Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1881-02-10
A Queer Chinese Tale.

A CORRESPONDENT of the London
telegram forwards the following illus
ration of superstition among the Chinese
with reference 10 very ancient and
widespread belief that the fox has the
power OF assuming the human form to
lead mortals to their destruction. The
same powers are also attributed to the
badger by the Japanese. In this case
the story is given rs true one, and the
facts are stated TO be we'll known to
everyone living in the great street out
,ide the Chien Men (Front Gate) at
Pekin, where the affair is supposed TO
have occurred:
"a certain Ningpo man kept a drug
gist's shop at Pekin. Having made o
good deal of money by it he determined
10 commence wholesale business as
well as the retail one. de therefore
bought warehouse for storing drugs,
and put ii in charge of a nephew. His
venture proved eminently successful,
and he grew richer daily, principally for
.he extraordinary reason that the drugs
stored in the warehouse we're less liable
10 get damp or moldy than anybody
olse's. AS the nephew was at work in
.he warehouse he used constantly to no.
ice the prettiest girl he had ever seen,
passing by the door. Though he sorely
.onged to try TO make acquaintance
with her, he was restrained by her mod
est and retiring demeanor. Time went
by, and one day an old gentleman with
long beard, and leaning on staff,
called at the unole's shop. In the
course Of conversation II appeaNd that
be came from the borders Of Shensi and
Kansu, and had originally fled to Pekin
70 escape from the Mohammedan disturb |
ances Of the west. Finally he said that
be had often observed the nephew at
work in the warehouse, and had been
struck by his steadiness and diligence,
aud be would like to marry his only
laughter TO him. He had sufficient mon
by to make liberal arrangements with |
regard 10 the trousseau and wedding |
presents, and would not quarrel about |
Terms. The young man, being so far
rom his home at Ningpo, was not be.
rothed TO anyone. His uncle therefore
gladly accepted the proposal. AS both
parties we're strangers In Pekin, every
hing was settled and the marriage GER
9mOny performed without any unneces-
iary fuss or fOrmality. When the time
came for the bride 10 uuveil the BRIDE
grOOm, who had never yet seen her, was
most anxious TO know what she was like.
AZ the FIRST glance, what was his Joy TO
discover That she was the girl he used to
bee walking past the warehouse. The
marriage was a happy one. He was the
0ndest OF husbands and she the most
owing and dutiful Of wives. Before
ong the young mans father In NingpO,
Wishing 70 see his new daughter-in.law,
wrote and told his son 10 bring her
lOme on 3 visit. The son accordingly
made preparations 10 start off as soon as
possible. For the past day or two be.
ore bis departure the uncle, who had
bot been home for many years, was con-
family coming 10 bis house, as be had
thousand things 10 talk abOut-femlnis-
iences 10 recall, messages 30 be deliv-
'red, and the like. When the moment
Or them 70 commence the journey ao-
'ually arrived the uncle went across for
be last time 70 say gOod-by, but to his
|stonishment neither nephew nor niece
7as 70 be found. After q fruitless search
le went 10 the house Of the girls father
. see Il be could learn anything there.
But there was no house standing; merely
Vo or three Wretohed little rooms IN
Uins. without doors or windows. he