The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-01-01

Il
dresses-fOr had not learned DR..
Greene address and possessed of but one
word that could help me much. could
say station E, and expect to be carried
to the railroad station, whence could
return to Yokohama. What would n
lady have done? What would you have
none? Isnatched my lap robe and UNI
bfella and ran. You should have seen
me turn one corner and see the party
fast going out of sight around another.
Those runners had seemed slow all day.
Now it was another thing, was in
competition with them. 1t was down
grade all the way for mile further to
the depot. Making up my mind to keep
in sight of the party at least, on / went,
and my youthful sports came in to serve
me well, for after five minutes hard run
ming overlook Miss Cozard and she or
dered another kuruma at once, the
whole party stopping. How is that
for picture Of an American Board Mis-
siOnary?
Perhaps it will be not without interest
to describe this kuruma life a little more
fully in this letter and then close. AL
though less than thirty years ago intro
dvced for city use, these Aehicles are in
very general use all over the main inland
of Nippon or Nihon. Light and yet
durable, wheels about three feet and a
half in diameter are used. All aPe
painted black, matching thus the covers
and the boxes. The trimmings look
like German silver or brass. There are
very good springs, and all are, when
new, comfortably upholstered, most OF
them with velvet. Most are single, but
double kurumas are made and two small
persons can sit quite comfortably togeth-
Ur in them. The thills are about feet
from the box and a head piece attached
makes it possible for a second man or
leader TO hitch on a rope, or folded
strand of cloth, with which he draws in
tandem style, A, loup under one arm
and over the opposite shoulder makes it
possible for him to assist very materially.
On trip of IS miles many prefer to have
a double team, getting more speed there
by and feeling less anxious about the
perspiring runners.
There are regular stands where the
men may be procured, and there are men
standing everywhere waiting for job.
Each man has his clothing under the
seat for rainy weather, and strips almost
to nudity as he warns from running.
As the perspiration ilows down their
faces, backs and legs, you wonder what
can have led them into such a life.
They all carry blankets with which they
neatly tuck you in upon starting, and in
which they enscOnce themselves when
you alight.
Exposed to all kinds of weather, it is a
hard life they lead. The majority die in
five years, it is estimated, after they be-
gin this life. But there are attractions
in it, Country fellows like to get into
the city, and this gives them chance.
City fellows like to get into other cities,
and long distances are often covered by
the same men.
The men get on amicably together.
They eat, drink and gamble together. 1t
was astonishing to see our men from
Okayama to TOttOre, IS miles, run 30
miles day, and sleep but three hours a
night. They would play till II o'clock
at night, sleep till 3 a. m. and 90 at their
playing again. 1t is hard life to lead.
Little chance Of getting Christian prin-
ciples into their minds! When you see
them with their pith hats-wash bowls
Understanding along, one behind an
other, turning to the left instead of the
right when meeting others, and keeping
it up for miles without stopping, You
wonder how such endurance can be cul-
tivated. DIR. DeForest says he has rid
den seven and half miles in forty-five
minutes behind one.
They go whole days in scorching sun
bare-headed. They go bare-fOOted often,
but wear usually waraje, kind of straw
sandal, They eat much, chiefly rice, and
smoke often, less than thimble full of
tobacco at a time, and devOur the
luscious 'kaki'' or persimmOns that so
generally abound around here. Very
light fellows are often best and display
great strength. Old fellows get swollen
calves more easily and are apt to be logy
and keep whole party back. The slow
est runner, or the man with the heaviest
load, is generally placed ahead so that
all may be favored. You may engage
kuruma men for a through trip for a
given amount, and at certain juncture
II they can sub-let the job to other men
at an advantage, you may get fresh run
ners. Or you may hire men for five ri
1.-TWO and ohe-half English milesI and
then hire fresh men for five ri further.
This riding often proves quite expensive.
One can hire man at sen 200 sen-S5
cents) an hourin most of the large cities.
When they sit half naked around the
brazier ('5lIibachi' llere) after a days
run, and warm themselves by the fam
ing charcoal, the Indian scenes of child
hoods dream come fresh to mind. You
may certainly call this type of life
unique, however. You would enjoy see
ing seventy-five for few days In Ben
and for short errands, calls, etc,
you would pronounce them a God-send
to the town, but in the end you would
not like Il.
Human beasts are not in harmony
with Christian civilization. You would |
want 10 start a Japan mission in your |
Dwn village 10 convert those deluded |
mOrtals. You cannot but be interested |
when you think that thousands of these
men are getting a living here in this |
way, who in a Christian Japan might |
contribute indefinitely more to the com
non veal.
What ideas have you, dear editor, |
lbout Christianizing this large class of |
must close now, and hope |
that the readers Of the BANNER, as well |
IS you yourself, may have a more lively
interest hereafter in Japan's juirikisha
men. Surely Il is not without reason that |
desire the corporation and |
interest Of their friends at home. Wish
ing you happy New Year after a pleas
ant Christmas, / am most cordially
CLAUDE NJ SEVERANCE.