o«o^ ,^*^ O * J- "V .0^ MT. FUJIYAMA AND AN INLAND VALLEY.— Frontispiece. KESA AND SAIJIRO: OR, LIGHTS AND SHADES OF LIFE IN JAPAN. BY MRS. J. D. CARROTHBRS. AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, 150 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK CITY. JAPAN REFERENCE LIBRARY NEW YORK COPYRIGHT, i8S8, BY AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY. • i .^ !i MP"*'' CHAPTER I. "Alas! Master, it is a daughter " .. 7 CHAPTER n. The Schoolmaster's Boy 15 CHAPTER III. New Japan 22 CHAPTER IV. A Midsummer Day 34 CHAPTER V. The Story of the Hairdresser 41 CHAPTER VI. Saijiro climbs the Mountain ^ 54 CHAPTER VII. Tama's New Home 62 CHAPTER VIII. On the other side of the Hakones 76 CHAPTER IX. Rinjiro's Question 92 CHAPTER X. Seeing Buddha's Face 105 CHAPTER XI. A Midsummer Festival ii.^ 4 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XII. Winter in Yamamidzu 131 CHAPTER XIII. Mitsu's Troubles 14^ CHAPTER XIV. Sunset o!i the Hakones 157 CHAPTER XV. The Good Doctor 167 CHAPTER XVI. The Storm in the Mountains 180 CHAPTER XVII. From Yamamidzu to Tokio 188 CHAPTER XVIII. The ChaptI Service 206 CHAPTER XIX. A Country Boy in Tokio 215 CHAPTER XX. School Days 2^9 CHAPTER XXI. Midwinter in Tokio 245 CHAPTER XXII. spring Blossoms 262 CHAPTER XXIII. " Mushi " 277 CHAPTER XXIV. Harukichi and Chiye - 2S7 CHAPTER XXV. The Dismantled Shrine 302 CHAPTER XXVI. ?Iis»ionarics on the Hakones 315 CONTENTS. 5 CHAPTER XXVII. The Midnight Prayer 328 CHAPTER XXVni. The Little Visitor 343 CHAPTER XXIX. Some Letters and a Wedding 356 CHAPTER XXX. Kesa and her Father 370 CHAPTER XXXI. A Winter Journey 376 CHAPTER XXXII. The Home and the Prison 393 CHAPTER XXXIII. Jinrikisha Rides 403 CHAPTER XXXIV. A Sabbath in Hiroshima 411 CHAPTER XXXV. A Beautiful Isle of the Sea 416 CHAPTER XXXVI. Home Again 423 CHAPTER XXXVII. Some Happy Days 428 CHAPTER XXXVIII. Christian Homes and Christian Work 431 CHAPTER XXXIX. Saijiro's Resolve — — ....... 437 ILLUSTRATIONS. MT. FUJIYAMA AND AX INLAND VALLEY__Frontispiecr. YAMAMIDZU i5 TOKIO AND VICINITY— Map 22 YETARO'S SCHOOL 35 A JAPANESE COOPER 40 MEGUCHI, KESA, AND RINJIRO 46 YENOSKE AND THE PACK-HORSE 54 FEMALE MUSICIANS -' 70 JINRIKISHA TRAVELLERS 85 JAPANESE CARPENTERS 105 KESA AND MITSU - 127 THE EIGHT-HEADED DRAGON 130 THE RABBIT AND THE CROCODILES 135 A JAPANESE TINSMITH . 288 A JAPANESE MANSION 292 A JAPANESE BARBER _ 319 MOUNTAIN GIRLS -.. 326 A JAPANESE SANDAL-MAKER 383 KESA AND SAIJIRO, CHAPTER I. *'ai,as! master, it is a daughter." The sun was just rising over Japan when the officer Fujisawa's fifth little daughter was born ; and she was named Kesa, which means Morning. Five girls in a Japanese family, and never a boy to inherit the father's name or to perpetuate the glory of his house ! But Fujisawa was a man who accepted with patience "whatever the gods saw fit to send." So when the woman Meguchi, for years a faithful servant in the family, came to him with the words, "Master, it is a daughter; truly, a misfortune!" he simply said, "It is well," and turned away to hide whatever disap- pointment he may have felt. Before he went to the custom-house that morning he spoke kindly to his wife and glanced at the little baby. Then he took in his arms the ailing three-year-old Hana and placed her in a sheltered nook of the garden, bidding some one look after her. 8 KESA AND SAIJIRO. There were no rejoicings, no congratulations or sending of presents, as there would have been had a boy come into the household. The girl- baby was not w^orth any of these. But Fujisawa was really fond of his children. And already the eldest was betrothed to the son of a valued friend, a rich merchant of Hakodate — a merchant, and yet of high-born family. There w^as no questioning as to whether the young peo- ple would care for one another when they were married. The match was simply a matter of business between the two fathers, and those most concerned were asked nothing about it. The home of the little Fujisawas was near an old yashiki^ or prince's dwelling, in the high part of Tokio called the Kudan. This place overlooks the bay and commands a beautiful view of the city, with its low buildings, its temples and proves. The horizon is bounded on all sides by mountains, the Hakones and the Nikko and Kadzusa ranges, while to the southwest rises Mt. Fuji, the sacred, "matchless" mountain, the pride and glory of the Japanese. The house of Fujisawa was large and airy and was kept scrupulously clean. The family lived for the most part down stairs, the one long room of the upper story being a sort of smoking- room for Fujisawa and his friends. Especially did they enjoy this room during the long summer evenings, when the slides were drawn back, and "alas! master, it is a daughter." 