The Red Miriok   By: Anna M. Barnes

BY

ANNA M. BARNES

ILLUSTRATIONS BY

GEORGE A. NEWMAN

PHILADELPHIA

American Baptist Publication Society

1420 Chestnut Street

Copyright 1901 and 1902 by the AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY

Published January, 1903

From the Society's own Press

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

Korea has been called the "Hermit Nation," as of all nations Tibet alone has exceeded it in repulsing foreign influences. Only in 1882 did the United States secure a treaty, and that opened the country to foreign trade only in the capital, Seoul, and three ports. But in this treaty Korea was treated with as an independent State, and its people are distinct from either Chinese or Japanese and well repay study and missionary labors. This little story is one of the first to present this slightly known land and its customs, and therefore deserves special attention from all who are interested in the Christianizing of Oriental nations.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I Mr. Kit ze 9

CHAPTER II A Hasty Desertion 19

CHAPTER III The Lost Recovered 30

CHAPTER IV A Stowaway 39

CHAPTER V Before the Magistrate 49

CHAPTER VI A Friendly Hail 61

CHAPTER VII An Entreaty 71

CHAPTER VIII The Story of Choi so 81

CHAPTER IX A Theft 90

CHAPTER X An Arrested Sacrifice 102

CHAPTER XI "One Soul" 115

ILLUSTRATIONS

" Mr. Kit ze's hat was moving across the organ " 17

"' Yes, only a little, for it takes nearly three thousand of them to make a dollar '" 28

" Yes, it was the red miriok " 38

" He began to shake him vigorously " 47

" Cheefoo prostrated himself to the magistrate " 54

" The old man was bolt upright, despite his years " 69

" Then, extending his hands, entreated " 79

" He was permitted to look ... upon the priests at their devotions " 85

" He forthwith ... proceeded to throw rice into the well " 92

"' Stop! ' entreated Helen " 106

"' Sorry. Sorry. It was wrong. She showed me '" 123

THE RED MIRIOK

CHAPTER I

MR. KIT ZE

"There is one thing I forgot to mention," said Mr. Reid, resuming the conversation. "If we do undertake our sampan journey, we must have Mr. Kit ze. I have already talked to him about it."

"Oh, father!"

The expression of Clarence's face so emphasized his protest that nothing beyond the mere exclamation was necessary.

"Why, Clarence, what could be the objection to Mr. Kit ze?"

"A good one, father. He is such an eel like fellow. I know we couldn't depend on him. Then it strikes me that his mind isn't right. He's always muttering to himself and clutching his breast in such a queer way. Oh, I'm sure it would be a bad step to take Mr. Kit ze."

"That is just like a boy!" declared Helen, his sister, "jumping at conclusions."

"You mean girls," retorted Clarence. "They fairly spring at them; yes, reach out their arms to grasp 'em as they spring."

"Come, children, don't spar," warned Mr. Reid. "But, my son," turning to Clarence, "I fear it is as your sister asserts, you have arrived at conclusions too hastily with reference to Mr. Kit ze. He is a little strange in his manner, I'll admit; but his friends, some of whom belong to the mission, tell me that he is a very good sort of fellow, honest and well meaning, though he is rather grasping as to money matters."

"He is well meaning," asserted Helen; "and I think the reason he is so close about money is because he has many who are dependent on him. Yes, I like Mr. Kit ze. Though some of his ways are strange, yet he is good natured and kind when you know him well."

"Guess, then, I don't know him well," admitted Clarence.

"No; and until you do, you won't like him."