ANOTHER SHORT STORY
THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1958.
By GEORGE RAMAGE PIDGIN LANGUAGES
I'll Never Understand
IT
had to be just like that. · No other way. Me at the battered round table, In that scruffy little bar. Getting modder and madder. ́ ́ Her, sitting with me, and yet not with me. Not now. Not with him at the bar, showing off. Giving her the smile when he thought I was busy with my
drink. What a hope! I'd met his type before.
Women!
Mind you, I didn't blame her. Maybe she was just a bit bored.
Flashy dresser, plenty of cash, neat and clean and tidy. Good looking and the big smile. The way the girls like it. We both knew him, everybody knew him. 'Smiler,' the local boy who'd made good at the dog tracks. And me at the ware- house, heaving my guts out to get enough to give to want to lift me. I began to her a good time.
You know what? This and ing me not ja be silly, I brush- been going on fo: weeks, Heed her off. "Keep out of this" knew I was befling up, and he I said, Smiler stared at my st. was enjoying it. Every minute, and then at the ceiling and then And I took it. 'Cos I didn't want at me. I felt a bit sort of nuk my trouble, Not with her ward. So I began to turn away. around. Mind you, I didn't blame I saw him swing a bit too late, her. Maybe she was just a bit and he smushed me on the bored. Maybe I didn't make the checkbone, I could feel his ring right passes.
eut in. I rabbed him by the front of his jacket and lifted him. He'd asked for 11, and he'd get it.
I picked up our glasses, and went to the bar. Ile must have seen me coming. In the mirror, 'Cos he turned, and entered, "Hello, sport, who's the giri?"
I looked down at him--303, down. I was n head taller, and heavier, and tougher, I knew, then, what I had to do, I shoved the glasses on the bar, and said, "I've been watching you," "You have, uh? So what?" He was having himself a good time.
I could feel myself bailing my fists, but I stopped that, No trouble-that was what I want- ed. But not him. I knew that, He liked frouble. "Walch "I told him, quietly, and turned to the barman,
"I've been watching it he cracked, and it's a bit of al- right." His drinking pois enige gered. That was enough. I whip- ed round, and stuck a big st under his nose. I just looked at him. I couldn't speak.
"Now don't be elily, Joc," she said, touching my arm. Her tell-
CHESS
By LEONARD BARDEN
[No. Gas) Here is a problem specializ contributed by the Rev. Dr. H. M. Reltan (Saxmundham), White to play and mate in three
movea.
Solution No. 5417; 1_. . . R- B8 okt: 2 R-k12, B-88 ch; K-KII, B-~RE male.
Lumion Express Serske
So the next fortnight WRS more training, coaching without gloves, and something else. Bill began teaching me the tricks' all, the 'dirt he'd picked up.in the ring and, around, dockland. Now I knew how to punch, I could move and keep moving, and I was a full stone lighter.
One night, after a session of rab- bit-punching, I. asked him when. "We're getting organised," he
Maybe said no more.
"He
I don't make the right passes' I hung on to hands that seemed usual spot, the round table. He sat down and asked how I was, settle my fees flat on the floor, I said I was ticking over. and that poter came again.” This had something on his mind. So, from us Both, chump," I heard. I just walled He took a deep Then a blast at the back of my swig of his beer, wiped his neck, and a roaring, and a orcy mouth with the back of his sickness. back through the foo, and again
And then the coming hand, and leaned forward
"Joe", he, growled I nodded, his voice, Softer now. "Let's go "Joc-what you going to do somewhere decent and get ac about Smiler?" I groaned I'd quainted, honey." And her thought that laughing "OK but who'll look could tell he had something on after Joet-that's me, That's his mind, 'cos he kept screwing up his face and cracking his funny.
