davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-22

are Con Chok,' the Bird of Con.
fucius.' That first symbol Is the fam
lily name Of the great Sage. sacred be-
yond words to everysson OF the Celes-
tial Empire. To tear that word. to
step on 1t. to desecrate It in any way,
Is an Insult to the gods of literature
but to plunge knife through 1t, as the
thief in his hurry did. is to bring down
upon him and all his family the VEN
geance OF high Heaven. When charg-
ed him with 1t yesterday. he fell faint
ing on the stone floor Of his celll But
to continue my story. Gentlemen when
l made my first examination Of the
frame from which the embroidery had
been cut. I discovered that the thief
In his hurry had cut into the head and
neck OF the bird. thus running the
symmetry of the figure and making It
practically impossible for him to dis
pose of 1t without very careful repairs.
and'-here he turned TO Mr.. Takimoto
our friend the manager will testify
that the skilled workmen who could do
that are only in Japan and the number
OF them Is very limited This led me
to conclude al once that It was not the
figure Of the entire bird that he want
ed. but only the outspreading tail with
its beautiful feathers. Someone, some
price for peacock feathers-who could
it be? The Chinese answer suggested
itself at once: 1t must be some high
ranked official. On investigating fur
Their I found that the only ones who
had been in or near the Colony at that
time, were the two dignitaries who at
tended the viceroy's funeral
And how did you connect them with
the robbery?'
"Oh. a little Chinese interrogation
of the head of the boatmens guild
brought that all to the light found
that the soldiers on the Official junk
had seized the boat-man for his care
lessness in dropping the hats and
feathers overheard and had threatened
him with death unless his family pro-
vided others to take their place. None
could be procured here in Hong Kong
in time for the ceremonies. so Deaf Lee
was induced to save the day and also
his brothers life by cutting the en-
broidered ones out of the frame"
/ His brothers life?"
| Yes. you see he was the boat-man's
own brother-our Chinese families are
very much inter laced"
But how did you find that out?"
! All Gentlemen. you must really exc
cuse met would be difficult to ex-
plain that to a European audience"
But surely silk feathers would no.
be stiff enough to decorate a hat?'
"Oh. a little rice-glue fixed that. aid
then. a long goose-feather inserted in
the middle gave them the necessary
rigidity and made them look quite nat
ural."
Deaf Lee. then. will be tried at the
next Criminal Court?"
mo. Gentlemen" interrupted Cap
tain Brownlow, who had entered tbs
room unobserved. he will not be tried
by any court. for he swallowed opium
in his cell two hours ago."
''Tien Ming! The Decree of Heaven
cried Wang Foo. as he rose and point
ed to the ceiling. The Decree Of
Heaven-let not mortal man presum,
to question it,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-22

gan. Mr. Takimoto described the dis
covery of the theft and all the attend
ant circumstances. The Assistant In
spector told all that he knew and what
had come to him from the native Of
ffcers and added a few suspicious of
his own. Mr.. Wang listened very at
tentively, stopping them now and then
to make a few notes in a little book
which he drew from his sleeve.
II should like. first of ALL he began,
ito be shown over this apartment
where the robbery took place"
With pleasure" replied his host,
and. rising from their seats, they fol-
lowed him about the room while every
door and window and screen was care
fully examined
Has there been any change what
ever in the furniture of the room since
that night? ?" he asked.
None at all-everything stands now
exactly where 1t did then"
He took his stand in the center of
the room and carefully surveyed its
contents.
Every door and window has Euro
pean locks and hinges, has It not ?
There are no japanese screens or slid
ing panels?'
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-22

