following
morning, Ping-Kwe received a curt dismissal from his post.

Nothing he could say or do had any power to alter his employer's
decision, and, before a month had elapsed, the hapless man found himself
utterly without the means of providing for his wife and family.

Strange to say, it was in his adversity that the best part of his nature
came to the fore.

For his wife and children's sake he would have cheerfully starved
himself; but alas! hunger and destitution stared them _all_ in the face.
Days passed on into weeks, and still the hapless Chinaman was workless.

Never would Ping-Kwe or his patient little wife forget the miseries of
one terrible night. Overhead the stars were shining as though breathing
hope to the forlorn family, who were now actually without a roof to
cover them. The children were crying pitifully for food, and Ping-Kwe,
in his despair, began to think that even death itself would be welcome.
And the stinging part of it all was that he had brought his troubles
upon himself, for Kong-Yung had told him frankly the reason of his
dismissal.

It was when matters were at their lowest ebb, that the English ladies,
hearing of Ping-Kwe's sad plight, came to his aid.

With their own hands they tended to the necessities of the destitute
family, and it was owing to their intervention that Ping-Kwe found
employment again under his former master. It was humble work, it is
true, but Ping-Kwe was now a humble man.

With mingled shame and gratitude he accepted the kindly aid of the two
ladies, and from that time forth never more was he heard to say a word
against the English. Their influence by degrees wrought such a change in
Ping-Kwe that his best friends would hardly have known him.

As to his diligence in business, there could be no doubt, and Kong-Yung
never had reason to regret taking him into his service again. A few
months later, he chanced to be once more in the same boat with his
fellow-townsman, Chang.

'What has happened to that temper of yours, Ping-Kwe?' asked Ching, with
a good-natured smile; 'I have not seen it lately.'

'No,' replied Ping-Kwe, 'I don't suppose you have. As a matter of fact I
have taken the advice you gave me some time ago, and have thrown it
overboard.'

[Illustration: "'Throw your bad temper overboard.'"]

[Illustration: "'I say that he is a French spy!'"]

THE TRIALS OF LECKINSKI.

[Illustration]

Leckinski was a young Polish soldier, who was chosen