The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-11-24
TWO JAP KOZOS.

practical jokes. Wherever one travels in
Japan he hears any number OF ST. tales
from the less religious among the people.
The priests do not generally live together
in monasteries, like the monks OF the mid.
die ages, but they live with their families
IN the temples or else alone with a servant
or pupil usually known by tho name OF
Kozo.
An old priest who was called behind his
back, of %course) Yokubukai Bozu, or the
"tireedy Priest" on account of his we'll
known taste for the good things Of this
world, lived alone with a small boy who
waited on him, expecting incidentally to
learn something OF pfiestcraft himself, and
become a priest, too, some day. But this
particular kozo was far from having ~priestly
qualifications, as this tale will show. Like
all boys, kozo had a failing for sweets, but
as his master was similarly disposed, the
boy had very little chance Of INDUCING his
tastes in this direction.
One day, however, as luck would have it,
a boxful of very delicious cakes was sent
to the old priest during his absence by the
inmates Of a ~neighboring temple. As it was
a Buddhist festival, a great deal Of pains
had been expended to make the cakes a. at
t~ractive as possible, and rs kozo raised the
box-lid and looked at the tempting dainty
with It's inviting covering OF powdered sugar,
be felt the temptation was too strong for
him, and as no one was. near to prevent him,
he ate all without stopping to think Of the
consequences. After the deed was done,
however, he began to anticipate the dis
plasure Of his master, to whom cake was so
dear. Kozo, therefore (sly fellow, took the
empty box 10 the shrine Of Buddha. aud lay.
fug IL p.ftnnfEullx I.afaro hf., ,.I . Itt.T.
OF the sugar that was left in the bottom OF
the box and smeafed it over the IDOLS
mouth, retiring with a pleased expression.
Soon afterwards the Yokubukai Bozu re.
turned, and after kozo had helped him oil
with his clogs and had fetched him his pipe
aud Il cup OF tea he inquired whether any
one had calledy
"No-o-oh, yes, sir, said Kozo, "thepriests
OF the neigaboring temple have sent your
honor some cakes in honor of the day"
"Ah,' said the priest, with interest, and
where is the cake?"
II put it before the shrine Of Buddha,
sir, and the priest trotted off, thinking Of
the treat in store for him.
What was his surprise, however, to find
the box empty and the diyinity's mouth all
smeared over with sugar.
"kozo!" he shouted, and from the depths
OF his own room came family tn. reply:
Yes, sir"
what did you do with this cake?" de.
manded the prelate sternly when the boy
presented himself with an air Of perfect
innocence.
II laid the box in front of my lord
Bnddha' shrine, sir, as it is our custom al
ways to do first
We'll, it is not here now" replied the
priest.
"Oh, yes, sir, it must be there" and, lift
ing the box.lid, kozo started back with an
exclamation, and, looking up to the image,
cried, with awe-struck eyes; 'iIe has eaten
it, sir! Ills mouths all sugary!"
You've eaten it, you little rascal, I" said
the priest, in a rage.
Il? No, sir. | never ate IT,"
You did," said the priest, angrily, and,
raising his hand to strike his pupil, he acci.
dentally struck the arm of the bronze
image, which rang out: 'Kwan" (word for
mot eaten').
"fhere!" exclaimed the priest, AZ knew
you were telling lies! He says he has not
eaten the cake"
But he %forgets, sir! He is mistaken!
The sugar on his mouth shows his false,
hood"
What, Buddha tell liesl Wen cure him
of it if he does! Wen see!" and the priest
strobe out into the temple garden, where
stood a great iron pot used for heating large
quantities OF water, and, building a tire I'm,
der II, soon had the water in il boiling. Into
tins he popped poor Buddha, who instantly
began TO boil, making a sound like :kuta-
kuta' (word for have eaten').
THERE cried the boy, ~triumphantly.
The conlesses under torture! He saws he
has eaten the cake"
This priest seems TO have been u~nfortu.
nate IN his pupils, for, dischargirg the for.
mer kazo as too clever for an old man like
himself, he obtained a likely lad, but who,
llas, was a victim to the same love OF
sweets as his predecessor, Finding that his
master was not disposed to give him any of
the coveted sweets, he set his brains to
work to get some by fair means or foul.
One day a kind neighbor sent in some
choice cakes, which the old priest, prohting
ny former experience, Immediately took
'harge OF and put in a locked closet. II
JOCK these cakes up, he explained to his OBJ
'erHant young neophyte, that you may not
get them by mistake, for they are poison
md 1t would kill you to eat them
mat night, though, when the priest was
lsleep, kozo found the key and placed il
where he could easily find it in the morning.
The priest went out early next day and
No2o ran loytully TO the closet, which he un.
oeked and ate up the cakes with great rel.
Then he took a fine cup, Of which the
'rlest was very fond, and broke il on the
.oorstep. When the priest returned he
u the boy weeping bitterly over the
fragments.
What has happened, Kozo?" asked the
st0nished priest.
"oa, sir replied the boy through his
obs, Il broke your treasured cup. and
| did not want TO live any lunger-so-
o remembered the poisonous cakes YOU
me about yesterday, and SO | ate them
but boo. hoo-here I'm alive yet!"-Lip.
ineotts Magazine, June, 1902.
The Sensitive Minister.
1t happened in a New Jersey town several
ears ago, There was a casino, a newspaper
handsome church, and numerous lovely
omen, whose husbands were commuters.
one Of the latter; eve have good rea.
49,