Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-06-19

the possessor of the largest tea planta-
ton in China, which brings me a
princely income. stand high in the
Emperor's favor. supply the world
with tea. But what rejoices me most
of all, is, that have destroyed the bu-
siness of my former friend, who is also
a rival tea merchant. You may see his
wretched hut yonder. He once pos
sessed palace even more splendid
than mine; but, thanks to the great
Fo! my efforts have ruined him! See
! be is looking at us, over the wall -
How pale he is! how hollow-eyed!-
Envy has blighted him.
l looked, and saw man leaning ov-
er the wall of little garden, with a
thoughtful and melancholy face, which,
in spite of my worldly heart, interested
me by its expression Of sorrow and of
gentleness. He was poorly dressed,
but there was something about him
that commanded my respect.
To be brief-I entered the service
of Tim-i.tim, and was ere long advan-
ced to the post of his first secretary. /
had enough to do, to make the daily
packages, and sales, with the name and
residence of the tea merchants who
purchased of my master. l found the
occupation something tedious, but la.
bored for the succeeding year with the
utmost diligence, having the example
of my patrons fortune before me. l
dared not, however, hope for success
like his, for l believed him gifted with
supernatural powers.
My conjectures on this point were
verified in singular manner-by the
/ most surprising event of my life. | had
observed, that on a certain day in eve
ry month, my master shut himself up,
and refused to admit visitors. | soon
ascertalned that he retired to a remote
ferret chamber in his castle, where he
remained some time alone. Impelled
by curiosity, l resolved at length to dis
cover the secret. On the morning of
one of the days, hid myself in a large
pagoda. that stood in a corner of the
mysterious apartment. had not wal
ted long before Tim-li-tim entered,
carefully closing the door after him.
He then opened a cupboard and took
from it small silver bell, of the most
delicate and exquisite workmanship.
The cup Of the bell was wrought to re-
semble tulip, and ornamented with
colored stripes Of enamel; the clapper
was shaped like a golden bee. My
master gently shook the bell, the bee
moved to and fro as if instinct with life;
and heard soft musical humming,
like swarm of the insects gathered
round the blossoms Of linden tree
This fine humming was presently chan
ged into louder and more complain
ing mnrmur, and at last into continu-
ed roar, hoarse, wild and mournful,
like the surging of storm thro' the for
est. 1t grew still louder,till had near
ly lost my senses with terror, and, trem-
bling, crowded down in my hiding
place. In few moments the strange
noise diminished, and / distinguished
sounds like musical t;nkling- and a
sweet soft voice blending its melody
with the roar, till it ceased entirely. l
now had courage to look forth again.
The cup of the bell was filled with ro-
sy mist: it spread, and at the same
time seemed to grow thicker; till | saw
standing on the floor a female figure,
| about the size of a child eight years
enthusiastically dressed, and wearing
garland of small white flowers in its
luxuriant hair.
! saw Tim-li-tim bow in a profound
obeisance before this strange and beau
tiful apparition; and at the same mo-
| ment saw that the figure, with an ex-
presson of petulent resentment, struck
him in the face with her small white
hand, with such force that his mighty
nose actually quivered. Have l not
told thee, monster!' cried the sweet
voice,-'that l wish never to see thy
hideous visage again! Why hast thou
called me? Is it not enough that | am
a prisoner in this place by thy wicked
sinning' wherefore torment me with
thy suit''
+ Sweet fairy cried the mandarin,
kneeling down before her: what am |
profted by the power and wealth thou
hast given me, if thou withholdest love?
Renounce thy black favorite and turn
thy regards on me!'
Never exclaimed the fairy, in
dignantly- and with another blow,
which Tim-li-tim avoided.
what would'st thou have me do p
at length be asked. seemingly troubled