'The snow and wind increase,' said the old man; my limbs are paralyzed with cold, and my strength fails me. I cannot proceed. They sell wine here; let us go and take some cups to revive our spirits, and then we can go on.'

Saying this, he entered the shop and sat himself down, after depositing his bundle on the table; the child also placed himself near him. Lian hastened to warm some wine, and brought them two plates of meat and two of pulse. The boy poured out a cup of wine, which he presented to the old man, and then filled one for himself. Lian, charmed at the gracefulness and courtesy of a child so young, asked the old man if he was his son, and what was his age. He learned that he was his son, and his name was SHIN; and he was just twelve years old.'

'I

I beg to ask,' added Lian, 'what is your family-name, and where you are going? How can you travel in such inclement weather?' Your servant's name is Fang-Yung,' replied the old man. am from the capital, where I serve in the Imperial Guards. I was born at Tsening, a city in Shantung, and I am going there by the help of the mileage which is granted to soldiers. I now take the liberty of inquiring your family-name.'

'My name is Lian, and my given-name is Kinho. The city of Tsening is still very far from here; why then do you not take a carriage, since you are not able to endure the hardships of travel?'

'I am only a poor soldier, and quite unable to hire a carriage. I must therefore go afoot, by easy journeys.'

As he spoke, Lian observed that neither he nor his son touched the meat before them, and ate only of the pulse; he therefore observed:

'I think, Sir, you must be keeping a fast.'

'We are soldiers,' replied Fang; 'why should we observe a fast?'

'Why do you not then eat the meat?' said Lian.

'I will not conceal the truth from you, that I have barely money enough for my journey,' replied the old man; ' and therefore I content myself with rice and pulse; and even then I am afraid I shall not have enough to reach my native village. If we touch any thing else we spend in one moment what would suffice us for many days; and then how should we get home?'

Lian was moved at this account of his poverty, and said: 'In such a rigorous season you require substantial food to recruit your strength. Take some meat and rice, or you will not be able to brave the weather. Eat as much as you can, for I shall charge you nothing for your refreshment.'

'Do not smile at my frankness; but I cannot believe that you will give a traveller food and drink, and ask him nothing for them.'

'I am not deceiving you, for your servant is not like others of this calling; if perchance a traveller has no money, we treat him as if he was rich, and he finds here enough for his necessities without paying any thing. Since, Sir, the provision for your journey is so low, look upon it as if I had invited you here.'

The old soldier, now assured of his sincerity, replied with feeling: 'I thank you heartily for your kindness; only I regret to receive such benefits without any claim to them; but on my return I hope to be able to testify my remembrance of your goodness.'

'Mankind are all brethren; moreover, this food is worth little or nothing; why do you speak of requital?'

The old man, thus persuaded, took up the chop-sticks and ate the viands which had been served up, while Lian filled two more plates of rice, and brought them on, saying: 'Eat to your fill, and then you will be able to prosecute your journey.'

'It is too much,' answered the old soldier; it is impossible to take more for nothing. My son and I were dying, but your goodness has saved our lives. I shall never be able to testify to you my thankfulness.'

When they had eaten, Lian told his wife to make some tea and bring it. Fang, taking out his purse, laid down some pieces of money to pay his bill, but Lian stopped him. I just now told you that it was I who invited you. Why do you look for your purse? If I take any thing, it will appear as if I had made this offer in order to sell you a dish of meat. Keep it all, I beg you, for the expenses of your journey.'

The old man bowed and thanked him. He then took his bundle on his shoulders and took leave of his hosts; but he had scarcely left the door when the snow fell faster than ever, and he retraced his steps, after trying in vain to withstand the wind and cold.

'Father,' said the boy, crying with cold, how can we travel in such a tempest?'

There is no other way,' replied the old man; let us try to go a little farther and find a tavern where we can pass the night.'

Lian, moved at the sight, cried: What urgent necessity calls you to brave this cold wind and snow? We have many rooms here, and empty beds. Why not stay here until it is pleasanter weather?" 'It would be very agreeable to me, but I think I ought not to discommode you any longer,' rejoined the old man.

