Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-10-04
The Argus Daily Story
The Fox Woman-By ClarissaMackie.
copyrighted. 1919. by Associated Literary Bureau

me what experienced during my long
residence in that country-that is, the
peculiar superstitions of the japanese.
But while there are a marvellous stole
ism, heroism. belief in the connection
of this life and that bourn from
which no traveller returns"-call it what
you will in the case of General and
Mime. Nogi-the superstition among
the lower classes is as absurd as any
other bigotry the world has ever seen.
II may be misuse of the word to
call General Nogis suicide q supersti-
ton. 1t was rather obedience to ira
dition. though perhaps it was both. I
was in Japan during the Russo-Japa-
nese war and saw good deal of that
stole superstition that made the little
enemy. That, too. was far removed
! from the following absurd case, which
happened in my own family during my
residence in Japan.
never have believed it if l had not
witnessed 1t myself.
O-Honu, my Japanese servant, came
scudding into my room just at twilight
one day. The shoji, or sliding panels.
were pushed aside, and / had been sit
| ting there watching the glory of the
moon rising above my miniature gar
den.
"Oh. masterw cried the man, falling
on his face before me.
what is the matter, O-Honu" I
demanded quickly, for this servant was
ordinarily a quiet, self contained fellow.
not given to excitement of any sort.
what is the natter" l repeated.
81 have seen her. master!' he walled.
seen whomT'
1.-The fox womanw he cried, shudder-
ing.
THE fox woman? Who is she, pray?
Does she deal in foxesw l was clearly
puzzled, for at that time I had not
studied Japanese superstitions.
AYE, l have seen her. Woe is upon
me and my houser' mourned the thor
oughly affrighted man.
Tell me about it, O-Honu; then per-
haps can help you," insisted.
There is no help for one who has
gazed upon the face of the fox woman"
he groaned. Woe is upon me and my
house"
1 took him by the shoulder and ad-
ministered a good American shake.
Now, O-Honu, stop this bawling and
tell me what is the matter with your
! shouted.
The gentle hammered OHonu few to
his feet and stared at me in the twi-
light.
Honorable master" he said broken
ly, 81 have said the truth to you.
have gazed upon the face of the fox
woman. and disaster is upon me-"
eff you mean that you've gone crazy
l think you're right" | said sternly.
"Now tell me who is this fox woman"
She is an evil spirit. master" MUIR
INJURED OHonu, with a frightened
glance toward the open window and
the moonlit garden beyond.
said nothing for a moment. i
knew that belief in spirit life was too
deeply ingrained in the nation for me
to scoff at his fear or endeavor to allay
his fears.
Tell me all about 1t. O-Honu." l
said. and for the moment he ceased
mis- trembling and obeyed.
II was passing through the cedar
grove beyond the temple. master. and
I was Fastening, for it has been said
that the fox woman has been seen
therea bouts. when / was conscious that
: UoS not oIana In tho orNua
Something ran beside me and breath
ed as it ran. | thought it was dog
or fox. and looked down. but | saw
nothing.
Il looked to- either side of me. in
front and behind me. but there was
nothing to be seen save the cedar trees,
but all the time ! heard the quick.
hurried breathing and knew that some
thing was near me.
"As came into the moonlight turn
ed once more and looked, and. master
1t was sher' Again my servant fell
to trembling like leaf.
THE FOX woman?" 1 asked.
Eyes. master"
what is she like?"
He shuddered and placed his hands
before his eyes. ''She has the form OF Il
woman. but her face--ahr'
You are sure that you haven't made
some mistake? Perhaps it was some
woman servant who thought to fright
en- you"
He shook his head 81 would that II
were So he said sadly. But it was
the fox woman-none other
"You have seen her before?" l asked.
mo. master
What can be done-anything to ward
OF the evil of her presenter / asked
more to soothe him into quietude than
OF any belief had In the appsrition.
He shook his head hopeIessly
There is nothing to do except 10
wait the doing OF her evil" ne said
moodily.
And that is?" questioned.
Death to me because l looked upon
her face and evil to my family
What can do TO help you. O-Hona
Would You like to go to your fam
iIyr"
eft xvnuId no boat m On and GOT NV