Bellefonte, Pa., Sept. 16, 1904.
EA SRS EST ts,
EE EeeeeT————————
JAPANESE WAR POETRY.
The war song that, according to Colonel
Edwin Emerson in Pearson’s, is most often
sung by the Japanese soldiers on the march
and in the camp is the following spirited
ballad by the popular poet Tensui :
The tempest blows—the tempest blows !
The Devil's misty, poisonous breath
Heralds the coming of your foes,
Heralds a fight for life or death.
Though light be hidden from the sky,
We fear not for our land ;
We hear our country’s rallying cry,
On! Comrades! Hand in hand!
Clouds scurry fast, clouds scurry fast !
Hark to that scream, take heed, take heed
The hungry eagle comes at last ;
See, he swoops eastward in his greed.
But armed as we are for the right,
Our homes, our native land,
Quick ! Let us stop the eagle’s flight!
On Comrades ! Hand in nand!
THE HEART OF CHERRY-BLOS-
SOM.
“‘Cherry-blossom’’ stood in the little gar-
den behind her father’s house and ponder-
ed, weaving in her mind a design for the
ornamentation of her wedding kimono.
That morning her mother had shown her
the satin so soft and fine, a delight in its
folds of ivory tints, and told her it was her
father’s desire to prepare for her marriage,
which would take place as soon asa hus-
band befitting the illustrious house of Mat-
asuga should be found.
Cherry-Blossom was not unprepared for
this announcement. Indeed, her whole ed-
ucation was centered upon her marriage,
and this pay had been looked for ever since
her last birthday, and coming bad found
her expectant, though perhaps not quite so
acquiescent as a little Japanese maid should
be. Of this. however, she was not wholly
conscious as her training had left no room
for even a thought of rebellion; she only
knew that she was glad it was not required
of her to marry the first suitor who appear-
ed if she did not like him. So she stood
beside the little rivulet that trickled lazily
over a mound in the middle of the tiny en-
closure and waited the coming of her moth-
er that she might have help with her em-
broidery. Cherry-Blossom had finished her
own work and the rooms were sweet and
fresh with the air and sunshine of morning.
She had opened the paper windows and
pushed aside the screens that the air might
reach the quilts upon which the family
slept and which she afterward folded and
put away. Her own bowl and chop-sticks
were shining with cleanliness and still her
mother lingered within the house. )
She, Suma, and Seizo Matasuga, her hus-
band were sitting upon the padded floor
discussing some of the details of the wed-
ding of Cherry-Blossom. The day was fine,
and the late summer’s breeze came into the
house stirring the fragrance of rice and soup
steaming on a brazier near Suma, in a way
most gratifying to the hungry lord of the
dwelling. The house had but three walls;
the fourth side open and looking upon the
street allowed the appetizing odors of the
coming meal to escape and torment chance
_ passers-by,
Tie Matasuga was saying, ‘‘Cherry-
Blossora must have a husband, a young man
of high family and much yen; and Mori
Satsuma shall assist me in seleosing him.”
The mother of Cherry-Blossom shivered a
little and drew nearer the brazier though
the day was warm. She was about to speak,
but the wisdom of her married life came
bidding her be still yet a while; a remind-
er that a husband with an empty stomach
was not'in the best condition to listen to
an appeal. Therefore she waited until the
rice was cooked and each grain stood white
and solitarily aloof from 1ts neighbors; un-
til the soup was of the right color with its
piece of seaweed dropped in at the lass, and
all were on the little table before Matasu-
ga. She added afterward some oonserved
fruits and a bit of pickled fish and some
tea, then took up her position near, to
hand ber husband whatever his wants de-
manded. But not until he had nearly fin-
ished the meal did she put to him the ques- |
tion which lay so close to her heart, and
whioh, if rightfully managed, wonld have
much to do with the happiness of Cherry-
Blossom. She was cautious, tneugh she
did not doubt her husband would listen
and perhaps take heed even if hangry, for
he was indulgent to his little wife and
daughter, loving them and believing a cer-
tain amount of liberty goed. Of late years
he had been much with the men and wom-
en of England who made Japan their home
and while his Japanese soul could not ap-
prove of the equality which placed wives
on the same scale as their husbands in those
countries, he found tbat a little loosening
of the restriotions binding the women of the
household made them happier and did no
barm, Still Suma knew that their were
certain of the old customs not to be infring-
ed upon and felt a little natural terror of
the subject she was about to bring up.
