Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-01-02


may go to Canton and take part in the
coming examination. 1 felt some deli |
cacy in asking this Of you ON account of |
our future relationship. but my urgent
necessity has banished ali hesitation. "
young man.. replied Ju Dun.
what do you take me fora gold
miner People don't know how poor
am when they tell ridiculous stories
about my wealth. Wealth. indeedi I
wish had only one-tenth Of what they
say I am worth. 1 lose money every
day. Why, only yesterday a man hanged
himself TO escape the payment of moneys
rightfully due to me-
II am sorry, worthy sir, returned
Dong. but l am not at all likely to
follow that mans example. l have my
school, you know, aud 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. / trust
that you will permit your benevolent
disposit ton TO do its work in my case. -
Dong knew he was administering q
rather strong dose of taffy.
The miser seemed to relent little.
saying:
but 1 never lend without good Sc
curity. What security can you offerP'
"None, my good sir, except an order
TO my pupils to pay you their tuition
fees-excepting the little that shall
require 60 live and-and the word of an
honest man"
"The last 1 do not want" said in
Dun. 1T 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?''
81 expect, sir, to earn enough to pay
it off by the end of this year."
A lock of cunning stole into in Dun s
eyes as he asked;
''If not. what thenf'
81 do not apprehend such a contin-
gency," answered Dong.
'Well, do, A" said in Dun. II have
mind not to lend You the money. Still,
will risk little for the friendship
bore your father. But you understand.
most talented sir, that in case you can
not pay me the principal before New
Years day our intimate relations must
cease, for will not and cannot marry
my only child to bankrupt and dis
hoDored 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 young man, wal
s Dong, chock full of fine feeling 1t wa
his misfortune to have had such IA
! Their If he had had his say about it in
s stead Of the God who presided over the
wheel of transmigration, he would have
: preferred more prudent man to be hi
|, father He was no "chip off the ole
: block''-not by a great deal.
t He felt humiliated, but nevertheless
q answered spiritedly, Excellent sir, If
a fail to pay you. 1 will gladly releas'
q you from performing your part of TIT
q marriage contract. "
. "You need not get SO huffy over it,
rejoined the old man. Business is bust
3 ness, and it is no harm TO let you IN
e derstand the conditions. Sit down her
o and write a promissory note with an ex
rs press condition TO the effect that in cas-
70 you fail to pay up interest and principa
II in full for value received before tn
:, next New Years day you will reDounc
{, all claims to my daughters hand, and
% will try to raise the money for you. !"
5. Dong drew his chair mp to the tabl
u and wrote the note. while the old mise
I'd went into the garden to raise the 10
taels. Making sure that no one wa
IS looking, ne moved large vase from il
er position, then unlocked "A trapdoC
a which covered a sort OF stairway ths
ne led to a vault. This vault held an iro
"a chest. in which all his valuables WEI
at deposited. 1t took but few minutes
ID descend, open the box, secure the none
lie and put everything back as it was b.
ed fore.
K The note and the money soon change
ne hands, and Dong went away rejoicing
ne leaving Ju Dun equally pleased wit
y bis bargain, for he had no idea Don
= could pay it,
On Dong went TO Canton and was sp
IN cessful, as has been related. But
VI found il no easy matter to earn none
~ even after his splendid achievement
ny the literary arena. He tried hard to g
OF more pupils, bat they didn't MATERIAL.
IN to any great extent He tried his har
us at fan writing, but fans which were il
an scribed over with moral and poetic
ier sentiments were drug in the marke
'se They brought him nothing but the wiz
u Of applause. But money was what
ON wanted. He could not easily get alor
rsS without some.
~ Dong worried and worried over tn
ne small sum of 100 taels and lost flesh
~, thinking so mach and dreaming
'iu often of the cleaning, treacherous tael
'in At length he was reduced to tn
ND condition of despair in which our sto
first finds him.
- I,.k 81 fx,ar al
is alone. he had sent his pupils home tn
In morning for their long vacatio
Die Thoughts unwelcome and bitter as NJ
Dse gall passed in procession before
ng mental vision, and, like Banquo's re
Grated ghost, would not down.
uAs "No,' he cried wildly, as If he h
ter debated the matter in his mind and b
Ter reached a final conclusion, there
s'' nothing left me but DEATH"
III Absorbed as Dong was in melancht
'u' reflections and imagining himself
M ready cold corpse dangling under
ms branches OF some tree, he did not p
'ne ceive the approach of little boy IN
the latter stood beside him and start
III him by saying in timid voice:
an Teacher, father sent me to ask ,
was to come to our house.
ian Dong raised his head and saw one
Dy his pupils before him.
'er' "What is it you want?"
as my father sends his respects and a
as you to favor him with call. My old
ne brother came back this morning fl
ms America He brought home lots
at funny things. If you come, he y
y show them to you."
OF Glad of this little relief, Dong accC
ltn. panied the boy to the latter's house I
Ter there received a most hearty welcol
up The big brother displayed his treasu
ers' and enjoyed Dong's curiosity and W
VINO der as be explained the uses and
TUE modus operandi of every article to b
hey There were n sewing machine, pail
nsll opera glasses. a continuance for max
hach Oft .,A o.,o..r Lind nA mat M,