"Chinese" by the Way of South Africa.
From distant South Africa comes the following. It is not quite new, if it did come so far, but we print it, partly because it always stimulates, and partly to oblige the sender, J. G. Tanté, who is a young stamp-collector of that distant place where we have so many other Round Table members—Somerset East, Cape Colony, South Africa. Here is the story:
A Chinaman died, leaving his property by will to his three sons as follows: "To Fuen-huen, the eldest, one-half thereof; to Nu-pin, his second son, one-third thereof; and to Ding-bat, his youngest, one-ninth thereof."
When the property was inventoried, it was found to consist of nothing more nor less than seventeen elephants, and it puzzled these three heirs how to divide the property according to the terms of the will without chopping up seventeen elephants, and thereby seriously impairing their value. Finally they applied to a wise neighbor, Suen-punk, for advice. Suen-punk had an elephant of his own. He drove it into the yard with the seventeen, and said:
"Now we will suppose that your father left these eighteen elephants. Fuen-huen, take your half and depart." So Fuen-huen took nine elephants and went his way.
"Now, Nu-pin," said the wise man, "take your third and go." So Nu-pin took six elephants and travelled.
"Now, Ding-bat," said the wise man, "take your ninth and begone." So Ding-bat took two elephants and vamosed. Then Suen-punk took his own elephant and drove him home again.
Query: Was the property divided according to the terms of the will?
When office work has tried the nerves
And taxed both hands and brain,
A quick, cool wash with Ivory serves
To soothe and ease the strain.
Copyright, 1896, by The Procter & Gamble Co., Cin'ti.