The boy travellers in the Far East : adventures of two youths ... - Library

AN IMPOKTANT DISCOVERY. 93
is fast losing its national characteristics, through the eagei'ness of the
government to follow Western fashions. "What a pity ! I do hope I
shall be able to see one of those old-fashioned dresses, and won't mind
liow far I have to go for it.
"Now, mother, this letter is addressed to yon, but it is intended for
everybody ; and I know 3'on'll read it to everybody, and have it lianded
round, so that all can know where I am and what I have told you aljout
Japan. When I don't write to each one of you, I know you will under-
stand why it is,—because I am so busy, and trying to learn all I can. Give
my love to each and every one in tlie family, and tell Mary she knows
somebody outside of it that wants a share. Tell her I often think of the
morning we left, and how a handkerchief waved from the railway station
when we came away. And tell Mary, too, that I haven't yet opened her
list of things I am to get for her ; but I haven't forgotten it, and have it
all safe and right. There are lots of pretty things to buy here ; and if she
has made a full catalogue of Japanese cm-iosities, she has given me enough
to do for the present—and the presents.
mail.
" Good-night, dear mother, and look for another letter by the next
" Your loving son,
« Feaxk."
Fred finished his letter almost at the same moment that Frank affixed
the signature to his own. By the time they were through it was late in
the evening, and the hour for retiring to bed. Their sleeping-places wei'e
exactly such as they might have found in any American hotel, and they
longed for a view of a Japanese bed. Frank Avas inclined to ask Doctor
Bronson to describe one to them, but Fred thought it would be time
enough when they went into the interior of tlie country and saw one.
They were ujj early the next morning, but not as early as the Jap-
anese.
"I tell you what," said Fi-ank, "I have made a discovery."
" What is it ?"
"I have been thinking of something to introduce into the United
States, and make everybody get up early in the morning."
" Something Japanese V
"Yes. Something that interested us yesterday when we saw it."
" Well, we saw so many things that I couldn't begin to guess in half
an hour. Wliat was it?"
" It was a pillow."