Yes. Sir, everything is absolutely
secure. and the room is locked and
bolted every night Nc one but my
self holds the keys"
That lacquer cabinet is almost
large enough for man to conceal
himself behind 1t. il it not?"
We'll. small sized person might
possibly squeeze in between it and the
wall"
who cleans and dusts the room?"
odd Deaf Lee the coolie is the only
servant allowed to enter here. and l
go over it after him every time"
rs this old servant really deaf?"
quite deaf. Sir; that's the reason
they gave him the name"
Please send for nim."
The coolie was promptly summoned
and put through r1gii examination
in his native tongue while the tive
guests stood and tried to gather what
they could from his gestures. tor the
language was entirely beyond tn m.
That Is all, Gentlemen, and now ]
must ask the privilege OF few DAYS
leisure to give this matter the thought
and attention that it deserves"
This closed the inter new and. bid
ding them goodbye. Wang Foo saun-
tered out into the highway and walked
leisurely in the direction of the Ave
nue. of Fragrant Waters. Reaching his
home, he said to the Venerable Grand
One: Il want a quiet afternoon and
evening-bid any guests return upon
the morrow
TT is done as the Master says" re-
piled the aged attendant as she care
fully bolted the outer gate and went
to prepare the tea. He assembled the
steep steps into the upper room. and
when the boiling tea and fragrant pipe
appeared. he removed his silken Jacket
and sat down to ponder over what he
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-22

noise and confusion reigned supreme
as the soldiers on board attempted to
force a passage for her to the steamer.
When she finally was made fast, a long
line OF servants and retainers Chamber
ed on the gangway, clearing the way
for two high officers of state who had
come to pay their respects to the great
departed one. They were Chang the
Fan-Tai Cor Treasurer GeneraD and
Woo the Tao-Tai Cor Intendant of the
Circuit). They were of equal noble
rank, so. in addition to the embroider-
ed ceremonial robes and disks. each
wore the three peacock feather in
his hat. one with the knob Of blue
crystal and the other with the knob of
red coral More than two hours were
taken up with the elaborate ritual pre-
scribed in the Book of Rites and Cere-
monies and they were escorted back to
their junk with profound bows and
expressions of gratitude on the part of
the Vicerega1 mourners. Once safely
back in their little cabin, they both
breathed long signs of relief and pro-
coed to exchange the uncomfortable
uniforms for the easy garments OF
every day life.
well, We got safely through It," ex-
claimed Chang.
The luckiest escape of our lives."
answered Woo.
Just why it was called "a lucky es-
cape will appear from the following
incident. and thereby hangs a tale.
Two nights before, while they wer4
bringing some baggage aboard the
junk, a careless boat-man had slipped
and dropped a circular oil-skin case
into the water and in spite Of frantic
efforts to save it, it sank before his
eyes, It contained the official hats
and decorations-the m1sr important
part of their regalia. When it became
known, the officials were furious. The.
ordered the soldiers to seize the boat
man and beat him there and II en-. de
| fell upon his knees and shriel: ID FOL
mercy, but all his cries were useless
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-22
HIS SON BILL.

Gentlemen" he asked. as he came
up to a lot Of men on the corner. let
me ask you If the Rainbow Division
over In France has had a fight YETI"
why. three or four Of them" was
the reply.
Il can't hardly believe it," said the
man. You see. I have got a son. Bill.
in that Division. Yes, he Is one of the
Rainbows. II there was a fight. Bill
would be into it,
But wasn't he into any Of the
fights?" was asked.
Il don't think he was. II he was.
can't make him out. Bill was always
a great brag. and If he had been in =
battle. and even put a bullet through .
Huns hat, he would have written me q
four-page letter about it. Bill Is either
sick and can't go into a fight. or else
there is a great Change come over him
and 1 begin to be worried about it."
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-22
In Fukien Province He Started
a Christian Organization.
MADE HOME into CHURCH
Had His Own Ten Command
mentS-GOOd Ones.
Then Came Curious People
They Stayed to Pray.

