CHOW CHOW.*

* Chow Chow is Pid-gin English for, assorted, various, little bits, and food.

YUK NOO,

THE ROUND HEAD'S DAUGHTER.

A ROMANCE OF 1,600 YEARS AGO.

TRANSLATED FROM THE CHINESE BY THE LATE REVD. EDWIN EVANS, CONSULAR CHAPLAIN, AMOY.

CHAPTER II.

The next morning, when Mô Ke returned, Kim Laon Ta saw that his son-in-law regarded him with contempt, and was filled with shame, but Mô Ke, knowing that what had happened was unavoidable, and although he was anything but pleased with it, did not say a word upon the subject.

Yuk Noo, grieving at the lack of respectability in her family, determined to advise her husband to study diligently both ancient and modern authors, and she was not sparing of money for the purpose, but purchased the necessary books for his use, invited learned men to the house to associate with him, and even bribed people to speak in praise of his abilities.

Mô Ke's talents were improved by study, his fame daily increased, and when he was twenty-three years of age, he entered for examination and obtained a high degree. After the Imperial feast, of which all the successful candidates partook, with his embroidered robes still upon him, he mounted his horse and rode home to his father-in-law's house. All the people whom he met on the road, pointed to him and said, "That is Kim the Round Head's son-in-law, see what a great man he has become!" Mô Ke was displeased at hearing this, but was obliged to put up with it patiently. When he met Kim Laon Ta, although he was outwardly very polite, in his heart he was very angry, and thought to himself, "if I had foreseen that I should have obtained this honorable and wealthy office, I would never have become son-in-law to any one under the rank of nobility, but lo! I must now bow to an old Beggar Chief and call him father-in-law; can I be otherwise to the end of my life than as a broken gem. If I should have a child, it would be the grandchild of an old Round Head, and be the butt of every one."

Thinking thus, he became abstracted, and Yuk Noo addressed him several times without his replying, so she thought to herself;—

"Now that my husband has obtained wealth and honor, he has forgotten the time when he was poor and lowly, and is unmindful of all the kind assistance he received from my father; this makes me fear that his heart is not right." In a short time Mô Ke obtained the appointment of magistrate of Woo Wei Keun and his father-in-law gave him a parting feast before he left, but this time the beggars did not dare to come to the house and create a disturbance.

The way from Lim An to Woo Wei Keun is by water and Mô Ke accompanied by his wife embarked and proceeded on his journey to take possession of his office.

After travelling several days they arrived at Chae Yew Keang and the boat was anchored on the northern bank of the river.

That night the moon shone as brightly as though it were day. Mô Ke lay down, but being unable to sleep, he got up, dressed himself and went on deck where he sat looking at the moon.

All was silent! there was no one to be seen, and Mô Ke began to ponder upon his connexion with the Round Heads, which grieved him sorely.

Suddenly the evil thought sprang up in his heart, that if his present wife were dead he would then be free to marry into some other family and thus do away with the disgrace which would otherwise attend him to the end of his life.

His determination was soon taken and he entered the cabin, and called Yuk Noo to get up and come with him to look at the beautiful moon.

She had gone to sleep. Mô Ke repeated his efforts till he roused her, and, being unwilling to disobey her husband's wishes, she put on her clothes and went with him to the forepart of the boat.

Mô Ke now proceeded to carry out his plan. Suddenly he dragged her to the boat's edge and pushed her into the river!

Mô Ke instantly ordered the crew to unmoor the boat and proceed on their way, and promised them a handsome reward if they went quickly. The boatmen, not knowing the reason for this command, poled the boat along and rowed with their oars, until, after having gone more than ten miles, they again anchored.

Mô Ke told them that his lady, while standing looking at the moon, had fallen into the water, that he had used his utmost to endeavours to save her but all in vain. He then gave them three Taels of silver to purchase liquor with.

Although they were suspicious not one of the boatmen dared to open his mouth, and the few female attendants, whom the lady had brought with her, only knew that their mistress had really fallen overboard, and could do nothing but weep and wring their hands.

The reader will no doubt say that this was a very wicked, artful deed of Mô Kes.

It so happened that the Commissioner of Hwae, named Hew Tih How, was also on his road to take up an appointment at the same time that Mô Ke was making his journey, and his boat was also anchored on the northern bank of the Chae Yew Keang. Just as Mô Ke had pushed his wife into the water, Hew Tih How and his wife had opened their window to look at the moon, and were enjoying themselves over a cup of wine. Before they retired to rest they were suddenly surprised by the sound of weeping and knew it to be a woman's voice. It was very melancholy and excited their compassion so much that Hew Tih How told the boatmen to take him to see what was the matter.

