The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-09-26
The REMORSEFUL TIGER.
A Chinese Story ofWrongdc-
ing and Reparat7on.
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earned an uUSuFldUlS uOCOliStS Aoi
oeing infested with ferocious tigers.
Before Yuan had been in Office three
months the inhabitants applied to
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 the district and to
keep its people from harm, by ad-
dressing to it the following appeal:
The Magistrate Ying has been in
Office in this district for almost three
moaths, 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 its
boundaries, which is without doubt
due to want of virtue ca the part OF
the magistrate and cannot be regard
ed as in any way the fault of the
guardian spirit. The magistrate has
endeavored 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-
mieistered 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 rot 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 infiicting endless sorrow on the
people? Such an act Of benefcence
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 a 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 bearing 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 fell deep sorrow for the
poor old widow. at once issued 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 r'uch pleased a: undertaking
such a dangerous arrest, which would
probably result in their being eaten
like the widows son. But their chief
was not an officer to be trifled with,
and they did not dare 20 disobey his
order. They Immediately proceeded
to the mountains, and when they
reached there they at once made a
copy Of the magistrates warrant,
which they burned as 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 warran: than down went his ears
and tail, and his whole demeanor
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 CT the law,
and he quietly followed the police
without making any show of resist
ance Arrived at the magistrate S
court the tiger at once knelt before
the magistrate. who commenced to
n ar the case, while the widow wept
and abused the cause Of her sons
death. Leo ing sternly at the tiger
and pointing to the old widow, the
magistrate thus addressed the FOR
uer:
This poor old widow depended
for support on her son. He has been
devoured by you. You beast Of i'll
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 IS thoroughly