9 those who were assembled there could look down over the lights of the city and up to the distant, silent stars. The large parlor below was almost without furniture. The spotless white mats, the polished woodwork, the elegant vases with tastefully-ar- ranged flowers, and the handsome scrolls were sufficient to show the high social standing of the family. Nor was there much furniture elsewhere in the house ; only a few little tables and some mattresses, the latter now spread out to air in the morning sun. The garden was the great delight of the Fuji- sawas and their visitors. In the centre was a pond where hundreds of gold-fish sported, their backs now and again re- flecting a ray of sunshine. Near the house a little stone bridge crossed the pond, and rocks were scattered picturesquely along its banks. At in- tervals, on the water's edge, were stone lanterns, in which lights were placed on festival occasions. And in the springtime there were beds of iris, purple and white. All through the grounds were artificial hil- locks covered with azaleas, and in one corner of the garden the graceful wistaria hung from a lat- tice in grape-like clusters. Grand old maples and cedars shadowed all, making a home for in- numerable crows. But the chief ornaments of the garden, to Japanese eyes, were the cherry and lO KESA AND SAIJIRO. peach blooms, which now, on this beautiful May morning, mingled their snowy white and pale pink in charming contrast. It was amid such surroundings that little Kesa came into the world. The five girls were Tama, which means Pre- cious Stone ; Mitsu, Honey ; Chiye, Wisdom ; Hana, Flower ; and now the baby Kesa. Tama was ten years old ; Mitsu, seven ; Chiye, five ; and Hana, three. There was no such variety of complexion and hair among them as is common in American families. They all had dark skins and black hair and eyes, and all had round, rosy cheeks, except Hana, who had always been delicate. Their hair was dressed according to their ages, as is customary with Japanese girls ; while the baby would soon have to submit to the usual process of shaving, which is rather severe on the poor little tender heads. Every morning, except on the national holi- days, the faithful Meguchi took Tama and Mitsu to the school near by, where they spent at least five hours in learning how to read and write and count a little. Their books were those which the Japanese think suitable for their girls, "The Wo- man's Great Learning," "The One Hundred Poems," and some of the sayings of Confucius. They had no grammar nor geography nor history to learn. The girls were separated from the boys. The *'ALAs! master, it is a daughter." II scholars sat on the floor, held their brush-pens straight in their hands, dipped them in India ink, and covered the soft Japanese paper with queer black characters. Then the copy-books were hung up in the sun to dry. The children carried their noon lunches of cold rice, radishes, and fish to school in little wooden boxes which they called bentos. The street down which the Fujisawas had to pass on their way to school was a quiet one. They went by the old yashiki. This is an inclos- ure with the daimio^s or prince's house in the cen- tre and the retainers' dwellings on the outside, looking from the street like a wall with windows, or rather lattices, for the Japanese had no glass. Some of these inclosures are very beautiful, and since the princes have ceased to occupy them they have been put to various uses, such as Gov- ernment schools, soldiers' barracks, residences for foreigners, etc. In one of the outside houses of the yashiki lived Aka, a young w^oman whom the children knew. Aka often cried because the gods had not sent her a little child. She went almost every day to the temple and prayed, clapping her hands and calling on the gods to hear her. Tama and Mitsu felt sorry for her, her eyes were so red and her face was so sad. Besides, their mother often spoke of her as being so unfortunate, and said that her husband would soon send her home 12 KESA AND SAIJIRO. and get another wife, to whom perhaps the gods would grant a little son. At one of the windows the children almost always saw an old lady, bent nearly double, whom they called "Baba" (grandmother). She always smiled and spoke pleasantly to them as they went by. There were also two girls who were taking lessons on the samisen^ and Tama and Mitsu w^ould listen to the music, the ''tum- tum " of the Japanese guitar. When school was out Meguchi would go for the little girls, and sometimes they all had per- mission to walk to a little hill from which they could see a short distance into the country on one side and in another direction could look at the white sails in the bay. They always stopped at a tea-house to get a cup of tea and some sweetmeats, for which they gave a few copper coins. Chiye usually accom- panied them on such occasions, and the three little girls looked so pretty and behaved so nice- ly, bowed so civilly and answered questions so politely, that strangers would often ask who they were. Then Meguchi would answer, "Truly, thanks. These are the children of my master, the high officer Fujisawa." And if any one asked her if he had a son, she would shake her head and say, "Truly, a misfortune; no." Then a shadow would fall for a moment over ''alas! master, it is a daughter." 