Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-19

fixed the seal OF state, and VI Chin
Ho departed. For month and day
he Travelled the Kings road which
leads to the shore of the Eastern Sea;
and there, one night, at the gate OF
the biggest mansion of wealthy
city, he knocked loudly for admit
lance.
None other than the master of the
house will see." said he fiercely to
the frightened servants. Il travel
upon the Kings business"
Straightway was he led to an In
ner room, where the master of the
house was reused from his sleep and
brought blinking before him.
you are PAX Chung Chang, head
man of this city," said vi Chin Ho
in tones that were all-accusing. II
am upon the Kings business"
PAX Chung Chang trembled. Well
he knew the Kings business was ever
a terrible business. His knees smote
together and he near fell to the floor.
THE hour is late" he quavered.
| NSlc II AOt Wei u
"The Kings business never. waits!"
Numbered vi Chin Ho. Come apart
with me. and swiftly. have an af-.
fair of moment to discuss with you"
ut is the Kings affair."" he added.
with even greater fierceness; so that
PAX Chung Changs silver pipe drop.
ped from his nerveless fingers and
clattered on the floor
Know then" said vi Chin Ho.
when they had gone apart, that the
King is troubled with an affliction, a
very terrible affection. In that he
failed to cure, the Court physician
has had nothing else than his head
chopped off. From all the Eight
Provinces have the physicians come
to wait upon the King Wise CONSUL
tatlon have they held, and they have
decided that for a remedy for the
Kings affection nothing else is re-
quired than nose, certain kind Of
nose, a very peculiar certain kind OF
nose.
Then by none other was sum
moned than his excellency the prime
minister himself. He put paper in
to my hand. Upon this paper was the
very peculiar kind of nose drawn by
the physicians of the Eight Provinces,
with the seal of state upon it.
&C., said his excellency the prime
minister Seek out this nose, for the
Kings affection is sore. And where
soever you find this nose upon the
face Of man, strike 1t off fortnight
land bring it 10 all haste to the Court,
| for the King must be cured. Go, and
come not back until your search is
rewarded
And SO departed upon my quest"
said vi Chin Ho. Il have sought out
the remotest corners of the king
dom; have Travelled the Eight High.
ways, searched the Eight Provinces
and sailed the seas of the Eight
Coasts. And here l am.
With great flourish he drew 8
paper from his girdle, unrolled it with
many snappings and cracklings, and
thrust 1t before the face of PAX
Chung Chang. Upon the paper was
the picture of the nose.
PAX Chung Chang stared upon Il
with bullying eyes.
Never have beheld such nose.'
he began.
There is wart upon it." said Y!
Chin Ho.
Never have beheld-" Pal
Chung Chang began again.
Bring your father before, me-" Y
Chin Ho interrupted, sternly.
Z MY ancient and very-muoh-to-be
respected ancestor sleeps" said Pal
4 Chung Chang.
4 --...Why dissemble?" demanded, Y
afen Ho.r gu know tits your faith
er's nose. Bring him before me that
may strike it off and be gone. Hur
! ry. lest l make bad report of you"
"Mercy!" cried PAX Chung Chang
falling on his knees. st is impossi
BILE! 1t is impossible! You cannot
strike off my fathers nose. He can
not go down without his nose to the
grave. He will become a laughter
and byword, and all my days ant
nights will be filled with woe. Oh
reflect! Report that you have seer
no such nose in your travels. You
too. have a father"
PAX Chung Chang clasped vi Chi
Hos knees and fell to weeping on hi,
sandals.
! My heart softens strangely at you
tears" said VI Chin Ho. 81, too, know
filial piety and regard. But" H,
hesitated. then added, as though
thinking aloud, at is as much as m,
head is worth"
How much is your head worth?'
asked PAX Chung Chang, in a thin
small voice.
"a not remarkable head" said Y
Chin Ho. AN absurdly unremarka
BILE head; but. such is my great fool
| ishness, value 1t at nothing les.
, than one hundred thousand strings o
, cash"
j, so be it," said PAX Chung Chang
| rising to his feet.
! II shall need horses to carry tn,
: treasure" said vi Chin Ho, "and mel
, to guard it well as journey through
the mountains. There are robber.
abroad in the land"
/ There are robbers abroad in the
land" said PAX Chung Chang, sadly
But it shall be as you wish, SO Ions
as my ancient and very-much-to-b
! respected ancestors nose abide in it.
| appointed place."
, Say nothing to any man of this oc
currence,' said vi Chin Ho, "else will
, other and more loyal servants than
i be sent to strike off your father
nose"
And SO vi Chin Ho departed on hi,
, way through the mountains, blithe O
; heart and gay of song as he listened
to the jingling bells of his treasure
laden ponies.
There is little more to tell. VI CHR
HO DrOSDered thrOuph tho voorc n,