The Minneapolis journal., 1901-06-24
Copyright, 1901, BY P. Y. Black.

Cannon and Powers rose and howled with
Joy when their striker brought in the card
a most official card--"Mr. KIDD Mabuchi, The
Japanese Legation, Washington, D. c." In
the big school in Massachusetts,, where Mabu-
chi, as a boy, had studied the mysteries Of
American civilization, with Cannon and
Powers as his chief instructors, he had strug-
gled through a course of football. He now
required all the power OF muscular resistance
thus gained to Withstand the onslaught Of
these friends Of his school days.
''You monsters You dragons OF America
he cried, falling backward into the only arm
chair the youngsters bare quarters pos
sessed Has West Point then, not reformed
you?"
shut up, you lovely little brute, and come
to my bosom again! Amt he sweet, Powers? +?
Observe his little tan tootscums. The dude
has been built in London and Paris. KIDD,
o, KIDD! Is this a grateful return for all
the republican simplicity you imbibed at
Halton?'
They sat down, one on either side of Ma
buchi. Their tall, bony, wirewoven frames
far overtopped that Of the graceful oriental.
well, tell me, then" said Mabuchi, smil-
ing.
Tell you? It's you who's got to do the
telling, Kido," they cried together. We've
nothing to TELL" Cannon added. When you
left for the war we got through West Point
somehow, and are existing among cowboys
and Indians on these broad, unlovely plains.
1t was good Of you to come to see us, as we
could not come to Washington, but you al
ways were a decent little specimen of for
eign bric-a-brac. Now, tell US about your
self''
1T is not much to tell. When my country
went to war with China was ordered home,
know Than 7 with hn
and the honorable general spoke well of me
in dispatches, and was promoted. The war
ended, and my government sent me to travel.
I was verywhere-London, st. Petersburg,
Berlin, Vienna, Paris
How I should have liked to do Paris with
you. There's a French count, an ex-oficer,
here stopping with the colonel. I suppose
| you met heaps of them in Paris. He's study
| ing America, too. Count-Count-what's his
name-Count-'
Count Diceandbass, cried the striker
| opening the door of the young officers sit
| ting-room to usher in an elderly, wax-mus-
tached Frenchman. Powers and Cannon ad-
vanced to greet the new visitor. KIDD Mu-
| bachi rose slowly, his yellow-brown face
| turning gray
Count d'Eisenbas," Powers said, 1--WE are
| honored. Let me introduce to you Mr. Kidc
| Mubachi Of the Japanese legation, and an
! ing him it was curious that you and he, both
studying us savages for the benefit of your
| governments, should meet at such an out
| of-the-way hole as Fort Drake"
| The count made rush of efusive greet
| Ing at the Japanese, who coolly took his hand.
Mon dieu, gentlemen. You afford to me
surprises the most welcome"
You know each other. them" said Powers
Know cried D'Eisenbas. I'VE are com
rades since long tIme!''
Yes said Kido and the laugh was gone
from the eyes. which had eparkled on his old
! friends, 1--WE met in Paris
t'And are ravished to meet in America -
| said the count with hand on either of Ma
buchi's shoulders.
Cannon and Powers looked at each other in
amazement. 1t was impossible not to note
| the dearth Of delight in Kidos face.
ION this hot afternoon, when 1 had moth
| ing to do, I remembered our last game at
pokair, gentlemen, and I said, 'Ha! 1 shall
go and have my r-revanche from the youthful
] giants, Messieurs Cannon and Powair, may 1:
For Mabuchi. at baccarat, ecarte, and the
| games of Paris. I know, but pokair'
! Il pray-excuse me- said Mabuchi, grave
ly. II no longer play cards"
''Ah? Since PARISH" cried D'Eisenbas, with
a shooting galnce-
''Since Paris,' KIDD assented calmly.
! "Pshaw, Kido!" cried Cannon, you'll sim
ply have to play poker in Washington. Count,
| let me offer you something cooling. KIDD
why your glass Is full yet"
| II don't touch anything" said Babuchi
gravely.
"Since Paris?" again the Frenchman asked
| and Knocked.
"Since Paris" said Mabuchi
"Ah. see, you want not to play pokair
| You have much to talk. Au revoir, my
| American giants. We shall meet at the
coloners. Mabuchi, shall we meet?'
| 1--WE shall meet" said KIDD, rising and
| bowing with grave oriental ceremony.
| The school chums turned on KIDD
| What the devil happened to you in Paris -