The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-02-14

CHAPTER w. -~.
LESSONS IN LOW.
The following day sufflced for Sho Ma
TO become thoroughly familiar with tn
simple affairs OF the household which
she had entered. In it there was littl,
luxury, but much comfort LII Yuen w,
had been for many years teacher il
the wealthy families OF Teng Chow. Hi!
son was now student in the excellen
college upon which the city prided
itself, and for the last two years he had
been an assistant to his father, giving
instruction under his direction. By this
means the resources Of the household
were increased and the old savant found
his labors lightened in his declining
years.
But Ii XIII was ambitious. He, too,
mad set his heart upon winning prize
In the great literary competition at
feking, and he was bending all his
efforts toward preparing himself for the
ordeal. For this reason only he be-
Rrudged, the time given to teaching,
which was 30 much taken from his
studies.
In this situation OF affairs Sho Mai
saw the opportunity she coveted-the
possibility Ct accepting their invitation
- femain their guest without becoming
: burden 70 them. She could share the
labor OF teaching, and at the same time
avail herself of the advantages OF the
TenR Chow College. This she desired
eagerly, but even more she wished 10
remain under the same roof with this
venerable teacher, whose well-stored
mind would be to her an inexhaustible
spring Of knowledge.
She confessed to them her own
ambition to win the great prize of the
Chung Yuen. In the story which she
told them Of her life-the falsitv
OF which she deeply regretted, but knew
not how to avoid-she mingled truth
ful account Of her great longing for
this high honor and Of her determi-
nation to fit herself for its attainment by
observation as we'll as by study. She
easily convinced Ii Yuen Wy that her
early training had fitted her to assist
IN the labors Of teaching, and, In tine.
her proposition was accepted and she
became regular member OF the house
hold.
Then began . season which to Sho
MAI was the brightest OF her life. The
freedom which her disguise afforded her
she drank like rich wine She to whom
every luxury had come without SO much
a. = wish now reveled in the thought
mat her labors were helping to secure
the simple comforts which brought with
them 80 deep an enjoyment. She thought
often OF her home, but with no appre-
nension for the safety OF its inmates, and
The covered all reflection upon the pain
which her departure would give them
~ picturing the pride which they would |
eel In her success. The ease with which
III obstacles had thus far been sur
mounted gave her confidence, and the |
prize which should show to the Empire
What woman's mind could ACCOMPLISH |
eemed already in her grasp.
And Sho Mai succeeded admirably
10Th - teacher and student. She pos
essed above all striking originality
u thought and expression, and whether
lerconclusions were right or wrong, they
'lways claimed the attention and fire.
luently aroused the wonder of her in
tructors. With her pupils doubtless
be natural insight Of her sex helped
Ter. However that may be, it is GER
ain that their attachments under her
are gratif1ed their parents, who were
von In advance by the beauty and the
Enthusiasm Of the young Instructor.
She won the hearts Of those in tho
title house that sheltered her as easily
the birds charm with their music or
allure with its beauty. The old phil
sopher would sit as the evening shad-
WIS gathered into night talking with
er and his children, and Sho Mai held
hese hours to be the most valuable
'hich she had ever passed. II any re-
ret for her extraordinary flight had
,me to her it would have melted in her
eight as she listened to the words
hich taught her how the eye of wisdom
IN pierce the mysteries of the world.
Xii, too, sat at his fathers feet with
sep attention. Sho Mai could see his !
lndsome face light up, even as his mind l
so was illumined, and she watched
m with certain pride and pleasure !
tn feeling new to her which she
uld not omprehcnd-while on the d
&c OF the group was little Lii Kean, e
lose eyes never wandered from the a
'e OF the stranger who had come so b
idenly and SO wonderfully into her 1
,. il
N! Ii Kean, to what sorry mock n
must your young heart wake from
FIRST sweet dreams, if it shall wake "
II in this strange world. Happier is O
Mai, who feels the same delicious i,
II along her pulses and hears the W
Q voice calling to her out of the en- il
lted future Il
the days passed happily, and the 81