knuckles. Loud, bone-grinding
cracks,
On Wednesday of the next week we had ari casy day at the warehouse. It sometimea happens, like that. Maybe there was a strike somewhere. Bill came up just before knocking-off time, patled me on the shoulder, and told me there was no train- ing that night I couldn't believe it
Robert Wallace Thompson
ABACUS
"Meet' mo at the Railway Armas The calculating machine in artili at night. We're having a drink widely used in Hongkong. It is with some of the boys." Then I a frame with balls sliding on knew, 'cos that was Smiler's dis-wires and was used much more times, trict. It was going to be an away extensively in former was finished. I match. Funny thing was, I! The name and the object were couldn't get worked up about it. known to the Romans who had But, of course, I went along. them from the Greeks. The use Bill was there with three hundy of the abacus contributed greatly looking characters I knew by to rapid and accurate ciphering sight. Just in case, I supposed. before the adoption of nine He ordered me a shondy, "Don't figures and zero, want to slow you down," ho told me. "How'd you know he'll He grinned. ho's
rome?" I asked. I dropped the ladykiller back
ALL
n his feet. He was while, and 1 felt good. Thla time I sneered. at him. "Don't push it. You'll get hurt," I said. He swung al ine again. I blocked it somehow, and hit back et his pretty fece, gure it out, I meant to fx head. "He's keen on women," bar. But not the same old Rosie.all-same which moang "ilice,' 'as,' I wanted to smash him, but he ducked. I saw his knee coming up just in time, and gol my foot neross his instep. I saw the rest of the crowd falling back out of the way. I was raging and Irled to stop it. I only wanted to fix him-I didn't want trouble. So, as he rushed. me again, I slung
my
00
I shook my head, and pushed myselt on to my feet. I knew where I was the Black Lion bor. But I still couldn't sec, so I just stood there, I could feel
"Jee," he began again, "I been myself swaying backwards and
This English word is oflen "About. "He's been tipped off, to I mumbled, thinking." I walled.
used as an intensifler in Pidgin forwards. Joc."
I got lo come." a beshing. Smiler and Rosie and you."
All-plopa (11 "you've just faken
gave him no help at all. "Smil. And sure enough he did. The compounds, Surprised?" And then the hum of bar business started again.
e's not doing right by Rosic. same old Smiler, making a big proper) meaning 'quite right' who also Surprised?
Yes. I couldn't Did you know?" I shook my entrance at the far end of the steel by Leland
mentions The well-known Smiler. and It didn't go that Bill continued, his lips forming Hill saw me tense when I saw
Identical,' 'ogreeing *simallar,' way. He'd just toyed with me,
each word before he said . I her, and muttered, "Yes, she's
with,' according to context, And now for surprise No. 2. nodded "You still keen on in the family way, alright,"
That aid it. I didn't bother Leland also records alle every':
talket MAЯ I felt a touch on my arm, and Rosic?" he asked, narrowing his
straight for Allo a woman's voice said, “Come and eyes. I shrugged my shoulders, to wait, I made
"You Smiler and stood over him. "Refashion," sit down here, Joe." Let's thy He thought for a while.
“Sure, you up a bit," and it was the want to x Smiler?" And having member me?" I asked. landlady, a thin-faced, boss-eyed said that he grinned with relief, you're the boy wonder," shrew who usually
A wardrobe in the Indo- stood no He'd done what he came to do. drawled. Give him his due, he
Smiler! was enjoying it once again, So, Portuguese dialects, armario in one at his middle. That was the nonsense in the pub. And there
to fir Did I want
across the face,standard Portuguese, The same game. But he twisted away, and she was being kind to me. A "Go on," I said, I could see him I flipped him chopped me across the mouth, crazy world, Whilst she bathed sizing me up, deciding, "How'd Just to start it. He moved out It hurt, Cut my lips a bit. That's my face and cleaned me up co I you like to take Smiler on avain quick. But I was ready this time word was borrowed by Hladi
could Бес bit out of one eye irled to port it out,
Practically my Rosie.
up. Along comes Smiler, throwing his weight about. So, I take him on. I don't worry too much, 'cos I'm a lot bigger and stronger and fitter. And he sees me pit. Then away he goes with Rosie. I just couldn't make it add up.
zil. But (1 ineant I bad to put him away. So, I shuffled for- ward, crouched. weaving fists the way I'd seen it done. But he kept swaying and tuen- ing and moving around pretty feat. A racehorse, this one. 1 watched him, He was smiling again. A nasty smile. He push ed out his left, it was slow, and 1 nicked it away. Then some- thing crashed on my jaw, and I was on my knees, A slip, that's all, shook my head. As I came up he stepped forward quickly. I saw his feet dance in. And then he tore one across my eyes and followed round with his elbow. I felt my nose crunch, ! was crazy, and lashed out as I Lose. Nothing. Nothing there,
1 couldn't sCC, I heard him Jeering, "Watch " snarling, and I felt the ring cut
eth ting into my face again and again. I was being battered, and I couldn't see him. blood out of my
I spat the mouth and waggled my head to clear it Then I was bashed on the chin. I was down again. It was im- possible. I hadn't fixed him yet, I began to get up.
