A CHINESE ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4542, 11 October 1875, Page 3

A CHINESE ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE.

(From the Shanghai Courier and Gazette.)

A romance in real life is said to have occurred not long ago in the neighborhood of Hankow. A travelling merchant —not a pedler, if you please—took unto himself a wife, of whom he seems to have been very proud ; for the lady was fair to look upon, and realised all those eccentric graces so dear to Chinese poets of the erotic school. Shortly after this fortunate union, however, the bridegroom’s duties called him away from her side, and he was compelled to take a fond farewell, with the dreary prospect of an absence extending over no less than two years. He accordingly consigned his bride to the care of his mother, and left; but proved himself, oven while away, an excellent husband, furnishing the ladies with as much money as they needed, and writing with commendable regularity. At the expiration of the two years he came back, and as ho turned down the street in which he lived, he entered into conversation with a fishmonger, whom he had previously known. It struck him that this tradesman put on a peculiar expression of face when he recognised him, and used an equally peculiar expression of speech when he inquired after his mother. Curious, but still

unsuspicious, Hwang (such waa the good man s name) approached his house with due caution, and, unperceived, stole round to Jffie hack, where he could just peep into his wife s apartment. There sat my lady Ids wife, her lips thickly vermilioned, and her cheeks as white as flour could make them, tricked out in as much tinsel as she could stick about her son, and ogling herself affectionately in a mirror. While engaged in the contemplation of these artificial charms, the husband saw an old coolie woman come into the room, to whom the lady spoke in a squeaking voice of unusual arrogance ; and another moment convinced him that it was no other than his unfortunate old mother. Affecting, however, to ignore the change that had come over botli ladies, he stepped with simulated joyfulness into the apartment and them in true conjugal and filial fashion ; then, when the first greetings were over, he informed his wife that their final reunion must be postponed still for a few days, as he had a little more business to transact before he could settle down comfortably with her again. Mrs. Hwang seemed to think it rather queer, but of course submitted ; and. when it was nearly dark, the husband took a short leave of her, and set off on his pretended journey. Then, under cover of the night, he watched the house; and subsequent events showed him that he hadn’t watched in vain. Taking up the position he had assumed before, like a Celestial “Enoch Arden,” he had the pleasure of beholding the “ Philip ” who was in the habit of consoling his wife during his absence. There sat the gay creature, in her gewgaws, and gimcracks, and paint, with her ridiculous head on one side, howling, in true Chinese fashion, some loving ditty to her paramour across the table. Both were indulging somewhat freely in the bottle, and the feast went merrily on. The poor old mother-in-law, of course, was somewhere in the kitchen. Later in the night the husband stole into the house, his wife being just then elsewhere. The paramour was sleeping off the effects of his debauch ; and Hwang looked curiously at him for a few seconds ; then, producing a sharp knife, he skilfully and noiselessly stabbed him in the throat, dividing his windpipe and killing him on the spot; then, as quietly, withdrew. The lady returning shortly afterwards,. went to the bedside and tried to arouse her lover. “ Get up,” she cried ; why sleep you thus heavily ? fie ! have you upset the wine ? What is all this wet ?” Then she struck a light, and found that it was not wine, but blood, and her paramour lay dead before her. However, she was a strongminded person, and did not waste any time in lamentation. Seeing, or guessing the position of affairs, she proceeded to chop up the dead gentleman and to joint him carefully ; after which she put the pieces into a large cooking pot, filled it with water, and boiled him to a good rich broth. Next day she announced her intention of visiting her parents, and taking with her, as a birthday present for her mother—so sho told her mother-in-law—a large cauldron of soup. On her way she took the opportunity of accidentally tipping the whole thing into the river, and thus, she flattered herself, all possibility of discovery was at an end. While at her parents’ house she was rejoined by her husband and his mother, and there was a very merry dinner party in honor of this happy reunion of husband and wife after such a long separation. After dinner the old folks called on Hwang for a story, or a song. Hwang agreed; and, fixing his eyes upon the guilty woman, he recited in verse the entire history—just as we have told it here—of her faithlessness. His allusions grew more pointed as he proceeded, until the lady, unable to bear it any longer, pleaded a sudden headache, and fled to her apartment. In her absence Hwang told her parents all the truth ; and the poor old couple, though heartbroken at the discovery of their daughter’s wickedness, commended his moderation and prudence above measure. On going upstairs, it was found that the wicked wife had hung herself ; and her parents gave Hwang their youngest daughter to console him under his disappointment. Now this is a true story, and its moral is not far to find.