The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-06-19

! there lived In the house the heir 4
the house OF the Thunder Gate. She
bowed before him, calling the boy
kayamaSan. Doctor Wells did no
exist, save as sort Of upper servant
The house was BoDDies Robbie was
served first. Boobies wishes must be
consulted before she would permit q
servant to carry out one Of Doctor
Wells orders.
Bobbie took II as matter OF
course. Misako liked II. That was
enough. Wasn't she his little moth.
err?
To please her, he would memorize
long Shinto prayers. Became adept
In the Rules Of Courtesy. Because II
delighted her to see him imperious. he
could adopt a commanding manner
before her and the other servants.
Misako had one principal worry. The
boy was old enough to be married.
To whom?
In vain she painted a picture for the
boy. There would be a beautiful girl,
yersed in every duty and appreciative
Of her exalted position. A girl with
long, fine fingers. with eyes that would
shine like black Jewels under brows
curved as the wings Of the nightblrds f:
her black hair would be woven with
the blossom OF the plum; she would
have kimonos OF pale silk with shift
Ing colors changing with the light.
Here. and here alone, Bohbie would
laugh. although he took pains 20 CON
ceal his amusement from Aflsako.
The position Of Doctor Wells, in his
own household. became intolerable.
He could discharge Misako. yet dread
ed facing his Maker and admitting
that he had acted 50 with one Of such
great and simple faith.
II was in a bitter moment that he
fumbled through his scant correspond
ence.
He found a letter already creamy
with age. It had been written shortly
after the death Of Boobies mother.
"Send the boy to me- II you viii. II
you want the little fellow educated in
America | will see that It is done. FL
sic would have liked Il. He will not
be permitted to follow in his fathers
footsteps tell you that frankly. To
my way Of thinking. there is more re-
ligion In bringing water TO a desert.
or housing the poor properly. than in
preaching TO a horde Of savages. You
won't do this az once. Richard. You
we're always obstinate. But this IS an
open offer. II isn't a favor 10 you,
remember. II is for Elsie. and the boy"
Doctor Wells. from his window. the
letter upon the desk before him,
watched a mendicant. copper bowl
banging against skinny shanks. weary.
sore Of feet, extend his bowl at the
doorway to Mlsako begging a handful
OF rice. the scrapinss Of the bean-curd
pot. a few shreds OF FISH Whimper-
ing, the mendicant thanked Misako
for her gift.
Doctor Wells heard her answer
that thanks be poured down upon her
great and revered lord. Kayama-San
Nonsense. Nonsense. What would
the hoy come TO? Better swallow his
pride Suppose Bobbie were left alone.
What would happen7 With sudden in
tent he clapped his hands.
send me my son." he ordered
I'VE see little Of each other, Rob
art.- he said when the boy entered.
sit down. son. How his voice fal-
erred a moment. how old are your"
Il was born in tn year OF the
Forty-thlrd Blossoming Of the Sacred |
Plum. in the Season Of"
Doctor Wells. shivering slightly. cut
lin short English. Robertl Eng
ish -
Eighteen. father"
$50 soon. So soon or
10 long =" he paused. vacant-eyed- /
II eighteen His own boyhood: the
,reat square house In a commodious
ard. well shaded by leftover forest
rees, elm end walnut and beech. with
lere and there a line Of leafy syca-
nores where the creek had been Filed
q. Goodness and quiet; ordered days.
| well-marked program. not too staid-
y delineated. Cookies IN the kitchen
strange that he should remember
haiti The starchy gingham Of his
bother. Her pride in him. a minister
citing forth to strange lsnds.
would you Ike to 70 to American
o a college for lesrningr
IF you command. father"
I DO not command. son. II is q
eQuesr. You should 20. Yes
es do command You must
o."
Bobble bowed his head The son
efuslng TO obey his father shall be
finished with one hundred blows Of
le bamboo he said sadly. when Is
you will that ] departT
~Why don't you want 10 got
re you only going because order
ouT
Yes. father
"Why notT
only missionaries 20 70 college
he boy smiled sagely. 4 would not
ire 20 be a missionary
Rather be a nock-lord. ruler Of q 1
lst-a host consisting Of a doddering !
lent sarf1o Weffs said harohlx