The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-09-24

II shalt return in the early autumn, said
Akana Soyemon several hundred years ago
when bidding good-by to his brother by
adoption, young Hasebe Samon. The time
vas spring, and the Place was the village of
Kato, in the province of Harima. Aksna
was an Izumo samurai, and he wanted to
visit his birthplace.
Hasebe said:
Your Izumo-the Country Of the Eight.
Cloud Rising-is very distant. Perhaps it
will therefore be difficult for you to promise
to return here upon any particular day.
But, if we were to know the exact day, we
should feel happier. We could then pre-
pare feast of welcome; and we could watch
at the gateway for your coming.
why, as for that" responded Akana, Il
have been so much accustomed to travel
that can usually tell beforehand how long
it will take me to reach place; and can
safely promise You to be here upon par
ticular day. Suppose we say the day OF
the festival of Choyo!"
That is the ninth day of the ninth
month";" said Hasebe; then the ehrysanthe-
NUNS will be in bloom, and We can go to-
gether to look at them. How pleasant!
So you promise to come back on
the ninth day of the ninth month"
ION the ninth day of the ninth month,
repeated Akana, smiling farewell. Then Ne
strobe away from the village of Kato, in the
province of Harima-and Hasebe Samon
and the mother of Hasebe looked after him
with tears in their eyes.
Neither the sun nor the moon" says an
old japanese proverb, "ever halt upon their
Journey" Swiftly the months went by; and
the autumn came-the season of chrysanthe-
A. ha tp0 nf hn
ninth day of the ninth month Hasebe pre-
pared to welcome his adopted brother. lie
made ready a feast Of good things bought
wine, decorated the guestroom and filed
the vases Of the alcove with chrysanthe
NUNS of two colors. Then his mother,
watching him, said 1.-THE province Of
Izumo, my son, is more than 100 'ri'' from
this place. and the journey thence over the
mountains is difficult and weary; and you
cannot be sure that Akana will be able to
come to-day. Would it not be better, before
you take all this trouble, to wait for his
coming?" NAY, mother" Hasebe made
answer, "Akana promised to be here to-day;
he could not break promisel And if he
were to see us beginning TO make prepare
ton after his arrival he would know that we
had doubted his word; and we should be
put to shame"
The day was beautiful, the sky without q
cloud and the air so pure that the world
seemed to be a thousand miles wider than
usual. In the morning many travellers
passed through the village some of them
samurai; and liasebe, watching each as he
came, more than once imagined that he saw
Akana approaching. But the temple bell4
sounded the hour OF midday, and Akano
did not appear. Through the afternoon also
Hasebe watched and waited in vain. The
sun set; and still there was SO sign of AkaSa
| Nevertheless Hasebe remained at the gate,
gazing down the road. Later his mother
went to him and said "The mind of a man,
my son-as our proverb declares may
change as quickly as the sky of autumn.
But your chrysanthemum flowers will still
be fresh tomorrow. Better now to sleep,
and in the morning you can watch again
for Akana if you wish" REST well, moth
er," returned IIasebe: but ! still believe
that he will come" Then the mother went
to her own room, and Hasebe fingered at
the gate.
The night was pure as the day had been;
| all TIE sky throbbed with stars; and the
white River of Heaven shimmered with IN
usual splendor. The village slept; the ST
ence was broken only by the noise of a lit
tie brook and 10y the far-away barking Of
peasants dogs Hasebe still waited waited
until he saw the thin moon sink behind the
nelghborlng hills. Then at last he hogan
to doubt and to fear. just as he was about
to reenter the house he perceived in the
distance tall man approaching very light.
ly and quickly; and in the next moment he
recognized Akana.
OH" cried Hasebe, springing to meet
him, Il have been waiting for you from the
morning until nowl So you really
did keep your promise after all. .
But you must be tired, poor brother!-com
IN; everything is ready for you" He guided
Akana to the place of honor in the guest
room and FASTENED to trim the lights, which
were burning low Mother" continued
hasebe, felt little tired this evening, and
she has already gone to bed; but shall
awaken her presently" Akana shook his
head and made little gesture of disap.
proval. "As you will. brother" said
hasebe, and he set warm food and wine be-
tore the traveller. Akana did not touch the
food or the wine, but remained motionless
and silent for short time Then, speaking
IN whisper-as if he feared awakening the
mother-he said:
i, Now l must tell you how it happened
that l came thus late. When / returned to
iAutno l found that the people had almost
forgotten the kindness of our former ruler.
the good Lord Enya, and were seeking the
IaVor OF the usurper Tsunehsa, who had
possessed himself OF the fonda castle. Blu.
l mad to visit my cousin, Akana Tamil,
though he had accepted service under Tsune.
nisa' and was living, as retainer, within
the castle grounds. He persuaded me to
present myself before Tsunehisa; | yielded
chiefly in order to observe the character OF
tne new ruler, whose face had never seen
ne IS skilled soldier, and of great cour
age; but he is cunning and cruel. l found
II necessary to let him know that | could
never enter into his service. After / left
his presence he ordered my cousin to detair
me-to keep me confined within the house
l protested that | had promised to return
to Harima upon the ninth day of the ninth
month, but ! was refused permission [,
/ go. | then hoped to escape from the castl,
at night, but was constantly watched anc
until to-day l could find no way to fulfil m,
promise. ."
Until to-day" exclaimed Hasehe in b.
! wilderment; "the castle is more than hun
drer ri from herel"
Yes" returned Akana, "and no I;v;r,
man can travel on foot a hundred ri in on,
day, But ! felt that, if did not keen NV
promise, you could not think we'll of ~ NY
and | ~ " hic