Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-09-09
THE SHREWDONE

pire OF Japan lived family named
/ Toshi 1t consisted OF a father, moth
er 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.
l will soon find a way to get money"
One day Hoga received n 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.
When Hoga entered the water was
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 make
it back by exhibiting such a curios-
ity."
81 will not lend you a rim. " said the
unkind Hoga. Il wish to buy it for
myself"
Wadas heart leaped with Joy. but
he managed to retain a miserable ex-
preston OF countenance and cried
"Why should all good things come to
your l 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
one 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 filled it with
water set it on the block and then
smilingly told the crowd to watch It
boil. Moments passed but the watcr
remained cold as at first. The COM
pany began TO smile and exchange
glances and Hoga saw that he had
been deceived. Perfectly Infatuated
he rushed over to Wadas house to
kill him, but that young man was we'll
out of the way. and did not return
until he thought it prudent
Some time after this when Hoga's
anger had cooled another message
came. asking him 10 step over to his
brothers house for few moments.
This modest request he refused with
scorn. Soon the messenger returned,
bringing one small mikan (orange)
on locquered tray and handed it to
him. telling him that it was q sample
from the tree which Wada had re-
ceived that morning Hoga turned it
round and round and smelled 1t sus.
piciously. When at last he ventured
TO open it there in the very heart lay
a tiny gold yen. Burning with envy.
he rushed over to his brothers house.
There stood a pretty little mikan tree
in big red flower pot and Wada was
caressing the dark green leaves.
Barely answering his brothers polite
'Ohayo?' 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
itP" he burst out What will you
sell it for?"
ut is a gift of the gods replied
Wada Il could not sell IL at any
price"
Il think l see the gods making
such presents to you sneered the
other. Where did you get it?'
Il speak only tho truth. brother"
said Wada gently. This morning ut
dawn wien | went rs usual. 10 the
temple OF God Hachiman. | saw in
front OF the inner shrine this heaven
ly tree. On the pot which holds it
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 not 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
beat ng his breast.
''Alasi" he cried Il must lose my
heavenly gift-my golden tree. My
creditors have fallen upon me and
will not wait Help me now brother!
| Lend me a thousand yen until my
next crop when / can repay you twice
over"
Hoga could scarcely restrain his
delight
Miserable spendthriftr he answer
ed Il do not lend to such as you
but | will buy the tree for thousand