The Winslow mail., 1924-05-16

dicate could install new purser and
expenditure which Winton would be
unable to meet. They had him both
ways. Yet he put up a fight, urging
the small shareholders to stand up
against the syndicate, instead of let
ting their interests be swamped He
attacked Davis without scruple His
words were bitter One of the smaller
men was wavering, but he controlled
one vote only.
'Mr. Purser, will you put the mo-
tion?" inquired Judge Davis when he
had ended.
And the waverer cast in his lot with
the syndicate after all. The motion
passed by f1fty-three to forty-Seven.
1t was not until he found himself
upon the street again that Winton
realized he was still purser. He rea-
soned that the syndicate did not need
to dispossess him until the reorganiza-
ton had been effected in a few days
time. Then, of course, De Witt would
step into his shoes.
When he got back to the claim every
thing looked different to him. The
work, which had been in the nature Of
a duty, suddenly seemed an integral
part Of his life. 1t occurred to him for
the first time that, without it, he would
have no longer any reason for remain.
ing in Malopo. And the thought was
a staggering one.
Without home ties, he had uncon-
sciously begun to assimilate to him
self the atmosphere of the little desert
town. A thousand daily scenes, in
sensibly built into his being, now
seemed a part of him and claimed him.
He did not know what he was going
to do.
However, an unexpected program
had been arranged for him. Sam, who,
though degraded from his cherished
and short-lived job, had never ceased
to take an interest in the compound
natives, was lettering near the door
of the cottage, evidently with the de-
sign of intercepting him.
"Want me, Sam?' asked Winton.
81 was hoping, sir, that you might
be willing to be guest at our musicale
tonight" answered Sam, grinning q
little sheepishly.
Explain" said Winton.
"Well, Mr.. Garrett, you will recall
that have occasionally expressed the
view that the Bantu does not differ
in psychological sense from the Cau-
-casian. My theory, to which you have
offered tacit opposition, is that 1t
is their environment alone which has
kept these natives down. l have been
endeavOring to disseminate certain
social ideas among them"
$50 that explains the ungodly noise
I've heard lately, SamY
For several weeks past the natives
of the Big MalopO compound appeared
to have been practicing on variety OF
musical instruments ranging from the
humble concertina up to the clarinet.
The discords had been maddening, but
Winton had hoped the craze would
pass.
81 think. sir, that our ear has be-
come attuned," said Sam with dignity.
"AlI right" said Winton. "When
does the show begin?'
"At seven o'clock, sir" answered
Sam.
"Pll be there" said Winton.
He was cooking supper in his room
when Josephs tapped at the door. The
little man wore an expression of con-
siderable anxiety, mingled with dis,
gust.
"Mr. Garrett" he began, heres
where I get out. You'd better look for
another compound manager quick"
"What's the trouble?' Winton In
quired.
ITS that niger Sam, Mr. Garrett.
He told me you'd given him leave to
experiment with the boys in the in
terest Of science, or something, and
I've stood by and seen as good lot or
BOYS turning into shiftless loafers as
I've ever seen. But I've reached my
limit with musical evenings"
''Josephs, | kicked Sam out of the
lob because he was making himself a
nuisance. l left the management OF
the compound exclusively to you"
"Well, I'm out" answered Josephs,
unmollified unless this sanitary
science business comes to an end right
now. Do you know that we're the
laughing stock of the fields, Mr.. Gar
rett? l amt a difficult man to get
along with, but l draw the line at
musical swarries for wild niggers that
was throwing spears at each other
three months ago and stalking bush
buck on their bellies"
you're right, Josephs. l gave Sam
no permission to interfere with the
boys in any way, and I'm satisfied to
leave you in full charge.