The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-01-29


Shm vii! never understand matter how
much he may puzzle over them during tho long
nights 10 this day Helen insists that he is !
1ovc-god (Which to say The least is hunil
atng) and Jack such his ingratitude SCOTS openly
Of his powers; nevertheless, they both constant in
their devotion and IanShn recognizes the compcnsa-
ton Being very very old the years days to Tan
Shin, so he remembers vividy how 1t happened 1t
began Chinese temple the sea (he had been
sitting there or ccnturics and he was absorbed IN his
own godly affairs when the discordant clamor of a
tumut interrupted his meditaions Short, quick rife
reports the claShng together of steel weapons groans
and precations foreign tongues the hurried tramp
of many feet all added to the ndcscribabe din of COM
roar as the door OF his particular domain burst
open Profanc hands, grimy with the rcck of battle.
reached out tore him ruthlessy from his shrine and
thrust him. head first regardless of his dignity,
into sack already tenanted by several lesser dctes
Poor Tan Shin! The peace OF ages was ended, and
trupcry gods would shattcr his highly glazed surface
The spiny toe of unyielding seagod pressing against
his left jade gave HIM opportunity to speculate
in which he found himself But for the kindly ntcrpo-
sltion of highly embroidered tunic of recent manu-
though such contact distinctly mortifyIng to
ancient god, it fact that without certain spots in
his frail anatomy must surely have gwen way.
This. however, was but temporary torture he was
shortly taken out of the sack. bundled up straw and
deposited in the bottom of box For many months
he remained there while the dust sfted down upon his
beautifully polished back till he lost all resemblance 10
valuable antique and looked like very common and
very dirty piece Of china.
But patience was one OF lesser attributes
that he held pcrsstenty his precious parts in the
hope that Fate might rclent and after many changes
from place to another he finally freed from the
Objectionable straw, washed clean of the dust
lated in many parts of the world and length deposited
with great deal OF care 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 and found no blcmish upon his
cracked surface Even tho several weak spots OF
which he was keeny conscious, and not little fearful
were still intact
He gazcd about him anxiously and was glad to find
himself among his own kind Through the glass door
Of the cabinet he quantities of Chinese fabrics hang
ing the walls carvings innumerable stood upon tables
shrinc-doorS, temple bells enrbrodcrcs, vases bronzc
vorles-n short, congomcrste collection of the odds
and ends of his empire lie thought at first that
he back again in his land, but as he looked
closely his JOY turned TO he ineon-
gruou arrangement OF his surroundings convinced him
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 lie could not
associate and for whose presence the shelf there
could be rational explanation Sacred beasts and
birds of origin almost ancient his forced
to with cheap and flaming counterfcts of such
manufacture that ran-Shin i'll utter disgust and
for such lack of judgment, cracked under his
glaze.
This ncxplcablc condition OF things bad enough.
but Tan-Shn soon discovered another fact that made
him still more indignant Crowds OF people came 10 see
the collection and although he knew himself 10 be the
ancient and powerful god there, he received but
scant attention The worshippers (thcy could be moth
ing else from Tan Sims point OF view passed him by
with hardly glance while crudely shaped and newly
made copies of the old gods received unstined praise
But morning Tan Shin discovered that from
being at least he receiving something like proper
respect rue she was womsn-a ois2ppomuncnt,
for his attributes not appropriate to females, nor
appreciation of him seemed quite genuine, so on the
whole, he pleased with her. She was young, and
her hands casped 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
ho ic rond 6refo
on tho lett
"Isnt lie just perfectly fascinatiug1" replied Edith
Tan-Shin started crack under his glaze from pure
JOY 1t not according to rule, but it was distinctly
worship
And, Helen, continued Edith, he must be ages
old"
Oh, yesl Ages and ages And wouldn't he fit nicely
on the manel IN the studio Helen was almost los kliee
Heen!" exclaimed Edith with conviction, you SIM
ply 'aaSi get him.
lot of money and ought not to spend cent she
replied "Of course, he might go at a bargain-you
can't ever tell at an aucion-though I'm sure he's very
Tan-shn listened eagerly. for money distinctly in
his line
Maybe no one else will want him., said Edith en-
Maybe not" Helen answered hopefully. He'll be
sold on Thursday and | mean 10 try to bid hm IN
There words in this dialogue ulat' goo
though he waS he did not understand and auction was
ono of them. Still, he knew that, whatever was, 1t
happened on Thursday, and nc waited impat,cnly Il,
Quite early on that day he removed from the
cabinet and placed upon table large room where
great many people in ordered rows lie looked about
him eagerly In pulpit near by hugh priest so AN
Shin supposedly chanted uninclligibe words necessarily
Before them all was an elevated red pushcovcred stand
hat Tan-Shin knew at to 6e the altar. he saw
several lesser deites placed upon for time, heard the
uurmur Of the high priest and the spurious gods were
apparently banished. With glow OF pride he recog:
nlzed the ceremony and knew that this was the paeS "
choosing These discriminating beings were deciding
which were the real and which the unreal goo;
The hour of his triumph hand for now he woulu
receive the respect due yeFtabe antique Al last MS
turn came
Lot number $40 III your catalogues, ladies and gen gen.
Yemen crackle-ware piece, rare and Valuable "'A'
am offered TO start c.
So chsnted the high priest and although ! an.o onn
did not comprehend what the words meant tl1 siercc
- the worshippers was ample assurance that MS true
worth perceived , ,,.
voice in the audience broke IN upon his III thoughts a,
and nc saw. leaning forward. pink Husn OF eao SeI
the g-l who had been his iTst yotary. Evidently shc