Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 224

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Liêu Chúi ở Chi

APRIL.

still upon the earth.

the earth. This animosity grew more virulent, every day until the magistrates had to interfere, and one of the brothers having been severely punished for sacking the house of his sister-in-law, a pause ensued, and the propositions of one of the combatants was lis- tened to. They went thereupon with one accord to their parent's grave, and having made the customary sacrifices and genuflections, harmony spread through them all, and they felt the growth of frater- nal love in their hearts. From this state of mutual goodwill, they were however suddenly roused, by their neglecting to pay honor to their progenitor; and whenever they neglected to pay due honors to the dead, it always produced altercation amongst themselves. The same feeling existed amongst their children, until they discovered the cause of the mischief, and thenceforth became inore attached to

each other.

A minister of state, in his excursions, happened to fall in with a monastery, and as rain was approaching, he resolved to wait there until the shower was over. Here he met several priests of Budha, whose behavior was very singular, and amongst them an old man, who on his entering paid not the least attention to the illustrious visitor. On being asked to explain such rudeness, he answered, “I was once a minister of state like yourself, but wearied of worldly honors, I have retired to this quiet place, and care for nobody." The traveler being tired, soon fell asleep, and beheld a number of genii approach- ing him in the shape of beautiful females, whom he received under his protection. After this he was present at an imperial audience, and being charged with very important matters, he executed them with promptness, but studied his self-interest, oppressing the people and driving them to despair—a behavior which was quite in accor- dance with his real disposition. But these acts of cruelty drew forth a series of accusations, which were sent to court, and the emperor re- solved instantly to destroy the worthless servant. He however had previous warning of his impending fate, and immediately fled into the mountains. There he met a band of robbers, who surrounding him, threatened to murder him instantly. But he begged hard for his life, and one of the desperadoes springing forward to examine more close- ly his features, all at once exclaimed; "Indeed this is the villain who drove us to the necessity of adopting this mode of life," and imme- diately severed his head from his body. A demon close at hand put them together again, and hastened with his booty to hades, where he presented the statesman to a grim monster, the director of the punishments of hell, who pronounced his doom. He was then led