The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-12

ter. and II In the land Of the living 1t
would be in the neighborhood OF some
carpenter shop that we should find him.
II he were living? The doubt was not
palatable. but 1t had 10 be faced. MY Ia
ther had said nothing OF the mans age,
or OF his physical condition; though even
that was as nothing to the fact that he
had incurred the wrath of the society
such wrath was more dangerous than
disease or old age. and though without
his aid we should be like children crying
In the wilderness, we tried 10 prepare
ourselves for even that dire contingency.
The next day and the day after we VI
sited many strange quarters Of the town.
and peered somewhat impertinenty into
many carpenters shops. but without
catching a glimpse OF the man with the
slit nostril. Sometimes we were greeted
with courtesy, but more often with black
looks and q sullen superciliousness which
is peculiar 10 the oriental. And so at
dinner that night we decided to intrust
the mission TO other hands; for our pere-
grinations, coupled with the inevitable
query. "Koon-S3" were such as 10 cause
some speculation among certain classes,
and this was exactly what we did not
want.
Through the police we mighr have
found our man, but we did not wish TO
Law bare our story or our identity. More
over. the police had no jurisdiction out Of
the island, and Kuns 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 or
the hotel, who, through the instrumental
ity OF Some one beneath him, succeeded
in getting us the person we desired. We
did not engage the man outright as vsiet
or personal attendant, but we promised
him good payment II he should succeed
in finding the carpenter. Koon-6i
The fellow answered glibly enough IN
pigeon English and seemed to make light
OF his task, declaring with no little con-
fdence that II the carpenter was on the
island he should be found. SO Jim gave
him n dollar as an earnest OF our inten-
tion TO do the right thing. and away tie
went on his quest, promising to report
that night. He was an active eagle eyed
man Of some and possessed ready
confidence in himself which was reassur-
ing was not a little taken with his
shrewd. Intelligent face. and ! felt con-
vinced 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 20 quicken his intellect and ms
feet The fellow was much astoun6ed at
this unexpected display OF generosity and
honored my uncle with doubtful. induir-
ing look just as a child might who hav-
Ing done wrong receives kiss instead OF
a beating.
What for you make two piece dollar7''
he asked. a characteristic utterly un-
Chinese
why. you poor beggar," said Jim. "if
you have been everywhere you say you
have fairly earned II"
curious smile stole over the Chow's
yellow face, n deep, meaning smile, I
thought. and though I said nothing ! was
angry with Jim for 30 cheapening our
wits. But the smile quickly passed away.
and something very different took rs
place
MY alice same makee tank you" he
said. Walk wely much more ard to-
mellow molnin."
When he was gone. turned TO Jim. who
met my inquirins glnnce with a smile.
II don't think its 40 foolish a. II ap-
pears" he said. 'and anyway his look OF
astonishment was worth the extra dol
lar. Poor beggar he doesn't seem to
possess too much Of this worlds goods.