13 the hearts of the older children. It was indeed an unfortunate thing that they were not boys. But their sadness lasted only for a moment, and they would soon be playing again as if Japanese girls were of just as much value as boys. At six o'clock the children were expected to be at home to meet their father, who returned about that time from the custom-house. When they entered the house they would go immediately to find their mother and say to her, "We have returned." And when the servant announced that the "master" had come, they would run to meet him, bowing down to the ground before him. The evening meal of rice, tea, and fish fol- lowed the father's return, and soon after that the little ones would all be asleep on their stuffed futons^ or mattresses, their heads resting on wood- en pillows. Thus passed day after day in the Fujisawa household. But now a diversion had come — in the new little sister, who, on this first morning of her life, lay by her mother's side fast asleep. She knew not yet the mother's face nor listened for her voice. She heeded not the sunshine nor cared for the flowers. But she was strong and large, and the mother looked fondly on the little head covered with long, soft black hair. Her gar- ments were of silk, fashioned after the same pat- tern as those of the older members of the family. 14 KESA AND SAIJIRO. Her tiny hands were almost lost in the wide sleeves. Her little feet were covered by the long robe. The morning hours passed quietly by. Tama and Mitsu went off to school. Chiye and Hana played together in the garden. The baby slept on. Afar off lay the Hakone Mountains, like a soft cloud-blank against the sky. On this very same morning a little child on those mountains wept bitterly because his mother gave no heed to his cries, having gone into that unknown land of the dead which Japanese and Americans alike have to enter. THE schoolmaster's BOY. 15 CHAPTER II. THE schoolmaster's BOY. In the heart of the Hakone Mountains, on the banks of one of those wild rivers which come rushing down their sides, dashing against rocks and leaping over precipices, is the little village, or rather hamlet, of Yamamidzu. It is truly in the shadow of the mountain, for the sun shines on it only a few hours in the middle of the day. The people, looking up, can see only a bit of sky directly overhead. On both sides tower the cliffs, thickly wooded and covered with a dense under- growth of bushes. The villao:e itself consists of a cluster of ten or twelve houses on one side of the river. Among these are an inn, a temple, and a schoolhouse. The hamlet is out of the usual line of travel up the Hakones, and there is consequently but little use for the inn, which is old and dilapidated. Just below Yamamidzu the foaming torrent makes a plunge over the rocks in a beautiful cas- cade. From its violence you would think that it was going to carry everything before it; but, to your surprise, you would find at the bottom a calm and rather shallow pool, whose waters flow underground until the river is apparently lost. 1 6 KKSA AND SAIJIRO. And so it looked on the day when little Kesa came to her father's beautiful home in the great ''East Capital." Young Yenoske, the son of the innkeeper, had a pack-horse, the only one in the village, and occasionally went down the mountain for sup- plies. This was almost the only communication which the villagers had with the outside world. But they loved the mountain and the river and were proud of their waterfall and the still pool, where the children bathed on the warm summer days. At one end of the village a rude bridge cross- ed the torrent. It was a frail, dangerous struc- ture, without a railing and with no supports. It swayed under the lightest tread, and any one who trod it carelessly was in danger of being sudden- ly plunged into the rapids below. There was but one house on the side of the stream opposite the village, and this was a mis- erable shanty. The thatched roof scarcely served to keep out the rain, the mats were old and w^orn, and the futojis ragged and thin. In one room there was a chest of drawers, in another a little Japanese table on which lay the customary ink- stone. Some books were piled up in a corner and papers were scattered around. Seated on the floor near the table, his face buried in his hands, was a man about thirty years of age. He seemed feeble in body and disturbed THE schoolmaster's BOY. J-J in mind, and now and again moaned and rocked himself to and fro. The man was Yetaro, the village schoolmaster. Two years before he had come to Yamamidzu with his wife and infant son. Not one of the simple inhabitants of the village knew whence they came, and at first all looked upon them with distrust. Yetaro built a small house away from all the other houses of the village. It was in a wild, lonely place on the mountain-side and ever in the deepest shade. The woman was frail and delicate. Some even said that she was possessed of the fox, ac- cording to a strange