"I’vesomethingtotellyou，Jack。"
　　Hisownfacewaswhite，butnotsowhiteasthatwhichMr。Oakhurstbentoverhim，——afacesoghastly，withhauntingdoubts，andahopelesspresentimentofcomingevil，——afacesopiteousinitsinfinitewearinessandenvyofdeath，thatthedyingmanwastouched，eveninthelanguorofdissolution，withapangofcompassion；andthecynicalsmilefadedfromhislips。
　　"Forgiveme，Jack，"hewhisperedmorefeebly，"forwhatIhavetosay。Idon’tsayitinanger，butonlybecauseitmustbesaid。I
　　couldnotdomydutytoyou，Icouldnotdiecontented，untilyouknewitall。It’samiserablebusinessatbest，allaround。Butitcan’tbehelpednow。OnlyIoughttohavefallenbyDecker’spistol，andnotyours。"
　　AflushlikefirecameintoJack’scheek，andhewouldhaverisen；
　　butHamiltonheldhimfast。
　　"Listen！Inmypocketyouwillfindtwoletters。Takethem——
　　there！Youwillknowthehandwriting。Butpromiseyouwillnotreadthemuntilyouareinaplaceofsafety。Promiseme。"
　　Jackdidnotspeak，butheldthelettersbetweenhisfingersasiftheyhadbeenburningcoals。
　　"Promiseme，"saidHamiltonfaintly。
　　"Why？"askedOakhurst，droppinghisfriend’shandcoldly。
　　"Because，"saidthedyingmanwithabittersmile，——"because——whenyouhavereadthem——you——will——goback——tocapture——anddeath！"
　　Theywerehislastwords。HepressedJack’shandfaintly。Thenhisgrasprelaxed，andhefellbackacorpse。
　　Itwasnearlyteno’clockatnight，andMrs。Deckerreclinedlanguidlyuponthesofawithanovelinherhand，whileherhusbanddiscussedthepoliticsofthecountryinthebar-roomofthehotel。
　　Itwasawarmnight；andtheFrenchwindowlookingoutuponalittlebalconywaspartlyopen。Suddenlysheheardafootuponthebalcony，andsheraisedhereyesfromthebookwithaslightstart。
　　Thenextmomentthewindowwashurriedlythrustwide，andamanentered。
　　Mrs。Deckerrosetoherfeetwithalittlecryofalarm。
　　"ForHeaven’ssake，Jack，areyoumad？Hehasonlygoneforalittlewhile——hemayreturnatanymoment。Comeanhourlater，to-morrow，anytimewhenIcangetridofhim——butgo，now，dear，atonce。"
　　Mr。Oakhurstwalkedtowardthedoor，boltedit，andthenfacedherwithoutaword。Hisfacewashaggard；hiscoat-sleevehunglooselyoveranarmthatwasbandagedandbloody。
　　Neverthelesshervoicedidnotfalterassheturnedagaintowardhim。"Whathashappened，Jack。Whyareyouhere？"
　　Heopenedhiscoat，andthrewtwolettersinherlap。
　　"Toreturnyourlover’sletters；tokillyou——andthenmyself，"hesaidinavoicesolowastobealmostinaudible。
　　Amongthemanyvirtuesofthisadmirablewomanwasinvinciblecourage。Shedidnotfaint；shedidnotcryout；shesatquietlydownagain，foldedherhandsinherlap，andsaidcalmly，——
　　"Andwhyshouldyounot？"
　　Hadsherecoiled，hadsheshownanyfearorcontrition，hadsheessayedanexplanationorapology，Mr。Oakhurstwouldhavelookeduponitasanevidenceofguilt。Butthereisnoqualitythatcouragerecognizessoquicklyascourage。Thereisnoconditionthatdesperationbowsbeforebutdesperation。AndMr。Oakhurst’spowerofanalysiswasnotsokeenastopreventhimfromconfoundinghercouragewithamoralquality。Eveninhisfury，hecouldnothelpadmiringthisdauntlessinvalid。
　　"Whyshouldyounot？"sherepeatedwithasmile。"Yougavemelife，health，andhappiness，Jack。Yougavemeyourlove。Whyshouldyounottakewhatyouhavegiven？Goon。Iamready。"
　　Sheheldoutherhandswiththatsameinfinitegraceofyieldingwithwhichshehadtakenhisownonthefirstdayoftheirmeetingatthehotel。Jackraisedhishead，lookedatherforonewildmoment，droppeduponhiskneesbesideher，andraisedthefoldsofherdresstohisfeverishlips。Butshewastooclevernottoinstantlyseehervictory：shewastoomuchofawoman，withallhercleverness，torefrainfrompressingthatvictoryhome。Atthesamemoment，aswiththeimpulseofanoutragedandwoundedwoman，sherose，and，withanimperiousgesture，pointedtothewindow。
　　Mr。Oakhurstroseinhisturn，castoneglanceuponher，andwithoutanotherwordpassedoutofherpresenceforever。
　　Whenhehadgone，sheclosedthewindowandboltedit，and，goingtothechimney-piece，placedtheletters，onebyone，intheflameofthecandleuntiltheywereconsumed。Iwouldnothavethereaderthink，that，duringthispainfuloperation，shewasunmoved。
　　Herhandtrembled，and——notbeingabrute——forsomeminutes（perhapslonger）shefeltverybadly，andthecornersofhersensitivemouthweredepressed。Whenherhusbandarrived，itwaswithagenuinejoythatsherantohim，andnestledagainsthisbroadbreastwithafeelingofsecuritythatthrilledthehonestfellowtothecore。
　　"ButI’vehearddreadfulnewsto-night，Elsie，"saidMr。Decker，afterafewendearmentswereexchanged。
　　"Don’ttellmeanythingdreadful，dear：I’mnotwellto-night，"
　　shepleadedsweetly。
　　"Butit’saboutMr。OakhurstandHamilton。"
　　"Please！"Mr。Deckercouldnotresistthepetitionarygraceofthosewhitehandsandthatsensitivemouth，andtookhertohisarms。Suddenlyhesaid，"What’sthat？"
　　Hewaspointingtothebosomofherwhitedress。WhereMr。
　　Oakhursthadtouchedher，therewasaspotofblood。
　　Itwasnothing：shehadslightlycutherhandinclosingthewindow；itshutsohard！IfMr。Deckerhadrememberedtocloseandbolttheshutterbeforehewentout，hemighthavesavedherthis。
