The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1900-03-02
A LEGEND OF JAPAN.
TIE STORY CT CHOBEl, THE MAN
WHO KNEW NO FEAR.

! UNFAIRLY to Assassination.
The following legend of Chobei has
been handed down in Japan as indica-
tive of the courage of the ''brayis." or
duelists, who fiourished il Yeddo DUR
4 ing the sixteenth century, forming q
sort OF Japanese st. Hermindad. Cho-
] bel, the leader Of this clique, was a re-
doubtable swordsnan. whose constant
/ " recurring duels forced his master to
expel him from his rednue. Unwilling
to enlist with another Of the fcudal
lords, he assembled all the D'Artagnans
OF Yeddo about him until his power in
cited even the princes to envy, al
though they declined to recognize the
outlawed duelist.
On this pretense he was excluded
from a popular teahouse one day at an
hour when was expected Juirozaye-
mon the leader Of the Hatamotos,
then the most influential political party
in Japan who had arrogated the city
of Yeddo for the official residence. But
! Chobei, with q shrGg Of his shoulders,
forced his way past the, attendants in
to the apartments reserved for the
prince, where he removed his garments
and cast himself on q couch in feigned
slumber.
I "Who is that brute?" demanded the
prince Oh his arrival. 1.-THE leader Of
the swordsmen." they answered him.
i Juirozayemon seated himself in silence
! and began to smoke. Having smoked
his pipe, he emptied the glowing Gin
ders into the pretended sleeper's nos
trils, repeating this five times, when
! he paused, astounded by such coura-
/ geous endurance. Chobei noting this,
I yawned, rubbed his eyes like one awak-
ening from profound slumber and ex-
claimed:
! ''You. most noble master! And
! having drunk too much should have
! slept uncovered before your eyes! How
! shall | excuse my vulgarity?"
! Il have SO long sought your ac-
| quaintance that You are forgiven. Be
! seated and accept this cup of wine,
| pray you"
! Politeness forbade Chobei to refuse a
drop of Che proffered cup, huge
! beaker of powerful wine, offered him
| in the hopes of overpowering him. But
Chobei drained it easily and, replenish-
! ing it. presented it to his host, who &C.
| complished this feat with the utmost
| difficulty.
"Will your highness permit me to
| offer you some gift Of value~ Chobei
asked humbly.
Surely"
''What do you most desire"
Thinking to render the brave ridicu-
| lous before the whole city, the prince
said promptly:
ga plate Of macaroni."
"Ah, Chohei' thought he, "the whole
town will soon be telling how the great
duelist was permitted only to offer a
plate of macaroni to the president Of
the Hatamotos."
| After a whispered colloquy the at
| tendant disappeared, leaving the two
enemies alone, smiling but impressive.
But soon a great noise penetrated the
apartment, and the prince discovered
crowd Of workmen busily construct
ing an immense wall of macaroni
around the teahouse. All Yeddo was
royal gift. Discounted that the bravo"
should have outwitted his ruse, the
prince departed to plan revenge. The
following day brought with it an in
vitatiOn from Juirozayemon to break
fast. Despite his comrades remon-
strances, Chobei insisted on accepting
it. AS he entered the princes dwell
ing the Samurais threw themselves
| upon him with drawn swords. Chobei's
| immense muscular strength enabled
him to disarm them, when he proceed
ed unannounced to the rear apartment.
Pardon me, your lordship," said he,
''for announcing myself Your attend
ants have forgotten to do So"
| "Surely. Perhaps they have sought
quarrel with you. Twas but joke,
for | wagered that all six could not
disarm you. Perhaps you would like
a bath to refresh yourself"
Who shall say that Chobei was wise?
Alone in his enemys house, he dis
carded his weapons, removed his gar
ments and crouched in the bath. The
water that was at first hot was soon
boiling. Chobei dashed from the bath,
but ten spears held by invisible hands
| forced him back. Suffocated by steam,
exhausted by blood. Chobei fell dying
| to the ground.
The Samurais were still congratu-
lating themselves on their success
| when loud knocking was heard. In
quiry revealed the duefing confeder-
ates who were come to seek their
| leader.
| "He is drunk and cannot see YOU
"Our leader is dead. We have
| brought his bier"
/ The Samurais were dumb with as
/ constituent Chobei had OWNED the
trap, yet, preferring to sustain his rep
utation Of daring untarnished by any
accusation of fear. had voluntarily
j gone to his assassination.
Little Troubles.
! AS it is only now and then that we
/ have a landslide, while we are contin-