and
kept on in Boston, San Francisco, and here. It always was my boast
that I had the most complete kit in the world, and in spite of
Charley's jeers at my lack of preparedness everybody here voted it the
greatest ever seen. For the last ten days all the Jap saddlers, tent
makers and tinsmiths have been copying it.

DICK.

TOKIO--May 2, 1904.

DEAR MOTHER:

Today, we walked into our new house and tomorrow we will settle down
there. We rented the furniture for the two unfurnished rooms; knives,
forks, spoons, china for the table and extras for 35 dollars gold for
two months. It took six men to bring the things in carts. They got
nothing. Yesterday, I took two rickshaw men from half past twelve to
half past five. Out of that time they ran and pushed me for two solid
hours. Their price for the five hours was eighty cents gold. What you
would pay a cabman to drive you from the Waldorf to Martin's. I wish
you could see our menage. Such beautiful persons in grey silk kimonos
who bow, and bow and slip and slide in spotless torn white stockings
with one big toe. They make you ashamed of yourself for walking on
your own carpet in your own shoes. Today we got the first news of the
battle on the Yalu, the battle of April 26-30th. I suppose Palmer and
Bass saw it; and I try to be glad I did what was right by Collier's
instead of for myself. But I don't want to love another paper. I
suppose there will be other fights but that one was the first, and it
must have been wonderful. On the 4th we expect to be on our way to
Kioto with Lloyd and his wife and John Fox. By that time we expect to
be settled in the new house.

DICK.

TOKIO, May 22nd, 1904.

DEAR MOTHER:

You will be glad to hear that the correspondents at the front are not
allowed within two and a half miles of the firing line. This I am sure
you will approve. Their tales of woe have just been received here, and
they certainly are having a hard time. The one thing they all hope for
is that the Japs will order them home. My temper is vile to-day, as I
cannot enjoy the gentle pleasures of this town any longer and with this
long trip to Port Arthur before I can turn towards home. I am as cross
as a sick bear. We were at Yokohama when your last letters came and
they were a great pleasure. I got splendid news of The Dictator.
Yesterday we all went to Yokohama. There are four wild American boys
here just out of Harvard who started the cry of