The Delta independent., 1907-11-15
no LING,
THE PESSIMlST

dismally, this matter of living IS
most evil arrangement"
Had the guest who was at that mo-
ment with him in the back room of
Hos laundry been other than that
fat, jolly, old glutton, Ye Loo, no
doubt Ho would have been answered
with wall tuned. out of politeness,
to the same doleful key. But Ye had
just come from a good meal at his
own abode. and was at that very mo-
mCnt finding excellent picking among
Hos melon seeds and preserved gin
ger and he was in no mood 70: even
a sympathetic wall.
"Haai, no. honorable man." returned
Ye sturdily. "Of what use complain.
when with a little care life can be
made so full of good food?"
"A mighty bill for the coal ! have
used in the laundry is about to be pre-
sented to me. and | shall be without
means of satisfying it for an odd
week"
Truly that need not keep you from
nibbling little" retorted Ye. Eat,
benefcent one" and he pushed the
round box, divided into compartments
containing different sweetmeats.
across the table.
Il cannot; | am a person of misfor-
tune. | had in mind to buy n lottery
ticket today, and that triumphant ad-
dlepate. Ye Sc, who peddles them,
chose the most unlucky Moment of the
day to enter my abode He came
early, during the hour of the ape.
when he knew that the hour of the
dog was my fortunate period. Ai-ya,
am ever a weak.kneed scoundrel, so |
purchased one. But as usual nothing
will come of IT."
Old Ye went on with his endeayors
to cheer his host.
This mighty bill" Ye continued,
"astonish me by naming the sum, be-
neficent man"
"Twenty-four yen" said Ho Ling,
with becoming gravity. and only an
odd month ago cleared away simi-
lar one Ai-ya. this miserable profes-
sion OF clothes washing"
"Haai, And all that for coal con-
sumed in the laundry. Without doubt
you are doing n mighty business"
1T is too much for my wretched
back. Presently | shall be compelled
tc hire a Iaborer and all such are
very fends for wasting"
Ye. stilI under the joyial spell of his
good dinner at home. and the box of
sweetmeats before him. continued TO
strive to impart some OF his own con-
tentment TO his friend.
Never begin to be n person of
grief" he cried. That matter of the
bill is of no such importance. | had
hoped TO supply you with the neccs-
gary yen until you could secure it. but
/ have not SO great n sum of silver in
my blouse sleeve. But that foreign
devil who sells the coal will be easily
appeased by such mighty patron as
yourself Eat fearlcssly. honorable
man"
Ho Ling sorrowfully wagged his
head.
Il have no stomach" he returned.
sadly. II shall have none until that
matter Of the bill shall be settled.
Without doubt It will be long waiting
for an appetite. honorable man"
"AiyR." squealed Ye this time deep
" sympathetic. Never think such a
thing OF terror. See. mighty suffer.
cr go at once. and shall presently
make triumphant return with the
necessary yen
such mighty pity" murmured Ho
Ling. wriggling about on his stool.
Such friendship | cannot bear it,"
Prepare food for yourself" ans
wercd Yc Loo, as he shuilled out.
Your stomach soon shall be returned
to you"
When the friendly old glutton had
gone, Ho Ling settled down upon his
stool to enjoy his melancholy humor.
Only n short time had elapsed when
the door opened and he caught the
sound of Yes returning feet The
blouse sleeve of the honorable fat
man gave forth no sound of tinkling
yen, but his round face wore such
look of ecstasy that Ho Ling arose and
cried out:
What great fortune. honorable per-
son? Begin upon 1t at once, and drag
me from my misery"
"The lottery" exclaimed Ye Loo.
prepare n mighty feast. But an odd
door below here the beneiicent ic Sc
came upon me with the news that
your fortunate ticket had secured the
mighty prize of forty yen. The coal
devil can now be satisfied. and, more,
your stomach is returned to you
For single instant joyous grin
flashed across the face of Ho Ling,
and was gone again.
"Ai-ya!" he croaked, II am indeed
person of i'll fortune"
"Then let me be one also"
"But think, honorable man. how
much might be done with the forty
yen II there was no foreign devil to be
satisfied. The circumstances have