The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-11-20
THE GODDESS TCHI-NIU.
A Beautiful Legend from Chinese
Literature.

In the quaint commentary accompany
ing the text of that holy book of
Iao-tseu called Kan-ing-p'ien may be
found a little story so old that the name
of the one who first told it has been for
gotten for thousand years. Vet so beau
tiful that it lives still in the memory of
four hundred millions of people, like a
PRAYER that, once learned. is forever re-
membered. The Chinese writer makes
no mention of any city nor of any prov
ince, although even in the relation of
the most ancient traditions such an
omission is rare: We are only told that
the name of the hero of the legend was
Tong-yong, and that he lived in the
years of the great dynasty of Han. some
twenty centuries ago.
Tong-yong's mother had died while
he was vet 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 the lad,
and had not been able to lay BY even
one copper coin of his earnings. And
Tong lamented greatly to find himself
so destitute that he could not honor the
memory of that good father by having
the customary rites of burial performed,
and a carven tomb erected upon a pro-
pitious site. The poor only are friends
of the poor. and among all those whom
Tong knew there was no one able to as
sist him in defrayin the expenses of the
funeral. In one way only could the
youth obtain money-by selling himself
as slave to some rich cultivator, and
this at last he decided to do. In vain
his friends did their utmost to dissrade
him, and TO no purpose did they attempt
to delay the accomplishment Of his sac
rifice by beguiling promises of future
aid. Tong only replied that he would
sell his freedom a hundred times, if it
were possible, rather than suffer his
fathers memory to remain unhonored
even for brief season. And further
more, confiding in his youth and
strength. he determined to put high
price upon his servitude-a price that
would enable him to build a handsome
tomb, bit which it 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 debtors
were exposed for sale. and seated him.
self upon a bench of stone. having
affixed TO his shoulders placard in
scribed with the terms of his servitude
and the list of his qualifications as a
laborer. Many who read the characters
upon the placard smiled disdainfully a;
the price asked. and passed on without
a word: others fingered only to question
him out Of simple curiosity: some com.
mended him with hollow praise: some
openly Knocked his unseliishness and
laughed at his childish piety. Thus
many hours YEARLY passed. and Tong
had almost despaired of finding a mas.
ter. when there rode up high official
of the province. 8 grave and handsome
man. lord of thousand slaves and
owner of vast estates. Refining in his
Tartar horse, the official halted to read
the rlacard and to consider the value OF
the slave. He did not smile, or advise,
or utter any questions; but having OBJ
served the price asked and the fine strong
limbs of the youth. purchased him with.
out further ado. merely ordering his at
tendant to pay the sum and to see that
the necessary papers were made out
Thus Tong found himself enabled to
fulfill the wish of his heart, and to have
q mon1men: built which, although Of
small size. was destined to delight the
eyes of all who beheld it, designed by
cunning artists and executed by skillfu
-sculptors. And while it was vet design.
ed only, the pious rites were performed
the silver coin was placed in the mouth
of the dead. the white lanterns were
hung at the door, the holy prayers were
recited. and paper shapes of all thing.
the departed might need in the land Of
the Genii were consumed in consecrateC
fire. And after the geomaEcers and the
necromancers had chosen 3 burial spo1
which no unlucky star could shine upon
a place of rest which no demon OF
dragon might ever disturb. the beautiful
,shih was built. Then was the phantom
money strewn along the way, and the
funeral procession departed from the
dwelling of the dead. and with PRAYER.
and lamentation the mortal remains o.
longs good father were borne to tn,
tomb.
Then Tong entered as slave into tn,
service of his purchaser. who allotted
him little hut to dwell in: and thithel
Tong carried with him those wOodel
tablets. bearing the ancestral names. be
fore which filial piety mus, daily burr
the incense of prayer. and perform tn,
tender duties of family worship.
Thrice had spring perfumed the breas
of the land with flowers. and thrice ha(
been celebrated that festival of the dea<
which Sin-fanti. and thrice had Tons
swept and garnished his fathers tomb
and presented his fivefold Offering O
fruits and meats. The period of mourn
ing had passed, yet he had not ceased Il
mourn for his parent. The years re
VOWED with their moons, bringing hin
no hour of JOY, no day Of happy rest
yet he never relented his seryitude, O