A SALE AT BANJOE PAHIT.
On a Saturday evening, about a fortnight after, a great number
of young people were assembled in the open air at the round table
before the verandah of Concordia, the club at Santjoemeh. It was a
gala-night and consequently all the élite of Santjoemeh had turned
out. The gentlemen were for the most part inside the club-house,
or strolling about within the grounds, the ladies, either on foot
or reclining in elegant carriages, were promenading and enjoying
the splendid evening which the full moon, at nine o'clock high up
in the heavens, rendered still more delightful, and listening to the
excellent music of the band.
Within the club-house were seated some elderly ladies and gentlemen,
gravely and solemnly playing a game at cards; the young people lounged
in the front gallery, while the gayer and more restless spirits among
them sought the open air and were, as we said above, grouped round
the table in front of the outer gallery. There they found themselves
in full view of the ladies whose glances they were glad to receive
and ready to repay with interest.
"Look yonder," cried one of this group, "there goes pretty little
Celine with her mother and her aunt!"
"Yes," replied another, "and Hermance on horseback; I think her a
much prettier girl."
"I say, look out! there comes the Resident's carriage."
"Aye, I see with fair Laurentia. She is no doubt coming to take
a hand. Just look how attentive van Rheijn is to her. Quite the
gallant--he is helping her down--now he offers his arm!"
"Of course! the njonja of Kandjeng toean Resident!"
"You may say what you like but she is a monstrous fine woman--I envy
that fellow Edward!"
"I grant you--she is a splendid woman--but she is not a patch upon
her daughter."
"You are right there," cried another. "By the way where can nonna
Anna have got to? One sees her nowhere now."
"I am told she is gone on a visit to a friend--they say to spend a
few weeks with the wife of the Assistant Resident of Karang Anjer."
"What Karang Anjer in Bagelen? That is a deuce of a way off! Is there
anything wrong with her?"
"Why, don't you know? Van Nerekool has proposed and been refused--and
it appears that until Charles can get some other appointment elsewhere,
the Resident wants to keep his daughter out of the way."
"What do you say?" asked another, "Charles van Nerekool going
away--what in the world is that for?"
Just then Grenits, who had been sitting some time in the reading-room
of the Club, came up to the group of young men with a newspaper in
his hand.
"Good evening, Theodoor!" was the general cry; for the young
merchant was very much liked by all, and exceedingly popular among
the members. "Have you got any news that you are walking about with
the Santjoemeh Herald?"
"Listen to me, gentlemen," said Grenits as he slowly unfolded his
paper and began to read:
"'Messrs. Gladbach and Co., will sell by public auction on Monday
the 24th inst., the whole of the Furniture and Effects belonging to
William Verstork, Esq., Controller at Banjoe Pahit. The principal
items include: seats, rocking and easy chairs, tables, marble-topped
consoles, mirrors, paintings, lamps of all descriptions, terra-cotta
statuettes, awnings, screens, bedsteads and bedroom furniture
complete--wash-stands, wardrobes, linen-presses, cupboards, kitchen
and stable furniture--all in excellent preservation and as good as
new. Further a splendid collection of plants such as roses, crotons,
ferns, &c., in pots and ornamental tubs. One Bengal cow with calf in
full milk, a considerable quantity of poultry; turkeys, geese, ducks,
fowls and pigeons. Several carriages all nearly new--a well-trained
saddle horse, a pair of iron-grey carriage horses, a pair ditto,
black Battakkers. Messrs. Gladbach & Co. are prepared to supply
full particulars, catalogues and conditions of sale. Nota Bene. On
Monday next from 7.30 to 8.30 carriages will start from the green at
Santjoemeh to convey intending purchasers to and from Banjoe Pahit
free of cost.'"
As Grenits concluded, his hearers looked at one another in some
surprise.
"Come, that's not a bad idea," said one, "that free conveyance is a
capital dodge."
"Verstork going to leave!" cried another. "Where is he off to--it
seems he is going to sell even his saddle-horse."
"He is going to Atjeh," replied Grenits. "He won't want a horse there."
"To Atjeh! why that is impossible" cried another, "the army is in
charge there, there can be no vacancy in that place for a civilian
like Verstork!"
