The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-09
GLIMPsEs OF THE ORIENT
TAKEN THRU BOYS EYES
Travelling Around the World Together
Following
When Seen by the
Youngest

group of civilians who have volun-
ers and little brown sisters. From
San F'rancvisco to Yokohoma the gem
eral atmosphere is bright and cloud
less. The majority OF these carpet
baggers-and good fellows they are
regard the trip in the spirit of adj
venture, and an experience in their
lives which will be very interesting.
it becomes a grim and lively reality
from Hongkong to Manila. 1t is to
be for only two or three. years, one
might say. Yes, but what do they
hold in store?
There were only a few of us on
Hongkong to the islands. That good
ship was supposed to make the trip in
forty eight hours, but before we had
left the harbor she began to be true
to her second name, the Rolling Hella.
In fact, she rolled so much from side
to side that there was not time for
forward motion, and we were a day
late in arriving at Manila bay.
We all had had fellow feelings at
dinner and thus did not take long to
get acquainted. The first people
whom I met were two German mer-
chants returning from vacation to
their native land. With the exception
of one or two, the other passengers
were going to obey the behests of the
government. From the first, the two
merchants became a general infOrma-
ton bureau. It was intensely dra-
matte and at the same time intensely
sad to see them pierce the bubbles of
hope. Their stories of high prices
and high temperatures were appalling.
One or two Of the younger men had
been at Havana, and knew what to ex-
pect, but there were others who had
never been away from home and they
with difficulty forced themselves to
balance fact against fact. Conspicuous
amongst this group was white
haired man, with family at home.
who ventured to ask if they thought he
Imagine the situation! Another man,
having that so-called typical American
accent we so seldom hear, went SO far
as to say that he did not believe that
he would cable if he got there safely,
but he wished, that if he rolled
overheard some one would cable his
family to collect insurance because he
believed that that would be the only
reward that they could possibly get
from his trip.
But finally the angry waters subsid-
ed as we steamed under the lea-shore
of the first islands. This had much
to- e-desired effect mentally. BY the
time we had reached Subig bay the
faces began to brighten. When we
were near Manila and saw the land
marks Of Dewey's victory, the clouds
were almost driven back. At last we
cast anchor in sight Of Cavite and all
would have been we'll if it had not
been for the vexatious three hours
spent with the customs, declaring
what we did not have.
Sun Rise at Toxic.
1t is very possible to be in Japan
and vet not see anything that is really
Japanese. This we had found true al
Yokohama, which is almost Euro.
pean city. Therefore, we had fled tc
Toxic in the evening and had beer
to a real Geisha dance. Now, we
were up at o'clock, ready to take
the train for Nikko.
1t had rather surprised the man
ager of the hotel when five youth:
had taken but one, room. Perhaps
on that account, itS was that he hat
sent UP tea and toast for two only
A collegiate appetite is not appre
ciated in the east. When we hat
finally all stumbled downstairs we or
dered rickshaws and started on thu
hours run to the station. 1t take
two boys for such a distance, and the.
dash along at break-neck speed. I
was still dark when we started, ant
each leader" carried a paper Ian
tern. Our road at first led along tn
old moat. Just as we left this broat
thorofarez and dashed into the marrow
alleys the sun first began to lighter
the streets. This was a general sig
nal for a large part of the population
to be up and stirring. The rickshav
who ho C1nNninp
curled up in the shafts of their We
hicles. got up and searched TO
buckets of water. In these they Woult
bury their faces, and, blowing thru
the water, made sounds like trumpe
calls
i The Japanese homes and shops ar.
boarded up at night as if to Withstand
a seige. The rice paper. doors ant
windows are showed together and out
side of these are sliding bars TO
gratings. The women, who most Otter
rise before their lords and masters
were pushing there doors back ant
at the same time making a tremen
dous racket. AS we whirled along W,
could see them, somewhat negligee
at their task. Every one smiles il
Japan, and it was delightful to hea
tht, laughter and the CHEEKY "OEayo!
o. good morning..
the last mighty rush of the boys u
the avenue to the station. We hat
just time to catch our train, Whicl
was almost moving. There we foun'
ourselves in second-class carriages
which are really much better than tn
stuffy, upholstered first-class.
In & few minutes we had pulle
away from the city houses, and sud
denly the bright, claret sun, lookin
larger and more glorious than it ha
ever done before, burst upon our sigh
across the green rice fields. It wa
we'll worth any trouble we might hav
, taken. But at last the sun rose i
the heavens and tired nature intrudet
one by one we dropped to sleep.
and a connection is thus establishe
between the land and the ship in di:
tress.