Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-03-07

During tue turbulent reign of EN-
per0r Helm Fung there lived in the
outskirts of Canton a poor family
named Tzun. The fierce Ia Ping re-
bellion was at its height, the southern
provinces were III Il state of turmoil,
the riches Of the wealthy were increaS-
ing and the poor were being dragged
to deeper distress and poverty. Sol
diers, who were little less than blood
thirsty bands, infested the country,
plllaging whatever objects of worth
fell under their enyious eyes, and eX-
cited their ayariciouS natures, and
oft-times the houses of the weak and
unprotected were invaded for the our
pose Of securing young and pretty
girls, who would bring them good
prices as slaves.
Under his reign Of terror the little
family had been driven from shelter
to shelter, until 1t last they settled
in a squalid hut among a colony Of
some few hundred others whose cir
cumstances were quite as deplOrable.
AT least said Ii Tzun to his tear
full Wife, as he surveyed the miserable
surroundings. I'VE may die together
here, for no soldier would ever think
that these decayinE walls were ilu-
minated with such Il maid as ourS-the
sunshine Of Il hearts and flower of
our lives
Going to Il corner in the Wretched.
matched cabin, he gazed with plying
eyes upon his two sleeping children.
Yin Ling, a girl Of fourteen years,
whose pretty face shone with the vel
vet glow of 4 peach that has ripened
In the sun, aud Ko-Jon, her seven
ycar-old brother.
Our last hour has come" cried the
unhappy man, his voice breaking with
s0bs Of despair. Il would steal to
keep our children from starving, but
Il n%eighborS. too, are so poor there
would be nothing but gnawed bones
and SHINING bowls for me to take. and
50 desperate have some become that
they are III the city even now trying
TO sell their daughters as slaves that
their wives and aged parents may not
starye.''
From out of the darkness came Yin
Ling. Her frame trcmblcd, and her
eyes sparkled and gi0Wed like one who
aWakes from 4 reyprie.
Dear parents she said in a gentle
tone. Il snare your grief. Through
HE We may all be Sayed-bOth you and
my lean brother. Sell me for Il slave"
The mother clasped her brave girl 20
her bosom, saying that she would
rather that All die together than live
with food III her mouth without her
daughter.
But Yin Ling drew away, struggling
to keep back the fears that might
cause her to falter, and she spoke
again:
1--WE have no food for the morrow.
After that we must die. Why should
not sacrifice myself that you aud my
brother may live? | owe my life to
YOU and can save you with it,
Morning came, and the fearful part
inc soon was over. Then for hours
Yin Ling walked along the country
pathways by her fathers side. vaguely
wondering what her new home would
be like should he succeed in selling
her. Reaching the city they hurried
10 one of the great houses. Bells
tinklcd along the walk and about the
house and they were admitted. 1t
was into me of the richest houses in
Canton that Yin Ling now entered.
The head of the great household was
the Tartar Tidoo general who COM
manded the troops of the province
and was distantly related TO the En-
peror Helm Fung. At the first sight
Of the beautiful girl, who knelt grace
fully before him and whose demeanor
was more of natural modestv than
seryile submission, the general de
cided to buy her.
The wife of the Tidoo was delighted
with the new addition to her house
hold, and SO pleased was she with Yin
Iing's appearance and gentle manners
that she at onc appointed her Is fav-
orite maid. Each day she grew
nearer anG dearer to the hearts VI her
master and mistress, becoming bighter
and more loyable and developing as
rapidly as 4 sun Scorched lily regainS
its doWny texture and gentle perfume
under the refreshing influences of a
cooling spring shower. Soon ali the
Lao Is Of the house were infatuated
WIN the pretty TEA maid. She wore
garments of the scftest silk. and when
they talked with her she surprised the
most thoughtful by her bright and
clever sayings. Nearly 4 year had
passed. Her life had been most pleas
ant in the bic house. and she Stud
dered as she thought of what might
have been her fate at tne hands Of a
cruel taskmaster. She served the tiny
cup to her mistress and started to re-
urn to her seat, when the general
called her.
The girl bowed respectfully.
YIN Ling" he said~"you have been
a good. faithful girl in our household
since the day Of your coming. You
have pleased us all, but circumstances
compel me to tell you that we cannot
keep you longer as our slave"
Yin Ling tottered, sitting a sharp
cry. Recc vering herself she turned
to go.
STAY" cried the general; mot as
our slave. AS our daughter"
The general took her in his arms
and kissed her forehead. Yin Ling
kissed her mother and cried for joy
Through her tears she smiled, and
smiles and tears of other joyful ones