Evening star., 1928-12-30

H III bTnG Ul6SSEQ HIOVAlOC Va
wv Mala6ar, the Hindu Rameni
led me in front of his house,
which he wished me to rent
from him during my stay there. To
get nv first glimpse of it, he and !
had to ioin forces and work our way
together through the wild tangle OF
the garden. 1t was in the usual style
of the European houses in India, one
storied bungalow with high-pitched
roof, overhanging caves and a wide We
randa across the whole of the front.
Said Rameni:
This is my dearest possession on
earth. I have kept it and tended 1t
carefully, and for seven years no human
being has set foot in it. The last ten
ant was Sahib John Ditrey, an English
oficer of great renown, to whom every
soldier drawing near had to do obel-
sance."
I contemplated the great rooms They
were empty for the most part, and
overgrown with rank vegetation and
they harbored a whole world OF ami
mails. whose number and variety
aroused INV highest expectations.
Harmless beasts" said Rameni ge-
nially. Most of them will probably
leave; they don't like the society Of
human beings. But, Sahib, you won't
eat your heart out with loneliness. You
have brought plenty Of company along
"a dog, boy and cook. And will
let you have chickens If you want"
Rameni's command of English was
so remarkable that positively felt my
hair stand on end under my sun helmet.
"You are an Englishman, too" he
continued after a lengthy panegyric
upon Sir John Ditrey.
told him that was German, and
he offered ready consolation.
"I never heard of Germany before, "
he observed, "but its people are said to
be generous, and probably 1t Is wealth.
ier than the British Empire"
Taking the hint, inquired what rent
he was asking for his house. Thereupon
he began to talk so eagerly of other
matters that my fears grew. At length,
however. was able to bring him to the
point. He began a calculation, adding
up with suppressed emotion all the
losses he had sustained during The seven
years in which the house had stood un-
tenanted. Listening in silence, ]
watched the doings of tribe of white
ants which had skillfully tunneled the
joists and boards of the flooring and
the timber work of the walls.
II shall not be in your way"
thought to myself. your kingdom shall
flourish and reach to heights undream-
ed of under my rule, and I will be to
you wise prince and a faithful COM
rade."
THE morning sunlight streamed in
through the thicket of palms out
side the window as through green wells
with Jagged patterns. Again felt that
Elusive sense of happiness steal over me
which had set my heart a-tremble the
moment set foot on the soil of India
and breathed in its perfume and
warmth and light.
do not fear, Sahib," said Rameni
he continued making mute account
on his outspread fingers, almost beside
himself with doubts, hopes and expecta-
tions.
told him I was brave, and for the
tenth time he raised his hand to add up
once more from right to left upon the
thin, brown fingers. Then, forgetting
everything else, he spoke breathlessly
of the rise in prices and the badness OF
the rice crop.
"The first coolie you ask will bear
me out in this" he said. Shall I call
one?"
How much rent do you want?"
asked.
Rameni pulled himself together with
a great effort, and said the rent was loo
rupees per annum. For the loss of the
seven years in which the house had
been untenanted he would charge me
only fourth provided that I would
pay him the full rent for three years
| in advance.
When nodded assent, he turned pale
"Sahib," he stammered 'are you
making fun of your servant? 1t is quite
/ true that I asked great deal. Let us
| forget the seven disastrous years.
shall put up with the affiiction decreed
| especially since it is over now. If you
will really pay me three years rent III
| advance, shall serve you faithfully fol
/ the rest of my days"
I never regretted my ready acqui.
escence. Though I stayed only few
months in Cannanore, was more thar
repaid for my slight sacrifice. for Ra.
meni made it q point of honor to Worl
of the shame I had unwittingly put
upon him. Almost every day he SEN
me present Of eggs, fruit, fish or poul.
try, and he agreed to all the repair:
and alterations in the house and In the
garden that asked for.
Not until after several weeks, wher
he noticed that / was keeping livt
cobra in a glass case, did he shun m,
company. After that he would no
cross my threshold or touch my hand.
1t was not so much that he wa
afraid. I learned from trustworth.
source that he was sorry he could M
longer visit me. But it did not squar'
with his convictions that any one shoule
keep god imprisoned u order TO watcl