Evening journal., 1904-11-28
A Japanese WOOins
Ioririnni.1

ufdSBlnS cannon, ana Lnere was SUCH
an appearance Of power in the gun
(and was not Kudo, guiding the horses
that dragged it about like a toy, more
powerful than the gun itselfD that she
straightway fell in love with him. Ku
do noticed the girl standing beside the
road, her hand on the baby carriage
that contained her charge, and was as
much struck with her as she with him.
Therefore, when off duty, he waited
and watched for her where he had seen
her, met her, and then and there was a
love affair.
But Mineyamas love had been in
famed by Kudo the gun driver rather
than Kudo the man. Consequently
when Kurota, a young sergeant in the
cavalry, came along with a brand new
uniform he looked so splendid that
Mineyama at once transferred her af-
fections from the artillery to the cav
airy. The truth is that the same day
Kurota appeared with his fine clothes
and trappings KudO came along after
driving over a muddy road all day.
dingy and bespattered. Considering
the origin Of her love, this was quite
enough to turn the little nursegirrs
affections. 1t was all very well for
Mineyama and the cavalry sergeant,
for that matter, but it was death to
the gun driver. He declared that he
would commit harakiri, but Mineyama
only laughed at him and told him that
he had better go and get a plume in his
hat like that of Kurota; then, If he
looked well, she might reconsider the
matter.
There had been a good deal of talk
Of war with Russia, and that very
night~the japanese fleet attacked the
Russian vessels at Port Arthur. Kudo
had no need to commit harakiri; the
Russians were quite willing to save
him the trouble. His battery was put
on transport and landed in Korea.
kudO was in a number of fights, in
which his clothes-they could hardly
be called a uniform-rbecame so be-
grimed with powder and dirt that he
was in despair. "If Mineyama were
to see me today" he moaned, "she
would spurn me more than ever" To
make matters worse, Kurota rode by
one day, and, being attached to the
headquarters of a general officer, where
they try to keep everything spick and
span, his uniform was more snowy
than ever.
The great battle OF the war was com
ing on at Liaoyang. For several days
half a million of men shot at one an
other. Then the affair took a decisive
turn. Kudo was driving a gun in one
Of General Nodzu's batteries, who com
manded the center Of the Japanese
army All Of the gun drivers horses
were killed, and Kudo, having nothing
to drive, turned his attention to his
gun. One by one his comrades fell un-
der the terrific fire of the enemy till
at last there was but one gun in his
battery available and one man to work
it7-Kudo A general rode by and saw
| him putting a shot every few minutes
just where it was needed. The officer
was so impressed with the drivers ef-
| ficiency that he said to him:
when we have less to do report in
! person at my headquarters"
Well, the battle was over at last, and
Kudo, remembering the generals or
der, reported at his tent
"Ah, you are the last man to work
the last gun in your battery in the late
battle. Well, you are promoted to be
lieutenant. Is there any special desire
that you would like to have gratified?"
Kudo thought for awhile and then
said:
General, I hear that the -th in
fantry is going back to NagasaH to
recruit. would like to go with it,"
"Whatw asked the general, surpris
ed. Are you tired Of WARP
"Oh, no, general; 1 only wish to
march into the city. will return the
next day"
"In what capacity do you wish to
go with the regimentT
"As drum major"
The general laughed. "And why, my
brave fellow, do you desire to go home
as drum major7"
'T love a little nurseglrl named
Mineyama who is much impressed
with fine uniforms. If she sees me
with all the gold lace and trapDings Of
a drum major, tossing my stan in the
air, she will be much impressed and
perhaps will make me happy"
"You shall have your desire, my good
man, and when you return want you
on my staff. You are the first man
have ever met who has the sense to
properly WOO a woman, and a man
with so much brain in that respect
must be wise in others"
The next day Kudo marched to the
coast with the -th infantry, boarded a
| transport and was taken to Nagasaki.
The people were wild with enthusi-
asm over the great victory, and the
streets were lined to view the entry
into the city. AS the men proceeded
their wives, sisters and sweethearts
/ Joined them and marched with them
hand In hand. Mineyama was in a
second story window a dozen feet from
the sidewalk. When she saw Kudo
march by covered with gewgaws,
twirllng his staff and strutting like
peacock, she jumped out of the win
dov, and, though injured by her fall
rushed to him 10 be caught in his
arms.
The next day Kudo returned to the
front and became a lieutenant and
aid-de-camp on the stan. One day when
he came in after a shower from an in
spection OF pickets and very much
] III rfrr "a