　　Therewassuchagenuineirritabilityandforceinthisremark，thatMr。Deckerwasquiteovercomebyremorse。ButMrs。DeckerforgavehimwiththatgraciousnesswhichIhavebeforepointedoutinthesepages。Andwiththehaloofthatforgivenessandmaritalconfidencestilllingeringabovethepair，withthereader’spermissionwewillleavethem，andreturntoMr。Oakhurst。
　　Butnotfortwoweeks。Attheendofthattime，hewalkedintohisroomsinSacramento，andinhisoldmannertookhisseatatthefaro-table。
　　"How’syourarm，Jack？"askedanincautiousplayer。
　　Therewasasmilefollowedthequestion，which，however，ceasedasJacklookedupquietlyatthespeaker。
　　"Itbothersmydealingalittle；butIcanshootaswellwithmyleft。"
　　ThegamewascontinuedinthatdecoroussilencewhichusuallydistinguishedthetableatwhichMr。JohnOakhurstpresided。
　　WANLEE，THEPAGAN
　　AsIopenedHopSing’sletter，thereflutteredtothegroundasquarestripofyellowpapercoveredwithhieroglyphics，which，atfirstglance，IinnocentlytooktobethelabelfromapackofChinesefire-crackers。Butthesameenvelopealsocontainedasmallerstripofrice-paper，withtwoChinesecharacterstracedinIndiaink，thatIatonceknewtobeHopSing’svisiting-card。Thewhole，asafterwardsliterallytranslated，ranasfollows：——
　　"Tothestrangerthegatesofmyhousearenotclosed：therice-jarisontheleft，andthesweetmeatsontheright，asyouenter。
　　TwosayingsoftheMaster：——
　　Hospitalityisthevirtueofthesonandthewisdomoftheancestor。
　　TheSuperiormanislightheartedafterthecrop-gathering：hemakesafestival。
　　Whenthestrangerisinyourmelon-patch，observehimnottooclosely：inattentionisoftenthehighestformofcivility。
　　Happiness，Peace，andProsperity。
　　HOPSING。"
　　Admirable，certainly，aswasthismoralityandproverbialwisdom，andalthoughthislastaxiomwasverycharacteristicofmyfriendHopSing，whowasthatmostsombreofallhumorists，aChinesephilosopher，Imustconfess，that，evenafteraveryfreetranslation，Iwasatalosstomakeanyimmediateapplicationofthemessage。LuckilyIdiscoveredathirdenclosureintheshapeofalittlenoteinEnglish，andHopSing’sowncommercialhand。
　　Itranthus：——
　　"ThepleasureofyourcompanyisrequestedatNo。——SacramentoStreet，onFridayeveningateighto’clock。Acupofteaatnine，——
　　sharp。
　　"HOPSING。"
　　Thisexplainedall。ItmeantavisittoHopSing’swarehouse，theopeningandexhibitionofsomerareChinesenoveltiesandcurios，achatinthebackoffice，acupofteaofaperfectionunknownbeyondthesesacredprecincts，cigars，andavisittotheChinesetheatreortemple。Thiswas，infact，thefavoriteprogrammeofHopSingwhenheexercisedhisfunctionsofhospitalityasthechieffactororsuperintendentoftheNingFooCompany。
　　Ateighto’clockonFridayevening，IenteredthewarehouseofHopSing。TherewasthatdeliciouslycommingledmysteriousforeignodorthatIhadsooftennoticed；therewastheoldarrayofuncouth-lookingobjects，thelongprocessionofjarsandcrockery，thesamesingularblendingofthegrotesqueandthemathematicallyneatandexact，thesameendlesssuggestionsoffrivolityandfragility，thesamewantofharmonyincolors，thatwereeach，inthemselves，beautifulandrare。Kitesintheshapeofenormousdragonsandgiganticbutterflies；kitessoingeniouslyarrangedastoutteratintervals，whenfacingthewind，thecryofahawk；
　　kitessolargeastobebeyondanyboy’spowerofrestraint，——solargethatyouunderstoodwhykite-flyinginChinawasanamusementforadults；godsofchinaandbronzesogratuitouslyuglyastobebeyondanyhumaninterestorsympathyfromtheirveryimpossibility；
　　jarsofsweetmeatscoveredalloverwithmoralsentimentsfromConfucius；hatsthatlookedlikebaskets，andbasketsthatlookedlikehats；silkssolightthatIhesitatetorecordtheincrediblenumberofsquareyardsthatyoumightpassthroughtheringonyourlittlefinger，——these，andagreatmanyotherindescribableobjects，wereallfamiliartome。Ipushedmywaythroughthedimly-lightedwarehouse，untilIreachedthebackoffice，orparlor，whereIfoundHopSingwaitingtoreceiveme。
　　BeforeIdescribehim，IwanttheaveragereadertodischargefromhismindanyideaofaChinamanthathemayhavegatheredfromthepantomime。Hedidnotwearbeautifullyscallopeddrawersfringedwithlittlebells（InevermetaChinamanwhodid）；hedidnothabituallycarryhisforefingerextendedbeforehimatrightangleswithhisbody；nordidIeverhearhimutterthemysterioussentence，"Chingaringaringchaw；"nordanceunderanyprovocation。Hewas，onthewhole，arathergrave，decorous，handsomegentleman。Hiscomplexion，whichextendedalloverhishead，exceptwherehislongpig-tailgrew，waslikeaverynicepieceofglazedbrownpaper-muslin。Hiseyeswereblackandbright，andhiseyelidssetatanangleoffifteendegrees；hisnosestraight，anddelicatelyformed；hismouthsmall；andhisteethwhiteandclean。Heworeadarkbluesilkblouse；andinthestreets，oncolddays，ashortjacketofastrachanfur。Hewore，also，apairofdrawersofbluebrocadegatheredtightlyoverhiscalvesandankles，offeringageneralsortofsuggestion，thathehadforgottenhistrousersthatmorning，butthat，sogentlemanlywerehismanners，hisfriendshadforbornetomentionthefacttohim。Hismannerwasurbane，althoughquiteserious。HespokeFrenchandEnglishfluently。Inbrief，IdoubtifyoucouldhavefoundtheequalofthisPaganshopkeeperamongtheChristiantradersofSanFrancisco。