superstition which the people entertain concerning those who are in the slight- est degree deranged. The young mother's sole pleasure was in her baby, whom she carried on her back long after the strong, healthy boy was too heavy a burden for one so weak and ailing. The father was a scholar, and gathered the vil- lage children into a school. But the pittance thus gained was scarcely enough to keep his fam- ily supplied with the barest necessaries of life. They were often hungry and cold and shivered in their scanty garments. But Saijiro, the baby, grew strong and ruddy and was happy with his mother, riding on her back or trotting by her side the livelonof dav. Of the silent father he saw little. •& But now a great change had come. The gen- tle Kochi was no more. All the morning she KocA KU'l Siiljiro. -^ l8 KESA AND SAIJIRO. had lain on her wretched bed breathing quietly, but taking no notice of the boy she loved so fond- ly. Every now and then he stopped his play to come and nestle close to her side. He would pass his hand over her face and lisp, ''^ Ka-chan^ l:a-chan ! I am very hungry, ka-chan. Wake up and give me some rice." But the mother did not answer him. The village doctor sat by the sick woman's side, but had no power to help her. A priest came over from the village and mumbled his prayers, but Kochi did not seem to hear him. An old baba^ the only person on whom Yetaro would call for help, from time to time adminis- tered nourishment. Yetaro sat for hours by the table, never looking up and not speaking a word. At ten o'clock the end had come. The doc- tor went back to the village. Saijiro came in once more to speak to his mother, but no one paid any attention to him, and he went crying from the house. He was a sluxJy little fellow of three years, with bright black eyes and round rosy cheeks. The officer Fujisawa would have given half his wealth and influence to possess him; and Aka's tears would have been dried could she have called him, even in his rags and dirt, her own. Poor little Saijiro ! He trotted away from the house down to a corner of the iT:arden where THE SCHOOLMASTER S BOY. 1 9 there was an altar to the fox-god, Inari. He was hungry and lonely, and no one listened to his cries. Something was the matter with ka-chan; she heeded him not. So he lay sobbing under the shadow of the mountain, until his quick ear caught the sound of rapidly approaching foot- steps. He looked up to see a boy of fifteen com- ins: towards him. In an instant the child w^as on his feet, running with outstretched arms to meet his friend, who stooped to take him on his back. *'Why do you cry, Saiji?" asked the new- comer. "I am hungry, Yenoske, and the honorable father is sad and the honorable mother gives me no rice. When will the mother wake up, Ye- chan, and cook the rice?" *'The honorable mother is dead and finished, Saiji, but Baba and I wdll take care of you and give you rice. See ! I have brought you beans. We will go up on the mountain and gather flowers to lay on the mother's coffin." The hungry child ravenously ate the sweet- ened beans. Then, with his hand clasped in Yenoske's, he bravely climbed the mountain- side, looking for flowers and screaming with de- light when he could point one out to his friend. Yenoske gathered them for him until they could carry no more. The snow had scarcely melted on the Hakones. There were still white patches here and there. But in sheltered places lovely 20 KESA AND SAIJIRO. flowers grew, and the trees were beautiful in their fresh green dress. Saijiro chatted merrily to Yenoske and was as happy as the birds twit- tering in the branches above him. In the little house below lay the dead mother, and the father sat overwhelmed with grief. Before Saijiro, and before the little Kesa in Tokio, stretched a long and untried path. Old Japan was passing away, and the new generation would find much to trouble and perplex them. But the baby slept on, and Saijiro knew nothing of pain or care. He felt safe with Yenoske and he loved the mountain. Its towering sides had grown as familiar to him as the faces of father and mother. When the mountain smiled with sunshine and held out flowers for him to gather, he rejoiced. When the mountain was sad and sent rain like his mother's tears down over the little house, he often w^ept in sympathy. When once upon a time he had seen it all white and glittering with snow, he had clapped his hands and danced for joy and called ka-chan to come and see it too. It is not often that the eastern slope of the Ilakones is covered with snow. The western exposures are much colder. On the eastern side are hot springs, which are a resort for invalids even in winter. On this May day everything was lovely, and it was late in the afternoon when Yenoske and THK schoolmaster's BOY. 21 Saijiro went back to the home where the dead mother lay. Old Baba had prepared the body for burial. The priest had shaved poor Kochi's head; for the people believe that the departed become priests, and must enter the realm of the dead with