The Jasper news., 1908-12-24

crease would nave seemed more rea
sonable, considering the unfinished
state of several cruisers and battle
ships.
On first thought he attributed this
latter lapse to one Of the frequent
changes OF policy or dearth of funds.
but now, in view of these later ship
ments and purchases, he began to
question. In Washington no news was
obtainable. The administration was
preserving wooden front toward not
only the world but its own people as
well. Congressman and senators
knew nothing beyond the declaration
Of war and the empowering of the
president and his cabinet In special
session to act for the country, a.d the
administration was apparently doing
nothing whatever out of the regular
routine of business. 1t was this pauci-
ty which drove the sham laundry
man from his irons and away upon
journey.
His trip southwark was accom-
plished with ridiculous ease. He
bought his ticket to Miami without
being subjected to interrogation,
boarded the secondclass or smoking
coach at the head of the train With.
out hindrance, and rode away in un
disturbed solitude. No one seemed
aware or in any event to care for his
presence. There were no attempts
at conversation, except in one instance
where good-natured southerner
hailed him with: Hello, John! Going
to start a wash shop somewhere"
nor was he In the least perturbed save
on an occasion when rough
threatened to tweak his pigtail; but
even this went no further than words.
Everywhere were criticisms OF the
conduct of the war and imprecations
against the administration. The Amer
cans themselves were NO more cog
infant than he of why soldiers had
been stretched along the border line,
ports closed, and communication cut
off. The citizens of the country itself
were as mystified as the Japanese,
and frankly thought the situation
foolish one. In all tina. long journey
down the eastern coast he learned
nothing whatever of Importance.
His delayed train dropped him oil
late at night in the Florida town, and
he was compelled to seek lodging with
strangers or to sleep in the open. He
chose the. latter course, and went out
below the city, across the bridge and
toward the Punch Bowl, where he
found rest beside the road till early
morning. When the first rays Of the
sun were filtering through the great,
trees and drenching the creepers With
light, he returned to the city, assisted
on his way by kindly farmer who
was driving in for supplies.
From him he learned where the
] Chinese laundries were situated; but
could gather nothing whatever con.
| flrming his suspicious that the govern.
ment was either in possession of a
| plant at this point or even conducting
any experiments in the vicinity.
Still disguised and acting upon
what had been told him, he sought
| the abode of the Chinaman, who was
] already sweating over his tubs, and
| found him amenable to persuasion and
| desirous of giving assistance when
paid considerable sums OF protection
money. His horn Of plenty was gol'
den one. but proved useless in day OF
! fruitless effort, his mpst careful In
| quiries bringing nothing in the way
| of return Tired and discouraged, he
| passed the early part Of the night in
sleep from which he was aroused by
nightmares OF horror and forebodings
] of failure. his mental state robbing
| Nm of rest.
In the hope that fatigue would cure
insomnia, he donned his clothing and
sauntered away through the deserted
streets, his heavy leather soles
dumping upon board walks and across
sandy patches. It was past one o'clock
in the morning, and all was still. He
wandered idly along the main
thoroughfare, and reached the far end
of the town, before his attention was
attracted by a sound from the water
front, where hollowly through the still.
ness a steam winch was chugging and
sputtering as 1t toiled away with its
load. 1t brought him to quick halt
and aroused in his mind multitude OF
questions, because along the entire
shore line of this great country no
craft was now loading and none ar
riying. according to his knowledge. He
hastily directed his steps toward the
wharves, stealthily seeking the shad.
ows of the palm trees.
Lying against the pier was a small
gunboat Of the United States navy.
which was receiving supplies, and the
men at work were evidently hurrying