The National tribune., 1891-08-27
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE WASHINGTON D. o. THURSDAY AUGUST a. 1891

with delightful perfumes from thousand
flowers and the diaphanous light through the
japonicas and oleanders greeting his senses, he
slept
After long time he avoke with a start, and
conceived that he had been left to repOse, but
full Of anxiety for Tita. be arose and hastened
toward the home Of her nurse.
He had scarcely passed a dozen gay bazars
when, hearing hue aud cry, he turned 20 find
himself closely followed by Iu Nina and his
retinue Of turbulent servants Upon approach
ing him they one and al denounced him as q
thief.
Utterly astounded, Oscema was seized by the
crowd, and Lu, advancing took from the folds
Of his robe the bejeweled pipe at the same time
calling on his miuions to witness where he had
found it.
oscema. in spite Of his struggles, was bound
from shoulder 10 elbow with stout cords and,
followed by his Prosecutors was brought before
the stern Magistrate Atoma, who committed
him forthwith. on Lu's testimony. 10 prison.
80 great cOmmotiOn In quiet Nagaslki could
not fail 10 reach the ears Of Tita's father.
Quickly seeing the chance Of realizing his
hopes in favor Of Lu Nina, he lost no time in
conveying the news 10 his daughter, who, in
stead of believing IL, with tiny clasped hands
and black locks beshorn Of flowers and golden
pins, bcwailcd the fate of her lover.
The alternative had been offered O5cema of
tho executioner's sword or the committal Of
hari-kari, which last, although costing him his
life, would remove all stain OF crime from tho
family name and honor. In agony he saw the
sharp blade OF the execut.Oner raised 10 scvcr
his head, and his distorted feature as the head.
all bloody, fell into the pit flled with water.
Now he saw himself with every nerve strung
20 its utmost, clasp the shining knife and, with
one fearful cash. disemb0wel himself before the
4. 4
these fearful pictures and see the soft almond
eyes Of his Tita gazing longingIy into his own.
and, in utter despair. he would throw himself
on the cold floor Of his dungeon.
The Summer months had passed away, and
the honest and peaceful japanese were prepar-
ing for their great Autumnal Feast. which is
probably one Of the most beautiful known in
ths East. On tho evenings Of three successive
says, rs the soft twilight comes, the green hills
of Nagasaki aud other towns become all aglow
with myriad lights.
Skirting the shore and ascending In circles
the nights, in dotted clusters and in crescent
and ever-changing shapes the brightly hucd
lanterns are hung upon trees and bushes over
and around the burial places of each family 5
departed relatives and friends.
There in the cool air. old and young In hOli-
day attire. assemble, and provided with deli
cately- prepared food daiutily- brOied rice cakes
the rarest sa.li aud cordials, rcgale themselves
TO their hearts content. The finest singers and
most proficient players attend.
Thus the hours are passed away in friendly
communion with the spirits Of the departed
An enjoy tho distribution Of the evening meal
aud add their voices 70 the pIaintive melody
or to the recital OF the virtues OF lost relative
friend OF lover.
In the placid waters of the harbOr the scene
is reflected. The many-cOlorcd lanterns and
lamps, half concealed ia tho rich foliage
twinkle like stars in a mirror, and into the late
hours Of the night innocent mirth holds sway.
Tinkling bells and laughing voices sound mer-
rily over the water. aud tho tired sailor leans
over the side Of his vessel TO drink in the
beauty Of the scene.
Near the breaking Of day on the third night
of the festival each family party gathers to-
sethcr the fruit, the wine, the lamps, and Ian
terms aud descend the hills. Reaching the
waterside, where they have provided them
selves with boats made of straw. light and fair
Of shape, large or small, rs may beft the wealth
Of their owner they place the prepared feast
and the lights therein.
And now, with fearful adieus and loving ex-
clamations. they part with the friendly spirits
Of the dead, and pushing the light craft from
the shore watch the gracsful forms undulating
upon the gentle waves. Soon the bay is alight
with hundreds Of these vessels, and they course
about with the cddying current until, as tho
faint streaks Of dawn rsIden the sky, they are
borne of to sea.
IL was upon this occasion that the fertile brain
of Tita aud her maid Oni conceived a plan
for the Liberation Of Osccma from his prison.
The confinement Of Oseema had removed the
restrictions upon Tita's liberty, and she tro1
the temple walks or stroiled around her garden
ia sadness.
An uncle Of Oscemas lived in far HlgadGdi.
With him tho youth had passed his childhood,
aud could a release and lght 20 that northern
part DO effected q feasible mode OF disguise
nj ght aid in his eventual escape.
The jai!0r Of O5cema was a lover Of Oni and
although the latter had never received his
affection with favor, she now resolved TO as
sumo love sho could not feel. Japanese Just
ice is exceedingly severe, yet even in extreme
cases tho great good nature of the people will
allow them 10 grant iayOrs that seem cxtraordi-
nary 10 as
Oni was to persuade tho authorities TO permit
feast, 20 visit the graves Of his departed fore
fathers, and 10 effect this she was grat 10 see
her would-be lover. and express a strong desire
that he accompany her on that occasion.
Upon tho jaiior's departure, Tta, in con-
DiyaDco with O5cema's crew, was to see that
they undermined the prison from the water
side. Then they Tero 70 convey Osccma 10
her family's cOnm0dious festival-bOat, which
with this view she had had built in its lower
structure Of strong wood. The boat adrift,
tie crow were 10 watch il until il flOated or to
sea, and, following in is wake, rescue O5cema.
At last the closing evening Of the feast was
at hand. Iita had succeeded in her arrange