Idaho semi-weekly world., 1892-03-08
4 TALE OF OLD JAPAN.

In the first half OF t1ie seventeenth CEN
,,rr Kots,lke-no-Suke was the lord Of
Cana. a rich agricultural district con.
,o;n;np 1856 villages. Kotsuke-no-Suke
ras a hard, grasping landlord. who op-
rressed his peasants by heavy taxes until
,hey were reduced to the last extremity
of poverty. Year after year the wretched
farmers petitioped their lord. through
,be village MAYORS, to have their burdens
I;ghtened. but without avail. Being q
member of the shogun's cabinet. Kot-
s,ke.no-Suke spent the greater part Of
/ Tho year In Yeddo, where he maintained
anriyafe palace and host Of retainers
His extravaganza gave rise to much com
ment in the capital, but few of the
naughty mobiles who frequented his en-
tertainments knew by what means the
lord Of Soma procured the vast sums OF
money necessary to support such lavish
magnificence.
In the fall of the year 1913 the farmers
dwelling on the estate of Kotsuke-no-
Suke assembled together to devise meas
ures for their relief. That year the taxes
had been htsI .':ln 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
one of the villages and himself farmer.
had been throughout all their vicissitudes
the stanch friend of the down trodden
peasants. He now advised them to draw
up petition to the shogun's cabinet and
then to select committee to go up to
Yeddo and present it to that body
When the evil doings of their lord were
known to his fellow councillors their up
braidings and his own wounded pride
might shame him into mercy. Sogorc's s
plan was adopted. and lie 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:
a am going to ieddo. and it may be
that | shall never return. for it is hard
to say how shall be treated by those in
power. am willing, however. to give
my life for the good of our suffering fell
low tenants Let US therefore drink "a
cupof 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 luxury was bought with
the life blood of their famishing friends
Soma In few days they had an
opportunity of presenting their petition
to Lord kuza, member of the cabinet.
and they all felt elated that the great
nobeman had condescended to listen to
their grievances and to accept their me-
mortal
The action of Kotsuke-no-Suke's ten
ants created no little stir in Yeddo, and
many observations upon that uobleman
and his style of living were made, that
could scarcely be called complimentary.
but 1t does not do for people living in
glass bouses to throw stones. All the
members OF the shogun's cabinet had al
one time or another been guilty of op
pressing their own peasants, and i. would
e extremely awkward for them now tc
slt IN Judgment upon Kotsuke-no-Suke.
80 1t was decided to return the petition
70 the complainants. Accordingly So
soro received summons to appear al
the residence of Lord Kuze. There ht
was met by two councillors, who handet
nim the Ill starred memorial, saying:
A short time ago you had the audac
ny 70 thrust this petition into the hand
oi Lord kuze. By his extraordinary
slemency he forgives your offense. but
Oeware that you do not again presum,
upon his lordship's forbearance. for il
Will 1t fare with you"
dis lordship's censure is just" hum
oiy responded Sogoro But, oh, m,
"ras' this action of ours is not hast,
OF Ill considered. Year after year hav
we suffered untold hardships. until nov
we and our friends are without evel
"e hecessaries of life. Therefore hav
epresented this petition. pray you
oius' consider our vouchsafe L
aelp Us that we may live. Our gratitud
"!oa Shall know no bounds"
;, iour request is just one," replic'
ue councillors, when they had heard ii,
words of SoSoro, "but your memoria
~anhot be received"
pisheartened beyond measure Sogor
sought out his companions and acquaint
them with the result of their efforts
q q was gloomy evening which til
Sala men spent together, discussin
WI. s.'.l fearful voices the desperate extrem
~ 20 which the failure of their plan
.ufeduced themselves and their friends
Atiast Sogoro said:
ihere is still one thing left for us t
W. we can appeal to our lords master
snosun. l know it is q capital oi
Se Tor commouer to approach hi
majesty, yet, for the sake of my suffel
us brethren, shall sacrifice myse
-a' ,helr wrongs may be made know
suu happily righted. On the morrow
"efefore, do you all, except six mel
,e'afh to Soma and tell our poor frient
nave stout hearts, for there is yet hoI
.oosoro had from the first been reco
a'.eu as the leading spirit of the ente
se' and his companions now ma'
;~. as.e 10 follow out his suggestions. II
intrepid farmer and his six associat
az, up a new memorial setting for
s u grievance in q plain, straightfc
manner and earnestly appealh