Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-01-09
THE HANDG A S S

One day party of English tourists
passed through Jowcuski, in China,
and stayed long enough for one of the
ladies to lose handglass in the jim
rikisha in which she had ridden.
When kiki Tsum, the owner of the
vehicle, saw his find, he looked it over
intently and with the most astonished
face In the world.
"As i've" he cried, "this is the por-
trait of my dear father, dead these four
years."
Going home, he hid the glass in an old
pot of earthenware and said nothing
about it to his young wife.
During the next few days Kiki Tsum
labored under great excitement. Day
and night he thought about the portrait
he had found, and frequently he left
his bed or his work to go and see If his
treasure was still in his possession.
Lii Tsee, his wife, became suspicious.
"Why should he appear with an anx-
ious face and leave with one STEPPED
in Importance" she mused. Still later
she discovered that Iliki Tsum before
going out made it a point always to
remain in the little back room for a
minute or two. The key to his secret
behavior must be somewhere in that
room. Lii Tsee made it her business
to investigate, and there was not a
piece of furniture or decoration in the
room she did not turn inside out, but
her work was all in vain. Finally she
mousetrapped her husband at the mo-
ment he was hiding the pot in which
she kept her rose leaves. Kiki Tsum,
like all guilty men, quickly invented
an excuse or explanation of his carry
ings on. He lied. The pot had stood
on one end only, and he had been
obliged to correct the negligence of 9TH
erS.
"Ah, yes, poor manw said Lii, kiss
ing the deceiver goodby, but he had
scarcely got across the street when she
clambered upon chair and discovered
what? A mysterious something. She
lifted it with care and brought 1t up to
her face to examine 1t. Oh, cruel truth,
the portrait of woman, and Lili had
considered Kiki Tsum model hus-
band. The poor girl sat down upon
the floor and cried bitterly. That then.
was the reason why he came home so
often. The feeling of injury gave way
to that of indignation, of wrath. Again
she looked for the portrait and now
wondered that Kiki Tsum could love
woman with such face-eyes swollen,
cheeks pale and dirty-and now the
eyes expressed rage and contempt.
Lii Tsee became frightened. No; she
would never look at the thing again.
Then she grew respondent. Life in
deed was not worth living, and as to
cooking dinner, she could not think of
it. When Kiki Tsum arrived home in
the evening, he was astonished to find
neither meal nor wife awaiting him.
Searching for both, he made his way
to the back room.
$50 that is the way you treat your
wife after only few months of mar
riage? Where is your fidelity you who
are always talking about your manli-
nessY
1.-THE woman is crazy" said Kikl
Tsum to himself and then he added
aloud: What ails you, Lii Tsee? Tell
me the meaning of this nonsense"
"Nonsensev cried Lii Tsee you
hide the portrait of your paramour in
my rose pot and dare dispute its sinful
purport? Take it. Watch over it. Car
ry it on your heart l don't want to
see it. The monster-the ugly FACET
"But | don't understand!' gasped
the husband.
"You don't, don't you?" cried the lit
tie woman. "Ah, but l understand IT
all. You love that woman in the frame"
Now 1t became Kiki Tsum's turn to
grow angry. THAT picture" he said,
represents my late father. l found it
some time ago in my carriage thinking
the gods had sent it TO me. To save it
and keep it secure / placed it in the
rose pot"
"You must think me an idiot" cried
the wife. "Have / not known your ia
ther, and am I unable to distinguish
between the face of man and that of
womanY
The two continued their wordy bat
tie, which became more fierce every
minute. until the neighbors were
aroused. They sent for the village
priest to restore order. The bonze
came. my children" he said. what
are you quarreling for? Tell me at
once, so may try to decide who is the
guilty party"
"Father," exclaimed Lii Tsee, "my
husband secreted the picture of wo-
man in my rose pot. That caused all
this trouble"
II swear l never possessed another
portrait but that of my sainted sire"
And the husband raised his hands to
heaven.
"Children, children" said the holy
father, with much dignity, "before
decide your quarrel let me see the por
trait"
1t was handed to him, and the bonZe
looked into the handglass steadily for a
minute or longer Then he shook his