CHAPTER IX--THE SIGHTS OF JAMAICA
The climate of this the largest of the islands of the West Indies, wasas perfect as climate can be. The heat was, of course, tropical; butthat was tempered by sea-breezes forever blowing from one direction oranother, and as the island is not too mountainous to obstruct thesebreezes, one can always find relief from the warmth of the sunshine.
The streets, where the best shops are located, are a busy sight, indeed,especially during tourists' season, when crowds of visitors are eagerlyselecting souvenirs for home-friends. These tradesmen consider a buyer,who does not bargain for his purchase, a brainless creature to bedespised. In fact, one must offer the merchant just about one quarter ofthe price asked first if he wishes to win esteem and admiration from thenative. Many times a buyer secures reverence if he turns and pretends towalk out of the booth, and then pauses to listen to the beseechingsalesman to turn and take the desirable article at his own figure!
As the ladies in Mr. Dalken's party sauntered from one shop to another,enjoying the unusual fun of driving hard bargains (as the proprietor ofthe hotel had warned them to do) the men attended stalls where theypurchased native hats, curios, and walking sticks or umbrellas with oddhandles and of splendid workmanship.
They finally wound up in the market place, but it was too late in theday to witness the thrill and thrall of marketing as is seen in theearly mornings. Mr. Dalken learned that on Saturdays the country peopleforegathered in the great market to sell their produce and invest thereturns in their own needs. The man added with a smile at the ladies:
"If you visit here on Sata'day, better wear a big bunch of strongscented flowers directly under your nose. The smells of the crowdedstalls and the decaying fruit or vegetables, to say nothing of fowl andfish spread out on boards in the heat to attract the buyers but theflies as well, will not be the pleasantest scent to get."
"I should say it will be as well to keep away from such a powerfulcombined odor, eh?" was Mr. Dalken's smiling answer.
"But the sight is well worth the insult to the other sense," retortedthe man who had a sense of humor as well as wit.
"Thank you for the suggestions. If we are still in the town we will callagain," returned Mr. Dalken, lifting his hat and turning to leave themarket place.
That afternoon the tourists returned to the hotel laden with purchases.Not only were the ladies almost bankrupt from spending money onhand-embroidered undergarments and basketwork ornaments, but they alsohad been lured into buying savage designs of jewelry and art objects.The men bought ebony paper cutters, desk outfits, wonderful whips madefrom lace-bark, and even fishing-rods made of bamboo, with marveloushandles mounted on a shark's backbone. Some of the rods had handles ofsandalwood, and were genuine curios in carvings.
At dinner that evening the hotel manager came over to Mr. Dalken's tableand introduced himself.
"I wish to invite you to a reception given this evening at GovernmentHouse. My guests are always welcome at these entertainments; there youwill meet our Jamaican society."
Mr. Dalken thanked the host and said: "I am sure we appreciate yourhospitable invitation. If the ladies wish to go we shall enjoy thereception."
Naturally the ladies voted to go, and this necessitated a return trip tothe yacht in order to dress for the evening. They had heard howparticular were the aspirants to social favor, as regards the demands ofproper dress at all functions. Therefore Mr. Dalken chartered a car andsoon had his guests back at the quay and on board his yacht where theyhurriedly arrayed themselves in evening clothes.
At the reception that evening the Americans found a mixed society.Military, civic officialdom, and those who could be classed with theDalken group. Dress was a very important item in this gathering, andevery lady present, be she pure white, milk-white (which really showedshe was an octoroon) or yellow, flaunted the most gorgeous gowns. Manydresses could claim Parisian birth, and others came from the best FifthAvenue shops in New York City. The females in the yacht party now sawthe very latest ideas in style, and they were honestly amazed at such arevelation. Later they heard that style and display of their clothesconstituted the main interest in life for the Kingston society ladies.
Dancing is the favorite amusement of the Jamaicans, and they takeadvantage of every opportunity to dance, morning, noon, or night. Hencea reception of such importance as one at Government House provides agreat opportunity for dancing. The younger members in Mr. Dalken's partyfound all the dancing they could stand at that time. Even the eldermembers were lured into dancing several seductive waltzes that evening,and Polly saw for the first time what a graceful and admirable pair Mrs.Courtney and Mr. Dalken made as dancing partners.
