The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-01

quickly. l have no time to listen to
fiattery."
II am very poor, your honor, and
thief has stolen the only piece of
cloth had" said Mr. Lin, plunging
desperately into his story. The mag
istrate frowned angrily, remembering
his unfinished breakfast, but listened
quietly to the end. When he heard
of the rolling stone his face cleared.
He was fond of keeping his detective
skill before the people, and he saw a
chance of adding to his reputation Of
being poor mans friend.
The very boldness Of the two men
in thrusting themselves, uncalled for,
before his seat of justice rather
pleased him upon second thought.
They would never have dared to ap.
peal in this way to an official of the
usual class-corrupt, overbearing,
and indolent.
"Could you identify the cloth if
you should see it agains" demanded
the magistrate.
Eyes, your honor"
Gin what waya"
The old mans face Redeemed pain
fully as he answered, in low voice:
81 had quarrel with my daughter
in-law before could get the cloth
from her, and 1 hit the cloth three
times with a charred stick. There
are three black marks on it which l
could not rub off,"
"You and your friend may go to
the inn opposite" said the magis-
trate, "and wait there until the after
noon, when Twill send again and call
the case"
When they had gladly departed,
| Magistrate Lee called a soldier to
him and commanded him to take
twenty underlings with him and go
after the rolling stone on which the
cloth had been laid during Mr.. Lin's
search for his cap. "Take iron chains
and handouts with you," he continu
ed, "and bind the stone with them.
Make the affair as public as possible.
Tell all who inquire about it that
they may come in and see the case
tried. l want full house this after
noon."
This wish of the magistrate was
fully realized. The sight of stone
roller heavily chained and dragged
through the streets by twenty under
lings was enough to raise intense Gu
riosity, and the hall was crowded
with men and boys when the magis-
trate commanded to have the stone
dragged before him.
"Did you steal the cloth intrusted
to your care2" he demanded, sternly
"The stone does not answer. Beat it
ten blows. Now answer me truth
fully" the magistrate continued.
"Did you steal the cloth or did some
one elseW There was a moments
pause.
"Is that so?" exclaimed the magis-
trate, as though he had received an
answer which had surprised him.
"What name did you say?"
The excited crowd struggled and
pushed in the effort to hear the ans
wer, and in the tumult the table in
front of the magistrate was upset.
"Close the doors!" shouted the
magistrate to his underlings. what
do you mean by such insolence in
my judgment hall?" he demanded of
the frightened crowd. "Take down
every mans name and ask whether
he prefers fine or punishment"
he commanded his secretary.
"You may each bring me piece of
white cotton cloth, or take forty
blows and months wearing of the
cangue," said the mandarin, after the
names were all taken down. eff you
bring the cloth do not pay for it I'M
til 1 see whether it will be suitable
for my soldiers clothes or not"
OF course the fine was unanimously
chosen, and an hour later the hall
was again filed with delighted ped
oilers and the buyers of the cloth, NUT
tering against the extortion of their
hitherto just magistrate. The cloth
was spread out for the mandarin's
inspection, and old Mr.. Lin in few
moments triumphantly pointed out
his piece of blackened cloth.
The youth who was selling it soon
stammered out confession of theft
under the mandarin's questions and
threats of beating, and was punished
accordingly.
The peddlers were summarily dis
posed of by the offer of twenty cash
foot for their cloth instead of the
usual price of thirty cash, or the
privilege of taking back their goods;