'What are you talking about? Come in, and not stay there exposing yourself to the storm.'

Old Fang took the arm of his son, and accepted the invitation of Lian, who on his part went to make ready a chamber; and lest the bed should not be warm enough, laid on two or three more coverlets. It was still light; and Fang, after taking a nap, came out of his room with Shin. Lian had already shut up his shop, and was warming himself at the fire with his wife. On perceiving the old man, he begged him to draw near and enjoy the fire with them. With much pleasure,' said Fang; but the presence of your lady embarrasses me in accepting your civility, lest I overstep decorum.'

6

'We are all three of the same age, and it is not for such as we are to stand upon ceremony.'

Fang accordingly drew up with his son to the fire, and entered into conversation with Lian, whom he called by his name, Kinho,

asking him why they lived there alone, and where his sons had their houses. On Lian informing him that they had never had a child, much less a son, Fang inquired why they did not adopt a son, to be the consolation and support of their old age.

'It was at first my intention,' said Lian; but when I saw how ungratefully adopted sons behaved toward their parents; how that, far from helping them, they caused them grief and trouble; I thought it better to take none at all than run the risk of a bad selection. But if I could find one like yours, I should consider myself among the happiest of men.'

The two old men spoke on this wise some time; and when night came, the old soldier, taking a light, wished his hosts good night, and retired with his son to his chamber. 'How fortunate we are,' said he, in having met this good man; we should otherwise have perished with cold and hunger. But in the morning, whether the sky be fair or foul, we must leave betimes, for I am ashamed to cause him any more trouble.'

'Let us go to bed now,' said Shin, ' for I am very tired.'

But the old soldier, exposed as he had been to the wind and cold, awoke in the night with a burning fever, and asked for some water to quench his thirst. But his son, not knowing where to go in the dark in a strange house, waited till dawn, when he got up and softly opened the door leading into the room where Lian slept; seeing, however, that neither he nor his wife were up, he quietly shut it and went back to wait till they arose. Soon, however, hearing some one speaking, he went out hastily.

'My little master,' said Lian, as soon as he saw him, 'what are you up so early for?'

'I went to find you, Sir, for my father is feverish and breathes with difficulty, and he wished me to bring him some water.'

'Alas! the wind and cold of yesterday were too much for him! But what good will this icy water do him? Wait a few moments, till I can warm it for him.' Lian told his wife to fill a kettle, and when the water was warm, took it into the chamber to Fang, who drank two cups. Seeing Lian, he could not restrain his repeated thanks for his unwearied kindness.

'You are still talking of requitals,' said Lian, coming to him with a kind manner; 'keep yourself easy and well covered up, lest you take cold. If you can perspire you will yet do well.' The boy got off the bed, and Lian covered him closely; but seeing how thin the coverlet was, he sent his wife, who was standing at the door, to bring a soft and thick one, which she thought would guard him well against the cold. Shin went and took it, and Lian wrapped up the sick man in it; after which he retired to make his toilette. When he came back, he asked Shin if his father had been perspiring, but the boy said he could perceive no signs of a sweat, though he had watched carefully.

'If that is the case,' said Lian, 'the cold has penetrated his body. I will go and call a doctor to assist in exciting the perspiration, which will save him, for that is the only means of counteracting

the bad effects of the cold. Do n't grieve yourself because you have no money to buy medicines, for I will charge you nothing.'

At these words Shin, bowing to the earth, said, 'I thank you a thousand times; you have saved my father's life. If I cannot adequately requite you in this life, for all your kindness, I shall serve you in the next to repay this sacred obligation.'

Lian, hastily raising him up, replied: 'Why so many thanks? Look upon me as your father and I will see to your needs. Can I be insensible to your misfortunes? Go back to your father and keep near him, to see that he wants for nothing, and I will soon come back with a doctor.'

