Everlasting Pearl | Page 4

be learning to sew, to embroider, and to
make silk braid. By all these occupations she could only earn about a
farthing a day; but that small sum would pay at least for her vegetables,
salt, and oil, and even leave a little balance.
[Illustration: Plaiting silk braid.]
During the summer and autumn she often had to take her low stool and
work outside, so as to watch the grain, which was drying on a large
bamboo mat in front of the house. On such occasions a long bamboo
stick lay at her side, and this she used most vigorously, and with as
much noise as possible, whenever the inhabitants of the poultry-yard

paid her a visit.
But her life was not all work. There were some variations. Her little
brothers were a source of great delight to her. Her love for them was
intense and motherly, though she would often tease them. When one of
them happened to be dawdling over his food, she would do her best to
coax him to eat, but often without success, until she playfully
exclaimed:
Who first shall be satisfied may do as he wishes, But the last one to
finish must wash all the dishes.
[Illustration: A source of great delight. "Is there too great a burden on
the shoulders of the Chinese Christians? Surely not. A little girl once
was carrying a little boy on her back. Some one said, 'I see you have a
big burden, haven't you?' 'No,' replied the little girl, 'that is not a burden;
that is my brother.'"--Rev. Cheng Ching Yi, Edinburgh Missionary
Conference.]
Her ready wit often helped to keep herself and others in good temper.
Not only was she full of life and humour, she was also kind and
generous, and had sympathy with those who suffered. When, for
instance, a poor, blind beggar came to her home, chanting his doleful
refrain:
Oh, friends who can see, in heaven you dwell; To have sightless eyes is
like living in hell,
her heart would be touched, and she would beg and obtain permission
from her mother to give him some rice.
Mrs. Tu was a home-loving and industrious woman, who did not often
leave her home, or allow her children to run wild. Once a year,
however, there was a big dramatic performance at Kucheng, and then
Everlasting Pearl, dressed in her best, was taken to the theatre. These
were red-letter days in her life. Chinese plays are mostly very stupid.
Often immoral, and almost invariably connected with idolatry, they are

a snare to some of the people when they want to break with everything
idolatrous. But to the little country girl the theatre was all that could be
desired, and gave her much pleasure. She understood little of what she
saw and heard there, but was carried away with the excitement and
noise.
Another great occasion was that on which the famous god from Tanyoh
passed through Kucheng. This deity was supposed to have his abode in
Tanyoh, and called it his paternal home; but his maternal home was in
Hongtsun, a few miles off, and to that village he paid yearly visits. He
was carried with great pomp through Kucheng, and as he passed along
all the people came to their doors to bow to him, and implore his
blessing and protection. For the little girl this yearly visit of the idol
was a very solemn occasion, as she was a firm believer in his power.
As yet she had not heard of any greater power; she had never heard of
the true and living God. The ugly idol she saw carried through the
streets of Kucheng embodied the highest object for her worship, and to
him she gave unreserved reverence.
Surely the messengers of Christ had been a long time in reaching
Kucheng,--yet it was situated on one of the main roads in China. They
had indeed been slow in obeying their Lord's command, "Go ye into all
the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature."
CHAPTER IV
ENGAGEMENT
Everlasting Pearl was now thirteen years old, and by many relatives
and friends her parents were urged to make arrangements for her future.
"You can keep her a few years before you marry her, but she certainly
ought to be engaged," was the advice given generally.
A middleman, therefore, had to be found. There are always numerous
applicants for that office, as not only is a good fee usually given, but it
is considered an honour to be entrusted with the future arrangements
for a young couple. On such occasions a great many untruths are often
told, which are only discovered after the marriage, when it is too late to

mend matters. In Everlasting Pearl's case, the middleman was a relative,
one of those who