased with the crowd's sup- port, drew himself up. "Seditions," he continued gravely, "is against the law." The crowd was very certain that it was. But the tall man, Blakely, as Squalitone call- ed him, was not daunted. "What law?" he de- manded fiercely. "I tell you the present law is abrogated. The old regime is passing away, and all things will be made new by Mr. Chalkner, His Excellency Mr. Chalkner, as he will soon be called, and whom I serve. You talk to me about the law? But that paradox which you have enunciated, are you prepared to sanction same?" The question hit the policeman like a blow. He could not argue with a man with such a com- mand of language. He faltered, and the crowd observed his confusion. "He cannot sanction same," said an old man gravely, and dark faces looked admiringly at Blakely. He was winning the sympathies of some of them. But the policeman, although stunned, was not entirely defeated. He returned to his original charge as though it were a last resort. "It is a seditions," he again asserted, though rather feeb- ly. "You do not understand the very meaning cf that word," shouted Blakely. "You have io fur- ther locus stand in this community. The Gover- ,nor himself will soon be reduced to a mere ci- pher." "Mind! you goin' to get yourself in trouble!" cried a few warning voices. "Not row. This is the day of free speech, friends: do yru not know that Jamaica has become a republic? Read to-day's papers. At last we Hall have ilstice!" He swung round to the po- liceman. "Fiat justicia, ruat, coelEm!" he thun- dered. But his bl~uter did not have the effect he in- tended. The strange quotation was more than that self-respecting policeman could stand. "You PLANTERS' PUNCH have no right to use bad language to me," he snarled; "I arrest you for abusive language." Blakely laughed. "It-was not bad language 1 used," he said pityingly, "it was a foreign lan- guage." The audience immediately agreed that it was a foreign language, and with so many erudite wit- nesses against him the policeman felt weakened. "I don't understand French," he apologetical- ly explained, "so I can't arrest you for it. An' though I know oppression is a seditions, I won't arrest you for that. But as you blocking' the street and obstructing de traffic, I can arrest you for that, an' I arrest you now.. That will put a stop to you. Come on!" "But man," gasped Blakely, scandalised; "Chalkner, Mr. Chalkner-" "Don't know anything about him," said the policeman calmly. "You can tell the inspector at de jail all about him. You coming quietly or you goin' to make me handcuff you?" Blakely, accustomed to Panama and its fierce political passions, glanced enquiringly at the crowd. Would they assist him to defy the po- liceman and go free? I read his question in his eyes; the crowd read it also and gave their answer vocally. "I know you would get yourself in trouble," said an old man sagely, and began to edge himself out of the vicinity of trouble. "Me have no busi- ness wid politics," observed a stout woman, and waited anxiously to see Mr. Blakely handcuffed. "Come on!" cried the policeman a little more pe- remptorily. He led Blakley off, the rag-tag of the audi- ence following, evidently much pleased to see po- litical agitation having at last some tangible result. Squalitone and I resumed our walk. "They won't be able to arrest a man like that in a few days' time," I said, "his like will be free to speak as they please." "But it won't do for the leaders of public opinion to allow too much freedom of speech in the Republic," said Squalitone. "You see, if peo- ple begin to talk too freely about oppression, there will be revolutions." "You think then that that policeman was act- ing in the true spirit of a free republic?" I said. "Yes, but of course it would be a different thing if he interfered with men like you and me." Then Squalitone looked unusually thoughtful. "What is it?" I asked, for I saw he had something on his mind. "It is this Chalkner," he explained. "You heard what that dangerous fellow, Blakely, was saying about him. Does Chalkner want to be Pre- sident?" "So I believe. You know him?" "Know him! I should think I do. He is up and I am down, Crooks, but twenty years ago he 'was down and I was up; I have gone down, sir, I have gone down." Squalitone said this in a tone which suggest- ed that there was great merit in going down and remaining down. "Chalkner," he continued, "has simply worked himself up, climbed up, dragged himself up." The scorn which my friend threw into these words cannot be expressed on paper. Chalkner, I learnt from him, had begun life in a small way. Some kindly relative had left him a couple of houses and shops while he was still a lawyer's clerk; and then, with his wits sharpened by the work he had been doing, Chalk- ner set cut to improve his fortunes. He specu- lated wisely. He bought real estate and sold it again at a handsome profit. He invested capital in bananas and was not troubled much by storms. Everything he touched turned to gold; he was now fifty; in thirty years he had made what was con- sidered a large fortune in Jamaica, and now there seemed to be no public position to which he might not aspire with good hope of success. Squalitone had known Chalkner as a young man and had taken but little notice of him. This was due to the influence of Mrs. Squalitone, then recently married; for the youthful matron had ad- amantine ideas on social lines of demarcation and one's proper place in society, and she would not allow her husband to associate intimately with anyone not firmly standing on her own social plane. Then the wheel of fortune had turned and Squalitone had been obliged to accept a situation under Chalkner, who had frowned unsympatheti- cally on my friend's political ambitions, and had eventually got rid of him. Since then Chalkner had repeatedly met Squalitone; there was scarcely a week in which they did not see one another. He usually acknowledged Squalitone's existence with a bow, unless Mrs. Chalkner or her daughter was with him. "At such times," said Squalitone, "I cease to exist for Chalkner, but I don't mind that very much." It appeared, however, that Mrs. Squalitone and her daughters did mind it very much. Mrs. Squalitone had knovin Mrs. Chalkner slightly some fifteen years before, when the Chalkner star had begun to wax bright in the banana firmament, and when the star of the Squalitones had just begun to show some sign of an eclipse. The two women had somehow developed a bowing ac- 1944153 quaintanceship, with a tendency to more cordiali- ty on the part of Mrs. Squalitone, and to decided- ly less on the part of Mrs. Chalkner. w hen Ber- tha was ten years of age she was sent to the ladies' school which Ella Chalkner attended, and there the two children had learnt to call one another by their Christian names. Then Bertha had to leave that rather expensive establishment, and thence- forward a solid wall of social dist:nctoins had grown up between the Chalkners and the Squall- tones. The Squalitones had even ceased to speak of the Chalkners, so separate and far apart were their worlds. I had lived with them for u\er five years, and this was the first time Squalitone had ever mentioned Chalkner. "I suppose he must have ability," I s.nd. "I know he is considered a good businessman, but as a statesman--" "A statesman, Crooks?" Squalitone interrupted sharply, "I wouldn't vote for him as a City Coun- cillor. What are his qualifications?" We had arrived at the Government buildings, and were now standing outside of thtm in the shade of the stone verandah. Squali:ione seemed to derive importance from being so near to the high official upon whom he was about to call. \,wth an eye to a future official appointment. "What are Chalkner's qualification.:' he ask- ed, in a challenging tone of voice. He dismissed Chalkner's claim to political qualifications with a sharp gesture. "He knows neither the classic: nor algebra", he concluded decisively. The lack of these educational clualitications apparently could not be compensated tur by any amount of practical ability. Squalitone had studied in his youth, and had forgotten, the fi.e Latin de- clensions; at school, he had also been taught a lit- tie elementary algebra. He had never got beyond that; nevertheless, in moments of social or finan- cial depression, it was always a pleasure to him to believe that he had studied the ci:ssis ~ and learnt algebra thoroughly. He divided humanity into persons who had his scholastic adlantage- and persons who had not; and as it xaz: the latter who seemed to obtain most of the gcod tling; of this world (in Jamaica), he took his revenge on them by pointing out to his acquaintances their lack of a classical education. Having nor' di:- posed of Chalkner, he entered the Collctior Gen- eral's offices and asked the clerk to announce Mir. Squalitone to the Collector General. He did so with much assurance, though he knev. ,t was not easy for the ordinary man to see the hlesci of an important Government Department without giv- ing an adequate reason for an interview.. The clerk he spoke to added up a column of figures, glanced at Squalitone, and added up the column again. There seemed no obvious reason for such extraordinary pains. Squalitone cough- ed. "What do you want to see the ColleLtor Gen- eral about?" asked the clerk superciiouusly. "That concerns the Collector Generia and myself," replied Squalitone. The clerk hunted up some more figures and began to check them with entirely urinert r ary zeal. "Will you be pleased to anniuunce me"" demanded Squalitone in an angry tone o' voice "If it is about arrears of taxes said the clerk, with his eyes fixed on his papei-. "tli:re is no need to see the Collector General." "I have no arrears," said Squalit:.ne. "And you can pay your next quait:rt's laxes without seeing the Collector General." sail the clerk. "I have not brought it," said Sciualitt:ne "Then I don't see what you can want to ;ee the Collector General about," said the clerk. He put down his papers, ignored the existence of Scuall- tone, and called, "Next!" We had to move from the windc'w atter that. When we got outside the Collectorate Squalitone stood still, looking down from the verandah upon the -gravelled walks of the garden belov.'. "I understand Blakely now," he muttered bitterly. "I understand why some men become re\volution- ists. The idea of a man like me being insulted by a thing like that." "Don't notice him," I said sympathetically. "It is he who hasn't noticed me.'" returned Squalitone. He showed no inclination to mo' e. He was turning something over in his mind. I sa.v it in his eye. "The Republic doesn't seem to he marching satisfactorily for you, Squalitone," I could not refrain from saying. "We'd better go home." "No!" he replied vehemently, "I am not go- ing home. I am going to see Chalkner'" CHAPTER IV THE SHADOW OF A SOCIAL QUESTION The Squalitone home was situated in a sub- urb to the north of Kingston, a suburb :f unques- tionable respectability. All the people who lived there conforrred to certain standard- of conduct (Continued on Page 12) a"' - N 44 -4 RANDC :.Srirt I,.,., hI on,, the famous series by .II V. D., nIh.lh iplieared in the Gleaner over p piE'odl t imin! years. ON TROUSERS The presence of a Scottish regiment or company ior irwl.itever it may be called) of gol[dier-n i .,u midst brings prominently into ,the torelront ol discussion the question of trousers. Never has that question assumed Nuch pr:opl.ition: before, for never has the -present geneirtion witnessed a number of :stalwart. aalniii men going about our streets :without tr'usi.erl. The sight has a different .,effect iio:n dirfe-rent persons. To some it is .positivel ex'tilrating. Others it inspires with curin..lty. W\e are so accustomed to trou- sers th.t we i ondler how a man can manage I'withuiit there : yet it is patent that our Scots do manage without them and seem to have no sense of discomiort or deficiency at all. Scot- land stand, r.! ere she did in the matter of no- trousels. No elf-respecting descendant of tthe men .. h.- rt...ight with Bruce at Bannock- burn iould l deign, as a warrior to parade the Streets on any important occasion clad in a '.pair ot trousers. THE FIGHT AGAINST THEM The Scotsnen '.ear kilts. The kilt is a sort of skirt. It i l.,hort and exposes the knees to Inspection: iI is pleated and therefore in the fashion, t: I li e ladies still pleat their dresses. When a Slcot- sl.dier rises from his seat he passes his holn;is over his kilt exactly as a lady passes her li hans over her skirt to smooth it down; and the :ilt is of colours, thus giving it Sthe necesaily picturesque touch that appeals and to our colour sense. Curiously enough, too, 1920 these kildt h:'. come to Jamaica just when, Its c in England. there is arising a demand for the dust: abolition :of the trousers. Not that kilts are each being adiocatect The idea is that we should stoo( wear **shorts' or breeches breeches do not was go below the knee in which fact they differ also facts from trolisers. which reach down to the ankle. fact read A protest against any change has been made, ma -howe\er. particularly by Mr. Robert Lynd, not Swho write pI:;s.ionately in defence of trousers. to b I am inclined to think that trousers will hold writ their a\\n. men ford T WOULD NOiT DO. Robl State Trouseil o. coIurse, and all other clothing ump for the lov.\- limbs, evolved from the primi- of " ive loin cloth The loin cloth was wrapped curs around a man's loins, covering and shielding elec "Tri certain pi.rtio.n of his anatomy, while the ing ladies if old time wore a sort of apron, which and was clearly a development of the fig-leaf with which Eve adorned herself after she came to a knowledge o:f g-.-d and e, il. Before Eve that side came to that kni.-ledge hie .went naked, side and and thee are man:, philosophers who teach of W that hers was a perrect innocence, based up- let on a peltect ignorance. The suggestion is sma That if Ad:im .nd Eve had not fallen we should a gl all be going n3iiked to-day, but I wonder if that uould be any advantage to us. Nudity as t is not beautilui Naturally one doesn't want equi too much clothes: completely to hide the hu- writ man form is an offence to good taste. You mat . have got to stl;ke a middle way, and the girls grave ..of this period, seem to be doing it very well was : indeed: they Lire not nude but they take care Snot to wear loo many garments or too much to i of any garment, thus we get something that the .is almost as near perfection as human dress can be. If theie is to be any improvement it will be in the direction of less and not more cloth- ing But ner.er shall we get to the stage of Eve in the Age ti Innocence. My objection is that it would not be aesthetic. WE FALL TO RISE Mr. Robert Lyhd's objection is based upon dif- .4erent grounds, and doubtless he is right. He points out that the naked races of the world have ever made any progress in civilization. It was only when man began to clothe himself that he began to move forward; he became civilized in proportion as he wore more trousers. Here is a matter that requires elaboration. It seems, after all, tha'. if civilization be any good, it was an excellentt thing when the Serpent tempted Eve .and she did eat. the apple, afterwards inducing Adam to have a bite. The first thing that hap- PLANTER S' PUNCH JOTTINGS HERBERT GEORGE DeLISSER, C.M.G., was the found Editor of Planters' Punch. This magazine was started and is unique among journals of the British West Ind contents are of a literary, a personal, an agricultural, rial, commercial and humorous character. As a writer of these aspects of life in the West Indies Mr. deLi: d head and shoulders above his contemporaries. Not c he the possessor of great stores of knowledge, but he the master of a style which made the dry bones of t i live, and attract the attention of the most indiffei er. Mr. deLisser is most widely appreciated among :ans as a humorist. His "Random Jottings" which w always meant to be read in a spirit of high seriousness, e taken with a grain of salt, were appreciated even ers outside Jamaica, such as Mr. A. P. Herbert, one of ibers of the House of Commons for the University of and a famous contributor to "Punch", and Mr. Mo erts, a novelist whose works are popular in the Un es. Mr. deLisser's gift of humour is seen at its best in " hant Squalitone" which is republished in the present i: Planters' Punch". The man or woman who has the r ory acquaintance with electioneering and the ways of tion tout in Jamaica and fails to appreciate the humou umphant Squalitone" is in a sad case, and is more des( of our sympathy than the man that hath no music in is not moved by concord of sweet sounds. "Jane", "Susan Proudleigh", and "Under the Sun" sl although Mr. deLisser could depict the serious and tr of life, he could also deal consummately with the lig comic phase of existence. In this respect he is of the sc] William Shakespeare who shines equally in depicting H as well as Falstaff, if one may be allowed to compare ll luminary with the great one: there is a glory of the ory of the Moon, and a glory of the Stars. As a journalist Mr. deLisser was acknowledged on all s he most brilliant this Island has yet produced. He dipped to deal with all the subjects which a day-by- ter is called to comment on. He indeed was at home ir ters of this sort, and his moods could change with ease f 'e to gay, from lively to severe. His death in May, a hard blow to the profession. We believe the readers of this magazine will be ple. earn that it is contemplated to continue its publication future. opened after that apple feast (you will remember) is that our first parents realized that they were going about in a very improper condition, and though there was no one there to see them they made a rush for the nearest fig tree and ordered a couple of large leaves on the spot. After they had donned these garments they felt relieved; later on they took the skins of animals and began to think out new fashions. From that moment' man- kind commenced to move upwards. The Fall was the prelude to the Rise. Without the Fall there would have been no clothing-and no knowledge of good and evil. Which means that there would have been no tailors and dressmakers, no parsons and no cathedrals. Enough attention has never been given to the circumstance that the very first thing our first pa- rents realized after they had come to a knowledge of good and evil was thc necessity of put- ting on some clothing The tailors have never made enough of that fact. It proves that the most important element in any civilisation is a tailor (and a dressmaker also, of course.) And yet it used to be said that it took nine tailors and one bulldog to make a man. Why this libel on the tailor? I sus- pect it originated in envy. After all, the first tailor, albeit a very poor one, was Adam, the first dressmaker was Eve. How proud must tailors and dressmakers feel when they reflect upon that indisputable biblical truth! All the other callings came much later. Even the agriculturist did not arise until after the tai- lor, for the Garden of Eden required no at- tention whatever until after the Fall. It either looked after itself or was looked after by the angels; anyhow, all the trees in it grew beau- tifully, they required no tending from Adam and Eve. And no sooner had they eaten of the Forbidden Fruit arid made some clothing out of fig leaves than they were ordered to leave the Garden. They went outside and commenced to cultivate. But they had al- ready done their bit of tailoring and dress- making the only work they ever did in the Garden of Eden. OF FIRST IMPORTANCE The tailor, then, amongst men, the dress- maker amongst women take precedence of all other men and women in the trades and pro- fessions and the various callings of life. They were the first workers necessary. We could well do without a motor car. But who could very well do without a pair of trousers? You may answer, the Scotsman. But, after all, there is the kilt and the Scotsman considers that ider the kilt is an improvement on the trousers; d in at the least too it fulfils the necessary pur- lies. poses of concealment. A lady may look charm- in- ing in the ballroom with a minimum of dress. r on sser But she would not look charming without only any dress at all. Dress adds to beauty a was minimum of dress. No-dress means exposure >are and there be few human beings who are so rent perfectly formed as to go through the test of Ja- exposure and come through unscathed by cri- vere ticism. Then if it be true, as I believe it is, but that man progressed in civilisation as he pro- by grossed in clothes, climbing higher and higher the Ox- as he put on something more until, of rley course, he had put on quite enough may ited not the tailor claim that it is upon his art that Tri- all civilisation is built? May not the dress- ssue maker proudly contend that she and her like most have laid the foundation of humanity's great the advance? I shall never pass a tailor's shop rof again without lifting my hat. I shall bend the crv- him knee in reverence of a dressmaker's establish- ment. how THE HIGHEST PLACE agic hter There is no true sense of proportion in this hool world. Men and women do not realise how am- much they owe to the tailor and dressmaker; the these ought to be our chiefs and leaders; at Sun, the very least they ought to be treated with the most profound respect. But I doubt if ides they are. They get some deference, of course, was for it is not all of us who can afford to pay day our bills for clothes when these come in, and Small it is only prudent to be polite to people whose rom garments we are wearing. And when a lady 1944 wants to have a new dress quickly, she can- not be too sweet to the dressmaker. It is based then "My dear Miss Blank"; it is "Oh, I know n in I can depend on you"-this is always said when we know we cannot depend on you but don't want you to know it. But otherwise the tailor and dressmaker are not treated as as they should be. They do not occupy that place in the State which is rightly theirs. Considering what they symbolise, that place should be the high- est. And every tailor and dressmaker should have heraldic arms, a fig leaf. That was the first dress. THE SPORRAN. But the fig leaf still flourishes, if not in its original form, at least as a changed remainder and reminder. What I mean to say is that some- thing distantly like a fig leaf and hailing from the fig leaf is still worn by civilised human beings, and worn exactly on the spot where the original fig leaf was worn. Have you ever seen a High- lander with his sporran? If not, just look at any member of the Scots soldiery at present in this island. You will notice that he wears something furry in front of him; it is really a pouch and cqP- 10 PLANTERS' PUNCH 114145 ed a sporran but I am convinced it is a survival of the fig leaf. It has ceased to be a necessity- the trousers and the kilt have superseded the fig leaf. So it has become an ornament and we call it a sporran. If the Highlander were, through some misfortune, suddenly stripped of his kilt, he could still feel that he was protected by his spor- ran; it would be better than nothing: he could shelter behind it for a while. The Scots are a most radical but also a most conservative race; they change, but they keep what has been proved to be good. A Scotsman, therefore, if he wears a kilt, would never think of going into Society without his sporran. He never knows what may occur and so he prepares against the worst. OUR GRIEVANCES It is when an election is approaching that the people learn of the serious grievances they have, but which most of them have apparently never fully realized. That is why I always read the ad- dresses delivered at electioneering meetings; I have a burning desire to be informed of all the disabilities from which I and my fellow-citizens C Cap Zhai Cheers BECAUSE delicious 'Ovaltine' helps to maintain your reserves of strength and energy by day . assists you to enjoy peaceful, re- storative sleep at night it can do much to promote your cheerfulness and confidence. For these reasons make 'Ovaltine' your regular daytime and bedtime beverage. Its outstanding quali- ties are demonstrated by the fact that it is supplied to and widely used by the fighting forces, in Hos- pitals and Canteens. Prepared from Nature's finest foods, 'Ovaltine' provides nutritive elements needed for building up body, brain and nerves. It also has the advantage of being naturally sweet so that there is no need to add sugar. Drink delicious Ovaltine for Health, Strength & Vitality Sold by all Chemists and stores throughout the British Empire P 616A t e a T~z''';~"" "Cj'-- 't % 'i~CR ' suffer. I don't live in No. 4 Urban Ward-at least I don't think so. I am not sure, for I have never followed the Ward system with any degree of suc- cess; it puzzles the very life out of me. But I do know now that No. 4 Urban Ward possesses no- thing in the way of the amenities of life that it should have, for I have been told so by many pub- lic speakers of late. And I am very properly in- dignant. A LITTLE MISTAKE? There was a political meeting, or an election- eering meeting, or something of some sort, in No. 4 Urban Ward on Friday night last, and the Rev. Morris Abisdid presided. In introducing the Rev. gentleman the first speaker said that they were all proud of him. "He had always been connected with the different denominations in that Ward, labouring for the uplift of humanity." That is splendid; the uplift of humanity is such a mighty work, one requiring such wonderful ener- gy, to say nothing of faith, hope and charity, that any man who undertakes it must have my respect. But surely the introducer claimed too much for the Rev. uplifter in his introductory remarks? I may be wrong, but I don't quite see how any one minister or priest can well be connected "with the different denominations" in my Ward or sec- tion of this municipality. Assuming that in one Ward there are represented the Anglicans, the Roman Catholics, the Wesleyans, and the Toe-the- Line Truth-Seekers, how can one man be con- nected with them all, unless he has gone from one to the other of them, changing his faith slightly in the process so as to accommodate himself to each religious creed and atmosphere? And even then he could not claim a present connection with all of them; with regard to some of them he clearly must be a has been. However comprehen- sive may be the religious sympathies and activ- ities of the Rev. Abisdid, therefore, I fancy that the first speaker at last Friday's meeting allowed his enthusiasm to lead him too far. But no harm has been done. Neither politics nor religion has suffered. THOSE HEAVY SALARIES Mr. Abisdid himself delivered a most stirring address. I have read and re-read every word of it. Among 'he several things he has done by way of uplift, Mr. Abisdid has served as a member of the old City Council, and now he says that, having been a member of the old City Council, he "knows the interior of the Government." Such secret and intimate knowledge of the interior must be a great help to anyone in discovering the manifold sins and weaknesses of the Government, who, of course, will strive to cloak them before the face of the almighty populace. Another point touched upon by the Rev. chairman was most interesting; it was that money is being wasted by "the paying of big salaries." I gather that he objects to big salaries. He wouldn't accept one himself. He is a believer in Spartan simplicity, in working for the love of the work, in eschewing all but what is strictly necessary to life. Many other of our pub- lic men, especially those who are not in public life, take much the same view; unfortunately the men who have to work as engineers and what not display a most uncommendable desire for big sal- aries. What then are we to do? The problem seems insoluble, unless we can get the politicians to undertake themselves the technical jobs that have to be carried through. STILL ON THE WATER. Passing to more particular matters, Mr. Abis- did announced that Mr. Fernandez "had borne the burden of lack of water as they had done." What is his suggestion? That Mr. Fernandez has had to go without water? The "burden of lack of water" is carried very lightly by some persons: many do not realise that it is a burden at all. Still, lack of water is a serious evil, and I am de- lighted to see that there are signs of a general re- cognition that water may serve some useful pur- poses besides those of cooking and washing the clothes. We are making progress when the water question is looked upon from no merely culinary point of view. I also endorse Mr. Abisdid's ap- peal to the people to co-operate and "amalga- mate." I don't quite see myself how they are go- ing to amalgamate, but I want them to do it. As. he told his audience, they were "people whose faculties were high." So, no doubt, they know how to amalgamate. When they have amalga- mated, I gather, they will elect the right and pro- per representatives to the Mayor and Corporation. They will also obtain a larger number of gas- lamps, if they have any at present, and a small number if they can just now boast of none. AND EVEN THE ANGELS. The next speaker was Mr. Gore, he who won to fame recently by climbing "in a righteous cause." He spoke on lighting facilities and the lack of them in the No. 4 Urban Ward, as of course any man would do who was partial to gas lamps. I like his speech-the report of it I read. It was plain, simple and to the point. He told his hear- ers that "he did not want to indulge in any abuse, but they must now arise and shine for the light had come"-presumably from gas lamps. But no; he could not have meant that. For the general complaint is that there is not a sufficiency of gas lamps, with the necessary posts, in the district where these speeches are being delivered; there are not enough gas lamps either for the giving of light, or for the purposes of climbing. So it ap- pears that, in spite of Mr. Gore's as-ertion, the light has not come. But that need not prevent the people from following his exhortation to arise and shine. In the absence of a gas lamp tie hu- man eye might afford a little llumnation. In the absence of gas from coal, the gas oft rhetoric might be requisitioned. One thing I like about Mr. Gore is his certainty and hi; extraordinary range of information: Thus he as;eiled on Fri- day night that if they did not elect Mr. Fernandez "even the angels in heaven would regret the day." Now how many other people can claim to know so much about the feelings of the angelss in heaven? ADMITTING TOO MUCH Without wishing to be censoric'Lik.. I must say that Mr. Logan's address disappointed me some- what. I don't say it wasn't eloc.icnt. it simply had to be. All our public speakers aiee -loquent. Jamaica produces a brand of elo-qience all her own, and a very little of it goes a long %.ay. But Mr. Logan allowed his eloquence to lead him to make some assertions which, at thi- -tdie. should hardly be made, and should ever be i:lerniEd. For instance, he mentioned, to quote tiL iepl) t. that "he understands that thirty fire boxEs have been ordered, and he hopes that some if- them '.ill be put in Rollington Pen." He added thl.t "'li. Fer- nandez, coming forward as a c;nd':iclte. has awakened "he eyes of the Governmenti Tlioe of them who have not been able to re,'f,' e water bountifully will do so at an early ilte That the eyes of the Government have I cen a'vakened I am delighted to hear, but I can't :quite make out what the Government has to do -,.; .h the admin- istration of municipal affairs. But v lien people are told that, as the eyes of the Go- einmcnt are already awakened, those of them I'. ha, e not yet received water boun'ifully will h..rtliy. do so, I am inclined to think that some of tl,.-,e people- those interested in water-will feel that the can- didate has already accomplished hi-; ,r'i b' I mere- ly coming forward and awakening the Govern- ment's eyes. This might cause them T he luke- warm about going to the polls some time in Nov- ember. I would therefore suggest that no -up- porter of any candidate for any po.itical position should say in the future that anything good is on the eve of being done. He must affirm that 'he situation is as bad as it can be and that no eyes will be awakened until after the next election. NOT DOING THEIR JOB. The chairman, the Rev. Abisdit., poike again. A chairman has a right to speak often. an..i usually exercises that right. He informed the intensely in- terested crowd that the men who are put in the Council "are the men responsible for their health, preservation, upliftment, and otherwise." Particularly otherwise. Well, I personally feel that I am not being sufficiently uplifted and pre- served, and I want Mr. Gayle, Mr. Drew. Mr Har- rison and the rest to explain how it is ihat. in the opinion of myself, they have not adequately up- lifted and preserved me. That they are capable of doing it I do not for a moment d-iubt: that I stand ready to be preserved and uplifted I hereby proclaim in no uncertain voice. But I am other- wise. Now this will never do. Therefore I call upon Mr. Bryant, Mr. Dillon, Mr Seymour-Sey- mour and the rest to get busy at once- and uplift me, and, speaking in the name of '1,1 W\ards and Burgesses, I demand a general u!litting. As Mr. Abisdid so lucidly put the matter: "There was one solution to the whole concern, and th.-t was that their district in particular had been neglected for years." That indeed is the solution. Now that we have found it we should firmly request that it be solved. It is impossible that vwe. the citi- zens of Kingston and St. Andrew, should stand this sort of thing any longer. THE CASE OF LOT'S WIFE There are many sadly misunderiltord persons in history, both sacred and profane. The world has come to certain conclusions about them. and their reputations are fixed for ever-most unfair- ly. Consider Lot's wife. What is known about her is ihat when she and her family were escaping from the Cities of the Plain which had been given over to destruction, she looked back and was straightway transformed into a pillar of salt And all of us for hundreds and thousands of years have P .I -.I A T41 I .' I' \ C H I50 Years' Experience. * V I. i .t --A 1_1 r .ill r. .-l pl... .il. ru nrlr ing a 'i rrr.. h l 'lr,.. \ 'I w' .I. l'hI '.. r.=? is ;I .A 'N' i i' 'Ln '.,'il< . IiI. [ iJl r,.w ii* i, 1- '1. .I, l.y _. I r in 'f \th t 1, l. l ,r.ri..-- rim \\. N ,, I \I .'N n d I ,LH ,''N I. sfl..C IH A R - H l T' 'S l ,rr rr ...r :..r[nii t ..ii< \\ ni t lru m g I. -' ['r '.[- I ..'%. [ :- -*rk i.. i-a IJ tl'.Iht t:re i. eL.ry propel i. treate.:. because sie Ou-l[t n%' .'ct to jL i.'-ol, eci- bail.t:. BtIt w i'y ought ire r -. t l.. h. i l. iu el'.le ba:' l: : Come to thinly; ii..It zht- iCil r n- io -t l tuiLi i r11 :.n.: '.i ry popt. Jia thini Shle .', : .*. -m'n a 1i 1 a l t ieul. at- ieLtioiiAt -., nmlnl. :lie hia.i l ri ir.iht p!1ii t Yet sheC becamL -':it I ,;-: '.,. thiat quii e :i i to 1he ' A HIUi7lAli \".'CMPAN. Bi f L'.tLi ;l '.'LI i i'tL i [ L.iU':Ii.i' YOl hi3 e beien ir ,, i'l upl tju l:elei. t liat Lot : ie dlid ionr etIll n;i '.. l r ,' I; I' an ..a: i l L I: LI p iii hedi I. t, Ire- m enmtjcr. .L. r .e r '.. It. tih l lire ltiL.s set i.,t I:'. ainy tlriendd rt eris we hai\c ony heard i ona e Sidn e of' the story. NOPV. I putiit It t yVu: here w.as a y,.tniL ,,rma' n ,ii 1, a.y. noui r m>lie thijr i bout tlitriia.ty i thiit'y-t'.'u y. as .t ira Ie. t...' they m.IrIried %.ery earl. In illl:)- L .ho .e d.\ S.e Il .i plei.as nt time in Sociom. even tilourli the people '.ere \, kicked. She lierstil \.as not wicl:ked, arid her :ramnil. \'.ticth in- cideile Abrahram. vere highly 're.spectabiIl people They h.rd all prospered: the wicked ones around formed a mtry .. rlevjl-may-care soci-ty. morally teprehen-il-le but sociaily in d-ioubtl qitle charm- ing and affable The city was pleasantly laid out: It was the sort of place v.here one could be happy. and Lot's wife had enjoyed the years spent there Then canw thic w\iord that the and hers must flee. They depart: fire failsl ifom heaven on the cities and they begin to go up in rlames. TThe lady' heart is touched: 'Ihe i very h-iuman:: she cannot but feel sorry for some of the girls and women she u-sed lo l:rio\. They are dying: in'.oluntarily she turn- t, ca;t a last look ot farewell in their direction An.:i at ionce lshe becomes a pillar of salt. KINGSTr)N AN ILLUSTRATION Buti. you will say, the reason why she lcokci back V.i as bec:iau-e she remgetted hravi.' to leave the citvy Well suppo:, that w:;,. the reason Did i' merit a csline FLinishnment? Take Kingston. which m:nriy per-.oris is-y. is the v.ickeide:t city in the worldd A family .i:es here for yeair. rcr'J- ci;ing ur. grumbliri ab:ho'Lt iis. but mixing \V.ith i, and enio'yin our hospitality. That family is sud- denly called away. It realizes that, after all. it has not had riuch a bad time here. and perhaps it begins to dav.'n upon members of that family th-'t nowhere els' are they likely to be sn handomel;. treated and entertained iThere are manyr ca-e- like this i Thev have al]'.-ays said that they wculd be elad to lea,'e Jamaica. and now they are going at Irst: yet a- they I ho'.. e-.er superii'r in Since 1789 Ransomes have been leaders in plough design, and to-day. after more than 150 years. their ploughs and other agricultural implements are unsurpassed. Ploughs range from 30 Ibs. to more t'ian 3 tons in %%eight, and there are types and sizes to meet all West Indian re- quirements. tRansomes AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS 111. i II) IRi R III(. Oii I In PriiI .111 f .** pI1.1 NE.IIIl %1I.g .N1(.INEE-IN(.; ('O.. L 11.. Port of pain iT lrlror Inipl eni.Pnl.| II \ 1)H \ 1 .: A I .1 E MI.R L-1 I I Flir \ I. I11 \ M% UICIIj I IRI A -I'II.\ (o. I. 1 D., % LII -III III I'rlI l Hiro. "S tI .\I I. i.'" 'L t. jH r' .r lh,. hir.lri. r... i..t [ w..rr Two iYp.-s-'- l ; A i.l a .. fi rr.iw -'1 -I t .'A :I .l 4 [i r '.r i- .r the n*..-r ;:ir Un.ii. t '.*rili.ii. \.i-jlyr ..[ 4 irf r..wr I: '. \-- 7 s') Ibs. m.:,ral feeling .ee the wiltei -iront of Kingstion irece.ding and tihe town gro..'ing smrll. will not they g,.e just a little glance ot regret. or affection, or iomelhing decently human, ait the dlisappearlig city andct omning riil :. -'een pCI-rlai3p ifor t!he lst tim': Now imagine -omn'thling woe. Imirnee those people atiely on the hip ani.t the city: in ilarmer Ho.i e\ er milci they may h.a'e Cili'efi Ja- msn3caii can i'.'e lelie'.e that they '. ill not ;r1:e upt n our tale heart-strtcken i|ndl \i.ith te.ril in Utir e\ye They mrl.y s.j that ,e *-leisec' oe our -nd ll. h Is my oipinioni But. like Lot' v. rie, they 'A ill gi'.e us that last pitying. Shal31 \ think less or more 1of them f:r that? DID SHE DISOBEY? But. you argue. L-,t'1 wife uwas. disi:bedi:ent. She ,w-as tuki not tu lo:ook back\ward arind he did, and so got more s:lt that she hiid ever b3i gained tor. You may say thA.t she di-nbeyed the Luldd and ought to have ,een. iS hlie \v.as. severely puin- ished. Nowt just here I suggest that. you stop! Don't you tall: about being punished for disobey- ing the Lord. for that is what you do every day and yet expect to wear a crown in heaven. Be- sides, how do we know that Lot's wife thought she was disobeying the Lord'" Who informed her that she must not look back? Her husband, or cousin Abraham, or someone else: and the good lady knew that these gentlemen were always claiming to be in personal communication v ith the Lord. and might easily get mixed up a bit. She believed, of course. that they did get word from the Lord now and then: but sometimes they gave their own views and said they were the xiev.'s of the Lord-we all more or less imagine th;.t we are inspired even when we are saying the mi:e.t ordinary things They being human, Lot's wife must have caught them tripping at times; consequently,v although one or more of them had told her not to look back on leaving the city. she did not regard this as a divine injunction at all. And even if her act were one of disobedience. it was such a natural. even generous act. that T con- tend she mu-t not be condemned for it. I stand today as a defender of her character. WE NIFST LOOK BACKWARD. \'hen I am told that it is no use looking back- ward. no use regretting the past. I want to know what people take me for. Presumably a rabbit does not worry much about the past-does not look backward. But. whatever, my detractors may say. I am not a rabbit. The past is our life. "GLOBD" \ -tfr-n all-steel ridging plough, spe- cially *i. -.,i'. I .i sugar cane and other tropical crops. The C.IB RIDGER. Shown with two bodies for ridges from 4Sin. to 6(in. apart. Can riso be sup- plied as subsoiler, cultivator or trencher. iLr v .,.... _'q --^ "QUEEN"-A light disc harrow which can be used as an expanding implement for working between rows of growing crops, or as an ordinary disc harrow. The present is but a moment; the future-there may be no future. Think of that. The past is our life. Am I not to glance back at it, especially when (as I may imagine) I am leaving it for ever; am I not to find in it much that was sweet and worthy and of good report, as well as much that was regrettable? The idiot that bids you "press onward! forget what is behind!" and all the rest, is talking as an idiot should; but who wants to be an idiot? I find that I have forgotten many in- cidents of my past life, and when someone reminds me of them I am grateful. I want, like Lot's wife, to look backward, if it be only for a moment. I want to see the conflagration of my dead hopes. I wish to drop a tear on the grave of my buried illusions. Was it a Punishment? And now that I think of it: am I sure, are you sure, that Lot's wife was punished? May she not have been highly rewarded for that sweet wo- manly act of loving farewell, for that kindly, yearning, tearful, long last look that she cast at the home where she had lived so long? Let us think it out. She was not burnt to death. She was not stricken down with paralysis to linger miserably until the inevitable end overtook her. No; at once she became a pillar of salt. Now salt is a preservative. It is used for corning beef. It flavours and savours almost everything. When, in the East, you are given salt-and the Lot family lived in the East-you will always be well treat- ed: a covenant has been entered into with you: a covenant of amity and mutual assistance. "He hath eaten of my salt" is a word of high social and moral significance; salt, indeed, has a mystic as well as a physical quality. And this most pre- cious, most symbolical of substances did Lot's wife become. Surely there is a hidden meaning here. JUSTICE AT LAST. She was the one person who, with what in these days we should call Christian love, looked back in pity and regret at the doomed city. And because of that fine action on her part it was pro- bably allowed her to remain with it, but not to perish as it perished. She became glorified. That is, she became saltified. She was preserved from an ordinary death. She did not lose her savour; she was all savour. There she stood a glittering white pillar of substance so highly prized and re- vered in the East; and men as they afterwards passed that pillar of salt would make obeisance and say: "There is Mrs. Lot. A fine woman that. She's got a monument such as we can never hope (Continued on Page 16) - --- 1!14 1 4 > 12 Triumphant Squalitone (Continued from Page 8) such as going to church with a commendable ede- gree of regularity, behaving properly and decor- ously, changing their clothes in the evenings, of- fering kola and cake to visitors at least once a week, singing at the piano in a modulated tone of voice, keeping up a little flower garden, and criticising their neighbours with that amount of asperity which only truly respectable people can show. When a stranger came into the neigh- bourhood, there was considerable anxiety as to his standing in society, for it was felt that an undesirable resident would reflect discredit on everyone. If it happened that the newcomer was not "quite the thing," the older inhabitants would wonder what the neighbourhood was coming to, and would deplore this evidence of its further degeneration. From this it appeared that degen- eracy had set in some time before, and that the neighbourhood had once been the abode of very select persons, who had submitted to an invasion of lesser persons against their will. Ten years before, Squalitone had been one of the select. He was scarcely that now. But his wife and daughters still maintained the old standard, and their virtues covered his sins which, if not forgiven, were sometimes ignored. He was a failure, and failure cannot be lightly excused in a progressive world. Squalitone, if the truth must be told, would have been much happier in meaner surroundings: he had no social aspirations. But Mrs. Squalitone firmly sat in the saddle of respectability, and her husband was perforce obliged to ride with her. The house contained the three upstairs bed- rooms already mentioned, which were devoted to the convenience of paying guests. The two bed- rooms on the lower storey were occupied, one by Squalitone and his wife; the other and much larger one (partitioned into two smaller ones) formed the private apartments of the girls. There was a drawing room, in front of which was a ver- andah; a passage leading from the drawing room took you into the dining room, which came after Mrs. Squalitone's bedroom, and opened on the yard. The rental value of this house was between five and six pounds a month, and with its little garden, and the locality in which it was situated, it was generally considered a desirable residence, cool, quiet and eminen'ly respectable. Mrs. Squalitone had three paying guests. There was myself; the other two were young men, Englishmen bo:h, who had joined the fami- ly about a year before the date at which this re- cord opens. Henry Gresham, the elder, of the two young men, worked in a large commercial house down-town, where he was gaining experience in Colonial trade and commerce. He had a little money of his own; his salary was three hundred pounds a year, and it was whispered that ten years hence, when he would be thirty-eight, he might be promoted to a junior partnership-thus so far ahead did strangers to the young man look! He was a handsome fellow, with a strong, straight nose, well-formed chin, pleasant grey eyes and a i' L A A' T E R 1' PU A Uil mass of dark hair of which he seemed to be proud. He wore glasses, which gave him rather a distinguished appearance. The other guest ,was about twenty-four years of age, fairly good-looking, but with none of that distinction of appearance which "made Henry a man to look at more than once. Augustus Pen- rose was in the Government Service. I think Mrs. Squalitone was strongly of opinion that in a couple of years' time he would make a desirable husband for her second daughter, Margaret. Henry Gresham she had marked cown for Bertha. But in her way she was a wise woman, and not by word or deed did she aiow ner matrimonial thoughts or plans to be perceived. I guessed them; but an elderly unmarried man may well be credited with some insight into motherly human na.ure. I was friendly with everybody in the house; indeed, I make it the rule of my life to be friend- ly with everybody I know, as far as possible. Mrs. Squalitone sometimes confided her troubles to me. She had a hard struggle to make two ends meet, and in later years the educating of her younger daughters had sometimes presented itself in the light of a problem. Squalitone's earnings varied from one pound to two pounds a week now, with a decided tendency to an average of thirty shil- lings. It was a good thing for them that the Squalitones had no house rent to pay; even as it was, the financial battle had to be waged inces- santly. I sometimes, having a small but certain income, acted as banker to Mrs. Squalitone, ad- vancing sundry loans when bills had to be met; and I must say that she was fairly punctual in repayment. To Squalitone I lent nothing, after some experience of his habits as a debtor. I never knew a man with a more unshakable deter- mination to pay his debts; his code of honour, in this regard, was of the highest. But it remain- ed for him an unattainable ideal. Various sums of five shillings advanced to him during the first two years of our acquaintance had never been returned, and I noticed that whenever Squalitone referred to the amount of his indebtedness, which he did about once every six months, he deducted something from the total. This was pure absent- mindedness; at the same time a creditor does not like his money to be paid merely by effluxion of time. In the ordinary course of events, a debt grows by the accumulation of interest. On the Squalitone system it is wiped out simply by the passage of years. So I never lent Squalitone money now, and he had ceased to borrow, or even to hint at bor- rowing. Of course, the girls knew nothing about these old loans of mine to their father, for it would have humiliated them. Indeed, I am sure that Bertha would almost have starved herself to re- pay me. For about a year she had been working at a wage of thirty shillings a week. This was a great help to the family. She was teaching her sisters shorthand, and Margaret would soon be going out to work. Alice, the youngest, would have to stay at home to help her mother, but with two