The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-02-28

their kinsmen--their fathers, their
brothers, and their sons. Death some.
times Is glorious, as We all know TO
die for ones country, or for ones hon.
or. Is to be privileged. To die OF pes
thence or famine is deplorable. But
to die by treachery is to leave poor
legacy to those who follow-a legacy
or unrest until vengeance has been
wrought"
lie paused for Just moment and
moved impatientIy. But II | thought
10 disconcert him by my action ! was
not rewarded.
ut is possible, Mr.. Clyde" he con
tinued, that you are familiar with
the history OF the trade In coolies be
tween your country and mine?"
nodded. YES" ! answered. pass
ably familiar know that at one time
1t was black with outrages. l know
that in 1882 Chinese exclusion act
was passed. and that In 1892 the Geary
Law followed"
But You did not know. perhaps
chat in spite OF your laws, the SNUG
CLING OF Chinamen-of Chinese labor
ers--into this country. has been al
most continuously practiced?"
1T is quite possible. | dare say
do not know the facts, however"
THE facts in general way are not
material" Yup Sing assured me. But
| shall inform you OF single specific
case Sixtaan yaars apo thpra an
peared in Canton white man. sup
posedly Scotchman, calling himself
Donald. McNish. and representing. &C.
cording to his own statement, certain
large American interests. Through .
native agent ii became known that
McNish was in search OF coolies. Very
soon. circulars appeared throughout
the district. worded somewhat aftei
this fashion: To the countrymen OF
All Shoe. Laborers are wanted in the
land OF California. Great works to bs
done there, good houses, plenty food
You will get $50 a month and gooc
treatment. Passage money required
$i5. will lend the money on gooc
security. but | cannot take your wife
and child I'm pay. Come to Canton
and | will care for you until the shiI
sails. The ship is good The circula'
was signed by All Shoe. the agent. liz
response to il, exactly ninety-seven o,
my countrymen. having left good Sc
curity for the required passage money
were led stealthily aboard a small
coasting vessel one night. and the yes
sci slipped quietly down the Chu-kiane
to the open sea, with McNish himself
at the helm, and Eurasian nance
John Woo. In the galley"
The Vice Consul was now consult
ing a slip Of paper bearing, az coulc
see. certain Chinese characters.
III am In error" said Yup Sing
addressing his companion. Il pray you
to correct me-" Whereat Mr.. Cher
Mok smiled reassuringly.
You are in all particulars accu
rate" he announced: and the Mott
street merchant, thus encouraged, pro
ceeded.
The vessel. you understand. Mr.
Clyde. was what is known in those wa
tiers as a lorcha. 1t WAS not so large
as a Junk and II differed in other re
spects as we'll. 1t"
81 think / have seen rude. but
more or less effective representation
OF it," interrupted.
81 know TO what you refer" was the
speakers rejoinder. But that was
more or less conventional. AS | tolt
49,, o,.cc,, ,h;ld drauo hnafs lika that
However, the lorcha was to be used
merely TO convey the passengers tt
McNish's steamship, which had al
ready cleared from Hong Kong, and
which waited of the coast we'll out OF
sight OF prying cruisers. Such, al
least, was the explanation. Whether
McNish ever had steamship is
matter for conjecture. Whether g
United States cruiser of the Pacific
Squadron. having received hint as
to his purpose, bore down upon him
as has been said, is likewise open &c
question. But of the truth OF the Incl
dents which followed there can be nc
dispute"
He hesitated long enough for the
Vice Consul TO echo: mo dispute
Mr. Clyde" and continued:
"On the second morning after leav
ing Canton, an hour after dawn. wher
he at least pretended 10 see the cruiser
in full chase, he ordered his passen
gers below. declaring that their safe
~ depended upon their keeping out OF
sight. No sooner, however. We're they
below decks than he battened dowr
the matches. and imprisoned the cook
in his galley. A white fog prevailed
and the sea was very calm. both OF
which were conditions favorable to
McNish's purpose. Lowering the
lorcha's two boats he cut one adrift
and entering the other which he hao
stocked with stores, he
made his way in ii along the lorcha's
side to her Prov"
AT this juncture, Yup Sing slowly
rose 10 his feet.
And now" he said. 81 want you tc
picture what followed. Standing up
axe in hand. Donald McNish began his
diabolic work. With strong arm he
swuup and plose tn the water line