The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-04-27

kettle. He therefore sent for dealer
in rags and secondhand household
goods. When the dealer came and was
told the kettle was for sale, he ex-
amined it closely and said, DO You
really wish to sell this kettle? 1t is
one of the best have ever SEEN 1t IS
strange that you wish to sell such a
fine one. Had YOU not better keep it?
| think you must be joking with me,
anyway, for you know l cannot pay
you what it is really worth"
WELL" replied the priest, Il have
made up my mind to sell it. Are you
willing to buy it?'
''Of course l am willing" said the
dealer. But it must be at very low
price. My business compels me to both
buy and sell very cheaply"
How much will you give me for it?"
asked the priest.
"Four hundred mon," answered the
dealer. That is sen of the present
Japanese money, or about cents OF
ours.
The priest, not caring much what
nrice he received sold it to the dealer,
who carried it away, delighted to nave
acquired such a treasure for mere
song. He looked forward to selling IL
to a rich man, and making a large
profit from the trade. So, feeling very
well SdLlSIleu Will AAAAAfoOAA NAA~S
ing. he ate a hearty supper, drank
several cups of sake and went to sleep
In the middle of the night he was
awakened by hearing his name called
and feeling something scratching at ms
face. Sitting up in bed, ne saw tle
kettle he had purchased the day before
now walking about the room, with the
head and limbs of a badger. He was
frightened by this apparition, but, mop
ing it might be merely a deluslon
caused by the sake he had drunk, ne
addressed it thus: Are you not the
kettle 1 bought yesterday? Why do you
assume the shape of a monster, ana
come here to brighten me? What are
YOU, a badger or a fox? Or are you
indeed the ghost of the kettle
bought"
The kettle replied laughingly: Il am
a badger that changes his shape TO
that of a kettle. My name is RundpuKu
Chagama. Don't be alarmed am no
gnost. l can only change from a pad
ger into a kettle, and back again 10 d
badger. But am not a curious am
MALI" 49,
tle?'
mo. but I am more useful than a
common tea-kettle, if 1 am rightiy
treated"
pray, tell me, then, what is the pro-
per use to which I should put you.
well that differs very much from
the way kettles are ordinarily USED
The old priest of Morinji did not un-
derstand me. He tried to treat me as
he would any copper kettle. o, l was
vexed at him. How can a learned
priest be so stupid? I might have been
| of great service to him if he had used
me carefully"
sIike other animals, I cannot live
without food, air and exercise. When
1 was at the temple l used to go out
sometimes to walk around and get
some food, while the old priest was
| asleep, but, on the whole, had hard
time there. Since you have bought me
I hope YOU will treat me better
well. as 1 am a man, 1 will not re-
fuse your request. 1 will feed you"
Il am very grateful to you. But do
not fear that l will be a useless eX-
pense and encumbrance on your hands.
I will repay you for all you do, and
will work for you in return for my
food"
.'Then you can do something? Pray,
what are your accomplishment"
'I can dance, and am something of
an acrobat
Good. l need not be a ragman any
longer I will change my business and
become a Snowman, and you shall give
exhibitions of kettle dancing"
'Well, 1 am glad to hear you say so.
| The plan pleases me very much, and
will do the best can for you. 1 think
| you will make more money than you
do now"
Having agreed upon all their plans
for the future, the dealer began, next
day. to bupild a house in which the ex-
II chntIlH hold He QO1nl0Va6
musicians to play while the kettle was
! dancing and put up signboardS with
! large colored pictures in front of the
house. When all his preparations We're
made he sent criers to the neighboring
towns to advertise his new venture.
| They went about the villages, beating
drums and crying out that wonder
| full show was to be opened in Tate
bayasni and that many mysterious
foats would be performed there by a
| magic kettle called Bunbuka. In this
manner they attracted multitue of
sightseers. Everyone was curious to
see the wonderful thing.
From the first day a great crowd as
| sembled at the entrance, attracted by
the crier, who kept calling out, please
walk in and see the marvellous feats
| performed by Bunbuku, the kettle.
| You have seen trained birds, dogs and
rats, out you nave never seen d kettle
put forth head, legs and tail, and dance
about before your eyes Truly, this is
the mystery of mysteries
Inside, the Ragman announced to the
audience that Bunbuku Chagams
would entertain them, first by some
acrobatic feats, and then by dances of
all sorts. When all was ready, Bun
buku came slowly upon the stage,
! bowed to the audience, and then began
| to walk a rope that was stretched from
| che side of the stage to the other. Ev-
eryone was astonished at his remarka-
| BILE appearance, and at the skill he
showed in his tricks and his dancing.
| Those who saw it once told their
friends about the strange sight, and so,
every day, a greater crowd came to see
it.
In twenty DAYS time they had made
a great deal of money, but the Rag
man was neither covetous nor hard
hearted and he sympathized with Bun
buku on account of the hard work he
was doing. So he closed the show and
sent the kettle to the Morinii temple.
He told the priest all that had &C.
Cured and gave him half the profits
they had made from the show, with
which TO buy Bunbukus food. Ever
since that day the priests have care
fully preserved the kettle as one of the
greatest treasures of the temple.
The Landlady-'1t pains me to speak
about your bill" The Boarder-"Then
don't do it, my good woman; 1 can't
bear to see any one suffer. Tit Bits