The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1896-02-27
MERGERS oFFENsE.
He Crossed Railroad Track 10 Japan
and Great was the Commotion.


The true story of how Congressman
Mercer, of Omaha, caught the train at
Toxic, Japan, last summer has never
been told. 1t is this, says the Washing
ten Post.
In the first place there is law in
Japan against crossing a railway track
If the train you want 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,
la American, is not only unlawful but
sacrilege, In the eyes of the Japanese
To see man swing himself upon NOV
ing 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 viaduct
and taken their seats. lust as the Ne
braskan came running out of the wait
ing room the train was pulling out. In
Japan the trains always move faster
when they start than when they are
under full Roadway. To the religious
dismay of the crowd OF Japs on the
platform Mercer made dash for IT.
right across the intervening track, and
landed on the platform of the departing
~.ocaf,,l hound
In moment panic and pandemonium
were rampant among the crowd OF offi-
cials and 'onlookers, and SEINE say the
Imperial Guard of Japan as well as a
regiment of sharpshooters were called
out. At all events the excitement pro-
duced by MERGERS daring feat was as
great as If the Chinese had thrown
company of tiraileurs into the flank OF
the spectators. Mercer saw that there
was violent signaling with red flag
from the engine cab, and answering sig
mails with red flags by the switchman
ahead. And then the train slowly came
to a stop. He was vaguely conscious
that all the confusion and excitement
was about him, but blssfully ignorant
of the cause of the great sensation he
had produced. He had never studied
the revised statutes of Japan and the
municipal laws of the city, and the gray
ty of his offense never occurred to him
AS soon as he stepped down to the
ground he was Immediately encircled by
a Gordon of soldiers, police and train,
officials, all gesticulating and jibbering
in one grand symphony of protestation.
1t looked blue for Mercer. His friends
say he told them in English that he was
a member of the Fifty-third Congress
of the United States and his person was
sacred. He denies this. But fortunately
at this critical juncture an American
elbowed his way through, and called out
to him
stranger, you're all right Keep a
stiff upper lip"
"What the devil is it about" asked
Mercer.
"You crossed the railroad track, and
that's against the law" said the Ameri-
can.
ooh, is that the cause of all this ex-
citements" said Mercer; 81 thought l
had committed lese maspeste or was sus-
pected of wanting to hold up train.
The laps kept crowding around, and
Mercer began to edge up against coach
to protect his back.
"Don't let 'em touch you" shouted the
American; they have no law for that
an lay out the first man that puts q
finger on me, if get shot for II" 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 tc
wait for YOU at the next station"
Mercer saw the train disappear, anC
after a short delay the American brough
in an interpreter, and in five minutes thu
difficulty was in course of adjustment
The Japs by this time had recovere'
their politeness, and were making bow
on every side to show they were sorr.
for what happened and in short tim
the station agent, or whatever the man
position was, brought out tea and oak
to the offended Congressman to shoN
that they harbored no i'll feeling Mel
Ger telegraphed his wife at the next sta
ton to wait for him. and took the mex
train to meet her. She was there br
the Telegram had not reached her. How
ever, the operator had received it. II
pulled 1t out of his vest pocket an
handed 1t to the Congressman with
broad grin.
"Thafs all right" said Mercer; "ju'
the way we do it in the United State
You people are rapidly becoming Anne
icanized."
Two hundred men employed by tn
D.,.,Ia Cav,napy at n