Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-02-10

Shin will never understand no matter how
mu uSt he may puzzle oyer them during the long
~ lovegod (Which to say the least is humi-
ntng' and Jack such Is his ingratitude SCOTS openly
ut ms powers; nevertheless, they both in
their devotion, and Tan-Shin recognizes the compensa-
tor Beng very very Old the years days to Tan
;Shin, so he remembers wildly how it happened 1t
began III Chinese temple across the Che had been
sitting there for centres) }, and he was absorbed in his
own ,godly affairs when the dscordant clamor OF
tunult interrupted his medtations. Short quic, rife
reports the cashing together of steel weapons croaus
ana nprecations in foreign tongues the hurried tramp
or many feet all added to the ndecrbabe din Of
roste noises, came and nearer cuninating u
roar as the door of his particular domain burst
open frotane hands srimy with the reeN OF battle
thrust him. head first regardless of his age dignity,
INTO sack already tenanted by several lesser deitcs
Foor Ian Shin! The peace Of ages ended, and
there was immediate danger that contact with these
tr,'npey gods would shattcr his highly glazed surface
h Line Rny toe OF an unfolding seaeod pressing against
upon the degradation Of associang with the company
IN which he found himself But for the kindly nterpo
1acture, Tan-Shn must have persisted once, and al
though such contact was distinctly nortifying an
ancient god it is fact that without it certain spots IN
his trail anatomy must surcly have given way
This, however, was but temporary torture he
shortly taken of the sack bundled up in straw and
deposited in the bottom of box. For many months
he remained there while the dust sifted down upon his
bcautiiuy polished back til he lost all resemblance to
very dirty piece of china.
But patience one Of Tan Sims lesser attributes
/
hope that Fate might reent and after many changes
from one place to another he finally freed from the
lated in many parts of the world and length deposited
with great deal of care a smooth glass shelf Of
cabinet.
The relief that this change brought was truly ex-
pressed in the settled grin Of his round face He
thought himself over and found no bemish upon his
cracked surface Even the several weak spots OF
which he was keeniy conscious and not a little fearful
were still intact.
He gazed about him anxiousy and was glad to find
Eiu1cel lind riae
Of the cabinet he quantities OF Chinese fabrics hang
Ing on the walls, carvings nnucrabe stood upon tables
vories-in snort conglomerate collection OF the odds
and ends of his empire He thought first that
closely his JOY was turned to sorrow. The incon
gruous arrangement Of his surroundings convinced him
at once that this could not possibly be China Out of
the of his eye he saw standing quite close to
him spurious folklore idol with whom he could not
associate and for whose presence on the same shelf there
could be rational explanation Sacred beasts and
birds Of origin almost ancient his were forced
to consort with cheap and flaming counerfets OF such
for such lack OF judgment cracked under his
This inexplcable condition OF things was bad enough
but Tan-Shn discovered another fact that made
him still indignant. Crowds OF people to
the collection and, although he knew himself be the
ancient and powerful god there he received but
scant attention The worshppers (hey could be moth
ing else from Ian-Shins point Of vew) passed hm by
But one morning Tan-Shin discovered that, from
being least he was receiving something like proper
respect. True. she was woman-a Disappointment
for his attributes not appropriate to females nor
did he desire have any dealings with thenl-still her
appreciation OF him seemed quite genuine so, on the
whole he pleased with her. She was young and
her hands caped together in an attitude he under
stood perfectly
The next day she came again bringing another girl
with her. and with some satisfaction he saw them make
straight for his cabinet.
' on he 0 ie %"'' finger at him. the '''e'-"'Fs one
Tan Shin started crack under his glaze from pure
JOY It was not according to rule but it was distinctly
And, Helen" continued Edith abe must be ages
"Oh yesl Ages and ages! And wouldn't he fit nicely
on the mantel in the studo; Helen almost kneel-
ing before Tan Shin in her effort to see him the better
Helen!" exclaimed Edith with conviction you sim
ply must get him.
But Helen looked doubtful I" He must be worth such
a lot of money and | ought not to spend cent, she
replied. "Of course, he might go at bargaln--you
can't tell at auction-though I'm sure he's very
Tan-Shin listened eagerly, for money distinctly in
Maybe no else will want him. said Edith
couraglngly
sold on Thursday and ! mean to try to bid him in
There words in this dialogue that, god
though he was he did understand and auction
of them. Still, he knew that, whatever it was, it
happened on Thursday, and he waited impaenty
Quite early on that day he was removed from the
cabinet and placed upon a table in large where
great many people sat in ordered rows He looked about
him eagerly In pulpit near by high priest $50 Tan
Shin supposed) chancd unintclRlbe words necessarily.
Before them all elevated red plushcoycred stand
that Tan Shin knew at once to be the altar. He saw
several lesser deitcs placed upon for time heard the
murmur of the hsh priest, and the spurious gods were
apparently banshed. With a glow OF pride he recog.
nized the ceremony and knew that this the place OF
choosing These discriminating beings deciding
which we're the real and which were the unreal gods.
The hour of his triumph at hand for now he would
receive the respect due veritabe antique AT last his
turn
Lot number $40 in your catalogues, ladies and gen
tlcmen A crackleware piece and valuable. What
am ! offered to start
So chanted the high priest, and although Tan Shin
did not comprehend what the words meant, the silence
oi the worshippers ample that his true
worth was at perceived
voice in the audience broke in upon his thoughts
and he saw leaning forward, pink flush each cheek
the cir. who had been his first votary. Evidently she