Foochow, China. Jan. 10 (by mail.)
How an nliterate Chinaman of
Fukien province started a Christian
church all by himself without the help
or knowleged of missionaries or ma
tive preachers. was told in letter
from Mrs. Elizabeth F. Brewster. Il
Methodist Episcopal missionary at Ng
Sauh.
This man was on a journey and be-
ing tired went into a church to sit
down. He was impressed by what he
heard AMI went again and again. He
tried to persuade his friends to go,
but they scoffed at any good thing
coming from Outside countries
At length he decided to make his
home, which had been in the family
long time and so was sacred by Chi
nese standards. into a church. To car
~ out the transformation he planned
to put out a sign Heaven Doctrine
Hail. over the front door and a tablet
with the Ten Commandments on the
wall behind where the pulpit was sup
posed to be.
Hired mmandments Written.
But he was in a quandary for he
could not write. He finally went to
the village writer and hired him to
write out the Ten Commandments. His
abbreviated version, as he dictated it
to the letter writer, was as follows:
1. One God.
gods.
III. Don't use Gods name lightly.
~. Six days work. one day rest.
" Honor your parents.
VI. Don't kill.
VII. Don't commit adultery.
VIII. Don't steal.
TX. Don't bear false witness.
X. Don't covet
Then His First Sermon
With everything now in order, he
went back to the church where he had
seen the light for one more inspiration
and then came home and held a serv-
ice in his own church.
The people of the neighborhood
were curious. They crowded in to
see what this man could say. His
stock of Christian lore was limited.
But he made up for this in fervor.
He repeated and enlarged upon what
he had heard in picturesque. nowery
style.
And it took Converts began to
grow in number In a few weeks he
had a congrega ton.
Only then did the demand for a
trained preacher arise. The congrega-
ton gathered and got up a petition
on piece of red paper. Then they
went in a body to visit the American
Methodist missionary. W. n. Brewster
recently deceased. They crowded into
his office and put the petition in his
hand.
Inc people of O-ha-D village
petition you and the great Methodist
church to send US a preacher to lead
US in the way of life," it read.
Then Came the Story.
They told the story of the house
that had become a church. The mis-
sionary and a native preacher de-
cided to visit it. When they entered.
the Chinese pree was shocked at
the sight of the abbreviated ten COM
mandments and was about to rebuke
the man for mutilating the sacred
word. But the American, with sus-
picion of a tear in his eye but a look
of great joy in his face, checked
him. -sf.
we will send you a prea Cher
he told the petitioners. ''It is to aid
in just such cases as this that the
Methodist Episcopal church in Ameri-
ca organized its missionary centenary
to raise s120,O00,0OO. We will help
you in every way we can
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-22

This left them in the most serious PFC.
dicament, for it was impossible TO OBJ
tain official decorations short Of Can
ton, many miles away. and to fail to
appear at the proper hour ut the Vice
regal ceremony would be most serious
and damaging reflection upon them
even endangering their official rank.
should it reach the ears OF the Court
Censors at Picking. The boat-man's
family, almost paralyzed with fea-.
started to scull the sam pan bacx TO
the wharf, but not before the deputies
had taken the number of their English
license "42' and screamed at them
Bring back that parcel before tomor-
row, or your father dies the death!"
They tied the sam-pan 60 the wharf
and hurried to their home: Wen Sang.
the eldest son, addressed the weeping
mother:
Give me every dollar you have con-
cea1ed beneath the floor"
She hurriedly took a knife and, pry-
ing up a brick beneath the couch. took
out a roll of yellow paper and handed
1t over to him. He counted It
Twenty dollarsi It Is not
enough: give me that silver anklet
CpointinS to ths hAavv band of nrsciniis
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-22
A MATTER OF PRUDENCE.

Five or six men were seated around
a new building, when workman
wheeling a barrow Of bricks came up
to dump 1t.
Hurry up that thing," called one %
the workmen.
But what is the great hurry?" pro-
tested the other.
Don't you see that man coming uD
the street?'
It do
We'll, he's the government tax man.
and IL he sees that wheelbarrow 1t win
be bad for our boys. They have put
a tax on everything on wheels but have
forgotten the wheelbarrow.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-22
JUST MISSED PERFECTION.

When Mrs. Langtry was at the sums
NIT of her beauty and fame she met a.
a dinner an African King who was Wis.
iting London She did her best to
please the dusl1y monarch and evident.
ly succeeded. for he aid to her as they
parted: "Ah madam. IL heaven haa
only made you black and fat you would
be irresistible"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-22
WE MIGHT FURNISH sLAra.

The Germans made their bed: ana
now that they must lie in It they i'm.
mediately. as some one has expressed
1t, beg the Americans to make II ovsR
and pad 1t and put new holsters ana
fresh pillows and a coverlet OF downy
charity over 1t.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-22
OR WORDS TO THAT EFFECT.

Last week several items were pue
back owing to lack of time. space and
that sort Of thing. which no one ex-
cept those initiated quite understands.
We always dislike to leave out soms-
thing of which we are aware. as there
are always many things taking place
of which we do not know or fail to get
details which must perforce be unnen.
toned
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-03-18
GREGORY GOES
FOR OPERATION
The Keokuk Soldier Who is Special
Depository for Hun Shrapnel
Enters Hospital
Again.

