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

ground and, walking to the balcony.
where the general had stationed him
self, lie kBeIt and bowed three times.
The ceremony over, he advanced and
presented a long parchment, bound in
silk, bearing the imperial seal. Thrust
ing the parchment into the folds of his
sash, the general welcomed the courier,
an officer Of rank, into his house, and
gave instructions necessary for the
care of his attendants. He then re-
tired to his official department. and
broke the seal Of the imperial mes
sage.
A few moments later the entire
household was rejoicing. Even the
lowest of the slaves danced with glee,
for the Tidoo had been ordered by the
Emperor Helm Fung TO proceed to
pekin for promotion for his long hon
esty and bravery, with the under
standing that the ceremony was pre-
paratory TO his retirement as one Of
the heroes of the suppression of the
rebellion.
Through all the celebration, how
ever, the general was secretly trou-
bled as to the token Of respect he
should present to the emperor upon re
ceiving his new titles, for no officer
+ ever receives hOnOrs at the hands of
the emperor without presenting in
turn some rare gift.
Seated in his study. engaged deeply
in thought upon the question that
afternoon, the face of the venerable
Tidoo suddenly frightened into a
happy smile, and he hurriedly dis
patched a servant for his wife.
You have thought of the gift, YOU
are so happy" she said. as she entered.
yes. but | am afraid to tell you,'
said the general.
DO not keep me in SUSPENSE she
said; you wish to make my pleasure
more keen by ar0using my curiosity.
am a woman, and you have sue
ceeded. Tell me-"
"Well,' said the Tidoo, slowly, 81
! was wondering if our dear Yin Ling
would like to become a member of the
imperial household. Coming from us
she would be treated with more dis
tinction than the majority OF his wives,
and I am sure she would soon become
a favorite lady in the palace"
To the surprise of the Tidoo, the sug-
gestion met with the hearty approval
of his wife.
"She will become a lady of the high
est rank" she said. "And she will
live III greater elegance than she lives
with Us here. Still, we shall not force
her to so, but allow her to decide her
self"
at shall be So" said the Tidoo.
Yin Ling's education had extended
far enough to allow her to realize in
st3nt}y what Il position in the i'm
perial household would imply, get the
thought of leaving her foster mother
and father prevented the unalioyed
JOY she otherwise would have exper-
fenced at such a proposal. Without
making reply to her mothers state
ment she went with her to the general.
who repeated to her that if she did not
want to go she would not be compelled
to accept the proposition. After Il mo-
ment of silence she spoke:
Dear father and mother, my life is
in your hands. [ should grieve to
leave you. | know you have my future
at heart, and if my going will make
you happy /. therefore, shall be happy
in the knowledge of your happiness"
After many weeks of travel in a big
sedan chair Yin Ling arrived in Pekin.
When the court duties were Over and
the general had received his new titles
and decorations, the bride was pre-
sented with great ceremony to the
emperor. Helm Fung. The only his
tory of the member of the imperial
household was embodied in the state
ment of the Tidoo:
beautiful Yin Ling, the joy of my
house, is my adopted daughter"
Helm Fung was not merely charmed
with his new bride; he seemed fas-
cinated by her glowing eyes,, which
sent messages of love from beneath
the silken canopy of sweeping fringe,
her gentle manne and her noble bear
ing, and ere a month had sped she was
honCred by the title Que Fay Tex
alted), auxiliary, and they said
throughout the palace that the son of
heaven had lost his heart.
The imperial palace awoke one morn
ing three years later, early in 1854.
and rejOiced at the news that spread
even in the court yards where the
gardeners We're at work. Feasts were
ordered to last for many days; prayers
were made to the golden gods in the
great imperial temple and rare sacri-
fees and yiands We're prepared for
them, and prayer sticks were burned
until the fumes of the incense were so
heavy that the sunshine could not
penetrate further than the tops of the
high windows where the lesser gods
sat. To the heavenly prince a child
and Que Fay was the mother. He was
chriStened Thsi Chuen. and to his
mother was given the title Isl Thsi,
which conferred upon her the rank Of
empress, second to that of Isl An.
the first wife.
1t was not long after this event be-
fore the wars broke out afresh. and in
1860, upon the occupation of Pekin by
the allied forces. Helm Fung left the
palace. saying he would never return.
and intrusting the governing power to
a board of regency composed of favor
tie courtieS, who proved to be the most
bitter in their anti-foreign views.
Upon this voluntary exit he was &C
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