shaven heads. Kochi w^as dressed in her wedding gar- ments, and on the evening of the third day the square, box-like coffin in which the body was seated was carried to the temple. The priests chanted a solemn dirge over it. Then they bore it to the Buddhist cemetery and laid it in the ground. The little son looked on and wondered what it all meant 22 KESA AND SAIJIRO. CHAPTER III NEW JAPAN. In the summer of i868, while Kesa was only a few weeks old, a great battle took place in Tokio, or Yedo, as the city was then called. It was fought at the beautiful temple inclosure Uyeno. The adherents of the Tycoon, who had been declared a usurper, met the Mikado's troops. The former were defeated, and the Tycoon soon retired from Yedo into private life in the old cas- tle at Shidzuoka; while the Mikado removed his court from Kioto to Yedo, and changed that city's name to Tokio, which means the "eastern capi- tal." Tama, Mitsu, Chiye, and Hana heard from their house in the Kudan the noise of the battle, and were much frightened. But the baby Kesa knew no fear. Do you ask how there came to be two rival rulers in Japan ? Will you listen to a little story ? The history of Japan begins with a man called Jimmu, 660 years B. C. He was the sole emper- or, and founded the sovereignty of the Mikados, who held their court at Kioto. Almost divine honors were paid to the IMikado, but in the course of a few centuries his real power was much re- NEW JAPAN. 23 duced by the rise of a military supremacy, exer- cised alternately by two rival clans, who were frequently at war with one another. In 1180 the reigning Mikado was forced by Kiyomori, the chieftain of the clan then in power, to abdicate in favor of his son, a child of three years, while Ki- yomori, the boy's maternal grandfather, himself became regent. After Kiyomori's death, a year later, Yoritomo, the leader of the rival clan, es- tablished his supremacy and took up his resi- dence at Kamakura. In 1192 the then reigning Mikado appointed him Shogun, or military " com- mander-in-chief" of the empire — the office to which the title of " Tycoon" has been commonly but erroneously applied. Thus the Mikado continued to be a sort of puppet, to whom great honors were paid, while the Shogun, or sometimes the Shogun' s regent, was the real ruler of the empire and the leader of the armies. Near the close of the sixteenth century a fa- mous general named Hideyoshi acquired the chief military power, though he was never ap- pointed to the office of Shogun. All Japanese children are acquainted with the stories of Yori- tomo and Hideyoshi, the latter being better known as Taykosama, a title which means "my lord, the great lord." A few years after the death of Hideyoshi, which occurred in 1594, one of his generals, named Tokugawa lyeyasu, was appoint- 24 KESA AND SAIJIRO. ed Shogim by the Mikado and held his court at Yedo. That city continued to be the residence of the succeeding Shoguns, all of whom were of the Tokugawa dynasty, until the revolution of 1868 put an end to the office. Early in the sixteenth century some Portu- guese traders came to Japan. These traders were soon followed by Roman-catholic missionaries. They were Jesuits, and at their head was a man known through all the Christian world, Francis Xavier by name. It is said that these first missionaries to Japan, though not free from the errors of the Church of Rome, were pious and self-denying men who la- bored faithfully among the Japanese. They gained many converts, and were loved by the people, whom they loved in return. But after Francis Xavier was dead, changes took place. Other representatives of the Romish Church came over, and they quarrelled among themselves. What the Japanese thought of this we cannot tell. But at last the Portuguese formed a con- spiracy against the Government, which was dis- covered, and they were driven out of the country. Then a terrible persecution of Japanese Christians took place. The converts were brave and patient, and many preferred a terrible death to giving up their faith. The next people who had commercial rela- tions with Japan were the Dutch. On the 24tli NEW JAPAN. 25 of June, 1598, there sailed from Holland a Dutch ship with an English pilot on board. This pilot's name was William Adams. The crew had a terrible vovasre. Adverse winds drove them hither and thither and sickness broke out among them. At last they were driven on the shores of Japan, where they were kindly received. But after waiting nearly two years for the decision of the Shogun concerning them, they were informed that they could not have their ship any more, and that they must make up their minds to spend the rest of their days *' happily and peacefully in Japan." The Dutchmen scattered themselves in differ- ent parts of the island, while Adams went to the Shogun' s court at Yedo, where he became a fa- vorite, had a fine salary, and rose to "high distinc- tion." But he was verv sad during- his longr so- journ in Japan. He had left a wife and children in England, and was