Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-20

euldttpH, out dISO Ou ptISuHdl ulu-
tilatlon. in the hope that the sight of
his deformity, natural or artificial, will
awaken pity in the breast of the pass
erby Many horrible instances might
be noted of the manner in which the
Chinese mendicants deliberately mutt
late themselves in order to be fitted for
their calling One method is to bind
an insect upon the eye and allow 1t to
destroy the sight. When this is ac-
complished, the beggar may go forth
to present his claim in consideration
of his blindness. This is but one
method of many similar ones. Every
device that Chinese ingenuity can In
vent is adopted to produce deformity,
and the human form divine is twisted
out of all resemblance to it's normal
self in some cases. or course vast
amount of patience and perseverance
Is often necessary but these traits are
Unborn in a Chinaman of whatever
rank in life. The, hideous repulsive-
ness of the results obtained is such
as to spoil the dreams OF the foreign
observer unless he have unusually
strong nerves.
In this respect the Chinese beggars
resemble closely those of Italy OF the
present day or of those of medieval Eu
rope. although the injuries of the latter
were for the most part only feigned
The Chinese likewise are also too
shrewd to needlessly mutilate them
selves when they can avoid It. AS is
well known. they are past masters Of
the art of deception, and some of the
imagined injuries and deformities are
SO cleyerly simulated as TO defy all
inspection and fear of detection.
Beggary is an established institution
and recognized occupation in China.
Children are trained to it from their
birth. as any one who has been asSail-
ed by the vociferous calls for aims
from Chinese beggars OF all ages will
readily testify. The mendicants have
their well organized societies and
guilds, in this resembling all classes of
Chinese tradesmen and workingmen.
At the head of the guild is the king of
the beggars," who is often person of
considerable local Importance. He Is
generally possessed OF means gained
by the taking of a percentage of the
aims collected by the members of his
guild. and he lives in fine style. He ex-
lists in all the walled cities and large
towns of China, and in such places a
regular tax is levied upon every one
who is considered sufficiently wealthy
TO afford to pay it. All foreigners are,
Of course, included, for by their pres
ence in. China their wealth is inferred.
The native who pays his assessment
to the guild often attempts to delude
himself with the idea that so doing is
obedience to the Confucian precepts in
culcatlng benevolence. Besides this,
he knows that to refuse the demands
of the guild is to bring down upon his
head a host of troubles. Unless his
usual contribution is forthcoming the
king leads upon his place of business
a host of beggars of all sizes, shapes
and descriptions, and If he has any
goods left in his shop when they de-
part he may thank whichever OF his
numerous gods he most believes in.
The guild divides the city into districts
and assigns to each beggar his district;
but, as ia every other Chinese profes-
sion, there are tramp beggars who
bring disgrace upon their worthy trade
by trespassing the boundaries of 9th
ers.
Many amusing instances might be
given OF the tricks played by the beg
gars upon missionaries A very well
known worker In this field cured ma
tive beggar of cataract, only to be met
with the demand that he support the
man, as he had been deprived by the
cure of his means of earning liveli-
hood. CHARLES <. ROBINSON