Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-03-20

of Robert E. Lee being the most not
able of the fortunate ones. The fact
becoming known that I was "Meli-
can newspaper man." and would
probably never return to demand a
repetition Of this supreme blessing,
it, together with the influence of nv
Official companions, proved an open
sesame to the mysterious inner cir
eles.
The elder Houqua died some forty
years ago, supposed to be worth near
ly million of dollars for every year
of his life. His wealth is illustrated
by the fact that when the English de-
manded a ransom of several million
dollars for the city of Canton. about
the time when they were holding the
city, Mr.. Houqua came forward and
said:
Permit me the happiness of donat-
ing 81, 100, ,OO0."
And the citizens
! CHEERFULIY ACCORDED RIM THAT
LIBERTY.
Of the sons, grandsons, and great
grandsnns now living on the estate
Gncluding, of course, the servants,
for in China the patriarchal system
prevails, and servants are reckoned as
members of the family there are
about 400 persons; but the liberal di-
mensions of the grounds do away
with the supposition that the place is
crowded.
We were escorted TO a cherry orch
ard, where there were, perhaps, 100
trees of a Chinese variety of this fruit,
all in full bloom. The odor from
THE BILLOwY BURDEN OF BLOSSOMS
that hung on the boughs was so sweet
that the air seemed to rise and fall in
waves of perfume. The ground was
literally white underneath with car
pet of fallen petals. The effect of this
sight on the 18th of January, with the
thermometer registering rs deg. in the
shade, left lasting impression upon
my mind.
"In China, you know" observed
Mr.. Nye, ''the rich are never safe
| from the incursions of those who
would be lawless; and eighty men are
stationed in this lookout all the time
TO see to it that no one purloins a child,
q la the Charlie Ross affair, and then
demand ransom for it."
We now come to a series of lotus
lakes. AS it was not the right season
of the year we did not see any of the
sacred blossoms; and indeed, owing
to the fact that it was ebb tide, some
of the ponds were actually filthy in
appearance. But we could judge from
photographs which hung on the
walls what the principal of these
Lakes must be at the proper season of
the year when 5000 or more of the
matchless blossoms
LOOK UP FROM THE WATER
at one time. Out over this lake were
| built summer-houses that might al
most be called pretty from a foreign
standpoint and which were certainly
luxuriant in all their appointments.
At the right season of the year the
prospect from these lakeside verandas
must be charming indeed. In one
place there was q purely japanese
pavilion, filled with Japanese plants
just as we at home might have an
apartment fitted up La japanese
fashion.
We now begin to encounter repre-
sentatives of the family, who focked
about us numerOUsly and cordially
remarked "Chin-chinr y in greeting
They were the finest and most cleanly
looking Celestials [ have yet seen in
China; Though [ must reluctantly an
nounce that the girls affected small
feet and the young men cultivated
immensely long fnger-nails. These
10, i,,1 b1o oF
cy, however.
In dress they we're quite presentabie
in any society, by reason of the rich
silks and satins which they wore. |
even fancied that they irked of the
heathenish pig tail, which is pre-
scribed by la VS. as imperative as those
of the Medes and Persans; for [ no
ticed that the boys wore theirs over
the right ear, in order TO possess the
merit of originality at least. In the
matter of dress no Chinaman can be
persuaded, by any consideration
wha,ever, to conform to forei gn
methods Ia this the people show
less taste than their initiative neigh
bOrs, the japanese, who are accused
of being tickle.
The little tots fOcked about us, not
at all afraid apparently,
RRABHING OUT THEIR CUTE LITTLE
HANDS
and piping the salutation, "Chin-
chm" Their cleanliness made them
the first atIve children have seen in
China who were attractive. Some of
them got hold nf the plug hat of Mr.
Seymour, and, in great glee, began
trying it on.
i Whenever we were introduced to a
membsr of the family be would put
both hands together in a devotional
attitude and raise them to his head
La turn we tried to initiate this action
SO as not to seem altogether devoid of
good brerding. Que of the young men
talked quite decent pigeon English,
and from him we learned many valu-
able facts about the premises. He
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