davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Coconino sun., 1925-03-06

Kobe, Japan, Jan. 20.
A feller named Buddha seems to
have this country all cinched up in
one bundle. He certainly was popu-
lar citizen and must have been mighty
prominent as we'll as important, for
1t is impossible to go over eight yards
in any direction without stumbling
over one of his extra numerous tenn
plies. A feller named Shinto runs
him a close second. Honest, feller
concludes very conclusively after
shopping around here for a few days
that about all the people did was to
fish and raise children and temples.
Building these fancy little pagodas
and putting bronze Buddha in each
has become a regular religion with
these folks.
Far be it from me to criticise their
way of showing their appreciation for
what they have got or are about to
get, but it is rather odd to us foreign
ers. When a feller has this kind of
religion he comes clap, clap, clapping
along on the pair of young wooden
stills he uses for shoes. It's sort
of a fox trot-about half between 4.
walk and trot. Stopping at the en-
trance he unwinds his big toes from
around the strings on the front end
of his wooden boots and is thus quick
ly unshod. At first used to wonder
why they persisted in wearing this
sort of foot gear, but when you think
how often they have to shuck 'en, it
becomes very plain. Having perform
ed as above, he trots up in front of his
brazen Buddha, throws a nickle or
some small coin into the trough, and
claps his hands to wake Bud up to the
fact that he has arrove and is demand
ing some little attention.
He flops down, bumps his head on
the floor, then places his hands in
the attitude of prayer4and, | presume,
suggests the few things he most
Graves at that time. | don't suppose
all of these Buddhas are the real one,
but are just assistant Buddhas, owing
to the great number of requests for
favors they have all day long.
Whether all their requests are granted
or not / don't know, but probably it
averages about the same as it does
in our country. | didn't see anyone
around gathering up the yens. Later,
though, | discovered these troughs
were so arranged that the sheckels
all drifted down into one channel and
probably into the pocket of some fell
low standing behind the scenes hold
ing his pocket open for that purpose.
There is a whale of Buddha at
Kamakura, town some Ia miles
southwest of Yokohama, called Dali
butsu. He stands in the open among a
bunch of plum trees overlooking Sa-
gami bay. thought it was because
Daibutsu was SO overgrown that they
had to leave him out in the woods that
way, but learned later that he had
back in 1852, at which time couple
tidal waves came along and squashed
his house. quite fatally, also Jared
The Coconino sun., 1925-03-06

Ihey use a 0ne-n1an croSScut saw. A
small contraption with a straight han
die and a straight narrow blade.
Most of the lumber used is shipped
in from foreign countries, though
there is considerable timber scattered
through the maintains.
Bamboo is rampant in many places
and is used in hundreds of ways. For
instance the scaffolding around four
and five-story buildings under con
struction, is bamboo and, instead of
nails, rope is used entirely to fasten
the scaffolding together. Much of the
framework for pouring cement is
made in the same way.
Among the things which worry our
select gathering of passengers from
Gods country, is how the Japanese
from those a few inches high to the
extreme limit of height and age, can
stand this cold weather. They sniffle
and snl.lf, handkerchiefless and hap
py, with red faces, but about the only
thing they have to heat up with is
now and then brazier full of punk
these contraptions, warming their
HdHQS, WlGH LH6 front eIlu OF CHe place
all open to the breeze. The houses
are built of thin, flimsy wood, in
breezy peek-a-boo style of architecture
that would make an Eskimo shiver to
contemplate. No stoves, no fire place,
no chimneys-not a darned place to
get reasonably warm. It's a lovely
place for that variety of Englishmen
who love vast quantities of fresh air
and dote on cracking the ice in their
morning bawth. They are getting all
the possible discomforts of home. The
Thermometer does not fluctuate so
much, but has been hanging around
down about freezing The wind car
ries a nasty cargo of humidity and
works most of the time carting it
around.
(Of course, this is private and not
to be repeated, but Mrs. B. just
brought me in a retributive report
along with bad case of snuffles or
grip which she assumed on our trip
to Kamakura last Saturday by auto
to see the biggest Buddha heretofore
The Coconino sun., 1925-03-06

