Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-20
Continued from page 2

no words came. Finally he dropped his be-
loved jug and fell limp into clump of
weeds.
"Did see ut, or didn't T." he asked him
self earnestly as he fell asleep beside his
tipple.
RUNG drew up at the place of Hok Ding,
who keeps a flower farm on the out
skirts of Santa Clara. Hok Ding, a bow
legged, short Chinaman with philosophical
forehead came to the gate and stood for
long time gazing but saying nothing. FL
nally he uttered the Cantonese phrase that,
freely translated, means, "Where did YOU
get that hat?'
"Ragpicker" quoth Bung in his native
dialect. Il have little time to handy vul-
garity with peasants. My exalted master
has sent me here for eleven dozen carnations.
My work is important. Without me there
would be no wedding
"Then you are going to be married." in
quired Hok Ding, running his horny fingers
over the satin facing of Bung's dress coat.
@No, Slave!" replied All Lee Bung. at is
the son of my boss gets married. Yet am
tance. When the bride is led forth | shall
be there to lift my hat-thus to pour
wine into her glass out of silver bottle.
HE must be fine boss to work for, ex-
claimed Hok Ding obviously "He gives you
fine clothes to wear at weddings. | once
saw an Ambassador. He was shabby COM
pared to you. Why do you wear your collar
so, Tapping loose under the ears?'
"To man of fashion need not explain"
Bung informed his friend.
"The silk alone is worth seventy-five taelI"
gasped poor Ding, again feeling the coat.
"And the glory of your white-devil vest-O
gods of opulence! Look at the studs! l
swear by the queue of my uncle, who was
jeweler, they are real India pearls set in gold"
Bung had not noticed the value of his
shirt studs until now; but he was prompt
to make the most of them. "A precious ser
want receives precious gifts" he acknowl-
edged modestly, pointing to his chest.
The dialogue between Bung and Hok Ding
dozen coolies appeared mysteriously from
huts, barns, and bushes, drawn like steel to
magnet by Bungs sensational equipment.
The spirit of New China was in most of
them, and they all but bowed down before
this compatriot, so nobly arrayed in the
ceremonial robes of the white man. Open
mouthed they hardened to every word of
the important parley. Two or three of them
stood apart whispering awesomely together.
Finally a spokesman approached the char
lot of Bung. His name was Hank Tong, the
dozen bottles of samshoo from his cousin
in Canton. Would not the distinguished
Mr.. All Lee Bung share bowl of rice with
them and preside at the ceremony of pulling
the cork?
Bung could not resist this call of high inn
portance. 1t was like being dragged out of
obscurity and asked to serve as Vice Presi-
dent. Also it was only trif1e after six
o'clock, and Tommy had said it would not
be necessary for Bung to be at the wedding
before eight-thirty. Bung felt the magic
image of Ho Gee in his pocket, and remem-
bered it must be delivered before the bridal
knot was tied. Plenty of time, he thought.
Therefore he accepted, after a show of pa
trician deliberation, the invitation of Hank
Tong, and was helped down from his buck
board with the dignity of Viceroy calling
upon an official of inferior rank.
The dinner in Hok Dings greasy brown
cabin was good and merry. There was
boiled carp, there were lichi nuts and rice and
China cabbage To grace the ceremony,
Hok opened a special jar of preserved ginger
and rifed an old chest for dozen soggy rice
cakes with mincemeat in the center. Hank
Tong was as good as his word concerning the
samShoo, and that aromatic gin had not
oOne MANY times round in IFS tinv thimb1e