We are inordinately fond of ranges. We like them, not _because of their flesh-reducing properties, since we are anything but fat: not because of their precious vitamine content, since we are replete with vitamines: not because oranges are said to make the hair row, since we are beyond eny such expectation. No, We like oranges simply because they are oranges, id we like them above all'at break: rest.
This is the time of day when fruit should be eaten. There is) much support the dictum that the morning, is golden;.at oon, silver; and at night, lead.
AL the hottest part of last summer, there was a sudden dearth of the orange of dear, distant, mystic Foochow, the Mandarin orange. No coolie oranges for us. Chang, the ever faithful, was distrait. He! Fnows that unless we have oranges ut breakfast, we are not fit to live, with for the remainder of the day. He demanded. t for master wauch Clalifohnia orange? Just now have got plenty.
We expatiated for his benefit upon the beauty and glories of California, We explained how, in that territory most favoured of Heaven, the sun! for ever shines and, shining, not only smiles upon the native fruit, but actually kisses it. Despite this desirable phenomenon, we inform-him, every time we bought a California orange, it was certain to be one that the gun had forgotten to kiss; and, minus the sun's osculaorange wes as naught in our "sight, or rather, our mouth. Chang then suggested grape fruit. We would have none of it. Millions for oranges, we declaimed, but not one cent for grape fruit. He gazed at us as one does at a spoiled child, und then proposed:
"'Marster have chow Chinese glape We were shocked. This was the] first time in 11 years that he had) giabl proposed anything deceitful savouring of subterfuge. We laps-fed into the vernacular with Ca fucius' equivalent of "There ain't no such beast!" Chang said there was, He discoursed learnedly on its habits, oven going so far as to} disclose what should be done if it were to cry in the night. The very next morning, he promised, wel should have Chinese grape' fruit for breakfast. Occurred the thought that perhaps the Keomi prove its claims to pol ority, hnd created fruit!
The next morning, the halve what purported to be such fruit well iced and sugared, were duly placed before us. They looked suspiciously familiar, but we said nothing. One taste, and we were transported to the seventh heaven of gastronomic bliss. Thereafter, Jand for many day Chinese grape fruit was our middle name.
Next, behold us at the table of highly respected hostess. No modern spouse, she, but one who lives. only for the welfare of her husband and her children. Moreover, a. determined lady. Were she to ordain that "Curfew shall not ring to-night," did curfew emit so much Jcondign punishment.
Somehow, the conversation veered. to the subject of grape fruit. Our hostess rejoiced la the fact that i }was much' more easily obtained than merly, at the same time deploring relatively high cost. At th point, we grew quite superior.
"Why not try Chixese grape fruit, for a change?" we suggested.
Our host, who happens to be an informed man, demanded to know waar was joke? There was no joke, we relied. We telg about Chang's discovery. We lauded Chang.
Uneonsciously adopting the style of the Greek chroniclers, we told how he, the cunning one, to the contrary notwithstanding, on the othe hand, had placed Chinese grape fruit before us and how, ever since, we had wallowed in it. AbM&e all, it was money. 7 inexpensive; only 10 cents big'
We should have known that it ill-advised to let any thrifty housewife realize that there is a dish an economy that has escaped her. Our hostess was much interested; but we could detect her deep pain and chagrin, To make amends for Jour tactlessness, we promised to supply.
specimens of Chinese grape fruit the very next day.
Accordingly, the first thing told piece Chinese grape fruit pay Mr. Blank's office. You sabee what side."
Chang gazed at us as if we had asked him to procure a slice of he "What thing, Chinese glape fuit?"
curtly demanded.
"AM same you pay me just now." orange," he blandly informed us.
"China si lo no can glow glape fit "Why, you almond-eyed son of sea cook!" we shouted, "You di "Please, master, he interrupted, "my have talk floleign glape fruit. laurels of poetical travel will in the end descend upon the brow of the traveller by the smaller ship.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.