The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
HOW TIE GOD J.zO WAS MADE CAPTIVE Wonderful Wisdom of Japan'S
 Solomon EFFECTS THIEF IN CROWD Picks Him Out from a Crowd of Spec tators in His Court Room--Un- usual Proceedings of a Jap
 anese Jurist.
EFFECTS THIEF IN CROWD

Austin Medley in New York Times.
 Nearly 200 years ago there passed through the streets of old Yedo porter named Yagoro. He was in the employ of a large shop, and carried on his back a great bundle of white cotton cloths.
 Now the day was very hot. the sun shone pitilessly down, there was no stir of air, and Yagoro sweated and grunted under his load. At length he felt that he could bear 1t no longer unless he could get a little rest in some honorable, cool place. So he strengthened his back, wiped the sweat off his face with the cotton towel bound round his head and looked about him for some haven of rest. His eye at once hit upon a monastery gate and out side the gate a great spreading tree. making an oasis of shade. And not only that, for under the tree was a great stone image of Jizo, the compassionate one, helper of all women and children and unfortunate people.
 Tn truth,' said Yagoro to himself, 'I am indeed fortunate Here is grateful shade and the honorable Jixo Sama will protect me while I rest" With sigh of relief he slipped off his pack, laid it in front of the image and himself reclin- ing was soon fast asleep.
 Four hours had passed when, with a start, he awoke. The streets were desert ed and ashamed of his long sleep he pre- pared to hurry on. But when he looked for his pack 1t was nowhere to be seen. Va otrb1 1Ef uf QafaA into the monastery and questioned the monks, but they disclained all knowl- edge of his loss. He then bent his dis tracted steps to the house of the head man of the ward but received no assist ance from him so that at last in desper- ation he returned to his masters shop. at the sign of the Dragon Fly, and con- fessed his misfortune.
 His master proved very stern and in- sisted upon Yagoro's surety indemnifying him for the loss of his goods. At this the poor porter was in despair, and he de- ter1nined to take his life, since he was suspected of theft, and his surety was obliged to part with large sum of money, which he could i'll afford. His friend, however. eagerly dssuaded him, saying, Do not drown yourself Go rath- CT to the Honorable Judge Ooka Yechizen in Kami and lay your case before him. He will help you to search for the theft"
 Yagero followed this sound advice, went to the court, and told the whole story to the famous judge who listened attentive ly and then said
 When you went to sleep you laid your bundle beside Jizo Sama, thinking that there was nothing to fear, because he is an august divinity who protects the land. and yet it was stolen. Now, I cannot for give Jizo Sama for not knowing that your pack was stolen, even thought it was partly due to your own careiessness. All the Buddhist divinities in Yedo are under my superintendence, and 1t Is within my authority to arrest and examine them. shall, therefore, arrest this same Jizo Sama.'
 The judge thereupon gave orders for the arrest of the stone Jizo in Nakanocho in the Honjo Ward
 The police hurried out to fulfill the or der and approache the image, crying ont. we arrest you by the will of our august master
 The image, however, which was six feet high and very heavy, remained unmoved, and the police knew not what to do. So the captain called to the bystanders, who were all consumed with curiosity, "Ev- erybodv lend a hand. Then you may go and hear the examination of Jizo."'
 With so many willing helpers. the figure WAS soon pulled down and got on to a cart. which was slowly hauled in the di- rection of the court
 Like wildfire the news spread that Ooka Zen had arrested a stone image of Jizo sama for theft, and that anyone might vo to the court and listen to the exami- net,on: so that by the time the cart had veached its destination it was the head of an immense crowd of people, who ouickly filled the whole court from the bar to the porch.
 
 ber. where it stood. serene and benevolent as ever.
 Then 1t was that the great judge came out took his seat and sternly addressed the passive figure at the bar.
 ..Prisoner at the bar, you are a very famous deity; you are exalted and rev. erenced with lofty titles. You ought therefore to give protection to all. How is 1t that you did not know that the pack of Yagoro, porter at the sign of the on-Fly, was stolen? If you saw the theft and said nothing. you are an ac- complice Of the thief. Now, frankly con- fess your crime
 The stone image remained dumb, where -uron the judge resumed in a louder voice: ! pD5es fear keep you silent? Yagoro, thinking himself free from all evil In your august presence. slept composed. It was your fault therefore, that he was robbed. Now. tell mo at once who the thief was or cannot forgive you. but must commit you to prison"
 J,zo sama remained silent, and Ooka, looking around his court, questioned the officerg as to why there was such an un- oseuiv crowd. The officers replied that 8e people had como to respectfully hear \Sns sxnsnanAt3oa. 'What." cried the judge Srrfiy. 'thsss fssiovs burst Into the