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. [270]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 [271]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.” [272]
“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. [273]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 [274]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 [275]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 [276]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 [277]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 [278]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. [279]
“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.” [280]
“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. [281]
“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 [282]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.
