Claudie and Myra's Surprise

What the tief overlooked
B. Waine Kong

Aunt Myra and Uncle Claudie McDonald were shop keepers in Woodlands District, St. Elizabeth and hired a helper (Rupert) to keep the yard clean, tend to the small home garden and do other handyman type work as needed. Rupert had his sights on much bigger things in life and needed money to invest in a business. Rather than work and save, beg or borrow, he decided to steal the funds.

He often observed Mass Claudie bringing each day’s take in a small grip (cashbox) up to the house each evening after closing. So, he set his sights on stealing the grip and making his escape.

One evening, around 6:00 pm, Rupert had the gumption to quietly and stealthfully made his way into the McDonald’s bedroom and hid under the bed. This was not difficult as the doors to the house were never locked and as a trusted employee, Rupert had ample access to the house. He didn’t want to hurt anyone just to grab the grip when Claudie and Myra fell asleep around 9:30 pm and quietly make his escape. He reasoned that Mass Claudie was so rich, he wouldn’t even miss that little bit of money and it would give Rupert his start.

When Claudie and Myra came home that faithful evening, they placed the grip conspicuously on their bureau (dresser), washed up, changed into their night clothes and went to bed. When Claudie heard snoring, he jucked Myra and asked if she was asleep already as he was in the mood. Myra responded,“It no me”. whereupon they realized that someone was sleeping under their bed. Poor Rupert never anticipated that he would fall asleep if he laid under the bed with nothing to do for several hours.

Claudie got the broom and hit Rupert a few times, cussed him and chased him out of their house. Rupert left the village and never returned and we have been laughing about this ever since.