Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-03-13

GuoI0 u6f6I was ouO oIiS uVOoo oho" "a
dishonesty or cupidity. These people,
with all their intelligence and skill
are wonderfully simple. They are
like children. They are very moral,
1t can readily be understood then,
that we found here a fruitful field.
We found people eager to grasp the
truths that have become the light of
greater nations. I taught Thorn Eng
lish; they taught me their language.
My wife established schools for them
and their children. 1t was a happy
life. But I cannot dwell upon it
further.
~"For ten years this continued. In
that time we made rapid strides. The
ruling houses took great interest in
the progress of the nation in learning.
A certain sort of simple literature was
produced, some even now in existence
showing the quaint simplicity Of the
people. Commerce had become es-
tablished. We hoped that Talmooch
would make name for itself among
the smaller nations. But there was an
evil day in store for us.
"The greedy and covetous eye of
the Chinese fell upon the beauties of
Talmooch. You mayor you may
northumberland the governmental
system of China. To be brief, the
Empire is now under the rule Of the
Mantchoos-a province of northern
China. The Emperor has been called
or was, when I was of the world-a
progressive man, but my experience
here has led me to believe that greed
and cruelty are about all there is to
the Chinese religion. A cousin of the
then ruling family was governor OF
one of the eastern provinces. This
mans name was Hen-Ko-Hi. It was
said that he fell in disgrace with the
Emperor, and to restore himself to
favor, he set out to conquer some new
land and thus enrich his royal cousins
exchequer. At any rate, twenty years
ago, this monster Hen-Ko-Hi swooped
down upon our little island and
brought death and desolation with him.
ct cannot begin to tell you of the.
monstrous cruelties and awful bar
barities practiced by Hen-Ko.Hi and
his followers. The ruling family at
Ouiental, who were Kaleks, were all
put to death. The men of Talmooch
were ruthlessly murdered. The women
were treated in the most BRUTAL man
ner. Some of the women of the
Jumars were very beautiful. These
were taken away. A government was
established which was similar to that
of tributary province of China--in-
dependent, save that it contributed
largely to the maintenance of state at
Pekin. Hen-Ko-Hi proclaimed him
self governor. He set up his court at
Quiental. He appropriated the palace
of the former king. He prevented any
intercourse between the people of Tai
mooch and other lands. He levied
taxes that were excessive. He prac-
ticed all sorts of outrage.
"My own dear wife was taken by
this hated monster. All, American,
you can appreciate my sorrow-my
grief -rr hate. Pardon these falter-
ing words-these tears of an aged
Imourner. Yes, the blasphemous hands
of the scoundrel fell even upon my
wife, and she was taken to Quiental.
Z heard afterward that she put herself
to death rather than submit to the in
dignities heaped upon her,"
Thesold man was weeping, Miss
Arnold had buried her face in her
hands and was sobbing. The blood
boiled through my veins. I felt that
i would like to take q shot at Gov
ernor Hen-Ko-Hi.
The sad memories he had aroused
seemed likely to put an end to the
missionary's story. waited short
time, and as he did not proceed spoke
to him.
"But why do you remain here now,
Mr.. Avery2" 1 asked. care there
not happiness and forgetfulness for
you in England?"
A bitter smile played around his
mouth.
"Crickmore, he replied, "when
you have felt the sorrow I have felt,
you will also feel a morbid pleasure ip
remembrance. But be that as it may
I could not leave, even if would
For twenty years there has been no
opportunity to escape. So severe is
the penalty here for any apparent
effort to defeat the objects of the gov
eminent, and so complete is the sys'
tenn of espionage established by Hen,
Kohl, that not one soul of US mas
ever been able to escape. We can die
that is all. And my time will soon
come. I am far on the pathway now,
What matters it?"
''But Of your arm. Is that, too,
testimony of Hen-Ko, HIS cruelty?'
"Aye, even this poor old FRANC
has many times felt the might Of
his royal wrath. Crickmore, ]
have died q thousand deaths. |
L have stood with this arm |
in fire, praying to God that my soul
be released from the tortured body. !
But it is His will that I should endure
yet little longer. When He pleases,
am ready"
"What was your punishment for3"
I asked.
Nothing. Hen-Ko-Hi is hater OF
all Christians. He fortunes them and
kills them. No European could escape
death or torture at his hands. I have
known him, when was suffering tho
awful torment he put upon me, to call
his officers, that they, too, might en-
Joy the inspiring scene of an old mans
tears. Ali"
'"The fend! He is devil, not q