The Panola weekly star., 1885-11-21
THE GODDESS TCHl-NIU.
A Beautiful LeFond from Chinese
Literature.

In the quaint commentary accompany.
ing the text of that holy book Of
Lao-tseu called Kdn-ngppm may be
found little story 40 old that the name
of the one who first told II has been for
gotten for thousand years, yotso bean.
tful that II lives stll In the memory of
four hundred millions Of people, like
prayer that. once learned. Is forever re-
membcrcd The Chinese writer makes
no mention of any city nor Of any prov
incc, although even IN the relation 0i
the most ancient traditions such nm
omission Ia rare; we are only told that
the name Of the hero Of the legend was
Tongyong, and that he lived In tho
years Of the great dynasty Of Han, some
twenty centuries ago
Tong.yongs mother had died while
he was yet an infant, and when he be-
came youth Of nineteen years his
father also passed away, leaving him
utterly alone in the world. and without
resources of any sort, for, being very
poor man. longs father had put him
self to great straits to educate tho lad,
and had not been able 10 lay by even
one copper coin Of his earnings. And
Tong hmented greatly to find himself
40 destitute that he could not honor tho
memory Of that good father by having
the customary rites Of burial performed,
and caryen tomb erected upon pro-
pitious site. The poor only ARE friends
of the poor, and among all those whom
Tong knew there was no one able 10 ns-
sist him In defraying the expenses Of the
funeral. In one way only could the
youth obtain money by selling himself
a. slave 10 some rich cultivnior. and
this at last he decided 10 do. In vain
his friends did their utmost 10 dissuade
him, and 10 no purpose did they attempt
10 delay the accomplishment of his sac
rihce by beguiling promises Of future
aid. Tong only replied that hc would
sell his freedom hundred times, II Il
we're possible, rather than suffer his
fathers memory to remain unhonorcd
even for brief season. And further
more, condding in his youth and
strength. he determined to put high
price upon his scryitude--a price that
would enable him 10 build n handsome
tomb, but which Il would be well.nigh
impossible for him ever TO repay. and
thereby repurchase his freedom.
Accordingly he repaired to the broad
public place where slaves and debtor
were exposed for sale, aud seated him
self upon bench Of stone. having
affixed TO his shoulders n placard in
scribcd with the terms Of his scrvitud,
and the list Of his qualifications ms /
laborcr. Many who read the character
upon the placard smiled disdainfully n
the price asked, and passed on withou
aword; others fingered only to question
him out of simple curiosity; some com
mendcd him with hollow praise; som
openly Knocked his unsolishness an,
laughed al his childish piety. Thu
many hours wearily passed. aud Ton
had almost despaircd Of finding n mas
ter. when there rode up high oiliciu
of the province, grave and handsom
man, lord of n thousand slaves an
owner Of vast estates. Refining In hi
Tartar horse. the official halted TO rea
the placard and 10 consider the value ,
the slave He did not smile. or adyis,
or utter any questions; but having oil
served the price asked and the fine stron
limbs of tho youth, purchased him will
out further ado, merely ordering his n
tendant 10 pay the sum and 10 see this
the necessary papers were made out
Thus Tong found himself euabled |
tuldll the wish Of his heart, and to hay
monument built which, although ,
small size, was destined TO delight N
eyes Of all who beheld Il. designed b
cunning artists and executed by skillf,
seulptors. Aud while Il was yet design
cd only. the pious rites were pcrforme,
the silver coin was placed In the mout
Of the dead, the white lanterns wei
hung at the door. the holy prayers wei
recited. and paper shapes of al thinl
the departed might need In the land I
the Genii were consumed In consecrate
fire. And after the geomanccrs and III
necromancers had chosen burial sp,
which no unlucky star could shine upor
o place Of rest which no demon ,
dragon might ever disturb. the beautlfv
sAih was built. Then was the phanio,
money ssrewn along the way. and n
funeral procession departed from u
dwelling Of the dead. and with prayet
and lamen,stion the mortal remain.
1ong's good father were borne To Il
tomb.
Then Tong entered as slave into d
service Of his purchaser, who allot,,
him little hut 10 dwell In; and thith
Tong carried with him those wood
tablets. bearing the ancestral names, /
fore which iilisl piety mus, daily bu
the incense Of prayer. and perform /
tender duties Of family worship.
Thrice had spring pcrfumed The bret
Of the land with flowers, aud thrice h
been celebrated that festival u the de
which Sin.fsnti. and thrice had To
swept and garnished his fathers ton
and presented his fivefold offering
fruits and meats. The period Of mou
lux u&a Pse=3s fSt ~ hha hot oeh=ts
mourn for his parent. The years
volvcd with their moons, bringing !
no hour Of JOY. no day of happy r,
yet he never relented his servifude,
failed 10 perform the rites of ancesi
worship. until at last the fever Of
rice fields laid strong hold upon h
and he could not arise from hi= cou
and isfellow-lsboren thought him
tined TO die There was no one to v
upos him. no one 10 care for his nes
inasmnch - slaves and servants "
vkelly husisd With the duties Of
eeeo1AoA q shs lshor Fl The hsids.
erofung y vi q sunrise. aud reiu
uwnFy oaly a1ler the sundown.
No. viii he sick youth slumbe
- ~ slamhrs - -~k-n-.ion one
- soss: - avsensd NAT strange
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