The Garland globe. [volume] (Garland, Utah) 1906-191?, 1908-01-25
the DRAGONS
CLAW
BY A. n. N artln

/
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
| punks 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 a
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 F'lowery 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 man and a
woman walking in the street They
were of the white pigs" tribe, for
only they would wander lightly where
even the devils from the earth-pit
tread softly. They were in charge
of a 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
beautiful, with hair like the finest jet.
Truly she was prize, and Sing Chong
regarded her with friendly smile
"Hearken, first born of an ape" he
commanded, laying 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 1t safely, or / will slit thy throat,
son of devil hag," and he gllded
into a nearby alley without pausing
for a reply.
For few moments he pressed on
ward. and then pausing at a window
from which beamed a green light,
tapped thrice upon the pane. A sound
of shuflling footsteps followed and the
door was opened by a Chinese bag,
who grinned evilly as her gaze fell
upon her visitor.
Lister, Mother Ho Chow" he said
rapidly, without greeting, soon will
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. If you do your work
well there will be many gold pieces
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"
1T is well. l 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 a 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 ferceness, and the body crum-
pied and sank at his feet. At the same
instant the bag sprang upon the girl
and bore her to the strong room,
gagged her to stihe 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 plucked a blood
stained whip.
L.. - L. - a III Il.