Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-08-18

AAAA tAl l1ioA4 al 1ISlS dlpA
there he finds his friends, and enters into
the almost interminab}e dicussion of aft
fairs which is characteristic of the a
atal. He resistS endless schemes to in
duee him to Part with ready-money to
impostorS, and having discharged the
eu1uchs' fees and sought the patronage
of some one of them, he settles Town to
wait until he is remembered and called
TO appear.
BEFORE THE EMPRESS.
Days, weeks, or ever months may
pass before the momentous day arrives
1t may be that he is entirely forgotten,
but he dare not stir from Within call
until he receives "a ornla permission.
He may not even petition for it. If he
did, fresh fees must pass before the
scroll could reach the right hands. and
wh7n it did the chances are hat his
~impatience would be punished by a re-
buke and a reference to the board of
punishments to adjudge an adequate PEN
atty. This means ruin, or, at the least,
a crushing ,exaotion.
the empress attention may be directed
ito the business in which he is concerned,
and then, dressed in his full official robes,
overrun by embroidered geese or drag
ons, according to his rank, he is permit
eed to pass into the Forbidden City,
where he goes on foot, with body bent
slightly forward. and the air Of awed
attention prescribed in the Confucian
analects.
The hall of audiences is cached. and
the awe is no longer a ceremonial as
sumption. With modest, doWncast head
and many reverential kowtoWs he walks
up the hall, taking care not to step on
the Threshold and keeping slightly to
the left side. Soon the eunuchs who are
present motion him to- kneel and down
he goes n koWtoWs again before the
Sen of Heaven and-tle ruler of China.
He hardly sees-a direct stare would be
a gross breach of etiquette-but out of
THE corner of his eyes he catches a
glimpse of a slight figure in yellow silk,
with a sad, pensive face and gentle eyes,
sitting in a CARVED chair and conveying a
curious, vivid impression of patient apa-
thy and yet appeal. r..
Beside him is the more commanding
fguIe; a woman of middle height, who
two years ago looked As though she cel-
Rbrated GA birthdays, slightly inclined to
stou.ness, with a firm, clear face, and
eyes not fierce or stern, but still giving
plain warming that their owner is not
to be trifled with, and that she intends
ITO master whatever occupies her mind.
Very inquisitive question after ques-
ton follows in a steady stream: They
are not unSk.llful, and SOON convince the
humble mandarin that nothing can with
safety be concealed. Presently as the
subject is becoming exhausted. the en-
press expresses her views without any
apparent reserve, and apportiofas blame
or praise with the air of one who Will
make herself respected.
In two respects the interview conflicts
with our Western notions OF an Oriental
count. One is the bluntness which is
eXacted and the other and stranger Is
that the disclosure of unpleasant truths,
modestly and without malice. brings
commentator rather than disfavof
The interview ends. One word IS
dropped and Immediately the kneeling
mandarin rises and walks slowly away,
without daring to pause for even the
tenth of a second. AS he passes from
the hall his bent back
Strengthens until nothing of his former
demeanor remains, except the air OF re-
s~peetful preoeeupation. also
prescribed in the analeets.
1t has taken only 10 or Is minutes, yet
it may be a crisis in our friends FOR,
tunes. II he has pleased her tmperFii
majesty his name may appear IN the
Gazette as the latest addition to those
noted for promotion or future employ
ment. If. ~unhappily. the contrary IS the
case, a reduction of rank, dismisal. re-