A SERVANT IN INDIA.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume XII, Issue 47, 21 April 1910, Page 2

A SERVANT IN INDIA.

ALWAYS A >'BOY"-HIS CHIEF CHARACTERISTICS-VALUE , OP RECOMMENDATIONS.

They have a servant problem in India, and it is quite as big as the problem we have in England. If you are accompanied by your wife, then it is quite necessary the mem-sahib should have her "ayah." To endeavour to go through the East without this chocolate-coloured bodyguard is to stamp yourself as either mean or else untutored in ways Oriental. If you are a resident, and it does not matter in how humble a position, your bungalow is overran with attendants. You are waited on hand and foot; but the custom meivos bondage of a peculiarly irritating character, since privacy virtually is non est. Ewery manservant in India is a '"boy-" .He may be 70 years of age, bent and white-haired, but he is always a "boy." Every waiter, every coolie, in fact everybody native, is "boy;" except those who are reputed to be able to read or write English and insist upon being called 1 " BABU." llX '

After ar little while the European contracts a disease called the "boy" fever. The luxury of being waited on hand and foot is irresistible. The most insipid of Englishmen soon learn to yell "B-o-o-o—y I" in that deep and choleric tone which is so fashionalftle, and which is supposed to have bee© Invented by the earliest members of John Company. To the seasoned Anglo-Indian every TSy is a born liar affd thief? He Is accepted as such ipso facto. To the newcomer this attitude toward our "'black brother" is incomprehensible. After a season in' India the newcomer knows why and invariably is more bitter in his,race partisanship than the older resident. Ido not wish to suggest that all boys are incorrigibly dishonest ; I have heard, usually at third or fourth hand, of the existence of an honest boy, but I have seen none.

I was very innocent when I engaged MY FIRST BOY, ' y but, then, I had been only twentyfour hours in India. I waS charmed With his appearance. His white clothes and turban were spotless. He was tall and handsome. His salaam was ecstatic, and he wanted only twenty-five rupees a month if he stayed in Bombay or thirty rupees if he travelled.

His "chits," or testimonials, were beautiful. Generals, majors, captains, and all sorts of high military functionaries, as well as a large number ■. of travellers, had enjoyed the services of Behwar, as he was called, and .all said what sorrow it gave them to part with him and witty what pleasure they recommended him to ANOTHER WANDERING SAHIB. For two days he was as faithful as a dog. On the morning of the third he informed me he was married and had quite a lot of children. As it was my intention to go up country, would the sahib allow poor Behwar three months' salary in advance so that he conld leave provision, for his family. As I have said, I was very innocent, and the "'boy" was so charming. 1 advanced him his salary, and an hoar later India had swallowed him up, never to be seen by me again. The next applicant for the post, was a little Madras!, whose face was* ONE PERPETUAL SMILE. He spoke very little English, but he was *armed with a bundle of chits, of which he was abnormally proud. The first read something like this :• "The bearer of this is a splendid menteur. He is a most admirable voleur. He has served me with great improbite. and I sincerely trust be will speedily obtain; a situation aux enters."—"Pall Mall Gazette."