The Elbert County tribune., 1905-01-26
why Sam Went
, Back to China

In San Francisco lived a lawyer. age.
say sixty-rich in money, rich in iateuect
"a business man with many interests.
This lawyer resided in his bachelor apart
ments with 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.
II there was 10 be company-one guest or
"A hundred-Sam was told the number
that was al. and everything was provid-
man. friend. No stray. unwished-for sis-
itor ever reached the master to rob him
OF his rest when at home.
IL extra help was wanted Sam secured
it: he bought what was needed, and when
the lawyer awakened in the morning, 1t
was to the singing OF n tiny music box
with n clock attacnment. set for o clock.
The bath was ready: clean shirt was
there on the dresser with studs and but
the suit of clothes desired hung over a
chair: the right pair of shoes. polished
like mirror, We're at hand and on the
mantel was half-blown rose, with the
dew still upon 1t. for boutonniere; down
stairs the breakfast. hot and savory.
awaited When the good man was reaoy
TO go TO his office. silent as shadow
stood Sam in the hallway. with overcoat.
hat and cane in hand. II the weather wa
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 vacation: ne seemed
ways near when needed; he disappeared
when he should. He knew nothing. and
he knew everything. For weeks scarce
well.
The Lawyer grew to have a greet affec-
ton for his servant. lie paid linn 500
a month. and tried to devise other ways
to show his gratitude. but Sam wanted
sired was the privilege to serve Bur
one morning as sam poured his masters
coffee he said quietly. without shade
i leave you"
The hwyer smiled.
Next week | leave you. repeated the
Chinaman; II hire for you better man.
The lawyer set down his cup of coffee
He looked at the whte-robed servant; hI
felt the man was In earnest.
so you are going TO leave me I do
not pay, you enough, eeh? That DR., SAM
ders who was here-he knows what a
treasure you are. Don't be fool sam:
IN make 1t si5o month-say no more,;
ma. said the the servant want lrnpassivfsiy. ii 70 ,"'-
oh. see: you are going back for a
wife All right. bring her here-you will
bring your wife here; there is work for
two to keep this place in order; the place
is lonely anyway. I'll see the collector Of
the port myself and arrange your passage
papers
papers: l never come back" said the
man, with exasperating calmncss and per-
~By God. you shall not sol'' said the
..By God. 1 willr answered the China
II was the first time In all their expert
ence together that the servon. had used
such language or such tone toward his
master.
The lawyer pushed his chair hack. and
after an instant. said quietly: Sam. you
must forgive me. / spoke uuickly-I do
not own you-but tell me. what have ]
done-why do You leave me this wy?
You know I need you?'
II will not tell you why eo-yc"
mo I shall not laugh"
You Will
II saw | will notf
Very well: / to China to dier'
Nonsense you can die here. Haven't
die before / do2"
~ die in four weeks. two days.
'What!'
my brother he in prison. He twenty
six: / fifty. He have wife and baby.
In China they accept any man OF same
family instead to die. I go to China.
/ die"
The next day new ChInaman APP
peared as servant In the lawyers house
hold In a week this new servant knew
everything and nothing. Just like Sam
Sam disa ppeared without saying good
by He went to China and was behcnded
four weeks and two days from the day
he broke the news OF his intent to go.
His brother was set free
And the LAWYERS household goes along
aboGt 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 hs says nothing.
Fiber and Fabric