The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1909-01-28

over his heart was very sore. But
he could not kill the laundryman, until
he received final orders. at seven that
night. from the Tong.
Promptly on the hour he was at
the post Office. The general delivery
clerk handed him letter containing
a White sheet, entirely blank. Its up.
per right-hand corner showed slight
hallmark. This was made by the
right forefinger of the chief of the
Tong. It signifed that Billy should
live.
Lee Song felt the devils dagger
again. He had planned that after.
noon to adopt little Jing, after Billy
had gone to his fathers. Sorely dis
appointed, he pondered, walking in
the dusk. At last he came to de-
cision. He would kill Billy on his
own account, and take the boy. True,
it was somewhat irregular,-but the
longs rules did not forbid the aveng-
ing of private feud, and Song took
Bilfy's abuse of Jing as a personal
matter.
At quarter to ten he started for
Billy's laundry. A crowd of young
hoodlums on corner hooted and hus.
tied the mild Chinaman, and
turned him back. Song bore 1t
meekly. But they would not have hus.
tied him, had they known what
lay hid in the secret pocket up his
broad sleeve.
1t was half-past ten before he
tapped on the laundry door. Billy
opened it quickly.
you are late" grunted he, re.
sentfully. He did not enjoy being
cheated of his smoke.
BE content smiled Lee Song
You shall have enough presently"
In box in the back room Jing lay
asleep. curled up like kitten. SONG
did not even look at him. Out of his
sleeve he shook two packets OF
opium.
TRY this, before you buy" said
he: and Billy snatched it greedily.
Each produced pipe, and they be
gan to smoke.
For the first five minutes between
whiffs, Billy talked of Canton; for the
second five he spoke occasionally in
monosyllables; the third five he
smoked in silence; suddenly the
pipe twitched from his fingers, and he
tumbled back on the bunk. Surely, 1,
was strong opium.
Lee Song, watching him cat-like
laid down his own pipe and stood up
The time had come for Billy to join
his fathers.
There are pistol-jobs, and knife
jobs, and rope-jobs. This was to be 9
rope-job. From his sleeve Lee pro
duced cord. Skillfully slipping II
round Billy's neck, he rolled him ovel
on his face.
Crossing the rope-ends the Ratchet
boy grasped one firmly in each hand
His arms stiffened. A strong, steady
pull would do the business. But Bill,
snored peacefully on.
Lee Songs gorge rose. Disgust pos
sessed him; not pity, for hatchet.boys
know no pity. 1t was a job for 6
novice, a burglar, unworthy finished
artist.
BAH" he grunted. 1T is too easy
kill men, not pigs"
CONTEMPORARY pulling out the core
he rolled Billy over again on his back
Then he stepped to the box where Jinf
lay curled, and shook him lightly.
Come" he said.
The boy started up, looked at him
moment in sleepy wonder, then un
hesitatingly stretched out his arms
The hatchet-man lifted him, ant
passed into the night.
Two hours later Lee Song sat in the
corner of the smoking car, bound fol
the great city. In his arms lay Jing
fast asleep, one hand tightly claspins
Songs right forefinger, that terrible
finger which had sent so many China
men to join their fathers
The hatchet-boy looked down on the
little black head in the hollow of his
arm. He pressed the limp, thin body
against his breast, and felt the quick
beating heart and the gentle breath
ing. His room in Mott street would be
brighter with this little fellow playing
in it.
A wave of strange tenderness swept
over Lee Song. Again the devil
stabbed him, but his dagger was blunt
ed. The sore place did not hurt Sc
much. His lips were silent, but in his
heart he said:
1T is good to have a little boy"