The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-09-03
|WADA THE SHREWDONE.

WADA THE SHREWD ONE.
Many years ago in the beautiful en-
pire OF japan. lived family named
T0shi 1t consisted OF father moth
or and two sons named Hoga and
Wada. who were as different as boys
we'll could be. Hoga being selfish and
cruel while Wada was bright witty
and generous
When they were just reaching man
hood the cross old father died. leaving
house and lands to Hoga giving Wada
only tiny cottage near his brothers
fine estate. The mother as is the
custom OF Japan was compelled to
obey her eldest son and make her
home with him. although she longed
to be with Wada- Hoga did not
allow her to see her youngest son
often but when they did meet he would
cheer her up with his witty and
shrewd remarks.
Never mind. okkasan (mother)."
he would say. 1t is better TO be
poor and witty than rich and stupid.
will soon find way to get money"
One day Hoga received message
begging him to come to his brothers
house at once. as there was very
marvellous thing for sale there. Wada
was watching for him and, as soon as
he saw him entering the gate, ran
into the kitchen. picked up kettle
from the fire and set it on block of
wood in the middle of the parlor.
|
still Kissing and steaming. Wada
| pointed to it and said: Here is the
most wonderful kettle in the whole
world. 1t needs no charcoal no wood.
| no fire. simply place it on this cedar
block and it will boil"
Where did you get itp' growled
Hoga beginning at once TO covet such
an economical utensiL
IAN old man brought it this morn
| ing" said the younger and offered
| TO sell it for 500 yen. but / have no
money. Can you not lend me this
amount brothers could soon mako
it back by exhibiting such curios-
ity."
~ 81 will not lend you rim, said the
unkind Hoga- Il wish to buy it for
myself"
Wada's heart leaped with Joy. but
he managed to retain miserable ex-
preston of countenance and cried:
'Why should all good things come to
yoS should become rich with this
prize and now you take it from me. :"
After many such complaints he
handed his brother the kettle took
the money and soon after started on
long pleasure trip. Hoga returned
home, carrying his precious kettle in
zone hand and the block OF cedar in
the other. He called in all the neigh
bors to behold his new purchase.
With much ceremony he filed it with
water set it on the block. and then
smilingly told the crowd to watch il
boil. Moments passed but the water
remained cold as at first The com
pany began TO smile and exchange
glances ana Hoga saw that he had
been deceived. Perfectly Infatuated.
he rushed over to Wada's house TO
kill him. but that young man was well
out OF the way and did not return
until he thought it prudent
Some time after this when Hogas
anger had cooled. another message
came asking him to step over TO his
brothers house for a few moments.
This modest request he refused with
scorn. Soon the messenger returned,
bringing one small mikan (orange)
on lacquered tray and handed it to
him. telling him that it was sample
from the tree which Wada had re-
ceived that morning. Hoga turned it
round and round and smelled it sus-
Bciously. When at last he ventured
to open it. there in the very heart lay
tiny gold yen. Burning with envy,
he rushed over to his brothers house.
There stood pretty little mikan tree
in big red fower-pot and Wada was
caressing the dark green leaves.
Barely answering his brothers polite
.OhayoW GOOD morning) Hoga
grasped for the tree. tearing off sew
eral OF the pretty golden balls at once.
Yes in each lurked that golden spot
that tiny yen. Where did you get
FTP" he burst out What will you
sell it forp"
1T is a gift OF the gods replied
Wada II could not sell j. at any
price"
Il think l see the gods making
such presents TO you sneered the
other. Where did you get itP"
Il speak only the truth brother
said Wada gently. This morning at
dawn when l went as usual 10 the
temple OF God Hachiman. ] saw in
front OF the inner shrine this heaven
ly tree. On the pot which holds il
was painted: To my faithful SER
want Wada Toshi' There you can
read for yourself!'
Sure enough in bright golden let
ters were the words, and the paint
was rot yet dry. Hoga returned
home his heart swelling with envy
jealousy and greed.
That night he could not sleep.
Next day. as he sat in his garden try
ing to think OF some way to get the
tree away from his brother Wada
entered the gate. His face was pale.
his clothes all awry and he looked al
most like crazy person. When he
saw Hoga he commenced weeping and