Many years she bad lived under the bar-
densome yoke of her mother-in-law and not
until Cherry-Blossom was about twelve
years old did Buddba see fit to call the
tyrannical woman to her rest, and only
then did Suma taste of happiness and a life
of tranquility.
And now that little Cherry-Blossom was
to be married, the mother’s heart flew to
‘the woman who would have so much to do
with the happiness of the child.
When then Matasuga had finished his
rice and soup, sampled the sweetmeats and
began sipping his tea, Suma gathered up
her courage and spoke.
“Our little Cherry-Blossom is very dear
to us, is she not, O my husband ?’’
‘‘Yes, but why ask that which we both
know, Suma ? ;
‘‘Because Seizo Matasuga, I was think-
ing of the time when she shall go to her
husband. I think no husband could be
unkind to her, for she is a sweet, obedient
child and none could know her and not be
kind——’’ Here Suma broke off to note
the effect of her speech in its beginning.
Seizo Matasuga looked thoughtfully at
his wife and waited for her to go on. As
she hesitated a little, his mind weat back
to the day when Cherry-Blossom was born,
and his disappointment upon being told
that he was the father of a girl; a son was
80 much more to be desired. And he had
considered Cherry- Blossom of so little im-
portance then that for years he had called
her One as many of his friends merely num-
bered their girls; and never had given them
a real name. But as the years went on and
no child came, he began to love the little
girl as she trogted around in her funny lit-
tle kimonos made exactly like her mother’s
and developed in the snnshine as the blos-
soms on the:cherry trees had bloomed when
she was born. : It was then that she came
to 'be called Chérry-Blossom. *
In the later days when Seizo Matasuga
became a man of wealth and begin to join
in the social life of his city, and met men
of the Caucasian race, he saw how they re-
garded their wives and daughters, and like
many another of mankind, he looked upon
his growing love [for Suma and Cherry-
Blossom for right and good, for he argued
that these other men of superior knowledge
whose happiness centered in their families
must know. True, it was against all the
traditions of his country to make much 0
women; but his nature was progressive.
Here his mind ceased to wander in the
past, for Suma was talking and he listened
attentively to what she had to say. »
“My husband, will you not ask Mori
Matsuma to do his best for our little Cher-
ry Blossom when he is looking for a hus-
band for her? Beseech that he will find
one with a mother who will be good to our
child.” Suma spoke in soft tones and look-
ed with pleading eyes at her husband and
he, Seizo Matasuga, replied:
‘Mori Sateuma and I will be wise and
do well by Cherry-Blossom. Nevertheless I
think well of what you say and will drop a
word of it to him.” And with that Suma
was satisfied. She had done all she could
and hoped good would come of it.
Then she went out and found Cherry-
Blossom waiting in the garden and togeth-
er they sat down to work butterflies and
lotus flowers in threads of gold and silver
| upon a background of ivory white. And
Suma imparted much wisdom to the little
maid, concerning the way to manage one’s
husband at the same time yielding him ap-
parent submission; and of how life could
be made endurable with a mother-in-law
whose wishes must be respected.
11
Mori Satsuma was Seizo Matasuga’s old-
est friend. He was a man of wealth and
large acquaintance. Moreover, he was held
in high esteem by all who knew him and
Matasuga felt that he was competent to
help in the selection of a husband for Cher-
ry-Blossom. On the evening then of the
day on which Cherry-Blossom had been
told of her approaching marriage, when the
sun with its slanting rays threw quaint
shadows of house and temple into the
street’ Matasnga and Suma paid a visit to
the house of Mori Satsuma. To Suma this.
was an occasion to be enjoyed to the utter-
most. Not often did she go into the world
with her husband as a person of any impor-
tance, but to-day her presence was recog-
nized as a right, and she sat at the side of
Matasuga happy and content. The man
who drew their little two-wheeled carriage
was strong and swift, and his blue clothes
were clean. Suma was sheltered by the
declining rays of the sun by her parasol,
the streets were gay with throngs of people
and the ride became a gala affair to the lis-
tle wife.
The house of Mori Satsuma was of good-
ly proportions, and three sides must be
open to admit the breezes on warm days.
When Seizo Matasuga and Suma arrived
the screen had been put up to the west to
keep out the sun and a brazier lighted
within warding off ‘the chill of evening
which threatened to steal in upon the mas-
ter of the house and his wife who sat tak-
ing their tea in fall view of the street.
