The Cat's-Paw

---

Do we take the boat

from there, Daddy?

Yes, my son...

and all the way

across the Pacific Ocean.

That's China, isn't it?

Yes. Sheng Tu

is a little village...

far in the interior.

Miles from the railroad even.

We'll have to travel by ox cart.

Daddy,

aren't we nearly there?

I think so, my son.

You must have patience.

Are you all right, my dear?

A little tired, Julian.

The trip has been so long.

Yes. Stockport

seems a long way off now.

The mission... our new home.

Welcome to Sheng Tu, Mr. Cobb.

Thank you, sir.

This is Mrs. Cobb, my wife.

How do you do, Mrs. Cobb?

May I present you to

my venerable friend Keen Lung?

How do you do, sir?

And this I presume is

the successor to my successor?

My son Ezekiel.

I'm glad to meet you, sir.

You, too.

A cordial greeting,

my worthy friend.

Thank you, sir.

Isn't that funny writing?

Our native language,

my young missionary.

- May I have it?

- Ezekiel!

Oh, I shall be honored...

if he would accept it as a gift.

Thank you, sir!

As he ripens in years,

he will learn from it.

The wisdom of Ling Po...

our great poet and philosopher.

You are very kind, sir.

Now, if you will enter

the mission...

I will introduce you

to your future friends.

It would be a privilege, sir.

Hello.

What?

You'll have to talk

a little slower.

I guess I just don't understand.

Ohh, I see!

I have told them

that Ezekiel is leaving...

and they grieve exceedingly.

Yes. I've just bid him

Godspeed on his journey...

and in a few minutes

he will be gone.

It is well, honorable sir.

The separation must be borne

in fairness to the boy.

True, but I'm worried.

You see, he hasn't been

out of this little village...

in over 20 years.

Ah, but he is well-versed

in languages and the classics.

He is educated.

As a Chinese gentleman, yes...

but he knows

nothing of the world.

Then this trip to America

will broaden his education.

It will fit him

even more eminently to return...

and continue

your missionary work among us.

It's always been my ambition...

for him to perpetuate

this mission.

To do that, he must marry.

Therefore a visit

to America is necessary...

for him to find a mother

for his children.

I realize that.

And he has promised

to return as soon as...

he has found a suitable wife.

I must give him this

to mail in San Francisco.

It's a letter to the Reverend

Junius P. Withers...

of our parent church

in Stockport.

I'm sure that he will welcome

Ezekiel as a guest.

Good-bye, my son.

May God be with you.

Good-bye!

Good-bye, my son!

Good-bye!

Read all about it!

Death in the penthouse!

Pardon me, sir.

May I humbly inquire

the direction...

to the First Church

of Stockport?

The first church? Sure.

Just grab yourself a bus...

and hop over to the music box

on 31st street.

You know, where the red-hot

babies are playing?

You'll find it easy.

Just buzz any flatfoot

on the beat.

He'll serve you the dope.

You got me? OK.

Extra! Read all about it!

Big love murder!

Murder for love!

Extra! Murder for love!

Murder for love! Extra!

What are you talkin' about?

Read all about it!

Playboy graft! Extra!

Extra! Read all about it!

Uh, pardon me, sir.

I seem to be in a predicament.

You see, I'd like to get to

the First Church of Stockport.

Well, ain't this

the joint you want?

Oh, yes. Yes, indeed.

That was most kind of you.

Want me to wait?

Oh, no. I'm to be a guest of

the Reverend Junius P. Withers.

You see, this is the parent

church of my father's mission.

Think of that.

For what reason?

Once more?

Why should I think of

my father's mission?

I'll bite. Why?

Well... I enjoyed

our little ride exceedingly.

Uh, would you allow me...

to pay you for

the use of your conveyance?

I'll say I will. 2 bucks.

Bucks?

Couldn't I pay you in dollars?

Sure.

Just give me $3.00

and we'll call it square.

Thank you.

Hey, buddy!

There's a dollar for yourself...

for pickin' an honest guy

out of a bunch of crooks.

Ha ha ha!

Ah ha ha ha!

Oh, pardon me.

Will you kindly convey

to your master...

We don't want any.

Well!

Pardon me.

I don't think you understand.

I wish to see

the Reverend Junius P. Withers!

You can't. He's busy.

But I'm Ezekiel Cobb.

I've just arrived

from China to visit him.

From China!

China!

- Huh?

- China!

China?

Yes. He's expecting me.

Well, I'll tell him.

Come in.

There's a man outside

selling china.

Says you're expecting him.

China? Ridiculous.

Yes, sir.

Do you want to see him?

Certainly not. I'm busy.

Mr. Withers says

he's too busy to see you.

Oh, but there must be

some mistake!

He don't want to see you!

Oh, I'm afraid

this is my last attempt...

to become mayor of Stockport.

Oh ho!

I'm not as young

as I used to be.

Oh, forget it.

Why, say, it wouldn't be

an election...

if you weren't

running on our ticket.

Why, say,

I really have a chance...

to be elected this time,

don't you think?

- Why, sure you have.

- Yeah?

Anyway,

we'll know by Tuesday night.

Yeah. Well, good day, Mr. Mayo.

So long. See you tomorrow.

Hello, Jake.

- Hello, Pete.

- How are you?

Hey, if you're waiting

for a parade, there ain't none.

Were you addressing me?

Say, what's the big idea?

I have no ideas.

In fact, I'm quite bewildered.

Now, don't get gay with me.

Sir, I'm far from gay.

Now, listen...

Now, keep

your shirt on, Pete.

Where you from, son?

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