Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-11
CITY DISCOVERER
MEETS A HERO

The other afternoon. just for q change.
the City Discoverer went fishing. Not that
he ever caught anything. for he was too
tender-nearted to .mpale a worm on his
hook or to take fish from IT, But he had
lots OF fun In his own way. sitting on the
edge of the sea wall below the city dangling
ms short legs trailing his bare hook in the
water and gazing up stream and down
stream through his gold-rimmed glasses.
And on this particular afternoon IN ques-
ton conditions were ideal for the Discov-
erer's mild and philosophical kind of sport
The only thing that brought regret to his
soctable soul was the fact that he was
alone. and just as he was thinking hardest
that 1t would be nice to have some one to
talk to he heard a step behind him and a
gentle voice inquired: May 1 sit on this
neighboring rock. honorable siry"
Certainly" replied the City Discoverer
turning toward the speaker, a sturdy man.
with little mustache and whisker and
black eyes almost as mild as the Discoy-
erer's blue ones.
i thank you for your kindness and con-
descension." said the little stranger. grave
y. Il hope your honorable father and
mother are we'll and that your ancestors
are entirely happy
Goodness" thought the City Discoverer.
as ne tried to frame suitable reply. but
! never DID meet such polite individual
Ana he turned his mild blue eyes upon the
stranger. who was glancing I'm an Interested
fashion up and down the river
Excuse me-. said the City Discoverer
after the silence had lasted for fully fifteen
not?" NV ~"
Il have that misfortune" replied the
Stranger with gracious inclination of his
oh" said the Discoverer, not to be ont
misfortune
AT home should not consider 1t So" re-
pied the stranger. with another respectful
DOW. but who could sit on this respected
rock beside this honorable river in this
elevated country. talking with one Of her
misfortune to be foreigner"
GRACIOUS. thought the City Discoverer,
as ne CROPPED around in his mind for q
suitable reply, but he certainly is the
most polite man ever met"
That Is pretty ship over there isn't
u! the Dfseoverer inquired. after the
silence had lasted another fifteen minutes
"A most graciously pretty and honor
Piled Il trust the captains mother and
rather are well and that his ancestors are
happy. He Is doubtless a nobly courageous
man, to command such a respected ship"
Il guess so" replied the City Discoverer.
In rather dazed fashion. of course We
have some great naval men in this coun-
try
The most eminently distinguished and
beautifully brave naval men," the stranger
replied quickly, with another gracious IN
clination of the head. They are heroes.
and their ancestors sit with the gods"
What do think Of the war in the far
east?' the City Discoverer asked, in desper-
alton, breaking another half-hour silence
The Russians" the stranger replied
quickly, ARE most elevatedly courageous
And what do you think of the Japa-
nese?' queried the Discoverer. his sympa-
thies instantly aroused.
They do their poor and respectable best"
the stranger replied.
Il should think you could say more than
that" said the Discoverer. with some in
dgnation. AS for me, think"
Il am Japanese" replied the little
stranger quietly.
Heavens thought the City DISCOVERED.
as he groped around In his mind once more
for something appropriate to say. but he
certainly is the most modest man l ever
met"
And so you are one of those wonderful
people who have come to be called the Yam
KEGS of the east?" the Discoverer remarked,
after another quarter of an hour of silence
The stranger smiled. THE enlightened
gentleman, sitting on the respected rock be-
side this honorable river in this elevated
country has the gracious condescension TO
be most kind and fattering. May his
mother and father live forever and his an
cestors sit with their departed rulers
Goodness me-" thought the City Dis
coverer. 'but he Is the most humble man
I ever met"
What do you think of Admiral Rojest-
vensky?" the Discoverer inquired after the
silence had again become oppressive.
He is the most illustriously grand serv-
ant of the elevatedly glorious sovereign or
an enormously respected country" the
stranger answered
And yet he was defeated by Admiral
Togo. one of your countrymen," the Dis
coverer suggested. What must you in
deed think of the latter?'
"Oh." replied the strager indinerently.
'he did his insignificantly possible best.
and, through the superabundantly excellent
virtues of his emperor. was enabled to ac-
complsh his small and invisible part In
the cruel and heartrending war"
After another quarter of an hour Of 81
prepared for his tramp homeward. He
must occupy the humble position Of waiter
or something similar in the city, the Dis
coyerer unused as he gazed at the black
eyed stranger. But one should always be
polite And with his round face wreath
ed In smiles he turned to the Japanese. Il
have had very pleasant afternoon. he
said. land have enjoyed very much my
talk with you. Won't you tell me your
nameT
oh" said the little stranger. 1.-The en-
|. lightehed citizen who has just risen from
the respected rock by the honorable river
in this elevated country is more than
kind II he cares to burden his cultivated
ears with the name of one so lowly Will
speak. My name Is Togo"
Goodness, gracious met said the City
Discoverer aloud. as he started homeward.
"Who would have thought it?"