The San Francisco call., 1913-08-10
cclpyrighG, 1912.
BY A. G. cClurg |
& Co. |


both hands. and my head bent in
tently forward, | raced through the
frivolously written article which fol-
lowed A Chinaman, it seemed, had
that morning taken from the pier of
the Fall River line square box meas
uring about five feet each way and
perforated with number of auger
holes. The brilliant space writer had
given his imagination free rein as to
the contents, speculating as to the
possibilities, from edible Chinese dogs
to smuggled opium, but he had omitted
to furnish the name and address of
either the consignor or consignee.
THE truck, drawn by the slant eyed
white horse and driven by the pleg-
matte Chink, clattered away in the di-
rection Of Mott street." the account
concluded.
After all, 1t was very common
place, every day occurrence. Probably
the auger holes were only knot holes,
transformed by the reporters mag
ination. Nevertheless, I thrust the
paper into my pocket. Now Chez
might throw some light on the mat
ter.
We secured a corner table in the
inner room at the Savarin. 1t was not
so crowded there and it was less
bustling and noisy. My companion at
tracted some little attention. of course,
but not sufficient to prove annoying.
A very dapper little fellow was Mr..
Now. neatly and inconspicuously clad,
and we'll brushed and combed. He was
for recalling old college days, when he
was a coxswain Of the class crew and
! pulled the stroke oar, but my time
was too precious for such reminis-
ences. and as speedily as possible I
broached the subject l had at heart.
Now | began, perhaps less deli
cately than I should, there's saying,
you know, that the only good Indian is
a dead Indian. That wouldn't apply
to the Chinese, would It? And yet.
while there are some very excellent
Cinnamon, there are some pretty bad
ones, aren't there?''
He grinned, exposing his fine teeth.
oh, yes" he answered, there are
good and bad, but the percentage of
bad is less in my country than In some
others" / caught the significance of
his remark. and realized that | de-
served the rebuke.
And among the educated Chinese.
here in New York; 1 went on. with
out stopping for comment. "There are
few bad?"
He was still smiling.
"Bad?" he queried. what do Won
mean by bad? There are some who
have vices, yes. Some gamble. some
smoke opium; some get the best of a
bargain
Are there some who would kfIlY,
asked. bluntly.
"oh. no, mol" he protested, without
raising his voice. II certainly shouId
hope there are none such among the
educated"
And then told him about the three
letters, and what had happened, omit
ting only Cameron's name and n,aca
OF residence. Tmperturable little chan
that he was, he listened without emo
ton. When I concluded he said:
You are sure they were Cinnamon
who did this?"
Would men Of any other nationality
quote Confucius and Mencius?"
asked.
No, I think not" was his renlv
"and yet 1t might be done by crafty
persons to mislead.''
But could not agree with him.
I'VE are not revengeful as a nation %
he said, I'VE are rather long suf,er-
ing. II Cinnamon did what you tel,
me, it was in return for some very
great injury; some crime, I should saw
against their parents or near kins-
men,
But my friend was never In China ;,
| declared. "And he was the last man
IN the world to harm any one.''
TO Be Continued Next Week,