Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-01-02

N'Ork Tor l'en
81 do not know. have heard that
such place g there"
Perhaps you know if it is true
that they have built a steam road
over the mountains t, that placer"
"Of that. too, have heard; but
90 not Lnow," said the girl.
TIL, stranger made another cigar
cite and smoked, squatted on his
hams. The sun dropped slowly in the
.leavens. By and by its rim touched
the top of the mountain and shot
shafts of fire among the frs, finging
their shadows and Il at of the hut
still farther down the mountainside.
Shima glanced up from her weaving,
rose, picked up the cup, and went into
{, hut.
She came back presently, Juggling a
small iron pot, in which smouldered
Goals. She added some fuel and blew
tie dry sticks into a blaze, prepare
tory to getting the evening meal.
The stranger watched her while he
smoked.
From among the red-touched boles
of the fir-trees figure appeared 1t
was that of man OF some five feet
three. He walked with slight stoop,
so that he looked not so tall. His
arms were naked and smudged with
black streaks and spots, as was his
face. He wore a sparse, iron-gray
beard.
The stranger rose and bowed at
his approach. The newcomer paused
and gravely returned the bow.
you are Shikoku, the charcoal
burner?" the stranger inquired.
Thou sayest truly" returned the
other. "And thou ?"
81 am a wayfarer from Kobe,
worthy Shikoku. Passing, paused
to beg a cup Of water. Canst tell me
if | am on the right road to the new
town beyond the mountains ?"
"Aye," said Shikoku. There is
such a place, and this road car lead
you thither for some time. | have
heard of the place, but | have not
seen it."
Us there not a railroad, over which
they run steam-trains, to take men
and things to town."
Shikoku nodded. "That | have
seen, and the steam-breathing things
which draw the loads" he responded.
MANY men have gone to that place
and few returned"
"One, then, could follow the
steam road ?" said the stranger.
"Aye," agreed Shikoku. "Yonder
road crosses the road of steam, be-
yond the top of the mountain. Thou
goest there 2"
AYE" admitted the stranger.
Thanks, worthy Shikoku. must
press on"
mot So" objected the charcoal
burner. First thou shalt share our
food. Thou art from Kobe thou say
est. 1t is not often that one comes to
us from the outer places. Sit and
talk"
Thanks, hospitabIe burner of
charcoal" the other accepted. He
squatted down and produced his to-
bacco and papers. He began rolling
several cigarettes.
Shikoku passed on to the hut and
presently emerged, having washed his
hands and face. The stranger offered
him a cigarette. He took it and light
el it at the furnace. The two squat
ted down.
"Tell me-" urged Shilsolsu, "what
is this war-talk of which ] have
heard family of late? Thou has been
in the cities and shouldst have heard
more.
at is war with the American ma
tion," informed the other. Cur peo-
pie do not like these whites. We do
not like their discrimination against
our people. We demand that they
treat us as equals. 1t is question of
honor among US. If needs be we shall
fight"
Gail" cried Shikoku; chat is fool
ish. For what should we fight? And
this talk of discrimination If our
people like not the laws of the white
man let them stay in Nippon. 1t is
the restless ones who leave Nippon
who would plunge her into war"
eve want also the Philippine is
lands" the stranger resumed, speak
ing. eff Nippon is to grow she must
have ROOM"
Shikoku nodded sagely. 81 have
head them mentioned" he said slow
ly. "But why do we want them now?
Did we want them before the Ameri
cans took them Were they not there
then-the same as now? 1t is not the
people of Nippon who want war, be-
lieve me. 1t is the rich men who have
money, who barter and sell to get
more money. My father and my faith
er's father lived on the mountain for
years and burned the charcoal as
have |.
"Did we want war? No! 1t is he
who buys our charcoal for a small
price and sells it for greater who
would profit. War means but added
hardship for the common people-the
loss of our sons to feed the red mouth
of dragon, the wasting of our crops,
the grieving of our women, and after
that q greater tax laid on our earn
ings to pay for it all. There is but
one war which the people of Nippon
WOULD favor. If some other nation
should threaten, then they would rise
and strike back for Nippon--rise and
strike and cry 'Banzai! and perish
that Nippon might live. To war for
ones country is mans duty. To
war to put more gold into the pockets
Z. already rich men il the trick of a
fool"
"Thou art a philosopher, worthy
Shikoku." said the stranger. "But if
these whites will not treat US as