　　Therewereafewotherspresent，——ajudgeoftheFederalCourt，aneditor，ahighgovernmentofficial，andaprominentmerchant。
　　Afterwehaddrunkourtea，andtastedafewsweetmeatsfromamysteriousjar，thatlookedasifitmightcontainapreservedmouseamongitsothernondescripttreasures，HopSingarose，and，gravelybeckoningustofollowhim，begantodescendtothebasement。Whenwegotthere，wewereamazedatfindingitbrilliantlylighted，andthatanumberofchairswerearrangedinahalf-circleontheasphaltpavement。Whenhehadcourteouslyseatedus，hesaid，——
　　"IhaveinvitedyoutowitnessaperformancewhichIcanatleastpromiseyounootherforeignersbutyourselveshaveeverseen。
　　Wang，thecourt-juggler，arrivedhereyesterdaymorning。Hehasnevergivenaperformanceoutsideofthepalacebefore。Ihaveaskedhimtoentertainmyfriendsthisevening。Herequiresnotheatre，stageaccessories，oranyconfederate，——nothingmorethanyouseehere。Willyoubepleasedtoexaminethegroundyourselves，gentlemen。"
　　Ofcourseweexaminedthepremises。ItwastheordinarybasementorcellaroftheSanFranciscostorehouse，cementedtokeepoutthedamp。Wepokedoursticksintothepavement，andrappedonthewalls，tosatisfyourpolitehost——butfornootherpurpose。Wewerequitecontenttobethevictimsofanycleverdeception。Formyself，IknewIwasreadytobedeludedtoanyextent，and，ifI
　　hadbeenofferedanexplanationofwhatfollowed，Ishouldhaveprobablydeclinedit。
　　AlthoughIamsatisfiedthatWang’sgeneralperformancewasthefirstofthatkindevergivenonAmericansoil，ithas，probably，sincebecomesofamiliartomanyofmyreaders，thatIshallnotborethemwithithere。Hebeganbysettingtoflight，withtheaidofhisfan，theusualnumberofbutterflies，madebeforeoureyesoflittlebitsoftissue-paper，andkeptthemintheairduringtheremainderoftheperformance。Ihaveavividrecollectionofthejudgetryingtocatchonethathadlitonhisknee，andofitsevadinghimwiththepertinacityofalivinginsect。And，evenatthistime，Wang，stillplyinghisfan，wastakingchickensoutofhats，makingorangesdisappear，pullingendlessyardsofsilkfromhissleeve，apparentlyfillingthewholeareaofthebasementwithgoodsthatappearedmysteriouslyfromtheground，fromhisownsleeves，fromnowhere！Heswallowedknivestotheruinofhisdigestionforyearstocome；hedislocatedeverylimbofhisbody；hereclinedintheair，apparentlyuponnothing。
　　Buthiscrowningperformance，whichIhaveneveryetseenrepeated，wasthemostweird，mysterious，andastounding。Itismyapologyforthislongintroduction，mysoleexcuseforwritingthisarticle，andthegenesisofthisveracioushistory。
　　Heclearedthegroundofitsencumberingarticlesforaspaceofaboutfifteenfeetsquare，andtheninvitedusalltowalkforward，andagainexamineit。Wedidsogravely。Therewasnothingbutthecementedpavementbelowtobeseenorfelt。Hethenaskedfortheloanofahandkerchief；and，asIchancedtobenearesthim，I
　　offeredmine。Hetookit，andspreaditopenuponthefloor。Overthishespreadalargesquareofsilk，andoverthis，again，alargeshawlnearlycoveringthespacehehadcleared。Hethentookapositionatoneofthepointsofthisrectangle，andbeganamonotonouschant，rockinghisbodytoandfrointimewiththesomewhatlugubriousair。
　　Wesatstillandwaited。Abovethechantwecouldhearthestrikingofthecityclocks，andtheoccasionalrattleofacartinthestreetoverhead。Theabsolutewatchfulnessandexpectation，thedim，mysterioushalf-lightofthecellarfallinginagrewsomewayuponthemisshapenbulkofaChinesedeityinthebackground，afaintsmellofopium-smokeminglingwithspice，andthedreadfuluncertaintyofwhatwewerereallywaitingfor，sentanuncomfortablethrilldownourbacks，andmadeuslookateachotherwithaforcedandunnaturalsmile。ThisfeelingwasheightenedwhenHopSingslowlyrose，and，withoutaword，pointedwithhisfingertothecentreoftheshawl。
　　Therewassomethingbeneaththeshawl。Surely——andsomethingthatwasnottherebefore；atfirstameresuggestioninrelief，afaintoutline，butgrowingmoreandmoredistinctandvisibleeverymoment。Thechantstillcontinued；theperspirationbegantorollfromthesinger’sface；graduallythehiddenobjecttookuponitselfashapeandbulkthatraisedtheshawlinitscentresomefiveorsixinches。Itwasnowunmistakablytheoutlineofasmallbutperfecthumanfigure，withextendedarmsandlegs。Oneortwoofusturnedpale。Therewasafeelingofgeneraluneasiness，untiltheeditorbrokethesilencebyagibe，that，poorasitwas，wasreceivedwithspontaneousenthusiasm。Thenthechantsuddenlyceased。Wangarose，andwithaquick，dexterousmovement，strippedbothshawlandsilkaway，anddiscovered，sleepingpeacefullyuponmyhandkerchief，atinyChinesebaby。