While they waited for the automobile which had been engaged for theevening, Polly whispered to Eleanor: "Haven't you noticed how Dalky hasbloomed since that blight of Elizabeth has been removed?"
"Yes, indeed! And I'm glad of it. Her reckless running away with thosehorrid persons that night really turned out to be the very best thingfor our Dalky in the end. Now he can enjoy himself to his heart'scontent without being spied upon," said Eleanor.
The ladies were now crowded into the automobile, while the men went tothe tram to ride as far as it carried them in the direction of theSpring Hotel. The air was cool and refreshing during the night, and thedancing had not caused any one to feel too tired or languid, as mighthave been expected in such a climate.
A good sleep at night and a refreshing bath with a fine breakfast in themorning, brought forth eager and energetic tourists in Mr. Dalken'sparty that next morning.
"Well, what is on the bill for to-day?" demanded Jack, eagerly.
"You sound as if you knew of something," countered Polly.
"I do. I heard of it last night from one of the officers in the Army. Doyou want to hear it?"
Of course they wanted to hear it. But it was far different than anythingthey expected to hear.
"There is a trial in the Court House this morning at ten, of a young manwho helped himself to a stick of sweets on sale by a street peddler, ofwhich class Kingston is full and overflowing. The lieutenant is calledupon as a witness of the theft, and the brown policeman who caught thefellow red-handed, is going to make the most of his claim to promotionon the force. I hear it will be as good as any vaudeville show in thecity," explained Jack.
"It seems a pity to waste a fine morning in an ill-smelling courtroom,when there are so many other interesting things to do," argued Mr.Fabian, whose artistic instincts rebelled against a court scene as anamusement.
"Oh, I'd love to witness such a scene," declared Eleanor, glancing ather girl-friends to see what they thought about it.
"Supposing you folks--all who wish to--go on a drive all about thecountry, while we youngsters attend court," ventured Ray.
"If I thought we could trust the girls to you two scapegraces in such aplace as a Kingston Court House, I'd accept the suggestion," returnedMr. Dalken.
"I'll go with the girls to the court, and you all can go for asight-seeing trip," offered Mrs. Courtney.
"Would you really care to sit out a court trial?" asked Mrs. Fabian,sympathetically for her friend.
"I think I'd prefer to be amused this morning instead of sight-seeingaround the country," answered Mrs. Courtney.
So it was hastily decided that the young people, chaperoned by Mrs.Courtney, were to attend court, while Mr. Dalken took his friends on atram ride out into the open country of Jamaica.
Jack acted as official pilot of the contingent for the court house; asthey came near the entrance door they found a crowd of all sorts ofpeople waiting to see justice administered.
Inside, the good-looking young lieutenant was introduced to Jack'sparty, and then he found seats in a desirable row where every incidentcould be seen, yet they would not be elbowed by the motley gathering.
The court room was nothing more than a large room with a raised platformat one end. Rude wooden benches were placed in rows for theaccommodation of the audience and those
who would have to report whentheir names were called from the roll in the clerk's hands.
Upon the platform was the judge. He sat in an old swivel chair behind atable, and every now or then he leaned back in weary listlessness, butjust as surely as he tilted back a bit too far, the treacherous pivotwould squeak and the chair went back, being kept from over-turning bythe clutch in the swivel. At these tilts the judge would throw out botharms and yank his body upright in order to regain his equilibrium. Adeep-seated grunt announced the success of his attempts at balancing,and the trial would proceed as before the interruption. The spectatorsin the room dared not smile, nor even seem to be interested in theresult of the tip of the magistrate's chair, but each one maintained aserious expression as if life and limb depended upon their dignifiedattention to the witness on the stand. With the advent of Eleanor to thecourt room all this was to be reversed.
Jack whispered to the girls: "Is this bench all right for you to see theshow?"
Instantly the judge ceased playing with his heavy-rimmed horn spectaclesand sat upright. He glared over at the newcomers, but finding that theypaid no attention to him he thumped the top of the table with a mallet:"Order in the Court!" shouted he.
