Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-08-18

.VAuAAyAVt' Gays nc IrIVc!eQ the
whole oriental circuit and never en-
countered a superstition that wasn't a
bubble Of hot air. Now, Dacre, you
now we like to believe that some
where east Of Suez' lies all the glamour
IF the Arabian Nights Hang it all, a
mans got to have some decisions left
him.
Keep away from the cast, then"
;nee:cd Charming.
"Why?" asked Dacre.
Claiming stared at his cigar. "Too
nan? ruined temples, ferocious stone
:@ods and imaginary dragons snorting
ire and fury. A land glutted with
-:,erstition."
DR.. Wakeman exploded wrathful-
j. Most Of my travelling has been
rom one sickroom to another, but I
Ike to believe there's bit Of poetry
md charm in the terrestrial anatomy
hat needn't cut out!'
They laughed, looking at Dacre, who
,ad just returned from China.
What is your opinion, nacre?" asked
stevens.
I've lived in the east for years."
said Dacre slowly. I've seen strong
non quake before the wrath Of their
"ods-aye, mean gods CT wood and
>tone-and I know of a tiny image Of
:'rddha which would speak to GER
an man-if the man could be found"
Hear! Hear" applaudcd Wray.
Dacre smiled reminiscen:ly.
Near the Yangtze river there is a
mall Buddhist temple dedicated to the
god of averted calamity Its affairs
re always covered with votive Offer
i.Ss, for many pilgrims come there.
'A:nese pirates, laden with rich booty,
ring costly trinkets to l;lacate the god.
lonest sailors pause to leave a bit Of
oral or amber. Mandai'ins go ashore
o pledge jewels for safe voyage, and
occasionally foreign tourists stumble
mon the temple and try to buy curios."
Claiming Sat rigidly in his chair. He
stoned acutely.
"Of course" resumed nacre, 'ethe
.'iiests swear that the treasures are
ct for sale-this is the story Of man
18th a mania for collecting jade and
vory carvings, who wouldn't believe
Y the wrath Of the gods Tie came to
he temple and saw its riches He
:vied to buy some carvings, but the
'ged priest refused to sell.
"Smith-the mans name might have
zen Smith-laughcd and went away.
lie told himself that every man had
us price and that if he could only find
ut the priests price why he could
lave his choice of the Ivory carvings.
% he schemed and schcr:cl and at
,st the only plan TINT he could con-
eve was very ordinary one.
Tile went direct to TIC priest and Of
cred to buy the most rrc~',:!s carving
# all. The priest was obdurate.
"'The wrath Of the gods will be upon
ne,' he declared.
""The richest man III the world
wants to buy wheedled Smith.
The priest hesitated and his onyx
yes glittered generously.
1.-the honorable foreigner is the rich
nan?' he asked tentatively.
Smith nodded.
.''And the price?
Smith named it. Enough to buy
nile house and garden Oh the slopes
I the Yangtze, where the priests
gel sisters could end their days in
.eaceful plenty.
ut was a bitter temptation. The
.;cst was very poor and he hesitated.
It last he spoke. rs not the honorable
orcigner afraid of the wrath Of the
.ods?'
Smith laughed again. I'll take a
!,:nce on that he said carelessly.
How about it? Is it a bargain?' And
',e held out eager hands for the ivory
wing he most coveted
Still the priest hesitated. The
:rath of the gods is not to be lightly
.'o!zen off, he reproved. when dumb
eds speak, then shall the heart Of the
>->!i,ty quake
But Smith was not to be frightened
1T of his desire for the ivory Buddha.
&c could see in his minds eye the
cry niche in his cabinet where the
arriving would stand-next to the Jade
:inulet, the flower of his collection. He
ritted his teeth and said he would
1T lie disappointed. Then lie smiled
n the priest, dropped liberal contri-
ution in the bronze box ut the door
nd went away to brood over the ivory
nrving.
HE was not afraid of the wrath of a
:umb ivory god. He laughed at the
very idea. But what did the man mean
by saying dumb gods could speak?
That was all tommyrot. Smith didn't
believe in the occult. He was a plain,
matter Of fact sort of chap He col
lected worries. He had found one that
he wanted, and because he could not
have it he wanted it the more. A few
days later he went back to the temple.
The priest met him gravely.
"'About that ivory carving Smith
said, and the priest nodded and