The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-12
AunsEhnla aFntds.
TWO CHINESE BOYS.


Day before yesterday, in HaugchOw, a lit
tie, dirty-fsced, black, headed boy was walk
ing about our yard. (For we let the natives
usually stroll about to see the flowers and
foreign houses. Sometimes the veranda is
crowded With them. Then some one steals
something, and we have the gate shut for
day or two-it is SO provoking; but it is
soon standing open again, for We wish to get
to talk to the natives.) So yesterday my
teacher says:
"What is that little boy doing yOnder-
breaking the willow treel 1t is the same
boy that was in here yesterday"
And sure enough, it was the very same
boy--back this time with pair of scissors
Chinese don't have many pOcket-kniVes)
trying to cut off the hanging branches. l
ordered him out, and went to the gate to see
if be was not waiting outside; for our lot,
like the Chinese, has mud beaten wall, ten
or twelve feet high, all around it.
When he heard me coming, he ran; but l
saw he had some branches that he had before
put outside the gate. caught the little fell
low by his queue, and he begged so, let
him go, thinking his fright would be punish
ment enough for stealing from the yard
What do you suppose he wanted with the
twigs? All Chinese, at the feast that Oc
Cured to-day, stick up willow bran cheS just
outside their doors. If the leaves wither,
they expect good season and good crops ;
if they remain green, the season will be bad.
They believe in all kinds of signs. If a
hen crows, they kill it; for it will bring bad
luck. If dog lies outside the door, but
with his head on the door sill, some one is
going to die. Andif visitor stays too many
days iii house, as many Chinese will do with
well-to-do relatives, sometimes the family will
put the dog in this position; and the visitor
finding it so, leaves in hurry, lest he be the
one to die.
To day heard some music on the street,
and went to see what 1t was. From the ur-
stairs door, l saw long procession, with
music and banners and an empty sedan, and
away back toward the last, big idol in vel
low robes in a chair, on an open platform
borne on mems shoulders; while two men
carried the heavenly umbrellas of green and
of yellow silk or cloth, over him. Where do
you suppose this "wood. carved, mud daubed"
god, as the natives call their idols, was being
carried? Why, out of the city to worship
his father and mother. This is the day
every body in China, except Christians, either
90 to the graves Of, or in their houses spread
feasts and burn candles and incense to, their
ancestors. And this god was once little
boy like some of you, they say, only his pa
rents were poor, and went of and left him a
little beggar. Some person brought him up,
and at length be became governor. After
his death, the emperor appointed him to be
the protecting god of HsngchOw. And as
be does not know where his father and moth
er are buried, and cannot find their graves,
he goes out in the field and offers his sacri-
fee; 4 e, the priests and people carry his
image out, and spread the feast And as
they carry him along the streets, two candles
are lighted in every house for him, and they
worship the hOrrid image as it is carried by.
And not only are the poor people enslaVed
by their superstitiOns, but when they grow
old, they have no hope. have been struck
with the way the sick will ask, when We go
to see them, If we think they will die, or if
We think they will get we'll; for they have
no hope in death.