Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-03-06

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but Without catching q glimpse OF Tie
man with the slit nostril. Sometimes
we were greeted with courtesy, but
more often with black looks and q sui
len superciliousness which is peculiar
to the oriental. And 80 at dinner that
night we decided to intrust the mission
to other hands; for our peregrinations,
coupled with the inevitable query,
''Koon-SiY" were such as to cause some
speculation among certain classes, and
this was exactly what we did not
want.
Through the police we might have
found our man, but we did not wish to
lay bare our story or our identity.
Moreover, the police had no jurisdic-
ton out Of the island, and Kung was
hardly likely to take up his residence
In Hongkong. So casting about for an
agent. we mentioned the AFFAIR to one
of the lesser officials Of the hotel, who,
through the fundamentally of some
one beneath him. succeeded in getting
US the person we desired. We did not
engage the man outright as valet or
personal attendant, but we promised
him good payment II he should succeed
In finding the carpenter. Koon-Si.
The fellow answered glibly enough in
pigeon English and seemed to make
light OF his task, declaring with no lit
tie confidence that IL the carpenter was
on the island he should be found. So
Jim gave him dollar as an earnest of
our intention to do the right thing, and
away he went on his quest, promising
to report that night. He was an ac-
tive, eagle eyed man of some IS and
possessed ready confidence In him
self which was reassuring. was not
little taken with his shrewd, intelli.
gent face, and l felt convinced that we
had Entrusted our mission to the right
person.
However. that night he had nothing
to report. and against all reason Jim
gave him 81 to quicken his intellect
and his feet. The fellow was much
astounded at this unexpected display
OF generosity and honored my uncle
with a doubtful. inquiring look. just as
Q child might who having done wrong
receives kiss instead ofsa beating.
what for you make two piece dol
lar2" he asked. a characteristic utterly
un-Chinese.
why. you poor beggar." said Jim.
III you have been everywhere you say
you have fairly earned It"
A curious smile stole over the Chow's
yellow face, q deep. meaning smile,
thought, and though said nothing
was angry with Jim for 30 cheapening
our wits. But the smile quickly passed
away, and something very different
took its place.
"My alice same makee tank you," he
said. walk welly much more ard to-
mellow molnin."
When he was gone. l turned to Jim.
who met my inquiring glance with q
smile.
Il don't think it's SO foolish as 1t ap-
pears" he said, land anyway his look
Of establishment was worth the extra
dollar. Poor beggar, he doesn't seem
to possess too much of this worlds
goods. What's more, Davie, you know
as well as that in every country allie
glance may be bought. We are stran-
gers In strange land, watched, for all
we know to the contrary, by those who
do not love us. All Yon may prove of
use. Unless am greatly mistaken, he
is shrewd fellow"
Almost too shrewd, thought, and
mentioned the curious smile which I
had seen play across his face, and cast
some doubt upon the genuineness Of
Mr.. Yon's endeavors.
$50. 3d." muttered Mr.. Jim quietly,
"but ! am not blind either. II All Yon
falls In his search tomorrow shall
double his present."
Iadmitted that this was the most ex-
tSaordinary method of procedure of
which had ever heard.
Jim smiled. perhaps, but we are In
China, the land Of inverted notions. II
he fails a third time shall raise the
- to SCI
"And 30 on" said rather mockingly.
"Hr. Yon has only to fail to earn a
comfortable competence. What will be
the reward for the fourth failure7"
II shall add to the dollars a sound
thrashing. and then-well, may hand
him over to the police for obtaining
money under false pretenses."
But All Yon. great as may have been
the temptation, for some inexplicable
reason failed to succumb. and just be-
fore lunch of the following day he In
formed us that he had discovered Mr..
K0on-Si. Jim patted him on the shout.
der and gave him a couple Of dollars
for his good news. and we arranged to
I, set out for the abode Of the esteemed
carpenter as soon as we had finished
luncheon.
Calling Q couple Of rickshaws, we.
under the guidance of Mr.. Yon, who
trotted beside my uncle's carriage.
were run out almost to the extremity
OF the native quarter. and at the bot
tom of q narrow, dark looking street
our guide called q halt. Here the rick
shaw men were discharged. proceed
ing which might have been fraught
with some trouble had not Mr.. Yon,
who seemed little inclined to handy
words. hit one Of the presumptuous
coolies q severe blow on the side of the
head. This effectually silenced the fel-
lows garrulity. and he took the prof
fered fare with an idiotic grin.
We were then led up the above men
TONED little dark street. and presently
we stopped before low, wide doorway
and window combined which opened
upon room some three or four feet
below the level Of the road. Here the
smell Of freshly sawed wood Immediate
~ assailed US, and after infinite peer
ing we at length made out the figures
Of two men working In the interior
gloom.
All Yon said something in Chinese,
and presently one Of the figures looked
up from his work. dropped his saw and
then came slowly towasd us. Natural
" my anxiety was yery great. for II