mentioned. On which trip a lovely
lady inveigled great, big, beautiful
English doctor into our auto-just to
fill up. 1t was an open car, but our
physical English beauty wanted more
air. O, he just wished, desired and
demanded that the top of the auto
should be taken off and slung away
SO he could get real large hunk of
cracked-ice air.
All sides of the car were open but
he just wanted the sky over him. o,
he was just so splendid in the open
air and complained because he could
only get one of his large lungs into
action if the hull works wasn't flat
out Well, confidentially, this charm
ing lady who dotted on our fresh air
fiend, has beautiful case of the
sneeze, snort snufflets which she also
gathered. Now, if this jolly dog of a
physical doctor can only have one lung
working at time for few days,
with an aggravated case of shivers, |
hope his retribution will sorter retri-
butte him. You know the kind | mean.
They are never happy unless they can
make you miserable. If they have had
smallpox, they are that brave that
they would love to expose you to it
just to show how little they care for
providing it is yours)
Just as a geographical suggestion,
we might mention that we are on the
island of Hondo. | thought we were
moving over to another land mole
when we left Yokohama Sunday on
our way to Kobe, but having examin-
ed our bearings, / discover we just
moved around south to the mouth of
the Inland sea- Tomorrow, Wednes-
day, we Rotarians expect to attend
regular meeting at Osaka, if the gang
comes over after US as per arrange
ments suggested at our Rotary meet
ing at Toxic.
We have laid off the cold land ex-
peditions the past two days owing to
Mrs. BIS desire to re-heat up on the
boat, consequently | have worked like
a daschund celebrating Japan for Del
and The Coconino Sun.
"Arigato;" that's "thank you"
The Coconino sun., 1925-03-06

the late German encouragement in
which sauerkraut was dethroned, and
our Doc took over the job. Well, he
enjoyed his fresh air, but the rest of
the bunch froze to death or about that
temperature.
o, such a lovable fellow don't cher
know Honest, it wouldn't peeve me
in the least to see this "fresh air NUT
staked out with a chain around his
neck at the north pole, in his night
shirt. | mean night shirt, hoping it
would be short and thin-not pajamas
they might help the brute keep
warm We haven't had many inland
travel companions like that, but once
in a while you get one of them-and
if one of 'em is to be shot at sunrise
you are afraid the sun won't come up
on time. Such noble lot? Eh WOt?
If they are big, husky, and so awfully
healthy, why shouldn't they show off
and help cruelty the damphool women
and children who are idiotic enough to
have been born physically inferior to
his ability to stand physical punish
ment. | have no desire to be cross or
mean about it, but / really think |
could stand by and see this variety OF
the English product carefully sepa-
rated with a pair of dull scissors and
pleasantly point out at different
points in the operation that the venti-
lation was exceedingly poor. While |
do not like surgical operations, ! hon
estly think | could help unite all the
knots in this fiends vertebrae and help
float 'em out in an arctic breeze-just
to please him. This class of our peo-
pie seem so persistent in their desire
to kill off the rest of the folks who
can't stand the same amount of ply
steal punishment they pride them
selves on having been able to get
away with.
Well, | guess this batch will have
to go though we had to stay at home
instead of going to some place called
Nara today. Nara was the capital of
Japan in 710 A. D. They have park
up there containing over 1850 acres
with some 5000 stone and metal Ian
terms hanging around; the third lar
gest bell is there and it is noted that
they have 900 tame deer running
around all over the place. But wotinel
is that compared to 10000 that George
Mccormick and the government have
up on the north side of Grand Can
yon.
Also they have large batch of tenn
pies scattered around. / didn't think
our folks would care for more of that
kind of stuff and since Mrs. B. caught
a batch of grippe because of our fresh
and fresh air English fiend going to
Kamakura and return, we laid off to-
day.
Mrs. B. has sneezed quite prevalent
and if had bunch of asbestos pa
per / believe | could get batch Of her
loving ideas concerning her lovable
English doctor friend through the
mails with double postage. He was
really such big, outstanding, broad
schouldered, narrow minded fellow
that most all our widowed sailing
population just love him. (You know
what l mean-such a nice large
batch). Well, "Konabanawa" which
is good evening for this batch.
The Coconino sun., 1925-03-06