daught- ers working the financial situation would be a little improved. My wish, however, was that the girls should marry well; I shared Mrs. Squali- tone's desires to the full in this respect. Gresham and Penrose would make good husbands, I thought and though Squalitone might not be the most desirable of fathers-in-law, still he would never trouble the young couples. I knew that he never borrowed money from the young men: some impulse of dignity, or regard for his daughters' feelings, effectually prevented that. He and I were middle-aged, and did not, as he probably re- flected, count for much in the social hierarchy. But his wife and daughters were different, and the young men must not despise them on the father's account. When I got home after my experiences re- lated in the preceding chapter, I went to lie down, to rest a little, and to think out the likely progress of events. So far, there had been no change worth speaking of in the public affairs of the colony. The people did not seem to realise what had hap- pened, the Government continued to govern as be- fore. Only the police appeared more stringent in action, as police in tropical republics are apt to be when anything is said against the Government which employs them. But, of course, the Repub- lic had still to be officially proclaimed. And there was already a presidential candidate in the field. In a day or two, then, we might witness some extraordinary changes. I wondered what Chalkner would have to say to Squalitone, who had parted from me down- town to go and see him. Squalitone had de- nounced Chalkner as knowing no algebra, and this was a severe indictment from his pocnt of view. But as Squalitone, in common with many minor and some major local politicians, held himrell free to change his mind according to the dictates of his personal interests, I was not at all surprised at his turning to Chalkner as the only meaiin 4by which he should achieve that political i:i finaii- cial position which he had so long and so vainly sought. I determined to ascertain from him the result of his interview with the great nmn at the earliest opportunity. I remained in my room all the afternoon: only when the dinner bell rang at six-thirty did I go down. We soon were all at the dinner-table and in our usual places: Mrs. Squalitone at the head, her husband at the foot, Margaret Encl Aice on either side of me, and Bertha sitting t.ei eeen the two young men. A new and clumny servant. Martha by name, was in attendance I noticed that Squalitone appeared secretive and thought- ful; Mrs. Squalitone, always somewhat stern and unbending at dinner, was more than usually un- bending and stern. Soup was served. The Squalitone i-,:up; were a concession to the popular doc rine of two or more courses at dinner, and were pitobhbly in- tended to take away the appetite toward' the end of the month. In the earlier weeks cf the month they were good; during the last six or se'.en days they languished for lack of sustaining meat and were convincing proof of the universal utility of water. At this period of the month Mr Squal- tone was always abundantly helped to Oioup, whichh he was expected to consume with rel:lh. a. some- thing exceptionally good in the way of food The young men were helped to a mere taste, v. which was often more than enough; the rest of us \v.re giien a moderate quantity; Mrs. Squalitone herself took much of it, by way of testifying her personal ap- preciation. Naturally, this evening, ev.en Ieto:e soup was handed round, the younger people ere all busy discussing the startling news of the :lay They seemed to think it a joke. "We shall hear by to-morrow," said Gresham, "that there has been some mistake in the telegrams andi thai there will be no change of Government in J.maica" "Could you expect anything else?" acked Ber- tha, tossing her pretty head. "Why, even father doesn't quite believe the news." "There you are mistaken, my dear said her father gravely. "We are now a republic, or shall be in a couple of days. We are in the throes of a political revolution, in which I shall play a not un- important part. I am already moving " "Then I wish you'd be careful how you move," observed his wife. "Pass the ripe plantains to Mr. Gresham, Martha; Mr. Penrose, won't you have some rice? I hope you will be careful, for in a republic there is no Gevernment, and politician like yourself can only agitate safely '.'ith a well- established Government to protect you So long as the British Government is in Jamaica. you can do and say almost anything: it seems to encour- aee politicians to do that. But remember, when the Republic is established, that you have a fam- ily." "I shall be part of the Governmen'. my lo'e." said Squalitone. "Have no fears for me" "And may I ask," said Mrs. Squalit np tern- ly: "may I ask-Martha. do you want to drop that dish? You will if you handle it so careles-ly. and I am sure Miss Margaret is not begeine you in pour pravy into her lap-may I ask. Mr. S1.1ali- tone, if you think it a nice thing for .Tpam-iic to become like Hayti?" Srist wtmta i When 3rieviub eCnuIu the frftlohudip of the hitoie. Look Around ! e that ebergting is pleasing to the eges. Ant Fault? THfiE SEEi US FOP. TIH f REMED\ ! Tk Sthandrcl I F rniskin Co. Ltd. 127-129 -HARBOUP STRIEr --- KIr 'GSTOM PLANTERS' PUNCH 1844-100 YEARS 1944 The 21st March 1944 Marked the Centenary of THE JAMAICA MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY and this was a proud event for its Policy holders and in the History of the Island. Everyone is invited to join in making this year a record year of business by taking out a Policy in the Society or by inducing their relatives, friends and acquaintances to do so and thus join in the Protection, Security and Advantages to be derived from Membership in a Society with a splendid record of One Hundred Years. THE "JAMAICA MUTUAL" is your own Island Society and you should join in showing you are proud of it. HEAD OFFICE: JAMAICA MUTUAL BUILDINGS, 79--83 BARRY STREET, KINGSTON. II II 1'.t 45 14 "In Hayti, my dear," replied her husband, "the political situation is entirely different. It may indeed be said, that there is no political situation in Hayti: there is only a military situation there. The army dominates everything. The Haytian Army consists of about sixteen generals to every private soldier, and that disturbs the equilibrium of the social order. In Jamaica we shall probably have no army at all." "Let us hope not," said Bertha; "but I thought that all republics had armies, more or less rag- ged." "They have worse than armies," said Mrs. Squalitone; "they have equality. Perhaps your father thinks it would be a pleasant thing for some General Pips or other to marry his daughters, he seems so fond of this republican idea. But in my opinion any country that can have people in it with the name of Pips and Peter Sam should not be allowed to continue independent." "But we have no Pips in Jamaica," her hus- band ventured to remark: "Pips is entirely a Hay- tian name and General Peter Sam had a distin- guished career in his own country. I believe he was assassinated." "We shall have Pipses in Jamaica if we have a republic, Mr. Squalitone," answered his wife. "If we have a republic we must have equality, and PLANTERS' PUNCH if we have equality we shall have Pipses, and they will want to marry into respectable families." The lady said this with the air of one who has concluded a logical demonstration. "Well," said Mr. Squalitone tentatively, Chalkner is hardly a man who would not be con- sidered respectable; he is one of our distinguish- ed men. Besides," he added, as if this disposed of his wife's objections to a republic, "Chalkner is already married." Mrs. Squalitone was carving a round of corn- ed beef, and it must be said, as a testimony to that great woman's fixity of purpose, that not even this speech of her husband's caused her to relax in her effort to reduce the obdurate mass before her to slices of respectable thinness. But Mr. Squalitone's semi-championing of Mr. Chalkner could not fail to affect the firmest character, Mrs. Squalitone's attitude towards that gentleman being considered. Martha, the new servant, was allow- ed for one full minute to do exactly what she pleased around that table. I saw Bertha's brow go up in indignant aston- ishment. A peculiar look passed over Harry Gres- ham's face. There was silence for a space, in the midst of which the slices of corned beef were passed to each of us with rigorous impartiality. IN JAMAICA THE branches of The Bank of Nova SScotia at Kingston and the other principal places of the Island are fully equipped to handle all banking transactions -S Bin connection with Jamaica trade. Clean or documentary collection bills are given careful and prompt attention, foreign exchange is bought an'd sold, exports and imports are financed by letters of credit. Drafts on Great Britain, Canada, the Branch at Kingston, Ja. United States and foreign countries are Other Branches in Jamaica are issued at most favourable rates. located at Black River Brown's Town Enquiries are Solicited Christiana Mandeville May Pen Montego Bay KINGSTON, JAMAICA, BRANCH. Port Antonio Port Maria W. TORRIE, Manager. St. Ann's Bay Savanna-la-Mar CABLE ADDRESS-SCOTIABANK Spanish Town THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA ESTABLISHED 1832 Capital 12,000,000 ], sine .21,000,00 Resources exceed $493,000,000. H. D. BURNS, General Manager. Toronto, Canada. 1944-45 Then Mrs. Squalitone spoke. . "Is Mr. Chalkner a candidate for the Pres- dency, Mr. Squalitone?" "Yes," I replied, wishing to take some part in the conversation; "I heard so at the oilice of the 'Daily Magnifier' this morning." Mrs. Squalitone ignored me. "And may I ask if you intend to support Mr. Chalkner, :\I. Squah- tone?" "How could papa do such a thing?" demand- ed Bertha indignantly. "Papa must remember the time when neither you nor he would have anything to do with a man like that. And he knows how Ella Chalkner and her mother treat us when they meet us anywhere. Support him, indeed! Who is he that he should be anything in Jamaica?" "You have not answered my question, Mr. Squalitone," said Mrs. Squalitone with ominous calm. "Well, my dear," said Squalitone hesitatingly, "as a public man I am bound to be moved only by public considerations. Private matters and social reasons take second place when the country's in- terests demand it. But I am pledged to nothing, and of course I shall take your objections into con- sideration. Mrs. Chalkner and her daughter will have to be polite to you in future. In a republic we must have equality." "That is exactly what I do not v.ant, either in a republic or in any other country," said Mrs. Squalitone severely. "And as for Mr. Chalkner, do you think I can ever forget the condLuct of his wife and daughter? I have some proper feeling, Mr. Squalitone, and I will allow no one to ignore what is due to me." "The Chalkners are very high tind mighty now," said Bertha, "and if Mr. Chalkner becomes President they will be worse. Ella Chalkner will give herself more airs than ever, and she', impu- dent enough as it is. I saw her getting Int.:. her motor car yesterday afternoon while I was \w'ait- ing for the tram. I knew that she saw: me. but she pretended not to, and I wouldn't let lictr ee that I saw her. I looked straight in front of me, as if she didn't exist. If she thinks herself too good to speak to us, let her go on. I don't mind. But I would do anything to prevent her f:ither I:e- coming President of this country. I wutldi alm:. mi prefer the Germans to come here!" Bertha's eyes flashed as she spuke. Ella Chalkner as the President's daughter was some- thing more than she could bear to think of. "But I thought Mr. Chalkner was a leading man here," remarked Harry Gresham quietly. "I have heard him very well spoken of. He has built up his own fortune, and has been very success- ful." "He never studied the classics, however." said Mr. Squalitone, with a view to modifying Gre- ham's praise of Chalkner and also to remind the young man that he, Squalitone, was a classical scholar. "Even if he had studied the classics, and every other language," said Mrs. Squalitone, thatt would make no difference to me. Mr. Chalkner may be wealthy, but I cannot forget his origin. I could perhaps forget it if he carried himself humbly, but when people of yesterday give themnelei airt, they must expect to be told who they are." "Ella Chalkner thinks herself better than we are," said Margaret. "Let her think what she likes,'' said Mrl. Squalitone. "I have never approved of your fa- ther going into politics; I have never seen v.;hat he has got out of it, and I know he hasC lot a lot by working for this ungrateful country. But if hie succeeds in defeating Mr. Chalkner's ambitions, I will say that he has not altogether wasted his time and education on public affairs." "Well, you know," said Harry Gresham peace- fully, "I don't think Chalkner a bad sort at all. You are a little hard on him, I think Mrs. Squali- tone." "Do you know him?" asked Bertha, glancing at Harry. "Slightly. I have met him once or twice in business, and I met him the other night at the Chisholms'." "Was Ella there?" asked Bertha quickly. "Yes, both she and her mother. Mlr. Chalkner introduced me to them. He invited me to spend an evening at his home, in fact. This evening, I think." "Of course Ella and her mother also asked you to go?" said Bertha. She spoke, as it were. casually. But I perceived the effort. It was no: a question she should have put, but I saw that Bertha was agitated and felt sorry for her. "Yes, in a way," Gresham replied cautiously. "They said they'd be glad to see me. They seemed rather nice people. I am sorry, though. if they-' "Oh, it doesn't matter at all," -aid Bertha proudly. We expect such things; people who h.'.e come down in the world must expect ihem I am sorry if we have said anything about y.:.ur n-". friends; of course we couldn't know-' "But you have said nothing", interrupted Gresham quickly; "and they are really not friend of mine; merely acquaintances." PLANTERS' P -\CH Ind sputclabe /acts: enclantinent e moonlight ti e Q2uaktlty C of RUBA Jamaica s finest I'lnMis JBotled and 1Blended by THE RUM COMPANY (JAMAICA) LTD. CORUBA HOUSE KINGSTON JAMAICA. l/e IC,,~rs of /C,,e J, .\tiIs since 188 B.W.I. I I -- ---- ----- -- !94 435 DPRk One (0> PL -1 IE- T R' P UNCH 1 Xtman SinAhs.LL 1944. Children wish for a Happy Xmas. Business Men wish for Open Markets and Economic Security: Customers wish for Goods that have been denied owing to war conditions. Citizens of devastated areas wish for Rebuilt Homes ... Freedom from Dread.. .Return to Normal Supplies of Food and Clothing. Those with High Ideals wish for Re-established Faith in Mankind-AND THE UNITED NATIONS WISH FOR AN HONOURABLE VICTORY AND LASTING PEACE MAY IT BE SOON! CECIL B. FACEY LIMITED. 168 HARBOUR STREET, - KINGSTON. "I see", said Bertha coldly. If the corned beef was a trifle tough before, it was uneatable now. Of a sudden the Chalkner influence had invaded that united household and threatened to prove disruptive. Young Penrose became moody. He was a nice young man, but he natural felt that he too might fittingly aspire to be recognized in the higher society; yet he had never been invited to the Chisholms', and though he had often met Mr. Chalkner, that gentleman had never once expressed the desire to have him as a guest. Mrs. Squalitone thought of Mrs. Chalk- ner with her two motor cars, her carriage, her beautiful house a few miles out of Kingston, and -her daughter. And Bertha thought also of Ella Chalkner, the girl who had been at school with her, who had been sent to Kingston to finish that education which had only been superficially be- gun; a girl who had wealth, society, good looks too, and a father who could do so much for Harry Gresham. As for the younger girls they wondered, I felt sure, whether Harry would care for their circle in future if he became a friend of the Chalkners; and I, though of course not affected by all these petty considerations, was conscious of a dislike for the very name of Chalkner. Mr. Squalitone was silent. I suspected that he was kindly disposed towards Chalkner just now, but desperately afraid lest his wife should have some inkling of his feel- ings. Harry Gresham realized that, with his en- trance into the Chalkner circle, he had become something of an alien in that reduced but respect- able home. We finished dinner in silence. I made some attempt to discuss the prospects of the Republic, but the new social danger pressed more upon our spirits than any impending political change. The latter we could not bring ourselves to regard in a serious light. But it was indisputable that Harry was going to spend that evening with;the Chalk- ners. Bertha reddened and paled by turns. I had guessed her secret before; I knew it now. Harry had paid her attention, nothing extraordinary, so far as I could see, but they had pleased her; and if you throw a young man and young woman to- gether and both are eligible, what more likely thing than that one of them should fall in love with the other? Harry, having greater opportuni- ties for meeting people, could think of the sever- al girls he knew, as a butterfly flits from flower to flower. But Bertha knew intimately but few young men, and none of the others could bear comparison with Harry. She had kept her feelings well under control; now she controlled her feel- ings very well, though she could not prevent those flushes passing over her face. But I watched her keenly, with the privilege of an elderly man. And as I liked Bertha and had made up my mind that she was going 'to marry Harry Gresham, I was more convinced than ever that Mr. Chalkner was not a man who should be President of the coming Jamaica Republic. I felt that Mrs. Chalkner had acted meanly in pressing Harry to go and see them. I began to determine to oppose Chalkner. "Crooks," said Squalitone suddenly as we sat alone on the verandah that night, "I have deter- mined to sacrifice my political inclinations and work for Chalkner. I will make the sacrifice! No- thing is too much to do for my family. The girls must marry, and unless their social position im- proves, whom are they to marry? Can a man and a father allow his daughters to share the fate of a poor and respectable man? Should he not make sacrifices for his offspring? I have made up my mind to do it; I have seen Chalkner-just for a moment: he couldn't spare me any time. There is a meeting at his principal place of business to- morrow, and I and other leading politicians of this city will wait upon him there to persuade and press him to come forward to save the Republic; he has arranged everything. Chalkner will do something for me: nobody else is likely to do so. I embrace Chalkner as a last resort-for the sake of my girls. I will not boast about it, Crooks, but, somehow I feel that I am a martyr." I looked at the hypocrite keenly: "And what will Mrs. Squalitone and the girls say?" I ask- ed. "They must know nothing about it, Crooks; at least, not yet. The secret must be kept from them as long as possible, though, of course, with the newspapers at work, it is certain to: leak out. Wo- men don't understand politics, and it is only when they see me in a good position that they will real- ise all that I have done for them. Perhaps if the passing of warrants had remained a lucrative call- ing I would not have sunk to the level of Chalk- ner. But even a public man has to think of his children." "So you are going to meet Chalkner to-mor- row?" I asked. "Yes, publicly; and you can go with me. I hope you will go: give me your moral support." CHAPTER V MR. CHALKNER CONSENTS On the upper storey of a large building in the city was one of Mr. Chalkner's offices; it was a large room, capable of accommodating some five hundred persons standing, and it was there that Mr. Chalkner had decided to meet the deputation which was to impress upon him that it was his duty to come forward and save the Republic. It was not quite obvious what the Republic was to (Continued on Page 18) RANDOM JOTTINGS (Continued from Page 11) for: that shows what unselfishness can lead t.." Those old people were right; but the generational succeeding them entirely misunderstood all lhe circumstances relating to Lot's wife, and have cruelly misrepresented her. Happily, I am here to do her justice. A GLORIOUS SPECTACLE! As for Lot and his two daughters, all I have to say of them is that they paid a slavish regard to the doctrine of Safety First. All that they thought about was getting away as quickly as pos- sible to a place of refuge. They did not walk, they ran; I don't believe they even knew when Mrs. Lot, to her eternal glory, became a pillar ot salt. They were so selfish that they never glanced at her; to have done so would have been :o look back, and we have every reason to believe that Lot never looked back once. I have an idea thai he did not get on very well with Mrs. Lot. A word or two about his history convinces me that he was given to drink, and of course his v. ife didn't like that at all. So when he was running away, he might have wished that something would happen to her; and when he had arrived at a safe place and found she had been left behind, lie pro- bably was not at all sorry. As for the girls - well, we all know how selfish young people often are. The least we say about those two the better I do not want to be scandalous. But my duty. 3s Mrs. Lot's latest biographer, compels me to put the case for her in its right perspective. Sie \i as an excellent woman, one of the best, and I hold her up for general admiration-a white, glorious. shining pillar of salt, which might easily be taken for marble or alabaster. II. I 19441.5 PL A TER.'" P U C H BARCLAYS BANK (DOMINION, COLONIAL AND OVERSEAS) FORMERLY THE COLONIAL BANK OFFERS WORLD WIDE BANKING SERVICE FOR TRAVEL AND TRADE BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE WEST INDIES & BRITISH GUIANA AND IN AFRICA, CYPRUS, PALESTINE, MAURITIUS, MALTA, GIBRALTAR, LONDON, LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER, NEW YORK. (Agency) AGENTS IN CANADA: BARCLAYS BANK (CANADA) MONTREAL & TORONTO. BANK OF MONTREAL ALL BRANCHES. TRAVELLERS LETTERS OF CREDIT AND CHEQUES ISSUED AND ,CASHED. FOREIGN EXCHANGE BOUGHT AND SOLD. THE TRUSTEE DEAL DEPARTMENT WITH ALL TRUSTEE IS AT YOUR EXECUTORIAL BUSINESS. DISPOSAL TO AND The Bank is affiliated to Barclays Bank Limited and forms one of the Largest Banking Groups in the World. Head Office: 54 LOMBARD STREET. LONDON, E. C. 3. London Office (Colonial Bank Section). 29 GRACECHURCH STREET, E.C. 3. Branches in Jamaica. B. V. I. 124 HARBOUR STREET, KINGSTON. ST. JAMES STREET, MONTEGO BAY, and Annotto Bay, Falmouth. Morant Bay, Port Savanna-la-Mar, St. Ann's Bay. Maria, 1944-45 141 4 t 45 I : Triumphant Squalitone (Continued from Page 16) be saved from, or by whom it was threatened; in- deed, it was by no means evident that there was as yet a Republic in being. But it was the opinion of many that the still non-existent Republic was in urgent need of salvation, and, according to Squalitone, Chalkner himself had arranged that he should be persuaded to become its saviour. Mr. Chalkner was not the man to allow the golden moment to escape him. At ten o'clock this morning he was at his office; and Squalitone and I were among the first to present ourselves to him. He appeared somewhat surprised to see us; he appeared somewhat surprised to see everyone; it was, presumably, a morning of surprises for him. Apparently, he was ignorant of the purpose of everybody's visit. Squalitone had persuaded me to accompany him, and pointed out that that bound me to nothing. From Squalitone's conver- sation on our way down, I had gathered that Mr. Chalkner was delighted to have such a man as Squalitone on his side; but from Chalkner's recep- tion of Squalitone, I could not but conclude that the great man managed to conceal his delight with perfect lack of effort. I was astonished on my part, to be greeted very cordially by Mr. Chalkner, who observed that he had seen nothing from my pen in the "Daily Magnifier" of late, and that he always read my letters and special articles with peculiar pleasure. As I looked round the fast-filling room, and perceived all sorts and conditions and complex- ions of men gathering to do homage to Chalkner, it came to me that the popular opinion, that the highest positions in a republic are open to every- one, was the greatest fallacy ever entertained. It may be so in America, which is a country of strange possibilities. It is not so in the West In- dies or in South and Central America where com- plexion, social position and money count and have always counted for almost everything, and where the theory of liberty, equality and fraternity is tempered by practical considerations. So here we were this morning, all ready to proclaim Mr. Chalkner a political genius, because he was one of the richest men in the country, and one of the most successful. I had met him before. But I looked at him closely now. I thought he improved under a pene- trating inspection. He was a tall, thin man, ra- ther swarthy, of suave manner and gentlemanly appearance. His enemies said he was not a gentle- man, but certainly he looked very much like one. He had aquiline features, his eagle nose denoting energy, his prominent chin and firmly compressed lips bespeaking strength of .character. He was a man born for success. And he could make a pleasant impression on anyone when he liked. I confess that I appreciated his reference to my writings; he must have read them or, surely, he could not have spoken about them. I revised my early opinion of Mr. Chalkner. His desk was at one end of the room, so placed that while sitting at it he could see anyone that entered at the opposite side. The first callers that morning had found him at work, as though he had expected no deputation. When more peo- ple had arrived, he went amongst them express- ing wonder at this demonstration. Had he heard of it? Oh yes, something had been said to him about it, but he had not taken it seriously, could not bring himself to believe it. They were jest- ing! Hadn't they seen that morning's paper? An- other man, as well as himself, had been suggested for the Presidency. That man, and not he, would surely be the popular choice. He was right about the appearance of a rival candidate. In two anonymous letters in the "Daily Magnifier," the name of Mr. William Bloodstone had been mentioned in terms of the warmest appreciation. Bloodstone was another of our distinguished men, and his friends were busy on his behalf. But he and they were slower than the Chalkner party, and that already had put them at some disadvantage. Mr. Bloodstone had been mentioned in the editorial columns of "The Magni- fier" as well as Mr. Chalkner. The "leader" drew the country's attention to the appearance of these two gentlemen in the political arena, it spoke of both in terms of appreciation. It appeared that each one possessed to the full the qualities which the other seemed to lack. The conclusion a stranger would have drawn was that the country would be wise to elect both of them as President. The truth was, of course, that "The Magnifier," with that political instinct which never deserted it, was carefully hedging, was waiting to see which way the cat would unmistakably jump before coming out for one or the other candidate. It concluded by firmly adjuring the country to rally to the side of the man who would do most for the Republic, but gave no hint as to whom it considered that man. At this stage of the political campaign, all thoughtful persons felt that "The Magnifier" was handling the situation with masterly ability. "Well, gentlemen, to what do I owe the hon- our of this call?" asked Mr. Chalkner, when he believed that everybody who was coming had now arrived. "Hear, hear!" cried Squalitone enthusiasti- cally, and a number of seedy persons, who look- ed upon elections as the harvest-time of their lives, glanced at one another in an ecstasy of ad- miration. They wished to signify that, in their opinion, Mr. Chalkner had struck just the right note, with that "infinite tact" with which all sove- reigns, princes of the blood and prospective presi- dents are born, according to the newspapers. A well known public man on hearing Mr. Chalkner's question, now stepped in front 'of a group of gentlemen with whom he had been in consultation, and held up his hand for silence. The audience waited breathless. "Mr. Chalkner," began this speaker, "Jamaica has entered upon a new era." I knew the words before he uttered them. He was a very popular speaker, a leader of thought, and he had distinctly perceived the dawn of at least half a dozen new eras in the course of a dozen years. He could not possibly fail to perceive this one, and had naturally, to mention it. "A new era, which we view with mixed feel- ings and with emotions which can be better imagined than described. Yesterday we learnt that we were a Republic. 'Has it come to this?' F Samuel & Co. WHOLESALE Dry Goods Merchants 131 HARBOUR STREET. Relibility 1~. the slocjan of this Old and reputable HLusie and which has gain- ed- for it the ccrficiidence of the Public and that measure of .s.uccess it enj:'y; . Our Customers can RELY :n- a square deal. The: carn RELY on b!:,e oble to obtain the latest c,:,.,ds o, e'.-ery' de;'"-rptio( tr.,m .our e:xtenSi've tock :..1 I Ierchcandi e a:n Foot- '.' -ear. T1 cc-ia RELY Co'n Cur ie in rice at the pcz.~}},. e mnar: rL ,o, --.- on REL' on ettin:j th.- -.-e r- ir-i shest .::,: :!. . Th?-.v can RELY on the q,-reafe.st care in !illin,:g orders anr-, mIn deZspctch. The, can RELY on the most c..urleouC aClentlin. The',' can REL'Y on o:iir appreciation and thanks for past RELY same. patronage and we on a continiuanie --t SAMUEL & CO. 131 HARBOUR STREET. We know you are looking forward to the day when you can get A NEW DOODGI So keep in touch with us for this good news. JOHN CROOK LTD. 5-11 HANOVER ST. - I I PLANTE RS' PU N C.11 TELEPHONE 2552 11944 4. I cried. Echo answered. 'this.' I calmed myself. 'Let me think,' I said. I thought. *"What did I think? \Vhat indeed!" He paused. as if waiting for an answer to his question. An appreciati-e "Ah'" escaped from scores of people. This w\as a safe way of express- ing appreciation of a profound reflection which they cOtild not possibly anticipate by any manner ot guessing "What did I thLnk-' Shall I tell you? I thrtAight ihi.-- f w\e are to have a republic. it v.e alre lo draw :du.'v.n. with tears, the glorious Union SJackl. the tlagc :.'. ch tor a thousand years has biral.t tih battle and the breeze, to hoist inde- )pendent riition0il ,colouri. it s-hal t[bc in one con- dclit... lily. A ,nd that condition., entlemen. \was thii: Tliit A-l ttri Chri.topher Chalkner .should be Pilent Iiet i Hte iRepulblc, that ne should come lulv.ardl to gutde the Ship .ot State through the perilu]t v. :iriti if p-.litical aid eil -ty i into the calm lha.en i..t (p ce .ii.:l plro ertlil., that he should stctr L1i. a. i-nlv 11th can steec uii. and I could not let l'..'.r 1 Iolniclit L 11111 I had put my determina- Stiiln :.eit..e lm ltiillr d:., i o l ill replied as one man, "Cllalkner is urtI choice!' " Thi; iw:'s the mUneneit i.i ternempE-tuOL; ap- l)lause anll there \ .ia temtpe-tuollLi applaiise The gentlemen cried. "Hear. hear." thrt-e ort n inferior order cited, "hT.ir, i.ear." the representati, es of the w'ilking cl]i.es Iliowv] l. hear. Ihear." O(ne of the latter .ntc.l lo a i: a li'e tili'- but uasi promptly ninloriled tlhat it lie nitelrrulpted hie u'.l :il be put out. "And that gentlemen, is all I ha.e to ,sa. I bear to i\lr Charlkner i mandate from the people. I tell him that \e v.ill not have the RepDubic if he 'doe not come loIc'.'.rd to tguide the Ship of State. Think ot who hi is, gentlemen. Gentle- men. he I Ai thur Chi tophler Clhalkner'" The t.ict that Air Chalkner was Arthur Chris- tuopher Chli1IiL;rn -eemied tl. huif't upon the a.idi- ence as a I.'rt of re elation You v~'t ulne.er ha.e belie' el.: that tiey v new it betoire Sqil..1Itone in IA?;irltiullr stemed t, have been quite untsaalre of it HP eielco.med the iniormatilon He clieerdii it to the echo. And he had taken good care to stjnd1i .herei l- r Cli!inller could .ee and hear him. *And oiii... centnlemen." said tile leader of the deputatio-n .ii lemnly. -.'Ae '.vait impatiently for Mr. Challkner'- an:.,,v r: e ait ito hear '.hihe r' i no '..e hliall hlie the I |le-i -urie of nddres-inS im sooin :s Prescierit Chalkneri On him depends the succe's of thli Republic. He must save it. If, throug-h any ten-e of talse morlde-ty. if. through any miLtUlkeln opinion orf hi-s ,w n areat v.orth. he fails us at thi; cr'lSI-. \'.- -rall han,2 uLIr'l head in terror and c(hinm:iy. Glntlemren the c,.untlry .'. ll. be lost " They cheered him once mrre. The issue v.as Chalkner or Ruin. Chalkner or no Republic. The seedy-olooing ind 'iduals in the cro'.vd a'-ured one another that the loss of the country w.as some- thing which h they would make any effort to avert. Their serv.ice- they \,,-uld place, for a considera- tion. lunitrer,.edly at the disposal if IMr. Chalk- ner. Silence fell again when Mr. Chalkner indicat- ed that he was about tI., speak t I thought I saw something like a tw.'inkle in his eye: he \wa; said 11 11 MOTOR THIRD PARTY COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE THE COMMERCIAL UNION ASSURANCE COMPANY LTD. CALEDONIAN INSURANCE COMPANY QUEENSLAND INSURANCE COMPANY. LIMITED. PHONE AGENTS:- 2718 MANTON & HART 71 BARRY STREET PLANTERS' PUNCH to have a sly sense of humour. But he spoke with the utmost gravity. "Mr. Pepkins, gentlemen, and friends!" "Three cheers for Mr. Chalkner!" shouted Squalitone, and the room resounded to the plaud- its. Order being restored, Mr. Chalkner contin- ued. "This is the greatest honour of my life." ("Hear, hear.") "It is an honour entirely undeserved." ("No, no," from the crowd, but a deaf man, not quite catching what Mr. Chalkner had just said, voci- ferously approved the last remark, which was somewhat disconcerting.) "What have I done to deserve this call of my countrymen? Gentlemen, you all know me. I began at the foot of the ladder." ("Financial ge- nius!" shouted someone.) "I toiled by day and studied by night." ("He read the classics," assert- ed Squalitone.) "I devoted myself to business, in my spare moments I endeavoured to improve my mind. You are pleased to say that I have succeed- ed. But does this success qualify me for leader- ship?" ("It does!" was the enthusiastic answer.) "Gentlemen, it takes much to make a statesman. I realize my inexperience. But I will not deny that I have thought much and long on the problems of 19 this country. I will not deny that I think I un, derstand those problems. I am bound to say that, had I the power, I would show the will to solve those problems." He halted here, so that patriotic enthusiasm should express itself.. The solution of one of those problems, I thought, would be simple, if Mr. Chalk- ner could find official positions for a few thousand good men and true, of whom my friend Squalitone was but one example. "Various measures can be taken for the en- richment of the country, gentlemen." ("Hear, hear.") "There are individuals amongst us whose merits-call for recognition." (At this point it was impossible to hear the speaker, so wild was the cheering that arose from those with merits call- ing for recognition. Squalitone especially asked for three extra cheers for "President Chalkner.") "This is not the moment to go into details; there are rival candidates in the field; we must not al- low them to steal our thunder. But, to come to the point, since you have asked me, since you press me to come forward as your candidate for the Pre- sidency of the Jamaica Republic, what can I do but consent?" ("Hip, hip, hurrah!" "For he is a jolly good fellow!" "Chalkner for ever!") "To refuse (Continued on Page 22) IRON AND BRASS FOUNDRY, ENGINEERING, SHIPWORK, BLACKSMITH'S, SHEET METAL .WORK, COPPER- SMITH'S, DESIGNS AND DRAWINGS PREPARED, PATTERNS MADE. Allow us to quote. Ask MASTERTON, Prop. _ " - -- --- - - PLA.TER.S' P UNCH H -III II I IllIIIIloIIII I IIIII l I II 11111111111111II1111 111111 111I u u IIlu lIII l IIII lu11111 1 % % _A When ships can be spared... F OR more than forty years. ships of the Great White war is making terrific demands on United States ship- SFleet have played a vital part in the development ping. Men and materials vital to the actual war effort of trade and commerce between the United States miit he moved first. a -and the Caribbean. Alany wartime essentials, formerly imported al- Thousands of men and woomen sailing on these r.ost exclusively from the Pacific Tropics. are now American flag liners have travelled within these bi ing shipped from the Caribbean area. But when ScLountries promoting good will through science, ships can be spared, after Victory and perhaps before, government. business and the arts. those great food surpluses of the Caribbean espe cially bananas will again come into their own . Below decks these same ships ha carried ba- helping to feed a hungry. war-ravaged world. . nnans coffee, cocoa beans, pineapples and other im- Ilortant export crops to the markets of the United States carried back the fatmr and factory ma- = chinery, aLutomobiles. radios, household appliances, ad o product. Today, as alway-,. the Great White Fleet is proud to = 'irugs. and other products. h .serving the Americas proud to be wearing Today, this traffic is greatly changed. The United wartime gray as it carruis out government orders States are sharing a common stake in the United Na- necessary for Victory and the protection of the entire tions' struggle for victory. It is a war that niist be i'estern Hemisphere. Tomorrow, it will be ready win, no matter how great the sacrifices or how\ difficult to resume its place in the trade and travel, between the disruption of peacetime economic patterns. Global the UIn.ited States and the Caribbean. Great White Fleet UNITED FRUIT COMPANY z -1111111111111111111 1944-45 S1944 45 man the s Lia r HE men and .oficier- ,f our Merchant Marine Ire per Forming i'one of Lhe most dangerous and indi.-sensable job, rof this \\nar. Quietly determinedly .with- -ut fanfare. On voyage after \voyage, they face the hazards of -uiis. bombers. mninis and raiders. Any trip may bring sud- den death ,or long days a;;d nights of suffering in an open life- boat. TlheJ know all tiis. yet they keep going back for inir, S. keep the ships sailing .. so that troops, planes, guns. gas and other vital supplies will get where they're so urgently needed and get there on time! . For more than forty years ships of the Great W'hite Fleet have been manned by staffs who combined the- highest traditions of seamanship with a specialized knowledge of Caribbean waters knowledge that resulted in the efficient care and prompt delivery of invaluable cargoes. Great To.day -hip: .f the Gre:t \\ hite Fleet arie tire se in fillh' iNg gray. Their ija -enger al.comnmodatiutn-: and refrigerated hold. contribute to the SuMce -ful prosecution 'of the war. And the men \vho served ai.oardl them in t me of pu:- stil! ir.ad their decks. giving t" the grnm \.ar eff' rt the SamLe qLialitie- of experience and teadfa..stne-s to duty a in the past. The travel public andl the merchants of the Americas alike look forward to the day \then these gracious American Flag liners may once more ply a L\ |peaceful Caribbean. Meanwhile, all honour to the officers and men of the Merchant Marine. Theirs is the -trength and courage that delivers the go,-,ds of war be the going ever 'o perilous. These men are heroes Sall. We ,of the United Fruit Com- pany a;e proud of them as is every red-blooded American! Fleet UNITED FRUIT COMPANY. WC~I White sq P L .1 V T E R 8' P. C H PLANTERS4' I'T 'I (THE GIFT HE'LL APr sECIATE ABE Ata THE GIFT HE'LL APPRECIATE ABOVE ALL To be practical is the trend of life nowadays, so be up-to- date give practical gifts. useful and not expensive-- * FORFUSED BY FORSYTH Forsyth-wear goes a long way in solving the problem of what-to-give for it carries with it a background of quality, forever reminding one of "a wish come true". TIES SHIRTS AND UNDERTHINGS BY JOHN FORSYTH LTD. *Forfused collars don't wilt, wrinkle or rub. THE LONDON SHOP 21 KING STREET, KINGSTON. I * HIDALGO'S DRUG STORE IHIDALGO LTD.I 6 West Que-e Street. _1 KKliNaGS I"ON. Triumphant Squalitone (Continued from Page 19) would be to show that I am ungrateful to my coun- try and to you. I have made my wealth here. I must now place it at the disposal of the country. Yes, I must place my wealth at the disposal of the country." Everybody became enthusiastic at this decla- ration; it created an excellent effect. Mr. Chalk- ner was not going to try to make money out of the Republic. His wealth was placed at its dis- posal: But other candidates could be accused of dishonest intentions; and the average elector hates like poison the politician he suspects of dishonest intentions. The average .elector knows only too well that he can but gnash his teeth with impotent envy. "But gentlemen," continued Mr. Chalkner, abandoning rhetoric and suddenly speaking in a brisk, businesslike way, "where do we stand? Where is the Republic? What is the Governor do- ing? So far as we know to the contrary, we may be breaking the law at this moment. Friends and supporters, I am going to see the Governor to- day!" The-e last words were so uttered that they mieht be capable of a double interpretation. I took them as meaning that Mr. Chalkner wanted to hear from the Governor what steps the latter was likely to take towards helping on the estab- lishment of the Republic. But the noisier part of the deputation evidently i:i.ns;e.:i liet.t hi' Chill:- ner was about to present ain ultimlrtum to he G-' - ernor. "What courage!" txciLsme.:i :: me' "'.\ statesman, sir, a statesn:.nr' I' l'iul:'. mutnteired others. Mr. Chalkner- was sraliiedi -lie h-'lad gainIedI a new hold on his supporter ty i mcLrely mrnltion- ing that he was going to :ee tie G'. errnor. The Republic, appaii'-ntly. va-z a,-,utLt to march. CHAPTER VI CHALKNER AND SQUALITONE Having announced that he v. as going to see the Governor, Mr. Chalkner Il,:i-t.ut hi- spteechi to. a close and began to shake hands \.ith the men v.lh,. crowded up to him to as-ure him r1t i-s ultimate success. He intimated th.'t they V;. 'il h'er t '..m him shortly, and they bect~ n ti.t l,' e. I nOiti.'.:i, however, that there were a iet.., ai:...it t'.'.enty, w. I. congregated in a corner waitiin; Sqiit.'n .atch- ed them closely. "They are waiting :.-r tlie sprujn:i.idi i,.' explained; "they are goir' tIi ,i:,pu!l.ri-e Cl.:ilknii t with drinks." I understood. These '..=cr p:erse'.ri :ient-. they were called -- who 1-,'i:l::1 I'I.ipn election-: a4 opportunities for assisting the i.cointly I:.:. ,.bl)ain- ing from candidates doles anld gi.-nt t- t.i-e -peji at the rum-shops to the greater cglry r't' h.i r.an.n They might safely be expected et e\pen-nd ..n thr average about one-half i-f v.lwht they lhiuld re- International Sales Company Limited IMPORTERS AND RETAILERS OF HIGH GRADE OFFICE SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT P.O. Box 201 Telephone 2003 Lnc i. e, 11it. :m 1i n l..It;. i.1 ;' It l 1iiecd t .um - p -t i' Iti'O : :' p a se n-- i l I a :- u, i t 'if i ca- i t .i hI.- I tC u L ... I.ui t S p lit l...n' '.. Ilpe li ct .in '- t' i -. lCeI h t c ii tii I _.i.'m i'.1r 'C I li er iI.cck- l-Ii'hIo tl i. ni,-t hI,I r'ci : r,- t :I' :l '. t 1 n 'i, e t.,iu t e thI t llum .n ," ".' ..1- (_l n;r.,-n- hiInlIds One ..-t tnese i-ento iI.i the: ml n. hi E l:g ly. i. .l.tni [ l iti .ag ent aR :t.d th c it t .f y i tt. -: The. Pl t in-l e imu t hl. ni- i eltIedi tr u ..iil i" mei '1"i lou1. :i tha n ll the .,I it J i : l n u -i I. 1' ir. Cii. l'll: t 'l, t ii .'O L .'i i i e .' l brinL tn i h il i th l t um'. l' mc n.l 1 i "tm It 'e.',.Lil'i 5e m 'r tae; Ii- t Lhe p- 11' t i-,t El:,I.t \ Li f'l: l t ,I [ tr.. at:.ie- I h i anl Ch.ii.;ner 1 i y l .i him. .diyliy': ane inohl t th' i mt:Jii pai l me l, I S el.Ed t he -itl 'Ii.t l c.l: Iy r- i cO.Itnt.: E- .i gently, M r Ci alkner ...11 y1 cil .ippr,'," f.-I 1 .. Iai the i '-? y on- !jolicem anrl h.nd (-ithlc1 "i sedit-iori l I Chl.;. Cl iAlliner glnLe i i <.li .r t crlt ctiln f ..ici;e cle Th I. i:: ie-.ed l .s,-nie I-n t 'i'or e f I.in''. ur1. He1 InC l-'.', thl,:(t C liK ner ,uil.'d h. e no i.'.J e the L jutn thin to eln illeing him at'mong the enithlun tic agents it tle c' St ii ut a lie'. po'ur1. pbut l .e netu ied to con- .:iekr him;ell" .1 a mere zing-rt" cift |p.i'aie. at the late -.i muc'Ih pier it ieek S2ii ua litr'ie .'*.'OA- i never ged li.:-m h. tllie t- h ..Ie mlci tinmc utci lor i ny- prie rim me. l I sbeen in lti htl :lit emph I i:int yi nte -I hi pe a ient l msell it eon.'enl.. i timl i." ii uni .eceI- mai i m.'le d m.ne.. inc the had ali'.'ys gone over tro ine enemy v.hin cniiinced that noithmng more '.a'S t-, bee got out -Of Sqialitolne But ,ome instinct' earned d me. as I st,_'c.d there t\'.'jt _ing t ,t Chi lk!ner voul]c ha3'.e no paitiL llar u.Se for Squ( altr-.ne He .,uu .l dMatter him, but he V'A .dd erl it i hm' ",v itri n,- ) nl )-.rtii r m i_;i._..jn He lntv. th.it Sqialait-.lne nAd nrt nLeen a _.i-ccess, and Mr Chall:ner did n,.,t put conri.1cnce n fatiiure' The la.1_ couple of agents *kere h-I3 in'?, ey- In .al,-id that pisperty v.'a -(,_m i? to the c,'-in- t.! b:ein_ led tI. that v.%.y ot thinking by the ex- trc-rdliniary poLperity that had jLust I efvillen them. I F.1id to Sq lstchi1le that. pos.it ely. vie mjst go no ," theIe ',. within' to stay t.r A- ,...-e :tart- ed t,,'.,.v 'i_ the ?t'irz. I heard my name c(Alleid. "D,,n't ':" 0 V. itt i, lt za% i l, .,r,:lo-bc.y M r Crool;z," -n i ,id Ni. Challnci pleas.intl;,. as e came uip to me. "-I see o little o f y..u th't I d,''n't ,.ant .,:,u t.., hurry. aI'v. ay lie the ie-t ,.. my friends. I hope you ill make it con',entnr: to l.iunch ..ithli mE ,n:.me day-"" ** \ ell. yaLI ) le I :, blu y irt nu'. ." .a'1 I. 9 & 11 Church Street Kingston. Makers of Intersalco Products. 1 !11-45 1944 45 I L -4 \ T l .L"S I' UV V' II DOCTOR'S CAVE BATHING CLUB White Sands Beach, Mon.eg Eay. THE FINEST SEA AND SUN-BATHING IN THE WORLD Visitors to the Island are welcome Comfortable, Clean, Sanitary, Dressing Cubicles, Large Spacious Pa\tilon. Diving Tower, Spring Boards Moored Ratts, Beach Umbrellas and Beach Ch.iirs tor the use ot 'Visitors and Nlembers. Pay Montego Ba\ a Visit and Enjoy the Sea and Sun-Bathing under the most Ideal Colldilicn-,. At the DOCTOR'S CAVE BATHING CLUB, MONTEGO BAY. "I anm t buz',. I:,LIt nrie-.i too busy t.I .spend an hour w.vitih any'. .nelt whom I nim bo-un.l lu admire. I hope to lead solmen moite :t yiolr excellent article in "The Mlagnirier." Undoubtedly Air C'halJlner \\as a man of lit- erary taste and ciscriminatition. I telt that I really must wv.rte omne moire special articles l Lo "The .Aagmniier A brnet charracter isketclh .t lIMr. Chalk- ner. wilh sLnclry delicate remarks on his uLrbarnty. his polished manners, and the gene al excellence of hit literary taste. \\wulid. I thought rapidly. be very entertaining. "I must rlrr-p you a iinot one td..l y thls \.eekl about (iur lunch" he w'.ent on. .nmiling. ".A lor my old friend. Iit Snlualhtone. I k nu.-.' he .1.il1 do, his best tior me Upoln menr l e him great d:.il depends." Squnliitoij e ei:et- the Op.'ening "I can tell yi'i. at .-.nee". lie ail. *"'I a mn io has' ,ltten been in the tllir .s oU a I:),litjcil cilntesi. tilit nmo'-t I:.1 those fell,\,. : I a\I.- y.ou gi9.ng n1money to are o:-nl. going tI io: yi.'u Tlhe.y .. t aill t :cay :,t a ruin- shop dour and lit-e text day they '.'.i11 brine ou JL a list V.'ilh the name.' of people \\ ho. they \'.ill tell yOU, thI eyv l :' l i ii t t,, '..t'.e 101:' you. But they wouldn't dare L(en to knock at th ae at of soml:- of tho-e pt:.oil:,!. for the '.eiy d.i.-' ..,oiuld '.tant t'o bite them at sIIlt I knuw "Kio''..ile:ice gained by p iniul pe'rs-'lnll e - periencte. fcli'' sanil ir hailk er iile:ij i .ntly. "Vell. I am riot (ntir'li ll un i '.'.'.lc t i thi: -a.it. -nd inten- tionls oiii' ft -. gentleml.nii my:sell ELPt. IILiu -ee. it is bette tor hi'.e them sit at I!h: .ti .ir ..t Ia rum- shop. -,r a triv theiri i.p. :i'ri ) :l:; wi-ll me. than sEt there and pel:.'i: agalin- mi,: Still. I v. ill bear \..u!r r!c-mlil in r mindri Ilein,.,hil. I hope you wil ne l el 'om e mei- aga -in DI, ciome " He aidli tlh :,- i.. rne-tl, v iI-at t ...t ai monmtnt I behle.ed ll tri'i he c,., ilidet-d, Sq 'i la ',le'; j;siit- ance as the lirit requTilite of success : but whereas he pIubabl:, li iil -ariangel 'd tlh hi; leading sllp- porters the i:lace -nlid lliLr oif their next meeting. he extended it, Squallt..ne only .1 general in'\ta- tion \\'e aii d .,:i-l-day Ito r Ch lalknir,. and went out into tlie l.'iuy Itreet itogetilr In this. the main busine-s tlioriLughIlae iof the ciiy. there w\as plenty of aCti'.ity ti til hour. a good deal of moi\-ement up and down Ladie? passed in their buggies and motor cars on their v.ayv to lie shops: gentlemen. some of whom had been at the Chalkner meeting. were stanrling on the sidewalsl discu;'ing pres- ent and coming events; scores o1 people, black. while and of every intermediate shade passed up and down. and the cro, wded cars and the cabs con- tributed to the ii',einess of the street. As far as I could gather, the mass of the people. having re- covered from their excitement of the day before. were going ,ibtut their bil;rlne (o-i pleasure as usual without g2i\ng a thought to the Republic or Mlr Cuh:iliner The policemen still shoiwedc themsElvel here anrd theie ..iiblie proof that the Unjon .Jai.l: :hll rt.:ated, io the l -e i-.deit contentt- ment of the citizens. Squaltilone wais in a meditative frame of mind "What do you propose doing. Crook?"" he asked me. "I will keep you(r company." I said: "I have nothing particular t:, do \\ wth my time.' My offer did not seem \ery i.welcome: he * hesitated, then said- "Come along then." He led the way to a cro-s-street. along .'