The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-02-22
A MYsTIFIED EMPEROR
Pooled BY the Tricks Of Very Clever
Youth.
rhs Three Great Wondersr- How Connected
Chinsse Monarch was Hoodwinked BY
Three Simple feab Of Juggiery-H He
Couldn't Do II Now.

Hhahy hunureu years ago china was
ruled by an Emperor who was looked
upon during his reign as the most re-
markable man OF his lime. But
though Tai Tsung possessed more
than ordinary mind he had been train
cd In the superstitious school OF those
days. and considered himself the
greatest OF all men. and descended
from line OF cmperors OF divine
origin.
So conceited did he finally become
that he caused Ii 10 be announced
throughout the empire that he would
give an important Office TO the subject
who could produce any invention or
object that no could not explain. So
great reward naturally attracted the
attention OF bold advcnturers all over
the empire, and so many presented
themselves that certain days were set
apart for an examination OF their
claims.
But one day a youth, having the
bearing OF a person OF rank. and with
two attendants, presented himself ut
the palace gates and demanded an
audience with the Emperor. After
some little delay they were led before
Tai Tsung, who, sat upon throne in
the court garden.
II have three tests / wish 10 sub
nit said the youth. Two had their
origin In thy country, O, Tai Tsung.
and the other comes from my people"
Taking package from one OF his
attendants be placed it upon the
ground and displayed the contents to
the Emperor. These we're simply a
coil OF rope, an umbrella OF native
make and small box.
Your Imperial Majesty observes, "
said the stranger, 'tiiat we are three.
surrounded by thy officers and unable
10 add 10 our numbers or TO deplete
them without thy wish. You lookn
and selling the rope tho young man.
who had thrown aside his outer gar
ments and now appeared In suit OF
cleaning silver, tossed IL up into the
air. Tho effort was slight one, yet
the rope rose rs II propelled by great
force, and when above tho palace
walls disappeared. A moment later
down it came, and upon II the Emperor
and his officers saw sliding down
human form. and before they could
recover from their establishment a
young man had reached the ground
and, saluting his Majesty, handed him
a sqaure package wrapped In rice
paper.
'.Canst thou tell from whence cam
this messengerPn asked the youth.
perhaps he came over the palace
wall" suggested one OF tho Emperor's
advisers.
Surround the wall with soldiers
said the youth. who overheard tho re-
nA h.t
taken he took his cast-off garment and
threw IL over the new conner. who
crouched upon the ground. Over this
was placed the large umbrella Then
uttering an invocation the young man
tore aside the robe-the now conner
had disappeared.
This is some trick OF tho magma
ton. said the emperor. ',Did you al
see itP" turning tiercely TO his follow
crs.
Yes. your majesty answered his
chief adviser lit Is some trick our
eyes have deceived us"
ibid not tho messenger leave Il
pnclsagepN replied the youth.
True, he did, said tho monarch.
who now unfolded tho package, finally
holding up to view u small painting
representing pastoral scene. 4 range
OF snow-capped mountains were seen
in the distance, skirting valley
covered with green grass. and in the
foreground. In bold relief, TODD Il
pure white COW.
Tho picture Is n gift TO your
majesty" said the youth "and pos
sesses this popularity: That while
the COW Is but the expression OF the
skill OF the painter, 1t has certain OF
the instincts OF the living animal
Your majesty observes that now, In
the light of day. the COW IN feeding
but take the picture into tho darkest
room In the palace, or examine IL at
night. and H. will be found that the
COW, thinking 1t night has passed into
an enclosure ana Is lying down"
Watch this man" said the En-
peror, 'that he does not fly away with
his messenger" and, with his chief
adviser, he took tho picture and re-
tired 90 a darkened room. At tho en-
trance he halted again % look at the
painting aud saw the COW standing
upon the green. Crossing the thros-
hold and drawing the curtains. tho
Emperor was amazed 10 see The pict-
nre stand out la startling distinctncss
when all else was invisible in the
room; but the COW was now seen TO be
lying down behind fence. Can you
explain t?n asked the Emperor OF his
attendant
alt Is magic" replied the the latter.
III see you cannot explain IT," re-
torted Tai Tsung. land. until you can
this prince shall have your place.
As they returned % the garden the