"I know nothing at all about it--I can only tell you what William
has told me. But, in order that no mistake may arise, allow me to
tell you gentlemen that my friend Verstork knows nothing whatever
about the free conveyances to Banjoe Pahit, that is entirely my doing,
about which I have not consulted him. I alone am responsible for that
addition to the advertisement."
"I see," laughed one of the company, "you do not want the thing to
hang fire."
"Very likely not," said Grenits coolly.
"But," asked another, "why is Verstork to be removed, and to Atjeh,
of all places in the world?"
Grenits shrugged his shoulders but made no reply.
"Why, don't you know?" cried another, "it is all about that affair
with Lim Ho! You have heard of the story of Lim Ho and the pretty
baboe Dalima?"
"Aye--I know now--when Lim Ho so nobly resisted temptation--at least
so says our Surgeon-major."
"Yes," added another voice, "and when our friend Grenits boxed
somebody's ears."
"Ah, yes--Muizenkop did catch it--I say what has come of that
business?"
"He has brought an action against me," shortly replied Grenits.
"Has he? The brute! But how do you know that, Theodoor?"
"Why," said Grenits, "he has served me with a summons."
"Ai--! that means a few days' free lodging for you, my friend. Well,
never mind, we will come and look you up now and then--won't we,
gentlemen?"
"To be sure we will," was the general chorus.
"Time enough to think of that," said Grenits. "If I am locked up
I shall expect to see you, my friends. But just at present we have
something more serious to attend to. About that sale--I invite you
all to put in an appearance on Monday next."
"That Grenits always has an eye to business," said one of the young
men with a laugh.
"Gentlemen," continued Theodoor most gravely, "this is no joking
matter. It concerns an innocent man who hitherto has maintained a
mother and sisters entirely dependent upon his aid--and the question
is whether he will, in the future, be able to continue to give them
that assistance?"
"Oh, is that it!" was the cry all round, "then we shall all be
there--you may depend upon us!"
"Yes, you may depend upon every one of us!"
"Thank you," said Grenits, "that's a bargain."
Yes! William Verstork was removed from Banjoe Pahit and was to
be sent to Atjeh! The detailed report which he had dispatched to
Reijnaal had been of no avail. He might perhaps have over-estimated
his friend's influence--or, perhaps, that friend did not much like
to meddle in the matter; at all events nothing came of Verstork's
appeal. The letters also which van Nerekool had written to Batavia
led to nothing. He did receive a kind of answer; but they were only
a few vague and half intelligible sentences.
What really happened in Batavia was this. On a certain Friday--the
usual day on which the Council of India meet--the assembled members
were greatly surprised at seeing the Governor General suddenly appear
in their midst, a thing which very seldom happened.
"Gentlemen," he said, after the customary ceremonial greetings had been
exchanged, "Gentlemen, a very serious complaint against a first-class
Controller has been forwarded to me by the Resident at Santjoemeh. I
have also received a document from the subordinate officer, containing
his defence to the charges made by his superior. This document directly
contradicts many of the Resident's statements, and it is for that
reason that I am desirous of having the advantage of your opinion. Now
the Resident at Santjoemeh is a most zealous and meritorious public
servant, thoroughly devoted to his country's interests; but it must
be said that in the discharge of his duties, and especially in his
conduct towards his subordinates, he is frequently too absolute and
peremptory, and allows his feelings to get the better of him. I must,
at the same time, however, confess that even thus he never loses sight
of the common-weal. Such being the case in this matter also, it would
not have been difficult for me, I think, so to settle the dispute
as to satisfy both parties without in any way interfering with the
superior officer's authority. Unfortunately, however, the question
is a more complicated one. The difference between the Resident and
his Controller is one which seems to implicate the opium-farmer at
Santjoemeh, and which threatens to bring us into conflict with him. I
think indeed I may go a step further, and that I am justified in saying
that a strict investigation, such as the controller insists upon, would
bring to light certain transactions which would compel us altogether to
exclude the present farmer Lim Yang Bing from the approaching contest
for the opium monopoly. Now, in strict justice, that exclusion would
no doubt be highly desirable; but we must not lose sight of the fact
that this Lim Yang Bing is the wealthiest Chinaman in Santjoemeh,
that he stands at the head of the most considerable company in that
district, and that he thus exercises almost absolute control over his
countrymen there. The consequence, therefore, of excluding him from
the coming opium competition, would be a very considerable fall in
the amount which, at present, it is expected to realise. And that,
in days like the present!--Yes, gentlemen, I repeat it, at a time
like the present!--Just now I received a telegram in cypher from the
Hague, which tells me that the estimate of the Colonial Secretary
has found no favour in our house of Representatives; because it is
thought that his estimate is much too low, and that expenses have
not been sufficiently kept down. That telegram further states that
one of you gentlemen will most probably soon be invited to take the
place of our present Colonial Secretary. Well--whoever he may be,
I cannot say that I envy him the distinction. It is quite certain,
however, that the first thing he will be expected to do, is to drive
up the revenue to as high a figure as possible, and, for that purpose,
the opium monopoly, in spite of what men may think or say about it,
seems to me to be the only available means. In order, therefore, not
to make the task of the future minister more difficult than it must
of necessity be, it is my opinion that it would be good policy just
at present to protect the opium farmer. The Resident of Santjoemeh
tells me that the withdrawal of Lim Yang Bing from the competition
will make a difference in the revenue of at least six or seven hundred
thousand guilders."
