Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-05-25
RAIKO, THE MISER.
A JAPANESE FABLE.

rich man named Raiko. His posses
sions and wealth increased every year
But, although his girdle was always
filled with money, no beggar ever sue
ceeded in getting one rim (mill) out
Of him. Few, indeed, dared ask him,
and those who did never asked a sec
ond time.
On account of his wealth his neigh.
bors treated him with great respect;
yet Raiko was not happy The Older
he grew the greater grew his stinSi.
ness, and the more he worried over his
expenditures.
One morning Raiko was too i'll tc
rise, A violent fever had attacked
him, and, unable even to think of his
affairs, he tossed from side to side,
moaning and reproachlng his faithful
servants, who watched beside him and
did everything possible for his com.
fort.
No remedy was of any avail, and
for days the fever ragged, until recov.
cry seemed impossible. On the tenth
night, when he happened to be alone
for few minutes, he heard a strange
step in the room, and, opening his
eyes, saw a bozu Buddhist priest)
leaning over his pillow,
well, Raiko," said the priest, in q
stern voice, you are no better, are
you? 1t looks as il the oni would
soon have possession of you"
What do you mean by daring to
come into my room?" cried the sick
man, angrily. Il am sure | have let
the bozu and their temples alone ali
my life. The Oni are no worse than
you are! You need not come here tC
frighten me with threats Of torment
You won't succeed In getting any Of
my money!"
Keep your temper" answered his
visitor, pleasantly. Il have come tG
see if you wish to be cured of this fever
which is rapidly sapping your life
What do you know about illness?"
asked Raiko, CONTEMPORARY.
"Oh, l know great deal. For in
stance, l know a positive cure for
your ailment"
Indeed! And IL you should succeed
in curing me, thea you would demand
pay"
Not even a rim" answered the
bozu. Il tell you l don't want any of
your ill-gotten gains. Do you wish to
know the cure or not? VIII you live
OF die?"
IF you'll promise me solemnly,'
said the dying man, not to ask for
pay, I'll hear what you have tc say"
My cure is this" said the bozu,
gently. ~ is your money that is
weighing down your life. Stretch out
your full hands to the needy, loosen
your girdle, which is heavy with gold.
and let others have a share in your
wealth"
You miserable wretch" screamed
the miser, beside himself with rage
Il knew you meant no good in com
ing here. As if l would give away my
money! Bozu though you are. l will
have your life!' and snatching dag
ger from his bosom, he tried to stab
the priest, but fell back exhausted on
his pillow.
The bCzu retreated a few steps aAd
regarded him calmly. You are even
meaner than l thought you, Raiko,"
he said at last. IL will now tell you
the truth. l have noticed your stingi-
ness for some time, SO l have come
here every night and drawn the life
blood from your veins. Now l shall
have to kill you, for you are too mea5
to live!"
So saying, he blew out the light, and
Raikos hair stood on end, as he felt
some horrible creature grapple with
him in the darkness. Defending him
self with his dagger as well as he
could, he screamed for help.
The servants rushed to the room,
but found it in darkness
Bring lanterns, quick" cried their
master. Il have been attacked by a
murderous robber in the guise of a
bOzu! You had no business to leave
me here alone"
When lights were brought, to the
surprise of all, monstrous hairy claw
was found by the sick mans bed.
Il have wounded that creature,
whatever it may be-" said Rsiko.
Run after it quickly and kill it,"
Guided by the drops OF blood shed
by the wounded monster, the servants
followed 1t to the door and out into
the garden, until at the farther end
they came upon a hole dug in an or
namental mound.
AS they stopped down to look an
enormous spider appeared at the en-
trance and said: My friends, do not
commit sacrilege by attacking the
gods! But return to your master and
try to show him his error, and TO per-
suade him to change his way Of life
and overcome the terrible avaricious-
ness that has nearly caused his
death"
The servants then knew that It was
none other than the powerful and
beneficent god Inari, who had ap-
peared as a bOzu, and was now, in the
form Of gigantic spider, coudescend-
ing to address them.
Trembling with fear they Frustrated
themselves and promised to obey him.
When Ralko realized the real truth
of the matter he felt great remorse
for his conduct and resolved that, II
his life was spared. he would be "a
generous as he had been covetous and
grasping.
Time fully proved the sincerity OF
his repentance, and, giving away large
sums Of money to the poor and unfor-
| IfuaH % a o,,a