The leader., 1897-02-03


Ju Dun was withal a miser and hoard
ed the money he did not lend as II he
were to excel Methusaleh in longevity.
His clothes were worn MS long as they
could stand mending. He Rrudged his
wife and only child the very necessarjes
OF life. In order to save the expense
o. luxurious table and at the same
time preserve the Appearances he and
his family were In the habit of eating
the coarsest and cheapest rice and din
ing on what seemed TO be large fish.
but which was made of wood garnished
with strips of salt pork and seasoned
with sauce, ginger and onion shoots.
Instead Of meat he had lot of pebbles
fried in the most approved style of the
culinary art, which in the mouth of the
diner gave relish TO the rice and could
be fried over and over again without
any appreciable loss of substance.
Being such grasping usurer and
close-fisted skinfint, or rather skin
pebble, one would not naturally ex-
rect Ju Dun to view his prospective SON.
iu-law with favor, but there was the
marriage contract which he himself
had drawn up with the elder Ding.
How was he going to get around 1t with
out Ding Dong's consent? He saw no
way of going back on his bond at that
time or forcing Ding Dong to withdraw
from the alliance; but, like the willy ras-
cal that he was, he determined to bide
his time and watched for an opportuni-
ty to gracefully give Ding Dong the go
by.
The opportunity came when Dong
went to ask him for loan for the pur-
pose of paying his debts, when the fol-
lowing conversation took place, which
we will translate for the readers bene-
tit:
'Honored sir's1thus Ding Dong be-
GAM have come humbly to solicit
the loan of 100 taels, which your we'll
filled Golfers will hardly miss, that
may go to Canton and take part in the
coming examination. l felt some del
icacy of asking this of you on account
of our future relationship, but my
urgent necessity has banished all hest
tation."
Young man." replied Ju Dun, "what
do you take me fora gold mine? Peo-
pie don't know how poor / am when
they tell ridiculous stories about nv
wealth. Wealth, indeed l wish I had
only one-tenth of what they say am
worth. l lose money every day. Why.
only yesterday man hanged himself
to escape the payment of moneys right
fully due to me-"
Il am sorry, worthy SIR" returned
Dong, but | am not at all likely to fol-
low that mans example. I have nv
school, you know, and I propose to
pay the tuition fees to you until shall
have wiped out the debt. And, although
you may not have the required 100
taels on hand, you can easily raise it..
l trust that you will permit your be-
nevolent disposition to do it's work in
my case"
Dong knew he was administering a
rather strong dose of taffy.
The miser seemd to relent little,
saying:
''But l never lend without good Sc
curity. What security can you Offer? p
None, my good sir, except an order
to my pupils to pay you their tuition
fees-eNcepting the little that l shall
require to live, and-and the word of
an honest man."
.'The last l do not want" said Ju
Dun. at is not negotiable in the money
market. But the other security will
do so far as the interest is concerned.
But how about the principal?"
II expect, sir, to earn enough to pay
it off by the end of this year" =
A look of cunning stole into Ju Dun's
eyes as he asked:
"If not, what then?"
~ do not apprehend such contin-
gency," answered Dong.
"NNell, do" said Ju Dun. II have a
mind not to lend you the money. Still,
l will risk a little for the friendship
bore your father. But you under
stand, most talented sir, that in case
you cannot pay me the principal be-
fore New Years day, our intimate re-
lations must cease, for / will not and
cannot marry my only child to bank
rupt and a dishonored man."
The blood rushed over Dong's cheeks
and mounted his temples at the bare
possibility of dishonor coming TO him.
He was an honorable man, was Dong.
chock full of fine feeling. 1t was his
misfortune to have had such father.
If he had had his say about it instead OF
the god who presided over the wheel OF
transmigration, he would have pre-
ferred more prudent man to be his
father. He was no ''chip of the old
block"-not by great deal.
He felt Inundated, but nevertheless
answered, spiritedly: Excellent Sir, II
j fail to pay you, will gladly release
you from performing your part OF the
marriage contract"
"You need not get so huffy over it"
reioined the old man. Business is
business, and 1t is DO harm to let you
understand the conditions. Sit down
here and write a promissory note with
an express condition to the effect that,
in case you fail TO pay up interest and
principal in full for value received be-
fore New Years day, you will renounce
all claims to my daughters hand, and
will try to raise the money for you
Dong drew his chair up to the table
and wrote the note, while the old miser
went into the garden to raise the 100
taels. Making sure that no one was
looking, he moved large vase from
its position, then unlocked a trapdoor
which covered sort of stairway that
led to a vault. This vault held an iron
chest. in which all his valuables were
deposited. 1t took but few minutes
to descend, open the box, secure the
money and put everything back us IT
was before.
The note and the money soon changed
hands, and Dong went away rejoicing
leaving Ju Dun equally pleased with his
bargain, for he had no idea Dong could
pay it. - 40. emo.
Dong went to Canton and was sue
cessful. as has been related. But he
.. ~cax, ma tier To earn money