The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-03-18
a LEGEND OF JAPAN.
THE STORY OF c4oeEl, THE MAN.
WHO KNEW NO FEAR.

| ton For Bravery He Accepted the
| Princes Invitation and Went Vol
unfairly to Assassination.
| The following legend of Chobei has
been handed dow d in Japan as indica-
| tive of the courage of the "bravis.' or
! duelists. who 6ourished in Yeddo dur
! ing the sixteenth century, forming a
sort of Japanese st. FIermindad. Cho-
| bel, the leader of this clique. was re-
doubtable swordsman. whose constant
Iy recurring duels forced his master to
expel him from his retinue Unwilling
to enlist with another of the feudal
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
outlaweG diieist
On this pfetense he was excluded
from popular teahouse one day a an
hour when was expected JuroZaye-
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 a shrug 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 a couch In feigned
slumber
"Who is that brute? p demanded the
prince on his arrival ''fThe leader Of
the swordsmen.1 they answered him.
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 Ave times. when
he paused, astounded by such coura,
geous endurance. Chobei, noting this,
yawned, rubbed his eyes like one awak-
ening from profound slumber and ex-
| claimed:
H"You, o most noble master! And
having drunk too much should have
slept uncovered before your eyesl How
shall excuse my vulgarity?"
III have so long sought your ac-
quaintance that you are forgiven. Be
seated and accept this cup of wine.
pray you"
| K Politeness forbade Chobei to refuse a
drop of the 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 ac-
complished this feat with the utmost
difficulty.
| f"Will your highness permit me to
offer you some gift of valueT Chobei
asked humbly. G H
Surely
What do you most desireY
| Thinking to render the brave ridicu-
lous before the whole city, the prince
said promptly:
| "A plate of macaroni."
"Ah, Chobei," thought he, 1.-THE whole
town will soon be telling how the great
duelist was permitted only to offer
plate of macaroni to the president of
the Hatamotos." f si 4 e
| After a whispered colloquy the at
tendant disappeared, leaving the two
enemies alone. smiling but impassive.
But soon a great noise penetrated the
apartment, and the prince discovered
a crowd OF workmen busily construct
! ing an Immense wall of macaroni
around the teahouse. All Yeddo was
assembled to view this unique and
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
vitaticn from Juirozayemon to break
fast. , Despite bis Comrades remon-
strances Chobei insisted on accepting
it. As he entered the princes dwell
ing the Samurais threw themselves
upon him with ORA wn swords. Chobeis
| immense muscular strength enabled
him to disarm them. when he proceed
ed unannounced to the rear apartment.
''Pardon me. your lordship.r said be.
for announcing myself Your attend;
ants have forgotten to do So
Surely Perhaps they have sought
quarrel with you Twas but a joke
for ,wagelrd That all six could not
disarm you Perhaps you would like
IA bath to refresh yourself"
| Who shall say that Chobei was wise:
Alone lin his, enenly's house. lie dis
carded his weapons. removed his gar
ments aAd cl'onched iii the bath The
water that was AT first hot was soon
boiling ClioI5ei dashed from the bath
but ten spears held by invisible hands
forced him hack Suffocated by steam
exhausted ljy blood Chol,ei fell dying
TO the ground. oh8-uRet :Ite lEsG
The fSannraiS We're still congratu
iating themselves on their success
when loud shocking WAS heard In
qnry revealed the, duelirig confeder
aleS who were come 10 seek their
ltader .D..
HE is drink and cannot see YOU
"Our leader is dead We have
nroug!l l.iS Iiirlp'l 3H0 gN
rfh~ tSanlur;lis ware9 dnmh with rs
tOnislimrni Ehohci had OWNED the
crap. yet prrferrins TO sustain his rep
dia,ion o. diirng iinrarillshed ny any
ACCUSATION ~ fear naa voluntarily
gone to, his asSaSTinaiie;is a,ry e.
1 hoaQ lu9 100 J0iR4 NIB FIR Tl9-A0E.pLe.
| setfG little Troubles. 404 jvtF
| Az II is Only now and them that we
have landslide. while we are contin-
ualy annoyed by the dust which sifts
IN at every crack and door and win
dow. so it is only NOW and then that
we have crashing trouble, While We
are perpetually annoyed by little daily
oeras q nd vaxa ffons - VNAHkIv Ro44