That Eurasian

by Aleph Bey

My wife, looking on, remarked, “That is all very well for you men, but where do we women come in? Have you forgotten us? I have some money to invest in this enterprise, as well as an interest in looking after the rights of the women.”

I might say here that she had considerable money, over which she had entire control, and with which I never interfered except to advise her about it when she asked me, which she often did. I believe in the equal rights of a woman with a man; that she should have an absolute control over her own property, and an equal share with her husband in all wealth acquired after marriage. They both should be equal partners in the marital firm.

“Certainly, my dear,” said I, “the women must have their rights and privileges, and to show our appreciation of them we will place them over us, give them the story above, where they can look down on us, for this is only the ground plan.” And she was satisfied.

My next move was to draw up a prospectus, or a statement of what was proposed, and the necessity for it. I made no mention of Mr. Jasper’s offer, or what my wife and I would do. I wished to get every Eurasian in the station to have an interest and share in the affair. I had no idea of leaving any one out, no matter how poor they were, even if they could only subscribe a rupee. I do not believe in one or two, or a few, bearing all the burdens for the many. Besides, it was not so much for the money as a personal interest, to develop the manhood of even the poorest, and make them feel that when they came among us that they had a right there.

I started out with the paper to get subscriptions. The first I went to was the personal assistant to the Commissioner of the Division. I knew he resented being classed as an Eurasian, and kept aloof from them, claiming that he was of French descent, but if he was not a dusky son of the sun then his color lied. Everybody knew that his grandmother was as puckhi a native woman as ever sat cross-legged and ate dhal bhat with her fingers. He never associated with Europeans, and had only two intimates of a like grade as himself. He declined very abruptly, as he had no interest in the matter. He held himself very lofty and reserved, as if he had been made chief toe-nail cutter by appointment to the Viceroy. I did not waste any time on him or upon his two friends, who made the same excuse. I was rather glad of their refusal, and only went to them to prevent their saying afterward that I had not applied to them. They were very important personages in their own estimation. Their money was not needed, and their manhood had no basis on which to develop.

Among all the others I had great success.

The plan was settled and the building commenced and pushed on as fast as possible. I wanted everybody to see that we meant business. All seemed to acquiesce in feeling that I should manage the affair. In fact I never had a thought about this but went ahead. Then my engineering education came into use. I assumed the whole responsibility, and whether the subscriptions were few or many, I concluded that my wife and I, if required, would balance every rupee of Mr. Jasper’s with one of ours. What I wanted most from the subscribers was their personal interest.

As the building progressed it became quite an object of attraction. Every morning and evening, numbers would come to see how their building was going on. Not the least interested was Mr. Jasper, for he seemed to be always there, watching and anxious with pleasure. He greatly admired the plans, and gave many valuable suggestions. He had great taste and pleasure in gardening, and one day proposed to lay out and prepare the grounds. I suggested that he keep an account of the expense, to be deducted from his subscription. “No,” said he, “you go on with your work; do not mind me. This is my affair entirely.” I did not object, as I was not willing to deprive him of the pleasure this would afford him.

It was not long before the building was finished. It was a work of art, and would have been the pride of any station or city. It was as substantial as lime, brick, stone and iron could make it, with the finest of wood work and marble floors. The grounds were very ample, and by the time the building was completed they had been, through Mr. Jasper’s efficient supervision, converted into a park, with flower gardens.

In the meantime we had a number of meetings of all the subscribers at my house, and various suggestions received as to the furnishing. The upper apartments were left entirely to the women, with my wife in lead. There sprang up a great rivalry between the sexes as to which should have the best furnished rooms, and various were the questions asked of us men about our plans. My wife put on her sweetest smiles when interrogating me, but I was dumb except to say that we would not interfere with their arrangements, and she would reply, “If you think you will get ahead of us you are very much mistaken.” And I knew we would be.