At the mention of these figures, the eyes of the youngest member of
the Council sparkled with unwonted fire, and, in his zeal for the
public exchequer, forgetting the usual etiquette, he interrupted the
Governor General before the latter had quite finished his speech.
"With your Excellency's leave," said he, jumping up from his seat with
much animation, "I would remark, and I feel confident that, in what I
am about to say, I shall but utter the sentiments of all my colleagues,
that under circumstances like the present, we ought not to hesitate
to adopt any measures which may serve to make the finances of the
country correspond to the demands of the times. Any proposal which
may promote such equilibrium cannot fail of ready acceptance from a
board such as ours, which, inspired by the highest patriotic feelings,
is ever prepared to make any sacrifices for the welfare of Holland."
The appeal was so shameless that its very grossness insured its
success. The members of the Council bowed their heads in acquiescence,
and the lips, which could have uttered such terrible truths, under the
influence, doubtless, of the enervating effect of the tropical sun,
now merely opened sleepily to utter an obsequious:
"Yes, your Excellency!"
The Governor General, who at once perceived that he had gained his
point, then said with a sigh:
"In that case my course with the Controller is clear. I am much
obliged to you, gentlemen, for your counsel."
The next moment the drum was rolling at the main guard, and the men
turned out to present arms to the king's representative as he drove
away to his palace on the Koningsplein, well satisfied, no doubt,
that he had performed a signal service to his country, if not to
humanity at large.
In four days' time William Verstork received the order of his removal
to Atjeh, and, what was perhaps more galling still, along with it a
letter from the Director of the Home Department, in which that official
expressed the hope that, in his capacity of Controller, he would make
the best use of his undoubted abilities and of his great knowledge
of the native character to aid and assist the military authorities
in their arduous task of pacifying the population. And, the director
went on to say: "Allow me also to cherish the expectation that, in
the future, you will exhibit a greater amount of tact; and to suggest
that you should show more deference and respect to your superiors;
for, after this plain warning, you can expect no further indulgence."
"Well, Charles," cried Verstork, as he flung the letter upon the table,
"what do you think of that?"
"I think it is a burning shame!" replied van Nerekool, his voice
trembling with indignation.
"You see, my dear fellow," continued Verstork, "this is the most
favourable result we could anticipate. Removed to Atjeh! that is to say
struck off from the list of the Home Department of Java and Madura. It
is simply a degradation. Are these the principles which animate our
rulers? The state of society out here is rotten--rotten to the core!"
"No, no!" cried van Nerekool, with animation, "don't say that--there is
one part of that society which is sound and undefiled, and which stands
high above the tricks and paltry intrigues of the ruling powers--and
that is the judicature. The power of the law will succeed in bridling
and subduing the monster of injustice and tyranny."
Charles van Nerekool spoke these words with all the enthusiasm of
truth--he was fully persuaded of the truth of his assertion. Verstork
looked at his friend and a bitter smile came over his troubled
countenance. He did not, however, say a single word, he would not
disturb the day-dream of his friend--the future, he knew, would soon
enough dissipate his fond illusions.