The snow had ceased to fall, and the sky was clear, but the street had become almost impassable, from the mire made by the horses and wheels. Lian put on his shoes and went to the door, but seeing the bad state of the road, came back, which somewhat alarmed the boy, but he soon reäppeared from the rear of the house, mounted on a mule, and proceeded to seek the doctor. He soon came back with him, and a servant followed on foot, bringing a box containing various remedies. On reaching the door the doctor dismounted, and Lian invited him to take a cup of tea, and then both entered the sick chamber. The old soldier at that moment had lost his consciousness, and could not distinguish what was around him. The doctor felt his pulse, and remarked 'There is a complication of disorders, the double effect of the wind and cold. One treatise on fevers contains the remark: A complicated fever is an incurable complaint; the equilibrium of the two principles can scarcely sustain themselves to the seventh day.' Another physician would probably tell you he could overcome this malady, but I tell you frankly that this kind of fever is altogether incurable.'

Hearing this, the child was chilled with terror, and began to cry, and begged the doctor to take pity on his father and save his life, by employing all his skill to assist one who was a stranger in the country. My young master,' said the kind man, lifting him up, it does not depend on me to restore health to your father. The disease has made such progress that medicines are of no avail.'

'Sir,' added Lian, the proverb says, 'It is not the physic which kills the patient.' I beg you not to adhere too strictly to the ancient regimen. Have more confidence in your own resources, and follow your own ideas. Perhaps fate has not yet marked the limit of his life, but if he succumbs to this attack, we shall not accuse you of the misfortune.'

Thus pressed, he took a small parcel out of the box and gave it to Lian for the sick man to take in a tea, after he had drank an infusion of ginger; telling him to send for him if there appeared any signs of a perspiration, and he would bring some medicine to complete the cure; but otherwise, all would be of no avail. He then took his leave, and refused to accept the least recompense. During six days, Lian and his wife took so much care of the sick man that they almost neglected their business to attend to him. The boy stayed

near his father, and watched him with such solicitude that he forgot to take his food; but on the seventh day he was left fatherless,

'HEAVEN grants us a fragment of duration;
We spend it in a score of ways:

All at once Death comes, and our plans are frustrated.'

Shin was inconsolable, rolling himself on the ground and uttering heart-rending cries. Lian and his wife, affected by his sorrows, took him into their arms to console him. Poor child! be not so afflicted. Take a little sleep. Your cries will not recall life to him you have lost.'

But he, kneeling before Lian and sobbing, said: 'Last year, Sir, I lost my mother. Would to Heaven I was also going to the tomb with her! My father and I were returning to our native village, hoping to procure there a little money to perform her obsequies. All at once we experienced this deluge of snow, and the wind, the cold, and bad roads exposed us to a thousand dangers. Your kindness preserved us from the pains of hunger and the inclemency of the season, so that Heaven seemed favorable to us; but alas! evil has come upon my father, and your humanity has grown with our troubles, conferring on us such untiring favors as are rarely experienced from the nearest kindred. Would that my father were alive to recompense you for these benefits! But now I find myself without parents; my resources are gone, and I have nothing to buy a coffin or funeral vestments. I beg you, Sir, to add to your kindnesses the gift of a few feet of earth where I can deposit the ashes of my father, after which I only desire to serve you the rest of my days, in order to recompense you for the favors I have received. Pray grant me the boon I ask!"

'My dear child,' said Lian, lifting him from the ground, 'I will take upon me the care of all that belongs to your father's interment. I am happy in being able to lighten your troubles, for it is my constant desire to do good.' Having bought a coffin and windingsheet, Lian called two grave-diggers, and arraying the body, deposited it on the bier. Then he laid out a repast, offered the proper sacrifice and burned the paper images. He carried the corpse behind his house to an uncultivated place, where he buried it with pious care, according to the prescribed ceremonies; and raised over the grave a stone with this inscription: Here lies the body of FangYung, one of the Imperial Guard.' When every thing had been attended to, Shin, prostrating himself before Lian and his wife, expressed to them his gratitude.

Two days after, Lian said to him, 'Perhaps you wish to return home to inform your friends of your loss, and transport thither your father's body. But, young as you are, I fear you will not know the road. Stay here awhile, till some of my friends come along, to whom I can commit you, and who will take you to your native place, at which time you can see what you can do in this matter. Let me know what you wish.'

'Sir,' cried the poor child, throwing himself at his feet, I have received benefits from you like the heavens for height and the earth