him loose some from the stone foun-
dation he was sitting on. Then the
earthquake came along last year and
tipped him slightly forward so it look
ed as if he was looking for lost col
lar button or something on the ground
in front of him. While we were there
the other day they were jacking the
old boy up and reseating him proper
again. Most any one would get rest
less setting so long in one position
since 1852. He has a Hindu-looking
face and some artist has described the
look on his face as: majestic, calm
and peaceful, suggesting deep medi-
tation" You really can't help but
feel that feller would get that way
on such a steady, monotonous job, TAX
ing over a thousand years and lots
more to go before his job is COM
pleted.
Old Daibutsu is made of bronze
metal and weighs $50 tons. He is
about so feet high, SO feet in cir
conference. No wonder he has such a
long face-81a feet-with eyes four
feet around; ears 61a feet, nose three
feet, eight inches His mouth is three
feet, 21s inches wide. / didn't meas
ure his voice, but I'll venture there
were a half dozen folks in our crowd
of high-class rich folks who can talk
louder and spit farther than he could
the best day he ever saw.
This is the largest Bud they have
on exhibition anywhere in Japan.
am much pleased that / saw it, be-
cause Pm plumb fed up on Buddhas
They are all right in their place but
they have too burned many places of
business and the eternal sameness of
them eventually convinces you that
they are all alike.
Possibly you haven't met as many
of them, at least not real lately, as
we have so we might add few more
details since this old Diabetes or Dali
butsu is the most noted member Of the
family.
His eyes are Of pure gold, which
may account for some of the small
change that glitters therefrom. The
embossed circle of garlands around his
forehead, or whatever lotus flower
they may be, would tickle Billy Jen-
nings Bryan almost to death. They
were Fabricated out of 80 pounds Of
silver. This, of course, has no rela-
ton to 80 pieces of silver or a crown
of gold stuff that has been in the
papers the past several years. There
are $50 curls on his forehead, indicat-
ing he was not bald-headed and must
have been quite young when this pic
ture or plaster cast was taken. He
didn't believe in bobbed hair for each
curl is nine inches in length.
/ don't know what kind of insects or
the name Of them that used to make
these old timers scratch their heads,
but our informant goes on to say that
"these curls were made to represent
snails which, according to legend
crawled out onto his head to shelter
the bald surface from the suns rays"
don't want to start nothing, but the
liars who started this propaganda had
the jump on me, consequently can
only say, if those things were snails
instead of cooties, they sure repre-
sented how new ideas got into action
over here in them days. Them snails
were probably forerunners of some
thought or idea. They might have
been working in some fire department
during that rather early period.
Despite our serious comment on
The Coconino sun., 1925-03-06

When you get your American pur-
chasing product exchanged into yens it
is much easier spent, that is to say,
you can go through the motions of
spending twice as much money as be-
fore, though you do not get half as
much for it. A yen is 100 sen-just
like our dollar has 100 cents, but the
Jap just to be economical cuts out the
1T" which is also hard for him to pro-
nounce, and calls it cen. va gotta
watch close to be sure whether he
says Gems or cents for it makes over
100 per cent difference.
In Tokyo and other cities they have
an odd custom They have a good
many automobiles, including the Hen
ry variety, and the folks complained
that the wheels slung too much dirt
and mud onto the foot-going traffic,
Some wise guy promptly remedied this
by having a contraption that looks
like a spread of chin whsikers or a
street broom attached to each wheel
Of the auto This stopped the war
and autos were allowed to proceed
after paying an annual license to the
government of some $3.50. Our folks
would get rather fussy at this $3.50
charge, but in japan taxes come
closer to home and you notice it more
than you do in our country. Not
necessarily because we pay less to
keep up our Buddhas, but because you
can notice where the coin goes to
more in detail. Really it occurs to me
that we in our country stick up bu-
reaus, ETC., to worship while the gang
over here have large batch of Buds
scattered around attending to about
the same amount of business and do
ing it just about as efficiently I'm
not knocking just sorter thinking
about our overhead or income tax and
their short cut to keeping the popu-
lace from getting too darned opulent.
In fact, some place along the line l
learned that many of these temples
were expected to keep the main rab-
BILE from getting too much money and
starting something against the fellers
in plush who make up the tax rolls.
The Coconino sun., 1925-03-06

