The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-12


sing, In these songs he assures TUX
wong" that if he cannot gaiu the lovely
Sou-chee' he will "cly like lain," and 50
drown out China.
Unable to control his passion he called
upon ''At-sin2 the rich and power-
tul 'TAu-kuug," and told him all. He de-
scribed the accidental view, the love at
first sight, the prayers and struggles, end
Ing his recital with a proposition to Tau
kung." He would give his wife, who was
very good and rather pretty, in exchange
Tor ''Sou-chee" and pay Sl.00O.OO0 also.
"Iau-kuug" enraged at the proposal,
ordered him out OF his house and told him
never to speak to him again.
Several nights afterward, sitting by the
hreside@ "Tau-kungn told his wife Of the
proportion made to him by the old Kin
tong aud OF his indignation.
Alas, my dear friend. you do wrong, ~
said 'Sou-chee' weeping, " and / must tell
you my history 50 that you can understand
me-" After relating every incident, she
said; | am a daughter Of Coda child of
the stars. can onlv remain with YOU a
few days longer and then [ must return to
to the great 'Iuk-wong.' pray you make
this bargain with him, for will arrange it
so tnat he will never see me after | enter
his palace"
Poor "Tau-kung" wns inconsolable for
m any a day, but finally "Sou-cheen in-
formed him that "Tuk-wong" had called
her and that she must return to him tho
next night.
Seeing the urgent necessity for immedi-
ate action, Tau-kung" called upon the old
"king-toSSg" and told him "Sou-chee"
would come to his palace the next morning
Grea5 were the preparations made to re-
celve the beautiful daughter of the god.
"Iuk~wong.n Hundreds OF guests were
hastily hidden to spead a week IN feasting
md
clans were employed to furnish enjoyment
for these guests, and on the next day old
"hlnG-tong" aud his friends met the sedan
chair, which bore ''SOu-chee," at his door
Passing by them quickly she went to her
apartments and closed the doors. In an
hour servant knocked, saying: THE
great 'KinR~tong' beg 'Souchee' to remem-
Der that breakfast is ready-that the guests
are all Assem- blsd, aud asks her TO descend
Tell your master" she said, "that am
too sick to come down, but beg him to make
good cheer with his guests and l will Join
thsmat dinner"
The breakfast passed off with great ioIlity.
The dishes, served on plates OF gold, were
the rares5 ever known in China, the music
gaYer than any which had fallen upon the
ears of the hundreds of mandarins, pro-
lessons, scholars, lawyers and judges assem-
bled. One thing only was lacking. If the
lovely 'Sou-chee" would only grace their
entertainment by seating herself behind her
screen and sending out, unobserved, choicest
viands TO favored guests.
The day passed quickly enough. Evening
came on aud the thousands Of lanterns were
lighted, filing the grounds of the villa with
Guests assembled from every quarter of the
city. Servants bearing trays of the finest
dishes which skilled cooks could prepare
jostled by each other in their eagerness 10
prepare the browning feast. Bauds of music
played loud changing marches in the grounds
and softer airs in the parlors and saloons.
Everything was ready for the appearance of
the beautiful "Sou-chee.n
go down." said she to one of her SER
wants, land tell your master Kng-tolg /
come. Ask him to assemble all OF his guests
around tbs table and let the musicians play
their sweetest airs.n
Her lightest words we're obeyed. When
all were prepared to receive her she de-
Scendsd the stairs, and walking into the
saloon stood at the head of the table. She
was clothed in q gorgeous gown of softest
silk, rivaling the hueS of the butterfly's
wings. Her shoulders, arms and neck were
barred. On her head she wore diadem OF
seven stars.
Turning to old "King-tong" she said :'And
so you aspire to the hand Of the daughter
OF Tuk-wong. In his name and by his COM
your guests to vanish.
STANDING her foos upon the floor the beauti-
full villa with its matchless grounds became
great lake. All the guests we're turned
into fishes. The musicians became frogs.
and every night all throughout China they
may be heard crying out. Tea table, tea
table, tea table. Supper is ready; supper is
ready" while she. the lovely "Sou-chee"
assembled to Tuk-wong. and fell on her
kuess before him.
Eyes, my daughter" said Tuk-wong.
"you have fulfilled my commands. but
having been contaminated by your earthly
career, you cannot rejoin your sstors-yet,
sell lave prepared another place for you,
and because you have performed your task
with SO much fidelity you shall shine with
luster and brightness far beyond theirs"
"And now, mees Cholly," said Choug
long, ''lool: down below. DO you see that
star brighter than any of the sister,2 That
is 'Sou-chee,' the lost Pleiad-the daughter
OF the great Father Tukwong. Every night
in China she makes the grass to grow and
the COWS to be fat aud to give milk. Maybe
in 1000 or 1000 years 'Tuk-wong' will place
her among her sisters again aud you will
see seven, not six"