A JINRIKISHA JOURNEY. 189

He heard a noise on the other side of the paper-walls.
~ “Tt sounds like a man snoring,’ he said. “I wonder if I
can’t take a peep! Let me see; I just take hold of this thing, shove
a little, and slide it—back!”

Te his gratification the paper screen moved back, and allowed him
a chance to thrust in his inquisitive head. He saw the snorer stretched
out for the night in Japanese fashion, and near him was a_paper-
shaded lamp, its mild lustre falling over the room. At one side of
‘the room, the partition was decorated with a picture of Fujisan,
storks and vines.

While Rick was enjoying this view, he surprised himself and others

by yelling in pain; “Ow-w-w!”

The next moment he was seen rushing back into his room, holding
on to a badly nipped nose. He had thrust his sharp little nose just
far enough forward to be caught between the paper partition and its
neighbor, if any hand might force them together, and that hand had
been furnished by Uncle Nat’s coming mto the room, and noticing at
one end of the partition that it was not in place; he failed to look

~ at the other end and see who was there; and Rick had the benefit of
Uncle Nat’s ignorance.

“Poor fellow!” said Uncle Nat; “1 won’t do it again.”

«“ And I’m sure I don’t want you to,” blubbered Rick.