"Let me help you, sport,” heard him say, far in the mists.
British Crossword Puzzle
19:
[20]
4
13
24
1
Me Axed
and
"Joe," whlepered Mrs Strat- ton, "we don't want any more trouble here. Drink this and go home, that's a good ind." And. she pushed a glass into my hand. You won't believe this, but she sounded sorry for me. I couldn't bear it, so I downed the whisky,' which stung my cut mouth, and made for the door. I didn't thank her and I didn't need to,
I reached my lodgings alright. face as well I got a mirror and examined my ca I could. 11 looked as it it had been plough ed up. Then I went to bed. lay there worrying for a time. about Rosie. But Not about Smiler. Not even only about
the ribbing I'd have to take at the warehouse when I showed my face the next day.
I took the ribbing for nearly a fortnight, until I looked Mirly wright, and could see out of both eyes. I took all they gave me and kept quiet. Then the foreman was up in court on a maintenance thing. so I wasn't bothered any more.
later
it was all settled. Bill was dead easy. would coach and train me for a return with Smiler and l'asce to Bill's bar account,
Thus, Gold Bill, was a fair ar- rangement. "We both drink about the same, but you'll have to cut it out now. So, it's not going to cost you a cent." I argued about being so strict in training, but Bill looked at the bar-clock. muttered. "Nine o'clock. Time for your bed" and had ine outside the door before I'd even started to laugh,
}
he
the
ALMARI
as almari and by Anglo-Indian and Hek him? As he asiced I reckon in the next few minutes as almyra, In the Ext. Records this
af Burgh
Glasgow. Bill stared past my left I pulled every boxing trick Bill
Mostly dirty. 1870, there is
an interesting shoulder and crack-cracked his had taught, me.
after his face. reference to a remarkably simi- knuckles. Well, some three pints And I was
lar form in a text of 1509 written In
broad somewhat Scots: " Stem ane langsettle. Item and aimaris, ane kist, ane He came boring in, slow as an satt burdo" which I translate as old mule, I pushed him off with one son, one wardrobe, one my left and crashed over my chest, one sideboard, I be. right across his mouth. I felt his love this Scols word to be from teeth go, and I laughed. I went the French where armoire fill on to tear him up a bit. I didn't exists in the modem standard forget the rabbit-punch or the language with a similar sense. pay-oft one to the kidneys. I
BAD HEART kneed him a couple of times and chopped him as he jerked for- An expression used for wart He never troubled me. was too qulek, too sure, too cold, many kinds of evil-mindedness. muchbe bad You belongoy 'too
'How I let him flounder a bit, and heart
very bloody- then, with a “That's for Rose," minded of you?" 1. pave kim a one-two-three
nk deep clubbed him as he went down. into his belly and fe choked for breath, and lay Leland who asks. If it is Anglo-
The next three weeks were sheer hell. Bli talked Mrs Strat- ton into letting hin wum an old junk-shed at the back of the Black Lion Into a sort of gym This was amazing. But when the found him marking out the exact bar area in this gym she pat her foot down. No more light
the police.
mad.
BANJEE
A band of music, according to
The
there, doubled up, not smiling Indian. I have never heard this ing in her house. However, sho any more. I'd made a nice job word in Hongkong and would
the use of did agree
her of his face. But I didn't feet hot be delighted to get information about (or about any other boiler-room. as a sweat box. or happy. It had been too easy.
from those This was what I'd always meant Hongitong word) 1 So every night after work,
BANISHEE changed into a sweater and old to do. And when Bill and the who read this column. grey flannels, and pounded out boys crowdcit round all I could
The Hongkong Press uses this roadwork, followed by coaching a toas, "Let's get out of here." from Bill and a session in the Which was just as well with the name for people who have been sweat box.""
