Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-06-05
CHAPTER ~.

l.
There are hundred passengers on
board the Astara-a large number Of
them Caucasians trading with Turkestan,
and who will be with us all the way to
the eastern provinces Of the Celestial
Empire.
AS l am going to pass the night on
deck, l return up the cabin stairs. The
American is there just finishing the re-
packing OF his case.
May l ask how many teeth you are
Importing into China in those cases."
Eighteen hundred thousand, without
counting the wisdom teeth
And Ephrinell began to laugh at the
little joke, which he fred off on several
other occasions during the voyage. 1
left him and went on to the bridge be-
tween the paddle boxes.
A rather large deal case, covered with
a tarpaulin. attracts my attention. 1t
measures about a yard and half in
height and a yard in width and depth
1t has been placed here with the care
required with these words in Russian.
Keep from Damp" and then directions
'Top-Bottom." which have been re-
spected. And then there is the address,
Coua, Pekin. Petchili, China"
This Zinca Klork-her name showed
fought to be a Roumanian. and she
was taking advantage Of this through
train on the Grand Transasiatic to get
request at the shops of the Middle King
dom? How otherwise could the fair
Celestials admire their almond eyes and
their elaborate hair?
The bell rang and announced the 6
o'clock dinner. The dining room is for
ward. Ephrinell mad installed himself
nearly in the middle. There was a va
cant seat near him; he beckoned to me to
occupy it.
Was it by chance? know not; but
the Englishwoman was seated on Ephri-
nell's left and talking to him. He in
trOduced me.
Miss Horatia Bluett," he said.
Opposite saw the French couple con-
scientiously studying the bill Of fare. At
the other end Of the table. close to where
the food came from, was the German
with ruddy face, fair hair, reddish
heard. clumsy hands and very long
nose which reminded one Of the probosci.
dean feature Of the plantigrades.
He is not late this time" said t.
Ephrinell. do you know his name?"
Baron Observation-Disclosures.
"And with that name is he going to
Pekn?"
ITO Pekin. like that Russian major
who is sitting near the captain of the
Astara."
l looked at the man indicated. He
was about fifty years Of age. of true
Muscovite type, beard and hair turning
gray. face prepossessing.
"You said he was a major. Mr.. Ephri-
nell?'
Eyes: doctor in the Russian army.
and they call him Major Noltitz"
Evidently the American was some dis
lance ahead of me, and yet he was not
a reporter by profession. Ephrinell chat
ted with Miss HOratia Bluett, and I'M
derstOOd that there was an understand.
ing between these two perfectly Anglo
Saxon natures.
In fact, one was traveller in teeth,
and the other was traveller in hair.
Miss Horatia Bluett represented an i'm
pOrtant firm in London, Messrs Holiness
Iolme, to whom the Celestial Empire
annually exports two millions Of female
heads of hair.
The pitching now becomes very vio-
lent. The majority of the company can
not stand it. About thirty of the pas
sengers have left the table for the deck.
l hope the fresh air will do them good.
We are now only dozen in the dining
room, including the captain, with whom
Major NOltitz is quietly conversing. Eph-
rinell and Miss Bluett seem to be thor
srbl ;,,o, Ii
cidents of navigation. The German bar
on drinks and eats as il he had taken
up his quarters in some bier-halle at
Munich or Frankfort.
A little way off are the two Celes-
tals, whom l watch with curiosity. One
is young man of distinguished bearing,
about twenty-five years old, of pleasant
physiognOmy. in spite of his yelloW skin
and narrow eyes. A few years spent in
Europe have evidently Europeanized his
manners and even his dress. His mus
tache is silky. his eye is intelligent, his
hair is much more French than Chinese.
His companion, on the contrary, whom
he always appears to be making fun of,
is of the type of the true porcelain doll
with the moving head he is from fifty
to fifty-fve years old. like monkey in
the face, the top of his head half shaw.
en-. the pigtail down his back the tradi-
tional costume, frock, vest. belt, baggy
trousers, many -colored slippers; a China
vase of the Green family. He, however
could hold out no longer, and after a
tremendous pitch. accompanied by a
long rattle of the crockery, he gave uu
and hurried on deck. And as he did 90
the younger Chnaman shouted after
him. "Cornaro! Cornaro." at the same
time holding out a little volume he had
left on the table.
What was the meaning OF this Italian
word in an oriental mouth?
Madame Caterna arose. very Dale. and
Monsieur Caterna, model husband, fol
lowed her on deck.
CHAPTER V.
1t is half-past ten when l sit down or
one Of the seats in the stern of tn,
Astara. But with this Increasing winf
1t is impossible for me to remain there
l rise, therefore, and make my way for
.,,,J VvpIar ho br;1po tosxu..