　　TheapplauseanduproarwhichfollowedthisrevelationoughttohavesatisfiedWang，evenifhisaudiencewasasmallone：itwasloudenoughtoawakenthebaby，——aprettylittleboyaboutayearold，lookinglikeaCupidcutoutofsandal-wood。Hewaswhiskedawayalmostasmysteriouslyasheappeared。WhenHopSingreturnedmyhandkerchieftomewithabow，Iaskedifthejugglerwasthefatherofthebaby。"Nosabe！"saidtheimperturbableHopSing，takingrefugeinthatSpanishformofnon-committalismsocommoninCalifornia。
　　"Butdoeshehaveanewbabyforeveryperformance？"Iasked。
　　"Perhaps：whoknows？"——"Butwhatwillbecomeofthisone？"——
　　"Whateveryouchoose，gentlemen，"repliedHopSingwithacourteousinclination。"Itwasbornhere：youareitsgodfathers。"
　　ThereweretwocharacteristicpeculiaritiesofanyCalifornianassemblagein1856，——itwasquicktotakeahint，andgeneroustothepointofprodigalityinitsresponsetoanycharitableappeal。
　　Nomatterhowsordidoravaricioustheindividual，hecouldnotresisttheinfectionofsympathy。Idoubledthepointsofmyhandkerchiefintoabag，droppedacoinintoit，and，withoutaword，passedittothejudge。Hequietlyaddedatwenty-dollargold-piece，andpassedittothenext。Whenitwasreturnedtome，itcontainedoverahundreddollars。Iknottedthemoneyinthehandkerchief，andgaveittoHopSing。
　　"Forthebaby，fromitsgodfathers。"
　　"Butwhatname？"saidthejudge。Therewasarunningfireof"Erebus，""Nox，""Plutus，""TerraCotta，""Antaeus，"&c。Finallythequestionwasreferredtoourhost。
　　"Whynotkeephisownname？"hesaidquietly，——"WanLee。"Andhedid。
　　AndthuswasWanLee，onthenightofFriday，the5thofMarch，1856，bornintothisveraciouschronicle。
　　Thelastformof"TheNorthernStar"forthe19thofJuly，1865，——
　　theonlydailypaperpublishedinKlamathCounty，——hadjustgonetopress；andatthree，A。M。，Iwasputtingasidemyproofsandmanuscripts，preparatorytogoinghome，whenIdiscoveredaletterlyingundersomesheetsofpaper，whichImusthaveoverlooked。
　　Theenvelopewasconsiderablysoiled：ithadnopost-mark；butI
　　hadnodifficultyinrecognizingthehandofmyfriendHopSing。I
　　openedithurriedly，andreadasfollows：——
　　"MYDEARSIR，——Idonotknowwhetherthebearerwillsuityou；but，unlesstheofficeof’devil’inyournewspaperisapurelytechnicalone，Ithinkhehasallthequalitiesrequired。Heisveryquick，active，andintelligent；understandsEnglishbetterthanhespeaksit；andmakesupforanydefectbyhishabitsofobservationandimitation。Youhaveonlytoshowhimhowtodoathingonce，andhewillrepeatit，whetheritisanoffenceoravirtue。Butyoucertainlyknowhimalready。Youareoneofhisgodfathers；forishenotWanLee，thereputedsonofWangtheconjurer，towhoseperformancesIhadthehonortointroduceyou？
　　Butperhapsyouhaveforgottenit。
　　"IshallsendhimwithagangofcooliestoStockton，thencebyexpresstoyourtown。Ifyoucanusehimthere，youwilldomeafavor，andprobablysavehislife，whichisatpresentingreatperilfromthehandsoftheyoungermembersofyourChristianandhighly-civilizedracewhoattendtheenlightenedschoolsinSanFrancisco。
　　"HehasacquiredsomesingularhabitsandcustomsfromhisexperienceofWang’sprofession，whichhefollowedforsomeyears，——untilhebecametoolargetogoinahat，orbeproducedfromhisfather’ssleeve。Themoneyyouleftwithmehasbeenexpendedonhiseducation。HehasgonethroughtheTri-literalClassics，but，I
　　think，withoutmuchbenefit。HeknowsbutlittleofConfucius，andabsolutelynothingofMencius。Owingtothenegligenceofhisfather，heassociated，perhaps，toomuchwithAmericanchildren。
　　"Ishouldhaveansweredyourletterbefore，bypost；butIthoughtthatWanLeehimselfwouldbeabettermessengerforthis。
　　"Yoursrespectfully，"HOPSING。"
　　Andthiswasthelong-delayedanswertomylettertoHopSing。Butwherewas"thebearer"？Howwastheletterdelivered？Isummonedhastilytheforeman，printers，andoffice-boy，butwithoutelicitinganything。Noonehadseentheletterdelivered，norknewanythingofthebearer。Afewdayslater，Ihadavisitfrommylaundry-man，AhRi。
　　"Youwanteedebbil？Alllightee：mecatcheehim。"
　　Hereturnedinafewmomentswithabright-lookingChineseboy，abouttenyearsold，withwhoseappearanceandgeneralintelligenceIwassogreatlyimpressed，thatIengagedhimonthespot。Whenthebusinesswasconcluded，Iaskedhisname。
　　"WanLee，"saidtheboy。
　　"What！AreyoutheboysentoutbyHopSing？Whatthedevildoyoumeanbynotcomingherebefore？andhowdidyoudeliverthatletter？"
　　WanLeelookedatme，andlaughed。"Mepitcheeintopsidewindow。"
　　Ididnotunderstand。Helookedforamomentperplexed，andthen，snatchingtheletteroutofmyhand，randownthestairs。Afteramoment’spause，tomygreatastonishment，thelettercameflyinginthewindow，circledtwicearoundtheroom，andthendroppedgently，likeabirduponmytable。BeforeIhadgotovermysurprise，WanLeere-appeared，smiled，lookedattheletterandthenatme，said，"So，John，"andthenremainedgravelysilent。Isaidnothingfurther；butitwasunderstoodthatthiswashisfirstofficialact。
　　Hisnextperformance，Igrievetosay，wasnotattendedwithequalsuccess。Oneofourregularpaper-carriersfellsick，and，atapinch，WanLeewasorderedtofillhisplace。Topreventmistakes，hewasshownovertheroutethepreviousevening，andsuppliedataboutdaylightwiththeusualnumberofsubscribers’copies。Hereturned，afteranhour，ingoodspirits，andwithoutthepapers。
