Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-02-21
SAINT SOGORO.

True Tale of the Peasant Martyr
 of Soma, Japan.
 In the first half of the seventeenth century Kotsuke-no-Suke was the lord of Soma, Q rich agricultural district on- taining one hundred and thirty-six vil- lages. Kotsuke-no-Suke was hard, grasping landlord, who oppressed his peasants by heavy taxes until they were reduced to the last extremity of poverty. Year after year the WI tened farmers petiticned their lord, through the village mayors, to have their burdens frightened, but without avail. Being a member of tho Shogun's Cabinet Kot- suke-no-Suke spent the greater part of the year in Yeddo, where he main tained a private palace and host of retainers. His extravagance gave rise to much comment in the capital, but few of the naughty nobles who frequented his entertainments knew by what means the Lord of Soma procured the vast sums of money necessary to support such lav- ish magnifcence.
 In the fall of the year 1643 the farm CTS dwelling on the estate of Kotsuke- no-Suke assembled together to devise measures for their relief. That year the taxes had been heavier than ever before, and scores of families were threatened with starvation during the coming winter. Tho stoutest hearted among them were filled with despair at the apparent hopelessness of their situ- ation. Sogoro, the mayor of one of the xyi11annc onI h i,,, cn1f for ho6 hnnn throughout all their vicissitudes, the stanch friend of the downtrodden peas ants. He now advised them to draw up a petition to the Shogun's Cabinet, and then to select a committee to go up to Yeddo and present it to that body. When the evil doings of their Lord was known to his fellow-councilors their upbraidings and his own wounded pride might shame him into mercy. Sogoro's plan was adopted, and he was one of the number chosen to go 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:
 ''I am going to Yeddo, and it may be that 1 shall never return, for it is hard to say how shall be treated by those in power. 1 am willing, however, to give my life for the good of our suffer- ing fellow-tenants. Let us, therefore, drink 9 cup of wine together, for it may be that you shall see my face no more. If die, mourn not over my fate; weep not for me-"
 Sogoro and his companions went to Yeddo and there they soon learned of the riotous living of their spendthrift Lord, and they wept when they reflected that all his wanton luxu.y was bought with tho life-blood of their famishing friends at Soma. In few days they had an opportunity of presenting their petition to Lord Kuze, 8 member of the Cabinet, and they all felt elated that the great nobleman had condescended to listen to their grievances and to accept their memorial.
 The action of Kotsuke-no-Suke's ten ants created no little stir in Yeddo, and many observations upon that nobleman and his style of living were mado that could scarcely be called complimentary But it does not do for people living ir glass houses to throw stones. All the members of the Shogun's Cabinet had at one time or another been guilty o. | expressing their own peasants, and il | would be extremely awkward for then now to sit in judgment upon Kotsuke | no-Suke. So it was decided to return the petition to the complainants. Ac cordingly Sogoro received Q summons tt appear at the residence of Lord Kuze There he was met by two councillors who handed him tho ill-starred memo rial, saying:
 "A short time ago you had tho audaci ty to thrust this petition into the hand of Lord Kuze. By his extraordinar. clemency he forgives your offense, bu beware that you do not again presume upon his Lordship's forbearance, for il will it fare with you"
 His Lordship's censure is just, humbly responded Sogoro. But oh my Lords, this action of ours Is no hasty or ill-considered. Year after yea have we suffered untold hardships, unti now we and our friends are withou 1 even the necessaries of life. Therefor have we presented this petition. pra, you, Lords, consider our case, vouchsaf to help us that we may live. Our grati tude to you shall know no bounds"
 "Your request is just one," replie
 the councillors, when they had heard tn
 words of Sogoro, ''hut your memoria can not be received"
 Disheartened beyond measure, Sogor sought out his companions and ae quainted them with the result of thei efforts. It was a gloomy evening whic
 the Soma men spent together, discuss
 ing with fearful voices the desperat
 extremity to which the failure of thei
 plans had reduced themselves and the1
 friends. At last Sogoro said: