Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1924-07-02
CHAPT |

4
Down below the Kaminari-mon-the
.Runder Gate only in name, for the
RITUAL gate with all it's mockeries of
gyes and flowers has long since rot
led anywhere is a fungus-bed of
nSery called the Inn of the Pale
Pearl. The turbid river that creeps
through the town of Mitagiri deposits
Fellow mud against the very wall.
Here each night collect the human
Sum and scour of the cutters. the
stencil Of whose villainous bodies
lights unavailingly with the sitting
odor Of horse-meat and fish-flesh.
On this night the Inn of the Pale
Pearl was full to suffocation. Itoia,
The pimple-faced host, his kimono
opened at neck, and pinned high
above his knees to permit free motion,
stood dealing out liquor from a little
Nsk Two outlaws lay against the
wall in darkness, partly from fear Of
lnIghtly visit by the police, partly be-
cause, rising, they feared to fall again.
long table echoed ribaldries.
Against the leg huddled a ne-san, low
cred bit by bit from teahouse to tea
house, from yoshiwara to this nest of
vIckedness; waiting the coming of
Hetterpaying rufians.
Facing the end Of the table farthest
from the door stood a wine cask, atop
Of which Japanese, larger by a half
foot than the rest, with patricianly
IQuilIne nose, larger land more drunk,
1 patch over one eye and right arm
Sandaged, howled a hymn to the
White Snake goddess, who has given
from her plenty the gift of wine. In
IN excess Of fervor he permitted one
hand to touch the crouching girl. She
placed thin fingers over it; instantly
The poor hand was flung roughly away
10 that it struck against the table leg.
The girl whimpered.
i Wping his fingers on the heavy silk
4 " his kimOnO, the large Japanese
Iraddled the cask more securely and
BANGED upon the table for attention.
You" to the girl, would take from
shis hand'-he waved it in the air
4 NE deltciousness of supreme rapture
mat awaits it." He paused, and the
pair Of outlaws, sensing wine, ap-
Pauded loudly.
What do you know of pleasure?"
e Ooasted. Pleasure! This?" he
urFed the girl with an extended foot.
A bruised blossom7 Ho! There Is
waiting me :" he looked about,
wa self-in8atlon overcame any
rugged caution, there is awaiting
Is me, who will some day be
D''u OF Thunder Gate and of you all
p0ped for proper poetical expression.
- ABSURD look of concentration puck
Fng his face.
A Rnife,' grunted Itoia. "The knife
NE husband of the rice-picker. who
"1Ia you in his house"
Inc other did not hear him, but held
v Ills hand for attention.
4ej! I have it. The name Of vour
',''aoie Inn describes it, Itoia. A
ne PEARL With hair the color of the
,ues'1late blossom. A pearl of . !.
eat price.
Une Of the outlaws asked softly
" n s, Is this money to be paid, Kaya-
,o,-.- maps tonight or
$3.50 ,'.'' 10 Kayama laughed. "More
$50 Wan you ever dreamed of, for
49,, was there such a girl. / have
-. az so.a the outlaws eyes cleaned
ou2 hayama laughed again, mot
bo,, lou VIII take her to your fathers
.ono'aole house, to the house of YOUR
ancestors? She will be your first wife
asked Az o'lier the most
Il said She was :. ~, =.
white woman. Ito,a Could
49, ,,H' ner to the house of my father.
denly. ne stopped SUD
ns-son -, ,1at you could return, Kaya-
,sT7, san the host observed shrewdly
,bar, so'u-is 1t your honorable ia
VIII de has not missed it-yetf
WY waste good gold upon a x.Aste