Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-01-08
THE STORY OF YIN LING.

There once lived in the city of Canton,
China, poor family named Tszun. The
father had once owned many large and
prosperous rice fields throughout the
province of Quang Tung, but his grief
at the death of his wife had been so great
as to cause him to neglect all his bust
ness for his opium pipe, and little by lit
tie all his possessions had been lost.
Now he was compelled to work almost
as slave in one of the big fields which
had formerly belonged to him III order
to support his two children, Yin Ling, a
pretty dark eyed girl of 1S years, and his
son, Ko Jou, years of age. "a
But the terrible appetite for the opium
often caused Tszun to neglect his two
little ones, and then gentle Yin Ling
would weave bamboo mat and sell it
to one of the neighbors that her darling
little brother might not go hungry.
Yin Ling even cut hole in the wall
between the two little rooms of their
home so one lamp would give light to
both rooms, that her slender purse need
not be overtaxed.
Finally the little family became so
poverty stricken that there were many,
many nights when the two children
sought their little bamboo mats and
cried themselves to sleep for the want Of
their supper of rice and tea; and, worse
than all, the opium had caused a terrible
change to come over Tszun, for he was
no longer even kind to his babies One
day he came to Yin Ling and told her
that he was going to take her away and
sell her. He said he would have to do
it to save himself and little Ko Jou from
starvation. tss 4 H&
Poor Yin Ling cried long and bitterly
all that night, but she knew that her
fathers will must be DONE The last
evening was sad one for the little
family. Early in the evening Yin Ling
kissed Ko Jou while he was still asleep
and went away with her father to the
great city.
ALI day until nightfall they wandered
about the streets. Tszun at length
found a Tidoo general who paid 40C
taels into his grasping hand.
ID The general was the commander Of
the troops of all southern China, and,
being distant relative to the emperor
Helm Fung, had influence with the i'm.
perial family at Pekin. He was i1nme.
diately fascinated with Yin Ling's pret.
ty face and modest actions, and took
her home to his wife as her special maid
The generals wife was greatly pleased
with her gift, and at once ordered sci
Of pretty robes and gowns for her new
maid servant. She then put her in
charge of the private boudoir in which
she received all the distinguished ladies
who called upon her.
The sudden change from q life oi
pinching poverty to one of luxury and
comfort brought out the gentle nature
and true disposition of Yin Ling as rap
idly as sun scorched lily renews life
under the cooling drops of q spring
shower.
Her hands became white and soft and
her amiability, as well as her radiant
face, soon became so noticeable that the
ladies of the household became attracted
to her and showered many gifts upor
her.
The old general was especially delight
ed with her, and when year had passed
he and his wife decided not to have Yir
Ling as slave but as daughter.
Yin Ling was summoned.
ssYin Ling" said the general, "fron
this day you are no longer to be slave
in my household"
The bright smile faded from th'
maiden's face and the tears gathered
quickly in her eyes. Trembling sh'
turned to go.
"Stay, Yin Ling" cried the general
"You must remain, not as my slave, bu
as my daughter"
Yin Ling's face frightened, and smil
ing through her tears she ran to the gen
eral and fell sobbing on his breast. HI
kissed her tenderly.
"You have made me so happy" sale
she, "that would gladly die for you."
The delighted general bought com
plete new outfit of gorgeous silk robe
for Yin Ling and special tutor wa
provided to teach her how to read ant
write, accomplishments enjoyed only b.
daughters of high officials.
Being naturally intelligent Yin Lin!
progressed rapidly in her studies and il
the mean time her newly adopted mothe
and other ladies of the household hat
not neglected her other accomplishments
such as the embroidery Of the fine colder
silk and the playing Of the little tw'
stringed banjo.
At the age of 16 years Yin Ling wa
known as one of the most beautiful
women in the province Of Quang Tung.
About this time the venerable oil
Tidoo general, on account Of his age ant
the great service he had been to the EN-
pire, was recalled to Pekin for promo
tion and honors as one Of the heroes o
the great Tai Ping rebellion.
It was always customary for such dis
tinguighed officials when they were t
receive new honors to take to the EN-
Nobody is perfect. Character is ne
ersymmetrical. There are weak plac
4. IL .opoauharo Canine that we