The girls were seated now, and Ruth looked up with awe at the man whohad just spoken. Nancy glanced around the room and wrinkled her daintynose at the crowding of whites, yellows, and blacks in one small area.Polly watched the severe judge, but Eleanor was all eyes for the witnesson the platform. Jack and Ray stood back of the bench upon which sat thegirls, and watched for the fun they had been promised.
The ancient clerk, a picturesque form, now got upon his feet and readfrom a legal paper the name and crime of one Al Colman. Down in front ofthe platform sat a black giant. Fittingly his name was "Colman." But hewas not experienced in court manners so he did not answer to the call ofhis name.
The judge toyed impatiently with the mallet of authority, but he wouldnot so far demean himself as to bring the prisoner to understand hislesson. Rather, he glared at the Clerk, who was a yellow-white, anddemanded of him:
"Got the prisoner in the Court?" he could plainly see the nervous Aljust in front of his table, but that was not justice as he weighed itout to menials.
The Clerk lowered the paper, stared over his specs at Al, and calledimpatiently: "Why don' you answer when I calls yoh name, Al?" TheAmericans smiled at the first bit of play.
"D'ye want me to?" demanded Al Colman, wriggling uneasily. He was aragged, ignorant black, who looked too stupid to steal.
"Shore! Got a lawyer t' defen' yuh?" demanded the Clerk.
"How come yuh ast me dat? Yuh knows I ain't got nuff money to git me amoufful to eat?" retorted Al. Eleanor laughed and the judge thumped thetable furiously and bawled out:
"Order in this Court!"
"Step up to the chair, Al, and be examined," advised the Clerk.
Poor Al, getting up from his bench as if it was to be the last act onearth for him, crept up to the platform and shook as he lifted imploringeyes to the severe magistrate above him. This tickled the egotism of thejudge mightily and he frowned down upon the trembling prisoner.
"Step up and answer all questions truthfully!" commanded he.
Al obeyed and after he had taken the oath to speak the "truf, the hulltruf, an' nuttin' but de truf," the lawyer for the plaintiff began hisstory.
"'N it please yuh honor, yistiddy whiles I was lookin' over importantpapers, I hears a hue an' cry outside my office window, so I jumps upand looks. Down th' street went dis niggeh an' a affer him went a ladyof color what sells sweets on the street--she got a genuwine license fromyou, yuh honor," the man interrupted himself, suddenly remembering howimportant such an item would be in influencing justice.
The magistrate bowed with dignity, and the plaintiff continued: "Dis AlColman held a stick of sweets an' was beatin' it foh de open when Isteps out and interviews de hull thing. It is a plain case of larceny,yuh honor, an' my client claims damages an' costs. I have an importantwitness to testify to de truf of dis situation, yuh honor."
The judge glared at poor Al and the self-styled lawyer beckoned toLieutenant Bray to step up. But Jack had already whispered to Bray to goeasy on the poor black man, and call on his friends if he needed anyhelp in dragging Al out of the ditch.
The lawyer next asked Al all sorts of questions, in order to catch himlying or attempting to get out of the claim of theft.
"Whar yuh reside, Al?" demanded the lawyer.
"Anywhar I finds a welcome," murmured Al, his eyes fixed upon thesplendor of the officer's uniform as he came up to offer his testimonyin the case.
"And what yuh works at, Al?" demanded the questioner suavely, satisfiedwith the reply to his first question.
"Now yuh know I does any odd job I kin git," said Al.
"How come yuh helped yuh-self to dem sweets, Al?" was the next question.
Suddenly a voice behind Polly interrupted the proceedings: "I object tothat question until you have proved that the man took them!"
Every head turned to the owner of the new voice. The girls and Jack andRay started in surprise to find Mr. Dalken had entered unseen and waswatching this unusual trial.
"Order in this Court!" thundered the judge. Then to the sheriff, hesaid: "Eject that man who interrupts the proceeding of the Law."
But Mr. Dalken now stepped down to the front and said: "I am the legalrepresentative for this Al Colman. I object to the irregular questionsasked of my client."
Al Colman's jaw dropped and his whole body slumped in the rickety chair.The judge was so startled that he brought the swivel chair to an uprightposition with such suddenness that the clutch broke and dropped out, buthe never knew it. He stared at the new lawyer and scowled his unwelcome.
