The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-09-15

plot to steal his son this night with
the object of obliging the latter to
recognize the succession of his father
in favor of another person whom they
favor. | am cognizant of these plans
because l pretended to participate in
them. | am physically feeble. You on
the contrary are brave and a past mas
ter in the art of handling the sword
If you wish we will both go and guard
the door of the sleeping chamber OF
the son of the Damio and if you kill
all the conspirators remember the nu-
merous favors that will fall on you like
rain"
Shirai-Gompatchi Immediately arose
and answered:
This indeed compensates me for all
which have suffered. Let us be gone .
The courtier gave the young man his
sword. Never before had Shirai- Com
patchi found it so light.
The two friends placed themselves
on duty. At midnight the conspirators
appeared.
Halt there, traitors sried Shirai-
Gompatchi, coming out from the shad-
ow and plunging his sword in the
breast of the first conspirator and like
wise attacked the others and when the
ten were laid out on the ground he
suddenly felt a sharp pain in his back
and fell unconscious.
When Shirai-Gompatchi came to his
senses again he saw by the light of
the lanterns that the Damio was being
brought accompanied by his suite and
the guard. Beside the Damio was the
friend of the young man, the courtier,
who spoke in these terms.
Having heard that these traitors
had formed a project to steal your son,
l alone put myself on guard near the
door of his chamber. | am feeble, but
being sure of my affection for you this
gave me superhuman strength. |
killed ten of these traitors, who not
withstanding all, were brave, for, as
you can see, they have all been stab
bed in front. AS to the eleventh, he
like a coward fleeing. He was not
worthy of being stabbed by an honora-
BILE sword | drove a poignard in his
back and he rolled on the ground. And
do you know who is this coward, this
d ltroon: My best friend. him whom |
loved like a brother
This base wretch lies" cried Shir-
ai-Gompatchi. 1T is | who have killed
the plotters 1t is sufficient in order
to convince yourself TO look and see
to whom belongs the sword covered
with blood"
ITO treason and cowardice you add
lies and calumnies," cried Damio with
disgust. 1T is not necessary to know
to whom belongs the bloody sword as
yours is brilliant as mirror. 1t
speaks against you"
Shirai-Gompatchi understood then
why his sword had appeared so light.
The artful courtier had given him his
sword in the darkness and he, Shirai-
Gompatchi had covered the sword of
his perfidious friend with the blood of
cried:
What perfidious mani
LAS for you, said the Damio to the
courtier, 1.-The fact that you have
wounded your friend in devotion TO my
self only makes you appear more hon
orable.
The courtier bowed very low and
said:
AS guilty as Shirai-Gompatchi is
will continue to love him and pity him
| am ready to act thus with any OF
your enemies, were it even my own
brother.
The Damio was deeply touched by
these words.
Il do not wish to put you to new
sufferings," said he. therefore let the
criminal have his life. / will not pun
ish him because he is your friend. Let
him be thrown outside the palace"
Accord me only one favor, Damio."
asked Shirai-Gompatchi. Order that
they render TO me my sword. the
sword of my ancestors. | hope some
day to have occasion TO use ii in your
service against your enemies and to
prove TO you that l am innocent. l
beseech you TO grant me this favor
The Damio directed that his sword