The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-05-28

JRSDAY, MAY %, 1891.
pearius with curious eyes upon the perplexed
representative OF America, and il was not long
before a large crowd had gathered at tho spot
Of Toms landing. They gesticulated wildly
and derisively, pointed at our hero, and laughed
among themselyes.
They one and all presented an insurmountable
difficulty IN the way of speech, for Toms ques-
iiOns in his own tongue and ordinations as TO
his whereabouts, or that OF his ship, gained no
reply but grinnings and gatherings.
AS the crowd Increased, there was naught but
an iUtcrmiuable twang. twIng OF voices, which,
when there are a number Of these people to-
gethor, iSEOt unlike theirmu5iC-Ou continuous
and never ending sing song. Aud now came
the recollection of sayings about Shanghai heard
aboard ship-how foreigner was not allowed
within the Chinese city alter o'clock IN the
evening; how IL would be in violation Of the
terms OF q certain treaty. There he was, and
no doubt at the mercy Of semi-babarOus
people.
Visions Of cutthroats, strangling nooses, and
other methods Of Chinese death purposes ti0ated
before Toms excited fancy. lt is not unlikely
that tanks of boiling OIL were suggested 10 him
+ by the fumes Of the pitch which many Of tine
natives had been using. At any rate, with
+ desperate looks around, tautaliZng eyes squIut-
/ ing gt him and brawny arms often raised IN
\ defamation, his feelings were none Of the
4 happiest.
| lrritated greatly by these things, he made n
/ dash at the nearest pigtail, anger flashing in
/ his eyes and his actions for battle greatly en-
/ bOldened by the stimUlants drank in the adj
/ joining towns With cries and shouts, the
natives fairly flew away, but only to a safe dis
tance to return and renew their methods ol
\ tcaZing their bewildeTed victim.
/ These movements on their part aroused the
/ unfortunate tar TO the iuutility OF his actions
\ against so great a cOncOurse, rs their numbers
\ were constantly increasing, and their voices in
/ vOciieratiOn and anger were not pleasant to
hear. SO with a welI-aeted pantomime of peace
iul intentions no gradually approached them,
only 10 find that they as gradually receded.
4 The way in front Of him now being clear
, more and more bcwildeTed be at length passed
from the wharf and from the vicinity Of the
I numerous junks 10 narrow and i.lsme!lina
/ street. lie gained, by turning. another alley,
like way, and from that another until, with
rapid footsteps and wearied brain, Ee found
himself free of the jeering Of his unsought
/ companions.
But what now? lie neither knew the point;
OF the compass nor tho hour Of the day. lie
surmised that the evening shadows WOGid sOoI
draw around him. His liberty would bt
broken; the ship would sail the following
morning. There was the nOt-unnatural fear o.
I
that treaty. Was there one? He could NO
say; be had heard there was.
Dread and hOrril stories of Chinese cruelty
occurred % him. The liquor was dying within
him, aud in nervous fear hls position assumed
uOre exaggerated aspect. Suppose he coulC
not get safely ont from the walls Of this OlC
and, 10 L!n, igaEfu, city How many hour
yet remained before o o'ClOck2 Was ther,
really a treatyf Poor fellow.
Casting an imploring look around, which wa
only answered by the long rows Of shops, DJ
the fantastic signs in strange characters, by tht
sly looks Of passing natives, and by the tur
moil Of Eastern traffic Tom again sprani
forward, accostiug here a man and there abOy
but always with the same result-his efforts q
secure information were either received with
cold indifference or with grin, and everything
denoted that his language was not understood
that he was verify lost man in a big city.
Toms agitation did not permit bis noting tht
many strange sights Of Chinese life. III
rapidly, and almost heedlessly, wandered
onward, now rushing up to barber, now TO
tradesman. The scenes around him flashed
across his weary sight only to irritate him
The Chinese whom he had addressed wer
iabOreTs, mechanics, and shOpkeeper5, 50 whei
he spied two richly dressed men entering tn
doorway of o cafe heapproached them, begginI
their help. They listened to his appeals an,
made him sign to come in and sit before
/ small table IN the room which Lhcy nov
entered.
Tom hoped that at last he had made known
his wants, but il was not so, for instead 0
hearing a word OF English these men, Of highe
rank than those he had at first met, Ordere
him tea, which was at once served IN a delicat
porcelain cup. After this the occupants Of th
cafe stood staring at him and sing s0ngiDg u
/ gethcr in their usual way.
1laddened by his failures TO obtain relief, on
hero made dash for the roadway, for side
walks there are none, and in desperation 0
spirits hurried on, he knew not whittier. III
did not fail 10 note the approach of night, whie
was heTalded by the lighting Of lanterns, OF a
colors, sizes and descriptions, within the in
/ terror of the thousands Of shops, dwellings an
baZirs he passed.
Thus pursuing his way, utterly downcas
| with none Of his high spirits to lead him 70
joke-for it required no great pinch FOX TOI
20 Joke with himself-he found himself in Oh
, suburbs OF Shanghai and upon public high
way leading farther into the country. III
, stopped 10 look around, and with half eur
osity saw Chinese with their family broO
sitting beneath friendly trees, their littI
chalets, surrounded by green rice patches, loOs
ing picturesque in the evening shadows.
On coming up TO these groups, they, wit
evident signs Of terror and dislike, Eastil