Mori Satsuma was clever with his tongue
and his language and welcomed his friend
in long and difficult phrases through which
filtered many terms honoring Seizo Matas-
uga. They seated themselves around the
brazier tJ drink tea together and chat of
many things, and it was long before the
important subject was opened. But at last
the proper time had come, and Matasuga
launched himself on a sea of eloquence in
whioh the point became storm-tossed as a
cockle shell in the winds of mid-ocean, and
quitea balf hour went by before hie words
drew to a oonclusion. He expressed his
perfect faith in his friend’s ability and in-
tegrity, and put to him the request that he
lend his aid in selecting from the many
sons of their honorable and mutual friends
a husband for the daughter of the house of
Matasuga. He did not forget to add with
all the delicacy of which he was master,
that the young man should be of a family
well endowed with the goods of Mammon
and remembering the petition of his little
wife, sitting a mute but eager listener to
the speech of her lord, he gently touched
upon the qualities desirable in the mother-
in-law of Cherry-Blossom.
Mori Satsuma was greatly pleased and
promised his aid most cheerfully. He had
no children of his own, but as far as it was
possible to feel affection for a girl ehild—he
reflected—he loved Cherry-Blossom.
Among the friends of Mori Satsuma and
also of Seizo Matasuga was Taika Yensi,
whose son Oto Yensi was a fine young man
and in every way desirable as a husband
for Cherry-Blossom,and when this had been
decided upon, an arrangement was made
for the meeting of the three families when
‘Oto Yensi and Cherry-Blossom should have
a chance to make a formal acquaintance.
Mori Satsuma who knew both of the par-
ents of Oto Yensi assured the anxious
mother of Cherry-Blossom that her daugh-
ter would have a moss amiable mother-in-
law. Bas Cherry-Blossom who was not far
away when this information was imparted
to Suma, had no very great faith in the
judgment of Mori Satsuma or that subject,
for he was only a man and could not possi-
bly have lived as a daughter-in-law with
Oto Yensi’s mother. Therefore, could he
know how it would be to make her kimo-
nos? If she was fas, there would be many
stitches to take and it was not pleasant to
sew. And her thoughts ran on building
up discomfort for herself until she remem-
bered she would sce Oto Yersi’s mother
and if she did not like her she would not be
married into the family of Yeusi.
When Cherry-Blossom had thus far re-
fiected, she suddenly forgot Oto Yensi and
her family and went to the screen set up
on the porch to keep ont the wind, where
she could see into the street without being
seen. Here she waited to catch a glimpse
of the hig foreign man who passed that way
every day.
“0Oh,”’ thought she as she came into view
at the end of the street, ‘but he is a big
strong man and his skin is like rice paper,
and his hair crinkles up like seaweed.’
Such bair she had never before seen in all
her life and that day when the foreigner
had gone by with his hat off to cool his
head she had become fascinated with his
tight, light brown curls,
On a day not long after this, Horacs
Wainwright, journalist, American citizen,
and a man in whom nature had implanted
the finer and nobler instincts of thoughts
and feeling, passed through the street on
which stood the house of Matasuga. It was
so much like the other houses near that he
had not noticed it, though he passed that
way to and from the office every day. To-
day he was wondering how much longer he
would bave to be in this land of draughty
houses and wretched food. Hehad grown
used to sleeping on the floor with only a
ded quilt or two for bedding, but the
ood ! Rice, fish and tea, had the Japan-
ese cook placed before him in superabun-
dance loathsome, and four years of a diet
of other dishes strange as unpalatable, had
left him weary for the cookery of home.
He was not impressed with the progressive-
ness of the Japanese. = ’
It was toward evening and his shadow
stretched long before him, exaggerating his
height grotesquely. The summer had been
a succession of hot middays and cool even-
ings, a humidity spreading its influence
over all until vegetation ran riot. Fower-
| ing plants, trees and shrubs luxuriated all
summer long, aud the air became heavy
with sweetness. The heights had been a
glory of color with azaleas, the lowlands
of | carpeted with iris and lily of the val-
| and now the lotus flower poured out its
delicious perfume. Wainwright sighed as
he thought of the beauty beyond the city
and determined to take a little holiday
next week and spend the long hours of one
whole day in the lanes and avenues of the
country. Just here, however, something
happened to bring his mind back to the
present. A slight crash and a startled
scream from the soft voice of a woman
broke up his reverie, and he looked about
bim to discover a little Japanese maid ly-
ing across a screen which being defective
had slipped from its groove in a porch near-
by. Wainwright with inborn quickness of
thought aud a desire to help the weak-
stepped hastily forward to lift from its
awkward position the small form of Cher-
ry-Blossom. Alas, she had been drawn to
her place behind the treacherous rcreen
once again, to look if possible upon the
wonderful hair and beautiful face of the
foreigner. But in her fancied security she
leaned too hard against the partition and
was precipitated to the porch. Wainwright
lifted her to her feet, noting the exquisite
delicacy of figure and face of the little
creature, and asked gently in excellent
Japanese if she were hurt. She was too
filled with fright and confusion over the ac-
cident, and aghast at this great man find-
ing her in her humiliation, to answer him.
