Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1906-09-22
THE REMORSEFUL TIGER.
A Chinese Story OfWrOnGdO-
ing and ReparatiOH.
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trate OF a district far removed from
his native home. This district haC
earned an unenviable notoriety fol
being infested with ferocious tigers
Before Yuan had been in Office three
months the inhabitants applied tc
their official parent to devise some
means of relieving them from Their
trouble.
The magistrate, who was kind.
hearted man and anxious for the well
fare of his flock, at once brought the
matter before the spirit whose
special province it was to watch over
the interests of tho district and to
keep its people from harm, by ad-
dressing to it the following appeal:
1.-THE Magistrate Wing has been in
office in this district for almost three
months, but owing to his want of
ability he has been unable to advance
the welfare of the people and to Sc
cure to them the blessings of peace
and contentment. For tigers have
been creating trouble within it's
boundaries, which is without doubt
due to want of virtue Cl the part of
the magistrate and cannot be regard
ed as in any way the fault of the
guardian spirit. The magistrate has
endeayored to find out in what re-
spect he has failed in his duty, but
though he has searched his heart to
discover his shortcomings he has not
been able to find that he has in any
way neglected his duty. He has ad-
ministered Justice with an even hand
and has done all in his power to re-
lieve the sufferings of his people. But
If he has not violated his duty if he
has not been guilty of oppression and
eXtortion, how can the frequent
raids of tigers be explained? Must
| the tiger hunters be tried for having
been remiss in their exertions to ex-
tirpate the pest, or will the guardian
| spirit, prompted by pity for the suf-
ferings of the people, be pleased to
drive away the tigers to their lairs in
the mountains, thus preventing them
from INJECTING endless sorrow on the
people? Such an act of beneficence
will earn the undying gratitude of
the magistrate. But If the presence
of tigers in the district is really due
to the incompetence of the magistrate
and to his oppressive administration,
then let him be tried by the laws of
the empire and be punished by the
gods, without fear or favor"
The earnestness of this appeal
moved the guardian spirit, for few
days afterward it had been issued
many tigers were captured, every one
declaring this satisfactory result to
be due to. the beneficent action of the
spirit.
About this time there was an old
widow, more than sixty years of age,
who had an only son. and who depend
ed on his wood-cutting for her living.
One day her son, who lad as usual
gone into the hills to cut wood, was
seized by a tiger and devoured. His
old mother, on hearing of the sad oc-
currence, was overwhelmed with
grief. Having, .owever, heard how
kind and good the magistrate was she
repaired to his presence, loudly weep
ing.
The magistrate, who was much af-
fected and felt deep sorrow for the
roor old widow, at once issued a war
rant and ordered his police to arrest
the tiger which had been guilty of
the enor:nity of eating the widows
son. The police naturally did not
feel ruch pleased at undertaking
such dangerous arrest, which would
probably result in their being eaten
like the widows son. But their chief
was not an officer to be trihed with,
and they did not dare to disobey his
order. They Immediately proceeded
to the mountains, and when they
reached there they at once made
copy of the magistrates warrant,
which they burned as a sacrifice, pray
ing at the same time to the spirit of
the mountains.
They had scarcely finished their Of
fering and prayers when suddenly the
roar of the tiger, waited on the
breeze, reached their ears. The roar
almost frightened them out of their
wits, and when the tiger itself sud
denly appeared on the scene they felt
sure their last moments were nigh.
But they hurriedly produced the mag
istrate's warrant, behind which they
carefully screened themselves.
The tiger up to that time had worn
the most ferocious appearance, but
no sooner did his flashing eyes behold
the warranS than down went his ears
NnD III, hi 40,
changed from wild ferocity to tame
submission. He seemed to realize at
once that the majesty even of a tiger
must yield to the majesty of the law,
and he quietly followed the police
without making any show Of resist
ance. Arrived at the magistrates
court the tiger at once knelt before
tho magistrate, who commenced to
ar the case, while the widow wept
and abused the cause of her sons
death. Loo ing sternly at the tiger
and pointing to the old widow, the
magistrate thus addressed the for
m er:
This poor old widow depended
for support on her son. He has been
deyoured by you. You beast OF Ill
omen! On whom can she now rely
for a livelihood? Even If you are
condemned and put to death, how can
that compensate the widow for her
loss?"
Hearing this the tiger dropped his
head and seemed to be thoroughly
repentant. The magistrate, observ-
ing the change in the tigers demean-
or, continued:
LAS now see you fully realize the
enormity of your crime and are sin
cerely sorry for what you have done,
/ grant you pardon, and decide that
you shall hepceforth act as the son of
the old widow, whose wants, both as
regards food and clothes, 1t will be
your duty to supply"
The tiger looked much relieved and