　　Hehaddeliveredthemall，hesaid。
　　UnfortunatelyforWanLee，atabouteighto’clock，indignantsubscribersbegantoarriveattheoffice。Theyhadreceivedtheircopies；buthow？Intheformofhard-pressedcannon-balls，deliveredbyasingleshot，andameretourdeforce，throughtheglassofbedroom-windows。Theyhadreceivedthemfullintheface，likeabaseball，iftheyhappenedtobeupandstirring；theyhadreceivedtheminquarter-sheets，tuckedinatseparatewindows；
　　theyhadfoundtheminthechimney，pinnedagainstthedoor，shotthroughattic-windows，deliveredinlongslipsthroughconvenientkeyholes，stuffedintoventilators，andoccupyingthesamecanwiththemorning’smilk。Onesubscriber，whowaitedforsometimeattheoffice-doortohaveapersonalinterviewwithWanLee（thencomfortablylockedinmybedroom），toldme，withtearsofrageinhiseyes，thathehadbeenawakenedatfiveo’clockbyamosthideousyellingbelowhiswindows；that，onrisingingreatagitation，hewasstartledbythesuddenappearanceof"TheNorthernStar，"rolledhard，andbentintotheformofaboomerang，orEast-Indianclub，thatsailedintothewindow，describedanumberoffiendishcirclesintheroom，knockedoverthelight，slappedthebaby’sface，"took"him（thesubscriber）"inthejaw，"
　　andthenreturnedoutofthewindow，anddroppedhelplesslyinthearea。Duringtherestoftheday，wadsandstripsofsoiledpaper，purportingtobecopiesof"TheNorthernStar"ofthatmorning’sissue，werebroughtindignantlytotheoffice。Anadmirableeditorialon"TheResourcesofHumboldtCounty，"whichIhadconstructedtheeveningbefore，andwhich，Ihadreasontobelieve，mighthavechangedthewholebalanceoftradeduringtheensuingyear，andleftSanFranciscobankruptatherwharves，wasinthiswaylosttothepublic。
　　ItwasdeemedadvisableforthenextthreeweekstokeepWanLeecloselyconfinedtotheprinting-office，andthepurelymechanicalpartofthebusiness。Herehedevelopedasurprisingquicknessandadaptability，winningeventhefavorandgoodwilloftheprintersandforeman，whoatfirstlookeduponhisintroductionintothesecretsoftheirtradeasfraughtwiththegravestpoliticalsignificance。Helearnedtosettypereadilyandneatly，hiswonderfulskillinmanipulationaidinghiminthemeremechanicalact，andhisignoranceofthelanguageconfininghimsimplytothemechanicaleffort，confirmingtheprinter’saxiom，thattheprinterwhoconsidersorfollowstheideasofhiscopymakesapoorcompositor。Hewouldsetupdeliberatelylongdiatribesagainsthimself，composedbyhisfellow-printers，andhungonhishookascopy，andevensuchshortsentencesas"WanLeeisthedevil’sownimp，""WanLeeisaMongolianrascal，"andbringtheprooftomewithhappinessbeamingfromeverytooth，andsatisfactionshininginhishuckleberryeyes。
　　Itwasnotlong，however，beforehelearnedtoretaliateonhismischievouspersecutors。Irememberoneinstanceinwhichhisreprisalcameverynearinvolvingmeinaseriousmisunderstanding。
　　Ourforeman’snamewasWebster；andWanLeepresentlylearnedtoknowandrecognizetheindividualandcombinedlettersofhisname。
　　Itwasduringapoliticalcampaign；andtheeloquentandfieryCol。
　　StarbottleofSiskyouhaddeliveredaneffectivespeech，whichwasreportedespeciallyfor"TheNorthernStar。"Inaverysublimeperoration，Col。Starbottlehadsaid，"InthelanguageofthegodlikeWebster，Irepeat"——andherefollowedthequotation，whichIhaveforgotten。Now，itchancedthatWanLee，lookingoverthegalleyafterithadbeenrevised，sawthenameofhischiefpersecutor，and，ofcourse，imaginedthequotationhis。Aftertheformwaslockedup，WanLeetookadvantageofWebster’sabsencetoremovethequotation，andsubstituteathinpieceoflead，ofthesamesizeasthetype，engravedwithChinesecharacters，makingasentence，which，Ihadreasontobelieve，wasanutterandabjectconfessionoftheincapacityandoffensivenessoftheWebsterfamilygenerally，andexceedinglyeulogisticofWanLeehimselfpersonally。
　　Thenextmorning’spapercontainedCol。Starbottle’sspeechinfull，inwhichitappearedthatthe"godlike"Websterhad，ononeoccasion，utteredhisthoughtsinexcellentbutperfectlyenigmaticalChinese。TherageofCol。Starbottleknewnobounds。
　　Ihaveavividrecollectionofthatadmirablemanwalkingintomyoffice，anddemandingaretractionofthestatement。
　　"Butmydearsir，"Iasked，"areyouwillingtodeny，overyourownsignature，thatWebstereverutteredsuchasentence？Dareyoudeny，that，withMr。Webster’swell-knownattainments，aknowledgeofChinesemightnothavebeenamongthenumber？Areyouwillingtosubmitatranslationsuitabletothecapacityofourreaders，anddeny，uponyourhonorasagentleman，thatthelateMr。Webstereverutteredsuchasentiment？Ifyouare，sir，Iamwillingtopublishyourdenial。"
　　Thecolonelwasnot，andleft，highlyindignant。
　　Webster，theforeman，tookitmorecoolly。Happily，hewasunaware，that，fortwodaysafter，Chinamenfromthelaundries，fromthegulches，fromthekitchens，lookedinthefrontoffice-
　　door，withfacesbeamingwithsardonicdelight；thatthreehundredextracopiesofthe"Star"wereorderedforthewash-housesontheriver。Heonlyknew，that，duringtheday，WanLeeoccasionallywentoffintoconvulsivespasms，andthathewasobligedtokickhimintoconsciousnessagain。Aweekaftertheoccurrence，I