.hich we went for a couple of minute;. Then he halted a little distance away from a shop where bread and cakes *4ere cold These cakes. laree. made of cheap flour and broth' n star. are sold at the ,uniform price of three-farthings each. were known as flourcakes generally, and as butterdoughs sat- irically. probably because they had ne-er been within two yard? of butter No one al'o.e the status ot a child o0 a awoiker cared to be known a,, an eater of butterdoughs. and no man liked to be seen buying Ithm. I olbser'.ed that Squalitont cast one swilt glance at the tray in which the cal;es were exposed to the eyes of piissiblc pur- tha srs. and also to tIhe- dut iand rlie- of the street. Then he looked caielully about and bieckoned t'. him a lad about tw\elie years if age. "'Ho\ are you, my son"' lie enqulir'ed patern- ally. The bIlo silid he tildn't k-:no . "Don't know. ehC ? 'ell. that's a put. I .-'.iuld '.ey mnuch lke to kn-:\w the stale ,t v.-iu! health. Isn't he a nice little I-oy, lMr. Crooks' Bright. Inte!!igent Nice little boy You go t,. school. don't you,. my soi '" The boy., plea-ed within all thij piae said ye'. "That's right You'll gr.ow utip to l.e a credit t, your p parents. Y'Liu see tli-l-e things i'.er yon- dtr, my son"' \\With a movement of h Ii headi Squialsto:ne ii- clicated the cake-s. tI:lt thie boy. \wheo d not il':,e- I 11iiloe'. tile movement. lu.lk:ed g'..ii el. a at the op- 'ol te huuses. "Thie cakes I mesa." explained Squdlitone in a tsmi-w\lhisper. "'Thi,,e tli ngs--bititer>lougIhs. I v.oulld like to taste one ot them Ciould y'ou run. kl-:e a nice little boy. ,and buy a couplee lor me' Bring 'em to the stiect corner: I '\ ill! '.: t for y.-u theie.' and lie slipped:l three halfpenc into tIhe .-.1'. hand aind moi\ tc quickly a:'.'.'a to the corner '..f the -lreet. when he became at 'once immersed In a profound study of the neighborhoods' archi- tecturie. The boy l:.rought lthle cakes halfl-i-r:ppe: in a I.,it of o!ld news\papcr. Squa~ltorne clipped thrnm into his pocket, and. forgetting to thank the bearer. went hurriedly towards a large building which I knew. to be the Public Liblrary of Kingston. I BARTHOLOMEW LANE \wI' pIned at thi'S p: l.o i l i badI)l, I',I.i' :ciaIl condi- Il'n. His. objet. in rlattering tlhe I..d twas no.'. abundant tly Irc' ealei- He .in-, giing i.. lIunl.h on i butle-rdolghli :-,Id I-ls i;uLli ioom 1AI,,old le tlle Library. "'Plain l, inc aindi high thinkiiiii. Croul:-. a-re remmecmmenld bt. a gie.it '.I.riter." ht.e obi-)er'.ed by \.ay o,.f explanation "l can't lun.ih ion ls than a riourc.,ke anl:i plenty v high thinking c.iin be done in the Lilrary. I n'..er iutnilh at h ome, a you knot. and I .'ullid ne' el let Mil. Squi litoll3 .'! knwi ','.!hat I -,,metlimn la e tlor !un lch It V.ould depres- he r: -he ..- liirn and blul 11tght lip a ladI,. Remember. C ,rk -. I c.'.uld hl'.e g'ot mnony truni Chaikrner. but I v a- a',bi'.e that A politic1.i -slouid have pi nt iplez." \\e entered ltie bt llding., Ihe i':--it n in 1 1hil ,..e [OUl.- :' Li' SII-'. ei .'J it? ,12e and ioi. ( .'. tn cIe .C stacked 1 \i1th1 it'i,- k- 0andin2 to il3e i iilt and lett, a number i'f I.,ing t b.iiile -et cl...s- to ..-.ne ii luthi-r in the centre il Ithe i...um. iind ihsal i aAround thlii lengtil ol: tables At lthe opposite e en-I f ihe too,- I),,:Ok-cas'e wev e I .'r'iiged .'as to tiim a -sort '1 -l.E n <(,r pai t tl.n. .nd l:.ehind tli s [,partition v.,-.; .i t.iile \ ith chairs. ,. liee paying mincmber- of the Ii:iuntution m iht i,.it in a sort A t -emi-pl C.ac.\ To'.i.ac ds his 1:,i..l:-ca-e pilr'ltiton Scqual3tone aln I '. enlt. id too t l ..-.-- i.hairi: in fi nt i-,f it. I sunk into m.. seat ::'.'tli a igli of c nltentment I h'.,! I een -'and:ing tlir a l-ng time Squalitone r l, ..e l .e t vi- l. -!:-.-h -.:] ._. ah.i a-l: .: th-e attend.iri: ; l.brimng him l i.- 111 i '.ll: lum ..- the Enriy'cl''p.-led!. Blritanlnll.: Th e lhuge tome S u br':'lg'hlt. ihe opol-d-i it c..Ett-eliy :It ilhe trat- i-e on AgricUilLture. i -LIliect ill 'i'.' .. h i e hI ial 1 t She 'I:ghtest initere But i'.. l a i-a bool: ope!n- ed. one part le-tirig ...n the edge .,f the table. 'he other proppe d up :'by 'i; i lest. he could e'eryl nl..\ and then slip hi handl into I1is pocket. break orf a sm:il bit of ca:ke andi convey it ti. his mouth -- LONDON. E. E. The Alliance Assurance Co., Ltd. ENGLAND. ESTABLISHED OVER A CENTURY. ASSETS EXCEED ,10.000.000 ABSOLUTE SECURITY. For all Classes of Fire Insurance. APPLY SIR WILLIAM MORRISON. ATTORNEY & AGENT. 85 HARBOUR STREET KINGSTON. USING IT UP?...- That's the thing to do in war- time. Eat every bite of food, save every scrap of soap, make a patriotic habit of stretch- ing all the supplies in the house so they go further, last longer. MAKING IT DO ?... Before you spend a penny in wartime, ask yourself, "Do I really need this? Or do I have something now that will do?" As you patch and darn and turn and make over, you're keeping prices down. ' WEARING IT OUT?.. This year old clothes, old shoes are a badge of honour. They show you're sensible enough to know that one way. to help win the war, to keep prices down, is to wear your old things out. OR DOING WITHOUT?.. When you save and don't spend, when you put your money in the bank, in invest- ments, in taxes, in insurance you are putting your money to work for your future security. AND FOR SERVICE QUALITY SAVINGS HiOPn AT ' GETTING DOWN Repairs and Servicing AW'hactever the make cOr or truckk. t's a safe bet 'henl 'ii il rnq it to us to be tix:ed up or o-.ei- hauled. Ducoing and Upholstering Fon"' [iL tir: t in d -ic' LI. c t". erinc, is ,1e ,t ur:L1 s1recial lines. Used Motor Cars It ,-ou are bu'i,'In or sell- inj, see us. We have rnim ci excellent ilnitS, ill all makes, all lead:" for the road. 1944-45 - -1v Machine Shop Work Repairs to acll kinds of macchineiry: gas, steam, oil and coal engines, pL Iips, d',-narms, gjene- rot,3 rs. If the job .cant conte to ius, v.'e go to it. Nurnilurc We rmcinufactCture the fam- Ocu STY'LBUILT BR AND Furniture. B e a ui t i f u 1. sturdy' priced right ... in p e r io d. modernistic or futuristic d e s i q : n f,,r hc.nmet :-ffces. stores .r. public b uilding.s. Their ducoed surfaces resi:t heat ,.:d cold. UNITED MOTORS Ltd. 1-3 EAST PARADE KINGSTON with a casual movement as though he were strok- ing his moustache. I looked keenly at the other readers. Some of them were also thoughtfully stroking moustaches. Here and there, against walls and book-cases, the warning "Silence" was dis- played in red letters. This was regarded by some of the people as an invitation to animated conver- sation. Squali.one himself, after consuming about half his cake, looked up from Agriculture and said to me- "Chalkner invited you to lunch, Crooks." "He asked you to go and see him, too," I re- plied hastily. "Yes, but not to lunch with him: I couldn't but notice that. Well, I don't mind. I am down, and I don't expect to be invited to lunch nowadays. There was a time when I would not have invited Chalkner to lunch: so we are quits." He returned to Agriculture for about half a minute. Then- "He asked me to go and see him, but did he mean anything by that? I saw him yesterday. He said I could be at the meeting to-day. I was there, I encouraged him; many times when he was hesitating for a word, and might have shown the poverty of his mind, I led the cheering and gave him time to recover himself. Do you think that man is deceiving me, Crooks?" I said I felt sure he wasn't. "He is quite capable of it. He wouldn't have been a success in this country if he was not cap- able of every deception. However, I will stick to him. I will not desert him, until he proves himself unworthy of my support. But he has hardly acted towards a political factor like me as simple commonsense would have dictated." There was a movement behind the book-case partition. Through the door at that end of the room two gentlemen were coming in. By peep- ing through the gaps in the rows of books I could see them very easily. I recognized them as two of those I had noticed an hour before at Chalk- ner's meeting. They were well-known profession- al men of Kingston. They stood by the table, searching among the magazines. One man continued the conversation in whieh they had evidently been engaged on their way to this place. "I went, of course," he said, "because I pro- mised Pepkins to go. But I really take no inter- est in these elections. I don't want to make an enemy of Chalkner however, and I suppose he is as good as anyone else. But how long will he last?" "That I cannot say," cb-)e. '. d hIi.s ctmliunion. "He is very popular now, i:i'rhliap. bIut that means. nothing; he may become iirp,,pular .six months hence. "And then there will be n ir-' l-,ucioin "We shall not be allo.'.ed tor ha.e that ex- perience, fortunately. Three day. aigo w\\e \were a Crown Colony with semi-repic- eentati\c instilu- tions. To-day I don't know '. hat \t.e are A week hence we shall probably be a Cro\v.n Col.'iny Re- public." "What in the name oz icarin i that:' asked the first man, and I heard inm lalughl "A Republic with the pic-Ecit Go, ernment in full possession--as usual!" "Let us hope so. But tailing of Chalkner: what do you think of Bloodltone '"c "A very good man if lie '.veit- a little mrire active." Then the two men wnct uptl)StlIs. Looking round again at Si:litilltoe. I found Ihe had deserted Agriculture, and itadl been li-teni;n with ears, eyes and mouth. "Did you hear that?" he '.vhi;pered: "Blood- stone is a very good man. Lack- activity If that could be supplied by an energetic friend who un- derstands elections?-" Squalitone was already picturing himself a; an Angel of Energy quickening into electoral act- ivity the' excellent but some.: hat lethlarcic Blond- stone! CHAPTER VII A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL Flaring headlines in the "Daily 1lagnifier" and in its rival the "City Truth" announced next morn- ing to the country that Hi- Excellency the Go- vernor had summoned a special meeting of the Legislative Council for 2 p.m. that day. This \%wa unusual; ordinarily the legislators were given at least a week to prepare for the session. But the customary routine of life was -!uppo-ed to be gravely disturbed just now, and the first editorial in "The Magnifier" warmly commended His Ex- cellency for taking the country by surprise. "We do not need to think now." said the editor: "what we need to do is to act. Let us do something, no matter what. The country will be delighted with this activity, and the main aim at present should be to keep the country in a pleasant frame of mind." I decided that I would attend that afternoon's meeting of tlhe Council. My article Ion Chilkner had appeared: I would send it to him with my compliments during the day. and when I met him later on he wi.ould be sure to thank me. There was going to be a contest I:eteen him and Blood- stone: "Thle Magnifier" said so. and, in its second leader. "'The Mlagnifier" showed a tendency to support Bluioiotone. The reason was- obiioius: Bloodstone's friends were moving in his behalf; there were half-a-dozen signed letters fiom pro- minent persons commending Mr. Bloodstone to the country as the only man who cold sate the Republic. By these writers Mr. Chalkner was alluded to in terms of commiseatllon '..hereas Mr. Bloodstone was proved to be a man of the most asl'.in!liine merit. It is wondlertul how a man's good qualities are discovered at election time "There's Bloodstone!" said someone behind me and I saw the gentleman mentioned coming slow- ly up the broad flight of -teps that led frmi- the yaid to t he \erandah. He looked about sixty. and. though not as tall as Mlr Chalkner. as cer- tainly of dignified appearance. His carefully- \waxed mustache, his short, well-trimmed iron- grey beard, straight nose. grey-blue eyes and lofty forehead impressed one favourably. His face expressed pride, but, though mustache and beard hid it somewhat, his mouth gave indication. i not exactly of weakness, at any rate of no great degree t determination Chalkner w.?s the stironier man. But this man had at least four generations ._,f family behind him, and the letters in that mourning's "ilagnifier" showed that he was not without a powerful backing. On the whole, it was just as well I had not signed my published appreciation of Mr. Chalkner. A subdued cheer greeted Mr. Bloodstone as he came on the verandah, and a score of persons stepped forward to shake hands with him. He evidently enjoyed his popularity; he was smiling, gracious. yes. more than gracious, for I saw him Listen tor as long as half-a-minute to Squalitone, who suddenly appeared from nowhere and made a igorous assault upon Mr. Bloodstone's good na- ture. When I perceived Squalitone. I of course pretended not to see him. It is all \ery well to be friendly \With a man in private life. but he can- not possibly expect you to recognize him when a number ot distinguished persons are near. No sooner had Mr. Bloodstone entered the Coun- cil Chamber than from the street came the sound of cheering. An elegant motor car had run up to the outer steps. and from it two ladies and a ARE YOU? PLANTERS' TO FACTS - -L- P CH ~i~$9~ PLANTERS' PUNCH gentleman (ldscended TIe rujl limoni the crowd was evi'.lnce ot the popularity of tile mar. We leant eagerly forward; tmrm t[le outer step, uof Headquarters House iMr Chalkner \was boiwvine t:. the people, and the l.a lies were smiling at them, smiling gdaly. especially the younger one. Charm- ingly dressed ill the latst fha-hiun.r, ali ChalknEr made a bright picture as shle trapped up lte steps after Irepoinding to the crowd's salutation I heard a m.irmui of admiration trom the men. fur Ella Chalkner was a beauty. She hEiid it t':u: I ceid that in her eye:: then she and her mother passed into tle Council Chamber, escorted by an Inspec- tor of Polbee. v.ho was all gallantry. Mi. Chalk- ner :tL.\ye:d bIehind to speal; to the men onil the \er- andah. But his political strength \as in the streets. Mil.it of the men inside were for Blood- stone Juit a \ wr..i he gave me. "excellent article in this mn.,i nirng' paper: thank you For I had written about him. as promised. But all there s3\a him speal:. shal:e hands \iith me, and my personal tri- umpih .'..iz complete. One man who had avoided me biei.le came up to me now with a smile. I cut him dead. A quickly \:..rd of command, cheering, then the strain' of the National Anthem Slowlyv. preced- eld 1, ,i ldrzen m hinted policemen, with bright sw'.'rdi: drawn arid horses prancing and rearing. the Gii'.ernor's carriage rolled up to the entrance of the Legislative Hall. H,. Excellency de.cendeid from the cai'ri.ge, lhe mo't c'1ipeoLi rigu ire o(if that da.y' pageantry., with ;t-a aidrl medals blazing on his breast. At once he '.id., 'l'rr'ilunded il y uniformed oticeir., naval :oiici nilit. y. there \ia- a s lutlingl of the rlag. a raisin-. ui hats. a clatter ol swurds. an-d the Go-'- erno.r nti:l hi encourage had passed int.-, tie Hall. The cro\dc. both in and iout of tlhe Council Chamber. was expectant. A hundred eyes were ixedi on the Gj\ernor's lace. He knew it, and he contii.ed to env.el.'p his face in a cloud of mys- teri The Cohnial Secretary noticed this, and st once ie en~meliped his face in a cloud of: mystery. Exainple ri contaeioiui In another r;\e minute'. even ief.ire the Clerik of the Council had finished readrin- the minutes of the last meeting, there \-:I perhal:.i but one man in that Hall whose face did not ex.pie; the lipofoiundest of my.tlerie. and he wa Mil Clil:lkner I believe that if the Go-ernor had tain'ed \ve slih, ldl all have fainted '.loo. The Cle k I nlaling sileeded thrr'ugh the minutes. I wh\ilich n. i.l.ne had listened, the Governor asked if the minutes were to be taken as correct A. nobody had heard them. no one could truthfully answer: but a iery young member, feeling that the op- porltunity should not pas \without a remark frI'im him, begged to call the attention of the President to the lact that. on page toLir of the minute: in the sixth ltne of tile third paragraph, there was a comma \ here there should have been a semicolon. He explained at create length that he did not wish to take up the time of the House, but that, at this grave ctisis careful punctuation was a matter of the utmost importance, and he should not be doing his duty toi his constituents ani by the country at large ,I he Ilidl nit ailt thle C.utincil's attention to the serious mistake that had been made. All would have been well if the young mem- ber had not used the words "serious mistake." But those words implied a sort of censure on the Clerk of the Council, and he was the last man in the world to put up with that. Therefore, in a tone of voice very different indeed from that in which he had read the minutes, but which he ap- parently intended to be merely a whisper design- ed for the ears of the erring one, he said: "If you think you can punctuate better than I, you can try to teach me!" This of course was most irregular. But then the Clerk of the Council was afraid of no one, was intellectually the equal of anyone, and was certainly not going to allow a new member of the Council to talk of him as he liked. "I will not stand this, sir!" shouted one of the older members of the House, springing suddenly to his feet. "My honourable friend on my right hand-no, on my left hand-may be, it is true, a new-comer in this House. But I submit, sir,- and I am going to ask for a ruling on this point- that he has a right to make corrections without being caught up so sharply by the Clerk. There is no man who has a higher opinion of the Clerk than myself. I have known him for years, and I recognize his great ability. Time and again we have discussed political procedure together, as it *'*^"'^^ ^'^^'^**"'^*^^^^*^.*^*^^*.*...A.^^A..'^t^^*^*.. .3. .3, T T X x .3. x s 0 I x '4 .3 .3 .3 20 .3. .3. Norwich Union Society Norwich, Fire, Earth Hurricane, M Drawn Vehic Accident ar Travellers' Workmen's [ AND OTHER LIVINGSTON 8 AGE Duk 'e Street, is laid down by May for the guidance of the Mo- ther of Parliaments. And, sir-" "Order, order!" interrupted the Governor, "the honourable member must confine his re- marks to the subject. I believe he was discussing a comma. He must confine his remarks to com- mas." "And to semicolons, sir. Commas are com- mas, and semicolons are semicolons. I lay it down as an incontrovertible principle that there is a great deal of difference between the two. My le- gal friends, with whom this House abounds, will support me when I say that there is a great deal of difference between a comma and a semicolon. I believe that my legal friends do not use stops at all: that is for the purpose of occasioning ambigu- ity. But, sir, is this Council to wink at ambigui- ly? Are we here to-day for the purpose of wink- ing at ambiguity?-" "We'll be winking and sleeping presently if you don't stop and let us get to business," was the sharp remark of an elected member who had been impatiently listening to his colleague's speech. But the speaker was not daunted. "Sir," he continued, "these idle interruptions (Continued on Page 27) Fire Insurance | Ltd. England. Quake and | otor, Animal- I 4.T :les, Personal I id Sickness, Baggage, 'ompensation,l INSURANCES 4 k ALEXANDER NTS. Kingston, Jamaica. Y __._X X3 WHEN YOU WANT A WATCH .... CHOOSE AN ELGIN THE WORLDS IMOSTIMODERN 7IMEFIECE L. A. HENRIQUES "Tne Favoirite Jlewellery St:re" 70 KING STREET, KINGSTON, JA., B.W.I. - 4.* ,,t,,,~~tttl~ -------------------- 1944 4.1 I PLANTERS' PUNCH Ahe HAPPINESS WE BRING.... Throughout these troubled times, we have presented as a matter of record, the onward march of the enemy.... the brutal onslaught of his armies against the peace- loving Nations. All this was necessary the way we look at it. We had to show you in graphic pictures, the tyranny that threatened to enslave the world, so that you would have a clearer understanding of the enemy we had to defeat. It has been our privilege also, to present the lighter events of life ... the loves and comedy that is part of a world at peace. Today, with a pride beyond compare we are bringing you the news of the Allied March to Victory and in striking contrast, the disorganized retreat of the com- mon enemy. Looking toward the horizon of peace, where goodwill toward men will be the solemn tiust of all peoples, we are grateful for the privilege of serving you, and proud of the happiness we bring. PHLRCE BRINGS THE WORLD -t- - /---. - - m -- .--- ; ___ _-- __ EK RmuSEmE.T [.. (1921) LTD. OF ENTERTAINMENT TO YOU AT THE PALACE E MOVIES - GAIETY - TIVOLI 1944-15 4 PLANTERS' PUNCH Triumphant Squalitone (Continued from Page 25) will but persuade me to go over the whole ground again I have said that a comma is a comma-" "Reilly," said the Governor, rising with de- precatory wave of the hand, "Really, I must ask the honourable member to abbreviate his speech. We inlve a great deal to do to-day, and we can't spend all our time over a correction of the minutit-. Will the honourable member who first spokteL.- -:ttisfied if the Clerk puts a semicolon in- tenad of : comma in the sentence?" But tie honourable member, in the excite- mert ..,I the moment, had lost sight of the line that called aloud for correction; and, being surprised it the dll cct question of the President, he hastily rose to Ili feet and said that he thought a full stop would, in the circumstances, be the best thing possible "I think so, too," said the Governor dryly, and tie Council laughed. So did the more important vi ito rs But when the ordinary citizens outside the bar \eretured to laugh, the presiding policeman nearly had a fit. "Any notices?" asked the President, when the matter of the minutes had been disposed of. Every elected member rose, one after the other, and gave notice that at the next meeting of the Cou.ncil he would ask some member of the Gov- errment bide of the House "the following ques- timos." .As this was likely to be the last meeting ut the House, I could not see how those questions coulti eve be answered. But the members did not seem to worry about that. "Any petitions?" Every elected member rose at one and the same tmce- with a petition in his hand, when the Clerk .,ft the Council reminded the President that the Committee on Petitions had not yet been ap- pointe.': "That is quite true, sir," said the Attorney Gen.'l--. "the Committee will be named later on. But I think, sir, that we have all been a little ir- resulrit tr-day: we always are irregular on the first c.1, i.f the Council. I understand-I speak open to co:rection-that it has always been the cus- tom ot v:,ir Excellency, in opening the Council, to c.,d y..ur opening speech before the minutes of the last meeting are read and the regular busi- ne- p,., eeded with. Now I am not sure that this has been done on this occasion. I don't as- ,ict it a;i fact: perhaps my attention was taken up .by -omething else at the moment your Excel- lency i.,.. delivering your highly interesting Speech B it if I am right, sir, then I am afraid that .e Ilave been-well, not wrong, that would be tlo. strong a word, but a little off the custom- aty line of action." He bowed courteously to the Governor and sat do.'. n The Governor beckoned the Colonial Secretary to him, and the two, with heads close to .,ne another, engaged in an animated conver- satini.i. Then nearly everybody in the House engaged in a subdued but animated conversation. The or- dinary citizens on the other side of the bar shook their heads seriously, being absolutely persuaded that a grave error had been committed, which might threaten the safety of the country; the elect- ed members conferred earnestly, as though this wa; rin .pportune moment for bringing off a poli- tlcal coup which should demonstrate that they were bii,:,e making mistakes; two of the official memi:.e!s took advantage of the moment to fall a:leep: .vhile the other official members kept on whipering to show that, anyhow, they had the in- terest i.,f orderly procedure at heart. The ci.,nversation between the Governor and ri, chief lieutenant, the Colonial Secretary, came to an e.nd at last. The latter retired to his seat; the foriier rose to his feet. Instantly the whole Couiincil role, stood to attention. There was the filerne *-t respect. "I mu.-t thank the Honourable Attorney Gen- eral for calling my attention to the lapse on my part." -aid the Governor quietly. "These are times \ huen one is apt to forget customary proce- dure: i.'ur minds are disturbed and our thoughts disltiated by strange events which occur with sin- gularl rapidity; we are living in a whirlpool of change, and the best of us are not infallible. I thereiforc apologise to the Council for my omis- sion, ann i ill proceed to read my speech." He paused, and I glanced at Mr. Chalkner. I had glanced at him several times during the past half-hour: there was a slightly cynical smile on his face all the while. He alone had not looked m.vsteioui when others had done so, and now he did not :ppear to be awaiting His Excellency's an- nouncement with any particular anxiety. The truth is. Chalkner seemed to be mocking at every- one and everything. But only a keen observer would have perceived that. I wondered why, with such great prospects before him, he looked so un- concerned. CHAPTER VIII THE GREAT DEBATE The Governor swept the Council Chamber with his eyes, cleared his throat slightly, and took up his written speech. "Honourable Gentlemen," he began-["You could have heard a pin drop," said the newspaper reports the next morning] "I have specially sum- moned you here by telegraph today, to place be- fore you the commands which have come to us from His Majesty's Imperial Government. The general tenor of those commands you have al- ready read in the daily newspapers. For reasons which have seemed to His Majesty sufficient and good, the ancient and loyal colony of Jamaica is to be transformed into a Republic. "Other Governors, gentlemen, have assisted at inaugurating different eras in this colony. I never expected, when I came to Jamaica, that it would fall to me to assist at the birth of the Ja- maica Republic. I, however, will do my best to inaugurate the new order of things, and I am sure I can rely upon your loyal co-operation and sup- port. "My orders, I may say, are very brief. They amount to the barest instructions to establish a Republic. I have wired back for further general instructions, but in the meantime I have thought it wise to make such arrangements as I think ne- cessary in the interests of the Republic. The Col- onial Secretary will lay before you the supplemen- tary estimates of expenditure which I shall ask you to pass without delay. You will notice that the first item is 30,000 pounds for increasing the Police Force. "Honourable Gentlemen, I need hardly say to you that the foundation of a country's morality is a strong Police Force. It is the safeguard of the honest citizen, and it helps materially to keep the dishonest out of the way of temptation. As a necessary corollary, I am asking you to vote an- other 30,000 for the enlargement of our General Penitentiaries. I do not foresee that we shall have a larger number of inmates than before: I hope not. But we are obliged to recognize that the bulwark of all orderly industrial development is a sufficiency of prisons; the building of peniten- tiaries also gives us an opportunity of indulging in our laudable ambition to see the city and towns of this island endowed with imposing monuments of architecture. "You will be expecting me to say when I shall hand over the Government to the President and National Assembly that our electors will chose. Frankly, I do not know. No precise instructions have yet come to me on that point. But the elec- tion will take place shortly: the date will be an- nounced in the Official Gazette in a day or two. To-morrow the nomination of candidates for the Presidency will take place. "I think you will agree with me that we must go slowly. The principle of 'watchful waiting' is one in which I thoroughly believe. It is a safe rule in politics never to do to-day what can be put off until to-morrow: this often renders it un- necessary for you to do anything at all. You may think that I contradict myself by asking you to in- crease the Police Force at once. It is not so. The policeman is supposed to be watchful, and he is invariably waiting. Unkind critics of the Force have even suggested that he is usually waiting at the wrong place. "Honourable Gentlemen, you will, I know, ac- quiesce in this decree of His Majesty's Government. You have been contented as colonists. Try to be contented as republicans. I expect that you will set an example to all neighboring Re- publics, especially as the constitution of this country is likely to be entirely different from that of all other known Republics. "The Clerk will read to you Messages from me in regard to other items of expenditure. Cer- tain Bills will also be placed before you. I un- derstand that it is the wish of this Council that no controversial matters shall be brought forward at this session, and that is also my wish. I do not think that the legislation to which I shall invite your consideration will be considered controver- sial." He ended, and the Council sat down. It was clear that we were to have a Republic, but it was decidedly not clear what sort of Republic we were (Continued on Page 30) ST. JAMES BENEFIT BUILDING SOCIETY MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA. ESTABLISHED 1874-F. M, HOYT, SECRETARY. Why Pay Rent? This Society makes it possible to own your own Home. See the Secretary for particulars. ]ahers found Jederal yeast easier to RBae MANN CHUNG TONG & CO. 120 BARRY STREET, KINGSTON DISTRIBUTORS FOR JAMAICA The Federal Yeast Corporation, BALTIMORE, MD., U.S.A. It9l-4-4. 28 PLANATTERS' PUNCH 1944 5 -0 tj 4) Nunn= #4* 4) - ra 0 u P, tj > 4) tj . ut 0 > ~t V 0 a)) r ( Iam) ~- B- 9-4 tj -M 4)e 0 4) r. 0 0 U0 o V4 u0 0 - 0 u, a, a) U ) 0 '0 .1-~4 .r w S 2E ~ ...... t P uU ,a a)C Q 0 > ti .4) ~I. 0 u '4) 4) ' 0 4) C3 E~~j tja 1 E 0 E-~: tj 02tj o E- a t 0 364 u > E: cl E: r4 f 4) 4) w rQ rt":;' p E-4 tj w =4 in E-1 m~ 1:11 1 1-I , PLANTERS' PUNCH S S 0 wir 0 0 3 0 U2 g w 0 s ( Czl C) o.a a0 t0 'o 0) 03 o) ~ s'l zr . o4- a) S 0 a o g o ra g.o 2 S b45 0SU 0 -. 0 a o U,-o "tj ' 1 .5.. a0.0 C3o ^S S4 J2 S ^.'S C= wM w 0 0 U 0 0 U a 0 0 tL Ct 3: 0 >-t .Z 5P =C= -CO.- d o a a0 0 o 0 1 o PLANTERS' PUNCH To Mary with Love -and an eye to the future. For the most generous gifts in your power to give-put Life In- surance on your Christmas List this year. Through the )Dominion Life Edu- cational Trust Plan, for instance, you can make certain a college ediu- cation for your girl or boy. Or through the Dominion Life Multiple Protection Plan you can guarantee the future security and protection of your wife and family- and for yourself, a regular income when earning days are done. A Dominion Life Assurance Com- pany's representative will gladly discuss the plan best suited to your needs. Or, if you wish, phone or write for details. GERALD MAIR, Branch Manager, Coronation Buildings. Kingston. Travelling Representatives: Lister Mair, Augustus 1). DeLeon, II. J. Clare, W. Thompson, Cecil S. Burke, A. II. DunI il. J. A. Wil- liams, Wm. St. B. Hall, C. IT. Hut- chinson. ~I Triumphant Squalitone (Continued from Page 27) to have. But the elected members would deal with that subject. We waited in breathless sus- pense. The Colonial Secretary rose and asked leave to move that the Standing Orders of the Council be suspended in order to enable him to move that certain supplementary estimates be considered. These preliminaries were gone through speedily, and we came to the estimates. Then the Colonial Secretary moved that 30,000 should be devoted to the strengthening of the Police Force. The Attorney General second- ed. "I rise to oppose the vote, sir," said one of the older members. "I rise to oppose the vote!" Ah! here was op- position at last. The battle royal was to be open- ed. There was an impressive pause. "I have listened, sir," said this elected mem- ber, "to all that Your Excellency has said. You have appealed, sir, to our loyalty, and expressed the belief that we shall quietly acquiesce in the decision of His Majesty's Government that a Re- public shall be established here. But, sir, loyal though we may be, we are also men. Now when, at the last session of this Council, I asked that a new bridge should be provided for my parish, I was told that there was no money; and yet I am asked to-day to sanction the expenditure of 30,000 for more policemen! Rather than do that sir, I say-abolish all policemen! And if a Re- public means more money for policemen, I say- away with the Republic! Who has asked for the Republic? And what is a Republic? Nobody here knows except myself. A Republic, sir, is a place where they have revolutions, bubonic plague, yellow fever, cockfights, bull-fights, dese- cration of the Sabbath Day and payment of legis- lators. The payment of legislators is the only good point about a Republic. That is an example which Jamaica should follow. But we can follow it with- out being a Republic, and it will cost this country much less than 30,000 a year. That money, sir, will never be voted by me for the purpose mention- ed." He resumed his seat, fanning himself vigor- ously with his handkerchief. His face expressed unalterable resolution. Five other men sprang up to speak: two offi- cial and three elected members. The President nodded to one of the latter. "I support what my honourable friend has just said," began this speaker; "but he has not gone far enough. Sir, the elected members are not being fairly treated by the Government. We are a long- suffering body of men, and some of us can be easily flattered by pleasant remarks: but the worm will turn, and I am turning now. Have the mem- bers on this side of the House carefully considered these supplementary estimates? If so-though I doubt it-they will have discovered that while we are asked to vote huge sums of money for unne- cessary purposes, there is not anywhere one penny set down for providing ice-water for the members of this Council. I know it will be said, sir, that I am thinking of our personal comforts and not of the interests of this colony; but when we come here day after day, and are only given hot water to drink, it is time that a solemn protest was made. "Let any member go to the ice-pitcher in the lobby. What will he find there? Ice-water? No! I don't say that some ice was not originally in the pitcher, but I do say it was a very small piece, for the water now is simply undrinkable. I have a glass of it before me as I speak. 30,000 for po- licemen and not a penny for ice! Are these the sort of estimates to be placed before this House? I pause for a reply." To say that this charge against the Govern- ment created a sensation would be to put it mild- ly. It is true the ladies present seemed inclined to laugh, but the official members especially knew that the matter had to be dealt with in a serious spirit. The Colonial Secretary rose hastily. "Or a point of explanation, sir," said he. "The hon ourable member who has just spoken will perhapE allow me to explain. Ice is provided, though it is not specifically put down in the estimates. II any case it would never be put down in the sup elementary estimates. The expenditure on ic goes under the heading of Miscellaneous, and thi is the first time I have heard of any complaint or the subject. I shall have it enquired into without delay. The House can even, if it likes, appoin a committee to enquire into the subject." "That is all very well," retorted the complain ing speaker bitterly, "but while you are enquir ing, we are suffering." An ironical laugh fror the other elected members showed that their ange was aroused. A crisis was imminent. Would the elected members rise and leave the House in a body They had done that before. It is true they ha come back, nevertheless it was considered a ver grave matter for them to rise and depart. Th 1944-45 Attorney General thought he would throw oil on i the troubled waters. "If the House will permit me, sir,"' he began with gentle earnestness, "I may be able to smooth matters over. Let me say at once that I am en- tirely in sympathy with all that members on the other side have said on the subject ot ice-water It is no use pretending that the subject is not a se- rious one: it is a serious.one. But, H', the Gov- ernment has never meant to ignore the thirst of the elected members. We all know that when ,members speak a lot they must be thiirt.v. There has been some carelessness somewhere, but I am sure it is not due to parsimony or wiltul neglect. The matter will be carefully enquired int. --it imst be-and in the meantime I would beE honourable members on the other side of the Houie to exer- cise a little patience and be content ith warm water." The Superintending Medical Officer was ris- ing, presumably for the purpose of assuring the House that, on the whole, warm water was a very healthy drink, when the Governor waved him back to his seat and assumed himself the office of peacemaker. The members became all attention. We all felt sure that His Excellency would find an excellent way out of the difficulty. "Ever since I have presided over this Coun- cil," he said, "my one thought has been to admit by word and deed the rights and privileges of the elected members. One of their m,:-t important rights-I might almost say their most important right-is to be supplied with ice-water. And therefore it distresses me deeply to know that, at this critical period of our history as a Council and Colony there has been a temporary violation of an established right. Will honourable elected mem- bers take my word for it that this s:al! not occur again? I admit that the Governme:nt has had to be very economical of late. But I shall '.e 'y care- fully go over all the Votes of Expelditure. and I have no doubt that I shall be able 10 effect uffl- cient saving out of some of them to enisi'e a steady supply of ice on every day that the C.our:cii meets. I think that sixpence a day, for a coupie of weeks, would cover our requirements, and perli-h'p I hall be able to get that out of the Educati ,n \lte. I give the House my word on this; me.nw.hle I think that, after my promise, honouaible mem- bers will not refuse to pass the Votel fr police and prisons and other necessities ,.lii ch I have placed before them." It was a masterly speech: full if c-lplomacy and tact, and all that sort of thing that is what the newspapers said the next day, an:.ho'. i. And it had its effect. On the following day, amidst ireat vnthusi- asm, Mr. Chalkner and Mr. Bloodstone '.'eie noml- nated for the Presidency of the Repubi c iI, the hall of the Legislative Council of Jamaica. Fi.e hun- dred persons assembled for the tlnclion. The newspapers computed the number at about ten thousand. CHAPTER IX BERTHA'S DECISION S "Why are you avoiding me, Beitha''" S "I am not avoiding you, Mr. Gresih..m. and you must not call me Bertha." "I have called you so before." "And I told you not to." S "No, you didn't; you said I mus:n't l:t : nyNbody Shear me." "Well, somebody might hear \.'u n.i.l; and anyhow you are not to call me by my Christian Samee" "There! That is just what I F.ii. For the Last couple of days you have been ax :cidingi me. and Snow you say I am not to call you Berth What is the matter?" I was an unwilling eavesdropped Betli., and - Harry were talking in the garden, and their sub- d dued voices showed that they did nut v.1ant to be v overheard; but how could I help hearing Squali- s tone and the two younger girls had gone out. Mrs. n Squalitone was somewhere in the irea. For the - sake of economy the electric light in the drawing- s room had been turned off, and sitting where I was h in my usual chair in my usual corner ,it the \er- n andah, I could not easily be seen, the \ ine screening me from observation. e "Nothing is the matter," I head Bertha say s coldly; "but I think it is you who ac a oiding us, n not I who am avoiding you." t "Nonsense! Why should I avid i'io'"" it "You are always here on Tue.asdaye -enings, but you weren't last night." "Business was the cause of that. I had to go -to my office." n "And on Monday night you had to go to the r Chalkners'." "But to-night I am here." d "That's only because you have nothing of im- i? portance to do." d- "Now look here, Bertha, be reasonable. We y have been such excellent friends that I don't want ie you to think badly of me. You know qul'e well I'PL .AY T'RS' PUNCH I wuuid rather be here th:il anywhere elie. Haven't I told you that often Ibeftie." Si it !haid onre as tart as tint' And I hadn't I:tiiced it! He (.lled her Bertha in private, and she let Ilm dio. it. .nd he hal tIld her that he pre- ferred t I.ie where -he '.ia than anywhere else. W.'s it a pr.lute engagement" It didn't t 'un, l like .nc W .;i it only str nc flt imitation' But I objectcEd I. Bertlla ei)eng the object of a strung flrliatii, meItel,v. Peirlla.p hrt expected it v.ould lead t... snmcthinqgi t e. andi. mne-:i, while, it .i'.as pleasant tu t, i?. :i t little : ecirt li:ne thi, lIckud ut p in one's lheart But I th-:utcht of Ella Chal.kner' dashing appearance anid indeniably handsome face. .rnd I wiondieri d if my little girl v'.ouldl ha..e a chance against her. Harry's reply seemed tu mollify Bertha. She didn't answer him directly, but in a softer tone of \ ice she asked him if he had been to the ,open- ing ot the Legislature that afternoon. "No,." lie relied. I hadn't the time. and in any case I don't take any interest in Jamaica politics." "Ella Chalkner v.as there: Mr. Crooks and fa- ther told me." "And what has that to do with me?" "Nothing perhaps, but I thought you might like to know. Some people think she is very pretty: don't you?" But Harry was a diplomatist. "It all depends upon comparisons." he answered gallantly: "com- pared with you-" "Flattery is not a compliment, for it is not sincere: a lot of people believe that you will fall in love with Ella." "Do you believe that. BerthaI'" "'Why not'" "Well. if I am to tall in love with anyboilv. I certainly would not have lar to go, and I would never think .f going as far as the Chalkner m-,n- sion." "Youl have been theie already. and w.il l - again: wait and see " Thcie \was a mimernt's pause. then I he.tri Harry s:y-- ".I ordci ., hat ti..ok Ml:- Chalkner t. t.he Ccun:il' " "Don't you know?" asked Bertha scornfully "I heard Mr. Crooks saying that she must have gone- out of curiosity, but father knows better. Ella Chalkner is helping her father ti. \. in the ci::'!on. and that is whliv she went with him. She rnred tI the crowd in the street to-day, though she would not have looked at them a \week ago. Mr. Chalk- netr \ill take her about with him, and she will smile and b\ow t,. everyone, and turn the heads of all the men Bitterly she continued: "I don't Uuppi .oe she will a'e timuch difficulty in doing that, lur men are .ey ltooihsh. She won't give them a Sec,.,nci eiaice .when her father is President." -"She l ai:e \e tey fascinating when she likes," Hart-y admitted inml:ludently, "and if she is going to a-si;t the oil main she will be a source of strength to him." "-Oh. su yu'.: think she is fascinating!" cried Berthl: "And ht father is so clever, isn't he! Well. I hope he won't be elected, that's all. I am omng inside " But. Bertha-" "llisS Squaiitone. please," and Bertha walked .,.a y quickly ni1d ian up the front steps, not even glancing in my drlectio:n. Gresham remained a lit- tle i.ngeri .1 Ith, garden, and when he was passing nme. pIlusedl. and :tarid in my direction. But he must have thought I was sleeping, for though he called mry name I did not answer. His talk with B.rthn had not been intended for my ears. When at half-past nine we all assembled at supper. Harry fixed his eyes on my face with a penetrating -t-are. but learnt nothing from my un- conimnunicativ. expression. Bertha held her head hiah arnd v. nu!d not look at him. Her sister and peihar-ps her triother- millit have noticed that some- t!-r:ng v, as v ii:tl .between the two young people but that Squiliton? ame to the rescue with a re- , tl:i ,-f Is zd\ventur-es that day, and completely i.. r i: !:ol their attention. I ha-d se.n him talking to Mr. Bloodstone fcr :i uit ia13'i a minute at Headquarter House that t!,r.lt.:..r.. He nur\ described that brief interview :..r nerly an hi.ur'. private conversation, in the i.oLire of \V, Iclh M11r Bloodstone had expressed his i re'.uocabile determination to fight to the bitter end, -r.:a! 'l'y he had now secured the invaluable :.,I tI 1 Mr Slualitone When Saualitope made this announcement tie glanced triumphantly at his fami- ly and paying guests l rs Squalitone fixed her eyes penetratin-lyl upon him. . -From s..me rematll;s you made ch Tuesday evening. I \wa. fearing that you thought of support- ing Mr. Chalkne-r." she said suspiciouslyI "Have you changed your m-nci Mr. Squalitone?' **I have not." he asserted blandly. "$ retract ni: thing th..t I have said in favour cf Chalkner: the poor tellov'.' has such few pood qualities that I can afford to be generous to him. But\at no time"--he looked at me warningly-"at nod time hav-- I c.