The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1909-04-16
ILLUSTRATED
WY g
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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, and 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 a
journey.
His trip southwark was accom-.
plished with ridiculous ease. He
bought his ticket TO Miami without
being subjected to Interrogation,
boarded the second-class or smoking
coach at the head of the train with
out hindrance. and rode away in I'M
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 wash shop somewhere
nor was he in the least perturbed save
on an occasion when a 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 a
foolish one. In all that long journey
down the eastern coast he learned
nothing whatever of Importance.
His delayed train dropped him off
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 altering 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.
tirming his suspicious that the govern
ment was either in possession Of q
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
DESTROYS 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 most careful in
quiries bringing nothing in the way
of return. Tired and discouraged, he
passed the early part of the night II
sleep from which he was aroused b.
nightmares of horror and forebodings
of failure, his mental state robbins
him of rest.
In the hope that fatigue would cure
insomnia, he donned his clothing ant
sauntered away through the deserted
streets, his heavy leather sole'
dumping upon board walks and across
sandy patches. It was past one o'clocl
in the morning, and all was still. HI
: wandered idly along the mail
thoroughfare, and reached the far en'
!. Of the town, before his attention wa
attracted by sound from the waite
front, where holloway through the still
ness steam winch was chugging AM
sputtering as it toiled away with 1t
load. 1t brought him to quick hal
and aroused in his mind multitude @
questions, because along the entir
shore line of this great country n
craft was now loading and none al
irving. according to his knowledge. H
hastily directed his steps toward tn
l wharves, stealthily seeking. the shae
ows of the palm trees, and stoppin
, / now and then to avoid any chance q
0 being observed.
a Lying against the pier was a sma
e gunboat of the United States nav!
!. which was receiving supplies, and tn
Q men at work were evidently hurryin
d at their utmost. The vessel had ne
y been there during the daylight hour
n of this he was certain-hence he
d loading at night could indicate b,
n one thing, desire for secrecy. HI
nerves keyed up in the hope OF a di
l. eovery, alert and inquisitive, he crel
d close to the freight shed where the al
c lights threw huge spots of white.
So this accounted for the dispos
IS of those mysterious orders which he
1t been reported to him by Meredith ar
! -. DIT xr.h.