Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-11-09
THE SILK CORD.

THE SILK CORD.
The noble Chao-Se was very unhappy.
Nevertheless his rice crop had been un-
usually abundant; the white flowers Of
the tea plant filled his gardens; his silk
cocoons were never richer; he was the
lucky possessor of an autograph letter
from the emperor, in which could be
seen the word chaon, a credential OF
long life, and, lastly, he had seen divided
in 10, 900 pieces the body of his enemy
Pe-Kong, Who had affronted him by cut
ting off his pigtail.
Why, then, had our noble Chinese or
dered the image of Fo to be belabored
with sticks, leaving mere wreck OF
that deity standing amid fragments of
his former porcelain andimposing fig
ure?: And that evening at supper why
had he disputed with his ancient cook
the excellence Of magnificent dish OF
roast dog that all the guests had pro-
nounced exquisite, disdained a cup Of
the finest Tyson tea and paid 10 atten-
ton to his pet monkey, in spite Of all
his playful caresses?
RESPECTED kinsmen," said Chao- Sc
grayely, after the meal had ended, to
the three venerable Cinnamon squatting
at his side, "you all know that | had
intended presenting my son at the court
of our Celestial Kingdom. -
The speaker and his hearers inclined
their heads until their pigtails swept the
floor, and it became necessary to remove
tho monkey, who initiated the action of
these grave personages. ChaoSe contin-
ued:
my son, Te-Ku, has not regarded
my teachings He does not know how to
bend the body gracefully IS times in
making our court bow, nor is he familiar
with the unalterable forms Of our Celes-
tial etiquette. He has rejected my old
friend Ling's virtuous daughter, whose
tiny feet could be incased in nutshells,
and, let this astonish you, dear friends,
defed by Chung, whose honored body
now reposes i'll the tomb, he refused tc
disembowel himself, while his adversary
expired triumphant with his abdomen
ripped open i'll the most approved fash
ion. In this disgrace have called you
together, being resolved to follow youl
advice as to the best means Of saving
the family honor
"You should, above all, disinherit
Te-Ku,' said the eldest of the council.
"And divide your possessions among
u.s. added the second.
"And as the family honor is furnished
sacrifice is necessary, said the third.
"You should strangle yourself in order
that the reputation Of OH house may
not perish
Such was the decision Of the council.
Chao-Se now, too late, regretted having
convoked it.
::
"What present is this you are bring
ing me?" asked the wife Of Chao-Se tina
same night, noticing that her husband
had placed a small ivory box upon thu
table Of her room.
beautiful and dearly beloved Tian
I have surprise for you, " replied thu
noble Chinese CALAMITY.
Tian gathered herself up on her couch
exposing to view a pair OF tiny fee
some two or three inches in length.
"You have been a good wife, " con
tinued Chaos kindly, ''and I desire
that you should figure in history as ;
model OF virtue. Well, then, the famil.
council has decided that must sacrifice
myself to restore our lost reputation
| T Of lone, lii
from my sovereign it would be an &C
Of ingratitude on my part to cut shor
my own existence | have therefore sc
lected you, dear Tian, as my substitute
that you may save our honor with tn
silk cord you will find i'll that box.
am sure you will be grateful to me TO
this mark of distinction and proof O
my deep affection.
Sir exclaimed Tian terrified, sc
dare not kill myself. ! am as timid as
chicken"
"Salm yourself, my dear. If you can
not do it alone, being as timid as /;
chicken, TIL get the cook to help you. ,
and the noble Chao-Se embraced hi
wife tenderly and Withdrew from thu
apartment
Tian appeared calm. Kin, the cook
was uneasy.
"Kin,'' said she, "thou needest re
pose
) II sleep little, my lady, replied Kin
rubbing his eyes.
"Thou shouldst have desires Of enjoy
ing in the next world the pleasures tina
. have been reserved for thee.
II am ignorant of what the grea
Buddha mag have in store for me there.
''Dost thou wish to fly with me2'
asked Tian, gazing lovingly at the poo
cook.
my lady!' exclaimed he, trembling
''To fly from house where they d
not appreciate thy roasts, to unite thy
self to ne and become master of m
magnificent jewels. -
Kin kissed the floor to express hi
gratitude.
Avoiding the vengeance of Chao
Se''-
"Oh, yesn' faltered the tremblin
cook.
''There is a way to accomplish a.
this. Thy master, Chao-Se, protected b
the emperor S decree, will yet live man
years, during which time we shall b
able to leave this earth and lose ON
selves in space. -
81 don't understand ="
'It is very simple. Iwish thee to az
company NE i'll this last journey. TAX
!, this cord and hang thyself outside til
door while gather up my jewels all
s,rtpare to follow thee -
FIN opened lis obHque eyes i'll he
- Tia, gave bin a languishing glanc
'Goofby," size said. "Do not f.
ne, and pushed him gently iowa:
y the door. slipping around his neck t
! soft, sillen cord.
AS Kin LETT the apartment he head
noise in an adjoining room. sit mt
be the monkey" he said to himself, al
then continued meditatively: For tn
reasons I had better rot kill myself.
the FIRST place, because l have 10 &c
tainty Of reviving i'll the other worlt
aud cooo,,,5fr 7 m oOI,,o