The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-01-25
lWhy Sam Went
! Back to China


In San Francisco lived a lawyer. age,
say sixty-rich In money, rich in intellect
"a business man with many interests.
This lawyer resided in his bachelor apart
ments with a Chinese servant named
Sam.
Sam and his master had been together
for fifteen years. The servant knew the
wants Of his employer as though he were
his other self: no orders were necessary.
If there was to be company-one guest or
a hundred-Sam was told the number.
that was all. and everything was proyid-
ed. This servant was cook, valet, watch
man. friend. No stray. unwished-for Wis
itor ever reached the master to rob him
of his rest when at home.
II extra help was wanted Sam secured
II: he bought what was needed; and when
the lawyer awakened in the morning II
was to the singing of a tiny music box
with clock attachment, set for o'clock.
The bath was ready; a clean shirt was
there on the dresser, with studs and but
tons in place; collar and scarf were near
the suir Of clothes desired hung over a
cha. the right pair Of shoes, polished
like mirror, were at hand and on the
mantel was a half-blown rose, with the
dew still upon II, for a bOutonniere; down
stairs the breakfast, hot and savory
awaited. When the good man was ready
to go 10 his Office. silent as shadow
stood Sam in the hallway, with overcoat,
hat and cane In hand. If the weather was
threatening an umbrella was substituted
for the cane, the door was opened and
the master departed. When he returned
at night, on his approach the door swung
wide.
Sam never took a vacation; he seemed
not to either eat or sleep. He was all
ways near when needed: he disappeared
when he should. He knew nothing. and
he knew everything For weeks scarce
ly word might pass between these
two men, they understood each other so
well.
The lawyer grew to have a great affec-
tion for his servant. He paid him S1OO
a month"; and tried to devise other ways
to show his gratitude but Sam wanted
nothing, not even thanks. All he de-
sired was the privilege to serve. But
one morning as Sam poured his masters
coffee he said quietly, without a shade
Of emotion in his yellow face: ''Noxt week
/ leave you.
The lawyer smiled.
Next week leave you" repeated the
Chinaman; Il hire for you better man."
The lawyer set down his cup of coffee.
He looked at the white-robed servant: he
felt the man was in earnest.
80 you are going to leave me. do
not pay you enough. eh? That DR.. San
ders who was here-he knows what
III make it $50 month-say no morev'
Next week | leave you. | go to Chi
ma said the servant impassively.
''Oh / see; you are going back for a
wife All right, bring her here-you will
return in two months; / do not object;
bring your wife here; there is work for
two 70 keep this place in order; the place
is lonely anyway. Ill see the collector Of
the port myself and arrange your passage
paperx
u go to China next week; need no
papers: / never come back" said the
man, with exasperating calmness and per-
@By God. you shall not gol" said the
''By God. I willl'' answered the China
Il was the first time in all their experi-
ence together that the servant had used
such language or such tone toward his
master.
The lawyer pushed his chair hack and.
after an instant, said quietly: Sam. you
nsust forgive me. l spoke quickly-I do
not own you-but tell me, what have
done-why do you leave me this way?
You know / need your"
4 win not tell you why go-yca
laugh"
You will"
Il say will notF'
Very well: / go TO China to dieg'
Nonsense. you can die here. Haven't
agreed to send your body back II you
u die in four weeks. two days.
''What!''
my brother. he in prison; He twenty
six: I fifty. He have wife and baby.
In China they accept any man OF same
family instead to die. l 20 to China.
give my money to my brother-he live.
dier'
The next day new Chinaman ap-
peared as servant In the lawyers house,
hold. In week this new servant knew
everything. and nothing. Just like Sam.
Sam disappeared without saying good
by. He went to China and was behcaded
four weeks and two days from the day
he broke the news ar his intent to GO
His brother WAS set free
And the lawyers household goes along
about as usual. save when the master |
calls for Sam when he should say |
Charlie" Then there comes a kind of |
clutch at his heart. but he says nothing.
Fiber and Fabric.
BiIks- -skinnem tells me he is going into