The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-05-28

Instantly MI. Skidmore was sorry.
Maybe it was nothing serious; he would
call the doctor.
Feng Ii made an almost impercept-
ible motion. mo wan doctah. Die any
way" Then he lapsed into silence hav-
IT don't know what you mean, Feng!
W Wh9as;s on your minds Don't you feel
"Yesseh. Feel well"
Then what makes you think you are
going to die?" he asked genta1ly, ready
to disabuse Feng Of his foolish fear.
II have to die. Go China side. Die"
- Mr. Skidmore looked at Mrs. Skid
more. Well, that was the way with
Chinese-their greatest ambition was
to die IN China and be buried IN the
that then he would make no effort to
keep him from it. But he would miss
Feng the Faithful.
The worst va over. Feng LIS face
frightened. Il catch new boy befO' 60"
Mr.. Skidmore was thankful for that.
But he would lev catch as good q
boy as he was. Feng Lis face cracked
into q smile.
But Mr.. Skidmore was not through.
# Feng Ii would remain he would raise
his wages. But Feng Ii shook his head,
Have to die" he repeated.
Listen here! What makes you think
you are going to die? Lots Of times
people live longer than they expect"
die n month flom today" he said
with specific exactness.
what makes you think that?" he
asked and glanced at Mrs. Skidmore.
These superstitious Chinksl
II know. Heah." He put his hand
to his neck and made a little gesture.
DO you think you have some throat
Feng Ii shook his head. '"Thloat vely
good"
Il don't understand, Feng."
II 60 to China to die TO- blotha."
For your brother!" repeated Mr..
Skidmore.
"Yesseh."
for ry yoSr a" 5so zSa @gEe'ns to Chin" to die
Feng Ii moved a bit boredly. Amelica
people vely slow Understand. And then,
as best he could, he explained the law
Of his province. His brother had been
sentenced to death, but if some MEM
Der of the family would die for him
the brothers life would be saved. Vely
Mr.. Skidmore was moved by this
fine act of loyalty, and he said so feel
ingly. Feng Ii listened patiently until
he had finished, then made a gesture
wrist watch.
"Blotha no good" he said simply.
"What!" cried Mr.. Skidmore. do
you mean to tell me that your brother
Is NO good and yet you are willing to
sYesseh. Him my blotha."
well, then, why not let him die?
Just because he Is your brother Is no
reason why you should 60 back and die
There was no logic to that.
Man die. Family 60 on"
Mr.. Skidmore could not quite see
that, so Feng Ii explained 1t. His broth
er was younger than he and had girls
plenty girls, he said with Just a hint
Of disgust in his voice-but no sons to
carry on the honorable name of Feng.
But If he 60 back and die for brother,
mebbie nice man son come long, then
the honor and respect of the Feng fam
lily would be saved.
That was doing entirely too much
for somebody who happened to be re-
lated by the accident Of birth, Mr.: Skid
but at the end said, Him blotha." That
settled it. Him die.
MI. Skidmore grew r. forceful,
and more determined. Feng Ii should
not 60 back. He should remain here,
and let the brother pay the penalty Of
his sins.
Again that faint shake. Man die.
That was foolish, too, MI. skidmore
pointed out. Especially when the broth
er was worthless.
Family must always go on" said
the illogical Feng.