The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-02-02
. A GEISHA GIRL.
~ SADIE oLcorr.


Japanese who rushed into tea house
where stood startled eeishn girl It
was more than forty years ago. when
the followers Of the mlSado and the
shotgun were struggling FOR the SUI
premacy ~ Japan,
what Is II, Herobumig" asked the
girl quickly.
1.-THE shoganitesl They are after me.
IF they catch me they win kin me.
Quick. Nikamaw
The girl darfed glances FL every d.
rection, and finally her eyes lighted on
what she at once recognized as the
best place for concealment In every
japanese house IS dust hole. The
ground floor is raised about two feet
above the earth, and a square hole is
cut IN the door, into which the dust
and litter OF the rooms are swept
Get IN there. quickT cried the girl
pointing to the hole
Herohumi sprang into the hole dou-
bling himself up to occupy the space
Nikama put board over it. and on
the board-she placed a brazier. thus
eonceallng the hole and making II APP
pear that the brazier rested on the
door. Then she sat down before the
brazler, In which was a Gre. and ap-
pcared to be lazily warming herself,
In another moment band OF armed
men rushed Ii. The girl looked up at
them Ii fcigned SURPRISE.
"A man IS here" said their leader.
''whom we seek. We saw him enter
Where Is he?"
You are welcome 10 look for him."
eve win see for ourselves replied
the man. and with his followers, he
began a search OF the premises. They
moved furniture; they opened closets;
they pulled out drawers Into every
Granny In the house they peered, but
none Of them thought Of the dust
hole Thinking him they sought had
simply passed through and had gone
on. they rushed out as hurriedly as
they had come IN. When they were
well away the girl called to the hider.
.aThere Is nothing now to fear Hero
buni but you had better remain
where you are for awhile In case they
come back"
''Thank you, Nikama. You have
saved my life. ] knew when | came,
having been here at times for ten. that
would not be betrayed, bat did not
know that would find one who by
her presence Of mind would keep my
head on my shoulders"
The girl went out and looked about
and, finding all pursuit Of the fugitive
in that vicinity had been abandoned,
returned to the house, removed the
brazier, and Herobumi came out q the
hole. lie did not think Of the dust
with which ne was covered. but Nj
kama did. and, getting a wisp broom.
she brushed his clothes. Then he took
both her hands in his and said 70 her:
"You are but a poor geisha girl while
am Of a far different rank, but !
promise that you. shall never regret
the act Of this day"
When II was dark he slipped out Of
the tea house and found a more per-
manent place Of safety.
One day-it was after the Shotgun
had been permanently defeated and
the mikado securely placed upon the
throne OF Japana jinrikisha stopped
before the tea house, Nilzama was
standing at the door, and who should
she see alight from the jinrikisha but
the young man whose life she had
saved. he came up and led Der out
on to a veranda.
Il have not seen you for long
while. she said Il feared that the
shogunites had caught You at last
NO; / was too slippery for them.
But all my inventive powers-and
there are those who esteem them con
siderable-are az nothing compared
with yours. HP1 it not been for your
quick acting brain should not now
be here"
The girl. naturally leased 81 his ap.
probation Of her att, smiled and
blushed.
Il told you that you would not re-
greet your act Of that terrible day"
continued the visitor. Or shall you.
/ wish to make you a present | viii
frst offer you that which | value most
highly and which will include within
itself all can give you, Then Il you
prefer part rather than the whole
YOU may ask for what you like and !
Will give IT.
sYou speak IN riddles, Herobuml
Or. rather, you speak like the mikado
when you say you will give what
ask. Are you. young man not yet
thirty years old, SO powerful that You
can give me anything | askg
II can at least give you that which !
prize most"
eAnd that isl
myself"
The girl stood looking at him in as
fouishment No high caste young man
il Japan was likely 70 marry q geisha
girl
Il am the whole" resumed the
Young man. IF you don't end me to
your taste you may take part
aBut know you only as one who
has come here to drink Tea and be
amused, !" said Nikama
con. you wish for my credentials
wen then. know that when our new
government was formed It was ! who
was principally intrusted with its
formation. Then ! was made prime
minister by the emperor and tHal
once hold at the present time"
It IS true that Irince Herobumi Ito
OF japan. who was recently assassl
.,o4na raarrfnd the geisha girl Whe