The Colonel’s New Bearer

Northern Advocate, 11 January 1938, Page 2

The Colonel’s New Bearer

Colonel Benn rose from his verandah

1 in Bombay, went indoors, and, taking a telegraph form from a desk, wrote on it a message to someone in Poona. Then be called for his new servant to —..take it to the post office. , “At .the same time,” said Colonel rrßenn, “I have a suitcase which I want • ■ you to carry to the bazaar to have my -. initials put on it. I have written them --on this slip of paper.” V— The servant salaamed and went off. the case in one hand and the slip of paper with the initials written out :: -'upon it in the other. It was about a week after this chat the colonel received a mysterious tele--gram from Poona which he could not understand. Was it possible that his tion? It certainly looked like it. Any- — ‘Way this telegram meant that he had ; better start for Poona at once. Z'.. He would call his new bearer to pack a few things for a couple of nights. The man came and when he heard what his master wanted • salaamed many times and explained ‘ that as the sahib's case had not yet . been returned from the bazaar his ser- ” ’;vant would immediately fetch it. The colonel nodded and away he went. But in half an hour’s time he was -. back again, empty-handed. The sahib’s / ■suitcase was not yet ready. Not finished after a week! And just to put on three initials. Colonel Bonn i—heaved a sigh at the thought of such .laziness and tried to possess his soul “—in patience. The case came at last. The bearer held it out for inspection, “See, sahib!" he said, smiling with satisfaction, “this suitcase very good. Very well done.” rr-i It was indeed well done. The black "-letters were neat and clear on the brown leather, but this is what they were:—

“To Hansfield, Kirkee, Poona. I ""hope to come, but please make arrangements in case prevented. Benn.” They covered most of the suitcase on one side.” When Colonel Benn recovered from *;his surprise he asked the man this question: “On that sheet of paper which you handed in to the post office can you remember if the message contained these three letters, A.F.8., and nothing else?” a-. “Yes, sahib,” answered the man, • smiling, “I remember well—A.F.B.” The colonel had to turn away to hide ■-his amusement, but for some minutes his shoulders shook with silent laughter." , ; .