Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-11-11
The Three Brothers.

A woman IN Japan was left widow with
three small boys, aud no means ut subsls.
tence but Their labor. Tnese young lads, nut
having been brought up to this kind oil life,
ottalued wih much difficulty the necessaries
Ot existence, and deeply lanienied not being
able TO place their mother IN u happier con-
duiun.
Ii had been made public, not long previous,
that whoever could seiZe a ruober and bring
INN TO the magistrates should receive Il con.
siderable sum. liIe three brothers, whom
the poverty of their neither affected thous-
and times more than tbeH own, conceived,
unanimously, resolution as strange rs he
roic. They agreed that one OF them should
pass for rUbDer, and the other two should
carry him 10 the judge, aud inform agulnst
him.
They cast lots to know who should be the
victim Of tiinl love /; il fell upon the young
est, who suffered himself 10 be bound u,id
conducted a criminal. He ackuow lodged
that he had robbed. He was sent 10 prison,
and the brothers received the promised SUN
but before going home they found means OF
going INTO the prison, wishing, at least, to
say last adieu TO their unhappy brother.-
There, believing themselves 10 be seen by
no one, they threw themselves into the arms
oi The prisoner, aud by tears showed him the
excess of affection and sorrow with which
they were filled.
The magistrate, who by accident, was in
place from which he perceived them, was
surprised to see crimina receive such proofs
OF friendship Oh The part of those who had
delivered him 10 Juslce. lie gave orders
10 one of his men To follow The Two inform
ers, and watch them closely.
The domestic obeyed, and reported to his
master, that having entered alter them into
Their house, he stopped at the door OF the
chamber o. their mother, where he could
easily overhear Them. That on entering. the
first care OF the TWO lads had beersto give
their mother the money they had received as
the price of their informatIon; that this wo-
man, astonshed, had shown more dissatis-
faction than Joy al The sight of sum SO
large; thai she questioned them warmly OH
ilie maIlIer hy which they acquired ii, and
on the absence uf their brother; that they
were enabled 10 repy bui by weeping, but,
AT last, threatened with The :naletllciions OF a
muIler 50 dear, they had confessed all.
A IhIs irlghtiul recital, the unfortunate
woman. penetrated with gratitude and also
with terror, rushed out with the Intention
| Of gong To declare II all 10 the magistrate
but unable TO bear such agitation, had
fallen senseless luIo the arms OF her chill
dren.
Aier this relation, the judge went TO the
prison OF the third brother, and m,errogaIed
linn anew; bu The lac persisted 10 his tale,
and nothing could int:tlce him 10 recant.-
Then The Judge informed him that lie only
wished to know 10 what extent his final
love would carry him, aud declared thar lie
had been informed Of all the details of his
history.
The Judge finally went TO make his report
of this adventure 10 hs soverei IN, aud HE
prince, struck with an action 80 heroic, wish
ed TO see the three brothers and the mnrhe:
of the loving children. lie loaded Them
with presents, and marks ol distinction, as
signed 10 the youngest Il pension OF fifteen
hundred crowns, and five hundred TO each
OF the others.