\"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，\"