Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-10-14

"Jokki appeared to hesitate for a mo-
ment; he looked at his companion in mis-
fortune. who reiterated his desire to make
his compensation for the evil he had done
on this earth, and the captain bent his
head in acquiescence with the wish of
his brother in arms
The Russian commandant yielded. and
asked the two japanese II there was any
thing in which he could be of service to
them
II should like to have a bath, If it
were possible said the Buddhist. After
that We shall be at your orders.
"A bathroom being an object of lux
ury unknown at Hardin, the command
ant caused tubs of water to be brought
and ordered the sentinels to go to one
side. so that the unfortunate men might
be able to perform their ablutions at their
ease
The want of a bathtub was felt much
more keenly by the Buddhist than by the
Christian colonel. whose desire was to
see a priest before going to execution.
As there was no Lutheran pastor. the
chaplain of the regiment was sent to him.
The colonel begged the priest to read to
him the Sermon on the Mount. The
chaplain read in Slav and Jokoka follow
ed the text in his Japanese Bible, which
| they had left him in prison. When they
came to the words: For if We love them
which love you, what reward have ye?
And If we salute your brethren only, what
| do ye more than others?' he closed the
book, folded his hands and cast down his
| eyes for a moment while his lips moved
| 'Jokki.' he said you are right; you
will die more TRANQUILITY than I, for have
never felt more keenly than now how lit
| tie in accordance my life has been with
| the teachings of Jesus
THE vehicle which was to convey the
two men to the place of execution was all
ready waiting. Outside surged the crowd,
! bidpnnS n
everywhere the same! idle tradesmen.
! business men come to the extreme ORR
ent to avail themselves of any chance
windfall.
THE two Japanese officers arrived at
the place of execution, impassive as ever.
Still. it could be seen that the colonel was
a prey to painful reflection.
Both of them lighted cigarettes and
asked that they should not be bound to
the stakes. The commandant took two
handkerchiefs from his pocket and hand
ed them to the japanese officers.
THE colonel bound his eyes himself
Jokki didainfuly refused to do so, say
ing he desired to see how they maneu-
vered.
"A dozen soldiers were posted in front
of the colonel. dozen in front of the
captain.
:" If you have pity for these two un.
happy men, said the commandant to tbs
platoon detailed for the execution, ain
straight at the heart-death will then bt
instantaneous
THE soldiers fired.
''Jokoka went to the left; Jokki, with
out having winked an eyelash, fell for
ward.
Both had been killed instantly; gu
good soldiers had had pity for them"
My companion punctuated these las
words with groan. He had involuntari
ly moved his wounded knee.
COMPOUNDED Japanese!" he cried 'Il
what way have they dressed my wound
ed knee? But no matter. That does no
prevent my regretting the death of 10
koka and Jolld.'
And seeing this victim of Japanese bull
: let's so strongly moved by the death @
the two spies of the enemy, 1 recalled tn
words of the Russian painter Verestch
agin, that the valor of both combatant
was the most serious obstacle to the wal
And, indeed, why kill one another whe
p. either side esteems the other?-[M. Prav
4 dine in LIE Petit Temps.