The Sappious Few Menchew

Introduction

THE SAPPIOUS FEW MENCHEW. Part of a letter to Tevis Clyde Smith, March 17, 1925. The letter starts like this:

Faith and bejabbers! Whee! Hurra for Brian Boru, St. Brandon, Jack McAuliffe, John MacCormick, Mike McTigue and ivry other, shillalah wavin’, potheen swiggin’, wild Irishman who iver hilped make the auld isle famous!

“The Sappious Few Menchew” is a humorous and absurd story set in London, featuring the adventurous escapades of the narrator and his friend Jailum Smith as they hunt down the elusive Few Menchew. The story is filled with outlandish situations, eccentric characters, and a satirical take on detective tales and exotic adventures. The story is a parody of the Fu Manchu stories popular at the time.

Listen to the story:

Detailed summary

Chapter 1: The Mysterious Accordion Player

The narrator observes his friend Jailum Smith entering his apartment stealthily. Jailum attempts to open the narrator’s safe but is thwarted when the narrator reveals he has changed the combination. Jailum informs the narrator that Few Menchew, a fiendish Chinese character they believed deported, is in England. Suspicious of a Chinese accordion player across the street, they disguise themselves and attempt to investigate but are humorously turned away.

Chapter 2: The Chinese Elephant

The duo sets out to find Few Menchew, eluding the police along the way. They infiltrate Few’s lair by using their burglary skills but are quickly discovered. The narrator escapes a comical encounter where he is mistaken for a donkey and finds an elephant in the street. He deduces that the elephant is not native to London and hides it. Few Menchew, searching for his white elephant, offers to trade Jailum Smith for the elephant. The narrator negotiates and eventually Few Menchew agrees to leave England.

Chapter 3

Jailum Smith, perplexed by his recent captivity, tries to recall Few Menchew’s plans. He remembers Few instructing his slaves on a preparation meant to enslave the world, which turns out to be a recipe for home-brew. Realizing this, Smith humorously dashes off to Buckingham Palace, presumably to inform the authorities or continue the absurd adventure.

Characters

  • Jailum Smith: The narrator’s friend and partner in the escapade, who is cunning and resourceful, yet comically flawed.
  • Few Menchew: The main antagonist, a fiendish Chinese character who eludes deportation and poses various absurd threats.
  • The Narrator (Pester): The protagonist, who narrates the story with a mix of dry humor and exaggerated descriptions.
  • Chinese Youth: A minor character who humorously redirects the protagonists during their investigation.
  • Police: Represented as inept and easily eluded, providing additional comic relief.
  • Elephant: A humorous element in the story, symbolizing the absurdity and exotic nature of the narrative.

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