In one of the market towns of this district the Taoist priests have reaped a rich harvest. Arich man died, and the coffin lay in the house, waiting for the "lucky day" to come round when the funeral would take place. About a fortnight ago, a heavy thunderstorm broke over the town. Afiash of lightning entered the house, struck the coffin, breaking it open, and exposing the corpse. The relative were horror-stricken, and they sai that in previous state of existence the man must have committed some great jenine to cause the god of thunder thus to seek him in his coffin. So the Taoist priests came and made the welkin ring night and day fora week. Asa result of their efforts, it is hoped the man's spirit has escaped from Hades and the priests are 200 taels the richer for the incident.
The Wheat Crop has been an excellent one this year, and the farmers rejoice at the abundance. The rice is all planted out and gives promise of another good harvest. With good crops there is contentment.
The " Ocean Man" was never so popular. Village pundits want war news, and are eager to buy elementary works on arithmetic and geography.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.