The Portland daily press., 1893-08-17
4 LUCKY one.


certain noblelnan renowned for his
wealth and his great philanthropy. 1t
was his delight to wander about the
streets at night unattended and disguised
as simple sa;nurai Qknight or retainer),
and SO untrammeaed by rank or dignity
enter the theaters and teahouses Of all
classes.
One night he was sitting in tea gar
den in humble portion of the city when
three young men dressed as laborers
sauntsred in, and seating themselves
near him called for refreshments of the
cheapest kind.
"Will you not honor us by joining in
our humble repastY' said one, addressing
him with the courteous humility which
distinguishes all classes of japanese. 81
see by your two swords that you are
samurai and far above us in rank, but
you seem lonely, and we should feel hon
ored if you will join u.s.
The noble1nan, pleased by this cordial
Invitation, Immediately left his solitary
square of mating and seated himself
near the speaker.
'What dianio (feudal lorO do you
server they asked him when the formal
lilies of welcome were at an end.
"None," answered the nobleman. 81
nm ronin (wandering knight, a free
and independent samurai, having left by
my own will the service of the Duke It
sr, " mentioning his own name.
ct huve heard that he was very kind
MASTER said one Of the young men.
sWhy did you leave him?"
ssOh,. said the duke, che had many
strange and undignifed habits which
kept me IN a constant state of mortiica-
ton. He would wander about the streets
of Toxic at night, entering into the COM
monest teahouses and talking Familiarity
with persons of the lowest rank. do
not doubt that he has been on this very
spot"
ssOh, no.' cried his listeners in some
excitement; che surely would not come
to this cheap place"
81 wish that he would come" said one
of the three, with sigh. Il would beg
q favor of him."
AWhat is it that you would ask" said
the nobleman with great interest.
ssMy ore WISH" answered the speaker,
sis to ride q horse. I have dreamed
many times Of being on horseback, and
1t was delightful beyond words, but I
expect to die without ever gaining my
desire"
'sAnd what would you ask if the duke
were herey' said the pleased nobleman,
turning to the second youth.
"My great wish," answered he, sis to
eat dinner exactly lille the one the duke
eats every day. If could have one such
dinner, would ask no more"
''And now tell Us your DESIRE" said
the nohleman, addressing the young man
who had first given the invitation for
him to join the party.
ssI would not be satisfied with either Of
their wishes, said tho young man slow
". IT would desire to live a whole day
and night as the duke Hves-to eat from
his dishes, to ride in his kago (palanquin)
and at night to sleep In his bed. Then
would be oontented and happy"
ssThe dukes sluInber is not the hap
piest, said the noblernan, with sigh.
"Spies and secret enemies lurk as poi
sonous serpents under the castle walls. !"
For some time longer he conversed
with them, learning the name and abode
of each. Then bidding them cordial
farewell he left the teahouse and made
bis way to his stately castle.
In the morning body of servants car
rying heavily adorned kagos were sent
to invite the young men to the castle.
Their surprise and delight knew no
bounds, and when the mighty daimio
welcomed them as friends and seated
them In the place of honor they were
ready to burst with pride.
For the ore who had wished to ride
he ordered his finest steed, caparisoneo
IN white and gold, but when the young
fsllow was placed upon it fear seized
him, and he pleaded for mercy.
mo, no, you shall rider cried the
duke in high good humor, and the horse
was made to prance and plunge about
the courtyard until the wretched rider
fa;l 10 the ground and had to be carried
to his home.
Tho second guest, who had wished to
eat as the duke ate, was now conducted
TO the banquet hail, where such be-
wildering and tempting array Of strange
dishes was set before him that he soon
made himself i'll and was borne away,
srcaniug and racked with nausea.
Tbs third young man was now the OBJ
jcct OF attention.
Al! eyes were upon him as he watched
lis two friends taken away in misery
and disgrace, but His head was set proud
~ and he turned with co;mpescre toward
the duke.
81 have no fear" he said in tones
which were almost naughty. 81 still
wish to live one day and one night as
thy equal; then am content"
''Lead him to my richest BATH" said
me duke to his servants, "and then at.
tira Kim as my son."