The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-10-04
The Jap Veterans Story
7TFTITVWIITVI TIIINFTT0WTVT0VII
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man for a soldier ever knew. The
army Is no place for gentlemen, at least
without bravery, and many Of us felt
contempt for Kurata. Nevertheless
there wns something about him that at
tracted us. We had not seen him In ac-
ton and did not know how he would
behave; therefore for one was dis
posed TO suspend Judgment.
But circumstances prevented my re-
naming In this dispasslonate mood to-
ward Kurata. He was taken I'll and
removed to the hospital. Soon after |
also was obliged to go under the care
of the surgeons and was taken to the
same hospital and put IN the same
ward as he. There were several volun.
teer nurses In attendance, young ladies
of good families In Hakodate, who fit
ted here and there among Us like an
gels. Among them was one who to me
was especially charming, Her name
translated into your language would
be Cherry There Is little Of the cherry
In our Japanese compilations, but there
was n slight tlnge Of red IN Cherys
cheeks, and her eyes were veVy bright.
She was especially kind to ma and /
learned to hook eagerly for Der coming
to my bedside Indeed when she was
absent 1 was miserable.
That loved Cherry was revealed to
me In this wise: Kurata occupied cot
opposite pine, and one morning | saw
Cherry 20 to him and ask how he was
getting on. / saw tears In his eyes as
he replied. Tears in the eyes Of sol
dierl ! gave way to the contempt l
had thus far repressed, Then saw
Cherry take his hand, press II warmly
and look tenderly In eyes that respond
ed with equal tenderness. Instincttyely
l felt for my sword which, Of course,
was not at my side. That is how l
learned that loved Cherry
We were getting ready for a fight,
and insisted on being discharged
from the hospital that might take
my place at the front Before setting
forth could not refrain from saying
some III natured words TO Cherry about
the sympathy that was passing be
tween her and Eurata. was so dis
agreeable about 1t that Cherry told me
to mind my own business. That busi-
ness being to fight, went forth to kill
as many Russians as possible.
This was just before the battle OF
Llaoyang, Kurata rejolned US before
the fight opened, and, though his health
was fairly well restored, bis spirits
we're much depressed. He seemed to
me to be nerving himself to meet the
trying ordeal in store for all OF us.
When that ordeal came saw him ex-
posing himself recklessly during the
heat OF the fight. but when our part In
It was over he collapsed. We who had
watched his bravery with surprise and
admiration were suddenly turned back
to contempt at seeing him tumble over
in a faint. Some said that be bad left
the hospital too soon. This satisfied
others, but / was not in position to
do him justice.
On the third day Of the hght felt
ntnnbness IN my leg and sudden col
lapse OF nerve power. Looking down,
I saw a red stream running down my
trousers into my boot. tramped on
for a few minutes, then sank down and
in time was carried to the rear on
stretcher. A temporary hospital had
been set up IN field, which was
crowded with wounded. Some OF the
nurses had seen during my illness
were there, but It was ne place FOR
wen persons save surgeons, who were
cutting and saving in the manner usu-
al at a battle.
One sight saw maddened me. Ku-
rata had been severely wounded. and
kneeling beside him. holding his hand
and encouraging him while be waited
for n surgeon to attend him, was Cher
~ Presently she went to one OF the
surgeons, and / saw that she was
pleading with him to 80 10 her lover
for / could not doubt that such was me
relation between her and Kurata. Inc
surgeon went with her and, unbutton-
inc the wounded mans coat, ripped
omen hts shirt. Cherry was between
me- and the wounded man 80 that !
could not see what was going on, but
there were some words between the
surgeon and Cherry, who got a blanket
and held It between Kurata and the
rest Of us.
/ supposed that Kurata was iiaDl ',, %
die under the extraction Of the Dul'et
~ whateyer the surgeon should 90 70
him. but ia a floid hospital filled with
men some one Of whom was dying