　　calledWanLeeintomyoffice。
　　"Wan，"Isaidgravely，"Ishouldlikeyoutogiveme，formyownpersonalsatisfaction，atranslationofthatChinesesentencewhichmygiftedcountryman，thelategodlikeWebster，uttereduponapublicoccasion。"WanLeelookedatmeintently，andthentheslightestpossibletwinklecreptintohisblackeyes。Thenherepliedwithequalgravity，——
　　"MishtelWebstel，hesay，’Chinaboymakeemebellymuchfoolee。
　　Chinaboymakeemeheapsick。’"WhichIhavereasontothinkwastrue。
　　ButIfearIamgivingbutoneside，andnotthebest，ofWanLee’scharacter。Asheimpartedittome，hishadbeenahardlife。Hehadknownscarcelyanychildhood：hehadnorecollectionofafatherormother。TheconjurerWanghadbroughthimup。Hehadspentthefirstsevenyearsofhislifeinappearingfrombaskets，indroppingoutofhats，inclimbingladders，inputtinghislittlelimbsoutofjointinposturing。Hehadlivedinanatmosphereoftrickeryanddeception。Hehadlearnedtolookuponmankindasdupesoftheirsenses：infine，ifhehadthoughtatall，hewouldhavebeenasceptic；ifhehadbeenalittleolder，hewouldhavebeenacynic；ifhehadbeenolderstill，hewouldhavebeenaphilosopher。Asitwas，hewasalittleimp。Agood-naturedimpitwas，too，——animpwhosemoralnaturehadneverbeenawakened，——
　　animpupforaholiday，andwillingtotryvirtueasadiversion。
　　Idon’tknowthathehadanyspiritualnature。Hewasverysuperstitious。Hecarriedaboutwithhimahideouslittleporcelaingod，whichhewasinthehabitofalternatelyrevilingandpropitiating。HewastoointelligentforthecommonerChinesevicesofstealingorgratuitouslying。Whateverdisciplinehepractisedwastaughtbyhisintellect。
　　Iaminclinedtothinkthathisfeelingswerenotaltogetherunimpressible，althoughitwasalmostimpossibletoextractanexpressionfromhim；andIconscientiouslybelievehebecameattachedtothosethatweregoodtohim。Whathemighthavebecomeundermorefavorableconditionsthanthebondsmanofanoverworked，under-paidliteraryman，Idon’tknow：Ionlyknowthatthescant，irregular，impulsivekindnessesthatIshowedhimweregratefullyreceived。Hewasveryloyalandpatient，twoqualitiesrareintheaverageAmericanservant。HewaslikeMalvolio，"sadandcivil"
　　withme。Onlyonce，andthenundergreatprovocation，doI
　　rememberofhisexhibitinganyimpatience。Itwasmyhabit，afterleavingtheofficeatnight，totakehimwithmetomyrooms，asthebearerofanysupplementalorhappyafter-thought，intheeditorialway，thatmightoccurtomebeforethepaperwenttopress。OnenightIhadbeenscribblingawaypasttheusualhourofdismissingWanLee，andhadbecomequiteobliviousofhispresenceinachairnearmydoor，whensuddenlyIbecameawareofavoicesayinginplaintiveaccents，somethingthatsoundedlike"ChyLee。"
　　Ifacedaroundsternly。
　　"Whatdidyousay？"
　　"Mesay，’ChyLee。’"
　　"Well？"Isaidimpatiently。
　　"Yousabe，’Howdo，John？’"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Yousabe，’Solong，John’？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Well，’ChyLee’alleesame！"
　　Iunderstoodhimquiteplainly。Itappearedthat"ChyLee"wasaformof"good-night，"andthatWanLeewasanxioustogohome。Butaninstinctofmischief，which，Ifear，Ipossessedincommonwithhim，impelledmetoactasifobliviousofthehint。Imutteredsomethingaboutnotunderstandinghim，andagainbentovermywork。
　　InafewminutesIheardhiswoodenshoespatteringpatheticallyoverthefloor。Ilookedup。Hewasstandingnearthedoor。
　　"Younosabe，’ChyLee’？"
　　"No，"Isaidsternly。
　　"Yousabemucheebigfoolee！alleesame！"
　　And，withthisaudacityuponhislips，hefled。Thenextmorning，however，hewasasmeekandpatientasbefore，andIdidnotrecallhisoffence。Asaprobablepeace-offering，heblackedallmyboots，——adutyneverrequiredofhim，——includingapairofbuffdeer-skinslippersandanimmensepairofhorseman’sjack-boots，onwhichheindulgedhisremorsefortwohours。
　　Ihavespokenofhishonestyasbeingaqualityofhisintellectratherthanhisprinciple，butIrecallaboutthistimetwoexceptionstotherule。Iwasanxioustogetsomefresheggsasachangetotheheavydietofamining-town；and，knowingthatWanLee’scountrymenweregreatpoultry-raisers，Iappliedtohim。Hefurnishedmewiththemregularlyeverymorning，butrefusedtotakeanypay，sayingthatthemandidnotsellthem，——aremarkableinstanceofself-abnegation，aseggswerethenworthhalfadollarapiece。OnemorningmyneighborForsterdroppedinuponmeatbreakfast，andtookoccasiontobewailhisownillfortune，ashishenshadlatelystoppedlaying，orwanderedoffinthebush。
