The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1910-05-20
WHAT CAME OF
. A FILTRATION
BY E. bartlett THORPE
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association.

Jack Meadenhall and myself were
midshipmen together in the navy. One
day while our ship was lying at anchor
In Japanese waters Jack and l got per.
mission to go ashore together.
We sauntered along one Of the
streets till we came to the outskirts,
where the houses were farther apart
and their surroundings more ample.
Passing garden inclosed by a low
wall, we saw couple Of pretty Japa-
nese girls picking flowers. Jack took
out his handkerchief-the method In
those days Of flirting; don't know
how they do 1t now-and waved 1t.
We were not more than a dozen yards
from the girls. one of whom, seeing a
couple Of European youngsters In uni
form, tossed a rose over the wall. 1t
fell at Jacks feet. He picked 1t up,
inhaled its odor, kissed it and put II
in the buttonhole of his jacket.
Both girls laughed, and the other
girl threw another rose. which l pick
ed up. inhaled. kissed and put in my
own buttonholes. Then, like good boys,
we walked on. We didn't care to ap.
pear too presuming, and we didn't
wish to frighten the little birds by
rushing matters. But we didn't walk
very far. We soon turned and went
back toward the place where we had
seen the girls. We argued that If they
wished for our further acquaintance
they would remain where they were,
expecting our return.
We found them in exactly the same
place. but as we drew near they turn
ed their backs upon US. Jack gave q
loud "AhemW One Of the girls turned
and smiled. l gave another "Ahemw
and the other girl turned also. This
was enough for Jack. who needed
only moiety of encouragement, and
he vaulted the wall. l followed him.
1t was making an acquaintance under
difficulties. we not speaking the Japa-
nese language and they not knowing
a word of English. Jack, whose bold
ness naturally gave him the initiative,
pointed to the flowers growing about
us and by well enacted pantomime
indicated that we would like some of
them. The girls understood, plucked
lot for each of us. then by pantomime
asked us to inspect the grounds.
OF course we got separated. Jack 60
ing with her who had thrown him the
roSa I ypith har nomno ninD who hod
favored me- Why they took the lib
erty Of receiving us SO unceremonious-
ly didn't know. They were surely
of the samurai class and must have
been Of wealthy and respectable par
ents. for the place in which they lived
was a large one and their kimOnos
were made Of the finest texture. /
was inclined to think that papa and
mamma were not at home. At any
rate, we spent couple of hours with
them, chatting all the while In the un-
spoken language of love which young
people don't need to study. Before
parting with them we exhibited sufi-
cient ingenuity to inform them that
we would call again us soon as we
could get another leave.
1t was two days after this that we
were ordered to report In the captains
cabin. We found there a couple of
Japanese men of the higher class and
a third who was an Interpreter. The
men looked as solemn as owls.
Young gentlemen" said the cap
tain, "since you were the only officers
ashore on leave the day before yes
terday | think that a message brought
by these persons must be for you.
Besides, | recognize these gewgaws as
belonging to you"
He held up scarfpin that | had
given one of the girls and a ring Jack
had given the other. Jack and | were
The captain motioned
The interpreter to speak. He told us
that each of us having given a pres
ent to young girl-a gift In Japan
being considered a proposition Of mar
fathers had come aboard
70 say that two noble Japanese fami-
les would feel honored at an alliance
with so great a nation as the United |
States by giving daughter to each of
he young officers who had asked for
Ter hand.
The matter was far too serious to |
warrant any expression of amusement. |
Fhe captain saw at once that we had |
yot into a Irritation and unwittingly |
marriage Not wishing to !
rive offense. he took the matter into |
lis own hands. much to the relief of |
Is youngsters who had got into the
icrape.
"Tel the gentlemen" he said to the |
that, representing the
United States, am highly honored
hat the propositions Of my officers
hould be accepted. but that since the
,ffer was made without permission
hall be obliged to lay the matter be-
ore the president. | sail for America
omorrow. will discover his excellen-
US wishes. if possible obtain his per-
mission and act accordingly"
The interpreter translated the cap
ANS speech, ana the Japanese genlle-
nen signified acquiescence and after
eaving their addresses. with all nee
ssary information. departed.
Gentlemen" said the captain when
ur would be fathers-in-law had gone.
you may consider yourselves under
rrest. To suffer any Of my officers to
nut a slight upon the japanese people
night cost me my commission"
We sailed the next day. and on
American waters the captain
vrote TO Japan that. while the presi-
ent felt highly honored that two no.
lie japanese families had accepted the
roposition of two of his young naval
in the American navy mar
iage was discouraged and permission
ould not he granted.