“Do I not know this?” I asked. “Do I not carry the proof of this in my face every hour I live?”
Said he, “To come to the point. The Eurasians, not all of them, but many, have all the vices and scarcely any of the virtues of both races. They will tell lies of the weakest, flimsiest kind, with not the shadow of a leg to support them. They make promises and break them without any hesitation whatever. They are indolent and indifferent, without any of the stamina of manhood. They are weak-minded, soft-hearted and careless. They are lacking in courage and manly character, destitute of ambition, easily offended, and will throw up a position because some little thing does not please them, when they know it to be almost impossible for them to get another situation. When one leaves his place, if unmarried, he is most likely to take some little silly young fool for a wife to starve with him. And then they breed like rabbits, as is the case all over the world; the poorer a people, the more children they have. I have seen so many of them, and you know I have assisted them; yet they have so often abused my favors and kindness, that I sometimes question if they are worth saving.”
I interrupted, “This is a very severe indictment, yet I cannot help admitting that there is much truth in it, for have I not also had experience with them? But who made them such as they are? Are they not the effect of a sufficient cause? Am I to blame for what my father, a Christian gentleman, made me, an Eurasian? Are not these poor people made what they are by no fault of their own, and to be pitied rather than cursed and shunned? Do they not of all people in India need sympathy and help? Would it not be the will of God that we should give them assistance and lift them out of the pit into which they have been cast?”
“Yes, yes, Japhet, you are right, and I am pleased to hear you talk as you do. Your reference to God reminds me of a story. A street urchin who had just lost his mother was sitting on the kerb-stone, sobbing as if his heart would break. He began to pray to God for help, when one of his chums sneered at his praying. He retorted out of his sobs, “What is God for if not to help a feller when he needs Him most?” So I suppose if we are to do the will of God we should assist those who need our help the most, and I don’t know of any people who need our help more than the Eurasians. Mind you, I don’t promise anything, but will think it over, and will let you know to-morrow if I can do anything.”
I took my departure, believing in my soul as surely as I expected the sun to rise the next morning, that he would help me. He was that kind of a man, though he had given a very poor opinion of some of the Eurasians, yet I knew that not one of them ever went to him in distress without receiving help of some kind.
The rest of the day and night my head was full of plans and schemes. I could think of nothing else. And my wife was as excited as I was. Why should I not give way to my enthusiasm? Why should one made of flesh and blood, with feelings, appear like a man carved out of wood or stone?
Early the next morning a chuprassi brought a note from Mr. Jasper. It said: “My dear Japhet: I like your scheme, and will do this—double every rupee you expend from other sources, until it is fully carried out. I am, &c.”
As I read this I sprang to my feet with a bound, and my wife, who had been looking over my shoulder, fairly danced. I know that tears of gladness came into my eyes, not only for the princely munificence of his offer, but for the magnanimous character of the man I then esteemed as my best and truest friend. I like to give way to my joys, as I have too often had to yield to my sorrows.
I replied to the note in unbounded thanks, expressing a hope that he might never have occasion to regret his magnificent proposal.
The ground was already provided, and now half of the expense was secured, so the project was assured of success. I at once drew up a sketch for a building, the foundation to be four feet above the ground, so as to be no down-in-the-mud affair; a large carriage way in front, an entrance hall, a library and lecture hall to be separated by purdahs, curtains, to be used as one room in case of necessity, a billiard and smoking room, and a refectory.