Banjoe Pahit, that quiet and secluded dessa, was, on Monday morning,
the scene of the greatest excitement.
At the gate of the Controller's house a Javanese stood striking
measured blows on the gong, and that unwonted noise brought the
entire population around him. Within the house, Grenits, Grashuis,
and van Nerekool were busily employed helping Verstork to set out
the furniture, which, presently, was to be offered for sale, to the
best advantage. In one place a writing-desk had to be placed in a
more prominent position--in another a cupboard or table had to be
re-arranged. Pictures also and statuettes had to be placed in the most
favourable light; for Grenits, with the true eye of a commercial man,
knew that, next to advertising, a tasteful exhibition of the articles
would attract the attention of the buyers.
At length all was considered in readiness, and it was with a kind of
mournful satisfaction that the friends walked through the apartments,
surveying and admiring the arrangement in which they had borne a
principal share. In the back galleries especially, where the glass,
the crystal and the dinner-services were displayed, their finishing
touches had been remarkably successful.
Everything looked so neat, and in such perfect order, that Grenits
could not help exclaiming:
"No one would think that these are bachelor's quarters! William,
I can promise you an excellent sale."
Meanwhile the gong kept on clanging incessantly.
Just then a couple of carriages came rolling up to the Controller's
house. Out of one of these stepped the Regent of Santjoemeh, and
he at once walked up to the European gentlemen. After the customary
salutations:
"Well, Radhen Mas Toemenggoeng," said Grashuis hugely pleased at
seeing the Javanese chief arriving thus early, "you are coming,
I hope, to buy a good lot!"
"Perhaps, sir, but money is scarce," replied the Regent with a smile.
"Never mind that, Radhen Mas," laughed Grenits, "you can buy on tick."
The cautious old chief smiled and shook his head, but had no time
to reply; for by this time the second conveyance, a capacious drag,
had discharged its load which consisted of a member of the firm of
Gladbach and Co. and the whole of his staff of clerks, &c.
The agent walked up to Verstork, shook hands with him and whispered:
"Very bad news, Controller!"
"What is the matter?" asked Verstork.
"The Chinamen at Santjoemeh have been ordered not to come to your
sale."
"Who gave that order?"
"I don't know," replied the agent shrugging his shoulders. This was
bad news indeed; for the Chinamen, if they happen to be well disposed
towards the owner, are generally very brisk bidders. Their abstention
indeed threatened to be very disastrous.
Verstork heaved a deep sigh as he ran his eye over his possessions
which now bid fair to go for an old song. He sighed, not because he
particularly regretted the probable loss; but at the thought of his
dear ones yonder who--
But fortunately he had no time for indulging in melancholy
forebodings, for the carriages now succeeded one another with amazing
rapidity. Drags, landaus, waggonettes, dog-carts, and spring-carts,
came flying up the drive and began setting down their loads at the
entrance of the Controller's house. A great number of horsemen too
and pedestrians from the estates round about, began to flock in;
and the oppassers on duty found it as much as they could do to keep
the carriages in line, to put up the saddle-horses and to usher the
gentlemen into the house.
All ranks of European society in Java were there represented;
landowners, tenants, coffee planters, rice-planters, sugar and
indigo manufacturers, merchants, insurance agents, shipping agents,
solicitors, notaries, barristers, judges, officers of the Army
and Navy, in fact it seemed as if the whole of Santjoemeh had
migrated bodily to Banjoe Pahit. In the capital all business was
at a standstill; there was not a single conveyance, not a single
spring-cart or carriage to be got there. The Resident van Gulpendam
noticed that these vehicles did not occupy their usual stands, and
was told that they were all off to Banjoe Pahit.
He smiled at the information; but it was on the wrong side of his
mouth.
Still the gong went on giving forth its harsh discordant sounds.
The employés of the Home office and its clerks and writers, who
were employed in the Residential office, were conspicuous by their
absence. Not one of them had been able to get leave for an excursion
to Banjoe Pahit.
The Javanese population, in their usual retiring way, timidly crowded
round the animated scene. These poor people most assuredly did not
come to buy, they were impelled by curiosity just to get a peep at
the interior of a European's dwelling house.
