Madhusudan_Das

42 Madhusudan Das :
When after the death of Babu Moti Lai Ghosh his youngest
brother the late Babu Gopal Lai Ghosh became the editor of the Amrita
Bazar Patrika the sweet relationship that formerly existed between the
Ghosh brothers and Mr. Madhusudan Das was maintained and Gopal
Babu and Mr. Das also met off and on.
One incident I still remember because I was personally concerned
in it. It was at the time when Mr. Das had opened his Utkal Tannery
with the object of advancing indigenous industries. Mr. Das and Moti
Babu were discussing the industrial possibilities of the country in the
room of the latter in the Amrita Bazar Patrika office. I happened to
be walking in the verandah at that time. All of a sudden my grandfather
called me and asked me : "Where from have you brought the pair
of shoes you are wearing?" "From the National Tannery." said I.
"Thirteen Rupees !" exclaimed grandfather, "that's too much. Look
at my shoes. They cost me Rs. 2-4/- only. Why can't you buy shoes
like these?" I replied, "Your shoes, sir, are made of canvas, generally
worn by older people. And as to cost your shoes will last for two
or three months, whereas mine which are all chrome will last for
two years. Which is more economical, pray ?" At this my grandfather
flared up and said "You have become very argumentative," and was
adding some more adjectives when Mr. Das who was listening to the
conversation all the time intervened and said with a smile, "Stop, stop,
Moti Babu, why do you forget that these hairs are not grey ?" And
pointed out his fingers at my head. This had the desired effect My
grandfather cooled down and I still remember that one sentence of
Mr. Das with gratitude.
The conversation between Mr. Das and Moti Babu then went
on. One need not be surprised the subject of conversation continued
to be shoes and shoes only.
Lord Carmichael was then the Governor of Bengal. My
grandfather had often to see him in connection with the then current
political affairs. My grandfather said, "Well, Mr. Das, Lord Carmichael
has a fad — it is shoes. Not only has he a large number of shoes
himself, but they are all shapely and clean and almost every time I
go to see him will look askance at my canvas shoes. I don't think
they are bad. They are soft. But shoes made of leather are hard. I
cannot wear them."
Mr. Das enquired, "But have you tried the leather shoes of the