The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-02

and his grandfather in order that the old man should not pass from sight.
 Presently Kuropi climbed the steps that gave entrance to the greatest Of these temples. Kioto stole silently through the doorway. His grand father could not see very well, ana the boy had alight fear Of being de- tected, but he took every precaution. As he entered, the inside of the tenn ple alled him with wonder. sttll more astonished was he, however, when no saw the colossal image of Budona. Befor6 this famous image kuropi placed his offerings.
 The lad, watching from 2 safe re- treat. muttered to Tashiki:
 .sThs great god will be angry. Ia shiixi. if have no gift for him. What shall dor
 Tashih remained as stolid and un' biinking as before. but Kioto con- ainued. as though in reply to the doll; T agree with you. Tashikl. when you say ths ali-powsrful Buddha would care little for my simple toys or whatever else have You are my only precious possession"
 Then the boy made Q great resolve no less e one than to part with his beloved Tashiki. At the very thought he paIed and his voice trembled as he whispered into the dolls ear:
 My own Tashiki. I have naught to offer but you. The god demands that which hold dearest. I must give you up. You will understand
 And. As Knropi arose to leave the sspls iSs nd his S0g sD at the
 70 great god Buddha; accept this. my oaering he praye,dt. I1ep Rons ne Lonely, indeed hk felt without Ia shikt and the advice he imagined the doll could give him. But he conEoled himself, murmurings
 the good god may look more kindly upon me. now that Tashiki is gone.
 stiii keeping his grandfather in of Kasuga, which the old man entered. The boy paused while to examine the beautiful hanging lamps adorning the portico. Then he. toe slipped into here. So small was he that he stood unperceived among the worghipers and looked upon the Kagura--the res iigious dance in which the costumes and gestures of the dancers are the same as those used twelve centuries
 Ana so the fad followed his grand- father from shrine to shrine. @ unui homeward.
 So fired was he, and hungry as well. that Kioto could hardly keep his feet. But the thought that he naa ss success cSssT- Cd him and helped him bear the Ia
 No sooner did Kuropi arrive at his home than the nurse ran to meet hiin' AarVs aa
 .sNaster. your grandson is missing. We have. searched for him every where but he is not to be found;
 At this moment, however, little figure crossed the rustic bridge below and there stood before them little Ki- oto, weary and travel-worn.
 You did wrong not to speak to me me gentleman, after the lad had told about his travels.
 "Yes. grandfather, but wal. sure the gods were callinE E'er1nss as a 'ns so srfss rsSe in raehilli.1 pleaded Kioto.
 s'You left Tashiki at the temple7" queried the man. with start or sur
 ds; Kicto nodded "The god demanded ing to his grandfather. the little fellow
 apon't you think. grandfather. that the gods appreciate most of all those gifts which are really sacrifices?"
 For a lonE time the old man WaS lSl- lent. His reverie ended, he smiled sad- ly, and replied:
 My child, you rebuke me. You have undoubtedly pleased the gods more in your one pilgrimage than have in my scores of pilgrimag ges. My gifts, even the most generous of them, have never been sacrifices; for missed them not.
 T am old, my boy. Hereafter I shall make no more Journeys to Nara. But shall reflect upon the lesson you have taught me. and 1t may be shall yet be able to do good in a way that will win me greater favor with the gods than all my pilgrimages,"
 And as Kioto heard his grandfather speak thus soiemnly, the hope came to him that although ne had lost the conn panionshtp and advice of Tashiki per haps the good god Buddha might favor him with counsel and comfort.