THREE more days the little party remained in Tokio. Then, tired out,
happy, and loaded down with purchases, they returned to their home.
There they found the long-looked-for letter from the soldier. It had
come during their absence.
He had not written sooner because the soldiers had been forbidden to
write to their families during a certain period of operations. He hoped
that his letter would reach them in time to make their Christmas and New
Year season happy. His letter ran:
“As I write, I am a happy man, despite the many things of which
I am deprived. First, I am a servant in a glorious cause. Who
could choose a nobler way to die? It is with cheerfulness that
we soldiers bear the enforced hardships. Indeed, we scarcely
feel them, so buoyed up are we by our cause. But I have still
another reason for happiness at this time. I am with my boy Gozo
at last, and if the fates but permit, we shall never separate
again. I have told him about you all, and his letter to you will
reach you with my own. The experiences he has been through since
leaving his father’s home have made a man of him. And it is with
a man’s deep understanding that he asks your pardon. But he
speaks for himself.
“I cannot send you gifts this year, my children and my wife, but
my prayers and blessings are for you always. Tell Billy I cannot
send him the Russian buttons for which he asks. I think he would
understand if he were here. Let him imagine the kind of man who
would cut away a trifling souvenir from the body of a dead
enemy. Tell the boys also that I do not doubt their zeal to
serve Japan, but that it is not likely we shall need their
services. Their French friend had better revise his thoughts.
“I read many times the letters from my little girls. Tell Plum
Blossom so well have I kissed the spot she indicated in her
letter that there is a little hole there now. Tell my little
Yankee girl, too, that not only have I lent her Bible to Gozo,
but it is the common property of the little band of Christians
in our regiment. There are fifteen of us in all. It will give
Marion pleasure to know that her gift to me passes from hand to
hand, and fifteen loyal soldiers of Ten-shi-sama unconsciously
bless her each day they read.
“Take care of my house for me, my children, and my wife.
Encourage my boys in thoughts of patriotism. Remember that
always I think of you, and that is happiness enough.”
The letter from Gozo was brief, but his step-mother read it greedily. It
was written in the English language.
“ESTEEMED MADAME, AND MOTHER-BY-LAW,—I know not to express
myself good in your language. How I can find words begging your
pardon? Put my rudeness to you down to my ignorance. I am more
old to-day and through my honored father’s words I am now
acquainted with your respected character. I shall never have
pleasure to look upon your honorable face, for I have given my
insignificant life to my Emperor, yet I write begging for your
affection.
“Also I humbly asking that you will continue to show kindness to
my little brothers and sisters, whom though they be unworthy, I
am very sick to see. Sometimes I think all night long of that
little Juji brother. Pray excuse each foolish emotion. I beg
remain,
“Your filial step-son forever,
“KURUKAWA GOZO.”
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