"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，"
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