The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-14

old, shiwo got the collar off the grew
some bird and returned TO the front of
the house. There she sat down on the
step and her cat came siding toward
her She put the collar on it's neck and
held IL to her for comfort. while from her
dimmed eyes fell "A few OF the slow. Bit
terry painful tears OF age
Then il was time 10 get the priests sup
per and put the house in order for the
night She was not one 10 permit her
death knell 20 interfere with things OF
real Importance Soon the kettle was
swinging over the fire in the floor, the
pith wick hoatcd a little tongue OF light.
on its brass platter IA the paper lantern.
and the china bowls and cups were placed
on the tray She thought at first that
she would give Kokichi no pickles for his
supper; then she remembered n saying
in the Book OF Universal Maxims
IF thou feed thine enemy. let double
portion be his for a fun stomach
softeneth. the hard heart" SO She put
a big red pepper in lIokichis saucer
among the bits OF daikon. whose smell
already ravaeed the house and seemed
threatening tc displSCe the roof. lt was
a pleasant and wholesome stink in the
nose Of tho O Baesan.
When the priest came from closing the
temple for the night MS house was shin
ing Ike lantern ltself az the end OF tho
side was shaped like 2 peach. and lattced
in a fanciful bamboo pattern. Through
the paper TIE ight shone duly golden.
looked. TIC shadow of a little Gid head
with short hair drawn down Under "a
comb
As he entered his. mother smiled polite-
Is, bowed her heed almost 10 her knees,
an1 murmurcd 20 ktor honorable ire
turn, Tor she had strict ideas of wnut
was due to tho head of tho family The
B. ln
and came 20 take his place near the fire
How goes it, mOthcr:' ho asked kind
ly Have you had amy more pain in your
He was q stoIt pleasant locking man.
dressed with scrupulNls cleanliness. lis
shaved pitilcSsly close
NO. Kito san" she replied mot IN my
hand hut in ms heart much pain because
Or my impious grandson But pray delgn
a. eat nrst and We viii speak OF him az
tcr7vard. 90
Kito sighed deeply, and at once turned
10 his food, for that would at any rate
give him energy 10 cNpostula1e with the
few minutes lator Master Kokichi came
in, looking sull1y and dhiiunt. lie expect
cd to bo sent 70 bed with only hdli sap-
per, and great was his surprise 70 ma
IL more generous thar uSHal. Ihe req req
chill especially topchrd him up with
something IKE rcmorsc lie remembered
AZ last Kokichi. having taken his lee
uirc with unexpectedly good grace, went
10 sIccp off tAS daiisni urder his grand
mothers new mosquito net she and her
had forgotten their cNistencc and Shiwo
persuaded the priest Co let her start OF
al once and Try - Obtain his conversion
by her pray lers. kito knew nothing of the
oid vow IL say slr was terribly trou-
bltl about tho hoy .Nikiso was very holy
place ard he thought at any rale II would
soothe and please her Co 60 there
III only some OF our friends were gong!
he exclaimed. nAt yopr honorable age IL
is too Ear 70 travel alone. 49, .o ,o,o
or Journeys" Then. after moment y ST.
lcuce' she seemed 70 have an inspiration;
my son. she said Il will take koktchi!
eyes 10 his SINS | myself-when | was
child 80,
priest he had heard the story OF that Wis
ia SO oten that ne knew IL by heart-"but
the boy will worry you 20 death ana get
II viii take K6Eichi.' She repeated. firm
ly. 40 you think ] would leave you
alone with him az he = now? And ! VIII
speak 20 a noighbor about coming IN 10
do The the cooking and cleaning
shall YOU he away very long. motherT'
asked the priest ~, .,
bending over TO dry teacup. Then she
went and pulled the mosquito net over ko-
kichis foot, which he had kicked cut
The wife OF the charcoal merchant was
surprised as she was sliding out her smut
/ ters Ht the ETst Stfeak ol uNWn W oct Nl'
: % Has-an from the uricst house come
| burrving toward her down the street. The
old lady was carefully dressed IN a clean
! blue gown kilted up for journey, Under
Al her one skirt. the color OF skinned
| milk Tapped iu the chilly breeze against
| her brown legs and her head was nicely
tied up I'm a pale blue towel
Another pllgrimageg exclaimed her
friend. What band are you going 10
| join. o Bassaug'
II will meet friends on the road: 7 am
/ going 10 Nikko." said Shiwo. hurriedly.
"WiU YOU condescend Go cook some food
/ I'm nv wretched house until my unworthy
return My son. "----- Then she stopped
! suddenly.
| with pleasure" said the kind woman.
| "vou must need an august change OF afr.
! Your honorable grardEon Is great
/ charge ~ such noble agei'
/ 20 take him With r1c replied Shiwo.
/ "pieasc do not let i<lto san cat salt ash
! aud daikou az tho suuc meal. ihor tnso-
! Irnflv diaagrcc with him. I thank Y0u
for your kindness aed l will uuworthuy
prav FOR you at Nilsko.' And she turned
sIjo bring me pair OF monkey FUR slip-
| pers for my littie giri' called tho other
| woman after hcr.
| q will send them" Shiwo answered In
| her kind. cracked voice.
why should she do that?" thought The