We heard a good story t'e other day about a man who was once " member of one of the missions, though we imagi his membership has tong lapsed, Having quarrel or a lawsuit with some neighbour he threatened to bring foreign bear if they would not pay him a heavy squeeze. When they refused he called on one of the German officers then living at the American Mission. He told him that he could get ji could he brouzit the German to Li 9 house, where he made his translation in a free if reckless fashion. To the neighbour he explained that the German's language was threatening in the extreme whilst he told the gallant officer that the authorities were exceedingly delighted and he would assuredly get the appointment. There being no appointment except in the imagination of the translator the Germ:
but we believe the tra squeeze.
On another occasion he went to Wahu and stated that he was a bishop and any country members having business could see him on payment of a fixed fee.
A still more successful trick was played by him when for some misilemeanours he was confined in the Hanyang prison. De. Merrins had attended the magistrate's child very successfully, but declined to receive any fee in return for his skill. The poor wretch in prison, hearing this, obtained one of the doctor's cards and sent it to the magistrate saying that, though the rules of the mission forbade his receiving fees, he would be grateful if the magistrate would do him a personal favour and let his friend out of prison. The man was released and when the doctor neard of what had happened and told the magistrate the bird had flown.
But his most humorous if not his boldes deception was when he dressed up in foreign clothes and went to the Hanyang magistrate and said hie was Dr. John! The magistrate was quite taken in and listened to all the pseudo-doctor had to say.
But success must have turned his head for nis next coup was not a successful one. Deckled in official robes he presented himself before the Viceros, claiming to be a special envoy from the Emperor, und as such lo presented certain papers to the Viceroy and refused to Lowtow. However, the Viceroy it wiser than the Hanyang magistrate, and it will be long before such a trick is' played again, 15th January.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.