Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-03-26
MuJdpaneseSeTVant
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We all liked little Sukey, from the
commander myself to the lowest
ranking officer on board. Sukey's
name was Chonosuke Hirano, but we
couldn't possibly think of calling him
all that, so we reduced the whole to
Sukey. Sukey was my body servant
and was a native of Japan, five feet
one inch in his stockings and quick
and wiry as a cat Talk about serv-
ants! never knew what a servant
was till got Sukey. If wanted any
article at table, before knew I want
ed 1t Sukey held 1t right under my
nose. II l needed shaving, Sukey
knew just the minute my mind was
of more important things and would
have me lathered and my beard of
without leaving a scratch, and all in a
Jiffy. To have Sukey for a servant was
to have another pair of legs. another
pair of arms and another brain that
cost the master no effort to work.
But nothing is perfect. Sukey had
one falling. He was continually Dor
rowing my belongings. Now it was an
thing, everything that he could lay his
hands on, and, since he had the free
dom of my cabin, he could lay his
hands on anything 1t contained. 1t
seemed to be a mania with Sukey, for
he never took anything to keep, and
he took lots Of things that could not
possibly be Of any use to the captains
body servant One evening I missed
my chronometer and nautical almanac.
asked Sukey what had become Of
them. whereupon he went to the little
cubby hole where he slept and brought
them to me. I questioned him as to the
cause of his borrowing my things, and
he said he could not help 1t; he was
born so. put it down to kleptomania;
but. as kleptomaniacs usually hide the
things they steal, this was not very
satisfactory.
One day Sukey went out on the fore
ward deck. The weather was very
rough, and sea came aboard. When
1t went back into the ocean, it took
Sukey with it. I was on the deck at
the time and saw Sukey look at me
with an appealing glance. l stopped
the ship at once, called to a man on the
deck below me to throw Sukey a life
buoy and had a small boat lowered.
1t remained out at great risk for half
an hour, and when it returned the
young ensign commanding it reported
that Sukey was not to be found. Sukey,
being only copper colored Japanese,
would not usually be considered worth
rsking other lives for, but he was In
valuable as a servant, and couldn't
get over the look he had given me- So
I sent the boat back to make another
search. This time they remained out
an hour. but when they returned Sukey
was with them. AS the drenched little
beggar climbed the ladder and hoped
over the gunwale gave him a dress
Ing on the improperly of fitting over
the forward deck when the ship was
taking water, telling him IL he ever did
1t again would put him in irons. The
truth is was angry with myself as
well as with him for risking other good
lives-the lives Of white men-to save
a little Ave foot Japanese Sukey knew
well enough what had done for him
and from that time forward evinced
the greatest affection for me. He even
conquered his kleptomaniac proclivi-
ties.
All this happened several years be-
fore the Russo-Japanese war came on.
Sukey left me not long before that
event. During the war took my ship |
Into port at Nagasaki. An admiral
with several ships, all Of which formed |
part soon afterward of Admiral To
COS feet at the battle of the sea of |
Japan. was lying In the harbor. A |
boat came from the Japanese flagship |
with an invitation for me to dine with
the admiral. accepted and at 6 in
the evening was rowed in my gig to
keep the engagement
What was my surprise to be met
On going over the ships side by little
Sukey with a napkin over his arm and
tray on his hand. The captain of the
snip was there, too, to receive me.
Sukey, whose eyes were glistening
with pleasure, told me that the admiral
had deputed him to take me to a cabin
below to mix me cocktail follow
I'd him, and he gave me such a cock
all as l had not tasted since he left
ne. Leaving me to enjoy 1t, he went
way, and after awhile a servant came
md INFORMED me that the admiral was
waiting for me at dinner. / followed
ne man, who led me to the admiraPs
lining cabin. Who should advance to
meet me rosDlendant in q uno0ni6cor1 |
inform. but little Sukey.
Captain" he said, radiant with
miles, Il am happy to welcome you
m my flagship, especially as it gives
ne an opportunity to thank you for
making a special effort to save nv
lie, for would now be with my an
estors but for you. must also thank
ou for bearing with my kleptomania
abits, for your things, especially your
books and Instruments $3.50 |