　　WanLee，whowaspresentduringourcolloquy，preservedhischaracteristicsadtaciturnity。Whenmyneighborhadgone，heturnedtomewithaslightchuckle："Flostel’shens——WanLee’shensalleesame！"Hisotheroffencewasmoreseriousandambitious。Itwasaseasonofgreatirregularitiesinthemails，andWanLeehadheardmedeplorethedelayinthedeliveryofmylettersandnewspapers。Onarrivingatmyofficeoneday，Iwasamazedtofindmytablecoveredwithletters，evidentlyjustfromthepost-office，but，unfortunately，notoneaddressedtome。IturnedtoWanLee，whowassurveyingthemwithacalmsatisfaction，anddemandedanexplanation。Tomyhorrorhepointedtoanemptymail-baginthecorner，andsaid，"Postmanhesay，’Nolettee，John；nolettee，John。’Postmanplenteelie！Postmannogood。Mecatcheeletteelastnightalleesame！"Luckilyitwasstillearly：themailshadnotbeendistributed。Ihadahurriedinterviewwiththepostmaster；andWanLee’sboldattemptatrobbingtheUnitedStatesmailwasfinallycondonedbythepurchaseofanewmail-bag，andthewholeaffairthuskeptasecret。
　　IfmylikingformylittlePaganpagehadnotbeensufficient，mydutytoHopSingwasenough，tocausemetotakeWanLeewithmewhenIreturnedtoSanFranciscoaftermytwoyears’experiencewith"TheNorthernStar。"Idonotthinkhecontemplatedthechangewithpleasure。Iattributedhisfeelingstoanervousdreadofcrowdedpublicstreets（whenhehadtogoacrosstownformeonanerrand，healwaysmadeacircuitoftheoutskirts），tohisdislikeforthedisciplineoftheChineseandEnglishschooltowhichIproposedtosendhim，tohisfondnessforthefree，vagrantlifeofthemines，tosheerwilfulness。Thatitmighthavebeenasuperstitiouspremonitiondidnotoccurtomeuntillongafter。
　　NeverthelessitreallyseemedasiftheopportunityIhadlonglookedforandconfidentlyexpectedhadcome，——theopportunityofplacingWanLeeundergentlyrestraininginfluences，ofsubjectinghimtoalifeandexperiencethatwoulddrawoutofhimwhatgoodmysuperficialcareandill-regulatedkindnesscouldnotreach。
　　WanLeewasplacedattheschoolofaChinesemissionary，——anintelligentandkind-heartedclergyman，whohadshowngreatinterestintheboy，andwho，betterthanall，hadawonderfulfaithinhim。Ahomewasfoundforhiminthefamilyofawidow，whohadabrightandinterestingdaughterabouttwoyearsyoungerthanWanLee。Itwasthisbright，cheery，innocent，andartlesschildthattouchedandreachedadepthintheboy’snaturethathithertohadbeenunsuspected；thatawakenedamoralsusceptibilitywhichhadlainforyearsinsensiblealiketotheteachingsofsociety，ortheethicsofthetheologian。
　　Thesefewbriefmonths——brightwithapromisethatweneversawfulfilled——musthavebeenhappyonestoWanLee。Heworshippedhislittlefriendwithsomethingofthesamesuperstition，butwithoutanyofthecaprice，thathebestoweduponhisporcelainPagangod。
　　Itwashisdelighttowalkbehindhertoschool，carryingherbooks——aservicealwaysfraughtwithdangertohimfromthelittlehandsofhisCaucasianChristianbrothers。Hemadeherthemostmarvelloustoys；hewouldcutoutofcarrotsandturnipsthemostastonishingrosesandtulips；hemadelife-likechickensoutofmelon-seeds；heconstructedfansandkites，andwassingularlyproficientinthemakingofdolls’paperdresses。Ontheotherhand，sheplayedandsangtohim，taughthimathousandlittleprettinessesandrefinementsonlyknowntogirls，gavehimayellowribbonforhispig-tail，asbestsuitinghiscomplexion，readtohim，showedhimwhereinhewasoriginalandvaluable，tookhimtoSundayschoolwithher，againsttheprecedentsoftheschool，and，small-woman-like，triumphed。IwishIcouldaddhere，thatsheeffectedhisconversion，andmadehimgiveuphisporcelainidol。
　　ButIamtellingatruestory；andthislittlegirlwasquitecontenttofillhimwithherownChristiangoodness，withoutlettinghimknowthathewaschanged。Sotheygotalongverywelltogether，——thislittleChristiangirlwithhershiningcrosshangingaroundherplump，whitelittleneck；andthisdarklittlePagan，withhishideousporcelaingodhiddenawayinhisblouse。
　　ThereweretwodaysofthateventfulyearwhichwilllongberememberedinSanFrancisco，——twodayswhenamobofhercitizenssetuponandkilledunarmed，defencelessforeignersbecausetheywereforeigners，andofanotherrace，religion，andcolor，andworkedforwhatwagestheycouldget。Thereweresomepublicmensotimid，that，seeingthis，theythoughtthattheendoftheworldhadcome。Thereweresomeeminentstatesmen，whosenamesIamashamedtowritehere，whobegantothinkthatthepassageintheConstitutionwhichguaranteescivilandreligiouslibertytoeverycitizenorforeignerwasamistake。Buttherewere，also，somemenwhowerenotsoeasilyfrightened；andintwenty-fourhourswehadthingssoarranged，thatthetimidmencouldwringtheirhandsinsafety，andtheeminentstatesmenuttertheirdoubtswithouthurtinganybodyoranything。AndinthemidstofthisIgotanotefromHopSing，askingmetocometohimimmediately。
　　Ifoundhiswarehouseclosed，andstronglyguardedbythepoliceagainstanypossibleattackoftherioters。HopSingadmittedmethroughabarredgratingwithhisusualimperturbablecalm，but，asitseemedtome，withmorethanhisusualseriousness。Withoutaword，hetookmyhand，andledmetotherearoftheroom，andthencedownstairsintothebasement。Itwasdimlylighted；buttherewassomethinglyingonthefloorcoveredbyashawl。AsI
　　approachedhedrewtheshawlawaywithasuddengesture，andrevealedWanLee，thePagan，lyingtheredead。
　　Dead，myreverendfriends，dead，——stonedtodeathinthestreetsofSanFrancisco，intheyearofgrace1869，byamobofhalf-grownboysandChristianschool-children！
