The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1936-05-22
IN TWO PARTS-PART ONE

~ ON4Es11ME you may pc fortunate
~ in finding venerable tale tell
~ about the old Ming romances.
Persuade him to tell you the
story Of Nj Shou-lien. On the lips of
your old Chinese, with the proper flair
for embroidery, the little opera be-
comes an exposition of those human
virtues which are ageless. He will say
how, In the beginning, Mr.. Nj first dis
covered the fragrant Mel, as startllnglly
denly knew that he loved her. Project
Nj was no callow youth, but a staid
.widower of countless bright summers,
with grown boy to worship him after
he was dead. It was with the thought
that the loneliness of a flower should
ornament the last few swift years of
q life almost spent that Project Nj sued
for the girls hand in marriage.
She was the orphan of a respected
scholar The old man sent lavish be-
trothal pA eSents: An exquisite black
cloisonne water buffalo, jade pendant
jeweled with turquoise and pirpoints
of rubies, lacquered toilet set painted
with legends Of the pote Ii T'ai-po,
whose own mouth the Sun of Heaven
wiped with his silken sleeve, a gilded
fan Of ivory, together with divers other
ornaments and bijoutry of amber, por-
celain, jasper and gold.
Nj had son, Shan-chi, who, Of
ers remarriage, and so Mr.. Nj had the
er's remarriage, and so Mr.. Nj had the
layers thought them a fascinating
couple, one no more than II, the other
white of hair and wrinkled by three
score winter SHOWS. Mel stood proudly,
wife CT the project, elevated, mistress
of servants, and decoration in that pal
ace of decorations. Her father, 10 be
sure, had been learned man, poet
and scholar, possessor of proud and
honorable name. Luxury such as this,
dreams on white n-shimmcring
nights. It was miracle come to earth,
and for the sweet benevolent Nj Shou-
lien she conceived passionate regard.
She was decorously gay, infinitely
happy.
Dark whispers, like rain clouds that
swiftly gather ominously, were newt
able, as your story teller will make
clear. Shan-cm, Mr.. Mis- elder son,
lily concealed his intense displeasure
in what he dubbed an unnatural af-
the tenor of his thoughts as he went
about sullenly. With unfilial lack of
piety he complained to his wife. You
would think he had done this thing
to spite me-" he said.
Eyes," murmured his wife. II agree
with you."
His days are numbered. It is as
though he purchased new jade lamp
in the market, or pretty jewel. will
admit that the person, whom consider
a flirt and a pretender, has a degree
Of surface charm, and pretty ways
that sort of thing. Beneath it all, how
ever, she is no more or less than an
adventures marrying a man of my
fathers age! Why should I mince
words, or treat the situation with
delicacy? For there is no delicacy about
it, let me tell you. If the truth IS the
measure of your language, then ! de-
clare that the Lady Mel is simply a
tainly not taken in by her"
1T is obvious" said Nj Shan-chi's
wife.
Furthermore, it is well known that
the young wives of old men invariably
become wild creatures, bringing Cos
sip and disgrace on ancient, and hon
orable families. They pout and smirk
for the sake of rich clothes and jewelry,
and when the man IS dead which is
mince off with the loot of their de-
pravity, now enjoying the fruit of their
Hl-gotten gains in the company of some
not-too- particular new young flame. It
is rarely otherwise, assure you. No;
let me assert here and now that I
shall never willingly countenance my
fathers madness!"
what you say is favored with the
justice of reason and TRUTH" declared
Mr.. Nj, as our imaginary old ro-
mancer will make clear, was far from
being unobServant, or a stupid man;
he realized only too well his sons OBJ
jections. Instead of castigating Shan
chi's lack of filial piety, however. he
pretended to notice nothing, silently
keeping his counsel. Displeased, he con-
cealed the grief well within his heart
Nor was Mel shih insensitive to Shan
word nor sign did she show what was
perfectly obvious; she was all we'll
bred tact and politeness, the very per-
sonification of courtesy, observing in
the minutest detail the ritual of house
hold conduct. Things might have gone
on thus indefinitely but for the ap-
parentness of an event the realization
of which overwhelmed them all with
establishment. BY the light of the ninth
to Mel Shih, and no one was astounded
more than the white-haired project Nj
Shou-lien.
Startled, yet infinitely pleased, his
guests at the child's first birthday Gel
ebration slapped his back and COM
plimented him, repeating endless happy
of the day-as though their
very expression were not ironical. The
boy was given the baby name of
Chung Yang-erh, and the upshot of
the event, as might be guessed, was the
bitter WhiSDeringS of Nj Shameful He
and looked about him darby,
taking his wife aside at every oppor-
t t , An t;, when en- yea; n had passed
sented to the year-dish-(a tray Of
objects, such as pen, knife, coin, but
suggested by the first object he grasps
att, Shan-chi absented himself for the
whole day, much to the chagrin of the
honorable Nj.
Time passed, of course, and the old
man now made attempts to provide for
-