She marveled, too, that he bad stopped to
pick her up. What one of her own coun-
trymen would have considered the happen-
ing of enough importance to attract his at-
tention ! But she thought, praised be
Buddba, that there was no one in the house
to see. Before the little altar in her fath-
er’s house, that night she would say extra
prayers. From a slightly dazed condition
she roused herself to find the man before
her, his hat off, and waiting her answer.
His heart throbbed most painfully, as he
looked at the sweet grace and dainty
beauty of tne little maid scarcely more than
child, and almost cried aloud to her in its
loneliness.
Cherry-Blossam could not help stealing a
glance at the hair that resembled seaweed ;
then she remembered that she had not giv-
en this stranger the respect she had been
taught to show all men. Hastily, for she
was a little slow in thinking of it,she bow-
ed low before him and paid him honor in
wonderfal terms of praise, and answering
his question assured him she was in no wise
burt. The sweet quivering tone gave the
man a feeling of hatred toward the custom
which demanded that this pure and lovely
child shonld humble herself before him,
and be put out his hand to Cherry-Blos-
som, begging her not to bow to him and
telling her tbat in his country beyond the
sea, man always bowed to woman. She
looked at him in frightened wonder, not
comprehending how this could be, for the
creed she had been taught had heen wom-
an’s inferiority to man. Then in a sudden
fear that she might be found talking to him
she fled within the house and Wainwright
saw her disappear into the garden beyond.
With a sigh when she was lost to his
sight he pushed the soreen into ite place
and wens gloomily up the street to his own
comfortless little home.
IIL :
Time flew swiftly. The day on which
Cherry-Blossom was to see the family of
Oto Yensi dawned, flushing opalescent
with pink and blue and specks of downy
clond. Cherry-Blossom was ready early,
in kimono of delicate crepe overspread with
the wings of brilliant bued butterflies, and
coiffure elaborately ornate with pins of
gold and enamel. Even the parasol which
she carried had been selected with care that
it might harmonize with her dress. And
before the day was many hours old, a line
of the quaint carriages of Japan made its
way toward the edge of the city where a
listle farther on a spot had been selected
for the meeting of the party.
The hours passed pleasantly enough, and
in their bappy enjoyment of the day as it
ed into late afternoon, all were un-
conscious that fate was taking a hand in
‘the game and leading toward them one
destined to change the plans of Matasuga
and Satsuma.
Horace Wainwright bad been far into
the country that day and was coming back
weary with many miles of bicycle riding
over roads but indifferently good, bus
bappy in his communion with nature. Up
she last hill he pushed his wheel, stopping
to ress now and then in the shade of the
cedars lining the rcad, and just as Cherry-
Blossom in her fina] chat with Oto Yensi
was deciding that bis bair was too streight
and black, his skin too yellow and his
eyes too dark so that he would never do for
a husband, Wainwright appeared over the
top of the hill and settled in her mind at
sight any ligering doubt which might bave
dwelt there. In a panic remembering their
last meeting Cherry-Blossom dropped her
fan as Wainwright drew near, but remem-
bering the necessity for calmness under the
watchful eyes that surrounded her, she
having for the first time in her life a secret
$0 conceal, the little maid, with a dissimu-
lation scarcely to be expected in one who
had led so secluded a life, stooped for her
fan without a sign of recognition—except
one.
Wainright as he came upon the party,
saw at a glance its purpose, and his heart
sank ae be saw his little friend of a few
days earlier and only he read aright the
little flush which rose in her face as he
passed. And somehow as he mounted his
wheel and rode to his temporary home all
the day’s brightness turned to gloom as’ he
thought of the little maid; bis mood be-
coming a trifle savage as he sat lonely and
forlorn in his own house. :
“‘She’ll marry that Jap in his woman's
petticoats, I'll bet,’ he said to himself as
he looked gloomily into the bowl of his
pipe. Then he threw the pipe away
augrily, thinking of the narrow lives of
the little women he had seen around in
Japan.