-ntemplated giving him my support. If we must have a President, let him be a man of good family. My natural inclinations are all towards aristocracy." "I am pleased to hear you say that at last," said his wife, relaxing a little. "It would have been awful for you to have chosen the wrong side in politics again." "Which is the wrong side?" asked Penrose, dis- playing an unusual desire for information. "The side that loses," said Mrs. Squalitone with conviction. "And I should be very much sur- prised if Mr. Chalkner won this coming election." "Hasn't the ghost of a chance," said Squalitone decisively. Money is not everything as I am going to show him; it is not to be compared with birth and position, which Bloodstone has, and with edu- cation, which I possess. I am glad, my dear, that you think I am acting rightly. You know how highly I value your approval of my political con- duct." "This is the only occasion I have been able to agree with your decision, I am afraid, John," said his wife; and her tone expressed the pleasure that she felt. She helped her husband to a choice slice of roast chicken. He observed the valuable con- cession and vehemently proceeded to defeat Mr. Chalkner in advance. "When on the public platform I let the elec- tors know just what I think about Chalkner, he'll be surprised, I can tell you. Support him? I could never support a man like Chalkner; I never could so completely sacrifice my political prin- ciples. But I am going to worrn my way into the confidence of his supporters; I am going to find out all his plans and use them against him: we can't be too particular when we are in the throes of a presidential contest. I told ycu to-day that his daughter was helping him, didn't I?" S"Yes," said Bertha eagerly, looking at her fa- ther. "I hear that she is organising a body of ladies to assist. They are going to make rosettes and write letters to the electors, and even go to see ,some of them: Miss Chalkner learnt that sort of thing in England. I don't know that I quite ap- prove of it: seems to me that women had better leave electioneering alone. But we must do in Bome as the Romans do, and only an hour ago I advised one of Mr. Blbodstcne's supporters to take a leaf out of Chalkner's book. Our side is going to have ladies too." "Father!" Bertha was looking at her father intently; she was excited. "What is it, my dear?" asked The invigorating strength of BOVRIL, gives you the extra energy you need in these trying times. You'll enjoy a daily cup of BOVRIL and it will help you to keep Fit and Well. AGENT: LESLIE R. MORDECAI 158-160 HARBOUR ST. _I _ !!11 4 -1. PLANTERS' PUNCH Squalitone uneasily, wondering no doubt if his daughter was about to condemn his valuable sug- gestion. "Do you think I could be of any use on Mr. Bloodstone's Ladies':Committee?" I was astonished; Mrs. Squalitone was thunder- struck-no other word suffices to express the emo- tions of that usually collected woman, for she laid down her knife and fork and stared at Bertha with wide-open eyes. Harry, Penrose, and Bertha's sisters were as much surprised as any of us, for Bertha's indif- ference to public matters was known: for her they did not exist. And yet, now- But Squalitone was looking at his daughter with a degree of pride I had never seen him ex- hibit before. For some moments he could not answer. Then- "Bertha, do you mean it?" he asked. "Of course. Ladies help candidates in Eng- land, don't they? And Ella Chalkner is going to help her father. If I can be of any service, why shouldn't I be? There's nothing wrong in it. But perhaps they wouldn't want me," she added, lowering her voice. The difference between her position and Ella Chalkner's occurred to her for- cibly just then. "Not want you?" said Squalitone; "not want you? Who is not to want you? If they don't want you they won't want me, I can tell you; and I don't see how Bloodstone is going to win the election without me. Not another man on his side &knows the ropes; they think an election is like banana planting, but Chalkner will soon show them a thing or two. Bertha, I appoint you a member of the Ladies' Committee at once. I will have a talk with Mr. Bloodstone on the subject to-morrow." "Bertha," said Mrs. Squalitone solemnly, "you are grown up and you are working, and therefore I cannot prevent you from doing what you like. But have you reflected on what it is to go on the hustings?" Mrs. Squalitone really did not know what the hustings were, though she had heard her husband use the word. Nor did Bertha. But Bertha, know- ing her mother, replied with finality in her voice: "I have, mamma." "Jamaica is not England, Bertha." "I am aware of that, mamma." "And I hardly think a young lady of good birth and breeding should have anything to do with, public affairs in this country. With a man it is different; he can lose money, as your father has done, but he cannot be insulted as a woman may be; and the sort of abuse showered upon de- R. EHRENSTEIN & CO., LTD. Morant Bay. SSUGAR LOAF RUM and RED NECK RUM Rums of various ages in PHNS. and casks cent persons during an election is simply fright- ful. I always skip it when reading the papers." "But father has said that other ladies are go- ing to help, and if Ella Chalkner can do so, why can't I?" "Well," said Mrs. Squalitone, relenting, "if Miss Bloodstone is to be on the committee, that will'be different. She will be a desirable person to know." "There is no Miss Bloodstone," said Squali- tone. "I regret that that omission on Bloodstone's part but he has no daughter." "And yet you think, Mr. Squalitone. that your daughter should do what there is no hiss Blood- stone to do? Is that fair to her, or to me? Is it the proper thing?" "It is all right," said Squalitone; -.Bloodstone's friends have plenty of wives and daughters, and they'll all be assisting. I'll be amongst them some- times, and Bertha can very well hold her ow n " Looking at Bertha just then, I concluded that she could indeed hold her own; her eyes were sparkling; her face expressed a degree of resolu- tion her father had never shown. I: w\as not of Mr. Bloodstone's success that she was tllnkinc. not for the Republic that she cared. This co,.ntest was for her a fight between two young -..omen, and she hoped to beat Ella Chalkner. As for Mrs. Squalitone, she offered n1u further objection, though she would not go c-o fr as to express assent. Ladies went electioneering in Eng- land; that was a respectable precedent. Ella Chalk- ner was going to try to win support for her fa- ther; that was an.act which might be ,,._ndemned as unladylike. But the wives and dauchtter- of tie Bloodstone party were going to assist Mr BIlod- stone, and Bloodstone moved in the very be't so- ciety. On the whole, therefore, the perils of the hustings might be safely faced by Bertha in such excellent company. CHAPTER X BERTHA PROVES HERSELF A FACTOR "Uncle Joe," said Bertha to me the next morn- ing, "I want you to do something for me. won't you?" "Well, what it is, my dear?" I asked. "Did you see that silly article in yesterday's 'Magnifier' about Mr. Chalkner? The one signed 'An Admirer'?" "I saw the article you spoke of, Bertha, but I didn't notice anything silly about it: it seemed to me a very well-written article indeed: it mut have done Mr. Chalkner a lot of good." I said this decisively. "Oh, it was silly! Spoke a lot about lis at- tainments and his success, and all that: :nd praised him to the skies. You wouldn't have written about Mr. Chalkner like that, I know, would you'" "It is always difficult to foretell the actions of human beings" I replied, as if discussing hu- manity in general; "but what do you want me to do, Bertha?" "I want you to write a nice article about Mr. Bloodstone. Speak of him as a gentleman. Uncle Joe, as a member of one of our best families. Praise 81 HARBOUR STREET 'BON MME. I. L. WHEATLE, PROP. The Oldest established Ladies' Outfitting Shop in Jamaica. Built up on the ideal of Service. Ready to wear things are superior this season. Your Patronage solicited. 1944-45 i' 1444 5 PL TER S' POST-WAR PLANS for Her Begin at Home Y OUR wile jis iSt as much concerned aboul posl-[vu.rr plcnining a u-' anyone,. but she thinks in terms ol her hone arnd Icirnily now. She wants security butI she must rely or- you alone to guard against the hazards lth. Ihreaten it. W'ha:t niss.urance has she that the family will have money to buy the necessities of life 11 you are taken from them? LIe in surince provides a means by which y'c.u can guiranntee to them a concltinuing income. To provide this security in any other way is quite impossi- ble for most husbands. To d.j it through systematic and regu- lar life insuran-e premiums is both practical and sure. THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEstablished 1887, HEAD OFFICE BRANCH OFFICE TORONTO. CANADA COR. DUKE & BARRY STREETS PUNCH FILt PITCHER iA Co., Lid. II him -as mnuLli as you can. Do you think you call write nr article e\ery day." "I .-uppose I told. if I had to do it. But I don't Inov. atr. Bloodstone, and I don't see \hy\ )ou should want me to advertise iim." "I want hinm t-u l)eat AIr Chaikner." 3aid Be:r- Ith rlmily. "*ind y.Ji must help me. Do ,you piro- mise I crle('e.dl The editor:' of the "Magnirier" inid come ,tit thdi morning rather st!ongiy in la\'our .. Bloo,.JiJtoe. the *City Truth." on the other hand. was ciallirig upon iihea:en and earth to wliness tihai Alr. ChailRner v.a? the one man worth thinking about just no\\. I had praised ChaiKner yester- day. but the \'itue of anonymous writing is that you can change your \iews w.vithout anybody ex- cept tie ine paper staff being any the \wier. And why .ii,-Otld they obJect' Newspaper men never ha\e any -eltied con' actions. "I V Ill -ee what I L.iin ci-. little mil." I said. "Nov. '.hen are you going to become an election- eering agent?" "I am going to dsk for leave today and to- monowrl. if father arranges it. I wiill go do,%n wiith him to where i'Mr. Bioocistone' committee meets. It will be fine fun. Uncle Joe!" "'I don't know.'" I said doubtfully: "let's wait and see Then she went off to her work. and I re- tired tor my room to write an article on Blond- stone. I couldn't refuse Bertha anything, and I threw my whole soul into the v.ork I signed the article "One W'ho Knows.' and hinted that an at- tac: might easily be made on Mr Chalkner by the writer i t .t ...ere '..orthv while. Then I sent it to the editor cot "*The Magnifier." saying that I had read his latest articles on tile political situation with gre.a iiterie-. and that his arguments had convinced me that AiMr Bloodstone was the man whom Jamaica *hiulJd choose. He probably would not believe me, but I had to give some sort of rea- son for my change of front. The next morning Bertha was ready to go down with her father: she had got leave easily. My article on Bloodstone had appeared and had keen referred to in the editorial columns The editor called special attention to it as coming from the pe-n of a man who was in a position to speak with authority on Mr. Bloodstone. a man who wa.i financially independent, who had no axe to grind. who wa_ an Englishman with a profound know\l- edge of the needs and circumstances of Jamaica. Bertha was delighted with these comments snd \.th the artllie. but I warned her to say nothing .t. to its author4lip to the people in our house. I assured her I did not care for publicity or praise, Arid thenl. o c ouruse., someone might mention to C'hall.err that I had praised his rival, if Squali- lone once heard about it. But I did not tell her that. It ,'..i arranged that later on in the day I h.i..u-l call :t the Blonodstone Committee's hall to see hr.'. Bertha v.a; getting on. I need only say that I .wanted to see Miss Squalitone, and I should be admitted. At about one o'clock I called. Mr. Bloodstone laid obtained the use of the upper storey of a large building in King Street, not far from that of Mr. Chall:nei. This \was to be his Kingston head- CIi.iaiter;: here much work would be done, and he ,voutid meet the general body of his supporters. But he h-ad. ikle hMr Chalkner, an inner circle of supporters the bigger men of the country who walkelr with important step and looked mystery all the \whle. tlhee he conferred with at his house, a few miles iot of the city. It \,as a busyv scene that met my eyes when I got upstnalr. The room was filled with ladies and young men: It was lunchtime, and some of the proifesional men. supporters of Mr. Blood- "tone, had dropped in to keep the workers back and express their unshakable faith in the victory of intelligence, gentility and virtue, as represent- ed by Mr Blondstone. and the defeat of low cun- ning .vulgarity and unscrupulousness, as represent- ed by Mr Chilkner. But they took care not to mention the latter'" name. I looked about for Bertha. There was a large number of little tables about the room, at some of \hlich as many as four ladies were working. There wa-s on!y one table that was occupied by bIlt oine \vorl;er: and 'he was Bertha! She had not noticed my arrival. Her face S\as bent down. her lips compressed; something about her stiffened attitude told me that she was exerting every little bit Of her will power to ap- pear absorbed in her work, composed and indif- ferent. But I saw how it was. The others had left her alone. had formed tiny sets among them- selves and isolated her. She was not in their circles. They did not know her. Consequently she did not exist socially; And that was the "great fun" she had promis- ed herself! I stood hesitatinly near the door. I knew that I too should count for little if I publicly pro- claimed my connection with Bertha by going up to her. I also would not exist, would not be vis- ible to the naked eye of Society, so to speak. But I would not mind that: I was determined not to mind it. I had, however, to prepare myself for my courageous self-inflicted social extinction. While preparing myself I heard one of the young men standing near by me remark to a young lady who was talking to him, "And who may that lady be?" He indicated Bertha with his eyes. "I really don't know her," was the answer. o first to MIc Garthy 's FOR TOYS 'We have always In stock a varied assortment of tie newest styles which are most moderately priced-including: Fairycars, Wheelbarrows, Rocking Horses, Wagons, Swings, Dolls and hundreds of the most amusing toys. PICTURE BOOKS & ANNUALS Thousands of Pretty and New-Big Values - also Painting, Colouring and Drawing Books. CHRISTMAS CARDS Single Cards with envelopes to match. A charm- ing assortment of the latest designs imported from the leading manufacturers of these emblems. GIFT STATIONERY A very big range of exceedingly good val- ues-all moderately priced. 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WITH BRANCHES ALL OVER JAMAICA "She came here this morning with a funny-look- ing little man who said he was in the throes of a political conquest. None of us know her." "Mr. Bloodstone has to accept all the help he can, of course," remarked another young fellow apologetically, as though Mr. Bloodstone was to be greatly sympathised with at this juncture. "Yes, poor dear Mr. Bloodstone," sighed the girl; "he is working hard." "And he will have to meet such a lot of peo- ple he is not accustomed to meeting," said the youth who had enquired as to Bertha's identity. Both speakers glanced sympathetically as they spoke towards a tall, elderly lady who was talk- ing quietly to an oldish man not two paces from us. They were evidently talking at her. I did not know her, and she gave no sign of having heard the younger people's remarks. To say I was angry is to put it mildly. I knew the two young men. Their aristocracy was of such recent origin, having begun some time after their birth, owing to the comparative success of their fathers in business, that I felt that simple com- monsense should have prevented them from ex- pressing so much condescension. Had my friend Squalitone heard them he would have indulged in some pointed genealogical observations, no doubt. I delayed no longer. I went straight up to Bertha's table, and took a seat beside her. "Well, little girl, how are we getting on?" I asked. "As you see," she answered quietly; "I am a stranger here." "And you have been working since you came? Without any refreshment?" "I believe refreshments are prepared behind that screen at the lower end of the room. A ser- vant asked me half an hour ago if I would go and have something." "And did you?" "No, I was waiting for you to come and take me out. I want to go home, Uncle Joe. She drew a long breath as she spoke. For some hours she must have been suffering martyrdom. "You can leave with me at once!" I muttered. "You ought never to have had anything to do with these people, Bertha, and your father should have nothing to do with them. They have treated you shamefully. I feared it." "It doesn't ma'ter," she said, with a little ouiver of her underlip, and was putting down the ribbons with which she had been making rosettes, when we were interrupted. The elderly lady I hael seen talking near the- door had come up to us: a cerined, kind-lookinmg woman as I noticed, with goocl breeding expressed in every movement of her buddy. "Pardon me," she said. addieesing Eerth., "you are Miss Squalitone, aie yLou not'" "Yes," said Bertha. "I am sorry I could not meet yviu earlier. Mlli Squalitone, but I only came- clv.n a while ago. I am Mrs. Bloodstone." We had stood up while hie v.as speaking She put out her hand and Berth. t...ok it. She took a chair at the table, and we -at down again I \\ certain now that she had uo.erheard. as they hald hoped she would, those aristicratc '...ting gentie- men's remarks. "It is very kind of you to co:.me and help u~." Mrs. Bloodstone went on, qlute naturally. "I met your father with Mr. BlooLdsto:ne ye s'erday. he zs very enthusiastic; if all ilr. Bl,,odsto..ne's friend- work as hard as I know yoIu lather is g...ing to dil. our chance of success will re ereat." Bertha's face coloured i:.ith pleasure. ShI.' suspected that her poor fatrier ..'as often laugliel at, she knew that in politics tic had been a neg!,- gible quantity. Yet here v*.a- Mrih'. Bluojsto.ne speaking quite sincerely ab-out him. and praising him. For Bertha's sake I .a,: 'lacd ihat this v,:: zo. "Have you had lunche. i yit "' ':l'I Ei._..i.tl:one asked, after Bertha had murmt.iret her ackn.w.-'- ledgment of the compliment paid to her tther. "No? Well, neither have I. \We must have some together. Your friend?-'" IMis Bliuoditone turned to me with an enquiring .look "Mr. Crooks," said Berth. **He .v-r:te that special article on Mr. Bloordtone '.vhich :ialeared in this morning's 'Magnifier' " I don't think Ber'ha had intended to siav any- thing about the article; he menti.:rned it on the spur of the moment. The re'.elation of Its : author- ship was dictated by her subc-'nsciou.? self. Some- thing had been done by her circle f...r the Blo.,d- stone cause; therefore she was not altogether a negligible quantity. There '.' a- \anity in the in- formation given. After all, we are all letermin- ed in some way to assert our social existence. "You wrote that very fine article. Mr. Crooks" Oh, I can't say how much it pleased me .'hen I read it this morning," cried Mr_. Bloodstone. "It was so true, so sincere. How did you come to know so much about Mr. Bloodstone?" If you praise a man. attributing to him the must Eplendild LluailIes. the wife at his ljoomn, II iie cares ,Ior Iiim. \ ill bje certain to innd trutl cind sincerity in youlr remarks. Mir:. BlOodstone, like all per-ons wio ci nnot write, regarded \wri:- ing as a sort ot magic performance. I saiw that tlie was ple.sed". "You must thanR this young lady lor the article. if it is worth any thanks." I mod- e;tly replied. "*She is a great sIupporter of Mr. Bioo.dtone. She a'ked me to write it." *"We are \ery lucky,' smiled Mirs. Bloodstone. The -C ity Truth had sm.ni very unol;inril things to :iay about my hiudl- nd tim; morning I \will never iead that paper again. But your article, Air. Crjooki., quite aisi..ered the 'City Truth." WLII \ou h\ae some lunch with us'." **No, thank you." I replied. "I ha.e lunched already. Shall I come back for you this after- noon. Bertha?'' "Oh. I can tale her home in my car," said Mrs Bkiod;lone, unltes-; y'u particularly .'.ant tu come back?" "No ."' I said lhastily. "-that w.'ill do nicely' The sociall triumph of a ride home in Mrs Blood. :tone's ca' was something I wo[lil noII hiate hila Bertha mi;s for \orwlds Those young men would be v.itnles-es of it. it might Cause Harry Gresham to make iup hi mind (i.'kly I sy I aid coo d-lay at 'lnce But I linEered by th- doir lone en.:,ul.l ti see Bertha .indI Mi B;loo:lt..-ne p.as together ibehiin the screen where 'lie retreshment til)le \was I saw. scores o.f eyes fixed upon them I kne..- that Berth. would no longer be left entirely alone. Ini that room. already. the had begun to exist social- ly. And:l he had Ihe \\ill tI, ociril existence CHAPTER XI WHAT'S \VRONG WITH BLOODSTONE' "'Bulletin' bullEtii' bulletin'' Half-a-dozen I:: .l)01,\i ruhlied tUp to me as I appeared on the -ide:le\alk. offering me the special editions of the city papers v. which had iuit -been is-ued I bou iht a bulletin and learnt ifr'm it that an orlicial "GC;- ette Extrnardinary.'" ent out that afternoon, had fixed the Presidential election for a (late two weeks hence: a month after that the election of the Na- tional Assembly would take place. The Presi- (lent. of course. would appoint his own Cabinet: there v.'as to be only cne Legislative body. the National Assembly. For another six weeks. there- fore. the present Government would continue to P U N C H 1941-45 I '| ---- BETTER THE BRITISH m-1 I 44 45 PLANTERS' PUNCH control and direct public affairs. The next six weeks would be particularly busy ones. In the same "Gazette" had appeared an advertisement calling ior recruits for the Police Force. The terms of pay were liberal. I hastened on to the office of the "Magnifier." The editor was at lunch, but said I might come in and talk while he was eating. "Do y.ou know the programme of the two po- litical parties?" I asked, as soon as I had apolo- gised for having interrupted him. "Prett. well," said the editor; "the great poli- tical meetings begin to-night. Chalkner starts first; lie always manages to do that. To-morrow afternoon Bloodstone addresses the citizens in the Theatre. On the day after to-morrow both can- didate st.ut on a tour round the country, where their adherents are already organising meetings and addresses in their honour. That tour should take a \.eek in this era of motor cars; so both of them will be back in Kingston to speak again be- fore election day. Pretty quick work, eh?" 'R:,ther: and you are supporting Bloodstone now, right through?" --O c,.urse. The 'City Truth' is supporting Chalkner." "Stili. I have known both of you agree." "When we were both, most probably, very wrong. Truth lies between extremes. The chance, are all, then, that we are now both only half wrong." "BBut yi-u wouldn't have taken up Bloodstone's cause ,so warmly if you hadn't thought he had a good cliance of winning?" *That would have been to waste energy, wouldn't it" Bloodstone has a good chance, thanks to his inends; he of himself is too easy-going to figlt a man like Chalkner. But he has a good chance. The country is divided. The bigger planters are on the side of Bloodstone, the mer- chant- are inclined to support Chalkner, the main body of tile voters are divided and are waiting to be convinced by speeches, demonstrations and newspaper articles. At present they are more in favour ol Chalkner than of Bloodstone. The lat- lei's cue. therefore, is to show himself more of a demagogue than Chalkner, who, by the way, in his heart ot hearts, is not a demagogue at all." -"Clever tactics then--" "Will win. And I can tell you, Crooks, since you are now on our side, that Chalkner will play very cleveiiy. You must remember that he is be- ing pulsed on by his wife and daughter." "Oh. bllt women, my friend- " .,Are : greater factor in public affairs than you imagine. Crooks. Mrs. Chalkner wants to be the first lady in the land; her daughter wants to take precedence of all other young women. That is, for them. a very great political motive; I really believe they consider it patriotism, and they will see to it Ihat Chalkner fights to the finish. Wealth and ability are excellent possessions, but without push tri0. may fail to give you what you want. Bioiod-t'.t.n at present occupies a better social posi- tion tlln Chalkner: he was born to it. The Chalk- ners .ee ino good reason why anyone should be befulre them, and they are determined to be either the lth t or amongst the first. They will fight for that." Tht editor studied a bit of fried egg he had impaled on his fork. "And they will Win, un- less the Bloodstone party works hard and avoids nustakes," he added. It is a pity," I said, "that these minor social considerations should have anything to do with politics I -et my face against them." Cri'.Iki." said the editor, looking me full in tlhe tace. "what has caused you to cease being An Admirer of Chalkner and to become One Who Know.- Bloodstone?" "W'ell." said I, "you will of course under- stand. taking everything into consideration, and your ,own articles in particular, that the public good demands that we should elect the best man." "An admirably clear and lucid explanation," said the editor; "just the same thing that might be said by Mrs. Chalkner. Any further special articles on Bloodstone?" "If you will publish any more, I shall send them " "\We will publish anything about the election now. The public interest will last a couple of weeks if properly :stimulated. I would recom- mend a mild indulgence in personalities, at the ex- pense of Chalkner. If, without actually overstep- ping the line of the law of libel, you could sug- gest that he has cheated the people at some time or other, that would be better than a discussion of Bloodstone's political merits. The latter, I must say, are not very obvious." "You are incorrigible." I replied laughing. "This Presidential campaign seems to please you well." "It is good for the circulation of the paper," said the editor; he closed his knife and fork and glancerl at me enquiringly. That was the signal that I should say good-day. I left his room to find Squalitone outside seek- ing for information from the reporters. Was it true that Mr. Bloodstone's first public meeting was to be held at the Theatre? He was told it was true. Then he caught sight of me and mourn- fully accompanied me out of the newspaper office. "But surely you are in the counsels of your party?" I asked him. "You didn't know of this meeting?" "I did," he replied, with something like de- spair in his voice, "and I tried my best to induce them to have it in the open air. It isn't Blood- stone who has decided on this foolishness, it is some of the big men with him who think they know everything. I have been looking for Mr. Bloodstone all over the city for the last two hours, and can't find him. His friends took advantage of my absence to send out the notice about the Thea- tre meeting. But I may stop it if I can find Blood- stone before night." "But why should you want to stop it?" I ask- ed, astonished. "How many people can the Theatre hold, Crooks?" "About twelve hundred." "Good, and you want to have twelve thou- sand if you can get them. Who are going to the 35 Theatre? Big men. Gentlemen. But a gentle- man's vote isn't worth more than the vote of a shoemaker, and Chalkner is certain to point out to the crowd that Bloodstone doesn't want to talk to the common people. How will that sound?" "Hum!" I exclaimed. "This is what comes of having big men to humbug your business for you. They are so ig- norant that they believe they know all about elec- tions; I nearly had a fight with one of them to- day. As for poor Mr. Bloodstone, he thinks that all he has to do is to look pretty and shake hands with everybody! He is a good, kind, soft, fool- ish, hopeless sort of a candidate; and unless I can smash up Chalkner's meetings, Bloodstone is going to get beaten." "But how could you think of such a thing Squalitone?" I protested. "We must fight like gentlemen." "Oh yes? Then we'll get beaten like gentle- men; and it doesn't matter whether you are a gentleman or a ruffian when you are beaten: you feel the same way. 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"I saw him at Bilbank and Cocowalk's 'to- day," I said; "and you are right, Squalitone, he was looking worried." Squalitone stopped dead. "Then something is up," he said. "I don't like this. Crooks, what can be the matter?" "You ought to know more than I," was my answer. "And I don't know anything, except that it must be Chalkner who is behind all this. What a man!" What a man! The words were spoken ad- miringly. The political cunning of Mr. Chalkner had wrung a tribute from the heart and lips of Squalitone. "Thinking of going over to him?" I remarked derisively. "No, he is another who thinks he knows everything, and I can't change now. But he is cute, and I'll have to work very hard to beat him?" "He doesn't know the classics," I jeered. "Crooks," said Squalitone confidentially, "the classics alone aren't going to be a patch against Chalkner. He knows something better than clas- sics just now." "And what may that be?" "The common or garden voter. The man who is going to decide this election." CHAPTER XII BACHELOR MATCH-MAKING That evening Mrs. Squalitone confidently pre- dicted at dinner that we should have visitors later on. She said it with an air of resignation which did not altogether disguise the feeling of satis- faction which she strove to repress. Bertha had been taken home by Mrs. Blood- stone in her motor car, and many eyes in the neighbourhood had perceived and noted that fact. It was an event, it was news; and news concern- ing one must have a rapid circulation amongst one's friends, otherwise it fails to be of inter- est. Mrs. Squalitone knew that some of her friends would want further information about the motor car, about Mrs. Bloodstone, about Bertha's con- nection with Mrs. Bloodstone. They would seek the quickest way of obtaining same. They would call that evening. The lady's foresight was justified; by eight o'clock Mrs. Friscoe had called, Mr. and Mrs. Moravis, and Jim Lescome, and a couple of other people. Our own two young men were at home, and all the girls. Squalitone had gone off to Chalkner's first meeting, principally with a view to disturbing its peace and harmony if possible. I thought this was a favourable opportunity to heighten Bertha's worth in the eyes of Harry Gresham. "You were the centre of admiring glances to-day, Bertha," I said teasingly. "All the young men I saw in the committee room were admiring you." "Are you making fun at me?" was what her eyes said, as she heard my words, but she wisely made no comment. I saw one of the visitors pre- paring some vinegar to season my remarks, but before she could speak- "That is to be expected," said Lescome, a young man who admired Bertha, with gloomy gallantry; "Miss Squalitone will always be ad- mired." Bertha rose promptly and went to the piano. She did not desire that Jim Lescome should openly make love to her. But my heart warmed towards the young fellow; his aid was valuable just then. He offered a song, and he sang "In the Gloam- ing." It had a depressing effect upon my nerves. I went out into the garden to smoke a cigar, but even there I could hear the young man asking Bertha not to think bitterly of him for leaving her lonely, which she was not in the least likely to do. In fact, I suspected that, after he was gone, she would not think of him at all. Ten minutes afterwards a Mr. Moravis began to sing, and I heard someone come out into the garden. It was Gresham. "I got away to smoke a cigar," he explained. "You did me a good turn to-nicht, Mr. Crooks; that odious woman wanted to make them all think THE "LEO" R MOWER THE BROWN'S TOWN BENEFIT BUILDING SOCIETY Brown's Town, St. Ann Established 1893 -- Incorporated 1899 Assets 112,000 -- Reserves 16,000 Don't you agree that next to a clear conscience a com- fortable Home is man's greatest source of Happiness? Let us help you build or own that Home, Pen, Estate which is going to mean such a lot to you. See or write us for particulars. LESLIE H. BARRETT Secretary. 4 Siansomes LAWN MOWERS Available for high priority only Write for illustrated literature and all in- formatiln concerning our comp. f. I.rjry of machinery. Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, Ltd., ipswich -England I was a coward." "I don't think we should all have thought so," I replied; "I could see that Bertha was an- noyed." "She is a very fine girl," he replied warmly; "different from all the others. It is a pit-- " He paused. "What's a pity?" I asked, prob- ing him. "That she is mixing up herself with l:ood- stone's politics. Her father is not thought much of, I believe; he would be in a respectable posi- tion now if he had only left politics alone.' I was determined that the sins of her father should not fall upon poor Bertha. "Gresham," I said seriously, "you really don't know Squalitone. He is a man of genius, political geniius. bu6 it hasn't yet been perceived." "It will require great power of perception l1) perceive it," he replied dryly; "I didn't think his daughter would want to follow his example." "Miss Chalkner is doing more than she .." "But Miss Chalkner can afford to do a lot ot things that Miss Squalitone cannot afford to do." I would not admit it. "I think it is rather good for Bertha," I protested. "She is meeting a lot of nice people, and she must get married some day, you know. Mrs. Bloodstone likes her, :ind that means a lot for her." I had despatched a keen arrow. It found its mark. My previous remark about the admirati.bn Bertha had evoked that day had not been without I its effect; that effect I had now followed up. "I suppose you are right," said Harry. after a pause. "You know, I believe she has refutied that fellow Lescome." "I feel sure of it," I said, "she can and should marry a man in a much better position that Lez- come's-though I don't think that's the reason she refused him." "But isn't it a mistake for a young man to marry before he has made his way in the worldd" said Harry. "Marriage may be a handic:ip." "It depends on the woman," I said warmly. "Where a girl like Bertha, say, is concerned, mar- riage would be a help. I strongly recommend marriage before people are too old to know. their own minds. What are they waiting for?" "Well, you are a bachelor, you know." "And I regret it," I asserted, quite untruth- fully. "Domestic happiness, life-long companion- ship, the sharing of troubles, the thoughtful care (Continued on Page 40) Perfect cutting under all conditions can be obtained with one machine or other in our wide range. There are Ransomes Mowers for bowling and putting greens, tennis courts, polo and cricket grounds, aerodromes, etc., as well as for ordinary gardens. HAND MACHINES We offer both roller and side wheel types to suit all conditions. MOTOR MOWERS We supply air-cooled machines from 14in. to 36 in. wide, in- eluding the "Highcutter" and Verge Cutter for longer grass; also water-cooled combination mowers and rollers and elec- tric mowers. GANG MOWERS Indispensable for large areas. Various combinations of units are available, up to 25ft. wide. Now made in two types - standard for ordinary work and "Magna" for longer grass and rougher work. s_ Y~ _I 1944 45 Umm I!- AITca c6 cczazw,- PLANTERS' PUNCH ofke VANISHING BOTTLES A Race-Day Incident of Bygone Days. Below is an amusing story writ- ten by the late Mr. E. A. Glen Campbell many years ago, the manu- script of which was found among some papers given to a friend. It concerns the old days of racing at Cumberland Pen, a celebrated race course forty or fifty years ago, which old stagers will remember with the characteristic scenes. "Glen", was an excellent raconteur, and everyone will enjoy this bit of post- humous reminiscing. AN Englishman arriving in Dublin for the first time was being con- veyed in a dog cart along the em- bankment of the "Liffey", when the well-known disgusting odour from that River assailed him with full force and effect. Covering his nos- trils with his handkerchief, he said to the coachman "What is that"? "One o' the sights o' Diblin, sor," was the reply. You will not think it curious therefore when I tell you that one of the principal features of Cum- berland Pen races was the "stick licking." The ring leader of many a hard fight was a Kingston "badman" named David Wood. Whenever there was a clash of Spanish Town end Old Harbour "badman" versus Kingston, you could back Kingston with your last dollar if Dave was in command. Big William, of Sollas Market fame, Joe Byden and Natty Byden from Hannah Town, Black Nunes and other noted toughs gladly took service under him. No race meet- ing was considered a success by the common people who flocked to Cum- berland Pen in those days unless it was converted into a kind of Donny- brook Fair. The conduct of these "badmen" became so outrageous that the strong arm of the Law had to be invoked against them to put a stop to this scandal. On one occasion of a free for all fight, the very police- men and their Inspectors were badly mauled in the presence of the Gov- ernor, Sir Henry Blake, at Cumber- land Pen; the Government therefore indicted a large number of them for rioting. They were tried at Spanish Town and received exem- plary sentences. The particular day of this story was a rather quiet one. The races went off with much suc- cess and the Policemen could relax their usual vigilance. So much so that they were given permission to remove their jackets. This peace- fulness was due to the fact that the leaders of the "bad" gangs were ab- sent in prison and Nation, the horse dealer, one who could always be depended on to uphold the tradi- tion of Kingston, was in the Hospital nursing a broken skull, received in a brawl at Ned Francis' Tavern in Princess Street. The Police there- fore had little to do and could well afford to enjoy the event as a day's outing. It was a fine day. Every- thing went on smoothly and the Police were in high spirits. After one of the races was run, the keen business eye of the caterer in charge of the bar and the Pool, observed that two bottles of rum were missing from the shelf. Another race and he missed a third bottle. This gentle- man had some generous traits of character, but he was not prepared to convey liquor to Cumberland Pen for the benefit of thieves. He there- upon borrowed a Coco macaque stick from a Haytian named Thaddeus Lully and engaged the services of Rafey Naar as watchman. After he had stationed Naar under cover be- hind the bar, he passed over the coco macaque to him and gave him a "double" with certain instructions. The next race was a handicap of one mile. Six horses faced the starter. They got off splendidly, and within two hundred yards from home there were three in the finish. Every neck was strained to see the winner. Shouts rent the air as the horses thundered up the straight, neck and neck, stride and stride. You could spread a sheet over the trio. The call is "Kiss-a-way"! then it is "Dutch Oven"! as backers yelled to the tops of their voices the names of their favourite horses. A tremend- ous shout went up "Annie Douglas! Annie Douglas"! as the gallant little daughter of the great Annie shot past the post a winner by a shank of a bit. It was during the last moments of this Titanic struggle, when excite- ment was at a fever heat, that Rafey Naar observed a hand coming through an aperture at the back of the booth, aimed at a bottle of Dag- ger Rum. Whack! The coco macaque de- scended and it finished up someone. The race was over at that very mo- ment, and the crowd surged around the pool in such numbers to cash tickets that the owner of the hand could not be identified. Needless to say that no more liquor was stolen from the bar that day. No Spartan could surpass Cor- poral Brown: (that was not his name but for obvious reasons I cannot dis- close it). He bore the pain attendant on a broken hand that day like a stoic, and his nearest friend did not know that something serious had happen- ed to him. It was getting dark when the last race was over (the days are short in January). People were rushing to the station, and the Police were mustered and marched off to be entrained for Kingston. Personally, I could never understand why a passenger train in a station cannot remain stock still without the backward and forward jerks that I have experienced some- times. Corporal Brown awaited this opportunity; he got near the buffer, and as the motion I described occur- red, he threw himself cautiously on the grass and cried out that his hand was crushed. A comrade rushed to his aid. His hand was crushed indeed. From Kingston Railway Station he was hurried off to the Public Hospital. The skill of the doctors saved the hand, but he had to leave the Force, poor fellow. After the usual parley of lawyers on both sides the Railway Company sent him a cheque for 150, with which he opened a small business. Some years afterwards I happened to meet him. He remembered me well. After we had exchanged a few pleasantries on old time days in Kingston, I ventured to inquire of his broken hand and his business. His manner changed instantly. He sighed, and said, "Ah, Mr. Glen, here is the hand; to this day I can hardly use it, and all the Railway gave me was a naked 150. That's hcw they take advantage of poor people!" cz4wajTd7a' - MrNW ORLEA[ 40oWUT O/ WRAY & NEPHEW JA. 1885 - CA RUM d Especially for Clubs LERS & BLENDERS SINCE 1825 AY & NEPHEW LTD. STON, JAMAICA, WEST INDIES "Appleton Estate Special" possesses a deliciously mild and mellow flavour--a flavour that has made it far and away the most popular brand of all. No other rum tastes like it. You can count on its "Matchless" Quality (and lightness too) for those truly enjoyable Rum Cocktails, Collins etc. J. WRAY & NEPHEW LTD. Runm Dis'illers & Blenders Since 1825. KINGSTON, JAMAICA, B.W. I. 11I __ 1944-45 rS XI-IIE-IIICNN PLANTERS' STABILITY and SERVICE Your banking needs may be personal-or commercial local, national or international. At this bank you are sure of accurate, speedy and cordial service. THE CANADIAN BANK OF COMMERCE F. J. LITTLE, MANAGER. KINGSTON, JAMAICA. Triumphant Squalitone (Continued from Page 38) of a loving wife-you don't know what they mean, my dear boy." Neither did I, nor did I want to know; but my eulogy had some effect upon the young man. He stared at the stars and smoked thoughtfully. I complacently reflected, when I went to bed that night, that an old bachelor might become a very good match-maker, if only he exerted him- self enough. CHAPTER XIII SQUALITONE'S MASTER-STROKE The Kingston or Ward Theatre is situated, as all the world does not know, opposite to the Cen- tral Park of Kingston. The other theatres posses- sed by the city are devoted to moving-picture shows; but the Ward Theatre is used only for dramatic and operatic performances, patriotic de- monstrations, political celebrations, and other like important functions. Against the advice of Squalitone, Mr. Blood- stone's leading supporters had determined that his first political meeting should be held in this thea- tre. They wanted to issue tickets of admission, but Squalitone so strenuously protested against this, even to the point of becoming personally abusive, that they yielded in the matter of the tickets and invited all the public to be present, assuring them of a hearty welcome. The meeting was to begin at four in the afternoon. At about that same hour Squalitone and some of the lesser lights of the Bloodstone "patty 'vere, to:-address; a gathering of the intelligent electors at the West End of the city. Squalitone asked me to accompany him to this little meeting, which he promised should be over early enough to enable us to get to the Thea- tre before the great demonstration should be more than half-way through. "But first," said he, "let us take a look at the Theatre to see what arrange- ments are being made. I suspect Mr. Chalkner is not going to leave them alone." When we got to the place, Squalitone's keen eyes noticed a slight wooden structure that had been erected near the iron railing of the Park, and almost facing the main entrance to the Theatre. This structure was a light movable platform standing four feet above the ground. The space in front and on either side of it could accommo- date hundreds of people; these could gather with- out obstructing the public thoroughfare, ior the ground immediately surrounding the Park is not a portion of the streets. When performances are given in the Theatre, hundreds of idlers some- times assemble on the southern side of Central Park to watch the gaily-dressed play-goers as the. arrive in their carriages and motor cars. The po- lice do not interfere, for the police have no right or reason to interfere. Here it was that I saw the platform I have mentioned, and a couple of men placing chairs upon it. "See there!" cried Squalitone, then added: "Chalkner." "A rival meeting?" I suggested. "Of course. And with music. There is no law against it, and if the police interfere. M'r. Chalkner and the 'City Truth' will say tu-mor- row that Mr. Bloodstone set the police upon the voters of Kingston whom he did not consider good enough to have in the Theatre. Yet if Chalkner's crowd gather out here to make a noise, and if his band plays-which will be a worse noise-the peo- ple in the Theatre won't hear a word that Blood- stone is saying. Some of those who were going in will stop out here, and some who have gone in will come out. Half of them will prefer 'Sweetie Charlie' to all the political speeches in the world." "Sweetie Charlie" being a rather obscene popular song, I was persuaded that Squalitone had not misjudged the taste of some of the citizens. And then the heat of the Theatre at that hour had to be taken into consideration. "What is to be done?" I asked ruefully. "Nothing, Crooks. We have begun badly, that is all. And if there is"anything I hate. it is to be on the losing side." I looked about me. To the north was the big reinforced concrete Theatre, on the opposite side was the Park, with its lawns and parterres and leafy trees, its flowers and its fountains. To the east, in the same street in which the Theatre stood, and not many blocks away. were the Police Depot and the chief Fire Brigade Station of the city. To the west the street ran straight forj some distance, then ended in a lane running from north to sou'h. By walking down this lane for a few yards you came into the Spanikh Town Road. one of the highways of the island. It was in the first .ectiun of the Spanish Town Road that Squalitone was to address a few resident voters who were just then trying to make up their minds as to the presidential abilities ot Messrc. ChaiRner and Bloodstone. We hailed a cab and drove off to our meet- ing, my landlord mournfully wondering at the fate that had consigned him to a party with so little l.nuiedce of tie proper way of conducting an election. We ,ui'n came to the place where our address- es '..ere to be delivered; a friendly householder had consented to let us ue his verandah as a vantage point from which to harangue the crowd But, unfortunately, he was not at all friendly when w.e arrived. At first he would not make hi. appearance. when he didl o. after messages of per- iuasion. he greeted us with the Biblical phrase, "the labourer is worthy of his hire." and looked to see how\. \we took tlhe quotation. Squahtone coniiided to me in a whisper that one of Chalkner's agents must have bribed the man to go back on his word. but Squaltone himself could easily rise to an emergency of this kind. He earnestly dwelt on this particular householder's absolute disinteres- tedness, his love of freedom, his wish to do all he could for his country. He expressed a passionate de- sire to entertain that particular householder just then. but regretted he had not the time. But he asked the householder to entertain himself, and privately pressed fie shillings into his hand. Af- ter that, friendliness became apparent once more One or two other speakers turned up. and the citizens came out. I counted thirty, all of them black or brown. Eleven were women. Six were boys Of the thirteen men, three resolved themselves into supporters of Mr. Chalkner by beginning the interruptions which were to be maintained throughout the meeting Amongst the remaining ten I saw. the man Blakely wvho had so openly spouted sedition in King Street some days before, but he held himself aloof from the Chalknerites. Nine possibly free and independent citizens, therefore, were to lihten to our addresses Perhaps not four of them really had the right to exercise the franchise. But Squalitone did not seem depressed. Or. the contrary. he spoke as though he were acdies-- ni n. mas' meeting of intellectuals. He remind- ed them of IMaena Chaita. for which their father. had fought and died. and of the French Revolu- tion. in which. he assured them, some ut their ancestorr must have taken a leading part. He P U N C H 1944-45 SI SECURITY and SERVICE For more than 70 'ears, our principle has been that Service, in Insurance, does not end with the writing of a policy. We offer Security with continued Service on any of the following coverages: FIRE EARTHQUAKE & HURRICANE, MOTOR, FIDELITY GUARANTEE, PERSONAL ACCIDENT & SICKNESS. WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION. MARINE, ETC. JAMAICA CO-OPERATIVE FIRE & GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY LTD. 10 DUKE ST. KINGSTON. A. K. BUTLER, MANAGER & SECRETARY. L I -..-i 19444.1 PLANTERS' PUNCH isk:e-d them if they would be content to dwell un- der an oligarchy, and the women with one ac- cortl prutested that they could not think of it. He beseechted them to believe that Mr. Bloodstone was. .1 man of the finest intellectual attainments, and the I:.tys promised to take his request into consideration. He fiercely denounced people who \tent into politics only through pecuniary consid- erations, whereupon the three Chalknerites im- mediately \..anted to know how much he was get- ting itrm \[r. Bloodstone. Finally he asked the meeting t,., pledge itself to return Mr. Bloodstone as Presid-nt of the Republic, and the meeting did u. ; .'ith ,i admirable display of impartiality, see- in that it was prepared to give the identical pledge in regard to Mr. Chalkner. Then he declared the meeting closed. He ex- cu.ed the other gentlemen from speaking, for whri. they looked profoundly grateful. The C'l3in:nec-tes jeered and set off at a rapid pace easti\..:I.i. hoping no doubt to arrive in time to djitui r iIr. Bloodstone's meeting effectually. Squallr'ne :.hook hands with the friendly house- holder. and expressed the hope that more men of his line character were to be found in Jamaica, but doubted if they could be in these degenerate days. Then we went off to get a cab, he explain- ing to me on the way that a more unmitigated scounldrel than that householder he had never met in hi? life. "How.- could you speak as you did to that wretched crowd?" I asked him, as we pushed on. "I have to make the best of every opportun- ity now. Crooks," he replied. "Those people may be at a big meeting another day, and if we have pleased them they will lead the cheering, especi- ally if I use some words they don't understand. It \\wa a good thing I thought of 'oligarchy'-an in- spiration. Always speak above the heads of your audience. You will be sure of applause." Walking quickly, we came upon the three scalyiv.'.ag. in the pay of the Chalkner party, who had interrupted our meeting with impertinent re- mark.. They had stopped for a moment to look at a prn-ll blaze in an open yard to the south of the .mtreet. Some resident was burning his rub- i.i-h. and the smoke was out of all proportion to the fLiEl. Of course there was not the slightest danger -io the fire doing any harm. But Squalitone paused as he saw the little blaze. :-ndl our hecklers, polite and respectful now thal they v.ere no longer on political duty, touch- id their hits to us; one of them said to Squali- tone -"If they're not careful, sir, a 'fire like that may I.e -ang-leroLIs." The remark was made merely for the purpose of zoy.incg something. The fire was decidedly not dangei',.lu. But Squalitone stared at it with a glitter in liir ey.e liich I knew foretold some wild action on hi; pnrr. The man, Blakely, had followed us, Sii'd ..