Gilpin observer., 1910-02-24
CHAPTER l.
An Adventure in Photography.

Frederick Courtland Hardy, ex-
member of Mrs. Johnny Folkstone's
smart set of Boston, ex-cotillion lead
er, yachtsman and clubman, was on his
way to Russia to take charge of one
of the American Trading Company's
stores at Stryetensk. He had lost
his money and his fair-weather
friends, and had been Tilted by a girl
who. as it proved, was not the ideal
Of nobility and womanly grace he had
supposed her to be. Though plucky,
he was, to use an expression more
forceful than elegant, sore" Had
he but known 1t, the escape from the
girl was a bit of good luck sufficient
to compensate him for the loss of his
wealth; for no woman who deserts a
man at the first blast Of misfortune is
good to tie to for lifetime. He did
not realize this, for 1t is hard to be
philosophical when a man has just
lost his girl. his friends and his
money
He received his appointment to ST.
IBERIA through a friend of his fathers,
old Frederick Emery, who had gone
out to that country some years before
and came back to Boston on visit,
rich and eloquent of the resources and
possibilities of that great empire so
little known and understood by Amer
leans.
caused the execution leader to forget
his troubles began at Yokohama, and
dated with his first meeting with
Stapleton Neville in the dining room
OF the Grand hotel. The two men
were seated together at a small table.
and the American was gazing dreamily
over the room, most probably thinking
Of the girl who dropped him when he
lost his money.
IT'S jolly gay scene, isn't it?" re-
marked his vis-a-vis. smiling pleasant
ly. He was fiorid blonde man. with
the peachy complexion of a Swede,
rather thick lips and nostrils.
square chin, the bluest of blue eyes
and white even teeth like those of a
young dog. His expansive shirtbosom,
for he was in evening dress, dis
played to the best advantage his depth
of chest
These people seem to be all Amer
icans," remarked Hardy. They looked
like Americans. and the accent of
those passing by, or sitting near
enough to be heard, was unmistak-
able.
Yes" replied the other, "I suppose
they are. nearly all of them. The
show places of Japan are thronged
with your countrymen at this season,
II
them. have been staying here for
several months, and do believe I'm
about the only Englishman here. Per
init me to introduce myself'-and he
produced card, bearing the name
"Stapleton Neville, Travellers club,
London"
MY countrymen," replied Hardy, Of
fering his own card. have a way of
taking America with them wherever
they go. They travel to the ends of
the earth to get out of their own
land and then they so thoroughly
Americanize their favorite foreign re-
sorts that they might quite as well
have stayed at home
, when do you leave?" asked Ne
Vile.
"The day after tomorrow" replied
Hardy. Il am on my way to Russia
on business. and l am supposed to get
there with as little delay as possible"
But there is no boat starting for
a week. You cant very well leave for
Vladivostok day after tomorrow"
Hardy smiled.
You forget our American enter
rtc 1N t.I ar
that small boat leaves Hakodate in
three days. crossing the Japan sea,
and that by taking the train north
ward through the island. shall ar
rive at Aomori, near the northern end
of Nippon, in time to- connect with
this boat. have already had the
agent here telegraph for passage for
me. shall thus save a weeks time
and shall be able to see, from the car
window, the interior of Japan-that
portion of the country which our
friends in the dining room there get
little idea Of
by Jove! DO you know that would
jolly well fit in with my plans. If you
wouldn't object to travelling com
panion and there should be room for
me, also?"
I'D be delighted" replied Hardy;
charmed, I assure you, to have you
come along. Travelling alone is n
bore. Shall you be going through to
Aomori?"
Farther than that. ]. too. am GO
ing to Russia. through to Moscow, and
from there back to England"
"Why. thpuv ayclaimed Hardy ssI
shall have you as far as my destina-
tion, Stryetensk!"
Exactly so. And, as we are leaving
the town so soon, what do you say to
our prowling about tomorrow. to give
you an idea of the bally place. and to
taking 1t in In the evening in a lin