Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-08-25
Servant Problem in India.


They have a servant problem in In
ia, and it is quite as big as the
roblem we have in England. If you
re accompanied by your wife then II
quite necessary the men, sahib
Mould have her 'ayah.' TO en-
eavor to go through the East without
lis chocolate colored bodyguard is to
lamp yourself as either mean or else
ntutorcd in ways oriental. If you are
resident and it does not matter in
.ow humble a position, your bungalo"
overrun with attendants. You are
aited on hand and foot; but the GUS
pm means bondage of peculiarly ir-
itating character, since privacy viz
ually is non est.
Every man servant in India is a
boy" He may be 40 years of age
ent and white haired but he is al
:ays boy" Every waiter, every
oolie, in fact everybody native, is
boy" except those who are reputed
} be able to read or write English
nd insist upon being called 'babu.
fter little while the European con-
acts disease called the boy" fever
he luxury of being waited on nanj
nd foot is Irresistible. The most
lsipid of Englishmen soon learn tc
ell "Bo-o-o-y." in that deep an
holeric tone which is so Fashionable
nd which is supposed to have been
vented by the earliest members ol
Ohm Company.
To the seasoned Anglo-Indian every
oy is born liar and thief. He is
ccepted as such ipSo facto. To the
ewcomer this attitude toward our
black brother is incomprehensible
>fter a season in India the newcomer
>nows why and invariably is more
litter in his race craftsmanship than
he older resident | do not wish to
uggest that all boys arc incorrigibIy
dishonest; I have heard, usually at
bird or fourth hand, of the existence
f an honest boy, but l have seen
)ne,
| was very innocent when | engage
ny first boy but then l had been only
4 hours in India. l was charmed with
lis appearance. His white clothes
md turban were spotless. He was
all and handsome. His salaam was
estate, and he wanted only rs rupees
I month if he stayed in Bombay or
0 rupees if he travelled
His "chitS," or testimonials were
generals. majors. captains
md all sorts of high military func-
ionaries, as well as a large number of
ravelers, had enjoyed the services of
3ehwar, as he was called, and all said
What sorrow it gave them to part
With him and with what pleasure they
recommended him to another wander
ng sahib.
For two days he was as faithful as
, dog. On the morning of the third
he informed me he was married and
lad quite a lot of children. AS it was
ny intention to go up country, would
he salib allow poor Behwar three
months salary in advance so that he
.ould leave provision for his family.
As l have said, l was very innocent,
md the boy" was so charming.
advanced his salary and an hour later
ndia had swallowed him up, never to
,e seen by me again.
The next applicant for the post was
little Madrasi, whose face was one
smile. He spoke very lit
lie English, but he was armed with Il
bundle of chits of which he was alb
proud. The first read some
hing like this: THE bearer of this is
splendid menteur. He is a most adj
nirable voleur. He has served me
With great improbite, and l sincerely
rust he will speedily obtain a situation
lux enters. Pail Mall Magazine.