Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-04-26
ows and all dark places and men with
yellow skins and strange eyes. **-...s

signation. Up to that moment l had
no knowledge of Kung's presence at
Tien-tsfn. believing him to be still at
his place in Fuchau. nor could the mes
senger offer an explanation or give me
the slightest information. Like all the
members of the society, he spoke with
the utmost reserve, a commendable
habit in community where each man
was spy upon the other.
However, late that night put in an
appearance at the appointed place and
was received by Kung and some score
of the chief members Of the society.
could not help wondering what bust
ness had brought him so near the CAPT.
tai, though had known that the stout.
surly looking fellow on his right was
the governor of the imperial province
of Pe-chi-li, l might have guessed that
something of the utmost Importance
was in the air. As it was. l knew that
1t was for no ordinary business l had
been summoned.
"Nor was it. The plot, briefly ex-
planned. was the capture of Picking. the
deposition Of the emperor and the set
ting up of Chinese as against Mani
choo dynasty. l fairly gasped for breath
as this scheme was unfolded. foresee-
Ing certain failure in such gigantic
undertaking. But this did not seem to
disconcert Kung and his friends. A
thousand men had been secretly armed.
The Tartar governor of the capital was
one of the revolutionists. He would
open the gates; the rest was easy. The
imperial family were to be put to the
sword. wiped out root and branch-the
only way to prevent trouble with pre-
tenders In the future. The populace,
once assured of the end of the Mani
choo dynasty, would rally to the new
order Of things.
LAS Kung deliberately unfolded this
gigantic scheme, which from time to
time was met with 'wah' Of approval
from his listeners. l thought that he
addressed more of his remarks to me
personally than l cared to receive.
Round and round the stolid faces of his
council wandered his piercing eyes, but
as, I came within their radius they
seemed to fix and glitter into mine. /
tried hard to think that this was only
fancy. that he paid no more attention
to me than to others present. but my
instinct had not erred. Kung had &C.
cented some of his remarks especially
for my benefit. ...:.. .~o r.
AFTER he in no ambiguous language
had outlined the principal features of
this gigantic scheme some whispered
conversation took. place between the
leaders, and to my gradually increas-
ing dismay saw that their looks were
constantly centering upon me. Then
after q few preliminary remarks Kung
disclosed the part was to play In the
conspiracy: 'i' S..''5.'* - -. L..
1.-THE success or failure Of their plans
rested upon the attitude of Lowan, the
taotal, or chief magistrate Of. the CAPT
tai, a vigilant guardian, an incorrupti-
BILE Official. He had already been ap-
preached, the result Of which was that
the would be .corrupter was now lam
gushing In prison. Therefore Lowan
had to be suppressed, and, to make
very long story short, had been cho-
sen by the council as the instrument Of
its vengeance. So far, as Kung ex-
planned with rather mischievous curl
ing Of the mouth, thought, l had not
been called upon to prove my loyalty to
the causes Not that it was ever doubt
ed-this he explained q1ite readily
but this was an undertaking which re-
quired clear brain and firm hand,
and the council had done me the honor
of intrusting me with this most impor
tant mission. $3.50 IA -
II listened steadily enough, but my
heart was black with rage. What
state my folly had brought me to. 1t
was one thing to give the cause my
moral support, another to go and COM
NIT deliberate murder. But the fat
had gone forth, and knew that those
yellow devils would give me short
shrift If I evinced the least sign of
hesitancy. Therefore at once pro-
claimed my Willingness to obey the be-
hest Of the. council and further declar.
ed that they had overwhelmed me with
honor. Who was I, a foreign devil, a
barbarian. that l should be intrusted
with this glorious mission? - 1t was in;
credible that l. should be singled out
for 20 much honor. The knowledge of
their belief in my loyalty: was sweeter
to my heart than honey to the lips. 1t
was preferable to the possession Of the
ten thousand blessings which for the
virtuous are laid up In heaven. '''
Sounds Of appreciation greeted this
graphic illustration of my modesty. 1t
was 'wah' and ugh and 'wab' again,
for though to western ears such COM
aphments would sound inflated and alb
surd they are to the Chinaman the spo-
lite currency Of everyday usage. But
Kung, who knew English and much OF
western ways, looked at me In man
ner which left no doubt in my mind
as to how much he valued my protesta.
tons. But he was cunning fiend
and any tool was good enough for him
1 to work with. Ri. K s s:::s .} ve, Z H
,5 5i When II left the assembly that night,
II carried with me my whole plan OF
action. u plan carefully constructed
BY Kung himself. was to proceed to
54pokin1 thO11f DELAY and kin + nuura ~