Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-10

Yalu. he shot an arrow into the stream and
thousands of fish came and made a bridge
of their bodies that he might pass over.
When his pursuers arrived at the stream
the finny bridge swan away, and they
We're left helpless.
The light of the east found amiable
people the other side, who made him
their king. Thus, the King of Corea is to-
day regarded as the son OF heaven" In
point of fact, he is the son of Tai-Won-
Kun. and was appointed to the throne by
the Dowager Queen Che. His father and
elder brother his subjects. for pri-
mOgenture does not obtain in the orient
Ii fISi. the Corean emperor is called.
is an amiabe gentleman of fifty. at present
a widower-if a gentleman with one hun
dred concubines may be called a widower.
Queen Min, who was murdered by the
Japanese the Americans living in Seoul
say, was a woman whose mental powers
surpassed even those of that very remark
able woman, the Empress Dowage. of
China. For over thirty years she was the
power behind the throne. Literally behind
the throne, for the queen, no more than
any other Corean woman. could be viewed
by mortal man other than those of her i'm
mediate family The most subtle diplomacy
was conducted from behind a screen. and
30 ably that the only resource of her enc
mics 10 kill her.
Had Its Humor.
Even this murder-one of the most brutal
tragedies of the century-had it's enliven
who were the only people in Seoul that the
king could then trust, took turns in guard
ing the king and the crown prince while
they slept. Another missionary and his
wife cooked all the food that the hapless
par ate sending it to them in a locked
box. lest. after the oriental fashion. they
would be poisoned.
Now enters the Lady ON. concuhine No.
l. Lady ON announced venerable aunt
with sudden IL necessary that
she leave the palace for her home, and
Lady ON would accompany her. Two pal
anquins were ordered. and in the seclus'on
of the womans quarters the king and the
crown prince bundled in and safely escaped
the palace. where they We're virtually pris-
OnerS. for haven at the Russian legation.
1t must be understood that in Corea not
even the boldest of secret service men
would dare look inside woman's palan-
quin. Naturally. ever since Lady ON has
had her hopes of advancement
1t Is not amusing to be a widower in
Corea. For three years the unfortunate
must abstain from all pleasure. and go
about with sort of gunny bag veil screen
ing his face. Discipline of this sort faciI-
tates marriage. Nevertheless the king has
thus far evaded the Lady ON. She has her
faction. which ascribes every national evil
10 the kings failure 10 take unto himself
new queen and has memorialized the king
in her behalf
A Favorite Custom.
Acknowledging is one of the occupations
OF Seoul In front of the palace gates the
sightseer never fails TO behold a couple or
men squatting behind a low stool on which
lies a roll of paper. This is the memorial.
There memorials about everything un-
der the sun. Here they sit day after day
for time Is of no consequence in Corea Per
haps in time the memorial reaches the king
who in time responds perhaps in the sum
mary fashion h- responded To the memorial
concerning Lady ON:
April -. 1897. Reply to Kim .Kon Vok
and others Your views are quite patriotic
monies which do not require your sugges-
lions Therefore, you need not confuse us
any more by sending memorials You
are. therefore. ordered to go away"
Opera Bouffe.
The kings edcts might be issued nv tho
sultan of comic opera After the Chinese
Japanese war. which gave Corea its indie
pendence. the king determined to be abreast
OF tie times. The army was taken out of
its Ietticoats and put into trousers and
the king ordered that most sacred OH
ject. the topknot. their gun-triCeer
style OF hair dressing Is called to be cut
of. Thus the edict ran:
Laws and rules proceed from the king
Treaty relations must now be observed
with the rest Of the world and changes be
introduced into politics We have there
fore, introduced the new calendar a title of
the Reign and changed the style of dress
and cut OF the topknot You should not
regard us as loving Innovations Wide
sleeves and topknots have become familiar
by usage The topknots and hair bands
stand In the way of health. as you know.