WHAT BECAME OF A YOUNG PLANTEE’S OUTFIT. 
it, into which was poured from the spout of a black 
kettle lifted off the log fire, that burned on the 
floor, tea and tea leaT:s all at the same time, for in these 
regions and times we scoutel tea-pots. A box of tea 
and a large mat bag containing coarse Singapore sugar 
stood behind it, and when tea was required a double 
handful was taken out of the box and put into the 
black kettle, a horn spoon dug into the bag of 
sugar, which it transferred to the pannikin. Tea 
and tea leases were thus served on the top of 
that old box. It afterwards did rnany duties 
in many bungalows as table and even chair, 
also as servants’ table in the verandah. Its last duties 
were where it was last left as paddy and gram box 
for containing hor.ses’ food. If it is not there still, 
it cannot be far off. Just step across the small walk 
and examine the quaint clumsy-looking old box. You 
will perceive the marks where the hinges and locks 
have been forcibly broken open, which was done thirty 
years ago whenitlayin an old mud-wall-and -thatched - 
roof store at the foot of the Karagastalawa estate. 
The locks were never replaced, and in its last capacity 
as paddy box a staple, hasp, and padlock were used 
instead. If you begin to feel an interest in the box, 
and wonder if this can really be the identical one, 
shove off the gunny bags or any rubbish that may 
be covering its top, and you will see, right in the 
centre of the lid, a small oval-shaped brass plate 
screwed firmly in. You have looked, and se^ no 
brass. Call the kitchen cooly, tell him to bring chalk 
and oil, in a coconut shell, also a piece of flannel 
cloth, set him to scour and rub on the centre of the 
lid, for depend upon it there is a brass plate there. Now 
don’t you ees it beginning to brighten up ? There is 
nothing like a good rub up for polishing up the brass 
and making it shine, whether it be on the face of a 
young planter, or on the brass or the lid of an old planter’s 
box ; rub away and be sure about it, for on that 
brass plate is carved Mr. Fresh’s name ! 
The cooly is done, the brass plate is quite bright. 
You look and say, This can’t be the box, for Fresh’s 
name is not here.” What a dull fellow! We don’t 
print real names in these reminiscences. What is the 
name of the plate ? As plain, plainer than print, is engraved 
P. D. Millie. 
