Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-04
Youths Column.

HE PAINTER AND THE ARCHITECT
Mongolian Story.-A long time sg
there lived q khan whose name wa
Gunisschang. At his death his son
Chamuk Sakikt Khan, succeeded him
Under these chiefs lived a painter AM
an architect, who bore the same name
but had great hatred to each other.
One day the painter Gunga approache,
the khan, and said:
"Thy father, who is now in the king
dom of Tangari (the Mongol Paradise)
lately appeaIed to me and said, Com,
to me-. I accordingly went. and foun,
him in great power and sway. He ha
sent this letter to you by me
He accordingly handed the khan ,
letter which contained these words:
"Ihts letter to my son, Chan,uk Sd
kikt, greeting.
"When quilted life on earth, wa.
received into Tangari land. Here i:
everything in abundance. As wish t.
erect a magnificent pagods, and find nC
workers in wood in the place, you viii
send me forthwith the architect, Gunga
The painter, Gunga, will instruct hin
The Khan was delighted to hear from
his father. and ordered the architect tc
be called. When he appeared, he said
to him:
'My father is dwelling in great state
in Tangari land. He can get no worker
in wood to raise pagods, and so he
requires you to come to him The
painter, Gunga, will give you direction
how to make the journey. Here is the
letter"
"Ah," said the architect to himself,
''this is my namesake's doing; but,
perhaps, 1 may disappoint him." Said
he to the painter, "How am 1 to get to
Tangari land ?"
"Very easily" said he. "Heap to-
gether pile of dry sticks lay your
tools on top; sit upon them and sing
the holy hymn. Then set fire to the
pile, and IL few minutes you viii find
yourself in Tangari."
Every well, said he; and the khan
allowed him a week for preparation.
He began and scoopsd out passage
under ground from his house to the
field, and over where the outer opening
would be he piled the wood, leaving a
chimney from the top of the pile down
to that entrance. He set his tools on
the top, and at the appointed time, he
sat among them, and sung his hymn.
Fire was put to the pile, and the smoke
rose, and the ingenious man slipped
down through his stiff clothes and his
head dress, which still remained in
sight when he was down safe in the cool
passage. He stopped the entrance as
well as he could, but he knew the ashes
and cinders would do the rest. He
staid at home without showing himself
to anybody. and washed his head every
day in milk.
At tie end of month he presented
himself before the khan, with his head
and face all white, and white silk robe
round him.
"Oh," cred the khan, shave you re-
turned from Tangari land? Is my
father well ?"
''He is WE'LL" answered the architect.
"After had finished my work, he sent
me back to earth with this letter"
The khan took the letter, and read
out:
"7his letter to my son, Cnamuk Sa-
kikt, greeting.
81 am glad that you are ruling your
kingdom well. As the architect, Gunga,
has done his work to my satisfaction, he
is deserving of reward. Nothing re-
mains to the finishing of the building
but the painting. YOU will accordingly
send me the painter, Gunga. The bearer
will instruct him how to come"
The khan was reloiced, and ordered
rich presents to be brought to the archi-
tect. He then sent in all haste for the
painter, who could hardly believe his
eyes when he saw the architect in his
silk dress, and the rich presents hanging
about him.
"Why, he is not dead at all 7" said he
to himself.
"Read this letter." said the khan.
"Your turn comes next"
The painter said to himself
"Surely, if he could go, and come
back safe, why mightn't L? I'll go and
get the reward"
In seven days a great collection OF
dry sticks was piled up, and the painter
took his seat on the top with his paint
ing materials and tools, and the pile
was lighted. All, the poor wretch A
great cry was heard, but it was drowned
by the drums and trumpets, and no
message or messenger ever came again
from Tangari land.