Treêng, treêng went the gong incessantly. When the company had
pretty well assembled, and compliments had been duly exchanged,
Verstork left the place. He could not bear to be present and see
his household gods dispersed. So he went to the Mohammedan priest,
with whom he had some matters to settle before he left the dessa,
and after the sale was over he purposed to return to Santjoemeh with
van Nerekool, Grashuis and Grenits.--
No sooner had he left, than the representative of Gladbach &
Co. whispered a few words to the auctioneer. The latter made a
sign to one of his servants. Hereupon the gong began to clash more
horribly than before, a shower of blows fell on the metal disc. This
infernal din lasted for a space of ten minutes, and then suddenly
ceased altogether.
The proceedings now began.
The sale was opened in the front gallery in which a very fine
collection of flowers in ornamental pots and tubs, were tastefully
arranged in groups of a dozen, on the steps which led up to the
verandah. These were the first lots to be disposed of.
"Twelve pots of flowers!" began the auctioneer, "who will make a bid
for them?"
"One guilder!" cried someone in the crowd.
"One guilder bid, one guilder!" cried the auctioneer in the usual
drawl.
"One and a half!"
"One and a half," repeated the auctioneer.
"Two guilders! Three guilders! Four guilders! Five guilders!" came
the bids in quick succession.
"Five guilders! Five guilders bid!" cried the auctioneer, "Who bids
higher? Five guilders are bid," drawled the auctioneer, as he turned
his head and stared hard at the last bidder but one.
"Eight guilders!" cried the latter.
"Eight guilders!" cried the echo, "who bids higher?" Then the fire
opened again.
"And a quarter," cried a voice.
"Eight and a half!"
"Eight three quarters!"
"Nine guilders!"
"Ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen!"
"Thirteen guilders," cried the auctioneer, "who bids more than
thirteen?"
"I wouldn't mind," cried a voice, "if I only knew how to get those
confounded pots home to Santjoemeh."
"Never mind that," shouted another, "I will take them for you in
my cart."
"Thirteen, twice!" said the auctioneer.
"Fourteen, fifteen," went the bids.
"Fifteen!--once!" said the auctioneer.
"Twenty guilders!" shouted a voice which rang out above all the noise.
"A fine bid," murmured Grenits.
"Twenty guilders, once--Twenty, twice--Twenty for the third and
last time!"
Bang! down came the hammer.
"Who is the buyer?" asked the clerk.
"I am," replied an officer. He was an elderly man--a first Lieutenant
of Infantry.
"Who is I?" asked the auctioneer from his perch.
"I, Langeveld, first Lieutenant of Infantry."
"Mr. Langeveld, do you pay cash down?" asked the auctioneer.
"Cash down?" asked the officer, quite surprised, "what do you
mean? Your office always gives three months' credit."
"Only to those whose pay is above two hundred and fifty guilders,"
said the man.
"Two hundred and fifty guilders? Whose order is that?"
"It is the order of the superintendent of sales at Santjoemeh,"
replied the auctioneer.
"The Resident," muttered van Nerekool, "a most infamous trick!"
"Do you pay ready money? No?" continued the auctioneer, "then you
will have to find some security, or else the lot will have to be put
up again."
The officer, who was a man of unblemished name and character, turned
fiery red at this wanton and unexpected insult.
"Lieutenant Langeveld, I will be your security!" cried van Nerekool.
The officer bowed his thanks. The second lot of flowers, however,
which was much finer than the first, did not fetch a rix-dollar. The
shameful dodge at headquarters evidently had its effect on the spirits
of the buyers. Grenits saw the drift of all this in a moment. He held
a hasty consultation with van Nerekool and a few landowners who were
standing by him. Just as the third dozen of pots were being put up,
a burly, broad-shouldered gentleman cried out:
"A word with you, Mr. Auctioneer. A disgraceful trick is being played
here--I never saw such a dirty thing done before--a trick which Mr. van
Nerekool, Mr. Grenits and myself are determined to frustrate. For
every gentleman who wishes to buy at this sale, and who may happen
to fall under this novel condition of having to pay ready money,
we will stand security."
"Bravo! bravo!" was the general shout.
"Does that satisfy you, Mr. Auctioneer?"
