University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1911-03-21
An Opium Der,

| ?
Siao Wong ambled slowly down the
road in the direction of the opium den
that he frequented. Business had been
failing with him as q result Of negli-
|gence on his part, and as climax
came the news that consignment of
indigo that was due him. had been lost
in storm. Little wonder then for,
the Indifferent air he carried as he ap-
preached the den.
Reaching the glass front of the shop.
he turned the door knob and went in.
S.epping to the counter Wong put
down the little tin pot he had brought
for the opium, followed by ten cents.
the price of the smoke. The wife ii
the manager weighed the pot in d
pair of hand scales, discounted the
weight from the total and gave the
filed vessel back to the owner. Down
the center aisle he shuffled until 4
spare place on a cOucL to his left was
reached, then dropping off his shoes
he crawled on to this. Fumes of the
drug filed the room. Already Wong
could feel the effects as he lay there
looking up at the ceiling covered with
the dust of ages.
An attendant brought him a lamp
and other necessary things for the
opium smoker which Wong soon put
into use in preparing his smoke. Into
a small ball he had rolled the drug,
which was now the consistency of
molasses; then putting it in the cup
like opening at the bowl of the opium
pipe, he gave several pulls which sent
the smoke through his nostrils and
out into the room. Again and again
the process was repeated and Wong
soon became oblivious to the smokers
that passed and re-passed him on eth
er side.
Time stopped. and went back
thirteen years for Wong, to the house
of his cousin where party was in
progress. The refreshments had been
served and several of the guests had
brought sweetmeats out to a pond
surrounded by stone wall from
which they threw food to goldfish
swimming by. Everyone was merry.
Wong had finished school as prepa-
ration to entering business, and this
little entertainment was a farewell to
him, for on the morrow he was to go
to the city where he was to commence
work. His father had talked to him
about his future career, advising him
what to avoid in the business world
and the things to be borne in mind if
one is to succeed. They walked around
the grounds. Now and then they
could hear the shouts from those feed
ing the fish at the pond, as a fish larg-
er than the rest would jump out of the
water and snatch piece of bread.
The morrow came and Wong left his
home. accompanied by his father who
went with him and saw him started
on the right path, then with paternal
blessings left him.
Business went we'll at first. He
wrote home weekly to let his parents
know how he Jared. The first desire
to make more money soon possessed
him. Schemes were presented to him
which brought large returns for the
labor expended. This he tried again
with more success until he became |
in the business he managed
and even of his own life. Through
his laxity. things rapidly declined. He
found in opium a comfort that took |
the keen edge off his conscience. and |
to this he resorted time and again.
With start Wong awoke, wonder.
ing first at the room. then at the time |
Of day. He called for tea, but the voice
In his parched throat could not be |
heard by the attendant. He called
again and this time the boy came with
, pot of hot tea and cup. Wong sat
up on the large couch. Men all about
him smoked their pipes, with the ex-
,eption of those who had fallen asleep
,ver them. His lamp had burnt out,
,ut this did not trouble him, for he
lad finished smoking for the day. He
,rawled toward the edge of the couch
md put his feet into 4 be slippers;
hen he walked to the counter, only
stopping to look at the clock as he
,aid for his tea and went out. F..
An Eleventh Commandment.