The Columbus journal., 1892-08-31


The south land warm and kind,
Pad Pioneer Press.
THE SHREWDONE.
Many years ago in the beautiful en-
pire of Japan. lived q family named
lToshi It consisted of 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 q tiny cottage near his brother Q
fine estate. Tho mothe. a 10 the
custom OF Japan. was compelled to
obey her eldest son and mako her
home with him. although she longed
TO bo with Wada Ho2a did not
allow her to SEQ her youngest son
often but when they did meet he would
cheer her up with his witty and
shrewd remarks
Never mind. okkasan (mother). I"
he would say. 1t is tetter to be
poor and witty than rich and stupid.
l will soon find Q way to get money. !"
One day Hoga received a message
begging him TO como to his brothers .
house At onca rs there was . very
marvellous thing for sale there Wada
was watching for him and. as soon as
he saw him entering the gate. ran
in:o the kitchen picked up kettle
from the fire and set 1t on q block OF
wood in the middle of the parfor.
When Hoga entered tho water was
still kissing and steaming. Wada
pointed TO it and said: Here is the
most wonderful kettle In the whole
world. II needs no charcoal NO wood
no Gre simply place it on this cedar
block and it will boil
.!Whero did you get it?' growled
IN economical utensiL
An Old man brought it this morn
ing" said the younger and offered
TO sell il for L0o yen. but l have no
money. Can you not lend me this
amount brothers ! could soon make
| it back by exhibiting such curios-
/ ity."
q will not lend you a rim. said tho
unkind Hoga i wish to buy it for
myself"
Wada's heart leaped with joy. but
he managed to retain a miserable ex-
preston OF cOuntenance and cried:
why should all good things como to
you? 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 a
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 filed it with
water Set it on the block. and then
smilingly told the crowd to watch 1t
boil. Moments passed but the water
remained cold as at first The COM
pany began to smile and exchange
glances and Hoga saw that he had
been deceived. Perfectly infuriated
he rushed over to Wadas house to
kill him. but that young man was well
out of the way and did not return
until he thought 1t prudent
Some time after this when Hoga's 8
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 aud handed it TO
him. telling him that it was Q sample
from tho tree which Wada had re-
ceived that morning. Hoga turned il
round and round and smelled it 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 q pretty little mikan tree
in a big red fiower-pot and Wada was
caressing the dark green leaves
Barely answering his brothers polite
.Ohayor' Good mornins) Hoga
grasped for the tree tearing of sev-
cral of the pretty golden balls at once
Yes in each lurked that golden spot
that tiny yen. Where did you get
it?" he burst out What will you
sell it for?"
1t is q gift of the gods replied
Wada Il could not sell i: at any
price"
Il think I see the gods making
such presents TO you sneered the
other. Where did you get it?'
Il speak only the truth. brother. ~
said Wada gently. This morning ai
dawn when l went as usual 10 the
temple OF God Hachiman. l saw. in
front OF the inner shrine this heaven
ly tree. On the pot which holds II
was painted: To my faithful ser.
want Wada Toshi' There you can
read for yourself"
Sure enough. in bright golden let
tiers 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.
ling to think Of some way to get the
ltree away from his brother WadA
Ientered the gate His face was pale
his clothes all awry and he looked al.
most like a crazy person. When he
saw Hoga he commenced weeping and
beating his breast
.Alas!" he cried. Il must lose my
Heavenly gift-my golden tree. My
creditors have allen upon mo and
;will not wait Help ME now. brother!
Lend ne thousand yen until ay
next crop when l can repay you .~ice
over"
Hoga could scarcely res.eain his
delight
Miserable spendthriftH' he answer
ed. Il do not lend 10 such 40 you
but will buy the tree for thousand
yen"
Wada affected the greatest anguish
at parting with fis tree but at last