Shanghai's Latest Union: Machinery to' Catch the Artful Dodger By "The Tdter,""
The Dick Swivellers and Artful Dodgers of Shanghai may soon find it necessary to emigrate to parts unknown if present plans regarding the curtailing of their activities do not go awry. Not only will the hongs and stores on the Da Ma Loo, the Bund and_ elsewhere, decline their patronage, but the restaurants, cates, bars and even the barber shops will present hostile fronts to these Knights of the Facile Pen. or the Shroffs have formed a guild, the efficiency of which is already proved. os one of my rambles not so long ago I chanced to be strolling along the upper reaches of Nanking Road admiring the various, gaily coloured banners announcing, "Chinese New Year Clearance Sales," when my tailor's shroff—a persevering youngster of some 60 summers—bowed obsequiously and asked after the health of my good family including 1 myself. Feeling rather virtuous since I had paid him a rather substantial quittance on No. 1 Day we talked amicably, of this and that and the conversation turned eventually to the payment of other customers. I asked particularly with regard to a casual acquaintance who I knew owed quite a tidy sum amounting to nearly four figures and who had left for Tientsin rather precipitously. No, the Master in question had made no settlement before his departure, but subsequently a substantial amount had been received and duly credited to his account. It was also predicted that the total would soon be forthcoming as_ certain measures had hech invoked.
"But tell me," I said, "How did you manage it? Did you sue him in the courts and obtain a judgment?"
"No sue,' was the laconic reply. The Celestial smiled knowingly but volunteered no further comment.
"But then how—?"
"Chinee no can sue Foreignman Foreign Court. Alla time much talky-talky. Judge say Chinaman he pay. Shroff no got pay he go gaol—no nice, no job, no chow. More better I talky Shroff Guild—Shroff Guild pay letter Tientsin—Foreignman no can sign chit Tientsin—face pidgin—Foreignman wantchee sign chit, no can—more face pidgin—pay me quick The secret was out!
I thought of the famous Gilbert and Sullivan refrain Make the punishment fit the crime." The answer was "face pidgin." Simple, direct and efficacious. In this instance China's underground wireless obtained immediate results, where our law courts, swift though they are, doubtless would have taken three times as long to effect the same remedy.
"But what is this famous Guild of Shroffs," I asked. Is it some secret organization with passwords, countersigns and mystic symbols? How does it operate—and upon whom "No seclet—you wantchee have look-see? Can show."
We sauntered along towards Chekiang Road, dodging the crowds of anxious bargain hunters seeking their prey before Chinese New Year's Settlement Day. My shroff friend who enjoys being termed assistand° compradore, suddenly darted down a dark alley' off Yushan Li and motioned me to follow. Our progress was hindered slightly by a collision between two wheelbarrow coolies, one carrying paving bricks and the other cement, in powdered form Several bystanders collected to watch him of the cement extricate himself from beneath his fluffy white cargo and emerge. like a white polar bear, "seeking whom he might devour." __A little farther along after twisting and turning up one or two alleyways I was ushered into an ancient house devoid of stairs or ventilation and introduced to the "Gatekeeper," ''Outerwarden'"' or whatever his official title may have been. Vouched for by my_ friend he unbent from his official dignity, favoured me with a toothless grin, and motioned me to proceed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.