Chinese Merry Tales
Chapter I.—Vine Bowers and Their Dangers.
(Falling of a Vine Bower 葡萄架)
ONCE upon a time a District Magistrate was trying a case. His secretary was present in the Court. His face was marked with bruises, and the Magistrate asked him, "What is the matter with your face?" He replied: "While I was sitting under the grape vine bowers, cooling myself, a sudden gust of wind came and blew down the vine bower; hence I received these wounds." The Magistrate did not believe this and said: "It is evident that your wounds were caused by finger nails. You must have been fighting with your wife, who scratched your face. Am I not right?" The secretary's face turned red, and he said: "Your Honor's supposition is correct." The Magistrate said: "Your wife's temper is so violent and vehement, I will send for her and give her a good beating, in order to relieve your suppressed anger."
Just as he was saying this, the Magistrate saw his furious wife come up from the back of the Yamen, saying: "Whom do you wish to lick?" The Magistrate on seeing this, immediately addressed his underlings thus, "Let us adjourn the Court. You must all disperse at once. Your master's vine bower will also soon tumble down."
Chapter II.— A Self-Sacrificing Neighbor.
(Borrowing An Ox 借牛)
A VILLAGER wrote a note to a wealthy man of the same village, asking for the loan of an ox. When the note arrived, the man of wealth had a friend dining with him. The
