Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-03-25
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their little house at Osaka. Their child,
MOmotaro (Peach Darling), played or
the mating with a paper carp, while
his parents discussed the recent tor
pedO attack upon the Russian fleet at
Port Arthur. The time Of negotiations
was past. Russia had answered her
treaties, not with pen and ink, but with
a gun, and now all Japan would an
swer the Great Bear with gun too.
Every man in Japan desired to lay
down his life for his Emperor.
When the war broke out YOrimasa at
once enlisted In the second army Of
Japan. fourth division, under brave
Gen. Oku. He nov awaited orders, and
expected at every moment TO join his
regiment and sail for Manchuria.
Come here. Momotaro," said Yori-
masa gently. The little fellow put down
his toy and ran toward his father.
''MOmotarO, would you like TO be
soldier? Would you like to fight with
a gun and sword, and bring glory to
the NIikadO?"
AIomOtaro looked very fierce and
strutted about. kill, bang, bang. kill,
kill, kill all naughty enemies OF the
Mikado!" shouted he.
His father lifted him up and looked
at him long and steadfastly. Mono
taro. we are all sons Of the MikadO.
You have spoken we'll"
Tama opened the window and shut 1t
again. Perhaps there was one little
tear in the garden that did not quite
belong to the Emperor, but to moth
er's heart.
YorImasa noticed the panied look on
Tama's face and he spoke very kindly
to her, for he loved his wife dearly !;
but that great host of vanished war
rlors stirred in his blood now; he heard
their voices calling. and he knew that
he loved his Emperor more than Tama.
"Momotaro." said Yorimasa, you
must be very kind to motheT when L
am gone"
The little boy pulled himself out like
his paper carp. Il will be very, very
kind little man." said he, simply.
There was a hustle outside the house.
Once again Tama opened the window
and uttered a faint cry as she buried
her face behind her long sleeves.
What is 1t, lamar
"You must go and fight for the EN-
perOr nOw!"
abr exclaimed Yorimasa, chow
gladly 1 go forth to fight for my EN-
perOr and my country"
Momotaro once more shouted: Bang,
bang. Kill, kill, kill" and the little fell
low gave a quaint imitation Of the grim
battlefield.
"Good-by. dear little wife Good-by.
Mono. l must go now -
Tama suddenly sprang up, and,
brushing the tears bravely away, she
said: Don't come back again; die for
the glory Of Japan!" This Is not ficti-
uOus sentiment Such a remark has
been spoken many times by the brave
little women of Japan. In another mo-
ment he was gone, and mother and
child sat very still together.
Presently Tama put her arms round
her boy and said, In such a sad little
voice:
Mono. It isn't all bang and kill
and battle glory The women OF Japan
have to fight their battle against the
sad mothers of the Russian army. All!
Mono, women fight battles too; not on
the field. but In the lonely home, and
the weary, anxious battle OF waiting
for the Homecoming, that perhaps will
never come, Is a harder battle after
all"
poor. dear mother feels very, very
lonesome tonight" said Mono, only
dimly understanding what had been
said to him. would mother like to see
my beautiful carp fly out Of the win
dow?" continued he. Tama assented,
and In a moment the toy carp, 50 won
derfully made, flew through the air.
While they were watching 1t they
heard the steady, rhythmic sound OF
the tramp OF feet. Louder it grew, and
then, marching round a bend In the
road. came the Osaka division.
Mono was very small. The Joy Of
seeing the army In which his father
marched overcame his other feelings
Look! Lookl" exclaimed Mono Gag
erly, there's father marching along at
the end OF one line, just near the house,
and the moon shines on his bayOnet,
and, oh! he looks so full Of peace and
Joy Look, do look, mother!" But
Tama could not look. for she knew that
the way of armies Is the way Of death.