The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-30
Uhe 8ierala mud Selps
SOMETHING ABoUT Japan.

!
though it is a fine country IN some
respects; its flowers are especially
beautiful andgrow luxuriantly. We
are fond of sitting in an easy-chair
when weary, and particularly in
rocker We should find mono such
in Japanese home, where we
would have to sit on the floor. The
rooms there contain very little
furniture, in strong contrast to the
crowded parlors and other rooms
in our American homes. We do
thoroughly enjoy good ride along
a country road behind trusty
horse who makes good speed; in
Japan we should have to be content
with having our conveyance drawn
by mon. We know we should feel
sorry for them, and that would take
away any pleasure we might other
wise derive, however fast they
might speed along. The wagons
there are pushed along by coolies.
When wo are hungry we like to
have placed before us bit of iuicy
beefsteak. IT would not be an EASY
matter to get it in Japan, for we
are told the Japanese neither eat
meat nor drink milk. Did you ever
notices q domestic animal in Japan
ese landscape7 You will not find
them there, because it is land
practically without the animals that
we think are indispensable with us.
They do not need sheep, because
wool is not used in their clothing,
which is made of silk and cotton
instead.
Mrs. Julia MacNair Wright in
her "Temperance Third Reader"
tolls OF an interview with Japan
csc boy who had come to our coun-
try to study tho custom of catching
and curing fish. What he told her
will interest you. She says:
"Some time ago l went to town
on the sea coast to attend a temper
ance meeting. When | reached the
town | went to a hotel, and while
waited for supper l sat in the parlor.
a very nice-looking young man
from Japan also camo into the par
lor and sat by the stove. | found
that he had been sent from his
country to ours to study all about
fishing, and the way of catching
and curing fish, also how to in
crease the supply Of fish.
"After we had talked while
about fish and fishing, and what
he had learned, and when he was
to go home, l said: 'Have you in
your country heard much about
temperance? Have you had much
trouble made by strong drinkv
"'Ah,' he said, 'on two small
islands, quite near where live, We
had terrible trouble with drunken-
ness
Will you tell me how it was p
| asked.
Those two small islands, said
the young man, 'were lived on by
hshlng people. They had boats
and nets, and caught many fish.
These people had good homes and
pretty gardens, and we're, most of
them, we'll off. They were quiet
and happy, and lived as their fathers
and grandfathers had before them.
But as many ships, and each
year more and more, stopped at
these islands, a deal Of trouble
came in this way. Captains want
ing few fish would trade Jug of
liquor for fish. Other vessels that
came for cargo of fish would treat
the fishers, or would give keg of
rum as part pay, or would make a
present to tho villages 'for good
luck Instead Of good luck, all
this brought very bad luck.
"'As the drinking went on, these
fishing people became idle and
quarrelsome. They did not catch
fish, but instead bought rum with
their savings, or traded for it furni-
ture, clothes, and food. In fights
some Of these fishers were killed or
manned, and then the families had
feuds, and would not work together
kindly.
"'Diseases broke out; fevers.