"Who are you and why didn't you step up aforetime?"
"I just managed to reach the Court, your Honor, and now I offer myservices to this undefended man on trial for stealing sweets." Mr.Dalken's manner was sugary and Jack hugged himself. He anticipated greatfun with the renowned New York lawyer taking a part. Even the lieutenantsmiled with delight at the turn in events. Only Al seemed overwhelmedand depressed by the aspect his case was taking.
The old woman who sold sweets on the street lifted bleary eyes to herlawyer and grumbled: "I's is losin' all de mawnin' trade wid dis foolin'bout dat stick of sugar cane! Lem'me go!"
"Order in the Court!" thundered the judge, banging the table. He _could_let out his spleen on the table and it could not object.
The case first advanced a step, then receded a step, until Mr. Dalkenbrought his legal experience to bear on his colleague's legalunderstanding. Thus matters drifted and were halted over and over, whena suspicious sound from the magistrate in the broken swivel chairannounced that he was snoring, while the two lawyers wrangled in frontof his platform. Al Colman sat in stupefied wonderment at all he heardbut he was not sure whether they were going to send him to the chair, orto jail for life. Every one in the room was tittering at thediscomfiture of the lawyer for the old street peddler, when a new phaseoccurred.
"Now, see heah, all yuh fo'kses! I done gone lost a stick of sugaryistiddy, but I lose all my pence o' trade to-day cuz, of bein' hauledin heah agin my will. I ain't got no cause nohow to git Al Colman interjail, an' _I'se_ discharge dis case!" As she rendered judgment in ahoarse voice which was familiar on the street as coming from afull-lung-powered huckster, she turned to leave the room.
Whether the sound of a woman usurping his rights of judgment, or whetherthe laughter of the crowd in the court room aroused him, cannot bedetermined, but the judge suddenly let go his balance in the chair inorder to get up and demand order. The swivel instantly pivoted, and theclutch being gone, back went the chair, tossing His Honor upon his headbehind the table.
BACK WENT THE CHAIR, TOSSING THE JUDGE UPON HIS HEAD.]
Then followed such an uproar that Al made a quick escape without beingseen. Out of the side door went he, and away to the open country hefled, as if the hounds of justice wer
e upon his heels. The Clerk of theCourt and the Sheriff hastened to assist their superior to an uprightposition, and he showed his gratitude by getting hold of the mallet andalmost cracking the table in his efforts to bring about order in thatCourt, while he glared at his deputies.
Then scowling fiercely upon the two lawyers who had been the cause ofhis nap, he thundered: "The case is dismissed! No cause."
The spectators laughed and jeered, and the two legal representativesshook hands and departed. Once outside, Jack and the lieutenant metagain, and the former said to the latter: "The whole thing looked as ifit had been staged for our benefit."
And the army officer replied: "That's a typical scene of a trial forpetty larceny. There is no more apparent justice in the entireproceedings than you would find in having your hen-coop robbed and thenhave the man come and ask you to give him the side trimmings to hischicken dinner."
Mr. Dalken now came up and was introduced to the officer. "Did the poorrascal really steal the sugar-stick?" asked he.
"I don't think so, sir. But a lawyer with no cases on hand has to trumpup something to advertise himself. He may have paid the old peddler alittle sum to attend the court and demand a bit of justice. He may evenhave paid Al to permit himself to be tried for stealing, provided Almade the lawyer promise to get him scot free at the last."
"Well, well! That scene was certainly well worth the time it took towitness it!" added Mr. Dalken, as they all moved away to the tram-cars.
Later that morning Polly said: "I haven't a very high opinion ofKingston justice!"
"I should say not!" exclaimed Eleanor in high contempt.
"If they bungle such little cases so badly, what must they do when areally serious crime is committed?" wondered Nancy.
"I suppose they call in New York lawyers for such cases," laughed Polly,winking at Mr. Dalken who stood with his back to the girls. But heturned at this and retorted:
"They never have really serious cases in Jamaica. I find from therecords that Jamaicans are truly a law-abiding people who seldom commita crime which necessitates such condemnation as we in New York have toadminister."