The San Francisco call., 1896-03-04
MERCER CROSSED THE TRACK.
It's Against the Japanese Law, aud So
He Missed the Train.

It's against the Japanese Law, aud SO
He Missed the Train.
The true story of how Congressman
Mercer of Omaha caught the train at
Toxic, Japan, last summer has never been
told. 1t was like this:
In the first place there is law in Japan
against crossing a railway track. If the
train you want to take is on the other side
OF the platform you cross viaduct. which
lands you on another platform next to
your train. To cross the track a la Ameri-
can is not only unlawful, but sacrilege in
the eyes of the japanese. To see man
swing himself upon moving train stamps
him with tendency to paresis.
Mercer had been delayed in making
change to pay fare for himself and party
to the next station, fifty miles distant,
and the ladies had crossed the yiaduct and
taken their seats. Just as the Nebraskan
came running out of the waiting-room the
train was pulling out. In Japan the trains
always move faster when they start than
when they are under full headway. 10
the religious dismay of the crowd of Japs
On the platform Mercer made dash for
1t, right across the intervening track, and
landed on the platform of the departing
train with graceful bound.
In a moment panic and pandemonium
were rampant among the crowd OF officials
and onlookers, and some say the Imperial
Guard of Japan as well as q regiment OF
sharpshooters were called out. At all
events the excitement produced by Mer-
GERS daring feat was as great as II the chi
nese had thrown company of tirailleurs
into the flank of the spectators Mercer
saw that there was violent signalling with
a red flag from the engine cab, and an
swering signals with red flags. by the
switchman ahead. And then the train
slowly came to a stop. He was vaguely
element was about him, but blissfully
ignorant of the cause OF the great sensa-
tion he had produced.
He had never studied the revised stat
utes of Japan and the municipal laws of
the city, and the gravity of his offense
never occurred to him. As soon as he
stepped down on the ground he was i'm
mediately eneircled by a Gordon OF sol
diers, police and train officials. all gesticu-
lating and gibbering in one grand sym
phony of protestation. 1t looked blue for
Mercer. His friends say he told them in
English that he was member OF the Fifty
fourth Congress OF the United States and
his person was sacred. He denies this.
But fortunately at this critical juncture an
American elbowed mis- way through and
called out TO him:
Stranger, you re all right. Keep a stiff
upper lip
Mercer.
s'You crossed the railroad track, and
that's against the law" said the American.
''Oh is that the cause of all this excite
ment?h said Mercer; 81 thought | had
| committed lese- ma iesty or was suspected
of wanting 10 hold mp the train"
The Japs kept erowding around and
Mercer began 10 edge up against coach
| to protect his back.
| ''Don't let 'em touch YOU" shouted the
American, 'they have no law for that"
"i'l lay out the first man that puts a
finger on me, if l get shot for it, said
Mercer ''By the great horn spoon there
goes the train, and my wife's aboard"
That's an old trick of theirs said the
other, "but you can telegraph her to wait
for you at the next station"
Mercer saw the train disappear, and
after short delay the American brought
in an interpreter. and in five minutes the
difhculty was in course of adjustment.
The Japs by this time had recovered their
politeness and were making bows on every
side to show they were sorry for what hap
pened, and in short time the station
agent, or whatever the mans position was,
brought out tea and cake to the offended
Congressman to show that they harbored
no ilE-feeling. Mercer telegraphed his
wife at the next station to wait for him
and took the next train to meet her. She
was there, but the telegram had not
reached her. However, the operator had
received it. He pulled it out of his vest
pocket and handed it to the Congressman
with broad grin.
That's ali right" said Mercer; '.just
the way we do in the United States. You
people are rapidly becoming American
lied. ashington Post.