The Washington times., 1904-11-20

IT. HE following stories told in Chino
by a Chinaman give a glimpse Of
a little recognized trait Of Chi
nese character-keen appreciation
of humor. Such stories naturally lose IN
translation. especially those which de-
pend for their complete understanding
upon a knowledge of Chinese customs,
but nevertheless they show that the
Celestial Is not as impassive a mortal as
he is sometimes represented TO be.
Dividing the Crops.
Once upon a time there were two
brothers who cultivated their farm in
partnership. When the season had come
TO harvest their rice crops the younger
asked: How shall we divide the crop
between us2"
Sac Da, the elder. answered: 81 will
take the upper half and you shall have
the lower"
'Tha, wouldn't be fair" said the
younger man.
IF I take the top half this time and
you take it next time. will that do?"
the elder asked.
His brother thought there could be no
objection TO this plan. and contented
7
ing forward meanwhile 10 the next
years harvest, when all the grain should
be his, as it was Sac Da's this year.
When seed-time came round again the
younger asked. shall We SOW the rice
now?"
90" said his brother. my idea is that
we should plant potatoes this year"
Bathtubs and Bamboo Trees.
Two friends We're talking together.
One said, In my house there is a bath
which Is so large that if 5000 men were
to bathe in it they would only take up
tiny bit OF space
AT my home" repoined the other,
there is "A bamboo tree which has
/ grown so high as TO reach the sky; and
| because it couldn't get any higher the
/ top has bent round and grown down
again till il touches the ground.
There never were such bambOOs.
said his friend Indignantly.
IF there were no such bamboos," re-
torted the second speaker, how could
/ your bath be bound roundE
/ The baths Of the Chinese are generally
made of wood hound Il geihc with BAN
/ bOos
His Diplomacy Failed.
( There was once upon a time a very
unhlial son. So disobedient was he that
II his father told him to go 10 the east
/ he would go to the west; If his father
told him to go to the west he would in.
variably go toward the east. This is q
! Chinese idIom for expressing a contra
dictCry disposition. All his life long ht
4 had been disohedient.
! At last the old man. as he lay on his
/ deathbed, greatly feared that lis undu-
! tiful son would not take the trouble Il
/ bury him in a favorable spot Aftel
much cOgitatiOn he thought of a plaI
/ for insurins what is of such vital i'm
/ portance in Chinese eyes. If die" ht
[ said, you must bury me in the water
! The father concluded that. in accord
! asee with his usual line of conduct. this
son would do the exact opposite Of What
/ he was told. SO, after congratulatine
| himself, no doubt on his astuteness Ia
/ arranging 70 get buried IN a good place
| on dry land, the old man died
! But. alas! his admirable scheme failed
/ After the fathers death the Young mar
said TO himself, "All my lifetime l have
disobeyed my father; now that he is
dead 1 VIII obey him this once So, il
/ scTupulous obedience TO the dying IL
! junction he buried his father in ths
] wafer.
Not Worried About Weather.
A certain man was very fond of call.
ing upon his friends. and. unfortunately
when he once got into their houses il
was very difficult 10 get him out OF then