Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-03-16

poouIAtu WTAhHB- bub IL NdA NJ
long before he discovered that men
were watching him, ana ne became
filed with fear. Why should he be
watched? Had he done a guilty
thing?
$50 greatly did the fear swell IN
him that he decided to take the letter
back To the place where he had found
1t, and drop it again in the road.
But when he got to the place and
looked for a last time at the writing,
1t give him such longing to keep il
that he thrust it into his breast again
and hurried back to his shop.
That night a man came to see
Kimaga.
"Are you Kimaga, the maker of
vases?' he said.
"Kimaga, all trembling. replied that
he was.
Then said the man, I have come
to you with high purpose. You have
a letter which does not belong to
you. Give it to me-
Does It belong to your asked
kimaga, his desire putting ON
his fear.
That is not to be asked replied
the a I am samurai. For the
glory of Nippon you mus give me the
letter
But Kimaga did not wish TO Lee
the letter go. How do you know that
have itT he said. You have not
seer It.
at is enough that / know said
the man. Three days I allow you. II
by then the letter has not been placed
on the altar of the war-god, in the
shrine of Samiya, then you will be as
sassinated.'
With that the man went away.
"Ktmaga was now almos' dead with
fright. For the first day he did moth
ing but weep. The second day he put
on mourning and set his affairs in
order. The third day he held the let
ter in his hand for many hours and
filled his mind with the beauty of the
writing, He could not give It up.
Rather would he die. And at last he
placed 1t in a lacquer box and buried
1t deep at the foot of the largest cher
ry tree in his garden.
HE o to go back into his
house, an his head was bowed over
with terror. You see, he felt that
many eyes were watching him from
the nearby walls, an he thought he
heard breathings and the whispers OF
strangers. What should he do nowI
He dare not advance; he dare not
stay where he was. So exceeding at
frighted was he that he groaned
aloud. From all about him came
groans that answered his. Once mora
he groaned, and once more his earl
were filed with the answers.
Then he took n step toward hin
house. Nothing happened. He tool
another step, an his knees they shooA
like the palsy. The breathings an
whisperings seem, oh. so much nearal
now. But he muster all his strength
an put out his foot for the third step
1t did not reach the ground before thu
vengeance struck him.
1.-THE next morning his wife fount
him dead. His head had been severet
from his body"
The minister stopped and sat bacl
in his chair.
How awful" exclaimed the WON
mn urbn hoH oclaI fnr a eforu
Not So" said the minister affably
TN serving my country. such thing
mus be done. Kimaga should hav
!, given the letter, Don't you think Sc
Mr.. Orme?"
The parable wa quite clear t
Orme. He understood the threat.
I'm America" he said, drily, "w
do not worship penmanship."
But an American might for othe
reasons keep a letter that did not bt
long to him"
mot If he was honorable. Hi
natural course would be to Q tina
1t was delivered to the person 70
whom 1t was intended. Certainly b
would not give 1t to any mar VIII
could not prove his right to It,"
: Would he not? But If he wer
, told that he mus die-T"
/ "In that case he would inform hi
, friends OF the threats against hin
, and they would see that his murderer
were hanged. Assassination is nc
. popular in America, excellency."
Orme did not attempt to conceal tn
contempt in his words. and several {
the listeners moved in their chairs, b.
traying their embarrassment.
Perhaps, then, Mr.. Orme," said tn
minister, you could favor us with
, story which would show the attitud
a of an American in such a fair"
Orme laughed. oddly enough" b
replied, 81 can give you just such
;, story-if you all care to hear 1t"
!. go on" murmured one of the mel
ut happened to a friend of mine
> said Orme. "He had in his possessio
a number of proxies, the use of whic
! would determine the control {
/ a certain corporation. While he wa
carrying these proxies to the countr
. house of the man to whom he was
deliver them, he was attacked by
man who was acting for another ia
ton. This mar secured the advantas
over my friend and, robbing him
! the proxies, jumped into a waitin
motor car to make his escape"
"And did he escape?" the minists
interrupted.
4 (To BE CONTINUEDo