The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1915-10-15


SO gave him to drink from my peck
ct bottle and dressed cash in bis
head from the contents OF my noeket
medicine case. and later he told u. his
story. but that was not until under
cover OF the approaching darkness
had hurried him OH board the boat.
"Squatting at my feet in the bow OF
the boat, he told me that he had been
wrongfully accused of stealing treas
ure from his master. rich mandarin
He had managed to escape. but his
pursuers had reientessly tracked him
until after two days and nights of
flight he had come upon me at the riv.
ers edge. His name was Sin Wei. and
he was from the province Of SZechuan.
Il promised to take him into my
service, and l called upon my boy 10
bring fresh blue cotton, garments and
to give the stranger a mat to sleep
upon and plenty of rice. 1t was in the
middle of the night that l awoke and
sat up in my bunk. The windows of
my cabin were wide open. and the
fresh breeze from the river was very
grateful. At dawn we would resume
our journey down the river. Now it
was = O'Clock. rs l learned by glancinS
ut my watch by the light Of my cleo
trio torch. had gone to Led very
early, so felt sure l was in for Il long
wakefu period some time in the night.
Il lay there awhile staring at the
white square Of the window where the
moonlight shone. Suddenly across that
square came shadow. 1t paused and
then blotted out the light
My hand slipped under my pillow
and frightened around the butt Of my
automatic pistol. | watched the win.
dow curiously. for man was climbing
in, and l felt no fear because of the
weapon in my hand. leveled the pis-
tol at the intruder, but l was silent. ]
suspected 1t was Sin Wei. the stranger.
Il wondered what his errand was.
Was he trying to murder and rob me?
MY question was soon answered.
From filthy bundle which lie had
strapped to his shoulders and which
he had refused to be parted from he
brought out this bronze jar. which he
placed beneath my window. He stoop-
ed over 1t a long time. pouring some
thing inside; the cover clinked and he
was gone.
Later heard splash In the river.
and | suspected that my protege had
become fear stricken and was making
his escape. When daylight invaded the
room l made out the shape Of this
bronze jar, and l noticed strip of red
paper hanging from the cover. Curl.
osity would he denied no longer, so I
got up and examined the paper. On II
were scrawled some Chinese charac-
tiers expressing the gratitude of Sin
Wei for his deliverance. wishing me
a long life. good luck and much felic.
ity and saying that the river gods
called him.
Il lifted the cover Of the jar and
found 1t full Of tobacco Of an inferior
quality. I've never touched ii. but
I've kept the Jar for sentimental rea-
sons. Very likely Sin Wei stole it from
the mandarin. | dressed and went OH
deck. but my coolies were gathered
forward jabbering excitedly. 1t seems
they had seen Sin Wei leap from the
boat in an insane frenzy Of fear. and
the river had carried him swiftly Oh
her broad yellow breast. That's all. eX-
cept that there has been one disturb
ance after another in China. anu !
haven't been there for several years
South Africa has been my stamping
ground Of late years. Now, will you
accept the jar and its contents?" smil.
ed Durwent at his friend.
I'll take the tobacco" said McNair.
going to the mantelpiece for the jar;
the receptacle you can sell or keep, as
you like"
He took piece of white paper and
,mptied the contents of the bronze jar.
Several lumpy objects rolled out OF
he pile of tobacco.
What's this?" he asked curiously,
picking up one Of the Jumps. "Some.
hing wrapped in tissue paper. Well,
non. look at that. will ye?"
AN emerald" Durwent stared. with
eyes, as he took the bril-.
liant green stone in his hand. do
1ou suppose it's real?"
AYE. mon; glass never looked like
hat!' went on Angus in excitement as
lie unwrapped lump after lump and
aid them before his bewildered friend. |
'Rubies, diamonds and pearl anoth. |
n emerald and another, that's all. All.
enough to make you independently
'ich for life"'
What in thunder does it mean?"
Questioned Durwent.
Mean, you idiot? 1t means that
'our protege, Sin Wei. must have loot. |
ID the old mandarin for fair. And
'ou, Richard, are an accessory after |
he fact. Deciding to end his misera, |
Die life. Sin Wei unloaded his loot |
ipon you. his benefactor. and surely |
t comes in OPPORTUNITY, eh. monY
But they don't belong TO me-" OBJ
ected Durwent. even while he knew
hat he could never find the owner aft |
n fifteen years of revolution and riot |
n China.
You can satisfy your conscience by |
rying to find the mandarin, and in |
he meantime | don't believe he would |
are IL you used one little emerald to |
ave your precious effects. Eth, monY' |