never permitted to see them again. He tried several times to send letters, but whether they were ever received or not no one knows. The Dutch and Portuguese were together in Japan for a time. At length, as we have learned, the Portuguese were expelled from the country. We learn from reliable sources that the Dutch assisted the Japanese in their persecution of the native Christians. This is a great blot on the record of the Dutch in Japan, although some JAPAN REFERENCE LIBRARY NEW YORK 26 KKSA AND SAIJIRO. writers try to excuse them. One of their own number says, "The Japanese both hated and de- spised us for what we had done." In 1 641 the Dutch were ordered to Nagasaki, and were confined in Deshima, a little island in the harbor. Here they submitted, for the sake of trade, to the most terrible humiliations. They were scarcely allowed to hold divine service on Sundays. They had " to leave off praying and singing in public and to avoid the sign of the cross." All of the Japanese ofBcials connected with the Dutch factory wxre obliged to "trample upon the cross." The Dutchmen were constantly watched. Oc- casionally they were allowed to take a walk into the country, but were always surrounded by spies. The principal men of the factory had to make journeys to Yedo to visit the Shogun. During these trips they gained some knowledge of the country. Deshima, although called an island, is in reality separated from the city of Naga- saki by a canal; it is scarcely more of an isl- and than the Foreign Concession at Tokio. The scenery by which the Dutchmen were surround- ed was very beautiful. High hills encircle the land-locked harbor and the verdure is almost tropical. England and Russia made attempts to trade with Japan, but were imsuccessful. The law was fixed and unalterable. No foreigner, and no NEW JAPAX. 27 Japanese who had been away from his own coun- try, should ever step upon its shores again. And this law was in operation for two hundred years. It was in the year 1852 that a squadron w^as fitted out by the United States Government for the purpose of visiting Japan and establishing commercial relations with that long shut-up country. The expedition was under the com- mand of Com. Matthew S. Perry, and every American bov and girl ouo:ht to know about it. The Mexican war had closed. California had become a part of the United States. The mag- nificent harbor of San Francisco was now ready for the commerce of the Orient. The Golden Gate was open to the trade of China and India. Naturally all eyes were turned towards Japan as a country on the great highway betw^een the Occident and the Orient. For a little more than two hundred years, from 1641 to 1852, Japan had been shut up. There had been no intercourse wnth any otlier na- tion except the limited trade carried on with the Dutch. No one had gone out of the country or come into it. Two hundred years ! Think of what our country was only one hundred years ago, and perhaps you can form some idea of the stationary condition of Japan. But on the 24th of November, of the year 1852, Com. Perry sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, on the steamship *' Missouri," commissioned to 28 KESA AND SAIJIRO. arrange a treaty with Japan. He carried a letter from the President to the Emperor. His orders v/ere to deliver the letter to the proper authori- ties and to demand an answer. The story of the squadron's progress around the world would be well worth reading. They stopped at many ports and saw many wonderful things. On the morning of July 7, 1853, they first came in sight of Japan. Those of us who also have seen Japan for the first time on a summer morning know how those lovely shores must have looked to the ships' crews as they steamed slowly up the coast. At first the land was only dimly visible through the mist. Then as the sun rose higher and higher, dissipating the fogs, Japan stood revealed with her wooded hills, her green shores, her river flowing down to the sea, her lit- tle villages nestling under the cliffs and scattered along the water's edge. We can imagine the consternation of the fish- ermen out in their junks when the steamers be- came visible, the hurrying and scurrying of peo- ple upon the shore. Then what ridiculous means they employed to keep the foreigners from seeing them, stretching cloths before the towns ! They were curious, nevertheless. Men, women, and children climbed the hills to oraze at the strano^ers. Bells were rung, guns were fired, and beacon-fires were lighted along the shores. A general sur- prise and alarm prevailed throughout the empire. NEW JAPAN. 