The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-07-09


Ting Tai, private secretary to the man
DARN Wen Hao To, from whom Jim
had bought the great pearl, the gem
par excellence of his little collection.
After the first ceremonies Of the visit
had been concluded and the boy had
served tea and sweetmeats and had
withdrawn to the outer office Ting Tai
drew his chair close to Westcott's desk
and spoke In English:
my master, the Hon. Wen Hao To
has again sent me to open negotia-
TONS with your respectable firm" be
began politely.
More pearIsr asked Westcott eager
~. for he had comfortable balance al
the bank awaiting just such an oppor
tunity as this might be-
Ting Tai shook his head and smiled,
but back Of the smile was a look OF
greed that should have warned Jim
Wsstcott. Il am filed with regret
that my master has suffered many
losses during the past year and has
been compelled to part with many
precious possessions. This time it Is
not gems. II your perfectly respect
able firm could negotiate for rich and
handsome brocaded coats-gold and
silver and some woven with seed
pearls-my master may be persuaded
to part with them"
Jim drew a long breath. If there
was one thing that bis perfectly re-
spectacle firm" liked to get hold of it
was handsome mandarin coat. There
was always a demand for the genuine
article, and not only collectors, but
private persons, fought for possession
Of them at any price Some of the
patterns were worth their weight in
gold, too, to silk manufacturers who
could copy them.
That sounds good to me-" Jim said
I'm response to Ting Tai's remark. SCOT
them with your
'No." returned Ting Tai cautiously.
They are at my masters palace in
Sicheng"
Jim was disappointed It meant
more delay. and he had hoped to in
clude this shipment Of coats with a
cargo that sailed on the 25th.
Then you will bring them down for
fnspectionY' he inquired
Again Ting Tai shook his head. my
master has hidden me inform you that
the coats are too precious to be in
trusted to any one other than the own
81. He is suffering from an attack
Of rheumatism that confines him to his
palace He has requested me to ash
n Jon can spare enough Of your very
valuable time to make the journey to
Hcheng and select the coats and COM
rlete the negotiations there"
Jim Westcott sat in deep thought
for several moments. This was an
entirely new proposition to him, and
It required consideration. His bust
ness might be left for the week that
Il would require TO make the journey
70 Sichsng and return, for he had
made up his shipment for the month.
He felt not the slightest doubt Of the
sscrstary's sincerity, for he had done
business with him for several years.
The mandarin Wen Hao To was an
tnveesrats gambler and after squeez-
ing bis interiors to the utmost farthing
now made a yearly sacrifice Of some
precious possession In order TO satisfy
his craving for the gaming table.
How shall we goY asked Jim to
gain further time.
by railway to Marking. where my
masters junk lies; thence up the riv-
Or OF golden sands TO Sicheng."
TN Co." concluded Jim hastily. I'll
be through with my business at 4
o'clock II you Will meet me at the
railway station l win accompany you
to Jour master"
The rest of the morning was filed
By yim's preparations for departure.
Wah Loo few hither and thither at
his masters bidding. his slant eyes gilt
tering expectaAtIy. II there is one
thing more than another that Chi
nese servant thoroughly enjoys 1t is
Q hubbub Of any sort
Almost at the last moment Jim call
Cd the servant to him.
Boy" he said, 'can SO get all same
ready, chop-chop."
Can sor' squealed Wah Loo, delight
ed at the idea OF journey.
"Ekedaddle. thenr' commanded Jim.
And, although that wasn't English or
even pigeon English. Wah Loo under
stood the order and skipped away to
make his scanty preparations.
Jim Westcott had two reasons for
taking wah Loo with him. he beliey-
ed the boy to be faithful. for be had
been seven years in Jim's personal