Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-19
! Observation-Disclosures
! A NOSE FOR
! THE KING
Observation-Disclosures
BY Jack London

HE KING &
Ge5GS15E2S2S2S1
BY Jack London.
In the morning calm of Korea, when
Its peace and tranquility truly mer-
tied Its ancient name. Chosen"
there lived a politician by name vi
Chin Ho. He was man of parts,
and-who shall say?-perhaps in no
wise worse than politicians the world
over. But. unlike his brethren in
otner lands, vi Chin Ho was in Jail.
Not that he had inadvertently divert
ed to himself public moneys. but
mat ne had inadvertently diverted
TOO much. Excess is to be deplor.
ed in all things. even in grating, and
~ Chin Hos excuse had brought him
to most deplorahle straits.
Ten thousand strings of cash he
owed the government, and he lay in
PRISON under sentence Of death. There
was one advantage to the situation
ne had plenty of time in which to
mink. And he thought well. Then
called he the jailer to him.
Most worthy man, you see before
you one most wretched," he began,
Yet all will be we'll with me If YOU
VIII but let me 60 free for one short
hour this night. And all will be well
with you, for l shall see to your ad.
Vancement through the years, and
you shall come at length to the al.
rectorship of all the prisons OF Che.
sen."
How. now?' demanded the miller.
what foolishness is this? One short
hour, and you but waiting for your
mead to be chopped off! And /. with
an aged and much-to-be-respected
mother. not to say anything OF wife
and several children of tender years !,
out upon you for the scoundrel that
you are!"
From the Sacred City to the ends
OF all the Eight Coasts there is no
place for me to hide" vi Chin Ho
made reply. Il am a man of wisdom
put OF what worth my wisdom here
IN prison? Were / free, well know
could seek out and obtain the mon.
ey wherewith to repay the govern.
ment know of nose that will
save me from all my difficulties"
nose!" cried the taller.
a nose said VI Chin Ho. IA re.
markable nose, If may say so. a
most remarkable nose.p
The jailer threwsup his hands des.
pairingly. All, what wag you are.
- what y a yag,. be- laHsAe4.---Po link
that that very admirable wit of yoprs
must go the way of the chopping
blocksss .
and SO saying he turned and went
away. But in the end, being a man
sou OF mead and heart. when the night
was well along he permitted. Y: chin
Ho to go. - =
Straight he went to the Governor
catching him alone and arousinr him
from his sleep.
vi Chin Ho, or I'm no Governor !,
cried the Governor. What ao w,
mere who should be in prison waiting
on the chopping block?"
pray your excellency to listen tc
me, said vi Chin Ho, squatting on
ms mans by the bedside and lighting
MS pipe from the frebox. "a dead
man is without value. 1t is true. ! am
as dead man, without value to the
government, to your excellency. or to
myself But If, so to say, your ex
ceilency were to give me my free
dom"
Il r 4 l
"Impossible!" cried the Governor
BESIDES you are condemned to
DEATH" -
Your excellency well knows that
II ! can repay the ten thousand
strings of cash the government will
pardon me-" vi Chin Ho went ON. "S1l
as ! say, If your excellency were II
give me my freedom for few days
peing man of understanding shomlf
then repay the government and be II
position to be of service to your ex
celency. i should be in position tc
Ne OF very great service to your ex
cellency."
Have you plan whereby Won
nope to obtain this money!" asked
the Governor.
have" said vi Chin Ho
Ihen come with 1t to me tomor
row night; ! would now Sleep" sale
the Governor taking up his srore
where 1t mad been interrupted.
On the following night, HAVING
again obtained leave of absence from
lne 'ailer, VI Chin Ho presented him
self at the Governors bedside,
is 1t you, VI Chin HOP" asked the
Governor And have you the n1an ,,
IT is !, your excellency,o answered
n Chin Ho. land the plan is here"
Speak" commanded the Governor
me plan is here" repeated Y
Chln Ho, here in my hand"
the Governor sat up and openef
MS eyes vi Chin Ho proffered ii
MS hand sheet of paper. The Gov
ernor held it to the light.
Nothing but a nose" said he.
"A bit pinched, SO, and so. your ex
ceiiencS" said VI Chin Ho.
Yes, bit pinched, here and there
as you say" said the Governor.
Withal 1t is an exceeding oorpu
lent nose, thus, and so, all in one
place, at the end" Proceeded VI CHR
no. Your excellency would seek ia,
and wide and many day for thai
nose and find it not"
An unusual nose" admitted the
Governor. '
Chin Ho.
"A most unusual nose" said the
Governor. Never have Soon tba