The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1903-02-19

IkSSASSfho ols oriental name. They were
so petite, their smiles so
1as bewitching that their
'e-e Gz1S========S15 presence seemed to. add
beauty to the violets which decorated
the tables upon which the meals were
served. They soon learned a smatter-
ing Of the American tongue, and then
they began slaughtering the hearts of
the males who came into the cafe for
refreshments. Among these was the
young minister. He was fresh from aM
Eastern theological institution; his
pulses beat strong, his skin was fair,
his soul was in the immortal sermon
that was preached upon the mount g.
coo years ago.
The geisha maidens liked him ever so
much. He read to them from books
that contained poetry; he brought them
flowers, fresh from costly hot houses;
he ate Of dishes extravagant of price;
he looked into their faces with the
smile Of love. Never, SO he thought to
himself, had he seen women so radi-
antly beautiful He would teach them
his religion, and then-ah, the smallest
Of the three, he might ask her to be-
come his wife. He pictured a return
OF the bride to the jessamine fields of
Japan, with him as her husband, mar
r1ed according to the customs of civil
lied religion; and, in that locust scent
ed country, he would become a great
evans alist, spreading the light among
the multitudes who worshiped idols in
the shape of hogs. His name was Hig-
gins
On the following Sabbath he got the
local minister of his parish to let him
I'LL the pulpit for the evening sermon.
This promised, he told the geisha girls,
and they consented to attend services
Higgins preached eloquently. His voice
was pleading, and it was not long be-
fore five converts were kneeling be-
fore the altar. The geisha girls sat in
the rear Of the church and oftentimes
were seen to giggle immoderately. The
minister saw and heard these irrever-
ent acts, whereupon his voice rOared
out so as almost to shake the huge edi-
ice. Then, for moment or so, the
mattresses scarcely moved. They sat
perfectly still, looking for the time like
huge Chinese dolls.
The sermon ended, the minister ask
ed for a song. The organ gave forth
its solemn notes and the choir lifted
voices that blended melodiOusiy with
the strains of the organs keys When
the singing was at it's loudest and the
voices ! d reached their sweetest
chords F~v Mr. Higgins left the altar
and walked to where the black-eyed
young maidens were seated. He smiled
sgraciously upon them
Your first visit to our sacred house,
I believer" he said, reaching for the
hand of the one nearest him.
The three girls stirred in unison.
They shifted their position as if in
dread of something. They hung their
heads and let their eyes drop to the
floor Meantime the minister had
caught the hand of the third girl to the
right and he held it for moment.
Eyes, your excellency, these our first
Gomez
All eyes of the congregation were
turned to the eloquent young minister.
NOW he coughed slightly The music
soI the organ had ceased, the singing
hushed
WELL he said, ''ycu have heard me.
l hope we will see you regularly at our
meetings in the future
What we do?" asked the smallest of
the girls.
Do the minister gasped. He looked
confused. He had, SO he thought, ex-
planned all these things in the little
blue dining-room. Presently he said,
very gently, very softly, very impress
-sively: There is work to do for
Jesus; yea, great work"
The tallest and the Sauciest OF the
girls burst forth into laughter. She
twisted her little mouth, she shook her
wavy head, she dangled her red ribbon
at her waist and then she began crying
The smallest of the girls then spoke.
:Your very great highness," she said,
pray excuse us this bad behavior, but
>we.are only Japanese girls and our rep
utat1ons are not good
The vast audience looked down with
amazement. Few could hear what was
passing between the young minister
and the dark-eyed girls. Higgins look
ed grayely enough. He appeared disap-
pointed that these simple children from
the land Of soft suns and mellow moons
could act so irreverently, so immodest-
ly. At the restaurant they had behav-
ed as perfect children. He could not
understand their conduct, this laughing
apparently at him and his pleadings.
He turned to the choir and asked for
the dOXOlOgy. He was some distance
from the Organist, but his command
was heard. Again the trained throats
poured volumes Of soft song upon the
. listening ears. The minister stood with