the people, if a fellow was eager
enough to run the guard, climb a big
slick stone wall and swim a chilly
river, he had real trouble on. his mind.
Even an emperor has often been
known to put on his bathrobe and at
tend the wants of persons who are so
persistent.
However courteous and kindly
kings and emperors may be, few Of
them will willingly arouse themselves
at a. IN. to meet some Jesse James
at close range. / do not remember
when US emperors located here, but it
lis estimated that the old Shotgun re-
gime was climaxed here the year I
was born--1869, so of course / have
no personal data concerning this in
cident. Back in those premature
years Koyto was the county seat Of
the islands, but when the Shoguns
fell down on the draw and the other
gang got the drop on 'em because
they couldn't "show guns" quick
enough, the capital was richshaed over
to Yedo. 1t was called Yedo then but
later changed to Tokyo, the word
meaning eastern capital" If you
will look at the word Koyto, cut in in
to two sylables, you will note it is
Tokyo backward. Koyto has been
more or less backward ever since this
episode that twisted things around.
Things don't seem to have stopped
around so much in a governmental
way since | was born in 1869 and the
Shoguns got their six-guns caught in
their latigo straps. Consequently the
present system of government has
worked along quite steadily except for
now and then one of the emPerors
having a sign post put up indicating
where and when his reign ended.
With the information | have so
carefully and painstakingly given
about Tokyo, you can make your way
around very easily if you have the
money. And that makes me think
The money over here is worked up
into yens and sens. At the present
writing a yen is worth from 50 to 40
cents in U. S. money.
The Coconino sun., 1925-03-06
BUDDHAS IMPORTANT IN JAPAN
Col F. s. Breens Thirteenth Around the World Letter

many of the comical figgers and fig
i ures given, we are sticking strictly to
facts as we find them misrepresented.
4 AS near as | can ascertain from the
/ village constable and other lesser au-
! thorities, / find. that Buddhism is
rather the Federated church over here
and is accepted at par by the state
1t is estimated that there are many
very good ideas in this form.
I The Shintoism was the first form
of worship in these environs and it's
, name indicates "Way Of the gods" or
the divine way" haven't had much
time to study up on this angle of
Japanese life and spirits but as near
as | can ascertain there are many
good points in both There seems to
be a desire evinced in both varieties
to get away from lot of the rough
neck stuff that prevails quite consid-
cradle among our cowpunchers and
others in the states.
| hardly think it is worth while to
go into this matter further, since the
Shotguns, or, as they are called here,
Shoguns-it was immaterial whether
they showed or shot, it was all the
same in those days-the Shoguns run
the works for many years and have
quite several places where their me-
mories were buried and punk incense
kept burning for them. Really fell
Ter would have to be awfully dead be-
fore he could appreciate this smell.
Punk originated in this country, so |
understand, and our boys use punk
sticks to light firecrackers during our
Fourth of July accidents.
From Yokohama we ventured over
to Tokyo, which is the Washington, d.
c. of all Japan. This capital city
claims population Of only two and
half million people, but from what |
saw there, | am inclined to believe
somebody lied about it and was trying
to cheat the assessor. There were
many more children than that in the
streets aside from quite number Of
parents that were probably doing
housework
Tokyo has wonderfully fine rail
road station, one that would do credit
to any American city. Our trains were
all marked in English and often car
ried sign IS. s. Belgenland Cruise
Party" The stations along the way
have the names in Japanese, and
English underneath. In the stations
there are English worded signs to
help English-speaking people find
their way around.
The city of Tokyo started out to
flourish as an industrial center along
about 1908, so it's no country village.
The emperor, the emporess and a
batch of princelings all live here and
have very nice homes with very spa
cious grounds surrounding said cot
tages.
We went out to see the emperor at
his home while there, but it was Sat-
urday afternoon and his folks were
busy cleaning house or taking bath
or something, and the gates on this
side of the moat were closed, with
several soldiers standing around with
guns, consequently we didn't insist on
jumping the gate.
The emperors belong to quite an ex-
elusive set over here. They seem to
dislike back-fence gossip, consequent
ly hey had rivers built around the
place and flanked with very large
robust stone walls. Like our Ameri-
can politicians and statesmen, they
felt that while they were with and Of
Evening star., 1925-07-30

