The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-07


was but little surprised TO discover that
he could make out tiny figures in the
crystal. For the moment this strange
thing seemed TO him perfectly natural.
And the movements or these little men
and women interested him so much
that the flxity of his gaze was intensi-
fed. And so 1t was that in a few min,
utes he saw with no astonishmept that
he was one of the group himself, he
himself in the rich and stately attire
of a samurai. From the instant that
Cosmo Waynfete discovered himself
among the people whom he saw mov-
ing before him, as his eyes were fas,
tened on the illuminated dot in the
transparent ball, he ceased to see them
as little figures and he accepted them
as of the full stature of man. This in
crease in their size was 10 more
source of wonderment to him than il
had been to discern himself in tho
midst of them. He accepted both OF
these marvellous things without ques-
tion, indeed, with no thought at all that
they were in any way peculiar or alb,
normal. Not only this, but thereafter
he seemed TO have transferred his per-
sonality to the Cosmo Waynfete who
was japanese samurai and to have
abandoned entirely the Cosmo Wayn-
fiete who was an American traveller.
and who had jnst returned to New
York that Christmas morning. So
completely did the Japanese identity
dominate that the existence of the
American identity was wholly un.
known to him. 1T was as though the
American had gone to sleep in New
York at the end of the nineteenth CEN
tury and had walked a japanese in Nip
pom in the beginning of the eighteenth
century.
With his sword by his side-a Muri'
masa blade, likely to bring bad luck to
the wearer sooner or later - he had
walked from his own house in the quar-
ter of Kioto which is called Yamashina
to the quarter which is called Yoshi-
wara, a place of i'll repute, where dwell
women of evil life and where roysterers
and drunkards come by night. He
knew that the sacred duty of avenging
his masters death had led him to cast
off his faithful wife SO that he NIGH.
pretend TO riot in debauchery at che
Three Sea-Shores. The fame of his
shameful doings had spread abroad
and it must soon come to the ears of the
man whom he wished to take un-
awares. Now he was lying prone in
the street, seemingly sunk in a drunk
en- slumber, SO that men might see him
and carry the news to the treacherous
assassin of his beloved master. AS ho
lay there that afternoon, he revolved in
his mind the devices he should use tn
make away with his enemy when the
hour might be ripe az last for the nc,
complishment of his holy revenge. To
himself he called the roll of his fellow
,ronins, now biding their time, as he
was, and ready always TO obey his or
ders and to follow his lead TO the death,
when at last the sun should rise on the
day of vengeance.
So he gave no heed to the SCOTS and
the jeers of those who passed along the
street, laughing him to scorn as they
beheld him lying there in stupor from
excessive drink at that inordinate
hour Of the day. And among those
who came by at last was man from
Satsuma who was moved TO voice the
reproaches of all that saw this sorry
sight.
SIS not this Oishi Kuranosule 2" said
the man from Satsuma, who was a
councillor of Asano Takumi no Kami,
and who, not having the heart to avenge
his lord, gives himself up to women
and wine? See how he lies drunk in
the public street! Faithless beastl
Fool and craven! Unworthy of the
name of a samuraii"
And with that the man from Sat-
suma trod on him as he lay there and
spat upon him, and went away indig-
nantly. The spies of Kotsuke no
Suke heard what the man from Sat-
suma had said and they saw how he
had spurned the PROSTATE samurai
with his foot; and they went their
way to report to their master that he
need no longer have any fear of the
councillors Of Asano Takumi no Kami.
All this the man, lying prone in the
dust of the street. noted; and it made
his heart glad. for then he made sure
that the day was soon coming when he
could do his duty at last and take
vengeance for the death of his master.
He lay there longer than he knew,
and the twilight settled down at last,
and the evening stars came out. And
then, after awhile, and by impercepti-
BILE degrees, Cosmo Waynnete became
conscious that the scene had changed
and that he had changed with it. III
was no longer in japan, but in Persia
He was no longer lying like drunkart
In the street of city, but slumber-
ing like a weary soldier In little oasis
by the side of & spring In the midst
of sandy desert. lie was asleep, and
his faithful horse was unbridled that
II might crop the grass at will.
The air was hot and thick; and the
leaves of the slim tree above him were
never stirred by n wandering wind.