\. nw standing nearby. A few other per- .ons h:ai a.so gathered, wondering to see the orator thus -st;ring at a burning rubbish heap in an open .y:1: ThIie a cab came in sight. "C',ime on, Crooks," cried Squalitone quick- ly. and '%e jumped into the cab. He bent over and \.'h h.peied to the driver: -The Fire Brigade Station. Quick!" S"\Ihat are you going to do?" I demanded. '*Call the Brigade out for a thing like that? Are you stily *Yes illyy," he snapped; "a fool; anything you like Bit ras you have never been in the throes of a general election, you might leave me to save Bloodstone in my own way." Then he urged the man to drive faster. Straight on the cabman drove, and in a few minutes we came to the Theatre. Two meetings were in full progress. The Theatre's doors stood open. a rapid glance showed me that the build- ing was crowded. But outside the Theatre, and even partly obstructing the thoroughfare, were about a thousand people, and on the movable plat- form stood three men, one of whom was pretend- ing to be speaking. Stationed a little farther off were two w\aggonettes with musicians, who were blowing horns and beating drums with a vehe- mence t tuly diabolical. Squalitone was right. Bloodt,:,ne's meeting was assuredly spoilt, a failure. "And \%hen they have smashed up our meet- ing." snarled Squalitone, "they will have one of their j'.n outside, and all our audience will be there to hear. But we'll see. Chalkner proposes, but Squalitone will dispose this afternoon!" In another couple of minutes we came to the Fire Brigade Station. The catl stopped; I flung the man a shilling and we jumped out. We rushed into the station; the sub-superintendent wa's standing calmly by a pillar, awaiting the advent of fires. "A Fre at the end of Heywood Street," cried Squalitone: "yard to the south." -Sound the alarm!" ordered the sub-superin- tendent, and at once the blatant clanging of a great gong echoed through the building and the street Then the order that had reigned a moment before transformed itself into fierce activity. Of their own accord a noble pair of horses came trot- ting towards the big fire-brigade waggon, a hel- meted driver sprang to the seat of a motor- waggon, men appeared from everywhere and clambered into these vehicles, at full speed the horses dashed out of the station, followed by the motor-waggon, behind them came the superin- tendent himself, and as they all flew towards the scene of the fire a police van crowded with police- men wheeled round the corner and joined the fly- ing procession at full speed. "Fire! Fire!" the gongs of the fire brigade sounded the alarm as it dashed forward. "Fire!" the people caught up the cry from one another and hurried breathlessly in the wake of the flying fire-waggons. We were following too, in a cab, and as we neared the Theatre I saw Squalitone's eyes gleam. "Fire!" the gongs warned the crowd in front to make way, for the brigade would halt or turn aside for no one, would slacken its speed for no one. "Fire!" Even political gatherings must give place now to these hurrying fire-fighters. Right along the street, the gongs now going more furiously than ever, dashed the fire brigade. To right and left scattered the crowd, frightened, and out of the Theatre came streaming a number of startled people, anxious to know if the danger was near. The crowd scattered, but a glance be- THE GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. LTD., OF ENGLAND 41 hind me showed that the crowd was now follow- ing. Men and women and children were running in one huge mass, after the fire brigade. The dust rose, choking us. Noise and confusion bewildered us. But I heard Squalitone's voice declaiming triumphantly: "No political meeting can stand up against a fire," and now I realized fully that he was paying back the Chalkner party in its own coin. They had almost smashed up Bloodstone's meeting. He had smashed iup theirs! Soon we reached the spot where the smoke from the rubbish heap was rising; the superinten- dent of the brigade took in the situation at a glance. Still, there was something of a fire, how- ever insignificant and harmless, and no one had the right to burn rubbish in an open yard within the limits of the city. So the hose were coupled, the water turned on, the brigade went to work with a will, in a couple of minutes the fire was extinguished and the brigade was preparing to go back again to the station. The crowd, having run itself out of breath, was much disappointed at the smallness of the conflagration. Some ex- pressed their dissatisfaction audibly. But the in- habitants of the neighbourhood, not displeased with the excitement, for which they considered them- selves in some way responsible, loudly expressed thanks to Providence that the brigade had arrived (Continued on Page 43) 9 at the service of the Empire The correct illumination of docks and harbours is one electrification field in which the G.E.C., the largest British electrical manufacturing organization in the Empire, has specialized. In the days before the war G.E.C." was a name which was always in the minds of engineers when complete electrification schemes were G.E.C. Electrificati Schemes have been apple being considered. A G.E.C. installation is always an example of to all industries, includil British enterprise and thoroughness. Just now, the Company's vast Aircraft Factories; Che ical Works; Collieri research and manufacturing resources are devoted to providing equip- Food Factories; G( ment to help win the war quickly. 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Wills' GOLD FLAKE Cigarettes. ~___ ~~ 194445 PLANTERS' PUNCH Triumphant Squalitone THOUSJ IContinued from Page 41) in time. otherwise (they said) there was no telling what might not have occurred. Then half the people who had followed the brigade turn- ed to go back to the Chalkner gathering. But the other half went home. \ie were amongst those who took ,,ur way to the meeting. When we got back we found the Bloodutone supporters leaving the Theatre, and about a hundred of the Cha lknerites fuming and frett- ing around their platform. But Mr. Chaikner himself was not there. Squalitone called to a man in the street and asked him if Mr. Chalk- ner had gone away. "He has not been here at all," the man replied. "What a clever man!" exclaimed Squalitone. An attempt was made to rally the crowd to an interest in the ap- proaching presidential contest, but the citizens were tired and inatten- tive Squalitone and I were now standing on the Theatre sidewalk, whence we could see everything that passed, and hear fairly well when anyone spoke at the top of his voice. "They are done for this evening," said Squa- litone confidently; "but we'll wait and see the end of it." Then something happened upon which I had not counted. A motor car was making its way to- wards the Theatre. It arrived; it stopped; from the car descended Mr. Chalkner, who walked calm- ly tow.aids his platform. it was a dramatic appearance, it was intend- ed a.- such. "Chalkner! Chalkner! Three cheers for Chalkner!" The shout went up, the people cheered At that moment they were fierce parti- sans They saw the man and were prepared to s-.wear by him. He mounted the platform, and raised his hand for :ilence. "Fellow citizens," he began-his voice rang out clear and distinct-"some friends of mine or- ganised a meeting to be held at this spot this af- ternoon. It had nothing to do with Mr. Blood- stone's aristocratic gathering in the Theatre; I and my friends are content to meet the humblest citi- zens anywhere. I did not think I could be pre- sent; at any rate, I did not arrange to address you this afternoon. But a little while ago I received at my office a telephone message. I was told that a deliberate attempt had been made to break up your meeting-the people's meeting. That was bad enough. But, fellow citizens worse was at- tempted and worse was done. I'was told that a character more known than respected had malign- antly hurried to the Fire Brigade Station and sum- moned the brigade on a false alarm. That disre- putable character knew that the brigade must drive along this street, and, fellow citizens, there were '.-omen and children in this crowd!" Mr. Chalkner paused to let these words sink in. "What a dangerous man!" whispered Squali- tone. "In order to break up your meeting, this hire- ling of Mr. Bloodstone's did not hesitate to risk the lives of your wives and children," Mr. Chalk- ner continued bitterly. "I asked and I heard his name. When 1 came up in my car I saw that man standing before the Theatre. I have no doubt he is there now. His name is a bye-word in King- ston. known but not respected; he trumped up the false alarm of fire to earn the money he could not earn by decent industry. When I say Squalitone, fellow. citizens, you will know the sort of thing that actually took place." *It is a lie!" The denial rank out sharp and fierce, even as Chall mer spoke the words. And yet, Squalitone, frightened out of his wits, had not spoken a word. "It is a lie!" Again the words were thundered out, and looking eagerly to see who had spoken, I per- cei\'ed the man Blakely waving his right arm at Chalkner. "It was Scrawney and Banana Brown, two men in MVr. Chalkner's pay, who first called atten- tion to the fire. I was there and I heard them speak to Mr. Squalitone about it. Other people heard them. I can bring witnesses. What Mr. Chalkner says is not true!" Blakely stared insolently at Mr. Chalkner, who stared back in surprise at this unexpected chall- enge. He probably did not even know the names of the two men who had been employed as com- mon hecklers, but some of the crowd knew them. HANDS NOW THREATENED SBY DREAD PYORRHOEA OUT C MAY GET IT-WATCH OUT SOF FOR THESE SYMPTOMS Beware that dangerous foe of firm, healthy gums and handsome, sparkling teeth ... Pyorrhoea. This ravaging disease with its soft, receding gums and loosening teeth threatens thousands-may attack you if you neglect your gums . If your gums are tender, if they bleed a little when you brush your teeth- "Forhan's is the take care. For these are warning signs of Pyorrhoea. See your dentist. And start only dentifrice at once to guard against Pyorrhoea this easy, tested Forhan's way. containing special Massage your gums and clean your teeth twice a day with Forhan's Tooth anti-Pyorrhoeo Paste, Dr. R. J. Forhan's formula containing a special anti-Pyorrhoea astringent, astringent" This simple treatment definitely improved 95% of Pyorrhoea-threatened cases in only 30 days during recent clinical tests. Twice-daily use of Forhan's as directed made gums firmer, more vigorous, better able to resist infection. See your dentist. And for firmer, healthier gums and sparkling, naturally lustrous teeth, start the regular use of Forhan's today. "Brush your teeth with it" hLaForl an 4PV LS&.JUL S7t y and voices called out, "Scrawney is here, Banana Brown is here." Blakely's boldness had evident- ly had some influence with the crowd. "Let them deny what I have said, if they can," shouted Blakely, perceiving his advantage; but the two men, confused no doubt by his charge, which they could scarcely deny, remained silent. The people began to think that Mr. Chalkner was not, after all, so much in the right as he claimed to be. He saw that he had to say something. "I know nothing about this, fellow citizens, and I do not believe it," he asserted with dignity, but a bold denial of the whole charge would have been better. Blakely laughed scornfully. He called out that he could bring reputable witnesses to sup- port him if Mr. Chalkner wanted. But Chalkner, in spite of his tact, would not condescend to enter into a personal contest with the man. He dis- missed him with a contemptuous gesture and en- deavoured to address the crowd. But everyone was talking now. Mr. Blood- stone's agents in the crowd were spreading the report that Mr. Chalkner himself had set on the men to deceive Mr. Squalitone, so that Mr. Chalk- ner could accuse him of wishing to murder wo- men and children in the streets. Some persons protested that there really had been a fire, which would have been serious, had not Mr. Squalitone summoned the fire brigade in time. Argument of this sort was just then more to the taste of the citizens than any speech which Mr. Chalkner could make; he soon recognized this, and brought his re- marks to a close. His band, at a signal, began playing "Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue," and to this noise, miscalled music, the peo- ple began to disperse. Squalitone preened him- self; he had played a good card and won. Just as we were about to move off, Blakely approached us, respectfully enough, and addressed Squalitone. I looked straight in front of me, not wishing to be seen speaking to him. But Squali- tone gave him his attention. "You hit him badly this time, Mr. Squalitone," said Blakely; you broke up his meeting." "I suppose so," Squalitone replied, taking all the credit to himself, "but I thought you were on Mr. Chalkner's side?" "I was at first, but he insulted me after I was arrested for speaking in his favour: he didn't want my assistance. Now I am against him." "You are on the right track," said Squalitone with dignified approval. "I hope so," said the man. "I helped you this afternoon. I would like to have a talk with you, Mr. Squalitone; can I see you to-morrow?" "By all means; I am open to be interviewed by the citizens at any time. Come tb-morrow to my office at ten o'clock and enquire for Mr. Squali- tone, and I will see you. I will make a note of your appointment." "Where is your office?" "Well, you had better call at Mr. Bloodstone's Committee Room; that will be more convenient," said Squalitone, suddenly remembering that he had no office. "Ten o'clock." "Very well," said Blakely, and took himself off. "But surely you are not going to associate yourself with a man like that!" I said to Squali- tone; "even Chalkner would not have him." "And is sorry for it now, Crooks," Squalitone replied. "Chalkner is a clever man, but even he can make mistakes. I am not going to make any. In politics you can't be particular." "But what can a man like that do?" I ask- ed. "Do what he did a little while ago: help to smash up meetings. That is a most important part of a political campaign." CHAPTER XIV THE BLOODSTONE MYSTERY The next morning the "City Truth" announc- ed that Mr. Chalkner had left overnight for his tour round the country but that Mr. Bloodstone had been detained in the city. The paper hinted that Mr. Bloodstone had matters to attend to which would keep him forever out of the political arena, where, it assured him, he was a conspicu- ous failure. "The Magnifier" also admitted that Mr. Bloodstone had not yet been able to leave the city, but maintained that it was the welfare of the prospective Republic that compelled him to remain in Kingston just now. The announcement in the newspapers came upon us with startling effect; in an instant it seem- (Continued on Page 46) THE PALATINE INSURANCE COMPANY, LTD. London, England. FIRE, BICYCLE, MOTOR CAR, AND OTHER CLASSES OF INSURANCE PROMPT SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS LOCALLY. For Information please consult the Representatives for Jamaica DUNN, COX & ORRET 36 DUKE ST., KINGSTON ,1 1J | in l i |11 i 1944-45 1944.45 ' L .A T'/ Si'.S" P U N t CH 1: ___________________ ___________________ 1 1 /i l .,t, -- l l, - --. - 11 11-< * '-' \ i \\m -&^ \ I a I n 3 Ir~11111.. Itecti JAMAICA PUBLIC I- - PC TI t111 IJ . Iee, i', ;rL ] I I r ,~,,,m-----~-IIIII~;r~l~ II ICl w i P krI=-i, ^'^^ _- I a ---_ - -- PLANTERS' PUNCH SERVICE CO., LTD. I __ I 1114 45 ser es ti eI PLANTERS' P Y CH Triumphant Squalitone (Continued from Page 13) ed to dash our cup of joy to the ground. Iden- tified as I was with the Squalitones, what affected them affected me, and I had retired to bed on the night before with a feeling of elation which bore a direct relationship to Mr. Bloodstone's pro- spective triumph, with which the immediate for- tunes of Bertha and her father were now so close- ly connected. Let Mr. Bloodstone continue to fight his battle with some show of vigour and Squalitone could gaily proceed with the smashing of political meetings and that sort of thing, actions which were now being considered highly meritori- ous by persons who a few weeks before would have denounced them as the quintessence of hool- iganism. And the higher Squalitone rose in the estimation of that section of the public which sup- ported,the Bloodstone Cause, the more would peo- ple in good social position think of Bertha, who, by her bearing and manners, was actually supporting her father's claim to be considered a gentleman, even though a professional politician. But if Mr. Bloodstone were going to act in a mystifying manner, show the white feather, leave the campaign to his opponent, neglect his obvious duties as a presidential candidate, and thus bring ruin and disgrace upon his party, where in the name of all that was sane did we come in? For the past couple of days he had been acting strange- ly. Now he had, apparently, drawn back when he should be touring the country like a man poss- essed of demonic energy. What did it all mean? What did it portend? To say we were indignant is to put it mildly. We had long since begun to think of Bloodstone as a mere cipher and of ourselves as It; Blood- stone, in our view, existed for our purposes and it was disheartening to think of his not fulfilling his destiny in a proper and respectable way. In this opinion we were not singular; all those who actively assist a political candidate feel that that candidate is a sort of puppet in the hands of the wonderful geniuses who support his candidature. That probably explains why, after every election, we are bitterly disappointed at discovering that our man has some mind of his own and refuses to be dictated to on every subject under the sun. But this is by the way. The jeering tone of the "City Truth," the apologetic sentences of the "City Mag- nifier," showed only too plainly that our candidate, for some reason or other, was weakening. Even the fact that Squalitone was described as a mer- cenary scoundrel in the columns of the lirst paper, and as a man of great public spirit by the second, because of his exploit of the previous afternoon. gave my good friend no comfort in our present distress. A man of arden. temperament, he wa- as quickly depressed as el.ited, anli now lie was plunged into the depths of w'oe. Bertha shared something of his despair, hut looked more self- possessed. "To think of all I have done for that man," moaned Squalitone, "and to think he should hai e deceived me in this manne-! What am I to make of human nature, Crooks?" I answered that perhaps human nature wouldd not care what we made of it. "But it ought to," said Squalitone. "'It is by no means a decent thing fcr men to come forward into public life, induce loyal supporters to sacrl- fice their all in their behalf then, at almost the last moment, draw back and lea.ve us in the lurch My position is a terrible one. The public expect me to elect Bloodstone. I brought off a pobtical coup yesterday that struck terror i the heart, of our opponents. Men's eyes are fixed upon me. they are asking, what will Squalitone do next. And what am I to do? All that I want is that Mr. Bloodstone shall secon-: my ellTuts. I looked forward to hearing that this morning he wars. \ell on his way to some large country meeting wheie. most of the people knowing nothing \whatever about politics, all he would ha\e hadl to do was t... make a few foolish remarks: snd see that every- body present got a good drink of rum. I told him so last night. 'Rum is yojr best friend.' I said: 'you have no idea of the political potency ,f rum.' 'But that would be bribery n and corruption.' he said. 'Well, as Chalkner is going to bribe and corrupt,' I said, 'you had better look lil:e doing the same and doing it more, unless you are riding for a fall. But don't call it brLbery: ask the peo- ple to drink your health There's n:, harm in people drinking a gentleman's health. and the more often they drink it, the greater will their de- sire for your improved physical well-beine become. Mr. Bloodstone smiled and said hle \oui d think of my advice, but I noticed he was eloomy. Some- thing on his mind. He didn't tell me. though. Ihat he wasn't going on his tour No,. w.e are down, and out, and no mistake." "But father," said Bertha. "it mu-t be some- thing serious to make Mr. Bhlodstone art as he I- d:ong. Cuildr t v.e rind out v.hat it i.s? Per- 1lip:; \'. c uldiI help him." "Ho," m I to,: tind out? He -w:n't tell me. Could you ask I lis Bloou stone?' "She vouldn t liRe it. I don't know her suf- liciently. ' "Thrin it's all lup a gum-ti'ee! What an un- iortlunate man I im. Crook'! Ju-t \ihen a new order :o thing: make its appearance, and my 'real .r Agsniiing faculties ate' beginning to be ap- preLiated. v, 11th1 pruspeLt >.f receiving adequate pecuniar3y re'-w r.l. the man whom I selected to tcalt to the hl-:ntst position in the land turns rIound anll dolun It was all very well for War- ",'.1,: thei Kiinml,.ker to ay, *PLI( not y otir tru t in prinr :e.' but v.i.h~t \i.ia his plight compared to mine' I lm iiiied. I shall be iughed at. My r puitat.ion will be completely destroyed. I al- lov.ed Bloodstone to beguile me into supporting him. I peinmitted him to induce my eldest daugh- tel' to p:' :inxiou(lz i:l labor ,:ous days in making hi- l:.IIt I' .' the electors. Who will now wear thl.:ie, ]i ettet It is :I gooil thing I drew ten [.iLou4ii: itom him for ',:ut-ot-po.: ket expenses yes- tCi.::ay. ..r I Ihoul,I i)e t.i.ing tthe jail after thi-!" SLet Lthat ten pounds be your consolation," I rem, lked: lu it I ti:,o wV. feeling sad. Bertha, ho.'- k,1 er, li.v. ed more spirit. '-There mu't be a rea- -on tor tMr. Bloudstone'. peculiar conduct," she in:iited. "and if we found it out '.'.e might be able tIo help him. Can t vyout do -oemethine. Uncle J.,,e '" WVlit am I Ii, do. my clear?" ,Si-, ili,.',iL t :i mr irme t. then came I.ut with , -ii' i, ,tin .,,i fi ndl. the editor i-t 'The Mlagnifier,' may kno:,w moe than we do. Why not go and ask niiml The ne'.spaper-. krnow a lot. don't they?" The editm :ir "The LMagnifier' is a highly cul- lI .tiie manl." said S iuaiit-one *"Let us see again v'.halt !z e :-,1 abi.ut me th i nmorningi: ah. here it is." ."NtE.-i mind itat noiV.', papa." said Bertha; r. u hli-.e already read it several times. I am -:,ing doc'. n to the Committee room If I hear any- ihlnM I .'.ill tell you Both of you should go right .,;..i3y to see the editor. and then perhaps 'we can etl upi a plan I am not going to allow Ella Chalkner to -..-in if I can help it " Beiriz able to think of nothing better, we de- termincd to folli vow Bertha's advice. Th. eriit.-r. hen l..'e ot down to the office. ei-ce,\ed uz at once "I ;uppose you have come About Eooditone'" he asked LEVY BROTHERS Manufacturers' Representatives & Cor. Agents KINGSTON, JA. B.W.I. 44 PORT ROYAL STREET TO SPEED THE WHEELS OF COMMERCE. THE UNDERWOOD TYPEWRITER STHE UNDERWOOD ELLIOTT FISHER & SUNDSTRAND ACCOUNTING & ADDING MACHINES. ART METAL OFFICE FURNITURE, EQUIP- MENT & STEEL FILING SYSTEMS. FACIT CALCULATING MACHINES. MIMEOGRAPH ELECTRIC & MANUAL DUPLICATING MACHINES & SUPPLIES. "DRIVER" LINE POWER WOODWORKING MACHINERY. Most of these commodities are now helping to win the war, consequently we have not been able to supply your many re- quests. We only ask your indulgence until the fight is won. when we can promise you bigger and better service. A STAR IN EACH AND EVERY CLASS. J.S. WESTERN & SONS BREEZY CASTLE, KINGSTON. 1944 45 PLANTERS' PUNCH ""YEi." ;11 .i SLIIIltonle. "thel-te i surletliungll petulIr:r abou:lt iIll attitude. Thti'e mut ibe Ian ex- pilanatiu.n: the l pi lc Lde lmaind it." "lMeaning that y'oi youi-relf are dying \i1tli cur.sityv." siid the eclttor driyly. "We'll now,, look liree. Mr. SCqialhtone. I am going to speak veiy plainly t.o y.. YouL ha.e been doing some very g:Lod '.o.i:01 for Iou' side, andt I tllunli you ha'.e gone lI.O lar v.lth i .S to desert us no\'w." "I \v.ill ri:,t hear sulc talk trom any man!" in- dignantly excla.med Squahitune. "You w'il. ll.um me," said tie editor. "Right- jy or wrongly, the imptesscion pievails that you are apt to desert \'.hat youL think to be a losing cause. Popular impressions are not invariably right, howev.er. Fn:nr I muit say that you have shown more energy and real knowledge ot local conditionss than mosl.t of Mr. BIlods-tone's good inendc.. So I :,m sring to tru-t you. But I warn you that V Ali.t I .ay t.o ylul is iaid under the seal of secrecy, and if I hear that you have \ whispered one \woif ot it tu anyi..ne-arni I shall certainly hear if you do--I \v.ll pubL' l broadcast that youL are a most untr iistl.:,tthy person and do my best to finish that little is left of your not very suc- ce sful politiC:i car EE " "Atter that. I think I mu.:t iv.ttidra'. a;id. Squalitone loftil;V'. "'You li Ell't t!,te .liahtl t iht nritir t1 i. .llth- draw\ing." :;i.i ilt editor. "And i \want you to Lindei tand that yot, must continue w\orkine Mr. Biod:lst..'rI. ma\ It :i1 le 1-, \V.in oull t ye\ "lAh' Then all j: n-it l.t.'" culed Squ.ili- tone. No It I tell yo.u:i 'y h Mi. Bir.-odtone is un- decided lusLt In.l-'. it i- bEcause he may be able tj right hi; r tsi a ul ...t I i present difik ultiCe, ind it youl and I: .l thre .si:tants contintllle '.'. l:'ig as it there \'.ele ,nuth-lin to dictuLrb you. that may help t, a' e the :ituait,:ri. In a .' rd Mr. Blood- Itol'i. C ,.1 eU Mlr. C Iil.111:ner a great deal ofl' money, and Chail:ler i u;.i'Zr tihe dlebt as a melani ot ternt- i.'n M i- l...'ituirle into reticnriEg i, ,m the co;j- te t." "PheL-w It Ij ` roe SerioLiS than I thoughtt" aid Sqrl.ialaitun "**if ..u I '.e a mn:in like Chalk.[neri nimney. you hiad better say your prayers at once. Bho,.ul-.i.ton- i. t,_,-neC c.d! But I Ihl-lUglht lie had mlroney. 'hat a l:i el-i- :a-:' "*He i- e.it.iijly not a po..ur maln. aid it 3i oiil within their !ac tt. r .'. nlays that hie a.-i l;ni,.rln :,t his inclebrtedi.ne= l, Mil. ChalKner Af ter tlie hlti'lianlle 'it lA :t t yei it l ie anted a lace 'LimI to0 S-ev tazd li: h : i i i. in l i. In.rnoj pI 1 t.:l tr': nl. He ct'uld ea-iiiy ha' e biorrorwed from the hank.: at :Ix per cent. Bil Eilbhani; and Coc>o.valk. the solicit- or.i. :tTeredt, to lend at It'.e. Tlat 'iv:: anl induce- ment Billbank ; ard- C'oc,.vl:ik rece icasiy Chall;- trer' iln.-l,i:jal acelril,. .ari they," act iri Chall:ner \w.lhn le d .ir.r:i'i '. art t. .. l n r.eat phro:minlently .,o th l.e Blen B I..:lt.:or b',ri ..-ed ',:ty tlhI..u a'San poli.ind;i tr m llhl m He- I ,.I e ai tinIle!rt. rirt,_ toi pay at nin. t t i lay:t a-: uiual, on the usual uinder- standiing th'.,t lhe piapei wioutil be renewed ov.er", three imon thls l irlitil the (a itatl silm l ..'a' p.ict Coff. Ir! a ev\ molllth!i he- \ill be able to p:ay e'.ery centi i:'f the Imony : re :ouid pay.i t ti..vlce !that amount. for he cxpect a, ma!gniiieent ctirpp of t ri;it. But he I,: ir-ne lr..' t-h am ount t'.'. inI e alrei .d an.- /7rwo/IrBE ITWONVF t. Ie \\'iar in E-ol'l: l:,r ill he,:, be at 11 encd :I 1..hecn Pc.ace conime aelain '..e v. ill im10 i than julo trty y..ur ol1pi-irii. thiat e are The SPORTS GOODS CENTRE of JAMAICA . di _.in:' 2 th e ai !.: :i ,- i .- 7 t ri- e 'l .i''-. obtaillirli under '.-Iry d.,-iI clt co.,ditions. SPORTS GOODS to: keep morale and bti:r A in goojjd c..nrditi .rl e pr I:.rie '.en lei tt - servire illn the \c-ar t-: c.:-me. :!-. yo:u i:n.'.. you cal rm l. ,,i u- 1'-' l. p r) '-."- t t 11, letter' 17 AVON YVB Andrew H. B. AGUILAR Th- FISMEF'l 14N FFIENCL : I;C, i-e FPlI~ND F AF L P TI r F L E .-. IC 93 H-ARB.BOU STORE T. KIirN .STON he must renew again or pay within the next ten days. Bilbank and Cocowalk have informed him that they cannot consent to a renewal, but a hint has been indirectly conveyed to him that as Chalkner is really the party to whom he is in- debted, his withdrawal from this presidential con- test would save him any inconvenience. You un- derstand his position now?" "I don't," said I, breaking into the conversa- tion. "Bloodstone's properties must be worth two hundred thousand pounds. Surely he could raise money elsewhere?" "Only on ruinous terms. If he sells anything it will be at a loss, for most moneyed men distrust this coming Republic of ours, and the Banks will not lend large amounts just now. Now if Blood- stone won, he wouldn't mind the loss: a President could recoup himself no doubt. But if he lost the election he would suffer severely, and he is not prepared to do that. He has been induced to come forward; he did not seek election with the same consuming ambition that characterises Chalkner. He does not think that he ought to impoverish his son, to whom he is devoted. And the young man is not here." "But he will be soon," said Squalitone, "I have heard so." "Yes, but not for a week at the earliest. In the meantime Chalkner, who knows Bloodstone's character well, is depending upon frightening him into inactivity at the very least." "And is succeeding," cried Squalitone. "What a man! What a most clever, unscrupulous, desper- ate, self-seeking, dangerous man! He deserves to succeed. A man like that will beat anybody-ex- cept me. I don't think he could beat me, if I had half a chance. But he's got Mr. Bloodstone drag- ging. Money talks, and Chalkner's money is talk- ing very loud just now." "It is; but you are not likely to hear any of it talking in your pocket, Mr. Squalitone." "I scorn your insinuation," stormed Squali- tone, "and if you hadn't written of me so nicely this morning, I would leave your office immediate- ly. But we are both devoted to the same high cause and it would be a calamity to desert you now." "I could survive the calamity; but I would not advise you to desert," said the editor. "Blood- stone's friends-those who know the truth-are urging him to continue the fight. I will not give it up until I know that all is lost, to use your own most eloquent phrase. Let us keep up the cam- paign. Much may happen in ten days, and, if the worst comes to the worst, Bloodstone can with- draw at the last moment. But the public must know nothing of this. You did splendidly yester- day. Do you think you could harass Chalkner in the country?" "I could follow him step by step and make his life a burden to him," cried Squalitone. "There is no better man than I for the organisation of ob- struction. With a few banners, bands of music, plenty of drink, I could create a wave of enthu- siasm for the righteous cause of Bloodstone. But he has got to go about too. He can't stay here moping and expect to win. An election isn't baby play." "It has many infantile aspects, though. How- ever, I agree with you that Bloodstone must show more energy; I'll see what I can do about that." "I am never influenced by pecuniary consid- erations," protested Squalitone, "but I should like to know if it is expected that I shall defray all the expenses of this campaign of mine? I am not generally supposed to be a wealthy man." "The 'City Truth' suggests most emphatically that you are not. We have funds, however, and so we shall not call upon you to make any per- sonal sacrifices. Your principal work will be to harass Chalkner. You needn't be squeamish: hit him as hard as you can without actually running up against the law. That's what I've told every- one, but nobody is acting on my advice." "At an election there is plenty of latitude al- lowed," agreed Squalitone. "I know a good deal that Chalkner will not like to hear in public. I shall make him hear it. He hates people to allude to his humble origin. It shall be alluded to. Whatever will displease him most shall be done." "That is real politics," laughed the editor; "we cannot 'igi'hi Chalkner with gloves. We must use his own methods." "Leave him to me," said Squalitone. "But won't Bloodstone's friends in the country also hold meetings in his favour? They won't talk sense, they are so important and high-minded; but they can make a noise." "Noise shall be made; it will serve the use- ful purpose of confusing the electors," agreed the editor. "What are you going to do, Crooks?" "He will probably go with me," said Squali- tone, before I could answer. "I am teaching him 'tropical electioneering." "We can certainly acquire evil habits at any age," laughed the editor. "Very well, Squalitone; can you see me at about one o'clock to-day?" "Certainly. By the way, what's the time now?" "Eleven." "And I had an appointment with a man named Blakely at ten. I wonder if he is waiting for me." "Blakely? Hum. Not a very desirable char- acter is he?" "He is a very desirable character just now. He was of some little service to me yesterday at Chalkner's meeting." "Oh. Well don't let me keep you from seeing him. He may prove a patriot in disguise." "You seem to have become as enthusiastic as Squalitone," I said to the editor as we were leav- ing. "You are the power behind the throne now; you are not only writing, you are directing." "A contest like this, Crooks, properly exploit- ed, is an excellent thing from ,the journalistic point of view," he replied. "Having entered the fight, we are bound to strive to win. For 'The Magnifier' to be beaten by 'The Truth' would be a national calamity." CHAPTER XV SQUALITONE TAKES CHARGE In the days of our adversity we may discover who are our true friends, but we are also certain to find that the true friends are few. This is a I - REAL ESTATE AGENCY 27 EAST QUEEN ST., KINGSTON, JA. Properties Quickly Sold Bargains made in Real Estate LARGE AND SMALL Country and City Properties For Sale Immediate attention to Public Auction Sale of Household Furnitures, Goods, Etc. A large Staff is kept at all times for the above purposes. LOANS NEGOTIATED ON REAL ESTATE. U llilllll lllllll lll ll 111llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll J J. KERR & Co. (suc.) Ltd. SMONTEGO BAY FALMOUTH GENERAL MERCHANTS IMPORT EXPORT WHARFOWNERS SHIPPING AGENTS LLOYD'S SUB-AGENTS DEALERS IN LOCAL PRODUCE INSURANCE AGENTS S INSURANCE AGENTS lllli llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllll?, Gcavares 19i443 ). c. PLANTERS' PUNCH commonplace experience. In the world political, where friends are few and are usually envious, let our cause begin to droop and it is surprising what excellent reasons our erstwhile supporters can ad- vance for deserting us and going over, bag and baggage, to the other side. Squalitone was now determined to remain a Bloodstonite to the bitter end, but many of those who had been loudest in demanding that Mr. Bloodstone should come forward and drag Mr. Chalkner captive at his presidential chariot wheels, were now engaged in the congenial game of en- deavouring to make terms with the Chalkner par- ty or in pretending that they never had been desir- ous of seeing Mr. Chalkner defeated. I well re- member how deserted Mr. Bloodstone's Committee room looked on'that morning, when after leaving the office of the "Daily M1agriifier," I called there with Squalitone on my way up. Blakely was waiting at the door; with him Squalitone had a whispered conversation of a few minutes, which seemed satisfactory, for Blakely nodded his head sharply, said "all right," and rapidly walked away. Then we went upstairs. There were now not more than twenty persons in the room, and most of these were personal friends of the candidate, the men who would fight to the last if persuaded that there was half a chance of Bloodstone going on. Mr. Bloodstone and his wife were among them; so was Bertha. She looked at us expect- antly as we went in. In the midst of persons undecided and troubled, a man who has a plan and who knows his own mind is not only a source of strength but an acknowledged leader. Squalitone the neglected, Squalitone, who had for so many years found himself the object of gibes and sneers, was now suddenly elevated to that proud position. The news of his daring exploit of the evening before was known to all the people in the room, and be- fore he could get near enough to shake hands with any of them he declared in a firm and vigorous voice: "We have got to get to business at once. I leave for the country to-night." "You mean?- said Mr. Bloodstone. "I mean that I am going to follow Mr. Chalk- ner wherever he goes, that I will fight him step by step, contradict all his lies, prevent him from deceiving the people over-much, and come back in time to organise the election in Kingston. I mean to hold counter-meetings wherever I can; and you, Mr. Bloodstone, should start on your country tour at once. Chalkner is taking the Northside parishes. I will catch him up by to- morrow morning; I'll travel all night to do it. You must follow to-morrow morning; wherever Chalk- ner has spoken you must speak." "Wouldn't it be better if Mr. Bloodstone took the Southside parishes?" suggested one of the lat- ter's friends. "And give Chalkner the chance of speaking after him, and destroying any effect he may cre- ate?" demanded Squalitone. "If that's the sort of advice you are going to offer, you are no use in this election. Excuse my plain speaking. Mr. Bloodstone, are you prepared to leave me to or- ganise this campaign?" "It seems that I can do nothing else," said ALEXANDER DOLPHY & SONS, LTD. ORANGE & TOWER STS. KINGSTON, JAMAICA, B.W.I. Commission Merchants MANUFACTURERS' REPRESENTATIVES IMPORTERS & SUPPLIERS -OF- PROVISIONS GROCERIES SPIRITS STOCK-FEED CABLE ADDRESS "ALICK" JAMAICA. Mr. Bloodstone; "my principal supporters have apparently disappeared." "Their room is better than their company: when they think you are winning they will come back and say that they were indisposed: that lie is as good as any other." "What's your plan?" meekly asked the gen- tleman who had been so rudely suppressed. "My plan is simple. I am going to fight Chalkner wih real election weapons. I know all about his grandmother and he shall see the old lady revive. That will teach future political can- didates to be careful as to what sort of persons they have as grandmothers. Mrs. Chalkner's grand- mother used to sell poultry: she kept fowls. The probabilities are that she cheated. I shall bring heredity to bear upon Mr. Chalkner, with dire re- sults to his reputation. "When I have done this, and more, you, Mr. Bloodstone, will come after and address the peo- ple whom I have made acquainted with Mr. Chalk- ner's family history. There is nothing against your family or yourself, and in any case there is nobody to say it as effectively as I would. Go about in style. Let several of your friends ac- company you in motor cars : a procession of auto- mobiles will be regarded as indicative of sound political principles. Address the men in the audi- ence as 'my friends'; don't call them gentlemen; they are not, and they know they are not. Shake hands with everybody. Admire the little babies. Be lost in admiration of the ugliest women, and be careful to speak of all of them as 'the ladies': women can swallow any amount of molasses. Above all, have a few people to treat the crowd to drinks. Show generosity at the right moment, and you can make the brutes pay for it afterwards. I go to prepare the way for you. Chalkner is great, but Squalitone is greater." He dominated them. We all eagerly sat down to draw up our plan of campaign, and Squalitone gave us innumerable hints regarding what we should do and leave alone. Mrs. Bloodstone, Ber- tha and the two other ladies in the room listened with rapt attention; they became enthusiastic; even Mr. Bloodstone entered into the spirit of the thing; he forgot the menace of the debt. "And you ladies," said Mr. Squalitone, sud- denly turning to them, "you must set to work even harder than you have done. We will take all the badges you have made with your fair hands, and you must furnish more. Fill this room with work- ers. Talk as if the election were already won. In- duce the 'City Truth' to attack you by publicly professing contempt for it-to be ignored in poli- tics is the worst calamity that could befall any- one. Get 'The Magnifier' to speak of you in many columns; give out that you are making banners by the thousands, that you are preparing a presiden- tial robe for Mr. Bloodstone. You will find that all the deserters will come back, unless they have been able to make terms with our opponents. What- ever you do, let us never see this room empty again, as it is to-day. A bold front is the thing. 'Tis not in mortals to command success; but we'll do more, Mrs. Bloodstone, we'll pretend that we have already secured it." "Hear, hear!" exclaimed the ladies prettily. They were charmed by so bold a policy of political immorality. "And you, Crooks," said Squalitone turning to me; "I have determined not to take you with me." I did not like to be so addressed; I was about to express my feelings, but he gave me no chance. "You had better stay in Kingston; there's use for you here. Write up everything for 'The Mag- nifier'; exaggerate everything-you are very good at that. The editor of 'The Magnifier' is a man of fair intelligence, but he still has a lot to learn about elections. I have trained you, Crooks, and I expect that you will be a credit to me. "And now, Mr. Bloodstone, I am going, and I expect you to follow me. Gentlemen, I know that I can rely upon all of you," "To the last!" they exclaimed, they who would have stared haughtily at him but a month, but two weeks, ago! He took Bertha and me aside; he was not walking now, he was strutting. "It is all right," he said to Bertha; "we have got the true story out of the editor; Mr. Crooks will tell it to you in the strictest confidence. We 'may win yet. But, with this opportunity of showing what I can do, whoever loses I don't." "But be careful Papa," warned Bertha. "My dear, it is only by being bold that I can win this election," he replied. I was glad that I did not go with Squalitone on his political campaign. He started that night, as he said he would, and he was handsomely sup- plied with.funds. He went in a motor car, and with him he took the reprehensible Blakely; Mr. Bloodstone and some of his friends left on the fol- lowing morning, and in every parish, town and district of the island meetings were being held sim- ultaneously. Bloodstone had mustered sufficient courage to put up a fight; he was strong in the 1944.45 country, and the planters were doing their best for him. But it was Squalitone's progress that was' followed with keenest interest, and the three persons that one read most about in the papers were Chalkner, Squalitone and Bloodstone. Handsomely provided with funds, my friend was now able to show what he could do. No longer fighting for his own election, he could at last be taken seriously: Mr. Bloodstone's name was worth a great deal: it conferred respectability. But it did not seem that Squalitone's methods were exactly respectable. The "City Truth" bitterly as- serted that wherever he went he employed the ruf- fians of the district to disturb Mr. Chalkner's meet- ings, while a man by the name of Blakely was pro- minent as an impertinent heckler whose stentorian voice could be heard above the roar of the crowd. The "City Truth" passionately demanded a cessation of personalities, though it indulged in them rather freely. "The Magnifier" could see nothing un- duly personal in the attacks on Mr. Chalkner and his party though it admitted that the sober truth might be very unpleasant to some persons. .Mean- while it was apparent enough that Chalkner was hitting vigorously. He did three times as much as Bloodstone was able to get through, but, work as hard as he might, move as quickly as he could, Squalitone hung on his flank and rear with des- perate tenacity, and also made frontal attacks of unsurpassed audacity. Several of the meetings broke up in disorder. At one town there was a fight, and the police had to interfere. But the police acted with great discretion; they avoided making arrests; in any event they could never have arrested Squalitone, for where blows were to be given and received he was not to be found. As he himself put it, he was the organiser of obstruc- tion, but he employed other people to carry out his plans. There was one thing about Mr. Chalkner's speeches that struck most observant persons from the first. He always insisted upon a vote of con- fidence at every meeting, and asked the people to trust him to_do the best he could for them, either as President or before: "I want you to give me a blank cheque, trusting to me to fill it in your in- terests." A roar of applause followed this request: it was so loud and so uniform that it must have been bought and paid for. "The Magnifier" want- ed to know if Mr. Chalkner intended to fill the blank cheque with the figures of his future salary; Squalitone argued that poultry purchased on the retail system was usually paid for on the spot and in shillings and pence. But Mr. Chalkner never wavered, and with his paid henchmen to roar out a vote of confidence and to give him the blank che- que he demanded, and with his audience ready to cheer in unison out of sheer delight in making a noise, he did succeed in giving the country the impression that he was empowered by the people to make any arrangement he liked in their interest. I argued that he could only be referring to his actions after he was elected; and he might not be elected. But Harry Gresham was not of this opin- ion; he pointed out that Chalkner asked for a free hand before as well as after the election. "He has something in his mind," said Harry; "I wonder what it is." BROWNELL'S Is The Store of "Better Values in Better Clothes" Always Authentic You'll find the Answers To.. "The Latest in Fashion" At 91 Harbour St., Kingston. PLANTER' PUNCH I too had something in my mind, something that I longed to talk to Harry and Bertha about, but could find no way to do so. The two young people had been avoiding one another. They met at dinner and supper, but Harry was scarcely ever in the drawing-room now, and Bertha took care riot to be in the garden if he happened to be there. He either stayed in his room or went out in the evenings. Her pride was in arms; he was piqued; she believed that he preferred Ella Chalkner's com- pany to hers; he was hurt that she would not see him when he bowed. My sympathies were chiefly with Bertha. I was persuaded that Harry had weakly allowed himself to be attracted by Ella, and had felt too much satisfaction at being seen in public with tle Chalkners. His offence had been mitigated by his ready recognition of us when we were pass- ing him, but I could not expect Bertha to take that into consideration. He should have been with her, not with Ella; that he was with Ella was a triumph ior Ella; hence the widening breach between the two. It distressed me, but what was I to do? Un- less either of them broached the subject, I dared not venture on it. Bertha, I know, would never -peak of it; while, when Gresham did mention the Chalkners, it was to speak of Mr. Chalkner's cam- paign merely. This campaign, the lightning campaign it was called in the papers, was to last eight days. But only six days had elapsed when, to my consterna- tion, both city papers announced that Mr. Blood- stone had been obliged to cut short his tour by a day and return to Kingston. I thought I knew the reason: the sword suspended above his head by Chalkner was about to fall; Chalkner's agents must have spoken peremptorily. Squalitone had Been too successful. Chalkner had begun to fear that, unless he employed every weapon in his ar- senal, he might be beaten at the polls. CHAPTER XVI SQUALITONE'S GREAT PLAN Mr. Chalkner came back to the city on the morning of the eighth day of his political tour; in his wake came Squalitone, who, true to his de- termination, had followed the would-be Pre;ident every step of the way. I saw him at' about ten o'clock in the forenoon; I had expected him to arrive exhausted, depressed, the picture of a beat- en man; instead of that he was jubilant and burst- ing with self-confidence, and the first thing he ,lid was to assure me that he had had the time of his life. "Day before yesterday," he said, "I received a telegram from Mr. Bloodstone ordering me back to Kingston. I knew then that his nerve had fail- ed him, that Chalkner's bluff had succeeded i in- timidating him; but I would not allow myself to he influenced by banana debts or scare telegrams. Bloodstone telegraphed that he was returning to Kingston. I told all the people I could reach that MVr. Bloodstone had hurried back to Kingston for the express purpose of preventing Mr. Chalkner irom carrying out a deep-laid and diabolical plot againstt the country; there is something about that statementt in this morning's papers." "There is," I said, "but how will that help?" "I don't know yet. Bloodstone may come to the scratch again; if he does, my explanation will probably help him; people will see in him a man who risked the certainty of election in order to be at the danger point to defend their interests. We must get the editor of 'The Magnifier' to suggest Ihis." "I am afraid it is no go, Squalitone," I felt compelled to observe. "Bloodstone's heart was never in this election; his friends know it; we all know it; and perhaps Chalkner already knows that our man will withdraw at the last moment. The -City Truth' is already hinting pretty plainly at his withdrawal." "But if Bloodstone has taken no definite step up to now, something may be done to strengthen his position. If Chalkner were to disappear, Inow?