1842.
Lâu Chủ / Chi
205
down with him, notwithstanding she was supported in her remon- strances by the whole family, they both shut their eyes and began to sleep. On nearer inspection it was found, that the eyelids of both husband and wife were already closed in death, and they never came to life again.
There lived a family in Kwangsí, who, exposed to repeated wars, lost their whole property, and the husband as well as his wife were carried into hopeless captivity. But there remained still two brothers, who, reduced to poverty, used to go to the forest in order to collect firewood. Whilst thus engaged, one day, a tiger rushed from his Jair upon the youngest of the two, who, apparently killed the fierce animal, but, having been severely wounded, he all at once disappear- ed in the jungle. His brother was inconsolable at his loss, and after pining a few days, died broken-hearted. The relations deeply af- flicted by this calamity, thereupon consulted a sorcerer, who lived in the village. This man was only too glad to charge himself with bringing them to life again, and therefore repaired instantly to the city. Here he cited a whole host of spirits, and set them immediate- ly to work to resuscitate the young man that had lately died. As soon as the latter felt the return of his faculties, he again immediate- ly instituted a search after his brother, but without the slightest suc- cess. Happening, however, to be in a remote town, he saw a splendid cavalcade pass him, and perceived in the rear a young gentleman superbly dressed, who kept his eyes steadily upon him. Having all at once dismounted, he went up to the broken-hearted sufferer, and exclaimed, "You are my brother! Come with me to the office and I shall relate to you the events that have taken place since I saw you last. When the tiger had gone, I fell, from loss of blood, into a swoon, but by the service of propitious spirits, my wounds were dress- ed and I was brought to a rich family in office, where I myself at- tained a high rank." Upon further inquiry it was found, that the ma- tron of this house was the mother of the unfortunate wight, and that his father had risen to the rank of geueral and afterwards died, leav- ing behind him another son.
There lived a family in a commercial district, the father of which had by several wives a number of children. As his consorts were not all equal in rank, two having been taken from the lowest grade, their respective offspring assumed authority over each other, and this gave rise to litigations. When the father had died, they omitted, on account of mutual jealousy, to bury him according to the established rites, and even came to blows, whilst the corpse of their parent was