The state herald., 1890-02-21

Many hundred years ago China was
ruled by an Emperor who was looked
upon during his reign as the most re-
markable man Of his time. But
though Tai Tsung possessed moro
thau ordinary mind he had been train
cd In the superstitlous school OF those
days. and considered himself the
greatest Of all men, and descended
from line Of emperors OF divine
origin.
So conceited did he finally become
that he caused 1t TO be announced
throughout tho empire that he would
give an important office 70 the subject
who could produce any invention or
object that he could not explain. So
great q reward naturally attracted tho
attention OF bold advonturers all over
the empire, and so many presented
themselves that certain days were set
apart for I'm examination OF their
claims.
But one day youth, having the
bearing OF a person OF rank, and with
two attendants. presented himself at
the palace gates and demanded an
audience with the Emperor. After
some little delay they were led before
Tai Tsung. who. sat upon q throne Ia
the court garden.
II have three tests l wish to sub
nit" said the youth. "Two had their
origin In thy country, o. Tui Tsung,
and the other comes from my people. !"
Taking package from one OF his
attendants he placed It upon the
ground and displayed the contents TO
the Emperor. These wore simply q
coil OF rope, an umbrella OF native
make and n small box.
Your Imperial Majesty observes, :"
said the stranger, "tliat we are three,
surrounded by thy officers nnd unable
to add TO our numbers or to deplete
them without thy wish. You look!"
and seizing the rope the young man,
who had thrown aside his outer gar
ments and now appeared In suit OF
cleaning silver, tossed 1t up into the
air. Tho effort was slight one, vet
the rope rose as il propelled by great
force, and when above the palace
walls disappeared. A moment later
down 1t came, and upon 1t the Emperor
and his officers saw sliding down q
human form. and before they could
recover from their astonishment n
young man had reached the ground
and. salutins his Majesty, handed him
sqaure package wrapped in rice
paper.
''Canst thou tell from whence cam @
this messenger" asked the youth.
Perhaps he came over the palace
wall. suggested one OF the Emperor's
advisers.
Surround the wall with soldiers.n
said the youth. who overheard the re-
mark, and these precautions bciur
taken he took his cast-oif garment and
threw it over the new conner, who
crouched upon the ground. Over this
was placed tho large umbrella. Then
uttering nm invocation the young man
tore aside the robc-the new conner
had disappeared.
This is some trick OF the imagina-
ton, said the emperor. "Did YOU all
see it?" turning fiercely to his follow.
ers.
''Yes, your majesty" answered his
chief adviser. ut Is some trick-our
eyes have deceived u.s."
Did not the messenger leave
package'" replied the youth.
"True. he did," said tho monarch,
who now unfolded the package. finally
holding up to view small painting
representing pastoral scene. A range
oil snow-capped mountains were seen
In tho distance, sklrtlng valley
covered with green grass. aud Ia the
foreground. In bold relief. stood n
pure white COW.
Tho picture Is gilt TO your
majesty" said tho youth, ..and pos
sesscs this peculiarly: That while
the cow is but the expression OF the
skill of the painter. II has certain of
tho instincts OF the living animal.
Your majesty observes that now. In
tho light OF day. the COW Is feeding;
but take the picture Into the darkest
room In the palace, or examine Il ut
night. and 1t will bo found that the
COW. thinking II night. has passed into
m enclosure and 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 TO n darkened room. At tho on
trance he halted again 10 look mt tho
painting md saw tho COW standing
upon tho green. Crossing the thrcs.
hold and drawing tho curtains. the
Emperor was amazed 10 see the p,c,.
ure stand out In startling distinctncss
when all else was invisible In the
room; but the COW was now seen 10 be
lying down behind fence. Can YOU
explain it?" nsked the Emperor OF his
attendant
'lt Is magic" replied tho the latter.
81 SEQ you cannot explain IT," rc-
tortcd Tai Tsung and. until you can
this prince shnll have your place"
As they returned To tho garden tho
COW was seen standing rs before aud,
turning TO the strange youth. the
Emperor said: "You arc my adviser.
for l cannot explain your works. and
now. for my consideration, exhibit tho
third test"
As thy adviser ] would suggest
that tho third test DO made TO thee
nlone. II Is called tho talking string
and. by Its use, one OF thy subjects can
hear thy words from afnr."
Leave US alone@' said tho Emperor
to his attendant, and when they hnd
departed tho youth unwound from an
ivory stick n cord having upon each
ond n bamboo cup.
"Hold II 70 thy ear sIrc." he sal d,
''nnd for great distances II will carry
my words 10 thee"
The Emperor was incrcduious. yet
he held tho cup TO his cnr. and when
tho prince Ind reached tho ond OF the
courtyard md tho cord hnd become
stlff with tho tension. hc listened. and
out OF tho bamboo cup came n soft
voice saying; 20, mighty Emperor!
have no wish 10 bc thy adviser, but
thy friend. II have sh own ,hcc
that there nro things yet now to thee
In high lie md other things yet 10
learn, my mission Is ended. Tho
tallsing string Is thine"
Asionishcd. tho Emperor replied 10
tho inlilnn hlrinn mud suinuaa.,al L..