Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1924-07-30

was no more BObbie-San. She could
remember no such person. Instead.
there lived in the house the heir TO
the house of the Thunder Gate She
bowed before him, calling the how
hayama-San. Doctor Wells did not
exist, save as sort of upper servant.
Inc mouse was Boobies. Bobbie was
served first. Bobbfe's wishes must be
consulted before she would permit q
servant to carry out one of Doctor
Wells orders.
boDDle took 1t as matter of
course. Misako liked it. That was
enough. Wasn't she his little moth
er?
10 please her, he would memorize
long Shinto prayers. Became adent
In the Rules of Courtesy. Because II
delighted her to see him imperious he
could adopt commanding manner
before her and the other servants.
Mlsako had one principal worry. The
boy was old enough to be married
To whom?
In vain she painted picture for the
boy. There would be a beautiful girl.
versed 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 nightbirds:
her black hair would be woven with
the blossom Of the plum; she would
nave kimonos of pale silk with shift
P0I0rE wit
Here, and here alone, Bobbie would
laugh, although he took pains to con-
ceal his amusement from Misako.
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 so with one of such
great and simple faith.
1t was in bitter moment that he
fumbled through his scant correspond
ence.
He found letter already creamy
with age. It had been written shortly
after the death of Boobies mother:
"Send the boy to me, if you will. If
you want the little fellow educated in
America I will see that 1t is done. FL
sic would have liked it. He will not
be permitted to follow in his fathers
footsteps. I tell you that frankly. To
my way of thinking, there is more re-
ligson In bringing water to a desert,
or housing the poor properly, than in
preaching to a horde Of savages. You
won't do this at once, Richard You
were always obstinate. But this IS an
open offer. 1t isn't a favor to you,
remember. It is for Elsie, and the boy"
Doctor Wells, from mis- 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 Misako, begging a J 81
of rice, the scrapings 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 boy come to? Better swallow his
pride. Suppose Bobbie were left alone.
What would happen? With sudden in
tent he clapped his hands.
"Send me my son." he ordered.
1--WE see little of each other, Rob-
ert," he said when the boy entered.
"Sit down, son. How" his voice fall
tered a moment, show old are your"
81 was born in tn, year Of the
Forty-third Blossoming of the Sacred
Plum, in the Season Of"
Doctor Wells, shivering slightly, cut
him short. English, Robert! Eng
liSh!"
Eighteen, father"
$50 soon. So soon or {.
so long :" he paused, vacant-eyed.
At eighteen. His own boyhood: the
great square house in a commodious
yard, we'll shaded by leftover forest
trees, elm and walnut and beech, with
here and there a line of leafy syca-
mores where the creek had been filed
in. Goodness and quiet; ordered days.
A well-marked program, not too statd-
ly delineated. Cookies in the kitchen.
Strange that he should remember
thati The starchy Bingham of his
mother. Her pride In him, minister
setting forth to strange lands.
would you like to go to America?
To college for learning?"
eff you command, father"
81 co not command, son. 1t Is a
request. You should go. Yes -. :.
yes do command. You must
CO."
Bobbie bowed his head. 'sThe son
refusing to obey his father shall be
punished with one hundred blows OF
the bamboo" he said sadly. "When is
1t you will that l depart?"
ttyVhv don't YOU want to go?