Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1883-09-06

! LIddC dHOIH0E SC1CCGtO1, ana SIuQY1Q0
the book carefully was rejoiced to find
that good luck and fortune were prophe-
! sled to him. He went home with light
heart, and the next morning hurried to
the woods. Though he thought himself
familiar with paths, he for some reason
lost his way, and wandered about all
day, having his ass with him. He did
not feel any concerned at this The
sun shone pleasantly, the flowers were
blooming sweetly, and the birds sang
most unsteady among the tree-tops. It
was change for him thus to be wan
dering about, and he enjoyed it. All at
once he heard a cracking sound, and
Immediately a fox ran out before him
and darted into the thicket again.
The wOod-cutter left his ass, and
started to pursue the flying animal.
After running some distance he sud-
denly emerged into a space where two
lovely ladies, seated on the ground,
were engaged in playing a game of
checkers. Ly Yung had never seen
many handsome women, and he now
stood still and gazed with all his sight
at the wonderful vision of beauty before
him. They were both dressed like prin-
cesses. Their trousers and robes were
made of richly embroidered silk, and
the last had long wide sleeves that fell
over their hands. Their long, album
dant hair was gathered up in a knot at
the top of the head, fastened with golden
bodkins and adorned with flowers, and
their tiny shoes were of satin beauti-
fully worked with gold, silver and col
ored silks, the sOles being of rice paper,
from one to two inches in thickness, and
covered outside with white leather made
from pig's-skin.
The players appeared to be wholly
unaware Of the presence of an intruder,
and Ly Yung stood unnoticed for long
time. He might have stood there till
this time for all we know, but for an
inadVertent sneeze. No sooner did the
fair players become cognizant of the
presence of a third person than they
vanished in a trice. The next moment
the young wood-cutter stood alone in
the forest, and it was fast growing dark.
He rubbed his eyes to see if he was
asleep or awake, and finding that he
was quite awake he started to find his
way back to his mule.
But twas now so dark that he could
not see where he was going, and though
he kept walking forward he was only
going farther and farther out of his
way. In the morning he was out of the
forest, and at little distance he saw a
stately mansion surrounded by a high
wall of blue brick, with a narrow court
in front, and a spacious garden in the
rear He walked up to the outer gate,
over which hung large lantern on
which was inscribed in red ink-'Ly
Yung, the Valiant in War"
Ly Yung started in surprise, for this
was his own name. He, however, sub
dued his emotions, and walked in be-
tween the tossing banners that were sus-
pended on either side of the doorway.
Just then the master of the house, a
haughty-looking mandarin with red
balls on his black velvet cap, came
down the shaded court followed by
troop of servants, and mounted his
palanquin. His rowing eyes happened
to rest upon the wOOd-cutter, and he
said to his marshal: ''Who is yonder
fellow"
At that Ly Yung advanced and pros
trating himself said: Venerable Prince,
l am poor wood-cutter who has lost
his way. Can you direct me to the holy
mountain Tendai?'
Fellow, you are crazy!'' cried the
mandarin. 1.-The glorious peak of
Tendai is more than ten thousand ly
away. A pretty story that you haye
lost your way. More likely you came
to steal from my servants. y
''By the name of his holy majesty,
Hwang-ti, am an honest man." cried
Ly Yung, clasping his hands over his
heart
''You speak in riddles, man. Hwang-
tt has been dead these hundred years,
and there is a new dynasty. His Trans
cendent Greatness, Quit, now wears the
yellow mantle. -
..Hwang-ti dead!'' exclaimed the
wood-cutter ''Yet he was young man
like myself, and should have lived many
years"
Thou art not particularly young thy
SELF said the mandarin. ''Hast thou
been sleeping these fifty years, not to
know that thou art old?"
LY Yung put his hand to his head,
and to his amazement found that it was
covered with a mass of silken white
hair. He also noticed what had not come
under his observation before, that
long white beard covered his bosom.
Dazed with wonder he stood speeches..
Thou hast been drinking strong
wine, and thy wits have left thee. Get
thee hence" cried the official
Zone question, venerable Prince, -
cried the wood-cutter, gaining his
power of speech. Thou hast the name
of Ly Yung. 1t is also mine. Tell me
how thou earnest by it. y
Thou art strange fellow" OBJ
served the mandarin. GAS for my name,
1 came honestly enough by it. My
grandmother named me when Twas
born, and she gave me the name of an
uncle of hers, a poor wood-cutter who,
like myself, wandered away and got
lost. May be thou art the same fellow, "
and the mandarin pulled at his droop-
ing moustache with a queer smile.
Then reckoning to his sedan-bearers he
babe them bear him onward. The
wood-cutter groaned aloud, and stood
in an agony of despair. He was reused
from his apathy by the stern voice of the
Marshal.