Evening star., 1917-10-07

6f1HE old captain hitched his chair n
bit nearer the fre. filled and
lighted his pipe.
II tell you boys these Japs are
sure some quick at gettin' your money
and whom you are in Japan you had
better either keep It out of sight. OF
else you will only be able to keep 1t by
matching Jap against Jap. as an old
friend Of mine in Yokohama had to dc
some years ago.
His name was Tilling and he came
from down Boston way. He was some
smart doctor, but drinking rum to keep
out the cold OF the Labrador fogs kim
der got him on his beamends: SO when
his money and reputation had gone
overheard his family sent him to Japan
with the understanding that az long as
he remained there he was to have three
hundred . month and could drink him
self to death. for all they cared-the
sooner tho cheaper, perhaps they
thought
'2Now he had just arrived In Yoko-
hama when met him. and. not know
Ing anything about the ways Of the lit
Tie yellow brother. was showing entirely
too much cash for his own good.
II told him that was no way to get
ON In that part Of the world. and that
he would soon nnd out II he did not
stop. but, like most Grimns. he knew
all about 1t, or thought he did.
He had . nice little bungalow on
the bluff.' but spent most Of his time
down at the Grand Hotel bar.
"As he spun the yarn to meEafter he
had some sense knocked into his head
II happened like this.
"One morning . very polite Jap pre-
sented himself at the bungalow with
note for the honorable American doctor.
which upon being Opened SUntsined h,1i
for $500 In gold for one rosewood Eng
lish piano, tho same having been pur-
chased. 10 the bill set forth. from one
d. Hokomoto & Co.. conducting the one
and only hrst-class music house In the
.Tilling had no musical ability. and
q plano was about the last thing IN
the world that he would have thought
Of buying. But here was the DILL ana
Later In the day he showed this
bill to an old Englishman at the hotel
and laughingly remarked as to what
foolish mistakes the Japs made in their
effort to do business in the occidental
His friend surprised Tilling by shak-
ing his head and saying that perhaps
1t was not so much Of mistake after
all. and suggested that he go to see
Mr.. T. Ishi. an Engltsh-speaking Jap
lawyer. The doctor did not at the
time see the wisdom Of this advice,
but decided to call at the esta adjustment
of d. Hokomoto and correct the mis-
take.
This he did. and was very politely
received by the Jap clerk, who. when
told of the mistake which had been
made. drew In his breath, exhaling 1t
through his teeth, and, bowling three
times. informed the honorable Ameri-
can that he would call the manager, a
mere matter Of form.
The manager. although just as polite.
called another clerk. and then. to the
utter astonishment OF Tilling. this lat
ter announced that the honorable doctor
had waited on the customer on the
I'd day Of June. the day the plano had
been purchased.
He stated that II o'clock In the
the honorable American had
called. accompanied by Mr.. T. Yokii.
Q music master. and. after having their
expert try several pianos, had selected
the one In question, and that 1t had
been sent by the draymen to the bun.
galow OF the purchaser on the bluff'
-1iilinxs patience with all this bunco
straining his rising angsr. b told the
manager that he had never bean In his
ahop befoFe In his life. had purchased no
piano and would not pay tho bill.
".Ah! hiseed the manager. In hts
suAvest and mos polite manner. i should
regret TO the end ct my life the necessity
of suing the yich and heuosahls American