The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-08-20
Good Evening.

the kitchen of my bachelor bungalow in Bukoba, many year ago. ,,,. ..ou for was conversant with the Bantu language rom which he had derived his name. He himself was Mwanumwez and he long, and lean, and very black But he was treasure in Bukoba which is only a pnpoint on the map of Africa, for he could cook! often on the tembo when it red. He made trouble with the other "boys". And it then began to learn why he was called Mzee He was an old man m cookery He was old man in other things
 It came about when three other men and -ere seated my verandah under big mango tree we had been drinking "sundowner" (which described in recent bit called "Red Beard) served by Rujaa, the House-boy It about in the boys quarters in the compound back of the bungalow. Mzee was the trouble; quarreling. shouted warning "klllele
 Amazingly that didn't stop ths n9se ss SD at ne wa sop bankety, T banketyblan mkuba sana, kabsa, chichinooka wewe"
 The words and the tones were the words and the tones of an outraged god. They brought results Results were native splay-footed cop, attired in red fez blue jersey khaki shorts be % oa.on ane hs way to see me to make request My permission to arrest Mzee the charge of attempting to abduct the girl of one of the "boys' of one of my vstlng friends.
 "By all means" I said, knowing that dinner already prepared, and that Barut Mzee's mtot or assistant could serve when were ready "Chuck him in the jug. Do anything you wish with him. We want peace around here" It would teach M'zee lesson
 got the peace desired. got than that. ... The next noon ran into Baines, the newly aIponted District Commissioner, only lately arrived in town with his superior Goanese chef coming from presiding at court He grinned at me- "Leamy," he drel He's committed about every crime the calen dar except murder and I'm not sure he hasn't com mitted that I've put him in the clink for month I Say-what's the matter?"
 "A month!" gasped What am going to do for cook?"
 funny hadn't thought of that. But there's noth- ing can do now. Frad you'll have to get new COOK cook each worse than the last. Then
 was sitting at the table of my living room wait ing for lunch, always puictual in Mzees days shadow fell across the white cloth. looked up Framed in the doorway was M'zee
 "Jambo bwana," he grnned, as bright and cheer full as had the inside of ja and just as casual as if he had cooked my breakfast that morning.
 His nonchAIance enraged me. After all. wasn't he the of all my indigestion of late! "What do you want?" beloved.
 "Na taka shauri yangu."
 "Oh, you do, do you? Locked-up for month. And you have the nerve to come here and want your job back. The answer is, NO!"
 Instnctivey he knew this was not the moment to argue. Deectedly he Sunk out and squatted on the verandah in pose mmemorabe. But in few moments he was back again to plead But this time 
 If were cruel enough not to rehire him, wouldn't give him at least barua, letter of recommendation.
 Then really let loose on him. gave him lot Of information about himself and his habits and about his antecedents, and again firmly said, No!
 He looked at me stodly After moment he asked, without guile "I was good cook, wasn't I?"
 "Yes," said, q admit that'
 He nodded with satisfaction. Well then, bwana give barua Put in it that I'm thief, and scoun drcl and defIer and a cut throat, and everything you call me, but put in also that Pm good :ook!"
 To keep from laughing shook my head vigOr- Ously tightipped
 Once crestfallen, he retired to the verandah The "bOy' in with my lunch It was unspeakably had. The soup water The piece of zebu meat amorphOus tasteless wog on big platter reached for a loaf of bread. It a sOggy lump. In real rage flung it with swift motion through the open door at the very second Mzee re-appeared more. It caught him in the mid-riff.
 What do you want?" demanded
 q want my job back"
 Take it," answered with alacrty, But condition There's to be more trouble with the other "boys", nc more women-stealng, no more tembo,
 Faithfully he promised, Faithfully But when l came home late that night after dining with Warner, the Assistant D. C., found bedam, Mzee had been the rampage, He had turned Ruaja out of his quarters, He had made passes at RuaIas girl He was drunk and abusive,
 Furious went off with Warner to find Mzee, knew where to look In the drinking huts, But didn't have him picked up that night or any night again For when l rounded the bend to where the drinking huts heard Mzee's voice raised and lustly