The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-14
Ihiwo |an's Pilgrimage.

the name which stirred all the FIRE left
in the old humble heart. once. as a girl
Shiwo San had run away from home
(when home was much nearer TO the
sanctuary than ii was now with band
OF other children. They had begged or
borrowed enough for their small needs and
had started of on "a pilgrimage TO Nikko.
IL was pious act; their parents minds
had been set at rest by loyal ncighsOr
who kept their secret until they were out
OF reach. and the nine little girls had tri-
umphantly tramped the twenty miles in
two days. Their own village was a mere
brown nest in the hills, and Nikko show
cd them n vision of grandeur such as
Shiwo had never dreamed OF before. Her
black eyes grew rounder and rounder as
"a kind guide led the little devotees TO all
the wonders OF the place charging notn-
ing for his pains, Shiwo felt IL Impossible
TO be i'm the presence of so much great
ness without making an effort 20 meet IL
half way. So she fol on her face before
the tomb OF Iyeyasu and pronounced a
vow heard with awe by her companions,
binding herself, If heaven permitted 10
return here 10 die, SO that her spirit
might remain forever In this august ana
glorious spot
Shiwo had not forgotten her vow, and
as she began TO grow old she made visits
20 other shrines but kept her second pill
grimage TO Nikko for the last OK all. be-
cause IL was SO far away that she could
not hope 10 reach 1t twice at her age
4 small sum OF money. sewn into the
sleeve of her best kimono, was reserved
for the journey; IL the gods were kind.
and answered her prayers. there would
be no expenses for her return.
But although the vow was now ffty
years old the . Bassan had no eagcrnCss
IN n ~.
wickedness could not destroy her cunviC-
ton that a respected old lady, the mothe.
OF the priest, with a sound roof over her
head, food to eat and sunshine 10 sit in.
was very happy person indeed. and
she had loked forward TO a good many
years more of such tempered bliss OF
course, If nothing else would do kokichi
any good. the journey TO Nikko must be
accomplished. but she still had a hope
that the old nun : prayers would answer
the purpose. The eggs were So beauti-
fully fresh
with many halts for rest. she reached
the top of the pass and sat down in a
deserted tea shed. From there she looked
out over the wide silver-threado dplain,
on whose northern side rose the hills that
held the tomb OF lyeyasu, Of Gongen Sa-
ma. the great saint. So many years had
passed since she was there that she al
most wondered II il had outlived them.
Were those misty chains of purple and
silver indeed the hills where she had
gathered pink lilies fifty years ago? Well.
unless the gods would take the fresh eggs
into favorable consideration she would
soon have TO go and see.
The night was already shadowing the
street when Shiwo reached her son $
house. IL stood within the temple court.
and that was none too spacious. for the
temple itself was poor. As ShiwO entered
the gate. kokichi came running TO meet
her looking so bright and good that a
thrill OF hope made her forget her weari-
ness. lie was a wiry lad. with piercing
black eyes, n wide mouth laughing away
from his beautiful teeth. and a shock OF
coarse black hair standing straight out
from his head.
WELCOME. . Bassan," ne cried. with
such unwonted politeness that the old lady
could hardly believe her ears; II have
good news for you
what Is that. my boy?" she asked
laying her knotted little fingers on hia
head.
"Another present has come for you
he replied: such n beautiful onei'
what Is e.. Where have you put it?'
she asked dclightedly.
Kokichi took her hand and led her TO-
ward the back OF the house. Just .hcr
a large black cat, with a lump OF fu
out from under step and came to greet
the Bassan, passing Kokichi with
something like a hiss. Tho old ildy
stopped short.
"Who has taken of tho cats collar?'
she inquired stcrnly. When she left
! home the creature was wearing its rec
| and purple frill as usual
1--WE will ind IL directly" replied The
| boy.
Now. shut your eyes. and when I saS
| J.ddk' then omen them
The O Bassan obcyed to humor him.
Now. look he shouted Suddenly. .,
| close 10 her ear that she almost Jumped
J OF the ground
\ terrible sight mot her eyes. Blacl
| and bleeding with outsprcad wings.
large crow had been nailed 20 the shut
( ter Round its dead neck was the cats
7 best frill kokichi was already disap
! pearing with a whOop over the fence.
Her fingers trembling with anger. hei
I face looking as II 1t were eighty year.