Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-11-09
The Island.
Empire Ruled
BIZ Babies


living person ruled supreme because and authority
y regarded invincible combination. Dozens
OF people from Siberia to the Malay Straits 10 Centra
Africa still subscribe to this doctrine but Bramos the
opposite holds true
newest baby born to the community dominates the
lives of the soodd inhabitants-un the arrival of still
newer baby. With approximately two corners each
the administration changes just that often The babys
sex makes difference for In their primitive way the
Bramos people accord their women equal rights.
The working ruler of this tiny island, some 900 miles
southwest OF Ceylon in the Indian Ocean, the hereditary
wtchd who acts both temporal and spiritual chief
He ranks second only the baby potentate who is
garded the seat Of heavenly spirit sent earth to
guide the islanders. The spirits seat must be very
and the newest child the island the purest thing is
its natural lodging place
The difficult governmental questions of the day sub
mitted the regal infant lies in its wooden cradle
and this babys slightest expression gesture is inter-
preted by the trained medicine into earthly
mand Thus smile a sleepy nod from the tiny tot may
nfe and liberty for confessed murderer while
frow whmper shake of the infants head spells death
for petty thief the injured party has asked the death
penalty.
Actually Bramos was first discovered in 1851 by
Portuguese captain Of Madagascar but proving of
forgotten 1925 the island redscovered"
by George Goso capanowner Of the 2400 ton ship Good
Voyage trading with and carrying mail for the string
Of 200 islands that parallel the lower west coast Of India
Captain Gloson had been blown his course by a vo-
lent Summer storm and found himself within haing dis
island In need Of he landed and easily
made friends with the kindly natives The captain stayed
Bramos two days.
AS he was about to leave the captain as a token of
thanks offered hereditary Chief oldfashioned
box several tins of American canned peaches and
spare spyglass Not to be outdone in generosity Peros
made the captain accept number of exquisite tiny figures
islanders their everyday cooking fish
ing weaving than and a half inches
tall and all fine that although carved of wood with
fish-bone knives, they appeared almost transparent
Captain Gloson only accepted the figures
talked the wchdoctor into treaty giving the white man
first purchasing right to all the Bramos figures manufac
tured during the life of Gloson and his eightyearod
Billy.
The treaty was cemented with further gifts To Chief
Peros Captain Goson powerful flashlght and many
batteries From Peros Captain Gloson received
a good luck charm a half-nch figure of a Bramos baby
complete in every detail Peros warned Gloson never to
lose this charm.
Twice sometimes thrice each year Gloson returned
to Bramos for supply of the little figures He brings
in exchange dozens Of canned goods
great sacks of flour potatoes lengths Of CLOTH music boxes
and other gifts From special office in Bombay Captain
been distributing the figures to all parts Of the
world and many have come to this country.
When Captain Gibson arrived at the island recently he
found as usual a baby ruler Captain Goson always
his respects to the regnng infant and brings it some
appropriate toy rattle woody rabbit Always the
baby cooed its thanks sometimes giving the captain
full smile. Not this time The baby started to cry the
instant il the captain and wouldn't stop.
Consequently figures could be sold to the captain
ing the reign of this little despot Not the captains
big eIdsshioned gold wacha universal panacea among
babies-would soothe the child. s
The captain blamed himself, admitting Peros that
he had lost the lucky baby fgurne previous voyage
The medicine believed it was he who at fault.
The ruling baby was twin. There hadn't been twin
island in the memory of and precedent in such
had been forgotten AS customary Peros.
soon the first OF the twins born, not knowing
the way fell his knees before it and
holding head between his hands paid homage the
lord When the second baby three hours later
the mischief had been done lordshp had been given the
youngest baby in the community not the youngest
But there a way out one Of the young wives
expecting child any day any hour almost If the captain
would only wait and the captain did.
This delay the captain seven days but when he
extended friendly index finger before the babys
face tiny fingers cutched the outstretched digit held
on firmly smiled so the captain got his figrnes
and the Bramosans got their canned fruit and milk