29 So far as etiquette was concerned Com. Perry met the Japanese upon their own ground. He let them see that he was a commissioner from a ruler of dignity and power. After a great many vexa- tious delays the first interview with the Japanese authorities was granted, and the President's letter was delivered. An exchange of hospitalities hav- ing been made, the fleet left Japan with the un- derstanding that the Commodore was to come again in the winter for the Emperor's answer. Accordingly, in February of the next year he returned, and the treaty was concluded without war or bloodshed. Thus did Com. Perry succeed in opening the gates of Japan. Other nations were not long in making similar treaties, and foreigners flocked into Japan. It was during this period that the title of "Ty- coon " originated. It was really with the minis- ters of the Shogun at Yedo that these first treaties were made, under the impression on the part of the foreign Powers that he was the actual Em- peror of Japan; and the ministers of the Shogun called him the Taikiin^ that is, " great ruler." It was not until 1868 that his true position became known and that the Mikado's ratification of the treaties made with the Shogun or "Tycoon" was obtained. In 1868 a great revolution took place. This was just about the time when our story begins. Kesa was a mere infant and Saijiro a toddler of 30 KESA AND SAIJIRO. three years. The "Tycoon's" troops fought with the ^likado's troops. The former were de- feated, and the "Tycoon" retired into private life. So there is now but one ruler in Japan. You see that while Kesa and Saijiro were yet small children momentous changes were taking place in the empire. God had, indeed, great things in store for them. No shadow of anxiety, however, or forecast of trials to come, had power over the brightness of their baby lives. Little Kesa learned how to use her eyes, looking at first wonderingly at the sun- beams, the gay flowers, the pretty colored balls which are given to Japanese babies to play with. Dressed gorgeously in silk and crape, she was taken to the temple and had her name recorded there as a member of the Fujisawa family. She learned how to stretch out her hands for things, how to cry when she did not get what she want- ed, how to creep, to stand, to walk. She had her first little sandals, then her wood- en clogs; had some falls in learning how to use them; was taught how to step out of her shoes at the door and how to make a bow. She learned, also, to lisp in baby fashion the soft, sweet words of the Japanese language. Kesa was an active, healthy child, a great contrast to the peevish, weak little Hana. The tiny bell which she wore at her waist would be heard now' in one corner of the garden, now in another, as she trotted hap- NEW JAPAN. 31 pily from place to place. Often was the mother's heart relieved by the tinkle of that little bell when the child would be missed for a few mo- ments. One day when Kesa was about two years old the whole family, except Fujisawa himself, were going up to the temple. It was a Buddhist tem- ple with the usual toriye^ or bird-rest, in front. A flagged walk led up to the steps, and on each side of this walk were shops where the children could buy toys. Within the temple inclosure there was an image of a horse, and a tree in which a sacred snake was said to dwell. The children gave some money to a man to have him free a number of caged birds. This is one of the acts of Buddhist worship. Within the temple were idols. Some of these were hideous and frightened the children; others had beautiful faces, on which they loved to look. Even little Kesa was taught her prayers, although she could not at all understand them, but she clapped and rubbed her hands, made her bows, and repeated the same words as the others. This particular day was a festival. One of the gods was taken out in a gorgeous car. Those who were carrying him shouted and rocked the car violently, becoming much excited. There were many people in the street, and most of them had flowers. On the way the Fujisawas met Aka carrying a great wooden doll dressed in silk and 33 KHSA AND SAIJIRO. <:rape. She looked very happy, and she told them why: she and her husband were going to adopt a beautiful boy, the son of a relative. In the meantime she consoled herself by dressing and caring for the doll. Soon the empty heart and home would be filled. No wonder Aka's face was bright with smiles. The children ad- mired the doll and rejoiced with Aka. The young woman went on towards her home, and then something happened which the little Fuji- sawas remembered for many and many a day. They had often heard of the foreigners who had made their way into the country, and they had listened to the story of those days when Com. Perry was at anchor in Yedo Bay, when beacon- fires were lighted, guns discharged, and bells tolled, as danger signals throughout the country. That was seventeen years before the time of which we are writing, and a number of foreigners had come to Japan since then. But the officer Fuji- sawa's wife and children, living in a secluded way near the outskirts of the city, had never seen any of these strange people of the Western Conti- nent. They knew that Fujisawa himself had dealings with them at the custom-house, and that their sojourn in the city was a source of much perplexity to him and the cause of endless dis- cussions in the little circle which assembled in the garden or in the upper room. The children's secret curiosity to see the stran- NEW JAPAN. 