Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-06-19
MISCELLANEOUS.
the TEA-FAIRY.
A CHINESE LEGEND.
BY MRS. E. F. ELLET.

An ancient chronicle, written long
before barbarous foreign nations had
penetrated into the celestial empire, re.
cords an adventure of one who after
wards became famous in Chinese his
tory MY f~,her-it begins abruptly
and we shall initiate the simplicity of
the chronicle, giving it in the hero's
own words-lived upon little estate
on Yellow River. Two only remained
ofalI his children; my sister and my
self. When reflect how little time or
pains were bestowed on my education,
! marvel that l did not grow up bar
barian. My father was too much alb
sorbed in the pursuits Of learning, to
attend TO the affairs of his family. His
condition may be imagined, when it is
known that at his death, he left an en-.
~-eycIopsdia Of. his own co,npiling--of
no FEVER than hundred volumes.
had reached my eighteenth year,
and longed to travel, and see something
of the world. My father dismissed me
for this purpose, with many sage coun-
sells, and but little money. ! went to
Pekin, and resolved to seek out an old
friend of his. The great city, with its
multitude Of streets and thoroughfares,
and its ever busy crowds, bewildered
me; and my Ignorance and simplicity
were SO evident, that | became the
sport of idlers in the street. Now one
would call out to me to look at some
thing new and curious; another would
cry There comes the Emperor ! and
then all would join in the laugh at my
confusion. At length, when driven
out ofpatience by the malice of my per-
-secutors, who were by this time innu-
merable, l pulled the slipper from my
foot, and laid about me, whenever |
could see a face grinning at my disas-
tiers. This had some effect at first;-
but it provoked my tormentors to haunt
.e,-s1d ! had little rest.
Aday, as I was thus engaged, one
aeaSTst many, l saw, coming thro' the
crowd, little, but distinguished look
ing little man, dressed from head tc
foot in green atlas. He had a strange
ly shaped long nose, the tip of which
was brilliantly green. This prominent
feature threw into insigni6cance all the
others; that his forehead, eyes and
mouth could hardly be seen at all. This
mandarin, for such he undoubtedly was,
having number of servants in his
train, came towards me; and at his APP
the crowd fell back. He beck
olned me TO step into his litter, where
he first seated himself. When | did
SO. the litter was set in motion; we
were carried out Of the city into the su-
burbs, and, to my surprise, into a deep
wood. which terminated in rich and
heautifu! tract Of country-bordered by
riyer-where the mandarin had his
country-seat. During all this time the
file man had been surveying me keen
~ with his small deep-set eyes; and
seemed not dissatisfied, tho he spoke
not word. AS we alighted from the
litter, be pointed to the stately dwell.
limo. Look, my son. said he, 'at
Won beautiful palace, the roof and dome
Of which are hung with myriads Of lit
lie balls, that make sweet music when
ever the wind caresses their metal
cheeks! All is mine! And yet ] was
once poor worthless lad like thee,
qandering a stranger in the great city.
30 talent and industry ] have become