Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-06-25
MERGERS oFFENSE.
He Crossed Railroad Track In Japan
and Great Was the Commotion.

and Great Was the Commotion.
The true story of how Congressman
Mercer Of Omaha caught the train at
Tokyo last summer has never been told.
It is this:
In the first place, there is q law in Japan
against crossing q 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 10
American, is not only unlawful, but sac
rilege, in the eyes of the Japanese. To
see man swing himself upon q moving
train stamps him with tendency to par.
esis.
Mercer had been delayed in making
change to pay fare for himself and party
to the next station, so miles distant, and
the ladies had crossed the viaduct and tax
en- 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. To
che 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 tic departing
train with a graceful bound.
In moment panic and pandemonium
were rampant among the crowd of officials
and onlookers, and some say the imperial
guard of Japan, as we'll as regiment of
sharpshooters, was called out. At all
events the excitement produced by Mer-
GERS daring feat was as great as If the
Chinese had thrown company Of trail
leurs into tho flank of the spectators. Mer-
Ger saw that there was violent signaling
with a red flag from the engine cab and
answering signals with red flags by the
switchmen ahead. And then the train
conscious that all the confusion and ex-
oitement were about him, but blissfully
ignorant Of the cause of the great sensa-
tion he had produced. He had never stud
led the revised statutes 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 Immediately encircled by a Gordon Of
soldiers police and train officials, all ges-
ticulating and jibbering 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 iuncture
an American elbowed his way through
and called out to him:
Stranger, you're all right. Keep stiff
upper lip"
"What the devil Is It about9" asked Mer-
Ger.
"You crossed the railroad track, and
that's against the law" said the American.
"Oh, is that the cause of all this excite
mentp" said Mercer. II thought bad
committed leze majesty or was suspected
Of wanting to hold up the train"
The Japs 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. /"
"I'll lay out the first man that puts q
finger on me If I 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
difficulty was In course of adjustment.
The Japs by this time had recovered their
politeness and were making bows on ev-
cry side to show they were sorry for what
and in short time the station
agent, or whatever the mans position
was, brought out tea and cake to the Of
Tended congressman to show that they
harbored no Ill feeling. Mercer telegraphed
his wife at the next station to wait for
him and took this next train 10 meet her,
She was there, but the telegram had not
reached her. However, the operator had
received 1t. He pulled it out of his vest
pocket and handed 1t to the congressman
with broad grin.
"Thats all right" said Mercer. "Just
the way we do it In the United States.
You people are rapidly becoming Amerj.
canized. "--Washington Post.