THE BOY THAT KNOWS IT ALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XVI, 14 October 1899, Page 684

THE BOY THAT KNOWS IT ALL.

CHINESE SERVANTS WHO ARE MARVELS IN THEIR CALLING.

The Chinese are commonly said to be the best servants in the world. They are certainly hard to beat; and even the fastidious Sybarite who constantly swore at them when in China, swears by them when once in England.

A well-drilled boy is, in fact, to be priced above rubies; worth very much more, for the peace and comfort he brings, than the ten dollars (£1) a month that his services are valued at. He is everything—not to all men, but to the master who treats him properly —valet, counsellor, financial adviser, doctor. nurse, and friend. His “Tungchia's” credit is his credit: their interests are the same: their fortunes rise or fall together: for an average boy. while burning "josssticks" for his employer’s success, has no thought of deserting him should the crash come- He sticks to a good master through thick and thin. A light scratching or tapping on the bedpost wakes you of a morning to the consciousness that your "boy"’ is standing there, with kindly look, and ■ trayful of tea. buttered toast, and fruit for your early breakfast. Before waking you he has gathered up the garments flung last night about the floor, and now on the sofa are laid out, while you SIP YOUR TEA AND READ, clean clothes for the day—studs in shirt, socks folded back, all ready to slip on—without a sound, however, as he flits about the roomCarefully timed, the announcement, “Barf leddy, sir!’’ brings you to the “barf" room, where you find soap, sponge, and brushes orderly laid out. On completion of your toilette breakfast appears. Perhaps you choose that opportunity—your boy standing, Sphinx-like, behind your chair, ready to replace the fish with some devilled kidneys—to issue your orders for the day.

Ah Kee is to buy a bouquet of roses, and take it, with your card, to the chatelaine of the Lungmao Hong; he is to borrow from Mr Smith’s boy a pair of Indian elube, and hand them to the carpenter to be copied; he is to find out what time high-water is in the river next Saturday; he is to see how many No. 6’s you still liave among your cartridges; and he is to ascertain, through Mrs S.’s boy (via Mrs S.’s amah) whether that lady has a pretty inkstand in her bedroom, or is likely to appreciate the present of one on her coming birthday, etc., etc. Ah Kee then gravely sees you into your chair, jinricsha. dogcart, or gig, and off you go to the office, blissfully ignorant of and ignoring his possible comments—and inferences!

. At one o’clock an adjournment to the office "tiffin” rosin, you find Ah Kee again, immaculate in long blue cotton gown, clean-shaved head, and well-brushed queue—thoroughly-well groomed, in fact, as much for your “face” as his own. The table is neatly laid; the hot lunch, fruit, coffee, and cheroot excellent; no millionaire could be better served. Choosing a discreet moment, Ah Kee slips a perfumed line of thanks for the bouquet into your hand, and, for the benefit of your messmates, announces aloud that low water on Saturday will be about 4-30. which, by the way. will just suit for a start up river on the first of the flood for your anticipated Sunday’s partridge shooting. You have, he adds, forty-seven No. 6’s left, which you fear will prove more than enough. THE OTHER ITEMS he postpones reference to: but knowing that you are playing tennis in a four this evening (how does he know this — and everything else?) he inquires whether you wish your flannels sent down to the office to save time. You, having carelessly forgotten to give those very orders, joyfully assent; and return to your work more than ever grateful to Providence for having vouchsafed vou such a treasure.

After tennis you perhaps escort Mrs S. home: a move you effect so discreetly that no one on the courts can have observed the attention. But while you

are telling her, in the seclusion of her palmed and matted drawing - room, how much her play is superior to that of any other lady in the port, on, indeed. the world, in comes her “boy,” with a note sent on by the omniscient treasure—an invitation to “pot-luck” somewhere at 8!

On reaching your bungalow, you have only fifteen minutes to douche and dress in; but evervthing is readv Ah Kee is there to help; and you accomplish the impossible.