　　AsIputmyhandreverentlyuponhisbreast，Ifeltsomethingcrumblingbeneathhisblouse。IlookedinquiringlyatHopSing。
　　Heputhishandbetweenthefoldsofsilk，anddrewoutsomethingwiththefirstbittersmileIhadeverseenonthefaceofthatPagangentleman。
　　ItwasWanLee’sporcelaingod，crushedbyastonefromthehandsofthoseChristianiconoclasts！
　　HOWOLDMANPLUNKETTWENTHOME
　　Ithinkwealllovedhim。EvenafterhemismanagedtheaffairsoftheAmityDitchCompany，wecommiseratedhim，althoughmostofuswerestockholders，andlostheavily。Irememberthattheblacksmithwentsofarastosaythat"themchapsasputthatresponsibilityontheoldmanoughterbelynched。"Buttheblacksmithwasnotastockholder；andtheexpressionwaslookeduponastheexcusableextravaganceofalarge，sympathizingnature，that，whencombinedwithapowerfulframe，wasunworthyofnotice。
　　Atleast，thatwasthewaytheyputit。YetIthinktherewasageneralfeelingofregretthatthismisfortunewouldinterferewiththeoldman’slong-cherishedplanof"goinghome。"
　　Indeed，forthelasttenyearshehadbeen"goinghome。"Hewasgoinghomeafterasix-months’sojournatMonteFlat；hewasgoinghomeafterthefirstrains；hewasgoinghomewhentherainswereover；hewasgoinghomewhenhehadcutthetimberonBuckeyeHill，whentherewaspastureonDow’sFlat，whenhestruckpay-dirtonEurekaHill，whentheAmityCompanypaiditsfirstdividend，whentheelectionwasover，whenhehadreceivedananswerfromhiswife。Andsotheyearsrolledby，thespringrainscameandwent，thewoodsofBuckeyeHillwerelevelwiththeground，thepastureonDow’sFlatgrewsearanddry，EurekaHillyieldeditspay-dirtandswampeditsowner，thefirstdividendsoftheAmityCompanyweremadefromtheassessmentsofstockholders，therewerenewcountyofficersatMonteFlat，hiswife’sanswerhadchangedintoapersistentquestion，andstilloldmanPlunkettremained。
　　Itisonlyfairtosaythathehadmadeseveraldistinctessaystowardgoing。Fiveyearsbefore，hehadbiddengood-bytoMonteHillwithmucheffusionandhand-shaking。Buthenevergotanyfartherthanthenexttown。Herehewasinducedtotradethesorrelcolthewasridingforabaymare，——atransactionthatatonceopenedtohislivelyfancyavistaofvastandsuccessfulfuturespeculation。Afewdaysafter，AbnerDeanofAngel’sreceivedaletterfromhim，statingthathewasgoingtoVisaliatobuyhorses。"Iamsatisfied，"wrotePlunkett，withthatelevatedrhetoricforwhichhiscorrespondencewasremarkable，——"IamsatisfiedthatweareatlastdevelopingtherealresourcesofCalifornia。TheworldwillyetlooktoDow’sFlatasthegreatstock-raisingcentre。Inviewoftheinterestsinvolved，Ihavedeferredmydepartureforamonth。"Itwastwobeforeheagainreturnedtous——penniless。Sixmonthslater，hewasagainenabledtostartfortheEasternStates；andthistimehegotasfarasSanFrancisco。IhavebeforemealetterwhichIreceivedafewdaysafterhisarrival，fromwhichIventuretogiveanextract："Youknow，mydearboy，thatIhavealwaysbelievedthatgambling，asitisabsurdlycalled，isstillinitsinfancyinCalifornia。Ihavealwaysmaintainedthataperfectsystemmightbeinvented，bywhichthegameofpokermaybemadetoyieldacertainpercentagetotheintelligentplayer。Iamnotatlibertyatpresenttodisclosethesystem；butbeforeleavingthiscityIintendtoperfectit。"Heseemstohavedoneso，andreturnedtoMonteFlatwithtwodollarsandthirty-sevencents，theabsoluteremainderofhiscapitalaftersuchperfection。
　　Itwasnotuntil1868thatheappearedtohavefinallysucceededingoinghome。Heleftusbytheoverlandroute，——aroutewhichhedeclaredwouldgivegreatopportunityforthediscoveryofundevelopedresources。HislastletterwasdatedVirginiaCity。
　　Hewasabsentthreeyears。Atthecloseofaveryhotdayinmidsummer，healightedfromtheWingdamstage，withhairandbeardpowderedwithdustandage。Therewasacertainshynessabouthisgreeting，quitedifferentfromhisusualfrankvolubility，thatdidnot，however，impressusasanyaccessionofcharacter。Forsomedayshewasreservedregardinghisrecentvisit，contentinghimselfwithasserting，withmoreorlessaggressiveness，thathehad"alwayssaidhewasgoinghome，andnowhehadbeenthere。"Laterhegrewmorecommunicative，andspokefreelyandcriticallyofthemannersandcustomsofNewYorkandBoston，commentedonthesocialchangesintheyearsofhisabsence，and，Iremember，wasveryharduponwhathedeemedthefolliesincidentaltoahighstateofcivilization。StilllaterhedarklyalludedtothemorallaxityofthehigherplanesofEasternsociety；butitwasnotlongbeforehecompletelytoreawaytheveil，andrevealedthenakedwickednessofNewYorksociallifeinawayIevennowshuddertorecall。Vinousintoxication，itappeared，wasacommonhabitofthefirstladiesofthecity。Immoralitieswhichhescarcelydarednameweredailypractisedbytherefinedofbothsexes。Niggardlinessandgreedwerethecommonvicesoftherich。"Ihavealwaysasserted，"hecontinued，"thatcorruptionmustexistwhereluxuryandrichesarerampant，andcapitalisnotusedtodevelopthenaturalresourcesofthecountry。Thankyou——Iwilltakeminewithoutsugar。"Itispossiblethatsomeofthesepainfuldetailscreptintothelocaljournals。Irememberaneditorialin"TheMonteFlatMonitor，"