Connecticut western news., 1883-04-25
VOL. XII.


 brow was puckered into network of frowns, and his hand stretched out to his sword-an act at table which is only tolerated under the most exceptional circumstances. When Bizen had so far collected himself as to be able to speak, he roared: "What does the scamp mean by intruding upon my privacy with his beggarly petitions? Who let him in at the gate ?' "What is it? asked his wife incautiously. The Prince turned on her like wild animal. ''What is it, madam?' p he hissed. "Why, it's letter from an imposter who declares that have ruined him by forfeiting his tenure last summer; he says he is starving, and has the un-heard-of insolence to ask me for the loan of a hundred riyos P ''You can afford to let him have them, can you not ?" meekly asked his wife, "so Twill go and give them to him." The Prince raised his hand and struck the unhappy woman to the ground.
 Inari could stay no longer Outside, where covered the beggar, he assumed the guise of retainer. "Where do you live ?' he asked the poor man. "At Kawasaki, your noble Honor,'' replied the man, trembling with terror, "and I have walked here through the snow some fourteen miles to ask his Highness for little help, for I am very poor and miserable, and through no fault of my own.". "Are you honest?" asked Inari. e try to be, your Honor, answered the poor fellow. 'sI can easily find out, said the god, "so do not deceive me-" The beggar looked at him. Inari placed his hand in the poor mans sleeve and disappeared. The beggar, bewildered, looked round, then felt in his sleeve, and pulled out notes to the value of five hundred riyos. Then he fell on his knees and cried: cit is the worshipful Inari himsefl!' and went his way re- joicing.
 The next day the Prince of Bizen was murdered and his palace burned to the ground by a mob of discontented tenants.
 The next journey of Inari was to a hall of justice. eff I don't find honesty here," he said, 1T don't know where to look for it. 9
 The days business began, and Inari took the form of pen in the hand of one of the clerks. "Call the first case." said the Judge, a big, heavy fellow, with a face which betokened constant ac- quaintance with the good things of this life. The first criminal was introduced; he was carried in, for he had laid five days in 8 noisome cell with weights upon his back and legs, and could not move. "You are accused of robbery" said the Judge. "Nay, your Honor" whispered the poor wretch, "I was starving. I saw rice cake on a shop shelf, and I could not resist the tempta- tion to seize it." Doesn't matter. It's robbery" said the Judge. "Peoples property must be protected. Fifty stripes with the bamboo, months hard labor upon rice and water, and think yourself lucky to get off with your head! Next case."
 A dissolute-looking young fellow, fash ionably dressed, swaggered in between two jailers. "Sorry to see you here, Mr Hanaski," said the judge, blandly. ''Same as before, I Isuppose?" "WeD, sir, :" replied the young man, with an air of careless effrontery, cit was at the Three Pine Trees;' suppose had been drinking bit; the wench was impudent, and I cut her down. suppose couple of hundred riyos for the family will settle it?" "Oh, as it was justifable, 9 said the Judge, we'll call it 8 hundred. Good morning. The young man paid the money and left the court
 Inari shuddered, "Here," thought he, s'is & poor wretch who is convicted of having stolen a cake worth half tempo to appease the cravings of his hunger, and is condemned to be crippled for life; and a young blackguard who kills a woman gets off with an easy fine '" On the spot he struck the Judge with a dropsy from W hich he never recovered; and the young murderer was waylaid by I the friends of the girl and so maltreated | that he died of his wounds.
 Heart-sick and mortified, Inari said i: ''Now for Kawasaki. Possibly, but not probably, I shall find beneath the lowly peasants roof what have failed to dis cover in gilded palaces of the mighty , To Kawasaki he welt as pilgrim. He soon espied the beggar cutting wood outside poor but neat little hut hard by the ferry. Assuming an air of great wea- riness, the god addressed him "I am bound for the holy Oh, Yama, to do my midwinter penance beneath the cascade of Koyias. I am very poor, and cannot afford to go to one of the great tea, houses; perhaps you will let me rest here while and refresh myself in return for what few tempos I can give ,
 Ths peasant took Inari's arm gently and led him in. "Oh, Kiku!' he cried to his wife, ''here," quick, bring some warm water and something to eat and drink here is poor old pilgrim tired and hungry" A pleasant-looking ole woman approached at the summons ant saluted Inari. Then the warm water wax brought and she bathed the feet of the god, while her husband scraped together what little food and wine there was Ill thu house and set it before him. "I fee ashamed" said Inari, ''at trespassins the good nature of those who are as pool
 as myself" Do not mention it. sir,
 said the peasant. 'tWe have to work