The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-15

sunerings," said he. therefore let the
criminal have his life. I viii not pun
ish hun because he is your friend.
Let hm be thrown outside the pal
ace"
Accord me only one favor, Damio,'
asked Shirai- Gompatchi. order that
they render TO Ene my sword the sword
of my ancestors. / hope some day TO
have. occasion to use il in your service
against your enemies and 20 prove 70
YOU that / am innocent. l bcseech
you % grant me this favor.
The Damio directed that his sword
be returned to Shirai-GomPatchi and
At he be driven from the palace
AS TO the deceitful courtler. ne was
showered with honors and riches.
N.
what is man?
The son said to the father: you
have given nellie; have taken your
name. must render to you nay life in
order that your name should remain as
honorable as 1t was"
These are the words Of a good son.
Thus would the sage speak II ne
were with Us.
Youth IS the best foe cf sickness
Shirai-Cfompatchi became cured Of the
wound which ne had received. Weak
and crushed. he wandered hungry in
the streets % Yeddo. Al. the people
fed from him and said to each other
Here is the man whom the Damio
has driven from his palace"
When the winds OF winter have
bloom.
When the passion for honors, for
glory and riches have passed, love
blossoms in the heart OF man.
Then shirai-Gompatchi thought with
bitterness: why did I not marry the
beautiful Koraourasad? Today
would be tranquil and happy, because
love alone gives true happiness. But
az present all the world detests and
condemns me-"
Thus sighed shirai-GOmpatchi as he
wandered in Yeddo.
While musing thus he passed before
a ca house, the most luxurious OF the
city. and heard the voice Of a woman
singing The strings OF the instru-
ment with which she accompanied her
self seemed to give out a moan. but
the voice sang poem OF gladness. lie
stopped to listen.
who Is the most beautiful and the
most intelligent and the bravest
OF all: his name is Shirai-Gom-
patehi.
who is he whose lips have never been
sofed by an untruth? His name
IS shirai-Gompatch.
who is he who is really worthy of
being called the Samourai7
who is ne who knows how TO carry
with the most dignity the sword
of his ancestors?
His name is shirai-Gompatehi."
ssVho dares," cried shirai-Gom-
patchl. celebrate IN a loud voice the
name of shirai-GompatehI. him whom
all Yeddo detesfs fand condemnsE
And he ran into the garden
He stopped stupefied. On the bal
cony was seated on rich pillows. a
young girl adorned with flowers II was
KomourasalSi, more beautiful than be-
fore. She was weeping while she sang.
When she saw the young man she
cried out. and hid her face in her
hands. You heret' she cried. sur
prised and terrified.
You are a singer and muslclani
YOU the daughter OF a rich father and
respected by air. said Shirai-Gom-
patchi. you carry a name which has
always been honorable"
Komourasaki uncovered her face,
and answered with spirit: THAT name
has remained honorableF'
Then she reeounted TO snirsi-Gom-
patchi that which had happened since
the time when he had departed from
them. By a series OF unfortunate cir
cuustances her father had become
ruined. When they sold ell that he
possessed. there yet remained many
persons to whom he was indebted.
II am completely ruined" he cried
Il have lest my good name. What is
there rersaining 70 me? A miserable
life and !. daughter who will be dis
nonored. an old custom requires that
I sell my ae lighter to pay my debts.
Which WI she choose7 A condition Of
slavery OF the torture OF her soul
which wiz be afflicted by the dishonor
OF her fathSe?'