He discovered a lonely female sitting on the bank of the river, and at once took her on board. Upon enquiry he found that she was the wife of the magistrate of Woo Wei Keun.

CHAPTER III.

Yuk Noo, when she first fell into the water, had given up all hope, and resigned herself to die, when she suddenly perceived something in the water, and supporting herself by it, floated down with the current and, being carried near the river's bank, she succeeded in scrambling to the shore, but on looking round, she could see nothing on the river, only a vast expanse of water and her husband's boat was out of sight. The thought then struck Yuk Noo that Mô Ke having become a great man, he was anxious to get rid of her, in order that he might be able to make a better match, but now although she had escaped drowning, there was no place near where she could obtain support and shelter. These sad thoughts caused her to weep aloud and afterwards being closely questioned by Hew Tih How, she gave a minute account of her whole history. Having finished her story she wept incessantly.

Hew Tih How and his wife both felt the sincerest pity for her and could not themselves help shedding tears, but they said to her "do not weep so bitterly! be comforted! You shall be our adopted daughter and then you will again be happy." Yuk Noo bowed herself and thanked them.

Hew Tih How advised his wife to give Yuk Noo some dry clothes and make her change what she had on, and then let her lie down in the back cabin to rest. Also ordered all his attendants to call her "the young lady," and told them to keep the affair secret, and not reveal it to any one. In a very short time they arrived at Hae Sae, and Hew Tih How entered upon his office. Now Woo Wei Keun was a place included under his authority, consequently, Hew Tih How was Mô Ke's immediate superior, but had never as yet seen or associated with him. However, after he had made his acquaintance, Hew Tih How thought to himself "what a pity it is that Mô Ke, a man of such superior abilities, should have been guilty of so wicked an action as he committed against his wife."

At the expiration of a few months Hew Tih How informed his subordinates. in office, that he had a daughter possessed of both talents and beauty, who was now marriageable, and he wished to select a clever young man for her husband, and to become his son-in-law; he then asked if either of them knew of a suitable person. They replied that Mô Ke had lately lost his wife, and recommended him as a very superior young man, who was worthy the honor of such an alliance. Hew Tih How said.

"I have long thought of that youth, but he is still young, and has not yet attained high honors, so at present he is unfit to enter my family, but" he

added, "since all you gentlemen think it would be a suitable match, you may mention the thing to Mô Ke, only be sure to tell him it is your own suggestion, and then you will be able to discover his real feelings."

Being thus commissioned, they went to sound Mô Ke and offered to become mediators. Now this young man's ruling passion was ambition, but to be connected in marriage with the High Commissioner was even beyond his utmost expectations, and he therefore most joyfully consented. Hew Tih How was soon informed of the result of the negociation and he said.

"Although Mô Ke has not rejected the offer, still my wife and myself greatly love this girl, and have brought her up most tenderly, therefore we cannot bear to part with her. Even after her marriage, we wish her to remain with us, which perhaps Mô Ke may not agree to, so this ought to be settled beforehand."

When Mô Ke was informed of the condition, he unhesitatingly agreed to it. At this time he was a very different person, from when he was only a poor Bachelor of Arts. He now was able to send golden flowers and embroidered silks for his marriage presents, and selected a lucky day for his wedding. Hew Tih How then instructed his wife to speak thus to Yuk Noo.

"My old husband, pitying your solitary condition, wishes to unite you to a young literary graduate. I hope you will not oppose this."

Yuk Noo answered, "Although I am descended from a poor family, still I am slightly acquainted with propriety; and since I have been married to Mô Ke, the marriage can only cease with life. Although he disliked me on account of my low origin, and treated me cruelly, how could I ever re-marry and so violate a wife's fidelity.

Having thus spoken, she wept bitterly. The old lady finding that she was sincere in what she said, then revealed the truth to her, and said.

"The young man that my husband has chosen, is no other than Mô Ke himself. Pitying you both, he wishes you to be re-united, but has made Mô Ke believe that you are a daughter of his own, and his officers were directed to settle the matter with Mô Ke upon the condition that you were both to reside in our house after your marriage, to which he has willingly consented. This evening is fixed for the Bridegroom to enter our family, and when he comes into the room you must do as I shall instruct you."

Yuk Noo then dried up her tears and having rouged her face, and dressed herself in new clothes, was busy till evening in making every necessary arrangement for her marriage.

Mô Ke, wearing his cap of office, with a golden flower stuck in it, and attired in crimson colored satin robes, mounted a fine horse that was covered with elegant trappings, and, with two bands of music preceding, and all his fellow officers accompanying him, he proceeded along the road. Who would not say it was a pretty sight! Having arrived at the house, Mô Ke dismounted and Hew Tih How came forth to receive and welcome him.