The next day and the next, he went a
round-abont way to his office. But by the
afternoon of the third day he could stand
it no longer so he walked home the old
way and to his joy as he neared the house
of Matasuga he saw the father and mother
of Cherry-Blossom preparing to leave it.
They were about to makea visit to Mori
Satsuma to tell him that Cherry-Blossom
would not marry Oto Yensi.
Quickly a plan formed in Wainwright's
mind, and he walked slowly until Mata-
suga and his wife were out of sight and
bearing. Then he went to the house and
knocked gently npon the screen which was
in its old position.
“Are you there, little maid ?’’ hesaid
softly; and then he waited until the an-
swer came in faint tones.
‘ ‘Yes. n
“Tell me quickly, for I must net stop,
are you going to marry the young man
with whom I saw you on the hill the other
day ?’
This time the answer was louder and
quite distinct.
‘Ne,’ wos
Wainwright's heart jumped ecstatically
and he softly patted his side of the screen.
The joy ran wild in his voice when he
spoke again.
‘‘What has Mori Satsuma todo with
your marriage ?’’ he said.
This time the voice was a little longer
in answering from the other side of the
partition, but it came at last gasping and
faint with excitement.
‘‘He is helping my father find me a hus-
band.”
‘“‘Well,’”” said Wainwright boldly, ‘I
shall offer myself as a suitable busband,
for I feel convinced you could not have a
better one.”” And smiling mischievously
and happily, be marched off without wais-
ing to find oat the effect of his words on
the little person with whom he had just
been talking.
That night be did not sleep for excite-
ment until he had walked to the edge of
the city where he could see far across the
plaine to the mountains rising dimly, cap-
ped with snow which faintly gleamed in
the moonlight flooding the landscape.
Calmed by the silence and beanty of the
night, he went home to sleep quietly.
The next day to the sarprise of Mori
Satsuma his American friend, Horace
Wainwright, called upon him announcing
in his best Japanese, that he wished to
marry the daughter of Seizo Matasuga if
she was not to marry the man with whom
be had seen her talking a few days before.
Wainwright did not think it necessary to
tell Satsuma shat he had had it from the
maid herself that she was free in this direc-
tion, and he allowed Satsuma to believe
that he had seen Cherry-Blossom for the
first and only time the day when they all
met in the country.
At first Satsuma hesitated and then re-
fused to suggest an American as a son-in-
law to his friend Matasuga ; but when
Wainwright grew eloquent and enumerated
the many advantages in having an Ameri-
can in the family, finally, too. convincing
Satsuma that he was possessed of more yen
than any of the young Japanese could rea-
sonably be expected to have, Satsuma’s de-
fense weakened and then he yielded.
His nrguments with Matasuga were suc-
cessful; and before long the families of
Matasuga and Satsuma gathered together
again, this time with Wainwright as one
of the party, and as he and Cherry-Blossom
met under the maiden hair trees in the
temple court they gave no sign that it wae
other than their first meeting.
To the little maid it was all very beanti-
ful and she was very happy that this won-
derful man wanted her for his wife, for
she had loved him since the day he bad
Lifted her from the porch of her father’s
ouse.
his wife came from their home in America
for a visit to Japan, they brought with
them Wainwright's mother and when
Suma saw how Cherry-Blossom loved her
mother-in-law she was satisfied. —By F.
M. Austin, in the Pilgrim.
Japanese Trains.
A Rallway Ride Not Very Inviting,
The railway traveler in Japan buys a
firss, second or third class ticket, or, if he
wishes to go cheaper still, he can get a
ticket entitling bim simply to stand on
the platform, says Harold Boice, in the
Booklovers Magazine, Many of the cars
can be entered either from the side or the
end. The principal difference between the
first and second class coaches is the color of
the upholstery. None of the cars is very
clean. Many of the third class coaches
could serve, without much alteration, as
ordinary pigsties. This is all the more re-
markable when the incomparable cleanli-
ness of the Japanese home life, even of the
bumblest, is taken into consideration. An
explanation of shis may be that the Japa-
nese have little regard for the cleanliness
of any place where they keep their shoes
or clogs on.
