The morning times., 1896-08-16
MakOrO'S=
@=ked=
Scarf.
BY BURNE JOHNSTON j..

The cherry blossom season WIS at its
foot hills of the Shotan Mountains were
white with the snowy flowers. As the
sun was sinking behind the hoary head
OF Hiermo. Old Hairaku, who served the
great Daimio and lord OF the dist
sanoSe sas hun, an Off who could
count among his retainers a Thousand
was descending the hill from his modest
hume through an alley OF fragrant bios
sons.
Far beyond the great fields OF rice and
millet that stretched away in great bill
lows from his feet he could see the faint
blue rim Of the Pacific were he SO inclined.
But Hairaku had been climbing Up and
walking down this self-samc hill ever
since he was 10y, and though he may
have sometimes wondered what that vast
sea might look ike ON a closer view. yet
he had never felt any ambition to make the
to;lsome Journey, perforce on foot, OF
sixty miles TO crafty an idle curiosity.
II e had indeed no hisure for such foolish
ness as. apart from his duties as civil at
tendant on the naimiO, he devoted all his
spare time to the education of his little
son. at this time a bright, Give checked,
healthy lad Of twelve, modest and dOciie,
the very apple OF his fathers eye
mothers care the child had never known,
| she having died in his infancy.
Just now the fathers soul was much
| troubled because Of the boy. From
| care-free, merry, chattering child he had
| become within a few days broodiug,
| melancholy being with a strange light
| OF fear and Apprehension in his big. black
eyes To all inquiries he only replied
that he was well, and his father was
| filled with forebodings.
| Then there was another cause for anx-
iety. Within the month the peaceful valley
had been disturbed as he had not known
it in the forty years OF his servitorship.
Stacks OF grain from last years reap
Ing had been burned in the sheds in out
| lying fields, and the huge rice grana aries
| of the Daimio had been twice fired aud
| were saved only by the greatest efforts
OF the servants and guards. And now,
1 to add to the excitement, little flame
| had been discovered by watchful seu-
| tinel eating its way into remote corner
| OF the great palace of the Daimio Sashun
himself This occurred as the moon was
| setting on the night of the tenth day Of
| the month of blossoms.
Great, indeed, was the CONSERVATION
caused by these repeated attempts at
destruction, for it seemed as IL the guilty
one must he among the trusted servants
OF the lord of the district. and each man
looked suspiciously at his neighbor and
trembled for himself. The wrath of the
Daimio was enkindled. and while he
| aimed to be just, yet was he quick to
anger aud at times rash in his judgment
and prone to punish evildoers with an
iron haud.
And SO the heart OF Haikaru the Faith
full as he was proud to be known, wa'
heavy as he slowly made his way dowI
through the odorous blossoms.
As he came abreast OF the great dixie al
the head of the rice fields he noticed tvs
soldiers of the Daimio's police-fOr caci
bore on the breast of his mantle the device
of a white stork notwithstanding rap
idly toward him. While having no reason
to fear, yet his heart beat quickly. he knew
not why, and a dark shadow seemed 4
settle over the smiling landscape.
He recognized the elder as Yoritomc
whom he knew well, and saluted him first
as the hyakusho. or landowner, is below
the military in rank.
YoritOmo responded, and, stopping, asked
abruptly:
Ibid you not, Haikaru, give to your Sol
Makoro. a red scarf for the Feast of Ban
ners?''
..surely," said the Old man. wonder
ingly, ..and it was OF the finest silk III
Nipon, with the edge embroidered in gol,
thread, for Makoro, even though I, hi
father, say it. is pearl among boys, truth
full, gentle and obedient."
| Yoritomo looked at his companion ant
nodded his head, then continued:
..well, Father Haikaru, we want to se
that scarf Come back with us, and IL tn
lad has it none viii rejoice more than
But II not, sorrow tof thee, Faithfu
One.',
He said NO more, and with sinking
heart the old man returned with them.
As they approached the house the!
| saw Ma koro cr0ucbed under a greal