The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1910-05-28
WHAT CAME OF
A FILTRATION
BY &. bartlett THORPE
Copyright, 1910. BY American Press
Association.


Jack MeadeDhall ana myself were
midshipmen together iii the navy. One
day while our ship was lying at anchor
ia Japanese waters Jack and ! got per
mission to go ashore together.
We sauntered along one Of the
streets til 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: l don't know
how they do 1t now-and waved it.
We were not more than 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 L--i
in the buttonhole Of his jacket.
Both girls laughed, and the other
girl threw another rose. which pick
ed up. Inhaled, kissed and put in my
own buttonholes. Then, like good boys
we walked on. We didn't care to APP
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 II 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 MS. Jack gave
loud "AhemH' One Of the girls turned
and smiled l gave another "Ahem!
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 wen enacted pantomime
indicated that we would Ike some Of
them. The girls understood, pucked
q lot for each OF us, then by pantomime
asked us to inspect the grounds.
OF course we got separated. Jack go
ing with her who had thrown him the
rose, / with her companion, who had
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 klmonos
were made OF the finest texture.
was inclined TO think that papa ana
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 sufii
cient ingenuity to inform them that
we would call again as 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 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 a scarfpin that had
} given one Of the girls and ring Jack
} had given the other. Jack and / were
, dumfounded The captain motioned
, the interpreter to speak. He told US
that each Of us having given a pres
{ ent to a young girl--a gift in Japan
E being considered proposition Of mar
/ riage-their fathers had come aboard
) to say that two noble Japanese fami-
] lies would feel honored at an alliance
: with so great nation as the United
States by giving a daughter to each Of
! the young officers who had asked for
/ her hand.
r The matter was far too serious to
a warrant any expression Of amusement.
The captain saw at once that we had
got into a Irritation and unwittingly
proposed marriage Not wishing to
r give offense, he took the matter into
/ his own hands, much TO the relief Of
Q us youngsters who had got into the
scrape.
U TELL the gentlemen he said to the
e interpreter. that representing the
! United States, ! am highly honored
. that the propositions Of my officers
should be accepted. but that since the
i offer was made without permission
9 shall be obliged to lay the matter be-
y fore the president / sail for America
e tomorrow win discover his excellen-
/ cy's wishes, If possible obtain his per-
/ mission aud act accordingly"
The interpreter translated the cap.
tains speech, and the japanese gentle
men signi6ed acquiescence and after
= leaving their addresses, with all nee
y essary information. departed.
y Gentlemen" said the captain-when