New-York tribune., 1901-02-10

He had been wonderfully good all this time.
But Shiwo was tired that she doubted if she
would have been able to get back to the Usui
Toge. and as for again reaching Nikko with this
body 1t was not to be thought Of She stopped
down and loosened her raveled sandals and
dropped them over the low wall. They would
not be needed again. Then she took from inside
her girdle two letters carefully folded. one ad-
dressed to her son, the other to the august
authorities of Nikko
Have you finished. my SON." she asked.
Kokichi leaned back against her knee with 4
little grunt of content. IF so. pack up the rest.
IT Will do for your supper. And now listen
to me-"
Kokichi looked uD SURPRISED at her grave
tone.
Here are the fur slippers for o Sudzu Sans
little girl she said laying down a parcel ON
the stone and this paper of dried fish is FOR the
cat, don't forget. We came here almost all the
way on foot. but here is the money for you To go
back in the train You will like that, won't
you. Kokchi?'' she asked. STOPPING down and
looking into his face.
"Of courser' he said with a delighted grin
Well" she went on. this letter is for your
august father. this for the guardian of the gate.
Now go. BE a good boy. KOkichi. promise me
thatt Obey your father do your lessons. take
care of your clothes. and please. please be kind
TO the cat,'
But YOU o Bassan" said the boy what
are you going to do? Am to go home alone:
Il wish to remain "a little longer, she replied,
'and you have already been more than two
weeks absent from school Take your ticket
for Takasak and walk up from there. it viii
be cheaper"
VERY we'll Bassan," he said this has
been u nice Journey! Come home soon. and
will really be good .iI see you again.
Once more she laid Ter hand on his head and
looked down into his jolly, naughty face lie
made her a proper bow before he went. and She
felt that the reformation Or KOkirhi had begun.
A little boy. with killed coat and bundle tiei
to stick. put letter in the guardians hands
at the outer gate. and then started 20 run down
the hill TO the railway station. which was far
more interesting to him than splendid temples
The guardian read the letter and looked little
surprised. 1t thus:
"H1nored Sir: l. the mother of kito san
priest Of the temple on the Usul ToEe. having
come from far to visit NikkO In my old age, have
made up my mind to remain here. seeing that il
depart from this glorious spot shall never
have strength To return tO it. If Your Honor
will these two yen for the burying Of NY
unworthy body in this happy place my spirit
will remain here and will always pray for your
prosperity"
II was not till quite late in the day that they
found her. a dccOrouS little blue figure lying
back against the steps with her sash tied round
her knees and her pretty blue towel bound over
her face. which turned toward the resting
place - Iycyasu. Her penknife was on the stone
beside her. and there were no ugly marks. only
a tiny stab in her throat. Her spirit was doubt
less tired after the long journey and had slipped
out of its prison with ease
/ passed through the village the Usui Toge
years afteTWard and stopped woman mt the
temple gate to ask after KJkichi and Kito san
When she spoke saw that il was Sudzu, the
wife of the charcoal merchant.
"kito san is a happy father" she replied
''fOr Kokchi san is at the top of the class and
will certainly he Il sChOolmastcr. Did the Oku-
sama indeed know Shiwo San? She was good
woman"
hug tailless cat with a splendid red ami
purple collar. purring in the sun on the tenn
pie steps, tSphere.