The man nodded assent. He could not do otherwise. This incident served
to rouse a general enthusiasm; the third lot of flowers brought eighty
guilders; the last no less a sum than two hundred and fifty. True it
is that before this last lot was put up Grenits had cried:
"Crotons! magnificent crotons! The Adal-adal! (Croton Tiglium); the
Camilla (Rothlera tinctoria); the Kamillakkian (Croton Corylifolius)
and the wax-bearing Croton (Croton sebiferus)! Who will bid for
them? I bid sixty guilders!"
A cheer followed his words; the game went on
merrily--seventy--eighty--ninety guilders! Higher and higher still went
the bids, until the two hundred and fifty guilders were reached. The
lucky man who secured the lot received quite an ovation, just as if
he had drawn the first prize in the State lottery.
That set the ball a-rolling. Chairs, tables, mats, lamps, wardrobes,
mirrors, pictures, all went for the same fabulous prices. At last
it became a mad charge in which every one seemed bent on securing
something, no matter at what cost. Long faces were drawn indeed; but
it was not because the bids were too high but because the prices were
wholly out of the reach of some pockets. It was in the back gallery,
however, that the excitement rose to its highest pitch.
"Twelve liqueur glasses!" shouted the auctioneer. They were very
ordinary little glasses--in Holland they might be worth a penny
a-piece--in India they might cost perhaps five or six pence.
"Twelve liqueur glasses!" again shouted the man.
"Out of which the bitters taste remarkably good!" cried Grashuis,
"I know that by experience."
"We might try some," cried a voice; "yonder in that stand I see a
decanter of bitters."
A cheer followed this proposal--a servant was already busy pouring
out the liqueur.
"What kind of bitters is that?"
"Maagdbitter," said a sienjo.
"Pahit prawan," translated an interpreter.
A thundering hurrah greeted that splendid attempt at translation.
"I say, Kees, you must be made interpreter--sworn interpreter!" shouted
one of the bystanders.
"Here's to you; I drink your health in pahit prawan!"
"One rixdollar!" cried Grenits.
"Three! Four! Five! Six! came the bids, in rapid succession. The
auctioneer could not turn his head fast enough to catch the eye of
the bidders.
"Six!" at length he managed to exclaim.
"Seven! Eight!--"
"Ten!" cried Grenits.
"Ten offered," droned the auctioneer with the utmost indifference. This
was not the first strange scene he had witnessed in his profession.
"Ten!" cried he, "won't any gentleman go higher than ten."
"Come, come, that is pretty fair," said a voice.
"Ten once, ten twice, ten for the third and last time!"
Bang! down came the hammer.
"An expensive set," grumbled some one in the crowd, "a hundred and
twenty guilders--the bitters must be good at that price."
"Especially pahit prawan!"
"Well, give us another glass."
The last lot put up for sale--a gajoeng, that is a simple cocoa-nut
vessel with a handle used for throwing water over the body in the bath,
fetched five and twenty guilders.
The friends of Verstork might well congratulate each other. They had
worked to some purpose. When half an hour later the clerk posted
up the total receipts, the house very nearly came down with the
deafening cheers.
"Nine thousand seven hundred and forty guilders!" exclaimed Verstork,
when he heard the result of the sale; "why, the whole kit was not
worth three thousand. Thanks, many thanks, my friends."
He shook hands warmly with van Nerekool, with Grashuis, with van
Beneden and with Grenits. "You have saved me many an hour of dreadful
anxiety," he whispered to them.
Eight days after, the Controller was standing, in excellent spirits, on
the deck of the Tamborah which was to convey him to his new abode. Full
of courage and full of hope, he took leave of the trusty friends who
accompanied him to the steamer.
"Once again," he cried to them from the deck, "thanks, a thousand
thanks!"
Grenits had helped him to realise as profitably as possible the
proceeds of the sale, and when he reached Batavia he had sent a
considerable portion of the money to his mother, recommending her
to be very careful of it, as he might most probably be obliged, in
consequence of his removal from Banjoe Pahit, to diminish the amount
of his monthly remittances.
When the Tambora was nearly on the horizon there were still
handkerchiefs waving farewell to him from the shore-boat.
Verstork still kept on deck gazing at the shore. "Fine noble fellows,"
he muttered as he wiped away a tear.