The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-01-01

Nor are you asked to interest yourself
so deeply in what is, prechance, beyond you.
Behold, the beginning and the end for
which thou vast createdr'
With these words Seng pointed to the
child CT which he was the father. There
was no answering SO foreibie rejoinder.
In his heart our friend was, however, in
very much doubt after all as to his ability
to win for his unknown friends the money
they had invested upon him. He felt that
his learning was of a halt and lame kind,
and he knew only too well that unless the
conditions were all in his favor he should
not show at his best. With advancing
years, certain bodily distresses had come
upon him. That leaden dragon, indiges-
ton, in particular, harassed him, and tied
up the mouth of his wallet of memory only
too often.
81 pray that / may succeed but cannot
tell, cannot tell AS person of priceless
wisdom said "a the reign of-in the reign
Of 1t was during the Ming dynasty,
but l cannot recollect the venerable indi-
vidual's name, nor his exact words, though
l have a diamond clear sense of their sig
nificance"
So the days crept on until it was the eve
Of the opening of the great competition.
Picking palpitated with the sound of re-
Deated phrases and with the throbbing of
the hearts of the thousands of expectant
students.
Seng was washing his face preparatory
to eating his frugal supper, when visitor
of distinction was announced. Countless
were the obeisances the visitors servant
offered to Seng and Seng requited them 10
the visitor himself
The latter then expressed his wish to see
our friend by himself and to say some
thing for his private ear. 1t was easily ar
ranged. And Immediately, without pre-
amble, the visitor stated that he had come
to do his utmost TO induce Sepg TO with
draw from the examination.
Il am able, most learned sir, to propose
to you the sum of 10000 taels as q compen-
sation for your obliging sacrifice"
"Ten thousand taels!" exclaimed Seng,
with natural surprise.
at is true. l need not disguise it from
a person of your perspicacity. The public
have backed you-pardon the unscholarly
phrase, entreat-have backed you to such
an extent that rather than pay up your
series, most respected Piseng, we will en-
dow you with this stupendous sum. You
do not surely think it too little, by the side
of the beggarly 500 taels of income which
may be the reward of your intellect-break-
ing success"
ooh, no." said Seng. at is indeed a
great deal of money, butt
And by no means dishonest proposal,
most virtuous sir, to whom all the injunc-
lions of our most sapient and excellent an
cestors are as familiar as your wifes face,
I 10 -.
the sake of the smile"
ut is not very honest" demurred the
perplexed Seng; "but still have heard of
more objectionable deeds.''
Infinitely more objectionable deeds are
daily committed in the kingdom, and not
SO much as one house fly says, You are to
blame to the persons who are guilty Of
them. But how far removed from the Dor
derland of guilt is the action l am EN-
powered to suggest to you, oh, long suffer
ing sir2 You are to sacrifice yourself.
Piseng, for. the good of others. Instead Of
reaping honor and a certain position much
Overestimated though this assuredly Isl,
you bow your head to some destitute
youth who is your inferior in mind power,
and you say to him with a heart over
crowded with generosity Take, my
brother, the reward that would have been
mine. l give it freely to you and retire
into private life TO enjoy the fruits of my
life long acquaintance with virtue and
noble sentences"
"The ten thousand taels will be in cash
presume, not in land?" asked Seng, hesi-
family, and with a hurried look round
about him.
I'm the most undoubted of papers, great
sir. They shall be turned into silver, if so
it please you. Then your self renunciatory
mind has decided"
Seng thought earnestly for minute By
this proposal he would be saved
anxiety for the rest of his life. Even as an
official there would be no end but death to |
the harassmeRts and future examinations
before him. Then there was his child, so
pink and white, and likely to have large !
appetite.
Besides, it was such huge sum. He |
might even begin with it and become |
This was a terribly mean am
bitiOn for his exalted mind to entertain. |
Nevertheless, entertain it he did, and espe-
,ially in connection with the very grave be- |
lief within him that he was far from being |
n such candidate form as the public sup
posed. Ii ne failed the people would have |
IS much cause to be angry with him as il
le took this step which secured him from
1enury for life.
Il will receive the 10000 taels," said
5eng, land having them, | will quit Pc
1ing at once. 1t shall suffice for me hence
Onward that | pursue the three happi
leSses of long life wealth and a family Of
ons. My constitution though impaired,
nay vet suffice for the first and last of
hese desirable ends. AS for the wealth,
our esteemed consideration and my own
elf sacrifice in the present matter may
erve as stepping stone to it. Ihave said"
''Most discreet Piseng," was the others
epiy, and after few more words he with
rev. promising that the money should be
ent that night.
In effect, it was sent and received, and
he following morning, instead of sitting
own to a tiresone desk our friend with
is wife and child. and the money in porta-
lie form. set out for Canton, where he pro
'osed TO begin new life, devoted to COM
1erce instead of official honor.
This desertion of literature for commerce
Tas sad drop in the world for our poor
riend. As a student of the character and
disciple of the great Confucius and Men
Jus he was an aristocrat of the Flowery
and, though poor as s. haTbor coolie or a
hair porter But in taking to trade Ia
egraded himself below the unletter 4
Yorker in the fields. The worst of it VS.
hat he ascri bed this perversion of his bet
II nature not TO his own unrighteous and |
NV instincts, but to his mothers untiring
nd disconnected spirit.
He propos d, however, to assuage t's
f,s-r 1
I'm TO one of the most learned doctors of
!. l. /