Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1908-07-02
LEGEND OF OLD JAPAN
The Story of Chobei, the Leader
of the DueIistS.
A MAN WHO KNEW NOT FEAR.
Rather Than Tarnish His Reputation
For Bravery He Accepted the Princes
Invitation and Went Voluntarily to
Assassination.

For Bravery He Accepted the Princes
Invitation and Went Voluntarily to
Assassination.
The following legend of Chobei has
been handed down in Japan as indica-
tive of the courage of the "bravis," or
duellsts, who flourished in Yeddo dur
ing the sixteenth century, forming n
sort Of japanese st. Hermindad. Cho-
bel, the leader of this clique, was re-
doubta bic swordsman, whose constant
ly recurring duels forced his master to
eXpel him from his retinue. Unwilling
to enlist with another of the feudal
lords, he assembled all the ID Artagnans
Of Yeddo about him until his power in
cited even the princes to envy, al
though they declined to recognize the
outlawed duelist.
On this pretense he was excluded
from Il popular tea house one day at an
hour when was expected JuiroZaye
mon, the leader of the Hatamotos, then
the most influential political party in
Japan, who had arrogated the city of
Yeddo for the official residence. But
Chobei, with shrug of his shoulders
forced his way past the attendants into
the apartments reserved for the prince,
where he removed his garments and
cast himself on a couch in feigned
slumber.
"Who is that brute?' demanded the
prince on his arrival The leader of
the swordsmen," they answered him.
JuiroZayemon seated himself in silence
and began to smoke. Having smoked
his pipe, he empted the glowing Gin
ders into the pretended sleeper's nos
trils, repeating this five times, when he
paused. astounded by such courageous
endurance Chobei, noting this, yawn-
ed, rubbed his eyes like one awakening
from profound slumber and exclaimed:
You, oh, most noble master. And l.
having drunk too much, should have
slept uncovered before your eyes! How
shall l excuse my yulgarity?"
81 have SO long sought your acquaint-
ance that you are forgiven. BE seated
and accept this cup of wine, beg you"
Politeness forbade Chobei to refuse a
drop of the proGered cup, huge
beaker of powerful wine. offered him
In the. hopes of overpowering him. But
Chobei drained it easily and. replenish-
ing it, presented it to his host, who ac-
complished this feat with the utmost
difficulty.
will your highness permit me to
offer you some gift of value?" Chobei
asked humbly.
surely"
"What do you most desire?"
Thinking to render the brave ridicu.
lous before the whole city, the prince
said promptly:
"a plate of macaroni"
"Ah, Chobei," thought he, "the whole
town will soon be telling how the grea
duelist was permitted only to offer
plate of macaroni to the president ol
the uatamotos."
After a whispered colloquy the at
tendant disappeared, leaving the tW@
enemies alone, smiling, but impassivE
But soon great noise penetrated the
apartment, and the prince discovered
crowd of worlmen busily constructina
an immense wall of macaroni around
the tea house. All Yeddo was Assem-.
bled TO view this unique and royal git
Discounted that the "bravO" should
have outwitted his ruse, the prince Dc
parted TO plan revenge. The f1llOwilg
day brought with it an Invitation fru.l
JuiroZayemon to breakfss.. Despite
his comrades remCnstrancCE ChoIci
insisted on accepting it. As h. entered
the princes dwelling the SamuraS
threw themselves upon him with
drawn swords. Chobci's immense mus
cular strength enabled him to dsarm
them. when he proceeded unauaCuucel
TO the rear apartment.
Pardon NE, your lordship," said he,
''for announcing myself. Your attend
ants have forgotten to do so"
surely. Perhaps they have sought
quarrel with you. Twas but joke,
for l wagered that all six could not
disarm you. Perhaps you would like
Il bath to refresh yourself"
Who shall say that Chobei was wise?
Alone in his enemy's house. l., dis
carded his weapons, removed his gar
ments and crouched in the bath. The
water that was at first hot was soon
boiling. Chobei dashed from the bath.
but ten spears held by Invisible hands
forced him back. Suffocated by steam.
exhausted by blood, Chobei fell dying
to the ground
The samurais were still congratu-
lating themselves on their success
when Il loud knocking was heard In
quiry revealed the dueling coafeaer-
ates who were come to sra,, their
leader.
"IIe is drunk and cannot sec YOU"
our leader is dead. "'e have
brought his bier"
The samurais We're dumb with as
tonishmcnt. Cholcl had OWNED the
troN, yet, preferring to sustain his rep
r'a' n Of daring untarnished by any
&' ation of fear, had voluntarily
So, tl his assassination.
Hawaiian Girls.
The Hawaiian girls are almost uni
yerSallV handsome They are brown in