Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-01-22
The DRAGONS
CLAW
BY A. y, MartIr

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
Y punks before the face of the great
god OF fortune, and the Fates had
snS:,cd upon him. So there was peace
in the heart of Sing Chong and many
yen in his pocket. It was too early
for the white smoke, and Sing Chong
glided into the night, stealing like a
shadow from wall to wall For it 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 it 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
We're 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 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 l will slit thy throat,
son of devil hag," and he glided
into a nearby alley without pausing
for 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 shutting footsteps followed and the
door was opened by Chinese bag,
who grinned evilly as her gaze fell
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
eads them by my order. AS they en-
.er | will strike the man; to you is
eft the woman. If you do your work
we'll there will be many gold pieces
or you, and Wah Hotai will rejoice"
THE arm of Ho is strong, and her
stick cuts deep into the flesh," she an
'wered; thy white slave shall be well
aught. And the bars are strong"
1T is well. l hear their footsteps
Ind the time is come. Greet them
oftly and bid them welcome"
The bag opened the door in re-
ponse to the summons of the guide,
md welcomed them with smiling
ace and many words of pleasure.
Sing Chong crouched behind the door.
n his hand DULY cleaned a heavy
'ar of iron. 4
For an instant he watched, then as
he door closed he struck with sud
en- fierceness, and the body crum-
led and sank at his feet. At the same
Instant the bag sprang upon the girl
nd bore her to the strong room,
jagged her to stife her cries, and
Witty bound her wrists and ankles. 4
Iother Ho had not handled girls for 4
0 years for nothing. With flying 4
ngers she stripped the jewels and 4
lothing from her prisoner and Z
ragged her through evil-smelling
orridors to bare room Illuminated =
y a single candle. And from it's
lace on the wall she plucked a blood
tanned whip.
At the Sign of the Rat the white
moke curled around the head of
oss, and the smokers breathed heavi-
:. Sing Chong drew gently at his
ipe and thanked Wah Hotai for his y
indness. And in the smoky haze :
lie god seemed to smile on him and