Returning after midnight, with a thirsty friend, you find Ah Kee still at his post —to unwire the popping soda-corks, and pour the golden Scotch; and you notice, perhaps with some touch of shame, that, while fullfilling the glass of hospitality in the stranger’s case, he measures his master out barely enough spirit to colour the soda: for which you will be more grateful to him to-morrow morning than you are to-night. But though so perfect in the common task and daily round of life, his qualities only blossom fully in emergencies. European servants, highlytrained and still more highly paid, might almost attain to his level in routine service; but what would a European cook or butler do. for instance. if informed a short half-hour beforehand that five unexpected guests were coming to dinner? Ah Kee merely remarks: “Six piecee man allogever? My tink praps belong more better catchee that chow one quarter hour more late.” to which, of course, you do not demur. So you return to the Club to escort your friends: and when the band reaches the dining-room at 8.15 there is forthcoming a first-rate dinner for six. and three boys (the other two not being needed) called from the vasty deep to wait at table. The explanation of the mystery—if you have been so short a time in China as to seek explanations—is that Ah Kee has sent or gone on a CALEB BALDISTONE’S RAID to other houses close by, and has borrowed a pheasant here, a leg of mutton there, some cutlery at the next place.

When—having an Ah Kee—l wish to change my house, does the prospect appal me? No whit! I mention on the Tuesday evening that I am shifting my quarters to such and such a house, that I will lunch and dine out on Wednesday, but wish to sleep in my new quarters. I then dismiss it all from my mind till I find myself, perhaps after an extra game of billiards, at the club, taking- my customarv route homewards on the Wednesday night.

Then suddenly it occurs to me that I am now living elsewhere, and I change my direction accordingly. The door is opened to my ring bv Ah Kee —looking, perhaps, a trifle tired and grimy, and with a handkerchief knotted round his head to keep the dust off his coiled-up queue. But that is the only sign of anything abnormal. A Are burns brightly in my bedroom: beside it. with my pyjamas hanging on the arm to air. my armchair offers me its deep embrace; from the walls the pictures and photographs which have accompanied me from port to port, smile down a welcome. Nellie, the setter, gets up from her accustomed rug; and Flisk. the fox-terrier pup. jumps down from the foot of the bed. Everything is familiar; transported not merely in material exactitude, but in the" impalpable spirit. In the sitting-room the same thing: letters, books, photos—nothing disturbed, but all as it were, transplanted at a stroke. And Ah Kee's tired look vanishes in a radiant smile at the evident sincerity with which I thank and tell him he is the prince of servants.

THE AMERICA CUP. In view of the great Interest in the present contest for the “America" Cup we give a picture of the Yankee yacht “America." which originally carried off from England the challenge cup which has since been the occasion of so many exciting contests between British and American yachts. This famous boat was built by George Steers in 1851. and her principal owner was J. C. Stevens, who in 1844 founded the New York Yacht Club and became its first Commodore. The great race took place on August 22, 1851. Shortly after nine o’clock in the morning the yachts were at their stations oif the Clubhouse, the America lying considerably astern —a strange looking craft enough, with her long, low blaek hull, her breadth of beam and her stiff-looking rakish masts. Pitted against her were fourteen yachts, of which six were schooners and eight cutters. Among these were the flower of the English sporting navy, the choicest products of TransAtlantic skill. At ten o’clock the signal gun was fired from the Clubhouse. Before the smoke had well cleared away the fleet was under way, moving steadily to the east with the tide and a gentle breeze. The only laggard was the America, which did not move for a second or so after the others. But the Yankee boat scon began to creep up on her opponents, and in half an hour she was clear of them all.' When finally she reached the starting vessel there was no competitor in sight. But next year her pride had a fall. On July 22nd, in the Koval Victoria Yacht Club Regatta, the America,after having led her three competitors while the breeze lasted, was passed by two of them. On that occasion she carried British, and not- American, colours. She had been purchased by Lord de Blagniere, and was manned by Englishmen.

Not only yachting enthusiasts but also a large body of the general public, have been eagerly waiting the result of the races now being held for the above Cup between the Shamrock and the Columbia. So far the weather has been extremely unfavourable and three unsuccessful attempts have been made to get off the first heat. On each occasion lack of wind prevented the race from being completed in the time allowed. However, there is a general feeling of satisfaction amongst the supporters of the English yacht in that on each occasion she was ahead when the race was

abe.ndoned. This is especially gratifying in view of the fact that it was considered that her only ehanee was that the race should be sailed in a strong wind.