Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1896-02-28
MERGERS oFFENsE.
He Crossed Railroad Track in Japan
and Great was the Commotion.

The true story of how Congressman
Mercer, of Omaha, caught the train al
Toxic, Japan, last summer has never
been told tits this, says the Washing
ten Post.
In the first place there is law in
Japan against crossing railway track
n the train you want is on the other side
OF The platform you cross giaduct
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. Just 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
usder full Roadway. To the religious
dismay of the crowd of Japs on the
platform Mercer made a dash for 1t,
right across the intervening track, and
landed on the platform of the departing
train with a graceful bound.
In a moment panic and pandemonium
wers rampant among the crowd of Off
elals and onlookers, and SEINE say the
Imperial Guard Of japan as well as
regiment rof sharpshooters we're called |
out. At all events the excitement pro |
duced by MERGERS daring feat was as
as il the Chinese had thrown a
company OF tiraileurs into the flank of !
the spectators. Mercer saw that there
was violent signaling with a red flag
from the engine cab and answering sig
mails with red flags by the switchman
ahead. And then the train slowly came
10 a stop. He was vaguely conscious
that all the confusion and excitement
was about him, but blissfully ignorant
Of the cause OF the great sensation he
had produced lie had never studied
he revised statutes of Japan and the
laws of the city, and the gray
~ of his ohense never occurred to him
As soon as he stepped down to the
ground he was Immediately encircled by
. Gordon of soldiers, police and train,
officials, all gesticulating and iibbering
n one grand symphony of protestation.
ay he told them in English that he was
member of the Fifty.third Congress
Il the United States and his person was
acred lie denies this. But fortunately
I this critical juncture an American
bowed his way through, and called out
D him;
stranger, you're all right. Keep a
tiff upper lip"
"What the devil is It about'" asked
isrcer.
"You crossed the railroad track, and {
nat, against the law said the Amerl- !
an.
ooh, Is that the cause OF all this ex- :
tementi" said Mercer; 81 thought ]
ad committed lese maspeste or was sus-
seted OF wanting to hold up a train,
The Japs kept crowding around, and .
ercer began to edge up against a coach ,
protect his back. ;.
"Don't let 'em touch you" shouted the >,
msrican; they have no law for that" =
"l'll lay out the first man that puts =,
iger on me, If get shot for 1t, !" said h
Greer. "By the great horn spoon there
yes the train, and my wife's aboard"
"That's an old trick of theirs, said the
her. "but you can telegraph her to
ait for you at the next station" al
Mercer saw the train disappear, and L
ter short delay the American brought su
an interpreter, and in five minutes the
hculty was in course of adjustment. -
,e Japs by this time had recovered us
cir politeness, and were making bows he
every side to show they were sorry ur