The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1909-09-23


Is white mana German-and the
three foremen are Beers. They work
on shares. just as the natives do. and
save even more, | think. The clerical
force Is entirely native. There were
but ten white men here before you
came. including two Greeks. Being
part owners. the natives have decided
that four hours constitute days
work. They pay themselves accord
mgly, rs 1t were No one works after
midday. SIR"
II say. wouldn't this be a paradise
for the Eaglish workingmanY said
Deppinghani. "That's the kind of
days labor they'd like. Do you mean
to say that these fellows trudge eight
miles to work every morning and back
again at noonT
Certainly not. sir. They ride their
thoroughbred horses to work and ride
them back again."
"You take my breath away" said the
other, lapsing into a stunned silence.
The road had become SO steep and
laborious by this time that Bowles
was very glad to forego the pleasure
Of talking. He fell back with Mr..
Saunders and proceeded to give the
inquisitive lawyers clerk all the late
news Of the island.
The inhabitants of Japat had been
prompt to protect themselves In le-
gal sense. They had engaged the serv-
- IL
who were to represent them In the
final settlement Of the estate. London
was to be the battle-ground In the
coming conflict. A committee of three
had journeyed to England to put the
matter In the hands Of these lawyers
and were now returning to the island
with a representative of the Arm. who
was coming out to stand guard. 80 to
speak. Won Blitz, the German supefin-
tendent, was the master mind In the
native contingent. The absent COM
mittee was composed Of Ben Adj. Abb
dallah Ben Sabbat and Rasula, the
Arafat lawyer. They were truly wise
men from the east-old. shrewd, crafty
and begotten Of Mohammed.
The mines continued to be operated
as usual pending the arrival OF the ex-
ecutors' representative, who. as we
know, was now on the ground in the
person of Thomas Saunders. The fact
that he also served as legal adviser to
Lady Deppingham was not of suffi-
Client moment to disturb the arrange
ments on either side.
AS for the American heir, Robert
Browne. he had not yet arrived. He
was coming by steamer from the west
according to report, and was probably
on the Boswell, Sumatra to Madagas-
car, due Off Arafat in two or three
days.
"rhe islanders" said Mr.. Bowles,
lighting a cigarette, ut looks to me.
have all the best Of the situation.
They get the property whether they
marry or not. while the original bene-
fciaries have to marry each other or
get OF the island at the end of the
year. Most of the islanders have got
three or four wives already"
"You mean to say that they can
have rs many wives as they choose2"
demanded Saunders, wrinkling his
brow.
Yes. just 30 long as they don't
choose anybody else's."
my wordr'
/'Ehw queried Bowles, arousing
himself.
NJ didn't say anything" retorted
Saunders. looking up into the treetops.
Standing out against the sky fully a
mile ahead was the home to which
they were going. The chateau, beau.
tiful as a picture, lifted itself like a
dream castle above all that was earth
ly and sordid. 1t smiled down from
Its lofty terrace and glistened In the
sunset glow like the jewel that had
been Its godmother.
According to Its own records, the
chateau. fashioned quite closely after
famous structure In France, was de-
signed and built by La Marche. the Ill
fated French architect who was lost
at sea In the wreck of the Vendome.
Three years and more than 100000
to make 1t seem more prodigious, near
ly 100000 francs-were consumed In
its building.
Apartments at for king abounded.
Suits which took one back to the lux
uries of Marie AntOinette were COM
mon. Banquet halls. bathrooms. recep-
ton halls. a chapel and even a crypt
were to be found II one undertook a
voyage of discovery.
Lord and Lady Deppingham. being
first In the field, at once proceeded to
settle themselves in the choicest rooms
"a Henry vi. suit, which looked out
on the sea and the town as well. 1t
Is said that Wyckholme slept there
twice. while Skaggs looked in perhaps
half a dozen times-when he was lost
in the building and trying to find his
way back to familiar haunts.
There was not a sign of a servant