Árdís - 01.01.1956, Page 54

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ÁRDÍS
ment started. We finally held court, if you can call it that, in our
sitting room. After much palaver, or talk, all three shook hands and
agreed to work together without further palavers. As all three
were valued workers, I felt that the time was well spent. The men
each saved the ten dollars, which they could ill afford, that it would
have cost them to have their case heard in native court. I would
like to tell you here that native court is not the court of the land.
It is the old courts used for centuries by the natives to settle
palavers. A chief of more or less degree is the judge. There is a
proper court in Liberia for trying criminals and such, just as there
is here or in the United States. But the natives from the interior
are still responsible to their chiefs, so they naturally carry their
troubles to the chief they are familiar with.
Such incidents as this happened quite often, but did not usually
take so much time, or involve people that I did not want to lose.
When Mission employees become involved in court cases, we usually
dispense with their services in order to discourage the practice.
I was very fortunate in having a well trained head steward.
Digga has worked at the Mission House for a number of years. He
knew the routine and where everything in the building was located.
His assistance in hiring and training help was invaluable. With
Digga’s help I found very good boys for both the house and the
kitchen.
The cooks had to be trained usually, and often had never been
in a foreign home. Sometimes I had trouble understanding their
English, and I know that they did not always understand me. This
was evident in the mistakes they made when trying so hard to
please. I had the easier part with my help, as my husband had more
than twice the number of men working under him, in the office as
clerical help and outside as labourers.
I think that planning the meals was the most difficult part for
me. With company constantly I often ran out of ideas for meals.
It was most difficult when I would have to go to the kitchen to
teach the cooks new dishes. I was always rushing as I had to be in
the schoolroom as close to 9 o’clock as possible. I was teaching
Patricia grade three and Jonnie grade one during our last year.
It was a hectic school room, with someone always wanting to know
something.