Sergeant Ebert H. Gregory. who
came home with thirty-odd wounds
from shrapnel. some experiences WITT
gas, and his face shot away, Is grac-
ualIy pulling out from under the sur
geons of the army.
His face was made about as good
as new in an eastern hospital before
he returned to Keokuk, and most of
the other wounds healed well. But
one or two OF the places require 8
secondary operation, it turns out.
Gregory left last evening for Chr
cago under orders to report to the
marine hospital there for another op'
Grafton.
He Is now most concerned about get
ting out of the ward in time to go east
TO foin his regiment the famous f68th
infantry, when 1t arrives on this side
for triumphal tour over the coun-
try
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-03-18


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The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-03-18
pair of Short stops.

rTTnited Press Leased Wire Service
CHICAGO, March 1S.-The Chicago
White Sox are fortified with a pair
az short stops for the 1919 season.
An hour after buck Weaver was
persuaded to sign his contract yester-
day. "Swede" Risberg's document
with his name appended arrived by
mail.
Competition foS the third basing
iob ON the Cubs team was assured
last night by the signing of Charlie
Deal, last years third sacker. 0iiai.
Job, already is signed.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-03-18
MRS. RESSLER'S
FUNERAL TODAY
Services Conducted by Her Pastor
and Largely Attended This
Morning, with Burial
In Oakland

The funeral of Mrs. Kate Ressler
was held at 2:30 o'clock this after
noon at the residence of her daugh-
ter, Mrs. c. S. Cooley, 906 Concert
street. and was attended by many
reighbors and friends.
The service was conducted by Rev.
1tr. Ezra B. Newcomb, pastor of the
First Westminster Presbyterian
church, of which Mrs Ressler was a
Il ember.
Burial was in the family lot In
Oakland cemetery. The pail bearers
were Vincent H. Phillips, Busch Da.
vles. Leo p. Gredell, w. N. Sage. e.
a. Riser and William Balbach,
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-03-18
To investigate Itself.

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service. ]
COLUMBUS. Ohio, March 18.-The
Ohio legislature started today to in
vestigate itself. A joint committee
of six is authorized in resolution
passed in the senate last night to
look into charges that "milker'' bills
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-03-18

have been introduced in both
branches and that some members
have been implicated In bribery
deals. The resolutions passage in
the house today is assured.
Under the terms of the resolution
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-03-18

the investigators have :, vsstieat.
powers to go the limit IN .n erl
ing the conduct of leglsia other per-
ployes, lobbyists and any with ~
sons who have had dealings
legislature.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1919-06-19
COLISEUM HAS LARGEST
STAGE IN THE WORLD.
Growing Feature Of Methodist
Centenary Celebration.

Columbus, O.--As the Coliseum is
the browning feature of the exposi-
ton grounds where the Methodist
Centenary celebration will be held
June 20 to July 10, SO it will house
q number of the GROWING features of
that celebration.
Built originally by the state of Ohio
at cost of quarter of a million
dollars to house live stock exhibit
tions, it has been transformed by lib
eral expenditures into one of the
finest auditoriums in America.
1t has been furnished with $4,000
pipe organ.
1t has been fitted with the largest
stage in America.
It has been reseated to accommo-
date 5000 spectators.
The stage will accommodate 1000
people.
The orchestra pit is arranged for
IS musicians.
The building is solid concrete, steel
and glass. and has extraordinary
acoustic properties.
In the building will be given the
daily presentation of the pageant,
-Tne wsyfarer" with 1000 partici-
pants; the daily organ, recital. peri
odic concerts by the symphony or,
chestrs. concerts by the trombone
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1919-06-19
NEWS ITEMS
OF THE SECTION

