Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-02-07
THE SILK CORD.

The noble Chao-Se was very unhappy.
Nevertheless his rice crop had been I'M
usually abundant; the white flowers Of
the tea plant filled his gardens; his silk
cocoons were never richer; he was the
lucky possessor Of all 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 and imposing 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 Kyson tea and paid no atten-
ton to his pet monkey, in spite Of all
his playful caresses?
Respected kinsmen," said Chao-Se
gravely, after the meal had ended, to
the three venerable Cinnamon squatting
at his side, "you all know that I 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
the monkey, who initiated the action Of
these grave personages. Chao-Se contin-
ued:
my son, Te-Ku, has not regarded
my teachings. He does not know how to
bend the body gracefully 10 times i'll
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,
defied by Chung whose honored body
now reposes in the tomb, he refused to
disembowel himself, whilehis adversary
expired triumphant with his abdomen
ripped open in the most approved fash
ion. In this disgrace I have called you
together, being resolved to follow your
advice as to the best means of saving
tho family honor.
"You should, aboye all, disinherit
Te-Ku," said the eldest of the council
"And divide your possessions among
us," added the second.
Sand as the family honor is furnished
a sacrifice is necessary, said the third.
"You should strangle yourself in order
that the reputation Of our house may
not perish.
Such was the decision of the council.
Chao-Se now, too late, regretted having
convoked it.
y 4
"What present is this you are bring
ing me?" asked the wife Of Chao-Se that
same night, noticing that her husband
had placed small ivory box upon the
table of her room.
Beautiful and dearly beloved Tian,
I have surprise for you," replied the
noble Chinese CALAMITY.
Than gathered herself up on her couch,
exposing to view a pair Of tiny feet
some two or three inches in length.
"You have been good wife, con-
tinued Chao-Se kindly, "and desire
that you should figure in history as
model Of virtue. Well, then, the family
council has decided that must sacrifice
myself to restore our lost reputation,
but as l have certificate Of long life
from my sovereign it would be all act
Of ingratitude on my part to cut short
my own existence. I have therefore Sc
lected you, dear Tian, as my substitute,
that you may save our honor with the
silk cord you will find in that box. I
am sure you will be grateful to me for
this mark Of distinction and proof of
my deep affection. "
"Sir, exclaimed Tian terrified, II
dare not kill myself. am as timid as
chicken. !"
Calm yourself, my dear. If you can
not do it alone, being as timid as a
chicken, I'll get the cook to help you,
and the noble Chao-Se embraced his
wife tenderly and Withdrew from the
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 that
have been reserved for thee.
II am ignorant Of what the great
Buddha may have in store for me there "
"Dost thou wish to fly with me?"
asked Tian, gazing lovingly at the poor
cook.
my lady 4" exclaimed he. trembling
"To fly FROM house where they do
not appreciate thy roasts, to unite thy.
self to me and become master Of my
magnificent jewels.
Kin kissed the floor to express his
gratitude.
Avoiding the vengeance Of Chao.
SCI
ooh, yesi" faltered the trembling
cook.
''7here is a way 10 accomplish all
this Thy master, Chao-Se, protected by
the emperor's decree, will yet live many
years, during which time W. shall be
able to leave this earth and lose our.
selves in space. !"
II don't understand.
ut is yer. simple. wish thee to o.
company me In this last journey. Take
this cord and hang thyself outside the