The European room, for example, which
has been established in a few Japanese
homes, is the only apartment in the whole
house that is not kept scrupulously swept,
dusted, oiled and burnished. So, too, with
the Japanese inns. Those that are main-
tained in native style are sweet and clean ;
those that bave become Europeanized are
usually littered with cigarette stumps,
fruit peelings and cores and other debris.
An American Pullman, with its crowded
and unavoidable intimacies, is a decent
and polite hermitage compared with a
packed coach in Japan. All sorts of un-
expected things happen. Daring ablutions
are performed and complete change of
raiment is frequently effected, the con-
stantly recurring tunnels serving to screen
the astonishing character of these pro-
grammes.
The floor of third class coaches is an un-
swept riot of the flotsam and jetsam that
usually follows in the wake of certain
kinds of human craft the world over. A
Bowery picnic crowd, abandoned to pea-
nuts, popcorn and bananas, never marked
a more conspicuous trail than a lot of Japa-
nese peasants en route. Only, with the
Japanese, it is all a very solemn affair.
Travel seems to afford fitting opportunity
to discard all kinds of personal wreckage.
All forms of abandoned odds and ends of
things begin to identify the itinerary from
the very start. Of course, the foreign
sraveler who wades through shis car-strewn
waste does so to gain experience. It is
not a pursuit of happiness.
The Japanese Baby's Dress.
The clothing of Japanese babies is simple
in the extreme. It consists of several gar-
ments, flannel or cotton or silk, as the sea-
son demands. These garments, as many
of them as are needed to keep the little
one warm, are placed one inside of another
until they are as one garment. They are
then laid straight on the floor and the baby
is put into them, a broad sash is tied
about the whole and the dressing is com-
pleted. :
The garments are made like the ‘‘kimo-
no’! of the grown-ups. Very smail chil-
dren are clothed like our own in garments
long enough to cover their feet. The
sleeves, unlike our own, are long enough
to cover the hands of the child, and he is
thus prevented from scratching his face
and at the same time the little fingers are
kept warm and clean.
Still Awaiting Explanation.
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch,
Why we paid Spain $20,000,000 for what
we had won, why we had paid Panama an
unnecessary $10,000,000 and why we swat-
ted the Filipino and kissed the’ Cuban are
interesting ‘‘connndrums’’ for the spell-
binders.
Two years later when Wainwright and
Why the Japanese People Look for
Victory.—Petreo Chuzaburo Daito,
President of Japanese Soclety
~ in Philadelphia.
I voice the belief of the rank and file of
the Japanese people—the masses of the peo-
ple—when I say thes feel absolutely con-
fident that Japan will emerge from this war
with untarnished honor, undimmed glory
and undiminished prestige. Perhaps the
most impressive feature of the Japanese-
Russian war is the sublime faith and con-
fidence which the average Japanese man has
in the ultimate triumph of his country.
This feeling, on the part of those who
may be termed the plain people, is being
happily illustrated atv the present time. It
is a well-known fact that all Japanese prop-
er names carry with them a special mean-
ing.
It is especially trne of those personal
names, which are given to signify the wish
of the parents for ‘‘good luck.”’ It is very
interesting to notice, through the naming
of the babies, how much the Japanese peo-
ple are absorbed in the war.
Within the last few weeks I have receiv-
ed letters from two friends in Japan, in-
forming me tbat they have named their
babies for the purpose of giving good luck
to the fatherland.
ALL DEPENDS ON RAILWAY.
The vital point to be considered is not eo
much the numbers of the contending arm-
ies as the availability of the soldiers on
each side; and this brings us down to the
meat of the discussion, which is the famous
Trans-Siberian railroad.
Those who favor Russia, and who predict
victory for her arms, aver that the Siberian
railroad will be able to send and support
an army of 500,000 men in and about the
field of Manceuria. Those who are equally
well informed deny the possibility of any
such thing. They say that this single-track
raiiroad, of nearly 7,000 miles, is unable
to supply provisions sufficient for more than
200,000 men.
There is the key of the situation. If
those who deny the availability of the 1ail-
road are correct, Russia is already beat-
en.
Japan for many years has been carefully
studying the construction of the road. The
best men in Japan bave decided that it
will not answer the purpose.
It is an admitted fact that the Russian
soldiers are not in good condition, and this
is not surprising tome, During the occu-
pation of Pekin by the allied forces the
comparative figures of sickness and death
among the troops of the various nations
stood about like this : Russia, 9 per cent;
French, German and British, 5 per oent;
United States troops, 4 per cent; Japanese
troops, 2 per cent.
