The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-02-04
y 81 e &g $:2 II


light Of his task, declaring with no lit
tie confidence that If 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 50 and
possessed ready confidence In him
self which was reassuring. was not
a little taken with his shrewd, intelli-
gent face, and felt convinced that we
had intrusted 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
child might who having done wrong
receives kiss instead of beating.
"What for you make two piecee dol
lar?" he asked, a characteristic utterly
im-Chnese.
"Why, you poor beggar.' said Jim,
"lf you have been everywhere you say
you have fairly earned it,"
A curious smile stole over tn. elbows
yellow face, deep, meaning smile, I
thought, and though | said nothing I
iegswas angry with Jim for so cheapening
our wits. But the smile quickly passed
away, and something very different
took Its place.
"My alice same makce tank you" he
said. walk welly much more ard to-
mellow molnn"
When he was gone, turned to Jim,
Tho met my inGuiring glance with a
smile.
II 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 world 5
foods What's more, Davie, you know
as well as that in every country ale
glance may be bought We are stran-
gers In a 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 shrcwd fellow"
Almost too shrewd, thought, and l
mentioned the curious smile which
had seen play across his face. and cast
some doubt upon the genuineness of
Mr. YOn's endeavors.
$50, So" muttercd Mr.. Jim quietly
"but am not blind either. If All Yon
fails in his search tomorrow l shall
double his present.
admitted that this was the most OK
traordinary 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
81 to 49,"
"And so on" ! said rather mockingly
"Mr. Yon has only to fail to earn a
comfortable competence. What will be
the reward for the fourth failureW
II shall add to the dollars SOUND
thrashing, and then-~well, may hant
him over to the police for obtaining
money under false pretenses.'
But All Yon great as may have beer
the temptation, for some incxpllcablt
reason failed to succumi, and just be
fore lunch Of the following day he in
formed us that he had discovered Mr.
Koon-Si. Jim patted him on the shoul
der and gave him a couple of dollars
for his good news and we arranged tf
set out for the abode Of the eSteemct
carpenter as soon as we had finished
luncheon.
Calling couple of rickshaws, we
under the guidance Of Mr.. Yon. who
trotted beside my uncle's carriage
were run out almost to the extremity
pf the native quarter, and at the DOT
Aom of a narrow, dark looking stree
our guide called halt Here the rick
shaw men were discharged, proceed
Ing which might have been fraugh
with some trouble had not Mr.. Yon
who seemed little inclined to band.
words, hit one of the presumption
coolies n severe blow on the side OF tn
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 PRESENT.
we stopped before low, wide doorwa
and window combined which opcne'
upon room some three or four fee
below the level Of the road Here tn
smell of freshly sawed wood immediate
ly assailed us, and after infinite peel
ing we at length made out the figure
of two men working in the intcrlo
gloom.
All Yon said something in Chinese
and presently one Of the figures locke
IN from his work, dropped his saw an
then came slowly toward us. Natura
Nv my anxiety was very great. for
was highly probable that this povert
stricken carpenter, living this wretche
life in this vile den of cellar was til
man we had come so many Thousand
Of miles to see, the man VINO misi
possibly be our salvation.
Therefore I scanned him closely, an
\ dirty, ugly, almost repcllent race
was, but | saw with joy. with 10
which was not unmixed with horro
that his broad left nostriI had been 81
n two.
''It's he" said Jim.
eyes"
The carpenter looked mp, ana his eye
were black and beady like rats.
"What seeks your honorable cond
hcension" he asked in very good EN-
fish.
~ Jim looked about him before spcal
Ing. Then leaning forward h" 'ow"r'