Colored Wolfe and Broadcloth
Dresses, in various styles and
colorS. Sizes Z to 10 years.
Evening star., 1925-07-30

Women's $1.5O Chiffon
Silk Stockings, CSC
Onyx" and other we'll known makes of Silk Hosiery
representing various odd lots from regular stock reduced
quick clearance Sheer chiffon silk stockings, made with
mock backonger than the usual boot length. Some
with red line prevent garter Good Of
street shades. Every pair perfect.
Evening star., 1925-07-30

Mercerized Lisle Hose, with
three-seam back; white, black and
assorted shades. Perfect quality.
Goldenberg's-First Floor.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1925-12-28
PERSHINC TO
RETURN Home
General in Chile as En-
voy for Coolidge is
Reported Ill
IN Thc Associated Press.l }

WASHINGTON, y. O., Dec. 2S.-Be-
cause Of failing health, General John
j. Pershing is expected to return here
within the next month from africa,
Chile, where he is representing Prcsi-
dent Colidge in the Chilean Peruvian
arbitration over Tacna-Arica.
His physician has recommended that
he begin the homeward trip not later
than January Is, and he may depart
from africa before that date if proper
arrangements can be made.
Details II the generals illness are
not known here. but reports reaching
Washington have somewhat alarmed
his friends in the capitol There has
been marked increase in blood pres
sure, in addition to complications re-
sulting from infected teeth. lie is in
his siXty-Sixth year,
Although Washington officials de-
clined to make any announcement re
garding General Pershing's return to
the United States there was evidence
that his departure from South America
would in no sense be a diplomatic re-
treat from an international situation
which has become embarrassing.
Steps will be taken to continue so
far as possible the work he has been
doing as head of the Tacna-Arica pie
biscitary commission.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1925-12-28

VISITING BAND YOUTHS
STAGE SNOWFALL FIGHT
X =. y.
IN BROWNSVILLE TODAY

One Of the few and probably the
only-snowball fight that ever took
place in Brownsville happened this
morning.
And it was carried on by youths
from section Of the state where
snow il found more often than IN
this part Of the world, where it has
been seen only few times.
The SNOWFALL fight happened at the
corner Of Twelfth and Levec streets.
1t was fought with 4 combination Of
hard snowflakes and small flakes
or sleet which had collected along the
cutters beside. the street.
Several members Of the Austin high
school band. who were all huddled in
the Travellers hotel preparing 70 leave
for points up the Valley, bravcd the
chill north wind, and scooped up
handsful Of the snow and slcet. This
was pressed into snowballs, and the
battle started
One member Of the band, wearing
derby hat, and accompanied by
young lady companion, was assailed
vigorously. He warded off the snow
balls with the derby, and the rcsound-
ing thud Of the snowballs on the HAT
told Of the effectiveness Of his shield.
The SNOWFALL fight was Of short
duration, az the supply Of snow and
sleet was limited to few hands
full
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1925-12-28
SHERIFF Will
MAKE ARRESTS
Failure To Have 1926
Plates BY January
z to Bring Fine

Sheriff Sam Robertson today issued
orders to all deputies to arrest all per
sons operating motor vehicles on or
after January without 1926 license
plates
This order will be strictly enforced
and everyone is advised to purchase
1926 license plates and put them on au
tomobiles to save additional fines and
costs for failure to have the 1926 plates
by January 3" Sheriff Robertson said
The deputies are to take stations
along the highway on the morning of
January 2 and every car that passes
without a 1926 license will stop, and a
complaint made against the driver, who
will be taken to the nearest justice Of
the peace.
Persons coming in the direction OF
the court house at Brownsville, and
who have certificates from a state light
Inspector showing that their lights
have been approved within the required
30 days time, and who make a state
mcnt that they are coming to the court
house to secure their 1926 licenses will
not be detained, the sheriff ordered.
To date only 2100 motor vehicles out
Of the approximately 5000 in the county
have been supplied with 1926 plates. il
was reported from the office of the re-
cording clerk