In other words, the Japanese soldiers
under adverse conditions, were the most
healthy soldiers.
It Russia is wise enough to see the band-
writing on the wall, she will appreciate the
impossibility of supporting her large army
for a period that may last for one, two or
three years, aud will offer to make terms
of peace before the coming of next win-
ter.
I do not believe Great Britain would con-
sent to act as a mediator alone. Neither is
it likely that France or Germany would,
care to place itself in that position.
What, therefore could be more natural
than for the United States to step into the
breach and make itself a world-powerful
instrument of peace? The people and the
government of this country are neutral, so
far as the war is concerned, and it would
be impossible to find a more disinterested
Power to arbitrate the differences between
the two nations. FET ; )
If the United States were willing to take
the initiative, Germany France and Great
Britain would gladly join hands with her.
It must not be understood by this that 1
believe that Japan would care to arbitrate.
I think that the Mikado and his advisers
have planned a long campaign and are will-
ing to carry it to the bitter end.—North
American.
Schools in China and Japan.
When a little Chinese hoy is six years
old be is sent to school. This isa very
important event and often a fortune teller
is consulted, that a lucky day may be
chosen. When the selected day arrives at
last the boy has his head clean shaven and
his pigtail nicely plaited. Then, wearing
pertectly new clothes and carrying in his
wide sleeves his book, slate and favorite
toys, he walks gravely beside his father
until the school is reached. Arrived there,
‘he marches up to the stern looking man
who sits before a large desk.
This is the teacher, and every new pupil
offers him a present. Next the little
stranger burns some incense before a tab-
let bearing the name of Confucius.
After this be is ready to take his seat,
and he is given one of the small desks
with a high stool! behind is.
desk are a little camel’s hair brush, a cake
of India ink, an ink stone and a small jar
of water. When he learns to write it will
not be with a pen, but with the camel’s
hair brush, which be will dip in bis ink
after it has been wet in the water and rub-
bed off on the stone. Nor will he learn
an alphabat as we do, bus there are about
two hundred root words, or sounds, which
he must get into his poor little shaved
head, and after all that comes memorizing
the classic writings of Confucius and other
authors. His studying and reading are
done in the noisiest possille way. He will
shout his lesson at the top of his voice, and
as each of his companions will do the same
it is small wonder that a stranger paseing
a school in China thinks bedlam is let loose.
The little Japanese also reads in this
fashion, and like his Chinese cousin he be-
gins at the right hand column instead of
the left, at the bottom instead of the top
and at the last page of a book instead of
the first. All of which would puzzle a lit-
tle American sadly.
His writing is also done with brush and
India ink. He copies the characters which
bis teacher traces oun the blackboard, going
over them many times, until they are well
fixed in his memory.
Where Wives are Cheap.
In Tartary no father will surrender bis
daughter unless he gets a goodly quantity
of butter in return, and in certain parts of
India nogirl can marry until her father
bas been pacified by a present of rice and a
few rupees,
Twenty oxen is the regular price for a
wife among the Mishimis, but a poor man
has more than once succeeded in obtaining
a bride on payment of one pig.
At Unyoro any desirable but impe-
cunions suitor may purchase his wife on
credit, but will not be allowed to enjoy
her company until he bas paid the utmost
farthing.
— The Japanese soldier receives 45
cents a month. The Mikado should be
well enough pleased with recent develop-
ments to make it an even: hall-dollar.
— Washington Post.
Upon this |
W. C. T. U. Convention.
The twentieth annual convention of the
Women’s Christian Temperance Union of
Centrecounty, convened in Petrikin hall,
Bellefonte, Sept. 5th, 6th and 7th.
On the afternoon of the 5th the executive
committee met and transacted business.
In the evening a large andience gathered
to listen to the renowned anthor of the Sci-
entific Temperance Instruction laws in our
public schoo!s, Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, of
Boston.
Mrs. Hunt is a lady of attractive appear-
ance and noble character and we are fortu-
nate in having the opportunity of listening
to one so able to instruct. Through her un-
tiring efforts during which stroggle she
mortgaged all her possessions to help carry
the work forward and co-operating with
state and local unions these laws have been
passed in every one of the United States
and more than 22,000,000 children of school
age are under their influence.
A grand work has been started. It re-
mains for us to see that these laws be
enforced. The lecture was a rare treat
to all who were so favored as fo hear it.
