The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-12-24


ing out of bed and running to the
" window "What be going on"
The sun was only just beginning
~@@ ~@ / to show its great red face above the
hlltops, so it was not very light out of
doors. But Wang Frs sharp eyes recognized the
Emperors heralds passing by the tiny hut where
he and and his mother lived all alone.
"Fear! hearl" Justify shouted the heralds. "The
princess the august emperors only child, has been
stolen Upon him who restores her to her royal
father there will be bestowed not only rare jewels,
but high degree of scholarship"
81 hope the poor princess is being treated well"
said Wang Err, as he turned from the window and
began dressing.
After breakfast Wang Err went out in the tiny
vegetable garden to pull up weeds; but scarcely had
he begun when he saw before him the tinest dainti
est, loveliest shoe imaginable. 1t made of silk,
heavily embroidered and encrustcd with pearls and
rubies.
When Wang Err had recovered from his as
Punishment enough to be able to move, he picked UP
ee shoe and carried it to his mother, who said at
once:
Surely this is the princesss shoe, and finding
1t here means that the poor child has been stolen by
the ng-shui (ev fairics) and hidden in the cave
"Of counsel" exclaimed Wang En- Il was
stupid not to think of that"
Not far from this little home vast cave
that people dared not go near, much less enter be-
cause the farmers who lived near by had 50 many
vegetables stolen from their gardens, and found
so many strange tiny footprints, that there could
be no doubt at all but that evil fairies dwelt in the
cave
There was nothing cowardy about Wang Err
and after few minutes of deep thought, he said
very decidedly:
II must 60 into the cave and try to rescue the
princess"
His mother began to weep. and sobbed;
ooh, my sonl my son! the terrible flung shui
will kill you'll"
Mother" answered Wang Err, tears in his own
eyes "your son will obey you implicitly; but have
not you yourself taught always to serve the
emperor to the best of my abilty?-and his only
child the princess is in the power of the fung-shui
The mother choked back her sobs, wiped her
eyes, and said
"True, my SON Hasten to the aid Of his i'm
petia majesty's child"
She held her son in long silent embrace, and
then watched him through her tears, as he went
toward the cave, until he was no longer in sight.
It occurred to Wang Er that 1t would be wise
to ask some to join him in this perilous under
taking; SO he TO the home of his dearest friend
Ia boy of his own age whose name has long since
been forgotton--and persuaded him to 60 also. 1t
must beconfessed, however, that the friend stub
bornly refused to accompany Wang Er until assured
that riches and title would be given to the
of the princess.
When the boys reached the entrance to the cave
which was deep dry wen. they fastened end
Of long rope to the well-curb. and dropped the
other end down the we'll Then Wang Err climbed
down, closely followed by his friend.
At the bottom of the we'll was a narrow pas
sage leading into the cave where the darkness was
50 intense that Wang Frs lantern threw but feeble
Sight.
The boys CROPPED through this gloom with loudly
beating hearts, wandering helpessy here and there.
until at last, when weary and discouraged they sud
denly found themselves close to enormous rock.
Wang Err held up his lantern to get better view
of it, and, to the amazement of the lads, they saw
carved upon it: