Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-05
AJAPANEsE ROMANCE.
Tho Remarkable story OF sho sam H.
rats Long-Lost Daughter.
ITokio Letter IN the London TimeSl
- a L.. nnno a mad SIIf

TTokio Letter IN the London TimeSl
A few days ago Japanese named Suda
Tomojiro. advanced in years, went for
days outing to see the cherry blossoms
at Gion, accompanied by his daughter
Kuni. a charming girl of eighteen or
nineteen. After long stroll, spent IN
admiring the beautiful flowers, they sat
down to rest beneath fine cherry tree
outside Of the temple gates, where ouda
was not sorry to refresh himself from
the sake bottle which japanese generally
take With them on such OCCASIONS. Hard
by and similarly occupied Was another
japanese, about forty-hve years old, ac-
companied by lad Just out OF his teens.
AS soon as this stranger cast his eyes
on Suda his features underwent an ex-
traordinarY change. After scrutinzing
for a space of some minutes be inquired
in en- excited tone whether his name was
not Suda Tomojiro. The latter, assent
ing. asked him with some surprise
what his business might be. To this the
stranger replied, 81 am younger
brother Of Meyada Hironda, formerly a
samurai of Hikone, whom you, his fel-
low clansman, slew. To avengo my dead
brother have for long years sought you
far and near, but always without sue
cess until this susplcious day which has
brought MS together, Do you remember
that affair 2" cit indeed WAS !,
answered Suda, "who slew your brother,
bat l slew him justly, because ne Oh
iered me insult-a proyocatlon which no
samurai could brook. II you seek re-
venge think not that !, a samurai OF the
old time, shall evade you we viii cross
swords as becomes men of our birth.
Take revenge on me II you can; | am
ready at any time.
The two samurai then arranged to meet
in combat that very night at ReiZan, and
were about to solcmnize their agreement
with libation Of sake when the agony
of Kuni. hitherto suppressed, broke
forth. Bursting into tears and seizing
her parents hand, she conjured him not
to pledge himself to this terrible duel,
and besought him at least to reflect on
what would become Of her were she 10
lose the father whom she 50 loved and TO
whom she owed 20 much. At this appeal
the stranger, 10y name Kakujiro, was
greatly moved and hung down his head.
{" 1t was some thirteen years ago" he at
length said, "that business brought me
to this city. together with my wife and
our little daughter, who was then SIX
wears old. We went to worship at the
Kitano shrine, and lost our child in the
crowd nor, in spite Of the utmost ef-
forts, were we ever able to find her again.
My wife soon afterwards died, broken
hearted, at this sad calamity. Were our
child living now she would DO grown as
this your daughter.
During Kakuiiro's recital Suda's face
displayed unusual interest. At its close
he drew near TO the narrator and said !:
You have told me you lost your daugh-
ter at katino when she was six years
old. Now this little maid, it so happens,
is not my real daughter, but lost child
found by my wife near the kitano shrine
about the very time Of which you speak.
Never having been blessed with eny
children, W adopted her as our own
daughter But it seems not at all I'M
possible that she is the very child whom
you lost" 81 have heard my wife say,
replied Kakuiiro, "that our daughter
wore at the time a bag containing three
charms by which she could be easily
identified. Almost before no had finish
ed speaking Kuni produced from her
bosom a little bag, out of which she
eagerly drew three charms, asking
whether they corresponded with those Of
the lost child.
Kakujiro at once recognized them
and, in the Joy of this great discovery,
the duel was forgotten and the little
party went happily away to celebrate tho
joyful discovery OF the long-lost daugh-
ter and to VOW ties of future relationship
between the two men who but a few
minutes before had resolved on mortal