The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-25
CHINESE S1ORY.TeLLERS.
A sample story Told by Profess
sionaI by the Wnyside.

From the Youths Companion.
on q pleasant day one cannot go far
in Pekin without meeting a profess
sional story-teller standing, with
crowd of listeners about him, under q
big umbrella by the roadside, telling
stories in a loud, earnest tone. The
characters in the tales are often "the
big priest" and "the little prest"-a
boy whom his parents have consecrat-
ed to the service of the temple. The
following is a typical story in which
they appear:
Once upon a time--so the story goes
an old priest said to his young COM
panion: "I am going away, little priest
and leave the temple in your charge
No matter who comes, don't lend them
anything"
"All right, sir. I'll obey your or
ders."
Not long after the old man left an
old woman came to worship. She
prostrated herself before the idols and
prayed until it raincd. Then she said
to the boy: your master knows me
well, for come often to worship. Will
you please lend me his umbrella?"
NO" was the prompt reply" can
not lenu dnyUOuy any lHlHB.
So the old lady went home in the
rain, and she was very angry.
Upon the masters return the faith
full boy related his experience; but in
stead of praise he received stern re-
Droo..
"Oh, you stupid boy! Do you know
no better than that? Why, you have
driven away one of my best worship
pers? You will spoil my business You
should always be polite. You should
say: Won't you please step in and
have a chair? / will steep you fresh
tea and bring you little cakes. Make
yourself as comfortable as possible; but
l am very sorry to say, my master
was out in q storm one day, and 1t
blew and it blew, and it took the skin
right off of his umbrella, and strewed
the bones all around, and so we have
none Say that, and she could not be
angry"
"All right. sir. I'll say it next time"
Not long after this the master went
away again. and there came man who
said, Little priest, have been high
UP on the mountains and gathered a
big load of kindling wood. 1t is too
heavy. cannot get it home. Will you
please let me take your masters
horse?"
Come in, sir" said the little man.
"And make yourself very comfortable
! will bring you little cakes and steep
YOU fresh tea; but am very sorry to
say, the old horse was out in a storm
and it blew and 1t blew, and 1t took
the skin right off and blew the bones
awaV and we haven't anyi"
The man gazed in astonishment upon
the boy, and turned away in disgust.
When the master returned the boy
related all that had happened, and re-
ceived a round scolding: "Oh, you
small idiot; you grow worse and worse
Don't tell the same story every time
Have some sense-make Your story fit
You should have said. 4 am very sorry
to say, the old horse was out in the
field and tumbled in a hole and sprain.
ed his leg and went lame, and we turn
ed him out to grass. and we haven'
any"
"All right, sir; will say it the mex
| time"
Again the hoy was left in charge
and there came a man who said: "Youl
| master is my dear old friend. 1 would
| like to see him"
| Core in, sir: take a seat, sir.
will b. g you new cakes and steep yOl
fresh tea. Please be as comfortable al
| possible, sir. l am very sorry to sa!
my master was out in the field anC
| stumbled and went lame, and we hav,
turned him out to grass, and W,
haven't any!"
So the story runs on, as long as tn,
story-teller pleases, until it it time t,
| take a collection.