The Dispatch. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1891-04-18

room and Hunt for sHeetmeats-They
Surround Traveller and Beseech Him
to Provide Them biscuit
As was leaving Kioto on my first expedi-
ton to the venerable and romantic city OF
Nara, one of the most ancient capitals of the
japanese empire, 1 received a singular cau-
ton from my merry friend Oshikoji, .
honorable Kuge's son.
Expect strange visitors" he cried. "Pre-
pare TO meet the most wonderful acquaint-
ances you have ever encountered in Gll your
travels"
But | had seen so many rare and marvel
Gus things in Japan that the admonition was
forgotten before my journey was fairly be-
gun. Arriving at Nara on a bright summer
aftsrnoon, l found comfortable quarters in
The upper story, of the largest inn that the
nlaco contained After responding to the
landlords salutations and accepting tho
wishes of his household for my health and
happiness, proceeded to make change of
dress and otherwise put myself in order for q
stroll through the beautiful temple grover
for which the region is famous.
While thus engaged was disturbed by 8
loud Gathering on the floor below, presently
followed by the sound Of heavy footsteps
Laundering up the rough staircase which led
10 my apartment Somebody was making
an extremely noisy and clumsy attempt TO
tntrude upon Fay privacy. There was no
door to Gloss, for, in many rustic Japan
sss habitations, the rooms of the second story
were reached through hole cut in the floor,
20 which no covering was provided The
way UaE open, and if any persou choss to
force himself upon me it would be difficult t.
prevent him, except by using strong meas
ures Of discussion.
STRANGE VISITOR
Tbs extraordinary noise grew louder and
waited for an explanation with no little curl
csity. IIn8gins my amaZement when a pair
Of spreading antlcrE rose through the sper-
lure, followed by the delicstS and graceful
bead of Q Young deer The warning given in
Kioto came suddenly to my remembrance.
Truly more astonishing visitor TO ones bed
room could not be- conceived of. Struggling
awkwArdly TO his Feet, the pretty animal adj
vanced with friendly confidence and gazod
into my face with what ! took 10 bs look Of
gentle Interrogation.
Having. however, no suspicion as to the
purpose OF his coming, L stared blankly In RS
turn, until, with tosx OF his horns and
sniff Of disappointment, be moved to the In
spection Of my baggage, which lay loosely
scattered upon the mating. For several
minutes he made himself free with my ward
robe, pushing various objects about with HE
nose, and apparently searching for something
to his taste, but the investigation proved
fruitless, and fixing his big eyes reproachfuliy
upon me, he stalked gravely to the staircase
and descended backward with comcal de-
liberation, feeling his way with a security
that betokened q practiced samiliarity with
the interior structure of human dwellings
On setting forth to explore the neighbor-
hood a little later, was abundantly, not to
say oppressively, supplied with the extraor
binary compsnionship Of which | had been
forevarned. Streets, gardens ard parks were
thronged with deer Of all sizes and ages
Wherever tho eye could reach they might be
counted by thousands. They seemed to con-
ttitute the real population Of the city, and
they certainly displayed far greater activity
and interest in life than their human co-resi-
dents.
THEIR FAvoRITE REFRESHMENTS.
Several Of them st once approached me
with the same o11ious LOOK OF inquiry that
nv unBidden est at the inn had worn.
Again failed to comprehend, until group
CT stays surrounded me and signified by IN
ruistakable action that | was required to &C
company them TO a certain corner, at VIII
q peddler of sweet cakes was stationed
was impossible to resist their pressing invl.,.
ton, although there was nothing violent in
their demonstrations They closed around
ne and waited patiently while purchased e
supply Of their favorite refreshment, and FED
them one after another by hand. At various
points OF the temple grounds | was compelled
= repeat this operation, and l soon learned
mat the sale Of crisp biscuit for the consump-
ton Of the deer was one Of tho established In
dustries Of that country
For more than one thousand years these
beautiful creatures have fearlessly enjoyed
the freedom OF Nara In obedience to the
legendary decree Of tender hearted en-
press of ollen tIneS This lady, moved to
compassion by the pleintive cries of hind
whose mate had b~en destroyed by the hunt
ers, signified her command that In all ages
To come no deer should be wAntonly slain
within the envircns OF the imperial court
To this day the tradition is respected, and no
mans hand is lifted against these harmless
inhabitants of the woods. They dwell in
little lodges provide by tho priests, who are
Lnelf 1uSnoIiISd SutA uIfAhs anu pEoOSCSoISS
and they pass their lives in familiar assocfa-
ton with the citizsns, whom they outnurnber
TEA TO one. Ali doors are open to them, and
toe idea that danger can result from this
intimate fellowship with the race Of bipeds
rover dnrkens their innocent thoughts, Their
privileged existence is ono Of the happieEt
Illustrations OF the natural simplicity and
humanity Of the Japanese people.-E q.
Eouss in New York World