-" "If the moon were made of green cheese!" I contemptuously replied. "Chalkner is not the man to give up a fight, once he is in it." "I spoke of his disappearance, not of his giv- ing up: the wretch wouldn't give up a brass far- thing to save his life.'' "He could only disappear by being murdered," I exclaimed petulantly. "He would be murdered in some other coun- tries," said Squalitone; which suggests that Brit- ish law and order are not altogether praise-worthy possessions at certain crises. However, I am not thinking of murder. I am temperamently averse from violence of that sort." "Then what are you thinking of?" I asked, surprised, for he did seem to have some plan or idea. "Never mind," he replied; and I did not see nhm again until evening. He dined cut; and I had also dined and was irstair3 in my room when he came in to see me. He was labouring under some excitement; he spoke at first of trivial matters, though I knew him too well to imagine that those had brought him to my apartment. He did not mention the all-absorbing topic of the day. Therefore I knew that it obsess- ed his mind. "What do you think of the police of this city, Crooks?" he asked suddenly, after an inane re- mark about the price of bread being affected by the war. "I haven't been thinking about the police, ex- cept in so far as they seem to have allowed you to do pretty much as you liked in the country," I answered. "They could do nothing less. But I was allud- ing to their vigilance particularly. There was a large burglary in this city during my absence." "Well, yes, there was; one of our leading stores was burgled." "I congratulate the burglars," said Squalitone thoughtfully; "they have done a very creditable piece of work, from their point of view. Burg- lars are interesting people, and they often set an example which the rest of the community would do well to imitate." "Now," said I, "you are talking nonsense. A burglar is nothing but a common thief. How could you want people to become thieves?" "I said nothing whatever about thieving, Crooks, but as you have mentioned the subject I may remark that whether or no I want people to become thieves they will become so, or rather, they will remain so. Thieving is quite a common human characteristic; our prisons are always full of the unsuccessful rogues. I have no opinion of the unsuccessful rogue. He ought to be in prison. But your successful burglar is quite another mat- ter; he brings patience and skill, energy, persev- erance and a knowledge of human nature, to bear upon the problems of his profession. He succeeds because he deserves to succeed, and so he com- mands my respect. I should like to read a book written by a burglar about the police. It would be interesting and instructive, more entertaining than the average novel, and full of moral instruc- tion for the young." "What are you driving at?" I asked, looking at him curiously. "You are not talking like this for nothing." "Perhaps not. By the way, did you observe in the report of this last burglary how the burg- lars entered the store?" "I did. They were extraordinarily venture- some. They entered by the front door." "And why shouldn't they, Crooks? What were doors made for? If they had entered by the water-pipe or through the keyhole I should see WHEN YOU THINK OF LUMBER OR HARDWARE WEBSTER - is automatically registered on your mind. We carry a complete stock of Lumber in all sizes and grades. Builders' Hardware and Household Ironmongery. Visit us to-day at our Sore, 11 King Street. We will be pleased to wait on you. WEBSTER LUMBER Co., LTD. II KING ST., 38 PORT ROYAL ST. & BREEZY CASTLE. Lumber, Hardware, Estate & Household Supplies Tels.: 3114-2553-2559 WEBSTER for LUMBER and HARDWARE. 1944-45 PLANTERS I'_ \ VII "If you insist on the best, it has to be DIAMOND'S" Diamond Mineral Aerated are known Waters for their high quality- and fine flavour- "Let's have the best" means "Let's have DIAMOND" THE DIAMOND MINERAL WATER CO. LTD. 75 Orange Street Phone 2251 Commission Agents, SALESMEN COVER THE ISLAND | Enquiries Solicited. jl II" -.. .. . something to be surprised at; but considering that they used the means of ingress provided by the proprietor, I contend that they acted like rational human beings and did what every intelligent man would do. How would you have gone into the store?" "I don't break into people's places at night," I replied. "These burglars did. And it does seem to me extraordinary that burglars should be able to enter a man's store by the front door in our principal business thoroughfares, even if they did so at night. Where were the police?" "Ah! We have come back to the police, have we? I was directing my remarks towards them by a round-about but perfectly logical course. What do you think the police are for, Crooks?" "Why, to protect life and property, of course. And especially to prevent misdemeanorss" "Wrong as usual. The business of the po- lice is to give us a feeling of security, which is perhaps not the less valuable because it happens to be perfectly fallacious. When you retire at nights it is with the comfortable reflection that if a thief should attempt to enter this residence there will be a policeman at hand to prevent him. But you are wrong. The policeman may be on hand when there is no danger, knowing that his uni- formed presence is conducive to the peace of mind of timid folks. But when there is danger, and the policeman knows it, he very wisely determines that his life is quite as valuable as anybody else's, and he retires into seclusion until convinced that he has nothing whatever to fear." "Have you come up here to talk a sort of mad socialism, Squalitone?" "No; I have come to talk practical politics, as you will presently find out. You have noticed, haven't you, that most of our burglaries take place in the main commercial centre of Kingston?" "I have." "Where, it should seem, the chances of de- tecting the thieves are numerous, where the need fqr protection of property is greatest, and where a few alert, courageous policemen, seriously bent upon preventing crime, should be thoroughly effi- cacious in doing the work the police are popularly supposed to do?" "Yes, that is so." "Now you yourself just told me that on Sun- day night burglars entered this King Street store by the front door. You will notice, in the first instance, that they acted like gentlemen. There was nothing underhand about their actions. They wanted to get inside-a perfectly reasonable desire from their point of view and they opened the door." "Well?" I said, feeling decidedly bored, "what's the moral of all this?" "The moral is that if burglars can have burg- led a store in the heart of the city, entering by the front door, a courageous body of men could, with the greatest ease-but you must give me your word of honour not to breathe to a soul what I am going to tell you, Crooks." "I promise," I said; "it can't be anything very wise, though." "The wisdom of an act lies in its success. Chalkner lives on the Long Hill Road; his nearest neighbour is a quarter of a mile away." "Yes?" "You will remember the plot against President Amador of Panama: it was reported in all the news- papers a few years ago, you remember?" "I have some recollection of it. Some of Ama- dor's political opponents invited him to dinner in the city with the intention of kidnapping him, tak- ing him out to sea, and forcing him to abdicate his position. But he got wind of the plot." "We will not invite Chalkner to dinner: we will go to his house, take him quietly away, hide him for a few days, until the election is over, and then Bloodstone elected,--what on earth are you looking like that for, Crooks?" For I was staring at him with surprise and consternation depicted on my countenance. I knew now why he had, in his own way, poured ridicule on the police and exalted bold though criminal attempts. He wished to persuade both himself and me that this enterprise of his would be easy and successful. To my mind, he was qual- ifying for the prison. Of all his wild schemes this was the wildest, maddest, most dangerous. "Does Mr. Bloodstone know of this?" I de- manded. "No. It would be fatal for him to know; he would refuse to have anything to do with it. I confess, Crooks, that the idea is not mine, but it is my brain that has perceived its possibility and provided even against failure itself: that is where genius comes in. Blakely suggested the plan. He was in Panama when they attempted to kidnap Am- ador; in fact, he was one of those who were to take Amador out to sea. He is a ruffian, and after the election I shall of course have nothing to do with him; but at present he is a useful tool and not altogether devoid of a sense of political expe- diency." "And are you going to capture Mr. Chalkner yourself, Mr. Squalitone?" "No such foolishness! The carrying out of the plan is entrusted to Blakely. With about four men in a commodious motor car he will go to Hams- worth, Chalkner's residence, and ask to see Mr. Chalkner, who will come out to him. Oh, it's all nicely arranged. Chalkner's butler is an old friend of Blakely's; he used to work in a hotel in Pan- ama. He is in the plot; Blakely saw him to-day, and his co-operation has cost me thirty pounds of our committee's money; we have promised him a hundred pounds after the work is done most probably he won't get it. Mrs. and Miss Chalkner are not at Hamsworth just now; they went to Man- chester three days ago; Mrs. Chalkner was born in that parish, and for that reason it is believed that Manchester will vote solid for Chalkner! Chalkner's chauffeur and the butler will be in the house; but the butler will drug the chauffeur in a drink. The butler will summon Mr. Chalkner to the door for us, and it has been arranged thai we shall kidnap the man also to save appearances: he wants to go back to Panama, so he will be no trouble. We will surround Chalkner and force him into the motor car; he will not be harmed. for he will see the futility of resistance. The wo- men servants, except one, do not live on the pre- mises. That one will be in bed by the time we be- gin operations. Could anything be easier?" "And where do you propose to hide Mr. Chalk- ner, sir?" "Ah, that's our strong point. He has a house in St. Andrew, which has been put up for ren: for some time now. It is farther away from ,other residences than Hamsworth is. Well, we take him there, and lock him in. Our assistants, masked. remain secreted in the building, provide him with food, and see that he does not escape. No one will look for him there; no one will look for him at all-especially the police. The rumour will go about, Chalkner has absconded! Why? Why dc. people abscond? Because they fear something or can't face something. Anyhow, whatever is thought, Mr. Chalkner will not be around, and a candidate who is missing hasn't the ghost of a chance of being elected." "You have a high sense of morality, Squali- tone: do you think Mr. Bloodstone will approve?" "If we succeed, yes. If we fail, nothing would save us from the righteous indignation of the Bloodstone party-I know them. But we can't fail. Crooks. I have arranged the attack. I have also ~'~~~lunmr~ llllm*n~~m lln~r~n ul 1-1U1'111 ."" 11 IIII U~l lllll _.11E.IIItzYY 1944-45 and Manufacturers' Representatives. A' PLANTERS' PUNCH pro. icied tor retreat. I am not going to be among the kidnappers: you cannot touch pitch without be- ing detiled. But I am going to be near, on the watch: I know where I can stand and see the whole business. And the moment I fear that things are going w'long, I give the alarm with this." He showed me a small whistle. "A shrill sound will pierce the air, as they say in detective stories. Blakely will pause. He will know that he must not proceed. He will at once change his tactics and deliver to Mr. Chalk- Tner a political address, expressing contrition for his past opposition and humbly offering his service to Jamaica's choice. It is I who have arranged that line of action; great, isn't it? You see, even if Chalkner suspects something, he is in the political arena, and he cannot object if a body of citizens go to hil house for the purpose of offering him their support. He is bound to thank them! To do otherwise is to advertise himself as a proud man who has no use for the humbler classes. I have thought the whole plan over." -Has it occurred to you that one of your men, alter kidnapping Mr. Chalkner, may inform the police for the sake of a reward?" "I suggested something of the sort to Blakely; but he assures me that they are trustworthy enough: they are men he has often worked with in the past in his rascally transactions. If we had to wait a couple of weeks I am sure they would do some dangerous talking. But each will have ten puunds at once, and that is a great deal of money for them. And Blakely has promised them fifty pounds each after the election. Chalkner's friends won't begin to offer rewards for the discovery of Chalkner tor another week at least-you know how\ they do things in this country, don't you? And by that time he will be free." -Still. you are wrong to trust those men," I insisted. "Any number of unpleasant things may occui El"Bla lkly is not afraid and Blakely runs the main risk, not I," he answered. "Besides, one must take su.me risk when one is in the throes of a poli- tical contest. I wish you wouldn't harp so much upo:.n treachery, Crooks; it gets on my nerves. Let us hu.,.pe tur the best." -"It i hadn't promised you to keep silent--" I begAn **.But \.iu have promised," said Squalitone. And. when is this nefarious attempt to be made'" I asked. "T,..-liht." "'T6-neght!" -.rAnd w.hy have you told me of it, Mr. Squali- tnie '" -'ReC.-.u1e, Crooks, I want your moral sup- port CHAPTER XVII HOW THE PLOT WORKED *i .i ,n your moral support." Squ:alitone repeated the words earnestly, thi:iugh an.n support I could give him in his under- taking. I thought, must be purely of an immoral nature. I shook my head decisively, looking stern. "Let me explain," he continued. "Chalkner is trying t:, tirighten old Bloodstone out of the Pre- idtency by immoral intimidation. I determine that immirality shall not succeed, lest a deplorable cxamplte should be set to the youthful Republic and Uur future career be marred by the machina- ti :n, ii -.tundrels. There is but one way I can b.1ullt. ChLjkner; the end I have in view is good, and -suiely% the end justifies the means. Chalkner Sr.ill l.ije nothing, except that which he has no right t., and '.. ich he is trying to gain dishonestly. Now jll that I am asking you to do is to go with me t,, the scene of our great political coup. I shall not expose myself; it is stipulated that, whatever happens. my name shall not be mentioned. Only Blalely and I have talked the matter over; the other men do not know of my connection with the plan-I believe in keeping in the dark so as to be :ale i'i.'m trouble. We can hide while Blakely does his % ork. Our presence will not be suspect- ed. When Mr. Bloodstone has been elected and the Ri public is established, I shall of course let him l:n..w to whom he owes his position, and I shall mention that you played a proniinent part i1 this \enture, thus sharing my reward with you. But it Vyu fail me now, Crooks, who have stood by me while I have been going through the throes of this contest, you will prove no friend of mine. For. to speak plainly, unless you go with me to- night. I am not leaving this house, I haven't the nerve to go alone." "Oh. indeed," I said scornfully; "if it were nct for Bertha's sake I should leave you severely alone. Are you sure we shall not be seen if I accompany you?" "Quite sure. If we leave now, we shall get to Chalkner's house before Blakely arrives, and we shall be able to place ourselves in a position of security " I hesitated. I really was curious to see how this kidnapping could be done three or four miles away from the city, and in a country still gov- erned as a British colony. The project sounded like a scene from a moving-picture scenario. Yet, except that the consequences of it might be pain- ful to the conspirators, it seemed feasible enough. Then there could be no doubt that Mr. Chalkner had brought unfair pressure to bear on our can- didate. I allowed curiosity and a sort of reckless- ness to get the better of my customary prudence. "Well," I began- "You are coming!" said Squalitone joyfully, and I could not deny that I had decided to go. Five minutes later we had left the house together. We took a cab and drove northwards for about three rhiles. The cabman, to my surprise, was no other than Blakely himself, which explained why the vehicle was waiting in an obscure spot not far from our house. Squalitone whispered to me that this was a precaution which reflected great credit on his ability for organisation; we did not want our movements that night to be known to strangers. Blakely put us down at a junction of two main roads known as Mary Brown's Corner; we turned to the right and walked rapidly on for another mile. Then we came to Chalkner's house. It was a handsome residence standing near to the road, with a low iron fence running in front of it. A short flight of balustraded stone steps led up to the drawing-room door; there were, to the right and left of this, two somewhat smaller flights of steps leading to side verandahs upon which the rooms of the lower storey opened. The upper storey of the building was in darkness; there were lights in the drawing-room and in another room to the right, which I thought must be the dining- room. The house was completely silent. The road was, even in the daytime, a deserted one. On our way to this spot we had not met a soul. But we were careful; we wished to run no risk of being seen, so we had kept in the shadow of overhanging trees whenever possible; and as we came near to the house we had crept cautiously along the edge of the opposite side of the road. Happily, just opposite to Chalkner's house were two or three large trees growing near the bank; we immediately made for these and found that, once behind them, we could not possibly be seen by anyone passing or by anyone in the house. Squali- tone had known this before; it was this shelter that made it possible for him to be present at all. But his precautions did not end even there. He whisp- ered to me to observe that, through a gap in the fence behind us, we could escape entirely if there was the slightest sign of danger. He was right. The fence here, as is common enough in St. Andrew's parish, consisted of a row of cactus plants of the variety locally known as dildo. The cactus has stems of anything from two to seven feet in length, is thick as the calf of a man's leg, and from root to crown is covered with closely set rows of thorns from one to three inches long. The thorns are hard and as sharp as needles; hence a dildo fence is an effective barrier against predatory man and beast. But this particular veg- etable wall was broken in places, the plants hav- ing rotted at the root; and just behind the trees there was a hole big enough for a man to get through without much difficulty. He would have to stoop, for a line of barbed wire ran horizontally along the fence about three feet above the ground. Otherwise there was no obstacle. It was a night of brilliant stars, but no moon. We could see the house and the strip of ground before it quite plainly; had some of the windows of the lower storey been opened we should have had a good view of the interior. We disposed our- selves to wait for a while, and I, feeling tired now after my walk, and realising the folly of my act, began to wonder what would be thought of me if it should be known that I had assisted in an attempt which the law ordinarily punished with years of imprisonment. But Squalitone would not leave me to my unpleasant reflections. He opened a conversation in a whisper. "Chalkner never invited you to lunch after all, though he asked you to lunch with him, Crooks." "No. He wouldn't, after my association with Bloodstone's party." "That was foolish; a good lunch might have made you his friend for life, especially if he had asked you to this house. Do you think he intend- ed to ask you up here, or merely take you to a hotel?" (Continued on Page 54) Our Policy in business has always been first to satisfy the demands of our customers. During this past year, if we failed to do so it was not because we so desired; prevailing conditions forced us to do otherwise. Scarcity of materials and enforced restrictions have placed us, as well as others, in an unfavorable position. We are grateful to this mediium for aill' liiiL us the opportunity, to extend to the Public, our sincere wishes for a Mferry ('hristimas and a Happy New Year. R. MAHFOOD & BRO., Wholesale Drygoods Merchants, 130-1301 Harbour St., Kingston. Sub-Agents Caledonian Insurance Co. A FIRE GIVES NO WARNING! But You can be prepared by insuring with THE INSURANCE COMPANY OF JAMAICA LTD. ESTABLISHED 1931 WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION HEAD OFFICE: MOTOR CAR V. A. DAYES 101-103 HARBOUR ST. MARINE V. . FIRE MANAGER 'IA4 4.-, The day that changed a thousand ships ,. V.,^ I)ECEMBER 7. 1-41 . I 1" BE ..AN .- an\ either winter'.- .tiun.L' r. I i hicr-. c.ir'I'o lineir:.. i-pauv-'.in er -hip, a thliiu,-anl ,:1 1 . flyiln thi- Amer.ican flaI nmove p aceIfully a1'in'.. their c b -al r.ute. '1 lh n the brutal attack tn lP':rl HI-tr- I: ur. :and by thtr end of the day, think ..'reat armada v.-a. alrea'ly n ouldin' ite!lf into a +in-li_- fi nati mic I. !h'ini. uni ! Frtom pLace to war-overnight! N-t\ ru.tet-. N\v\ '.-ttinatilns. Ne\\ cargoes. New passengers. A stun- nin,, transition ... made swiftly and l ficiently by the cea and -h'ue -.tffso of A.merica's Merchant Malrine. Great W YI, pirih:1l| \\uiil:lin't irco'. nize, a -hip of thr Great iV hit- ll e-t t \ i if u -: t one t'y.i -- o ., c0mnplete is the .:an.n ie I L'n. acetil i t hting -rey. But 1uitn- ..ni.l :r jrr- f._.r the l:ti-ine- tf \\ r-and the Great X'hitL Ilet inoud to e ..an int : i: part of the \vat Al- &I Mi rch:int Marine ti-ll r-c..l ii lr the -even scas on a !in 'lhn ni-n in. Attier theil .ar-or perhaps: Illforc--the (iiceat \\'hite Fleet \vill return 1t. its familiar Caribbean route- . acer ti o.intrilbute to the .greater opportunities for the ex- chan e uf .n.dJ, and -ervicey that \\ill be so inevitable a Iart of the world of tomorrow. white Fleet UNITED FRUIT COMPANY GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR 0 HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA COLOMBIA CUBA JAMAICA. B W I. I 1944-45 r r P' L .1 -\ 7 I 1.'1 ,' I -V f' H wc .-.A-- PLANTER' PUNCH STRANGE CARGO hip built to carry perishable tropic fruit... "War cargo instead of bananas now, Jim," says Steve, supervisor of freight loading on this bustling dock. He gives the highball sign to the winchman and another big case swings over the side. Steve knew this ship of the Great White Fleet be- fore she donned war paint. Knew her when she followed the trade for which she was built the great trade between our country and the Carib- bean. Yes, hundreds of times Steve has handled the deli- cate operation of discharging 60,000 bunches of fresh bananas from a trim liner of the Fleet-safely and expe- ditiously. And when it came to the efficient loading of southbound freight-tractors, sewing machines, surgical equipment, and other manu- factured goods urgently needed Great W UNITED FR down in the Caribbean-Steve had all the answers! When war came, Steve was trained and ready for the great task of loading war cargo without disas- trous snarls, jams and breakage. He and hundreds of other men who have grown up with the Great White Fleet-shore organizations in a score of ports, officers and crews of the line-today are putt- ing everything they've got into the fight for victory. Lut the time will come perhaps \ ... sooner than we think when the S Great White Fleet will be back in Caribbean service. lite Fleet UIT COMPANY GUATEMALA 0 EL SALVADOR 0 HONDURAS 0 NICARAGUA o COSTA RICA PANAMA COLOMBIA CUBA JAMAICA, B.W.I, Ii for a IMUI ~ I Y~ln~ll .... ....1 .m1 ~.1n ll~nl~lll 1944-45 PLANTERS' PUNCH Triumphant Squalitone (Continued from Page 51) "How am I to know?" I grumbled. "And what do I care?" "The effect of a little social attention is great in politics," insisted Squalitone. "If Mrs. Chalk- ner had been polite to my wife, and Ella Chalkner had known how to treat Bertha properly, those two would never have heard of my helping the cause of Bloodstone. I am above that sort of thing, having a mind far removed from social allure- ments, but women are different. Mrs. Chalkner has ruined her husband. It is the story of Adam and Eve all over again." "Sh-h! I hear a motor car!" I muttered, and he fell to listening. I was right. The sound came nearer; present- ly a large motor car, its lights illumining the road for over a hundred yards, drew up almost before the gate of Mr. Chalkner's house, and some men alighted. In the fierce glare of their electric lamps we could see that their hats were pulled down over their foreheads, and that their jacket collars were turned up. But I recognized Blakely dis- tinctly; I should have known him anywhere. I 0~ was devoutly thankful to be hidden behind my tree trunk just then! Squalitone spoke, and his voice was agitated. "Good heavens, Crooks, why didn't the fools turn off the lights!" "You should have thought of that before," I whispered bitterly. "They are simply giving them- selves away!" "And perhaps will give me away--along with them! I did not dream of warning them against so obvious a blunder. Perhaps they will now-" But Blakely and his companions, knowing the loneliness of the road, and rendered courageous by rum no doubt, never paused to turn off the lights. They opened the gate and walked boldly in; mounted the steps, and then we heard the faint sound of an electric bell. This seemed completely to unnerve Squali- tone. Now that the decisive moment had come he was discovering that heroic action was not at all in his line. "This is horrible," he stuttered, "where is my whistle?-I must warn Blakely in time. There may be danger!" He pulled out the whistle with trembling fing- ers, was conveying it to his mouth, when, unfor- tunately, I gave a start. My arm struck against his. The whistle dropped to the ground. "Blow!" I whispered, "blow at once! I swear that there are people coming round the side of the house." For I had seen them, hence my sudden move- ment. Yes; no sooner had Blakely touched the door-bell than I perceived some figures creeping round the left of the building where I supposed the dining-room to be. At once I understood what was happening. Chalkner had been warned, and Blakely and his followers had fallen into a trap! "Blow! you idiot," I whispered fiercely, and Squalitone went down on his knees to grope blind- ly for the whistle. But instead of the soft pieic- ing sound that was to tell the conspirators that danger was nigh, there came a shriek of human agony that almost startled me out of my senses. Squalitone's hand had come in violent contact \.'ith the fallen stem of a dildo plant, and some halt- a-dozen thorns had plunged into his sen iIe flesh. I waited to see and hear no more. Thc ,.'p in the wall was our only chance of salvaiijn now. Stooping low, I shot through it, determined to bear in heroic silence the impact of all the dildo thorns in the world; I was through in a second, and hard behind me, butting against me with his head, so great was his haste, came Squalitone. The gap opened on a sort of path, which was fortunate for us, for this place was a grass-piece, land devoted to guinea grass which grew to a height of three or four feet, the edges of the long grass spears slicing the naked flesh like little raz- ors. If we had had to plunge through the grass our hands and faces would have been lacerated. As it was, the path could not be seen from Chalk- ner's house, and the grass prevented our hurried movements from being noticed, if indeed anyone was paying us attention just then. We went in a stooping position, hurrying on as rapidly as we could. I did not know that I still had so much energy in me. I did not know where I was go-. ing. But I was very certain that I was endeav- ouring to put space between me and the General Penitentiary, and that knowledge was enough. Suddenly we came upon a clear space, and 1 blundered upon something huge and soft which moved violently and suddenly rose from the ground with an angry snort and a kicking motion which sent me flying into the grass immediately behind. "I am dead now!" I heard Squalitone shout, and I believed he was, for the open space of land had all at once become an inferno of snorting, bel- lowing noises, and what looked to be gigantic forms were rising all around. "Cattle!" I ,jacu- lated. "Wild bulls!" wailed Squalitone. ."If we don't fly out of this at once, we shall be gored to death." If there is one thing I am afraid of, it is cows; you never know what they are going to do. And Squalitone was even more afraid of them than I. Yet a malignant fate, fighting against us and Bloodstone, had led us by a cattle path into the midst of a recumbent herd of brutes which, for all we knew, might be half-bred Indian cattle, a race of creatures that is never thoroughly tamed. They were filling the air with their hideous bellow- ings; I imagined that they were looking for us, furious, and might at any moment discover our whereabouts. That meant death, a cruel, ignom- inious death, with subsequent publicity of a most disgraceful character. We must try to escape! Squalitone was near. But he was crawling stealthily away, a base act of desertion. I wrig- gled up to him, and laid hold of his heel. "You remain close to me," I said wrathfully; "if it means death you have got to die along with me. You are entirely responsible for this." He made no answer, but continued on his way. We found the path again, but blocking it stood a big animal with the most terrific pair of horns that ever adorned the head of a bovine. His hind quarters were turned to us; he stood so still that you might have supposed that he was still deep in meditation. He was surely a bull, and a bull most probably bent on business. We slunk back into the grass. There is nothing to do but to wait till he should move, if he would ever move. We must have waited about half-an-hour. though at the time I thought it was some hours. The noise had ceased, the cattle had recovered their calm and were lying down again, not far from us. Then the bull, weary of standing sentinel or perhaps with no particular feeling in his mind, swayed his head too and fro, shook himself slightly, and strolled slowly in the direction of the herd. When he had disappeared we came out upon the path, hoping to meet no more of his kind on our journey to the fence. My hands and face were smarting, for we had not this time escaped the edges of the grass. But such discomforts were little to complain of at that moment. We came to the gap at last; there was only one lighted room in Mr. Chalkner's house now, and that was on the second storey. It must have been his bedroom. There was no one on the road; but Squalitone reminded me that policemen and de- tectives might be all around for what we knew, an observation that did not greatly tend to en- / Planning for to-morrow SEACE is coming ... No one knows the day or hour, yet everyone, everywhere, is planning and preparing for the future. By careful planning now, you too will be assured of obtaining the best products to help you to keep your place in that post-war market. D URING these five years of hardship, trials and tribulation many of the things we e.nim ell best in the past have been denied us . yet our unswerving gratitude should go forth to those brave men of the Merchant Navy who, daring the terrors of the enemy, have kept us suppli- ed with the necessities of life, though, naturally, not as plentiful as in the days of Peace. 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The risk of arrest would simply have to be faced, there was no al- ternative. So we crept into the road, and hugging the shadow made off as quickly as it was prudent to go. For the first quarter of a mile we went with our hearts in our mouths. That distance tra- versed, it dawned upon us that we had no danger to fear immediately. But what about the morrow? For what had become of Blakely and his gang? That was an awful thought, and it was not rendered the easier to entertain by the weary tramp home. We had to walk every step of the way, and it was lucky for us that Squalitone in these times was in the habit of going home at any hour of the night. There was no one waiting to see us in our disre- putable condition; we let ourselves in, and stole softly up to my room. Squalitone looked a wreck. He was haggard, his face was marked with tiny slices, his clothes were covered with bits of grass and twigs. I was in no better case. And the morning might dawn with a warrant for our arrest, to say nothing of an explanation to Mrs. Squalitone! We cleaned our clothes as well as possible, and Squalitone invented for his wife's edification a sensational story of an attack upon us both by a murderous cat which had gone insane. It would have to do, he said, as an explanation of his face. Then he left me, and I went to bed, but not to sleep. I bitterly regretted having allowed Squali- tone to persuade me that the police were entirely negligible quantities as the guardians of order and law. I thought of nothing but policemen all the rest of that night. CHAPTER XVIII SOMETHING TO PUZZLE US But the morning brought no policeman. Ach- ing in every limb, tired, sore, with face disfigured and feeling that my degeneration was proceeding apace. I went downstairs early to learn the worst from the papers. Instead of Squalitone I saw his wife; she was on the watch for me, and no sooner did I appear than she accosted me solemnly and forthwith accused me of a wilful desire to corrupt the morals of her husband. She had not been deceived by Squalitone's tale of the lunatic cat; only a lunatic would have been. With wifely persistence she had wormed out of him the story of the night's misadventures, and he had been' weak enough to confess to her his fears that we had broken the law and might be called upon to pay the penalty. Whereupon Mrs. Squalitone had declared that she had been expecting just such developments, owing to her husband's lack of firmness in resisting the tempta- tions I had so seductively spread out before him. So it was I who was responsible for every- thing! And when Mrs. Squalitone emphatically asserted that "this must cease," I could only re- ply that it had ceased for me in the cow pen on the night before. In another few minutes I con- cluded that it had also ceased for all those who had been silly enough to embrace Mr. Bloodstone's cause. For the papers contained a story that did not make cheerful reading for those who had been op- posing Chalkner. To mention our own particular business first, it appeared (from what we after- wards learnt), that Blakely, primed by Squalitone as to his course of action, had heard the latter's shriek and had recognized his voice. A whistle was to have been the signal for diplomatic tac- tics, but Blakely guessed that the danger must' be serious indeed when Mr. Squalitone could thus be- tray his whereabouts; and so, as the door opened and Mr. Chalkner appeared on the threshold, Blakely drew from his pocket a typewritten ad- dress and began to read it to the presidential can- didate in a voice of thunder. Neither he nor his men affected to perceive the policemen who were crowding around, and Mr. Chalkner, fully pre- pared for a show of violence, was taken aback by this unexpected development. Others besides Blakely and his men had heard Squalitone's shriek. But naturally they did not know what to make of it; it might have come from an idle boy in the neighbourhood; anyhow, occupied with what now appeared to be a political deputation, it never occurred to them to search the neighbourhood. And when Blakely had finished reading his address, and had pledged himself and the island in general to the support of Mr. Chalkner, he gratuitously of- fered to share all his knowledge of Mr. Bloodstone's plans with Mr. Chalkner, and implored that gentle- man to forgive him for having ever presumed to act in opposition to one who was so plainly de- stined to be the Republic's saviour. I don't think Mr. Chalkner was at all de- ceived by Blakely's ruse. The butler, upon whom Blakely had placed so much dependence, had play- ed him false. The conspiracy had been promptly made known to Mr. Chalkner, who had arranged to defeat it by the simple expedient of having a body of policemen with a sub-Inspector concealed about his premises. But for the thoughtful pre- paration of a political address, the precautions taken to warn Blakely, and the promptness of that scoundrel in acting on the warning received, he and his men would certainly have been arrested, and Mr. Bloodstone, Squalitone, and I myself per- haps, might have been implicated in a serious charge. But Chalkner, although suspicious, could do nothing at the moment with a man who stood before him with a written offer of devotion and support, even though that offer was made at eleven o'clock at night. Mr. Chalkner therefore thanked the deputation, professed to be pleased with their conversion at the eleventh hour, hinted dryly that he believed designs were entertained against his person by his opponents, and that consequently he had amply provided for his safety; then he des- patched Blakely and his men to the office of the "City Truth" with a note to the editor of that journal. All this we learnt afterwards; in the meantime, before our eyes, in heavily leaded type, was the flattering address which Squalitone had prepared and Blakely delivered, and that address scourged Mr. Bloodstone in terms unsparing, and boldly announced that even those who had fought for him were now aware that his day was done and that his hope of being elected President of the Republic had passed out of the mind and even his infatuated self. While I had been reading the "City Truth" Bertha and Harry Gresham had come into the dining-room; Harry was about to go down to his work, but Bertha, I noticed at a glance, was evi- dently not going out that morning. One or two remarks from them apprised me that they knew all about our adventures of the previous night. "You have given the whole show away," I said to Squalitone. "Mr. Bloodstone did that before me," he re- torted defiantly. "Read 'The Truth's' editorial and its announcement on page three, and read 'The Magnifier', before you say that I have harm- ed the cause." In' five minutes I had learnt a lot. Both pa- pers announced, "on the highest authority," that Mr. Bloodstone had abandoned the presidential London London London Glasgow Luton Canada Canada in, yjear PHILIPS Radios MORRIS Motor Cars HUDSON Motor Cars COGSWELL & HARRISON, LTD. Sporting Gans. still more Sasso's Ltd. 1944-45 Year out, CABLE RADIO for you. PLANTERS' PUNCH campaign. The "City Truth" was jubilant, "The Magnifier" subdued and sad. "The Magnifier" ex- pressed the hope that Mr. Chalkner would make the best of his victory and his position, explained that it had fought in what it believed to be the usc interests of the country, but insisted that its opposition had never been sullied by base and per- sonal motives. "So you see," said Squalitone, "that the game was up before we exposed ourselves to a herd of wild cattle for the sake of Mr. Bloodstone. Chalk- ner wins all along the line! What I wonder at is that, knowing what he knew, he did not drive Blakely and his men out of his presence last night. They can neither help nor harm him now." "He is playing a deep game," said Gresham thoughtfully; "read the telegrams and 'The Truth's' second leader, Mr. Crooks." I did so: it seemed to me that there had never been so much interesting news in the papers be- fore. A long despatch from London set forth that, after a short recess, Parliament had reassembled, and both in the House of Commons and in the House of Lords questions were being asked about the plan to convert the British West Indies into republics. Strong opposition to the idea had de- ,veloped, and Mr. Philibert Hickson, M.P., who had once lived as long as three days in Jamaica, and who regarded himself, in consequence, as an au- thority on the West Indies, was denouncing the Government for having sacrificed the prestige of the Mother Country and the true interests of the West Indian Islands in a foolish endeavour to prove to the world that German criticisms of British Col- onial Government were false. Mr. Hickson con- sidered that this was the worse case of pandering to the Germans that he had ever heard of; he called upon the Government to have done with this folly, to intern all the Germans then at liberty in England, and also more vigorously than ever to prosecute the war in all its theatres. The same views and sentiments were expressed by the Mar- quis of Dumbleton in the Upper House, and both speeches, it was stated, had made a profound im- pression in England. The Government's reply, though said by the Conservative journals to be not as satisfactory as it might have been, was nevertheless taken to in- dicate that His Majesty's Government were not indisposed to reconsider the question of the West Indian Republics, but that nothing could be done in a hurry, for reasons which it would not be ex- pedient to state. "What on earth does this mean?" I asked, be- wildered. "Read the editorial," said Gresham quietly. The editorial was a comment on the telegram. It was not an adverse comment. It concluded with the statement that Mr. Chalkner, known as a man of the highest principles and the highest intelligence and the highest patriotism would know how to act in any circumstances in the best in- terests of Jamaica, and it reminded its readers that the people had given Mr. Chalkner a blank che- que to be drawn in their service, and innumerable votes of confidence. We looked at one another. "There is more behind all this than we can guess," said Harry. "If I could only find out what it was," said Squalitone, "I might be able-" He looked thought- fully at the ceiling. "You could do nothing, father," sighed Ber- tha. "I knew yesterday that MVr. Bloodstone was giving up the fight. Mrs. Bloodstone thanked me and said I need not go to the Committee room to- day." "Did she bring you home in her motor car?" asked Squalitone. "No." "That's a sure sign that the old lady believes the fight is over," said Bertha's father. "The mo- tor car is at your service only when there is a chance of the Presidency. Oh, I know these peo-\ ple!" "You are wrong about Mrs. Bloodstone," said Bertha; "she went home in a friend's carriage." "Hum. Well, it doesn't matter. I had one hundred pounds in my pocket yesterday. Chalk- ner's butler got thirty for betraying us. Blakely got the other seventy for paying his men to swear eternal devotion to Mr. Chalkner, and for pre- senting him with an address. And now if I tell Mr. Bloodstone or his committee how their money has gone, they will believe that most of it has stuck to my pocket. That is how financial virtue is rewarded in this country. Isn't that a postman's rap?" It was. The postman had brought a letter for Harry Gresham. It was delivered, opened, and Harry lifted his brows in surprise. "This is a high compliment," he observed, with a quick, de- fiant glance at Bertha. "Guess whom it comes from?" he asked. "Mr. Chalkner," said Squalitone promptly. "Right. It is sent from his house and not even addressed to my office; he asks me to lunch with him at Hamsworth, on the day after the election, of all days. Now what can be the meaning of this?" Bertha's face hardened; I remembered the lunch which I too was to have had with the future President, and thought contemptuously of men who could not keep their word. "I must be going down now," said Harry, after a pause; "I can answer this letter to-night. I am not certain I shall accept." S He left us, and I stole a glance at Bertha. She v.-rs thinking, as I was, that Chalkner was deter- Smined to get what he wanted, whatever it might happen to be. Even at this exciting period of his life he still could think of Gresham and lunch. Which made me reflect that his failure to in- vite me was due to no forgetfulness, but was de- liberate. "It is a pity that such a man should be elected President of a country like this," I said; "he is not fit for the position." "I am going to America as soon as I can," said Bertha; "I am competent enough now to get work there. I'd never think of remaining here after this." "If I could only find out what the 'City Truth' means by this article, I might defeat Chalkner yet," said Squalitone. "You forget Mr. Bloodstone," said Bertha bit- terly. CHAPTER XIX SQUALITONE PLAYS A TRUMIP "The mystery is explained," cried Squalitone. He was very excited. All the previous day, after reading of the certain triumph of Mr. Chalk- ner, he had moped about the house. Neither of us had left it, our personal appearance, apart from our feelings, compelling us to seek seclusion. Squalitone had spent hours endeavouring to dis- cover the hidden meaning of the "Cily Truth's' absolute dependence upon Mr. Chalkner to satisfy the British Parliament as well as the people of Jamaica; and now, this morning, he greeted me with the exclamation, "the mystery is solved!" He was up in my room, dancing about as if set on springs. "Chalkner declines the Presidency!" he cried; "Chalkner informed the Governor yes- terday that, in view of what has been said in Par- liament, he, as a loyal and patriotic British sub- ject, willingly withdraws from a position which. as all the island knows, is his for the taking. "The people have left it to-me to make what arrange- ments I deem best in their interests,' read Squall- tone, 'and I know that this loyal population will with one voice approve of my action: I declare for the continuance of English rule in Jamaica, I sacrifice personal ambition on the altar of true pa- triotism, I do to-day, of my own free will, what both Jamaica and the Mother Country will heart- ily approve.' There is a lot more of the same sort, Crooks; it appears exclusively in the 'City Truth.' Chalkner has played his trump card, and the mys- tery is explained." "Explained?" I cried, "deepened, man, you mean! What on earth does a man like Chalkner give up honour and position for? It is not in him to do that, is it?" "Not for nothing, no. But don't you see, Crooks, what Chalkner must have been after all this time? Oh, he is a clever one, he is a deep one. I don't believe now that Chalkner ever thought the republic idea would last. There has been a doubt in most people's minds." "You seemed to take it seriously enough," I said. "I hoped for immediate benefits, Crooks, bene- fits which I sadly need. But Chalkner only in- tended to use the Republic to secure honour. He has driven Bloodstone out of the field. Day-after- to-morrow the election comes on. He would have resigned the Presidency, if elected, at the first sign of discontent in England; he would have done so with a parade of his loyalty. The discontent has come sooner than he expected. He shows his pa- triotism by withdrawing and publicly proclaiming his ostensible motives. The Governor appreciates his devotion to the British Crown. The news is sent to England-Chalkner himself telegraphs it. In the next Birthday Honours or New Year Honours Mr. Chalkner's name appears with K.C.M.G. after it. Believe me, he had that in mind all the time. 'Sir Arthur and Lady Chalkner. It sounds nice. Mrs. Chalkner will faint for joy the first time she hears herself announced that way. Her enemies, who will now be multiplied, will faint from envy. Patriotism pays Chalkner. Already the 'City' Truth' is praising him as the saviour of his country. It R. W. TAYLOR & CO., GENERAL MERCHANTS - DEALERS IN | Haberdashery, Hosiery, Fancy Goods, Enamelware, Tinware, Hardware, Glassware, Chinaware, Earthenware, = HOUSEHOLD REQUlERET.EE TS | AT "PUNCH" ING PRICES TO SUIT ALL SHOPKEEPERS IN JAMAICA. 38 SOUTH PARADE, KINGSTON. 1 llllllllllllltllllll`ll llll111111111 111 lli lill iIIlll lllllI II i IIIIIIIIII lllliillllll! ! TO THE PLANTERS OF JAMAICA Consult us regarding your Fertilizer requirements. A. H. SARGOOD & CO. 3 CHURCH STREET, KINGSTON, JA. Sole agents for- "ALBATROS" BRAND NPK FERTILIZERS Manufactured by: INTERNATIONAL FERTILIZERS LTD. ST. JOHN. N.f. CANADA. 194445 PLANTERS' PUNCH z I uJ . Z ~ - . Q u0 u ' 0 - - HARDWARE SUPPLIES BUILDING MATERIALS. o AGRICULTURAL and CARPENTERS' TOOLS I I S SANITARY EQUIPMENT - ESTATE SUPPLIES n 1 -V Cart IPHOI Riding < s:P -g > 1Harness 38 Saddles ( W5 ^"g^ iP W HOINSE C < S I AND !1 > r " S FROM F S I THE RAPID VULCANIZING CO., Slimted. =- - 0 82-86 HARBOUR STREET, I KINGSTON, JAMAICA. B.W.I. II - -0 i PHONE C) G a M* ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES BICYCLES and SPARE PARTS MECHANICS and ENGINEERS' TOOLS MACHINE PACKING AND JOINTINGS :cems that, whatever he does, he brings salva- ton. He must have paid the editor well. "I must show this to Mrs. Squalitone and Ber- iha," continued Squalitone, "they haven't seen it yet. Come down as quick as you can, Crooks." When I got downstairs I was struck by the expression on Mrs. Squalitone's face. She looked a, though she had suffered an unforgivable per- -ornal injury. Her husband had explained to her "the mystery," and though a mere President she miht manage to despise, a Sir Arthur Theophilus Chalkner was a magnificent reality, ranking with G.. ernor and Chief Justice; and a Lady Chalkner -ah, that was too terrible for words. Indigna- tion possessed the worthy woman. The world was buit upon foundations of injustice. Nothing was rilht and fair in the secular universe. Baseness i.1ucished. And Bertha stood beside her mother witl flashing eyes and lips compressed; this was the triumph of Ella Chalkner, and Harry was to he her slave. Squalitone posed. He alone did not seem cast down. On the contrary, he looked jubilant. His wife saw his expression, and scorn was in her eyes. "Something appears to make you happy, Mr. Squalitone," she said; "I am glad to see you en- joynig yourself. You will, I suppose, be the first to congratulate Mr. Chalkner." "I shall be the first to congratulate Mr. Blood- stone, my dear, as President of the Republic. That thought makes me happy." "But, father," cried Bertha despairingly, "I have already told you that Mr. Bloodstone will not ichlt, and now it is too late. There will be no election." "Only a man of political genius, it seems, can perceive the true bearings of this situation," said Squalitone complacently. "The papers have an- nounced Mr. Bloodstone's retirement from the con- test. But Mr. Bloodstone has issued no manifesto to that effect; he may have said he would, but he has not formally said so, over his own signature, anywhere-thanks to his habitual slowness and la31 of decision, to say nothing of his being some- thing of a coward. And you told me yesterday that his son arrives this morning?" 