The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-12-31

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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 we're no attempts
at conversation, except in one instance
where a 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
nizant 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,
anu lIduhly LuOu5AL Ih0 oAIuHIAOA -
foolish one In all that 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 this
Chinese laundries were situated; but
could gather nothing whatever con
firming his suspicious that the govern
ment was either in possession OF
plant at this point or even conducting
any experiments in the vicinity.
Still disguised and acting upoI
what had been told him, he sough
the abode of the Chinaman, who Wa'
already sweating over his tubs, ant
found him amenable to persuasion ant
desirous of giving assistance whe1
paid considerable sums of protection
money. His horn of plenty was a gol
den one, but proved useless in a day o
fruitless effort, his most careful in
quiries bringing nothing in the wa,
of return. Tired and discouraged, h
passed the early part of the night II
sleep from which he was aroused b,
nightmares of horror and foreboding
of failure, his mental state robbins
him of rest.
In the hope that fatigue would cur
| insomnia, he donned his clothing an
sauntered away through the deserte
streets, his heavy leather sole
clumping upon board walks and acros
sandy patches. 1t was past one o'cloc
in the morning, and all was still. H
wandered idly along the mai
thoroughfare, and reached the far en-
of the town, before his attention wa
attracted by sound from the waite
front. where hollowly through the still
ness a steam winch was chugging an
sputtering as it toiled away with II
load. 1t brought him to a quick ha
and aroused in his mind multitude
questions, because along the entir
shore line of this great country n
craft was now loading and none a
irving. according to his knowledge. H
hastily directed his steps toward tn
wharves, stealthily seeking the sha'
ows of the palm trees, and stoppin
now and then to avoid any chance
being observed.
Lying against the pier was sma
gunboat of the United States nav
which was receiving supplies, and tn
men at work were evidently hurryin
at their utmost. The vessel had nj
been there during the daylight houl
of this he was certain-hence HI
loading at night could indicate b1
one thing, a desire for secrecy. H
nerves keyed up in the hope OF a di
covery, alert and inquisitive, he Gre
close to the freight shed where the Al
lights threw huge spots of white.
So this accounted for the dispos
OF those mysterious orders which h;
been reported to him by Meredith al
others! But where could they
: bound? What was the destination
this ship which, even as he watche
I was casting off her lines preparato
!, to sailing away into the night?
9 (TO BE CONTINUED.)