The Dunlap Tribune charges
half price for obituaries.
Miss Matte Johnson was oper'
ated on at the Curry Sanatarium.
So. Pittsburg, for appendicitis.
William C. LockharI has re-
turned to Sequatchie county
from the great war.
Eek Garden has returned to
Sequatchie County from the war.
He was wounded in the right
leg in the Argonne fight.
The District Conference of the
M. E. Church, south, voted at
Dayton last week to meet at So.
Pittsburg next year.
Sanford Stephens, of Pea
vine, while repairing his wagon,
got a piece Of steel in his eye,
seriously injuring it.
Miss Leila Jarrett, Of South
Pittsburg, and Mr.. James Knox
McKamy, of Cleveland, were
married at South Pittsburg.
Litton T. Thurman, of Cross
vile, Co. A, 18th Infantry, has
been cited for bravery during en-
gagement near Bellicourt, Sept.
10Th.
The ladies of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church. of So. Pitts
burg, gave an ice cream supper
Saturday night, the proceeds of
which will be used for the main
tenance of a French orphan adj
opted by the, Sunday School.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1919-06-19
PEOPLE WANT
NEW PUMP

Citizens want a new pump al
the courthouse at Jasper so as to
obtain once more the cool, re-
freshing water which once was
available from the bosom of
Old Mother Earth. A water
system has been installed which
is very convenient and should in
n measure be retained. but the
water is not so refreshing as that
from the well, and the people
miss it.
The News starts the list for a
new pump with one dollar. &Mr.
S. H. Alexander is next with an
other dollar, and all wanting a
new pump installed are asked to
leave their contributions at the
Marion Trust & Banking CO.,
Jasper. AID Mr., Alexander. when
funds are sufficient, will request
the county judge, L. P. Brewer,
to install it. Let everybody help
on this. as everybody seems to
miss the excellent water.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1919-06-19
vVhftWeiI.
SsefiaI 70 ne Mas.

SssaeI 10 he Macs.
Hot weather seems to be the or
der of day, as everybody is putting
fans to good use.
Work picked up at Whitwell last
week as they ran three days, but ye
writer missed one of them.
Joe Tanner ahd wife of South
Pittsburg, visited Mrs. Tanners faith
er from Saturday till Monday.
Misses Pauline and Mabel Dykes
were out walking Sunday afternoon.
Mrs. John Condra of South Pitts
burg has been visiting her daughter,
Mrs. Ida Rankin.
Miss Graoie Thomas and little
brother, David Edward, are visiting
their sister, Mrs. Josie Hardy, this
week.
Mrs. Frank Holloway and little
daughter, visited her sister, Mrs. At
sic Mcintyre, Of Needmore, Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Hardy, Hardle
Hardy, Misses Oracle Thomas and
Jue Taylor motored to South Pitts
burg and the cement plant Monday
night and reported nice time.
I Deax Hatfield was seen in Whit
well Sunday with smile on his face
like a wave on his pap's goose pond.
Willie Holloway escorted Miss
Lena Saynes home from church Sun
day night.
I Oscar Thomas and Miss Rosie Ora
witt seemed to enjoy eating cream
Saturday afternoon.
Miss Jue Taylor spent Sunday
with Mrs. Josie Hardy.
If you want to see Oracle Thomas
smile just ask her who her new fell
low is.
Ye writer hopes Houston Powell
didn't lose his panama hat Saturday
night in the scrap.
Wonder who had Deax Hatfeld's
waxNSunday?
If you want to see Oscar Thomas
ask him who he bought the watch
bracelet for Saturday evening?
What's wrong with "Sweet Kid"
and 'sBuddie" of Needmore. Come
on with your junk as we miss you.
Willie Holloway started home
with Charlie Pickett Saturday, but
Carlos Dempsey happened to go too
Mount Hatfield and best girl SEEM
ed to enjoy themselves Sunday
night at the holiness meeting.
Houston Powell called on his best |
girl Sunday night. |
Mick Graham and Miss May |
Saynes attended holiness meeting
Sunday. Sleeping Beauty.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1919-06-19
White City.

Specialize Tie Mesos.
Hot weather is the order of
the day. We have to look twice
to see the ground for the heat.
We are having a good meeting
out here held under a bush arbor.
Large crowds are attending.
S. P. Dishroon and daughters
attended the meeting Saturday
night.
Flies are bad IN this section.
Fourteen of them got after a
horse the otner day and broke
their necks chasing him.
Miss Elsie Martin visited at
Oak Grove last week.
Rain is badly needed in these
diggins for gardens are burning
up.
Mr.. Bacon is recovering from a
badly mashed foot.
People are having a hard time
now to live. but strange to say
have plenty plenty of flies and
potato bugs.
Wake up Oak Grove and Pryor
Ridge. Like to read your piec-
es. Singing Scorpion.