Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-04-23
Chinese Justice.

One summer afternoon young girl
paused in the street OF Chuanchow, where
a shabby scholar sat reading to a group
OF idlerS outside the protects Yamen.
She had sold her last doughnut, and the
days earnings lay in her empty basket.
Some one noticed how absorbed she was,
runs the story in Chambers's Journal; a
deft hand moved lightly, and the money
disappeared from the basket.
When the story came 10 an end, The
girl awoke from her dream 10 find that
tie precious pile OF cash was gone. She
told her loss 10 the people who stood near,
and, with the callousneSs OF Chinese
crowd, they laughed. Al that moment
the project came out OF the yamen, noticed
the child's grief, and inquired the cause
OF her trouble. He waited patiently while
the girl told her tale between sobs.
Meantime a crowd had collected, and the
project gave orders that the girl be taken
to the justice hall, that the case might be
tried. When the people saw him re-en-
ter, they trooped in after him, and even
the idlers crowded into the great yamen
10 see the fun.
The examination came 10 an end with
out throwing any fresh light upon the
theft, and some OF the bystanders began
TO laugh. His excellency spoke word
TO the attendants, and the great doors OF
the yamen closed with loud claiter.
"Such breach OF etiquette must be pun
ished," SAID the project, speaking slowly
and with emphasis. Zach person shall
pay fine OF eight cash before he leaves
the court"
As the first man laid his cash upon the
table, the protects eyes-half-sad, half
tolerant, and kindly-scanned his face.
Then. to the surprise of everybody, the
great man carefully counted the coins
with his own fingers. The brown heaps
of money increased, and presently a
mean-looking fellow came up and paid
his fine. His excellency counted the
coins. "This money is covered with
grease" he said. "What right have you
to bring dirty cash TO me2 Pay eight
more for your bad manners" The man
put the money on the table without
word.
"Hey," cried the perfect, "these coins
are also covered with grease II is
against the law to pay dirty money into
court. Turn out all the money you have.
There are sure 10 be some clean coins
among the number"
The attendants emptied the fellows
pockets, and found ninety-two coins.
"Hey, ninety-two cash, along with
the sixteen already paid in fines, make
one hundred and eight-exactIY the
amount lost by the little girl How do
you account for that ?"
at is just the sum had in my pock-
et."
Where did you get the cash 2"
81 got them from man in the street in
exchange for ten-cent piece. He must
have given me greasy money"
"Go at once and fetch that man. ]
will send runner with you to bring him
into court"
The man lay in the position that he
had TO take before the representative oil
The emperor, with his forehead flat upon
the pavement, and said nothing,
"You took this money from the child"
went on the prefect. ''It is covered with
grease, because she counted il after
handling her oily doughnuts. She lost
one hundred and eight cash, exactly the
sum that was in your pocket when you
entered the yamen. You are The thief"
A hum OF approval spread through the
crowded court. Was ever Judge so wise
as his eKcelIency, who knew both how
to attract into his yamen the kind of peo-
pie among whom the culprit was likely
TO be found, and how TO single out the
thief when once he had him within his
power +?
After the money had been counted, the
project handed il over to the trembling
child, who left the court in care OF a stout
attendant.