'Yes." said Bertha, "but-" "Never mind the but, my dear. Quick, Crooks, get your hat! Mrs. Squalitone, give me your bless- ine' Come, Crooks, come!" And he dragged me out of the dining-room with him before I well. knew what he was about. Into a cab, our destination Mr. Bloodstone's Committee room. An attendant there told us that Mr. and Mrs. Bloodstone would probably be at the Railway Wharf to meet their son, and to the Rail- way Wharf we hurried. But the ship from Eng- land had arrived early that morning, and her passengers, with the friends who went to welcome them, had gone home some time before. There was nothing for it, said Squalitone, but to go to Mr. Bloodstone's house. It took us an hour to get there. Arrived, Squalitone sent in his name; after a little waiting a message came out from Mr. Bloodstone to say that he could see no one on political business that day, but should be glad if 'vir. SaualitonE could make it convenient to call at the Committee room to-morrow about noon. "Must think that I want to see him about money," scoffed Squalitone: "Tell Mr. Bloodstone," he ordered the servant, "that I must see him now, and that I should also like to see Mrs. Bloodstone and Captain Bloodstone. Say it is not a matter of politics, it is a matter of life and death." The man went off with the message; as for me, I did not like the idea of Mr. Bloodstone's re- fusing to see us, but there was nothing to do but wait. Presently the servant came back with the request that we shouldd follow him to Mr. Blood- stone's study. Thither we went, Mr. Bloodstone coming to the door to greet us. He looked sheepish: his de- sertion of the cause was perhaps the reason why, he had not wanted to meet us that morning. Mrs. Bloodstone was gracious, as indeed she always was; the old man introduced us to a tall, handsome young man, dressed in khaki, who shook hands warmly. Then Mr. Bloodstone asked us to be seated, and glanced from Squalitone to me with enquiring eyes. Our faces must have made the family wonder. Soualitone addressed- Mrs. Bloodstone. "My Lady," said he, "I beg that you will ex- cuse this intrusion, but the matter could not wait. I was obliged to see Sir William as early as poss- ible." Parents and son stared at Squalitone, surpris- ed. There was not the vestige of a smile on his fare: what is more, he sat and spoke like a gentle- man. "I didn't hear that father had been made a knight." laiphed Captain Bloodstone after a mo- ment's wondering gaze. "Not yet; but he will shortly be," said Squal- iton from gi-ng myf in the m-n+mplea T nnoplt re- frain from giving myself the pleasure of addressing him by his future title. After he has resigned the Presidency-" "Really, Mr. Squalitone, I don't think it is quite fair of you to mock at me," interrupted Mr. Bloodstone with much dignity. "I have withdrawn from the contest for very good reasons, and I see by this morning's 'Truth' that Mr. Chalkner has likewise withdrawn. The Republic was only a joke, you know; and if I had been elected I should have done just what Mr. Chalkner has done at the first word from England. I think better of Mr. Chalkner now than I ever did before." "And I think worse of him!" volleyed back Squalitone. "Mr. Chalkner intimidated you,--par- don me, but I am going to speak out-in order to Use the Republic as a means to obtaining a knight- hood. Mr. Chalkner employed base means against you, the people's choice, the man who would have reflected credit on Jamaica, in order to benefit him- self. He guessed what was coming in England. So did I: in fact, I knew it all the time. But I felt for this country; and whether as President or as Knight, I knew that the feeling in Jamaica was that you should stand as its chief and foremost representative. Jamaica wanted her best to repre- sent her to the world." A glow of pleasure slowly overspread the countenance of Mr. Bloodstone as he heard Squall- tone's words, uttered with every appearance of sincerity. Mrs. Bloodstone's eyes dwelt with pride upon her husband; nothing too good, in her opinion, could ever be said of him. Captain Bloodstone looked gratified. "What did you do?" continued Squalitone, as if he had remarked nothing. "Disgusted with Chalkner's meanness, not wishing to encroach upon your son's patrimony-Oh, I know the whole story, Mr. Bloodstone; what is it that I do not know? -feeling that it was beneath you to fight for some- thing for which you personally had no desire, knowing that the Presidential chair could not add to the dignity of your family or the lustre of your honoured name, you felt that you would leave the field clear to the man who would stoop to any means to elevate himself. I understand your sen- timents; more, I respect them. You told some of vour friends, even the editor of 'The Maanifier.' that you would not contest the election. But you did not specifically inform the country-so. With statesmanlike deliberation, you hesitated. You were thinking of the people who had so enthusiastically rallied to your side. I ask you, Mr. Bloodstone, if you were not thinking of the people?" (Continued on Page 59) 1944-45 n n 1 4J45 PLANTERS' PUNCH e en Canada and the British WestIndies Trade between or o esterdaY. Abo inety years not a thing o todaY c were being d scussed ago the possibities o its expansion n 1885 am ca sent Sa trade amaion c to eCxplore the estio btoh in Canada n official decision d the ground for to ranadc and this move prepared h Dun city, opment" which are well known. J f prciprOCt n which tan supplier, to the subsequent developmenmmod this warue Canada has been alnanoer Prn Colonies, oi essent cities. HAND N HAND ative enterprise" -butC a co-op life clssurcnce This is no onecSded ha ant tpace n S s 10p:roducts, Can"d"in and other finance oies cac ,ort and e he, Ca n o iona ecUDo f which much e elves have yhl.Ca- ~the t)b colonies the oi their proa- on the bnded; and the CSoal o many been t for the spsald to have. hchanada eeds and is glad to whic. Trade Commissioners in the British West Indies: "The Ifore h are laem"er '~p not be told what are Splinter unc t; but some, per- h .- -.. ..:~ 1, sero besides a conv ,- ;: e hr- not alone the :'. -.ier and also the tribuions t re '' ards 1he Iwei are, t i t i tr, ^ r "a ppoe all SU ppB t t'he to -me i iiof the -.' noiies, wil Sthe happinhy tsk Canada a nd thee t th i fis wor icant parts. play no insig S *R cTHE WAR At consumers eoe pres entoutput 1939;and, whel pceP Canada's resent 1938 or ields r ,-my times ,sof hernd-heear ,y'-, the produce he Ges oie ,,, se, sill be shipped to the ends oftea.On .rt the West i 'll& are in cprocess ,.h is hope. i sonabeY Canada wis-enO t aone to retain but also (an P) Ca ad ith these no c..-- Colonies; andr Yof Trad'ohich her Trade Expand er trade d commerce, oc ork di- L.epartment uf end Comme' wo ommissione Service is a brch will contnu gently towards that end ~&N ACTG. TRADE COMMIS- SIONER, P.O. Box 225, King- ston. Office Canadian Bank of Commerce Chambers. (Territory includes the Ba- hamas and British Hondu- ras). Cable address, Cana- . ct dian. TRINIDAD: G. A. NEWMAN, P.O. Box '125, port-of-Spain. Office- Colonial Life Insurance Build- ing (Territory includes Bar- bados, Windward and Lee- ward Islands, British and Dutch Guiana). Cable ad- dress, Canadian. DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND COMMERCE OLIVER MAS TER, DEPUTY MINISTER HON. J A. MAcKINNON, M.P., MINISTER OLIVER MASTER, DEPUTY MINISTER ----*- i'58 6v t ~, b i 1 r JAMAICA: R~P. ae~l~ ,V1 W01 PLANTERS' PUNOs, Triumphant Squalitone Continued from Page 57) "I %.as,." said Mr. Bloodstone, but not very heartily. I guessed he had been thinking that the people v\ ouid say some very unpleasant things about him for ratting at the last moment. -'I knev- it," said Squalitone, his eyes fixed on a document on a table near by. "The true statesman takes time to make up his mind. You have not yet issued a statement to Jamaica. You have not informed your hundreds of thousands of supporters that you do not intend to come forward on election (da,'. Nothing from your pen has ap- peared in the papers. It is not in your disposi- tion. Ii, Bhi...l. tone, to desert a whole country." "Ahl. bill I was just preparing a statement to be sent to the papers to-day. I wanted my son to see it. It-- Will never be sent," said Squalitone firmly. "But--" "*ir. Chalkner has publicly withdrawn, anxi- ous to shuow his patriotism, which he would will- ingly sell for a knighthood. His letter is already sent to the Go\ernor. Had he waited one day more he would have beaten us. But he was too quick to seize the prize; his intellect is not sufficiently developed. But what can you expect, Captain," he turned to Captain Bloodstone-"from a man with an inferior education? Mr. Chalkner is not like your father, he does not know one word of the classics, and I can assure you that he has never studied the higher mathematics. We who have had better advantages know the influence of a sound classical education on the development of the mind." With a sweep of his arm Squalitone in- cluded even Mrs. Bloodstone amongst those who, presumably, had the classics at their fingers' ends. "Well, Chalkner is now out of it. .He thought, Sir William, that you also were out of it; he still thinks so. When he learns to-day that, not hav- ing withdrawn, you are still in the field, he will be dumbfounded. But he cannot go back on his own published declaration, on his letter to the Governor, on his telegram to the King. Suppose, however, that he tries to do so. All Jamaica will know by to-morrow what he has done, and I and 'The Magnifier' will take good care that all Ja- maica shall also know why he has done it. The indignation of the people will be like a roaring torrent. Lady Bloodstone, your husband will ob- tain a hundred votes to every one secured by Mr. Chalkner. He will duly be declared President of the Republic, I-he will have triumphed." "Yes," said Mr. Bloodstone, his pliable nature yielding a little to the skilful attack and flattery of Squalitone. "But you forget that if the British Government does: not want Jamaica to become a Republic, I would be the first to agree with it." "And who would not be?" asked Squalitone. "For myself, I detest republics. The autocracy of Russia appeals to me forcibly, and I have always held that there was much to be said for the Star Chamber. But, Sir William, I have yet to know that the British Government has denounced the establishment of a Jamaican Republic. I know, on the contrary, that it has expressly sent instruc- tions to the Governor to institute a republic here forthwith. Some politicians in England are no doubt protesting; well, you know what politicians are, a race of persons upon whom no dependence whatever can be placed. In this instance they may be right. But, as a patriotic British subject, I feel that I must wait until the Government speaks be- fore I agree. At present the Government at home says nothing. You therefore are justified in stand- ing for election. Next week the Government speaks. Like a soldier at the word of command, you say: 'I am ready to obey.' You say it. I say it. All Jamaica says it. Harmony prevails. We have shown ourselves patriotic at every turn. We have defeated the base machinations of a so- cial and political upstart, bent only upon advanc- ing himself. The King rewards true virtue. A baronetcy is bestowed upon the man who, though President of Jamaica, is willing at his Sovereign's word to become once more a simple gentleman. "Not," concluded Squalitone, "not, Lady Blood- stone, that I think for one moment that you cr Sir William or the Captain cares one jot for a title. It could not add distinction to your family. But I do believe you care for Jamaica, I do think you want to serve the British Government in every manner possible; and I do hope that you wish to punish Mr. Chalkner, the man, my Lady, who has caused your husband to be abused so shamefully in the 'City Truth.'" "Oh, that," cried Mrs. Bloodstone, "was shameful; that paper ought to be suppressed." "We suppress it by defeating it." "But there are reasons why it would not be advisable for me to oppose Mr. Chalkner just now," said Mr. Bloodstone weakly. "I'll take the risk, dad," said his son heart- ily; "besides, I don't think there's any risk. You are bound to win now, according to Mr. Squali- tone." "Squalitone please," said my friend a trifle severely. "You are right, Captain Bloodstone. Your father wins easily. And surely the banks will not refuse the needful to a President if Chalk- ner gets spiteful. 'The banks will always lend to a President with good security to offer." "'And I could give them a hint that my reten- tion of the office depends entirely upon the con- tinued approval of the British Government," Mt. Bloodstone remarked thoughtfully. "Excellent idea," said Squalitone; "only you must say at the same time that if you resign it will be on the understanding that no other pre- sidential foolishness is attempted here. Otherwise, they won't lend you a cent." He rose. "Shall we be going down now? We have telegrams to send, manifestos to issue, special bulletins of 'The Mag- nifier' to,put on the streets, and not a moment to lose." "But you must have some refreshment before you go," protested Mrs. Bloodstone hospitably. "Do stay a little longer." "I must deny myself the pleasure," said Squalitone. "We have to strike while the iron is hot. Your motor car is here, Mr. Bloodstone?" "Yes; I'll have it brought round at once." "You must come with us, Captain; you must be seen everywhere with your father to-day and to-morrow. Your presence in khaki will stimu- late people. The Army fights with Bloodstone!" "By Jove! You know how to conduct a cam- paign, Mr. Squalitone," said the young officer ad- miringly. "You don't wait to be attacked; you at- tack." "And win. For we win to-day. What's that, Mr. Bloodstone?" "I was thinking it will be difficult for the edit- or of 'The Magnifier' to explain away my recent withdrawal. I told him, you know, and some other persons, that I had given up the fight." "Don't trouble about him," replied Squali- tone with a confident smile: "he'll be only too glad to find that you have not given it up. He'll ex- plain anything; he'll surprise you with his explan- ations. It is the people, and only the people, to whom you really owe an explanation, and to them you can explain nothing, for you have told them nothing. Two weeks ago you said you would stand for election. Two days hence you redeem your pledge. You are true to the people, Sir William Bloodstone." CHAPTER XX THE DAY OF ELECTION The chief polling station of Kingston was crowded; from nine o'clock that morning hundreds of people had begun to stream into it for the pur- pose of recording their votes in favour of the presidential candidate who had so thoughtfully un- dertaken to convey them to the polling station in carriages and motor cars. It is true they would have to walk back to their homes and places of business; nevertheless, a free ride is not to be de- spised, and the prospect of one will greatly influ- ence a free and independent elector to exercise his right of deciding who shall be his governors in the state. So the voters had been coming in a steady stream, and bands of music had been parad- ing the streets, and all the paraphernalia of a great DeLISSER BROS. election was being displayed and utilised, and all the election agents were in a frenzy of excitement due almost entirely to the liberal consumption. of intoxicating liquors. Tears of patriotic enthusiasm were shed that day; after the health of Bloodstone and the Re- public had been repeatedly drunk; those who wished to express their undying devotion to the cause of republican institutions sang God Save the King and Rule Britannia, and insisted that it was a long, long way to a place called Tipperary, while a proper sense of republican equality was expressed by the chorus, "Britons never, never, never, shall be slaves." Yet, though the election was going as well as the Bloodstone party could wish, it was universally felt that something was lacking. To the very last some opposition from Mr. Chalkner had been expected. Not to be taken unawares, Squalitone had induced Mr. Bloodstone to warn the whole island not to be deceived by any repentance of Mr. Chalkner at the eleventh hour, while the "Magnifier" had openly accused him of wishing a reward from the British Govern- ment as the price of his desertion of Jamaica. All necessary arrangements had been made to cope with any dramatic move on the part of Mr. Chalk- ner; hence the bands of music and the organiza- tion of an army of agents to bring the electors to the poll. But on the great day of the election Mr. Chalk- ner had given his critics a surprise of the kind they did not expect. Both city papers contained his last manifesto, and he had telegraphed the sub- stance of it to every parish and town in the col- ony. It was very brief, it read with simple dig- nity. What he had done he had done, said Mr. Chalkner. He was persuaded that he had acted in the best interests of Jamaica. He asked no one to vote for him. If elected he would not serve as President. It was four o'clock; professional men and mer- chants, leaving their day's work, were coming to congratulate the man who had triumphed. Mr. Bloodstone had been greeting electors of the bet- ter sort all during the hot hours of that day; but a bodyguard of gentlemen had been formed around him, and these did their best to prevent him from being pestered by the humbler members of his party. Amongst the humbler members they quietly included Squalitone; yes, Squalitone who had work- ed so hard and done so much was now steadily be- ing pressed back into an inferior position, and even men who had denounced Bloodstone and supported Chalkner were now being admitted within the in- ner Bloodstone circle of congratulating friends, from which poor Squalitone was rigidly excluded! I saw Mr. Pepkins, he who had publicly invited Mr. Chalkner to come forward and save the Re-, public. He shook hands with Mr. Bloodstone en-I thusiastically, then murmured audibly to those around that Mr. Bloodstone was William Augustus Bloodstone, with the air of one who has made an important discovery. I saw men who had fled from Mr. Bloodstone's side at the first rumour of his impending withdrawal from the contest; now they preened themselves in the rising presidential sun and patronised their inferiors. But for Squal- itone none of them had any use. They suspected that he was the living spring of Mr. Bloodstone's - Ja., B.W.I. WARTIME TRADING TIGHTENS BUSINESS: STILL WE CARRY ON! VISIT OUR HARDWARE DEPARTMENTS GARAGE GASOLENE SERVICE STATION - MONTEGO BAY 19-44 45 PLANTERS' PUNCH activity. And it is a well-known law of tropical political life that the humbler man of energy who has rendered important services should be prompt- ly suppressed after victory is secured. "You notice how I am being treated, Crooks?" asked Squalitone, as we stood by a pillar looking at the scene around us. "They are certainly not very grateful," I ad- mitted. "If I could only smash it all up!" he muttered; "if I could only show them what sort of man I am! But they have me beat now. There is no more warm shaking of hands for me. No more motor car rides for Bertha. No more mention of my name in the editorial columns of 'The Magni- fier.' I even doubt if. Bloodstone will use his in- fluence to secure me a small post somewhere. I have had that in mind all this time; as an intensely practical man. devoted to the welfare of my family, I have been obliged to entertain sordid considerations. But now I begin to doubt. My political triumph ends in this. Squalitone the Pre- sident-maker is nobody to-day!" "Soliloquising, Mr. Squalitone?" The editor of "The Magnifier," who had evi- dently just come in, had stolen quietly up to us. He was looking at Squalitone with a smile. "I am reflecting on the ingratitude of man," replied Squalitone. 1 I11 - There never was a place like Hanna's for Shoes "R" Hanna & Sons Ltd. "A subject that has been dealt with at length in innumerable volumes. I don't think you could add anything original to what has been already said. Well, you see, we win at last." The editor laughed gaily. "Yes," said Squalitone, "and whom do you thank for that?" "Chalkner first; you afterwards. I am think- ing of praising Chalkner to-morrow; he is a sub- tle man and still very influential. Now that the fight is over, it will be just as well to become friendly with him once again." "And I? What will you say about me?" "You will be generally included amongst those who did good service. Your name will not be specifically mentioned, you know; we can't print a catalogue." "Do you think that quite fair?" I asked, dip- ping indignantly into the conversation. "Fair?" laughed the editor; "who could think it was? But don't you see how absurd it would be to signal our good friend here as the man who made the President? He isn't big enough for that. He hasn't a property, a large business, or even a considerable salary; and those who have no money simply do not count-mere brains never count. Perhaps I speak too plainly; it will be my financial ruin some day; but it's just as well to say the truth-sometimes. By Jove-there's Chalk- ner!" And Chalkner it was. A hundred pairs of eyes were fixed on him. Some twenty voices cheered. Even then, when it was quite impossible, there were still some in that room to think that Chalk- ner might yet do something to prove that they had reckoned ill who had believed that he would tamely give up a fight if once he entered it. But Mr. Chalkner was going up to Mr. Bloodstone, way being immediately made for him. He put out his hand, and Bloodstone grasped it warmly. He looked at Captain Bloodstone, and an introduction took place. Wonder of wonders! Chalkner had come to congratulate his rival. "You see," said the editor significantly. "What could Squalitone claim now? Who would pay any attention to his claim? I am going back to the office; that appre- ciative article on Chalkner must be written." He nodded to us, and hurried away, smiling cynically. Five o'clock was approaching apace. A great crowd was gathering outside the polling station; we could distinctly hear the raucous murmur of the excited multitude. Mr. Chalkner, after hav- ing talked some ten minutes with Mr. Bloodstone and his son, addressing some of those present whom he knew personally was quietly moving about the room. Friend and opponent alike he greeted courteously; there was no shadow of jealousy or disappointment on his face. He came up to where we stood; I wondered if he were going to notice us. He put out his hand, I took it; to my surprise he also shook hands with Squalitone, and there was a smile on his face. "I wrote you to-day, Mr. Crooks," he said, "but I suppose you haven't been home since morn- ing." "That is true," I answered; "I've been down- town for hours." "Naturally. I asked the pleasure of your com- pany at .lunch some days ago, but have been so rushed with work since then that I could not be- fore this name a day. I have written to ask if you could go to Hamsworth to lunch to-morrow. A young friend of yours is expected. Can I count on you?" "Well," I said, confused, "of course, at this time-" "Ah, yes; you mean this"-he glanced round -"this political business. But it will all be over by tomorrow, I think. Well, I hope I shall see you. I'll look for you." I murmured a sort of acceptance. "You are splendid, Mr. Squalitone." he con- tinued, turning to my friend, whose face was just then the picture of dejection. "I must congratulate you on your triumph. The fight is over now, and so, I suppose, we can be friends." Squalitone plucked up. "Well, I have done something," he returned modestly. "My name should live in history." "It should," said Chalkner dryly. It was five o'clock. Thousands of voices were cheering like mad. Mr. Chalkner slipped away unobtrusively; Mr. Bloodstone from an elevated position was preparing to address the crowd. I heard the words, "His Excellency the President," in the mouths of hundreds, and I knew that on the outskirts of that great demonstration the bands were playing furiously. "Bloodstone forever, hip, hip, hurrah!" "Three cheers for President Bloodstone!" "Hip, hip, hip, hurrah!" "We had better go home now," I said to Squal- itone. "They have no further use for us here." "Mr. Bloodstone will have to pay my out-of- pocket expenses to-morrow, or I'll sue him for 'em," said Squalitone viciously. CHAPTER XXI "THEY HAVE THEIR REWARD" So it was over at last, the election of a Pre- sident. When I came to think it over, the event did not seem at all unlike any of the ordinary elections of the Legislative Council I had wit- nessed; there was no greater excitement than usual in the capital, and rather less in the coun- try parishes. The people as a whole would not allow themselves to become excited. jn-i political zeal had wisely kept in remembrance the inflic- tion of fines for disorderly conduct. The votes were counted during the night, and on the follow- ing morning the public journals alleged that, all things considered, the electors had shown great interest in the election. I don't know what the things considered were; the fact was that but about one-third of the voters had taken the trouble to go to the polls. One man had received a slight in- jury at the Kingston polling station owing to some defect in the building, and we learnt that he in- tended to sue for damages. Not being at all cer- tain of the forthcoming Government's status, he was meditating a suit against the existing Colonial Government. On the day after the election I lunched with Mr. Chalkner. I felt I had done him an injustice in doubting the sincerity of his first invitation, and the only way I could atone was by going to Hams- worth. Harry went also, and we had an excel- lent lunch. There were no ladies present. Mrs. and Miss Chalkner were still in Manchester; Mr. Chalkner expressed his regret that they could not meet us. Of course we began talking politics. I hinted to our host that he could have been elected President had he chosen. "I had no desire to be President- elect for a fortnight," he replied, quite frankly. "Then you don't think the Republic will last?" I asked him. "There is no Republic," he said quietly; "there never has been and there never will be. Did you ever believe otherwise?" "And yet you contested the Presidency up to Sa certain point," observed Harry. "Why not, since there was a call for candi- dates?" After that he turned the conversation quite naturally, alluding to the prospects of the coun- try, and asking me my opinion on them. They should be good, he thought; the war had greatly increased the value of certain products. He men- tioned two or three. This was Harry's own province. He enlarged upon the subject. Mr. Chalkner let him talk, in- terpolating a keen observation now and then. It was shop, but Harry liked it,'and it has been one of my aims to be interested, in a general way, in commerce and finance. I gave my views at length, and Mr. Chalkner listened as though he were learning something. But it seemed that he knew as much as, and even more than, we did about Jamaica produce. Then he spoke of the newspa- pers, and hinted that if he ever took a personal interest in one he should very much like to have me on the staff as a special contributor. His man- ner indicated that his ownership of a paper was not so impossible or so distant as might appear. (Cnotii:u-d on Page 62) FOR -- CONTACT PANDALUS H*DW IB-i1I 194445 PLANTERS' PUNCH OUR DARKNESS"F H CHILDREN AND SAVAGES are afraid of the dark. Instinct warns them against the unseen danger, the invisible threat. THE FINGER OF LIGHT IN THE SKY, the beneficence of the sun, the clear luminance of the moon, the glimmer of myriad stars by these Nature relieves man of his primeval dread. CIVILISATION GOES FURTHER- it illuminates the dim earth, sends search- lights of brilliance across the night sky, brings the clarity of daylight to the dark room. ELECTRICITY THE MODERN MAGI- CIAN, the wizard that conquers the dark- ness brings this miracle of lighting right into your home. JAMAICA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY LIMITED. I II ICC ---- --------r~-~r-r,,. --- -~r-lz-- - 1M4-46 Msk"'WilL PLANT RS',\ PUN CH Triumphant Squalitone (Continued from Page 60) We were nearly two hours at Hamsworth; when we left it was with the feeling that, however high in the public regard Mr. Chalkner might stand, it was only those who had come to know him at his hospitable board who could properly appreciate him. I could certainly never write against him again. I felt somewhat ashamed at having ever opposed him. I told Bertha all about our visit. This was the last day of her holiday; to-morrow she would be going back to work again; Squalitone, I imagin- ed, would be returning to the practice of passing warrants unless, the Republic becoming a reality, Mr. Bloodstone rewarded him with a minor post in the Administration. Life would resume its even pace; after our strenuous activity would ensue the monotonous. All this I said by way of explaining that I had not been a backslider in politics, but had accepted the Chalkner olive branch only after we had placed Mr. Bloodstone on the presidential throne. We have done our duty, Bertha, and now can return to our humble occupations, like Cin- cinnatus." She listened to it all very quietly. I knew she was thinking, not of my lunching with Mr. Chalk- ner, but of Harry's. When I paused, she asked me- "Do you know much about New York?" "I was there seven years ago," I said; "it is a city of high buildings, loud noises and tram-car accidents." "You know I have relatives working there," she said; "they are getting on very well. I think I will go to New York, Uncle Joe." "Preposterous!" I exclaimed. "You have never travelled; you'd be homesick; and then, there's the winter. With the political triumph of our party there is now no reason for the emigration of the better classes-not that I think Chalkner would have been so bad, after all, you know." "I am not thinking of politics," she said; "I care nothing about them. And I suppose it is all one to us who is elected President. But in America girls who have to work for their living are not look- ed down upon-and the people are different. I am going to New York, Uncle Joe." "But surely," I said, "no sensible person here looks down upon girls who have to earn their liv- ing. Besides, your father's prospects should now be excellent. Think of what he has done. Great must be his reward." But I remembered how we had been cold-shouldered the day before at the polling station, and did not feel as confident as I appeared. "Perhaps he has already received his reward," she said with some bitterness, and left me. I sought out Squalitone. He was in a room in the yard which he insisted upon calling his study. It contained two chairs upon either of which you sat at your own grave peril, a deal-board table with writing materials, and some old newspapers. He seemed to be composing a letter. "Well?" he greeted me; "had your lunch?" I dismissed the subject of lunch as one beneath the serious consideration of men like ourselves. "What is now before the House?" I asked jo- cularly, "a letter to the papers, or the beginning of your suit for out-of-pocket expenses?" "Crooks," he said solemnly, "when I mentioned out-of-pocket expenses yesterday, I did so in the heat of justifiable annoyance. Strictly speaking, all the money I have been spending on the election came out of the pockets of Mr. Bloodstone and his friends. I can tell you this, for you know it already,, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. No one could have overheard my words yesterday. Yet, an hour ago, the greatest insult of my life was put upon me. I then received a letter from Mr. Bloodstone's se- cretary thanking me for what I had done, and send- ing me fifty pounds for out-of-pocket expenses!" "A cheque is not always an insult," I replied, in the spirit of a pacifist. "I grant you that. But a cheque for fifty pounds, after all that I have done, is undoubtedly an insult amounting to dishonesty. Had it been a hundred pounds I could have argued that my general disinterestedness had been appreciated by the party I have placed in power, and that they intended the money to be used merely for the pur- chase of some memorial of an exciting contest. As it is, I can only regard fifty pounds in the light of remuneration, and that is where the offence comes in. I do not say that remuneration would be out of place. In the circumstances, it decidedly would not be. But it must be adequate; and now I am thinking of returning the cheque. Bertha entirely agrees with me." I pondered for a moment. The money could do so much for the family! Yet there was Bertha's pride to be considered. I understood her bitter- ness now. "I suppose you are right," I sighed. "I know I am. Dignity is not to be sacrificed for fifty pounds. When I return this cheque, Mr. Bloodstone's people will recognize the sort of man I am, and will have more respect for me than they ever had before. I am going to make it very plain to them that I am not a fifty pounds man. That will probably lead to their increasing the amount to one hundred pounds, eh?" "I don't see that that follows," I said. "They will probably take back the cheque, and write you a very nice letter, protesting that they meant no offence, and again thanking you for what you have done. Then the incident will be considered closed." "Is that what you think?" asked Squalitone with a troubled expression. "It is." "It is also the thought that has been troubling me, otherwise this cheque would have been return- ed the moment I received it. It would be a calamity, Crooks, if they took back the money and only sent renewed thanks. Hang their thanks!-what am I to do with thanks! They are an ungrateful gang, that's what they are And fifty pounds is fifty pounds." "Neither more nor less," said I. "It will seem a great deal more if I send back the cheque and they keep it; a pound out of hand seems worth two in the purse. What do you ad- vise me to do?" "My dear fellow, this is a matter that every man must decide for himself. You have to con- sider the feelings of your family, of Bertha espe- cially, for she knows the Bloodstones." "Yes; I am afraid I was a fool to let Bertha know anything about this cheque; if I hadn't, I could have kept it without anyone being any the wiser. Now I must rise to the height of my dignity and lose fifty quid. Dignity isn't worth that much, Crooks. Dignity has led many a man to the alms- house before this. Only rich men can afford to be dignified, and they never are till they become rich. And some are not dignified after they do be- come rich. Chalkner is not, or he never would have invited you to lunch with him to-day, considering that you supported Bloodstone." "Squalitone," I said sternly, "Mr. Chalkner has the merit of being able to appreciate literary abili- ty." "Nonsense! He is thinking of that K.C.M.G. he hopes for; and he doesn't want to hear anything more about his aims in the newspapers. He's going to be nice to everybody now. He's the cleverest man about town." "Will you explain, then, how it is that he hasn't been nice to you?" "He wouldn't invite me to lunch-I know that. And I suppose he thinks that the papers wouldn't publish any letters from me about his ambitions. Yet I am not sure that he wouldn't be very nice to me, after all. He knows me now." Squalitone puckered up his brows and mused, endeavouring to discover, no doubt, some ways and means of in- ducing Mr. Chalkner to be nice to him. "And he cannot be nice to Gresham from any selfish point of view," I continued; "Harry doesn't interfere in public matters." "No. But Chalkner isn't going to waste time on any young fellow for nothing. Mrs. Squalitone thinks that the Chalkners want Gresham for their daughter; which proves that women are very foolish. Chalkner can buy bigger fish than Gres- ham; Ella may play with the young man, but she is a very sensible girl; she isn't going to marry for love. I don't know why Chalkner is nice to Gres- ham, but it's for something. Chalkner is a man of brains; he's no blooming philanthropist. Did you meet his wife and daughter to-day?" "No." "He took care that you shouldn't. Not too much intimacy,, you see. But about this cheque." "Yes; what are you going to do about it?' 1 said, not ill-pleased to change the conversation. "I will explain to my family that Bloodstone could not possibly have meant to be insulting when he sent it to me-and I really believe that. Now if I returned it to him, that would be an insult, and no gentleman has a right to insult another. I can- not hurt anybody's feelings." "So you will keep it and be satisfied?" - "I will keep it, but I will not be satisfied. This must be the opportunity of my life. Bloodstone must show proper appreciation. I will see him shortly and inform him that I will spend this money on a memento of my pleasant relationships with him-a new suit of clothes would make an admir- able memento, for one thing. Then I will hint to him that my business has suffered severely during the weeks I spent in promoting his interests, and that if I do not obtain some sort of position, which I am entirely unable to secure for myself, I shall have been made bankrupt through my devotion to his cause. That should settle him: he's such a soft- head that, unless malign influences are brought to bear against me, he must do something. Courage, Crooks! Don't be downhearted. Rely upon me, and we'll pull through yet." I didn't exactly see where I came in, or why I should be downhearted or otherwise. Then I re- membered Bertha's talk about New York, and bluntly told him of it. He became grave on the instant. He was al- ways surprising me by showing far more percep- tion than anybody would ordinarily have given him credit for. There was something in his face which made me think that he knew more about Bertha's feelings than he ever pretended to know. And after all, in his own erratic way, he cared for his chil- dren. "You must use your influence to prevent her from going," he said: "Delay is all that's neces- sary. She is a determined girl, but she'll listen to reason. Tell her a lie, Crooks; tell her you are thinking of taking a trip to New York yourself, and that she must wait until you are going. I know she has a few pounds saved, and she may go shortly unless we use diplomacy." I made no reply. "I shall call upon Bloodstone within the next twenty-four hours, wherever he is to be found," he went on. "And perhaps I'll make it a point to run uo against Chalkner accidentally. Some- thino has ot to be done: the happiness of my family is at stake. A man of culture, with the rinmnstic virtues strongly d-veloned, must make orpat pxertions at a time like this. I have ndt Ihomin ha lv. This election, the cheoue included, is left mre about seventy pounds to the good." JAMES M. MARZOUCA MONTEGO BAY Wholesale & iRetail Tlerc/ aat Importer rtO, Soods, [oots R & SAoes, etc., etc. CORNWALL HOUSE (PARADE) JIM'S 22 ST. JAMES ST. CABLE ADDRESS: "JIM'S" P.O. Box 342. TELEPHONE NUMBERS: BANKERS:- BARCLAYS BANK (D.C.&O.) 378, 452, 619. a-l-l l l ~ l l l l111111.1111 194 44 PLANTERS' PUNCH CHAPTER XXII HOW THE BLOODSTONES ACTED The English papers were very busy with West Indian affairs The news of Mr. Chalkner's withdrawal from the presidential contest and of Mr. Bloodstone's election had been telegraphed to England; it 'was known that in another few days the other West Indian Colonies would also elect :their presidents. And the Press was asking if the farce were to be allowed to continue any long- er: even those organs which usually supported the Government confessed that the experiment seem- ed at best a doubtful one, making much -if the fact that the majority of the West Indians did not seem grateful for the prospect of republican gov- ernment, and were even hostile to it. Mr. Chalkner's name was mentioned in flat- tering terms. His conduct was cited for admira- tion. And not only in England, but in the United States also, his action was commented upon: he had won to fame by what was called in English conservative papers his statesmanlike conception of what was best suited to the requirements of tropical dependencies. Mr. Bloodstone's motives were questioned: why had he not acted like his rival? And would he now be so insanely ambi- tious as to endeavour to cling to a position won through' the blundering of a Colonial Office which, evidently, was bent upon betraying the interests of the Empire? "The Magnifier" answered the English critics. They did not know the President, it said, (which was true enough, they never having heard of him before the last couple of weeks.) Let the British Government speak out, saying plainly what it re- quired of the colony, "The Magnifier" suggested, and it would find that Jamaica and her President were as loyal and patriotic as ever they had been. "Which means that Bloodstone will get something, as I told him," said Squalitone. This was the day after the receipt of the cheque. Squalitone was going to seek out Blood- stone, for the purpose, as Bertha believed, of re- turning the money; with the object, as I knew, of inducing Bloodstone to do something substantial for him. And Bertha was going back to her work. She hinted to me that in a few days time she would probably give notice of her intention to leave. Squalitone came home in the afternoon; his cheerfulness assured me at once that he had not been unsuccessful. "Well?" I asked. "Nothing is settled yet; but the prospect is good. I saw Bloodstone; he had been up to the Governor to inform him that his own wish was to remain the devoted British subject he had al- ways been. The Governor begged him not to dis- turb his mind. The Governor said that there was every certainty of Mr. Bloodstone's remaining a British subject." "But your own affairs?" "I told Bloodstone that I would devote the fifty pounds to keeping his memory green. I ask- ed him for a photograph; said I wanted to send it away to have a painting made of it, which should be framed in gilt moulding. I hinted that that would cost about fifty pounds, and that nothing would please me better than spending ten pounds extra for such a purpose. Mrs. Bloodstone was there. The old lady was tickled to death by what I said-I took care to call her Lady Bloodstone all the time. Then I talked about the need I had of a job. Bloodstone bit at once. There was the assistant clerkship of the City Council vacant, he said; it was only worth 200 a year, but the chief clerk was old. In a little while I might be re- ceiving 450 a year not so bad as things went." "Well?" "I said I would accept the position. He pro- mised to use his influence; he knows some of the Councillors. But he pointed out that there were others to be influenced; he was hot sure of those, though he would talk to them. I should try to get someone else to back my application, and, of course, I must be a good accountant. He had'heard I was one. "'I have worked as accountant for Chalkner,' I told him. "'But would Mr. Chalkner help you?' he ask- ed dubiously. "'You ask him to,' I said, and that is where the matter rests at present." "Why didn't you go and see Chalkner your- self, Squalitone?" I enquired; "you said you would." "A man like Chalkner will prefer to be ap- proached by a man like Bloodstone. That will make him feel important-President-elect asking him a favour, Chalkner still able to assist Blood- stone: nothing will tickle Chalkner's vanity more than that." "But think of Bloodstone's asking a favour of the man who might so gravely have embarrass- ed him!" I cried. "Can Bloodstone so soon have forgotten Chalkner's action?" "He wouldn't forget it ifT Ihad been you or I who had threatened to sue him for money; but rich men do not indulge in long enmities. Super- ficial friendships suit them better. They will al- ways unite to sit on the poorer men. And then, remember, Chalkner first held out the olive branch. Don't you remember what happened at the polling station?" I nodded. "I am glad the Bloodstones were nice to you," I said. "They could not have been otherwise, Crooks; they 'owe me so much. And they recognize the general superiority of my character and intellect. Mrs. Bloodstone was particularly courteous. By the way, she gave me a letter for Bertha." "Indeed?" "Yes; she had it written when I called. Was going to post it, but thought I might hand it to Bertha instead. I can't open my daughter's letters, can I?" "You had better not!" "Then we must wait till Bertha comes home before we learn what the letter is about." Bertha read Mrs. Bloodstone's letter quickly, a smile of gratification stealing over her face. There was a proud glad look in her eyes as she handed it IRed to her mother. Harry Gresham had come in al- most immediately after her; we were all standing in the dining-room. Squalitone would not have been there at that hour but for curiosity. Mrs. Squalitone read-no, that lady perused the missive: no other words would adequately des- cribe the slow and solemn progress of her eyes as they absorbed the contents of Mrs. Bloodstone's letter. "You must go, Bertha," she said with an air of finality, when the perusal had come to an end. "Go where?" asked Squalitone impatiently; "you might let us know what Mrs. Bloodstone has written about." "The President's wife," replied Mrs. Squalitone impressively, "has invited Bertha to spend a fort- night with her at Mandeville. She says she knows that Bertha must be worn out with her election work, and she should try to recuperate in the coun- try. Her Excellency says that nothing would give her greater pleasure than if Bertha should accept her invitation; and," Mrs. Squalitone added with a sort of shiver of delight, "she will be calling per- sonally to-morrow morning for Bertha's answer. We must arrange the drawing-room from to-night!" Margaret and Alice clapped their hands with (Continued on Page 65) Stirl Ipe "JAMAICA'S NATIONAL DRIM K" IB e e r Always wholesome and delightful to drinl. II I _1 1944 45 ! I. .1 .- T L' I. PC '\ f' H ffaE~A~~~2~~ Benito and Juan B. Machado came to Jamaica from Cuba in 1875 and, find- ing the climate and soil of this island similar to that of Cuba, foresaw the possibilities of a tobacco industry and began the manufacture of cigars. The products of the firm founded by these cousins have today a very high reputation among cigar smokers all over the world. In Jamaica the name Machado is not only synonymous with the finest quality cigars, but even the most discriminat- ing cigarette smokers find, among the variety of brands of cigarettes made in the company's modern and hygienic factory, the cigarette most ideally suited to their tastes. La ,( CIGARE B. & J. B. Machado Tobacco Company, Limited Kingston, Jamaica, B.W.I. I 1944-46 )~A~B~B~~ PLANTERS' PUNCH Triumphant Squalitone (Continued from Page 63) generous pleasure at Bertha's good fortune. Harry looked pleased. "They are taking you up now, B.," Alice blurted out. "Don't talk slang, Alice," her mother rebuked her. "Bertha cannot be taken up, for Bertha never was down. But I am glad Mrs. Bloodstone is not ungrateful. I am glad for her own sake," Mrs. Squalitone added, as though ingratitude on the part of Mrs. Bloodstone would have seriously af- fected her alone. "Mandeville, chief town of the parish of Man- chester," observed Squalitone thoughtfully. "A small town. At present inhabited, along with others, by Mrs. and Miss Chalkner. They will call on Mrs. Bloodstone. Birds of the same richness of feather display a tendency to flock together. Yes, you will meet Ella Chalkner, Bertha." "And will compare more than favourably," as- serted Mrs. Squalitone. "Bertha, you cannot dis- appoint Her Excellency. I can read between the lines of her letter. She depends upon you to go with her." "Her son is going with her, too; she mentioned something of the sort to-day. The doctor thinks he needs some country air," said Squalitone in an in- different tone of voice. His eyes glanced casually at Harry Gresham. I wondered. Did Squalitone, after all, tell me everything that was in his mind? "I couldn't get leave again," said Bertha re- gretfully. "I only went back to work to-day." All the women looked blank. "Get leave? You'll get all the leave you want if you show old Passmore that letter," cried her father confidently. He'll be only too proud to know anyone who is invited by Mrs. Bloodstone to stay with her. His wife will invite you next. Your pay will be raised. Passmore's daughters will want you to join their club. A letter like that, my dear, is like an open cheque on heaven." "Then you think I can accept?" asked his daughter, eagerly. "Without a doubt. And suppose that Pass- more refused you further leave--which he will never dream of doing? Couldn't you still depend upon your father's ability to arrange matters? A certificate from a doctor could always be procured. 