Tuesday morning’s session was full of
instruction and well attended. An excel-
lent paper oun ‘‘Domestic Science and Man-
ual Training in Public Schools’ was read
by Miss Mary Owens. Mrs. Hunt was
present to make helpful suggestions and
encouraging words. Her address to the
teachers who came in a body was fall of
tenderness and instruction, impressing up-
on them their responsibilities. We wish
that all teachers in our county could have
heard it. Miss Sara Waite read a paper
on “Seiennlic Temperance Instruction in
the Public Sehools’’ after which an excell-
ent luncheon was served by the Bellefonte
ladies to all the delegates and visitors.
Tuesday alternoon’s session was taken up
with reports from the different superintend-
ents. Much stress was put upon the work
of the ‘‘Flower Mission,’”’ Mrs. Gainford
speaking at length npon the subject. Mrs.
M. S. Latshaw, of Howard, read a paper
entitled ‘‘ Wanted, Young Women in the
Temperance Reform,’’ which was forcible
and contained an earnest plea to young
ladies. The subject, How to Get Them
Interested, was discussed at length. Rev.
Lathrope, of Milesburg, brought words of
greeting and good cheer to the convention.
Mrs. Hewitt, of California, brought greet-
ing from there, and spoke at length upon
how they secured prohibition in their home
county. Other testimonies were given
along the line of working against license
and our valued president, Mrs. A. M.
Clees, said that she would stand against
license in the face of a cannon.
Tuesday evening was taken up with a
silver medal oratorical contest. Excellent
music was furnished by the orchestra. The
following five young ladies participated :
Misses Mabel Wagner, Lorene Jones, and
Ivah Meyers, of Milesburg, and Misses
Azalia Hawkins and Bertha Taylor, of
Philipsburg. The selections were all good
and the contestants each deserve credit.
The judges awarded the medal to Mies
Hawkins and the second prize, a fine large
book, to Miss Wagner. Each of the others
received a small book.
Wednesday morning’s session was devot-
ed to hearing reports from committees and
to the election of officers. This resulted by
informal ballot in the re-election of presi-
dent Mrs. A. M. Clees, of Philipsburg;
vice-president, Mrs. T. L. Eddy, of Miles-
burg; vice-president at large, Mre. J. P.
Harris, Bellefonte; corresponding secretary,
Mrs. M. B. Cross, Philipsburg; recording
secretary, Miss Nannie Fisher, Unionville:
treasurer, Miss Hawkins, Philipsburg.
The tender sympathies of the convention
were extended to our ex-treasurer, Mrs. D.
D. Mitchell, in her prolonged illness. Mrs.
Mitchell has faithfully filled this office for
a number of years past. Superintendents
of departments of work were continued as
before with the addition of Mrs. Mattern
as superintendent of loyal legion and Mrs.
Harry Keller legislative work.
The report of the committee on resola-
tions was adopted by the convention and is
in part as follows : :
Ist. Resolved That we endorse any effort
to be made to secure the passage of a Local
Option law by the coming Legislature and
shall heartily co-operate to that end.
20d. Resolved That we call on all good
citizens of this State and county to vote
and work for the election of men to the
Legislature who stand for temperance and
good government and who will oppose any
attempt to remove any of the legal restric-
tions now placed on the liquor tariff.
3rd. Resolved That more attention be
paid by local unions of this county to the
use of scientific temperance instruction in
the public schools of their districts.
4th. Resolved That we use our: best en-
deavors to have our husbands and brothers
vote for mén, irrespective of party, who
stand for righteousness and sobriety, espec-
ially in our primary elections. And since
the granting of license for selling intoxicat-
ing drinks depends upon the decision of
our court judges we should use every effort
we oan to elect a judge for our county who
will bave respect for the wishes of the re-
ligious element of the voters.
Thanks were tendered those who contrib-
uted to the excellent music during the ses-
sions, the decorations, the reception and so
on. The delegates departed to their sep-
arate homes feeling that a grand and good
convention had been enjoyed. SEC
SoME MORE PLAIN TALK.—Mr. F. P.
Green Talks Because He Has Something To
Say. The grip usually leaves in its wake
a lingering, stubborn cough, which cough
syrap fails to relieve. It is in just such
cases that Mr. Green recommends Vin-Te-
Na, and the customer comes back, not to
‘ask for the return of his money, but to
thank Mr. Green for having called his at-
tention to the great tonic that sells on its
merit. Mr. Green sells Vin-Te-Na and
gives his personal guarantee with every
bottle. Get a bottle to-day.