Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1890-05-30
A TALE OF OLD JAPAN.

In the first half Of the Seventeenth cen
tury Kotsuke-no-Suke was the lord Of
Coma, 4 rich agricultural district CON
tanning 1870 villages. Kotsuke-no-Suke
was q hard, grasping landlord, who OPP
pressed his peasants by heavy taxes until
fhoy were reduced 4 the last extremity
al poverty. Year after year the wretched
farmers pctitioned their lord, through
the village mayors, 70 have their burdens
ughtened. but without avail. Being o
member Of the shogun's cabinet. KQt-
suke-no-Suke spent the greater part OF
the year In Yeddo. where he maintained
a private palace and a host of retainers.
His extravaganza gave rise TO much pop-
nient in the capital. but few Of the
naughty mobiles who %freQuented Via en,
lsrtainments knew by what means the
lord OF Soma procured the vast sums Of
money necessary to support such lavish
mRgnificence.
In the fall af the year 1913 the farmers
dwelling on the estate of H0tsuke-no-
Suke assembled together 60 devise meas
nres for their relief. That year che taxca
had been heavier than ever before and
scores Of families were threatened with
starvation during the winter. The stout
est hearted among them were filled with
despair at the apparent hopelessness Of
their situation. Sogoro, the mayor Of
che OF the villages and himself q farmer,
had been throughout all their vicissit1ides
the stanch friend OF the down lrodden
peasants. He now advised them tn draw
up Il petition to the shogun's cabinet and
then TO select a committee 70 90 up to
Yeddo and present it to that body.
When the evil doings of their lord were
known to bis fellow councillors their up
braidings and his own wounded pride
might shame him into mercy. Sogoro's
plan was adopted. and he was one Of the
number chosen to 80 to Yeddo to present
the memorial TO the cabinet. Knowing
the dangers that attended his mission
Sogoro, on the eve of his departure.
called his family together and said:
Il am going to Yeddo, and it may be
that shall never return. for it Is hard
To say how shall he treated by those in
power l am willing, however. to give
AAl Nv ~ ~ hNHa VI IA NtiiANaAAiE AtA-
low tenants Lei - therefore drink q
cup Of wine together. for it may be that
you shall see my face no more If l die,
mourn not over my fate-weep not for
me-"
Sogoro and his companions went to
Yeddo. and there they oon learned OF
the riotous living of their spendthrift lord,
and they wept when they reflected that
all his wanton luxury was bought with
the life blood Of their furnishing friends
a. Soma. In a few days they had an
opportunity of presenting their petition
10 Lord Kuze. q mcmJer Of the cabinet,
and they all felt elatsd that tile great
nohleman had condescended To- listen to
their grievances and TO accept their me-
mortal.
The action Of kotsuke-no-Suze's ten
ants created no little stir in Yeddo, and
many observations upon that nobleman
and his style OF living were made that
could scarcely he called complimentary.
But il DOES not do for people living IN
glass houses 10 tlrow stones. All the
members Of the shoyun's cabinet had al
one time or another been guilty Of OPP
pressing tlieir ov peasants, and /. would
be extremely awkward for them now tc
sit in Judgment upon Kotsuke-no-Suke,
So Il was decided 70 return the petition
u the c~omplainants Accordingly So
goro received a summons to appear al
the residence of Lord Kuze. There hC
was met 10y two councillors, who handed
him the III starred memorial. saying;
"a short time aso you had the audac-
jty TO thrust this PETITION into the hand.
Of Lord Kuze. BY his extraordinary
clemency he forgiyes your ofense. but
beware that you do not again presume
upon his i~ordship's i%Orbearance, for III
will il fare with you"
''Iiis lordships censure is just hum.
bly, responded Sogoro. But, oh, my
lords! this action " ours is not hasty
or III considered. Year after year have
we suffered untold hardships. until now
We and our friends are without ever
the neccssarics Of life. Therefore have
we presented this petition. / pray you
lords. consider L case-vouchsafe q
help us that we may live. Our gratitude
20 you shall know no bounls.
your request Is a just one" replieC
the councillors. when they had heard tbs
words Of Sogoro. ''but your menioria
cannot le received
Disheaytaned beyond measure Sogor,
sought ont his companions and ~acquaint
81 them with tho result Of their efforts
u was a gloomy evening which thI
Soma men spent together. discussing
with fearful voices the desperate extrem
ity TO which the failure Of their plan
had reduced themselves and their friends
AZ last Sogoro said:
There is still d thing left for Us 4
do; We a appeal 70 u lords master
The Shotgun. / know Il is q capital Of
ienge fcS p commoner % approach BIZ