'Run down in health, needs rest'; that would do it. Perfectly true too, for you are run down; you look it. But you would never have thought of that cer- tificate yourself." But Bertha wasn't listening to this speech; she had already run into her room to overhaul her wardrobe. And Mrs. Squalitone was majestically contemplating certain changes in the drawing-room, which would probably result in its looking much as it did before. Margaret and Alice had disappeared with Bertha. So Squalitone was heard by me and Harry alone. "My interview with Bloodstone to-day," said Squalitone, "convinced me that he has the highest opinion of me; which is right. He knows that al- though sadly reduced in financial circumstances, I am his social equal. And Bertha will uphold the prestige of her family. She will.meet-a.lot of young FOR FRESH WHOLESOME FOODS DISCRIMINATING HOUSEWIVES MAKE THEIR HEADQUARTERS THE RIGHT GROCERY men of her own potential class: I do not fear for her future." Harry listened to this with manifest displeasure. That night, while Bertha, her mother and her sisters were busy in the bed-rooms solving the mysteries of female apparel, I continued the bur- den of Squalitone's remarks, my sole audience being Harry. "Bertha is getting her chance at last," I re- marked paternally. "A girl with her looks and manners must attract eligible suitors, especially now that Mrs. Bloodstone has taken her up." "I suppose you are thinking the old lady's son will fall in love with her," he said, jibing at me. "Not at all unlikely, my boy; all men are not like ourselves, confirmed bachelors, eh?" But he did not answer. CHAPTER XXIII THE GOVERNOR'S ANNOUNCEMENT "Honourable gentlemen of the Legislative Coun- cil." The Governor was reading, quietly, calmly, a speech that appeared likely to be brief; the Coun- cil was standing with an air of expectancy, though every member knew what was coming; every inch of available space was occupied by the public, that public which, a month before, had heard His Ex- cellency announce that the colony was about to be endowed with republican institutions. Two weeks had elapsed since the presidential election, and many things had happened in the in- terval. The most important of all was already known, but it had yet to be announced in formal manner to the Colony's Legislature. The members of this body were now awaiting the announcement with becoming gravity. Mr. Bloodstone was present, Mr. Chalkner was there; all the leaders of public opinion had put in an appearance, and in the streets were some twenty thousand people. You heard the murmur of their voices, you had a sense of the feeling of that wait- ing multitude. For they had never asked for a re- public, they had not been eager to become disso- ciated, in however slight a manner, from the Em- pire of which Jamaica was one of the foundation stones. Realising all this-he had always realized it-- the Governor proceeded confidently. He asked that the resolution to be proposed by the Colonial Secre- tary, a resolution expressing the Council's appro- val of the Home Government's decision, should be supported unanimously. "The country," he said, "approves fully. It is for this Council to give ex- pression to the country's approval." 'I 'I Today, owing to an all-round shortage of beef cattle it is not possible to supply the total requirements of Jamaica house- holders. Our imports of finest meats can only be what today': restricted shipping will il1-1 . SHowever, we are grateful that through these trying times you have always favoured us with your custom to the degree that we could supply. We know that soon, very soon, many of the difficulties in obtaining supplies will be overcome. Our promise until then, is of the BEST SERVICE that is possible under the present circumstances. THE WEST INDIA COLD STORAGE ENTRANCE VIA WATER LANE THE WEST END, - KINGSTON, THE HOUSE OF / JA., B.W.I. HENRY KELLY TRADING CO. HAMILTON QUALITY FRUITS, VEGETABLES 1h ".1 .1 -, O' / REPRESENTING AONG OTHERS:-- has within the past 37 years REPRESENTING AO OTHER S / BIGSBY & SONS LTD. built up an enviable repu- / IGSBY & SONS station for 4 POLISHES. VARNISHES, PAINTS. ETC. S/ BRITISH GLUES & GLUES, ROLLER Successful CTradin 4 -CHEMICALS LTD. COMPOSITIONS. ETC. / ESSENTIAL OILS, ETC. The ATLANTIC eP /CHESEBROUGH MNFG. CO. "VASELINE" PREPARATIONS -" PDR. KILMER & CO. SWAMP ROOT, FEMALE COMPOUND, ETC. CABLE ADDRESS: A _-GEO. W. LUFT & CO, INC. "TANGEE" BEAUTY PREPARATIONS "NOTLIMAH" to / PURITY OATS (BREAKFAST ROLLED) A QUICK COOKING HIGH PHONE 2565 MORNING GLASS WORKS TABLE & LIGHTING GLASSWARES SR. B. DAVIS SALES CO. COCOMALT, DAVIS O.K. BAKING-C P0O DRIED AND CANNED FRUITS, ETC. LOUIS A. HAMILTON LTD. MANUFACTURERS' AGENTS. P.O. BOX 59. 41 ORANGE STREET. KINGSTON, JAMAICA, B.W.I. THE RIGHT GROCERY (ESTAB. 1937) 8 OLD HOPE ROAD TEL. 6201 a 6202 LEO. LOPEZ. PROP. iRNIA PACKING CORPORATION ~I m 1944-45 PLANTERS' PUNCH 'Att "\\te beC is Then an elected member, deputed by his col- leagues, slowly rose, deliberately cleared his throat, frowned at the ceiling, and began to address the Governor. The Council, he affirmed, would endorse the action of His Majesty's Government. The Council had expected no other ending to the farce but this. But who was responsible for the farce? Was Jamaica always to be made the catspaw of Downing Street? Or was it some baleful influence nearer home that must be accused? He glared across at the official members. A wall of blank faces met his eyes. "Has there been treason here?" he thundered. "We soon shall learn the truth." (thurrhyarX Imoriali of fine Craftsmanship and Chaste design carved in Silvery Cor- nish Granite or one of the other beautiful English Stones. This typical Cornish Cross is de- '. * signed after the famous St. Columb Cross. Carved in the Everlasting Silvery Grey Cornish Granite with the interlaced orna- ment in bold relief, 4 ft. high, 58 packed for shipment. l antmemoratiue WIabist for the Church Executed in Alabaster, Portland Stone, Oak, etc., Send for Illustrated ooklets. with inscription letter- "Beautiful Churchyard Mem- ing finely engraved. Es- orials," 6d. Memorial Tablets timates and Sketch de- for the Church, 6d. Stained signs on request. Kind- Glass Windows, 6d. Book of ly send wording of pro- Inspiring Inscription. 8d. I posed inscription. suggesting as it S atin rosdoes our Christ- ian Faith, will always be a cher- ished symbol for a permanent Churchyard Memorial. In Cornish Granite on Rock base, height 3 ft. 35. In Yorkshire Stone 32 packed for shipment. Many of Messrs. Maile's beautiful Memorials may be seen at Kingston and elsewhere in Jamaica and B.W.I. i e &c an. ?ti. "Founded year 1766. Sculptors. Church Craftsmen and Stained Glass Artists. 367. EUSTON RD.. LOND.. N.W.I. ,~ ... .... . His words were passed to the people in the street. A sound, waxing louder every moment, drowned the voice of the Colonial Secretary, who was making a conventional reply. Cheers and cheers arose, a mighty thunder of sound; the crowd in the Council chamber itself began to cheer, for- getting itself in the excitement of the moment. "Do you hear?" cried the elected member who had spoken. "That is the voice of the people." For once the saying was literally true. "Let us conclude with the National Anthem," suggested someone, and he was beginning to sing, wnen the Governor rose :'ati;l:,. "I have something more to say," he stated, when the noise had somewhat subsided, "and we must conclude our proceedings to-day in the usual manner. His Majesty, honourable gentlemen, has, as a recognition of their loyalty to his person and Throne, been graciously pleased to confer on Mr. Arthur Theophilus Chalkner and Mr. William Bloodstone, two of our leading citizens, the distin- guished honour of knighthood, and I have also been instructed to appoint both gentlemen to be members of my Privy Council. This Council will, I feel sure, join with me in congratulating both Mr. Blood- stone and Mr. Chalkner on the honour which the King has been pleased to bestow upon them." "Hear, hear! Hear, hear!" All eyes were turn- ed towards Mr. Chalkner and Mr. Bloodstone, and both those gentlemen endeavoured to look as though they were afflicted with deafness and could hear nothing. Knights. K.C.M.G.'s. So Squalitone had been right all along! And now the Councillor who had first spoken rose once more. He begged leave to congratulate the two gentlemen mentioned. Oh, yes, he would congratulate them. The elected members had for years borne the heat and the burden of the day, and had striven to do their utmost for the Empire. They had expected no reward, and that was just as well, since they would never receive any. But they would congratulate the two gentlemen upon whom had been bestowed the distinguished honour of knighthood. It was difficult to understand why that honour had been conferred, the country would never be able to understand it. Yet they must ac- cept the accomplished fact. No doubt these two gentlemen had done something which a future his- torian might be able to discover. For himself, he would never be able to perceive it. For himself, he was glad to say that there had been no revolu- tion in the country, but for that he thanked the police exclusively. He had not, however, heard that the head of the Police Force was to be made anything. In fact, people who did useful work were never made anything; that was the tradition of the Empire, and they must all be content. But there was one thing that he would not be content with. He wondered whether the Governor had noticed how badly the electric fans in the Cham- ber were working? They had always worked bad- ly, and he had never complained; but since honours were now being indiscriminately showered upon the undeserving, he would protest against the miser- able condition of the electric fans, if he had to do so for years, and even if he stood alone. Until the grievance he protested against was removed, the Government might look forward to his determined opposition. He emphasised his statement that, if needs be, he was prepared to stand alone. Then he sat down and everyone felt that he had said very proper things about the mistake made 'in this last distribution of honours. The atmosphere was now surcharged with envy. What, we all asked ourselves, had Chalkner and Bloodstone done? In what way had they deserved the honour of knighthood? Downing Street's blun- ders again! Ten minutes more, and it was proposed that the Council should adjourn until to-morrow. But the member who had suggested the closing of that afternoon's proceedings with the National Anthem, being possessed of a good voice, would not allow his suggestion to be ignored. He rose formally and proposed it. He led the singing. The people in the street were still singing when I pushed my way through them, homewards. CHAPTER XXIV ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL "So you did meet Ella Chalkner?" "Yes, Uncle Joe, and she was very friendly. I was determined to be cold when I met her, but she wouldn't give me the chance. She told Mrs. Blood- stone that we were old schoolmates, and what good friends we had been, and she asked me to go with Mrs. Bloodstone to see her. The Chalkners even invited me to their picnic." "Well, you see, Bertha," I observed oracularly, "you have not been quite just to the Chalkners all this time." She looked thoughtful. Perhaps not; after all, we drifted apart, and that wasn't Ella's fault. She insisted that we should call one another by ou: Christian names, as we used to at school." (Continued on Page 70) 194445 The 4' Iele e 1 X O\ot -- e '4 1944-45 THE When, after much agitation in Jamaica and much correspondence with the Colonial Office in England a despatch finally arrived stating that Jamaica was to be granted a New Constitution, conformable to the terms asked for by us, His Excellency Sir Arthur Richards, referred to the event in these terms: "The Book of Jamaica is open at a new page; it is for us to write upon it what we will." These are wise words, excellent and true words, and they will not readily be forgotten; they will live in the minds of us all for many a long day. The Book is now open. The opening took place on the twentieth of November, 1944, when His Excellency Sir John Huggins, K.C.M.G., Captain General and Governor-in- Chief of Jamaica read the Proclamation dis- solving the old constitution with its legis- lative appurtenances and promulgating the New Constitution, establishing a new order of Government, and extending the rights and privileges of the people through their Elected Representatives. The reading was in public, at the southern entrance of the Victoria, Park, and was accompanied by pomp and ceremony befitting so great an occasion. There was His Excellency the Governor, attended by his principal officials, all in their ceremonial uniforms, there were the Judges in their robes of office, the 3Iilit.iry and other Services in distinguishing uniforms, the Mayor and Aldermen, .1enih,-is and Councillors, the Dignitaries of the Cl'h -li, Dignitaries of the State all these were there, and all these were necessary to take part in the proceedings and to signalise the importance of the occa- sion. A vast concourse of people had assembled to hear the Proclamation and to bear witness to the great transaction taking place before their eyes. They had not assembled there out of mere curiosity, impelled thither by the fact that something unusual was taking place, bent on enjoying themselves and seeing the sights, whatever sights might offer to be seen. They knew, they felt indeed, that something unusual was taking place, that it was more than merely something extraordinary and rare- ly to be seen, that it was something of deep significance to them individually and person- ally; and they were gravely aware of the im- port of the occasion. For great occasions make their presence felt even by the heedless and unthinking. It is the circumstances under which these great events take place that arrest the atten- tion of men and implant their significance upon mind and heart. Pageantry, ceremonial, ritual it is at such times that we realize their vast and inestimable uses. Without their aid circumstances of deep importance will pass with little notice. They are the out- ward and visible sign of inward spiritual grace. We do not enthrone Kings, proclaim new constitutions, establish new governments, by plain and unadorned announcement. These are great occasions and the manner of their presentment must be such as rightly will proclaim their greatness. Hence the pageantry and ceremony. These strike the senses of the beholder, as the scene unfolds, and as the words he hears-not the common language of everyday affairs, but phrases sonorous and re- sounding impinge upon his consciousness. They stir the blood and quicken the pulse, the PLANTERS' PUNCH OPEN Courtesy of the Daily Glecancr HIIS EXCELLENCE SIR JOHN HUGGINS, CAPTAIN- GENERAL AND GOVERNOR IN CHIEF OF JAMAICA, HIEAI)NG THE PROCLAMATION OF THE NEW CON- STITUTION AT 8.45 IN THE MORNING OF NOVEMBER 20. 1944. heart beats faster, the imagination is alive and keen and impatient. We do not feel that we can stand still and look on only. We are restless to take part. We cannot take part in fact, but we can in fancy, and derive a vicarious satisfaction in so doing. We envy, though not uncharitably ,those whose privilege it is to take an active part in the proceedings. We are not content to be witnesses only, we must be partakers also, in the great drama. It is therefore well that important occasions in a nation's life should be observed with due forms and ceremonies, which by their spec- tacular suggestions teach the lessons we should learn and remind us in future days of those lessons, lest we forget them. In such ways we are made aware of the sovereignty of Princes and Parliaments and Peoples, the majesty cf Law, the strength and stability of the State, the security of its Citizens, the high duties of the Church. It is true that these things sub- serve a material end; that they have a prac- tical aim and purpose in view. But while they are practical in incidence, they are spirit- ual in essence. And it is right and fitting that at their inaugural the spiritual and the symbolic should be most before us. For they warn us of duties and obligations and point us to a correct understanding of them; they furnish the High Precedents to which we shall turn for guidance in the years to come. In such circumstances the new Constitu- tion for Jamaica was proclaimed to the 67 AGE assembled multitude. In past times, on occa- sions of State, similar multitudes have gath- ered to witness the spectacle and hear the proceedings. But there is a difference. Then, as now, there has been the same appeal to the senses and the emotions of the alteii'lmil cere- monial; there has been the same response on the part of the people to that appeal. But, in past times the ceremonial was all. The peo- ple felt, and perhaps strongly, the impress of the ceremonial, its impact on their minds; but the realities behind them, the practical purposes which they embodied and symbolised were but dimly apprehended. It is not so now. In late years our people have progress- ed swiftly along the road to knowledge of public ;ii There is an awareness of them- selves as members of a free community, with rights and privileges appertaining to them in virtue of that membership. A deep political consciousness is developing. The emphasis is on the '"Rightl". It is well they should re- member that those rights incur duties and ob- ligations a lesson they have not so aptly learnt-for in that way only can they be fair- ly earned. It is perhaps human and natural that we should consider our rights mainly; that is a human imperfection. But we should not merely acquiesce in that fact and regard it as the whole explanation; we must take arms against our imperfections, lest they lead us into more and more temptation. The new consciousness may be misguided and misled. The Proclamation ended, the dignitaries departed, what are the thoughts in the minds of the people as they quit the scene and take their way homeward? It is difficult to estim- ate, but they should be these: A great oppor- tunity has been ,I,.,.il us, let us not fail to use that opportunity rightly, and honestly to discharge the duties which it imposes upon us. These duties may not be done in public, and be seen of men, but. privately, in our relations and contacts one with another. In particular let us remember that we must find some way and some method of working together to up- hold the Constitution in the five years in which it stands on trial, and that we shall contribute little to that end so long as we remain in isolated and quarrelling groups. Little that is enduring in human affairs has ever yet been achieved but by the spirit of compromise. For no man born of a woman has ever been so indisputably right that he could dare to say that his fellows were as indisputably. wrong. Let us bear that chastening thought in mind, and when on disputed ground endeavour to see what of good there may be in those who hold opinions different from our own, and how far we may go to- ward them. Only thus may we in some measure fulfil the great injunction that we are our brother's keeper: only insofar as that injunction, in some degree, finds express- ion in our acts, may we gain relief from our political afflictions. For this is both a com- mandment and a philosophy. It is, whether we recognize it or not, the germ and ker- nel, the root-idea, informing every effort, howsoever and wheresoever made, for better understanding between man and man. And only thus shall we be able to strive together for that New Jamaica which we all so ardently hope for. The Book is now open, the new Page be- fore us. What shall we write upon that Page? PLANTERS' PUNCH The sick woman turned an anxious look to- wards the door. Daphne should soon be coming now. It was weary waiting, and this was griev- ous sickness. Accustomed as she had been to battling alone through other bouts of illness, this time fear had gotten hold of her. A new and un- wonted feeling, as of some mysterious premonition, had knocked at the portals of her heart and left her shaken and alarmed. But now Daphne her own firstborn would soon be here. Strange how she had for so many years shun- ned the company of her fellow-beings, preferring the unlovely life of a solitary, preferring even that her own offspring should remain away from her, with only brief letters from time to time, and rare visits between, to keep alive the ties of affection. But it had seemed good to be alone; alone to meet the days' demands, and alone to look upon and breathe the stillness of the night. Even Daphne on her occasional visits would wonder at the long spells of silence when with eyes unseeing she would look far out across the years upon what she saw there. And now Daphne would soon be here. Daphne. Her thoughts, like a homing bird coming to rest, dwelt softly on the child-now grown to young womanhood; and then, by an easy transi- tion, from Daphne to herself at Daphne's age. That had been the best part of all her life, when in the prime of youth she had moved in swift silence and efficiency between the tables at the "Genova" res- taurant, and noted with a flattered sense of pride how the best of the customers always endeavoured to secure one of her tables for themselves-she, the pick of all the waitresses, small and slender of body, trim, alert and very alive. Such a medley of customers too. The silent ones, intent on the business of a meal; the greedy ones, taking the last penny's worth and never dreaming of giving a tip; the generous ones, par- ticular as to the quality of the food; the conceit- ed ones, laying down the law on every subject under the sun, and often evading the weekly set- tlement; the'"fresh" ones, clumsily making effort to start an "affair"; the ill-paid ones, trying to spend a shilling to the best advantage. Ah, but it was an ill thing to be underpaid. She, Allegra, knew but too well about that; and so for these, whenever possible, an extra helping from the pan- try server. The "Genova"-and Kingston, with its lights and noise, its bustle and its sense of life and well- being. That was life. Allegra. Why had she been so named? That had always been a subject of interest to so many of those who knew her. "Where did you get that name?" "Why were you called Allegra?' Ah, well, for all that came of it any other name would have served as well. Yes, those years at the restaurant had been the very best of all, better even than her years of married life. Those had been happy enough, and her husband had been good, but his father with whom they had lived had been a dour man, always leaving her with the feeling that she was an in- truder who, her mission of bearing his grandchil- dren over, had no more place in the family scheme of things. And after her husband's unexpected and tragic death, the feeling had intensified to the point of being intolerable. And then that black year, the memory of which still scorched and sear- ed, keeping at white heat that undying flame of hatred in her heart, linked to a chain of dumb im- potence. For what could she have done? Who would have believed? Appearances were all against her, the trap having been so cleverly laid, the result so incredible. Ah God, if even at this her last extremity it could be granted her to sate that undying grudge and to kill kill kill. Her thin hands clenched in the imagined grasp. He, the beast, the ravishing beast. To kill kill. How well she remembered her first encount- er with him. It had been during the first year of her marriage, on the train on her return home from a visit to Kingston. Little Daphne had been. on her way then, and she had taken a seat by the window for the sake of the fresh air. The day had been warm, although the month was Jan- uary. Now they were running into her own coun- HARLOT By J.B. H. D. HOPWOOD & Co., Ltd. exclusive distributors for:- TIDE WATER ASSOCIATED OIL COMPANY Veedol Motor Oils and Greases Tycol Industrial Oils and Greases CHARLES E. FROSST & COMPANY Fine Pharmaceuticals. LEDERLE LABORATORIES INC. Biological, Pharmaceuticals. WECO PRODUCTS Dr. West's Tooth CO. Brushes Vray Tooth Paste. ANDREW JERGENS COMPANY LTD. Face Creams, Toilet Soaps, Face Powders. Woodbury Toilet Preparations. T. HALLET Dried Salted Codfish. THE MENTHOLATUM COMPANY SMentholatum. 165 Harbour Street, Kingston. try, the land of the red earth. Between the patches of the sun-browned corn the train, like some mon- strous dinosaur, panting and labouring, wound its slow and sinuous course around the hills. Aloft, a buzzard hung brown and motionless on the air, scanning the fields quarter by quarter for some small prey. Green-gold upon the hillsides the banks of ripened yams against the dark green of the woodland that crowned the slopes, a sym- phony in colour. Beyond, in the far distances, the little one-roomed thatched and whitewashed cab- ins standing out on the heights like sentinels. Nearer, on the broad commons, the gracious orange trees each with its pendent gift of golden fruit, while on a commanding height, shaded and protected by ancient trees, some rich man's dwell- ing nestled, its inmates secure all their lives from any material care or want, maintaining a com- fortable ease by the exercise of a moderate dili- gence in upkeeping their inheritance. Ah, it was good to be nearing home. But who was this late come passenger forcing into the seat opposite and leering at her with foxy eyes from time to time between joyous moments with a vile cigar (She, Allegra, knew a good cig- ar). And what need to be accidentally touching her knees with his? Faugh, a most unpleasant person. She knew later, knew too well, that this was the new Public Works foreman for the district, losing as he subsequently did no opportunity to ingratiate himself with her, impervious to rebuffs and insults, worming himself, too, into her hus- band's goodwill. And then, that never to be forgotten day alter her husband's death, when she was lured by a false friend into the trap and left to struggle uu- equally against the inevitable, and to end that day hating all the world, hating herself, but above and beyond all, hating, hating, hating HIM. Then, later, the incredible, the doubting, the relaxing, the returning pangs of anxiety, and then the deadly certainty, the numb helplessness, the months of gnawing care, the futile efforts at con- cealment, till all became self-evident; the lash of her father-in-law's bitter tongue, the dumbness that descended on her and locked her lips while hot rage consumed her, rage against all the world and every mortal being in it, the heritage of dumb stubbornness from some forgotten Jewish ancest- or who could remain grimly silent under extreme torture keeping her lips locked behind an unyield- (Continued on Page 72) .I our it in 1 SSUITS at tower Cost El Corte's Ready-To-Wear Ser- vice is made to order for smart value conscious men who know /i the advantage of being better dressed on every occasion, busi- S ness or social, and at considera- ble less expense. oTO EL CORTE'S For all YOUR SUITS fJmnperal Suit factory 113 HARBOUR ST. AND EL CORTE INGLES-22 KING ST. __ 1! 4 '." 1944-45 PLANTERS' PUNCH 69 PURITY .QUALITY SSERVIN G YOU... /--tl ../u14.y 1 ERE at Soap & Edible Products we are proud of the place that your acceptance of our products has reserved for us in your 'homes and your Farms. Our Margarine, Butterine, Lard, Soap and Dairy Feeds have set an enviable standard of high quality. You've proven their worth by the infalli- ble test you've proved the pudding by eating it. The experts in our laboratories are ever working, keeping ceaseless vigil over the manufacture of these products so that the high quality will be maintained. Your appreciation the praises you Shower on our soaps and edible products is our assurance that.... ... IN THE KITCHEN ... IN THE HOME TOiL ET O. ON THE FARM we are serving you faithfully. PLANTERS' PUNCH Triumphant Squalitone (Continued from Page 66) "Another proof that Miss Chalkner's heart is in the right place. Ot course, you know her lather is now Sir Arthur Chalkner?" "Yes; we heard the news yesterday. Mr. Chalk- ner telegraphed it to his wite just after the Coun- cil meeting. Mr. Bloodstone is a knight, too, I see. Mrs. Blooastone heard that yesterday; we got the news an hour after Mrs. Chalkner received her hus- band's message. Mrs. Chalkner came over to show us her telegram, and said she was sure Mr. Blood- stone was also a Sir. They are great friends now, you know." S"Who?" "The Bloodstones and the Chalkners. I am going to tell you a little secret, Uncle Joe. Every- body will know it shortly, but you mustn't breathe it to a soul." I always welcome little secrets. They make life pleasantly mysterious. "I won't say a word about it," I promised. "I think it's going to be a match between Ella Chalkner and Captain Bloodstone. He has been very attentive to her, and she told me last night-- something. I am so glad. I like Captain Bloodstone very much, and I like Ella too-now. But he'll have to go back to the war, and that will be dread- ful. Suppose he gets killed, Uncle Joe?" "Don't think of that, dear," I muttered lamely; "more escape than are killed. So you think it will be a match?" "I am sure of it. How quickly things happen in these days!" And now I knew the secret of her new liking for Ella. Bertha had returned that morning. She had spent a delightful fortnight with Mrs. Bloodstone. She had met some of the best people in Manchester, and they all had been exceptionally nice to her. Mrs. Bloodstone had never failed to mention the ser- vices of Bertha's father to the Bloodstone Cause, and when she received the telegram announcing that in future she was Lady Bloodstone, she had handed it to Bertha with the remark, "Your father was the first to bestow a title on me, dear." Mr. I1' ... ..1 1.: too had been true to his word; he had exerted himself to advance Squalitone's claims to the post of assistant clerk of the City Council. And Chalkner had nobly seconded his efforts, giving it in writing as his opinion that a better accountant than Squalitone was not to be found in the colony, and even making a reference to the benefits of a classical education! There was a touch of irony here, the only one that Mr. Chalk- ner allowed himself. But Squalitone pointed out that the irony would not be perceived, while the commendation of Mr. Chalkner would carry even more weight than that of Mr. Bloodstone. "And if they make your father assistant clerkl." I said to Bertha, "your position will be bette: tl'!:n before." "But I shall have to go back to work," she re- plied firmly. "I couldn't sit at home in idleness, with father earning only four pounds a week. If people don't want to associate with me because we are poor, well-" "And what about New York?" But I knew that New York was now far from her thoughts. Ella was to marry-not Harry. "Read this, Mr. Crooks." Harry Gresham handed me the letter he held in his hand. For the first time in his life he had entered my room; it was near dinner time, and he must have been impatient to let me know the news. "I suppose this is why Sir Arthur Chalkner talked so much-or rather, let me talk-about pro- duce and business at lunch the other day. He has his own way of going about his work." I remembered, as Harry spoke, what Squali- tone had said about Chalkner's kindly treatment of this young man. The reason was plain enough now. Mr. Chalkner was establishing a new branch of his already extensive business; he offered the management to Harry at six hundred pounds a year; spoke definitely of increases up to a thousand a year, hinted at the possibility of a junior part- nership in time to come.. "I believe that you are the man to suit me," wrote Chalkner, "and you shall have a free hand. If you went into business on your own account, you would succeed. But you must also have a lot of capital. If you haven't the capital, you will succeed better with me than with anyone else. In r've years you will probably be earning a thousand a year, and all the risk will be mine. I hope you will find it worth your while to accept my offer." "The salary he offers is twice as much as I am getting now," murmured Harry thoughtfully. "And this is the day of big businesses," said I. "You'll have better prospects as one of Sir Arthur's trusted lieutenants than as your own mas- ter in a sna'I way; the former position will be a much bigger one here." I 'I * We have a clear-cut respornsibilty to the Chrysler, Plymouth and Fargo owners in Jamaica, but our Repair Department is at the service of all car and truck owners. Whatever the make of your car or truck, it is our job to keep it rolling until Victory is won, and after. We have the trained help to do this. Is your car or truck getting the attention that an expensive mechanism deserves? When you consider it must last you for the war's duration, perhaps longer, there are things to be done that should not be overlooked. For best results, bring it to us. We have the necessary tools and equipment to do the job and our skilled mechanics know how to use them for the best results. Good equipment saves time, money and helps to do the perfect job. 0* It is more important than ever to secure for your car or truck the parts designed and engineered for it by the factory. You know such parts will serve you best. And our m chanics are familiar with their installations. .Distritutors gVn Jamaica or: I 'lr MOTOR SALES & SERVICE CO. 159 HARBOUR STREET, KINGSTON. 'PHONE 2238 TELEGRAPH CHRISPLYM REPAIR DEPT. SERVICE DEPT. SAL.E3 & BROKERAGE WRECKER DEPT. "And then-" "Don't let me interrupt you," I implored, for he had stopped suddenly, and showed no inclination to finish his remark I thought I knew what was coming. "You were saying?-" "Oh, nothing, nothing." He looked pre- occupied. My room was in a slightly disordered condi- tion. I drew his attention to it, under the pretence of an apology. "An old bachelor," said I, "cannot look after himself very well; you must excuse the state of my apartment. It represents one of the tragedies of a lonely old age. Could I in my younger days have anticipated the present condition of this room, I am certain that there would have been a Mrs. Crooks. Indeed, there nearly was-but that story I have never told to anyone. Perhaps, some day-" "Not for worlds," he said hastily, rising. "And so you would advise me to accept this offer?" "I would. There is social position attached to it; there is comfort, security, a competence. What more would you ask?" "I'll think it over," he said. "I rather like Chalkner. But I will consult with Bertha first." "God bless you my boy." CHAPTER XXV SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT? Mrs. Squalitone and I were in conference. She was very serious. She had to arrive at import- ant decisions, and she deliberated carefully before coming to any single one of them. She was giving a party-it was long since she had given one; this was her first since I had become her paying guest. She was about to in- vite persons whom she had known long ago, and with whom she still maintained a bowing acquaint- ance. In the gradual decline and fall of her hus- band she had ceased to be on intimate terms with these persons, but, technically, she was still in their set, and now she found herself able, in a way, to patronise them. For this party was to witness the formal announcement of Bertha's en- gagement, and who could doubt that Bertha and Harry would shine like twin stars in the Chalkner social firmament? And in the Bloodstone firmament also they would scintillate; the world of fashion would be their natural element; they would be lights to lighten in the hearts of the less fortunate the fires of jealousy, and this Mrs. Squalitone well knew. And she was taking care with her invitations, for 191-4-45 ~E~dt~lli~CE .PLANTERS' PUNCH this was one of the occasions when the utmost care must be exercised. The invitations were sent out, the evening of the party came round in due course. And per- sons whom I had never seen in that house before, came then to congratulate Bertha and to express their hypothetical delight at her good fortune. Squalitone had ordered an evening suit, Mrs. Squalitone looked impressive in black silk, all the guests were finely dressed. There was dancing. There was singing. Squalitone had provided wine in plenty, in the little garden where tables were set out under Chinese lanterns, young couples sat to listen to the music of a hired quartette, and to enjoy de- licious ice cream and cakes. Everybody congra- tulated Bertha and Harry; the engaged couple were radiantly happy. I was happy also; it was indeed the happiest evening of my life. It was twelv-e o'clock before I left the merry- makers and stole up to my room. A twinge of rheumatism, an affliction which had become per- sistent since that night on which I had had to fly into a cattle-pasture to avoid detection by po- lice, had warned me that I should be best in bed. I was beginning to undress when I heard a rap at the door. It was Squalitone: I bade him enter. Usually, he was a most abstemious man. But that night he had had a good few glasses of wine, and his flushed face now showed its effects. His walk, also, was not perfectly steady. He took the chair I offered him. "The wine I have drunk to-night," be ob- served, staring at me with preternatural gravity, "has gone to my feet. Wine never goes to my head. That is because I have the sort of head which nothing affects. I cannot give so good a character to my feet. Candour compels me to con- fess that to-night my feet are somewhat drunk. You will notice, Crooks, that I am a very candid man." I hurriedly assured him that he was. I want- ed to go to bed, and he was keeping me up. I wished he would retire. "And to think that I must shortly go through the ordeal of another party," he groaned, with the air of a martyr. "That is \whit I must now look forward to." "The wedding, you mean?" "No. That, of course, is a future infliction; but I am thinking of the function Mrs. Squalitone will insist upon giving when Penrose proposes to Margaret and is accepted, for she isn't going to re- fuse him." "You seem a bit previous, Squalitone,'' I re- monstrated; "how do you know that Penrose will propose to Margaret?" How do I know? Do you think I am drunk in my eyes as well as in my feet? Why, he's been sweet on Margaret for months, and to-night he was watching her all over the shop. I saw him, everybody except yourself saw him; but then, you see nothing. If I had told you some time ago that Harry was in love with Bertha you would never have believed it. But I arid nothing: the dig- nity of a parent forbade me mentioning such a YUENHING FAHSHANG CO., LTD. General Wholesale Merchants 35 Princess St. Kingston, Ja. Phone 2230 P.O. Box 378 . ...g.s...n. lllgu l.Iam.nll..g.u ah..g.III.. l s lia..llii..g... .. .....i.....i....... subject. While I have been working to secure the position I now occupy, I have had my children's welfare all the time in my mind. I recognized that young men in good positions would hardly like to marry the daughters of a man who passed warrants for a pittance, even if he happened to be a gentleman by birth, so I determined to im- prove my social and financial situation. That's a good phrase, Crooks, 'Social and financial situa- tion.' Would sound well in a speech.' He paused to repeat the phrase over and over, while I impatiently waited for him to say good- night. "Yes," he resumed, "there will be another en- gagement in this house shortly. Engagements are like suicides, one influences the next; they take the form of epidemics. The old saying is per- lectly true, 'one fool makes many.' As a bachelor you agree with me, eh?" "If Gresham had agreed with you," I said tartly, "Bertha might have died an old maid?" "No child of mine will die an old maid," re- turned Squalitone with dignity. "I have endowed them -'.-ith beauty, with grace, with the manners which good blood alone can give. Happy the man who marries one of them. Alice will be the only one left on my hands shortly, and with a salary Wartime needs have of 450 a year I should be able to do something for her." "I thought your salary was only 200 a year," I reminded him spitefully. "You have no imagination, Crooks; no fore- sight, in spite of all the pains I have taken to de- velop your mind. The head clerk of the City Council is over sixty. It is true that some people are extraordinarily selfish, but surely he cannot expect to live much longer. You don't think he will live much longer, do you?" He seemed very anxious on the point. In- dignantly I answered that I hoped the clerk had still many years of life before him. Squalitone shook his head sorrowfully. "I might have guess- ed as much," he sighed. "You are amongst those who envy my prospective good fortune, while pre- tending to be my friends. Well! And after all that I have done for you, too; after all that I have done for you." "Look here, Squalitone," I exclaimed, "that wine has got into your head as well as into your feet. You had better go to bed now. You are talking nonsense." "That I could never do," said he, rising slow- ly, and steadying himself with his hands on the chair. "And I will not permit you to insult me, cut down your Supply of Johnnie Walker to only an occasional bottle ... but have you noticed that the same high quality has been maintained? Short in quantity yes-but never in quality. Born 1820- Still Going Strong. GOOD WHISKY- ~~m4U~ jOiB Agents for Jamaica EDWIN CHARLEY 188 HARBOUR ST. Proprietors: FRED L MYERS & SON LTD. --- - S1944-1 543 PLANTERS' PUNCOB sir. You have attempted it once too often. Let this be the last occasion, or I shall command Mrs. Squalitone to rid me of your presence in this house. And where would you be so comfortable for six pounds per month?" I soothed him. "You know I was jesting," I said. "Of course I knew you were, old boy," he cried, forgetting his anger in a moment. "Are we not friends who, in the arena of politics, have fought together for justice and right as represent- ed by that old dotard, Bloodstone? Could we for a moment allow an engagement to ruffle our mu- tual affection; could the hoped-for demise of a head clerk erect a barrier between us? Never, 1 say, never. And you are right, Crooks; it is time I was going to bed. My legs are not perfectly loy- al to me, though my head is as clear as ever." He wrung my hands warmly and opened the door. He was half way through when he turned back. There were actually tears in his eyes. "There is one thing I forgot to mention," he said, "though it has lain upon my heart like a pall all this night. My thoughts go back to the past, Crooks, and I cannot help mourning that my mother is not here to-night to bless Bertha. That explains my sadness. For hours I have been thinking only of my mother. The memory of her, rules all my thoughts. Crooks, have you ever known what it is to lose a mother?" "But, good gracious, man," I remonstrated, "your mother has been a very long time dead now, hasn't she?" "No, Crooks; only twenty-five years; and what are twenty-five years in the life of a man? This evening's felicity has been marred for me by the thoughts of long ago. My mother's pres- ence would have filled my cup with joy. Alas! it was not to be." "Good-night, Squalitone," said I. "Good-night, my dear friend. No, not good- night. 'Au revoir and not good-bye,' as that young fellow Lescome sang to-night. He has a good voice, that boy; should make a dashing officer. Did you know he was in love with Bertha?" "Good night, Squalitone," I repeated. "Good-night. When shall we two meet again, in storm, in sunshine, or in a cattle-pasture opposite Chalkner's house? Ah, that was an exploit re- quiring nerve, Crooks, and I carried it off finely. Do you remember-" "Let me see you to the top of the stairs,"' I of- fered. "No necessity, old man. My legs are a bit shaky, but a strong brain governs their motions by sheer excess of will power. Will power, Crooks, is--" I got him to the top of the stairs, and insisted that he should go to his room at once. "That was my intention," he muttered, as he felt his way downwards. "When I was a little boy my mother used to put me to bed, but now- " I peeped over the balustrade. At the foot of the stairs stood Mrs. Squalitone, calm, serene, ma- jestic in black silk, and she laid an authoritative hand upon Squalitone's arm ...... guided by her he disappeared. He was safe for the night! I returned to my room and sat on the bed to muse awhile. They all could say what they liked, I thought, but I had done more to induce Harry to propose to Bertha than any of them. Harry was shortly to leave our house, now that he was en- gaged. Penrose might also be going shortly; and then the two elder girls would go. Some time after her wedding, perhaps, Bertha would invite me to go and stay with her. I would suggest it indirectly; after all, her husband must know that any little thing I had would be left to her at my death ...... I must begin to save more...... I must-- I must have fallen asleep in my clothes, for when I started out of the semi-sitting position I oc- cupied in the bed, the house was in completest silence. I undressed at once, wondering if I too, like Squalitone, had indulged a little too freely through sheer lightness of heart. I fell asleep cal- culating who had gained most by the abortive Re- public of Jamaica. I concluded, before sleep again overwhelmed me, that it was Squalitone. Squali- tone who, at the last, and in possession of a -semi- official position, had found his happiness marred by the absence of a mother he had never men ti.nned to me before. THE END. HARLOT (Continued from Page 68) ing wall of silence. And so out into a world un- caring of all that passed before it, her head higl, a defiance of her fate, and in her heart the undy- ing hate and the long'silences. Yes, it had been a losing game all down the line, but she had held her own, proud and in- domitable to the last. May be, however, when Daphne came, and if her spirit moved her, she would at long last unlock her lips and tell the tale. She felt that Daphne in some obscure way knew that there was something to be told, some- thing that would explain away that bitter past. It would be easy now, holding her hand, to say "It was not I. A trap was set. I fought, but strength failed at the last". And "Before God, never but that once". And Daphne would soon come. Her thoughts drifted now, and became cloud- ed; she stirred uneasily and presently she slept. Daphne was late. Who was there to tell her that at the distant Kingston station when the already crowded train could accommodate no more pass- engers, the gates were shut, and many turned away to try again tomorrow. And if a tearful Daphne went quietly away and back to her home, who cared? Evening wore on, and still Allegra slept; and darkness came and one by one and then host by host the stars came out. Presently she stirred, felt the darkness, put out a hand, and "Daphne" fluttered from her lips. But it was easier to keep silent, and surely Daphne was very late. She lay very quiet. Repose was sweet, and her lower limbs seemed unwilling to move even a little bit. Better so. Repose and silence-till Daphne came. Yes, she would surely release her heart and tell her this very night, hold- ing her hand, lips close to ear. "A trap." She would try out the words now, just to hear what it sounded like when freed from long imprison- ment in the heart and given to the lips. -A trap". Her lips parted for the utterance, but the reluctant w-ords remained in the frozen chamber of their ancient prison. Silence. Well, let the words re- main there-for the present. And to speak was an effort. a great effort. She closed her eyes. Even the old fires of hate seemed burning low, and thought became a burden and seemed to sink and resolve itself into a nebula of nothingness that drifted pleasantly around, enveloping one in thick- ening dreams of nothing. Without, a young moon sinking in the West left the heavens free for the blazing greater lights that looked, uncaring, down the abysmal depths of space. From a tall near-by tree a yellow leaf, its purpose ended, loosened and drifted silently along the unseen currents of the night until it came to rest, unnoticed, on a tiny spot of earth among the grass, soon to be absorbed into that from which it came. It was very still, and it was growing very cold. EST'D. 1879. HART'S for HARDWARE HARNESS & BUGGY FIXTURES SPORTING GOODS NATIVE-MADE FURNITURE. PRESENTATION GOODS NOVELTIES COMMISSION AGENTS INSURANCE AGENTS Information and advice freely 3iven to visitors Samuel Hart & Son (1928) Ltd. MONTEGO BAY Published by PLANTERS' PUNCH. LIMITED, and print.1I t.' THE GLEANER CO. LTD., 148 Harbour .SI Kiilni--.ii. .Inna,. Governing Director resident at 02 I..In i Mnii.r.ivr- fion.I "WE ARE SATISFIED-WHEN YOU ARE" HENN SHIN MINTAI & CO., LTD. WHOLESALE MERCHANTS GROCERIES PROVISIONS PATENT MEDICINES LIQUORS 108c & 108D BARRY STREET, KINGSTON, JAMAICA, B.W.1h I 'PHONE 3220 1 v t r a 1941 4>7 |
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