The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1908-01-31


piercing the shadows at the Sign OF
the Rat. Sing Chong arose and placed
the sum of many winnings in the folds
of his garments. He had burned many
7punks before the face OF the great
god OF fortune, and the Fates had
smiled upon him. So there was peace
In the heart OF Sing Chong and many
yen in his pocket. II was too early
FOR the white smoke, and Sing Chong
glided into the night. stealing like
shadow from wall to wall. For II was
not wise for an honorable one to run
into the nets of sons of swine" as
sometimes happens when the honor
able one has won many yen.
And besides the white pigs" were
on his trail. For had not Sing Chong
made much money from the sale OF
the daughters of the Flowery land?
And Ii is ever the way of the white
devils" to pry into the business of an
honest man.
AS Sing Chong fitted from shadow
to shadow, he deserted a man and
woman walking in the street. They
only they would wander lightly where
even the devils from the earthpit
tread softly. They were in charge
OF Chinese guide, and as Sing Chong
recognized his features, dark smile
lighted up his heavy face
Approaching the guide, Sing Chong
remarked that the woman was very
ft11 uyffh hair thA int
Truly she was prize, and Sing Chong
regarded her with friendly smile.
"Hearken, first born of an ape" he
commanded, laying a claw-like hand
on the shrinking shoulder of the guide,
bring the strangers to the home of
Mother Ho Chow, and see that thou
do it safely, or | will slit thy throat,
son of a devil hag," and he glided
into a nearby alley without pausing
for reply.
For few moments he pressed on
ward, and then pausing at window
from which beamed a green light,
tapped thrice upon the pane. A sound
of shutting footsteps followed and the
door was opened by a Chinese bag.
upon her visitor.
Lister, Mother Ho Chow" he said
rapidly, without greeting, "soon will
a man and a woman of the white
snakes come TO greet you All Lin
leads them by my order AS they en-
ter | will strike the man; To you is
left the woman. II you do your work
"a
for you, and Wah Hotai will rejoice"
THE arm of Ho is strong, and her
stick cuts deep into the flesh" she an
swered; THY white slave shall be well
taught. And the bars are strong
ut is well. | hear their footsteps.
and the time is come. Greet them
softly and bid them welcome"
The bag opened the door in re-
Spouse to the summons of the guide,
and welcomed them with smiling
face and many words of pleasure.
Sing Chong crouched behind the door
In his hand DULY cleaned a heavy
bar of iron.
For an instant he watched, then as
the door closed he struck with sud
den HerCeneSS, ana the DOQy crum-
pied and sank at his feet At the same
instant the bag sprang upon the girl
aud bore her to the strong room,
gagged her to stife her cries, and
swiftly bound her wrists and ankles
Mother Ho had not handled girls for
20 years for nothing With flying
fingers she stripped the jewels and
Clothing from her prisoner and
dragged her through evil-smelling
corridors to bare room Illuminated
by "a single candle. And from its
place on the wall she lplucked blood
stained whip.
At the Sign of the Rat the white
stn0ke curled around the head of
Joss, and the smokers breathed heavi-
~ Sing Chong drew gently at his
pipe and thanked Wah !Hotai for his
Kindness. And in the smoky haze
the god seemed to smile Con him and
promise him mach trpasure for his