locals creating and talking about banished from Hongkong for
misdemeanour. soane griffin, missing the middle 'J', is We made our way to the door often shocked to read headings without any objections, but to such 05 "Banshee arrested," 1 learned to block punches my surprise-cos I'd forgotten "Banshee returned," and starts and throw them; to jab and up, all about her-Roste stood in aur to hunt the leprechaun. percut and sling a bolo punch. path. She was spliting
BELONGEY I was sitting in the Black Once or twice, on the roads, 1. "You've cut him up deliberate- Also blongy, blong, etc., all of Lion one night about a month after my scrap with Smiler, 1 d Smiler and his friends 15" she screeched well, how which are printes references to and heard them laughing and d'you like 11?" And with that a pidgin form derived from was weighing up form on the
the clawed down my face with English 'bokong. It appears to Derby when, over the top of my shouting, "Chataway went that
got the be used in situations where a newspaper, I noticed Bill Charl- away" But I got no more news her nails, I've
similar ton come in, look around, and of flosie. So I told myself it marks, but right then she could copula behaving in a
have done it again and way to the English verb 'to be' see me, Bill's one of my work didn't matter.
At the end of the third week wouldn't have stopped her.
is felt ta be Indispensable. mates, but I don't see much of him in the warehouse. He's an I told Bill I didn't think' Smill-, You see, deep down I thought Exemples quoted by Leland are ex-boxer, living in the past. Get er would agree even to eight- that fixing Smiler would put me You belongy too muchee squoy, lm started and he'll give you ounce gloves, never mind the alright with Rosle. Nothing of galaw. My belongy Consoo boy and I am the Consul's servant,* his ring history. He used to fight featherbeds we were using. He the kind. She knelt down to cat. He's not punchy, but he's nodded. "That's right, Joe. I'm crooned over him and kept You belong olever inside. You You belongy pretty well scurred.
having a couple of headguards screaming at me. So 1 shrugged are intelligent." He got himself a beer, and made for Monday, and then my shoulders and left. I'll never fools. No belon lesson (ie.
undervind women. came over, I was sitting at my we'll stop using gloves."
reason), it is not reasonable."
ROLEX
Page
The mellowest...
The smoothest...
TRULY A GOOD MIXER
:|
OLD PENSIONER fundon By GIN
27
፡
26
ACROSS
3 Epithet
party? (8).
DOWN
for the Liberal Count in German (4).
# Crowd noisa (4).
Desire to succeed (8).
11 Speedy delivery, (4, 4).
19 How
expensive you are.
ducks! (4).
16 Such relations show reßne-
ment (3).
'18 He's against bull (B).
19 Cheque counterfoil? ́(4).
21 Permit to go by Harwich,
perhaps? (0),
20 Opera you can play by your
BOLE (0))
20 Can you read him like
book?, (4)..
27 Very eritient outburst (8).
2 Ticket of leave? (4),
4 Novel girl (4).
Something really bad to live
Up to (4).
6 Girl in volle (6).
7 Mr Spain (0),
D Concerning a bit of a dght
(6).
10 Make indistinct (5).
12 Out of one's teens (5).
14 Probably clandestine affair
(5).
10 Tree with red berries (0),
17 Let (5).
a 19 Toothsome (8).
4
20 It makes a marine blue (5).
al tililama? (4)
22 Blackleg (4).
23 Just the song for a ring,
chum (1).
24 In that case (4);
FRIDAY'S CROSSWOLD,--Across: 3 Operelio, 8 Iris, Edplatout, 11 Repulsed, 18 Bovy, 15: Good fum, 10 Ensurírig, 10) Test, :21 Possible, 20 Alliance, 28 Step (rev.), 27 Pressing. Dawat - 1 Llary 2 Limp, 4 Poda, & Reech, 6. Thoso, 7 Apily, Elatey 10 Gears, 12 Elope, 14 Venal, 18 Union, 17 Nurse, 10 Trump, 20 Solve, 21 Pam, 22 Scan, 28 Butt, 24 Eapy.
"NO LADY, IT.
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PPENED ERE WE'RE ONLY OUT ON A ROUTE MARCH."
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Headache
Do not wait patiently for your suffering to end.Take 12. tablets of CAFASPIN dissolved in half a glass of water, and headache will! dag soon vanish :---
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