33 gers was this afternoon to be gratified. As they were walking slowly along they heard the " Hai, hai !" of a runner, and immediately a pony-car- riage passed, in which were a gentleman, a lady, and a little child. The group of sisters pressed closely to their mother and Meguchi, a trifle alarmed, yet interested in the lady and the fair, blue-eyed baby. The lady looked kindly at them and smiled on Kesa, who lifted her bright face but for an instant, then hid it in her mother's dress. It was but a flashing interchange of glan- ces, and all passed on their different ways. But in the coming years they were to meet again and again. Kesa and SalJIro. 34 KESA AND SAIJIRO. CHAPTER IV. A MIDSUMMER DAY. The midsummer day was warm in Yamamid- zu. It seemed as if every breath of air was shut out by the steep hillsides. The people sat in the street by the river and used their fans. The horse could not discover a cool place in which to stand, and found switching his tail to keep off the flies rather violent exercise. The dogs panted with heat, and went often to lap the cool water of the river. At one end of the village, in the little school- house, stood Yetaro, the master, reading in a loud tone some of the maxims of Confucius. The chil- dren liked to hear also of Confucius, or Kong- foo-tse, himself. He was born in the province of Ivoo, China, about 550 years before Christ. He was a wise and serious child, continually surpri- sing his parents and grandparents by his remarks. Twice in his life, after deservedly occupying a high position, he was driven out of his native province. For twelve years he wandered about an exile, often hunted and harassed. The last five years of his life were happy and peaceful, passed in a pleasant valley, with friends around him. The literary work which he did has been A MIDSUMMER DAY. 35 of great service to China, and his books are stud- ied to this day in all of the schools. The teach- ings of Confucius in many respects are very good, but they do not recognize any Supreme Being. They inculcate reverence towards parents and an- cestors. Obedience is taught, and everything is to be done ^'decently and in order;'' but no remedy is provided for the power and curse of sin. The Yamamidzu scholars, a few mountain girls and boys, strove to imitate Yetaro's reading, teacher and scholars screaming at the top of their voices. The stick which Yetaro held in his hand was more for the purpose of emphasizing his words than for the punishment of the pupils, who were docile and obedient enouo:h and did their best to learn what was set before them. But do you think that on such days even a Japanese boy will not sometimes cast a glance out of the open slides and look with envy on the bees and flies and free little birds in the tree-tops? or that a vision of cool clear water does not flit across his mind's eye, and that he is not pleased when the hour for dismissal comes ? It was a poor little place, that schoolhouse. The roof was thatched and in some parts moss- grown, and it leaked when the heavy rains came pouring over the mountains. The matting was yellow with age and soiled and worn. In a corner of the room Saijiro, now a little round-faced, rosy-cheeked boy of five years, clad 36 KESA AND SAIJIRO. in a simple white garment, his chubby brown hands clasping some lilies, lay asleep. What lit- tle wind there was just stirred the damp, dark locks that fell on his forehead. The little mo- therless boy had become the pet and pride of the villagers, who prophesied that he would be a scholar and fill his father's place in the school. And now it was time to dismiss school for the day. Yetaro laid down his stick and gave the scholars permission to go. They made their bows and passed out, singing and shouting as they went down the street. But the big boy, Yenoske, remained. Going up to where the little one lay sleeping, and shaking him gently, he said, ^'Up, up, Saiji ! School is out. We are go- ing home." The child opened his almond-shaped eyes, rubbed them, stood up, and then, as if suddenly recovering his senses, leaped lightly on Yenoske's back. Thus he w^as carried rapidly through the village, and was soon on the frail bridge which crossed the river. Saijiro was used to it, and never trembled as the frail structure swayed to and fro under Yenoske's firm tread, w^hile the tor- rent boiled and hissed below. Yetaro followed them down the street, saw them safely over the bridge, and then turned in at the temple gate. He remained some time at his devotions, repeating one prayer over and over again. Yenoske knew his habits; so when he A MIDSUMMER DAY. 37 had reached the one house on the other side of the river he set Saijiro down on the little veranda and took his place beside him. ''I am going down the mountain to-morrow, Saiji," he said. The child looked sorry, for these two were in- separable friends, and the little one was lonely with only his quiet father for a companion. " In how many days will you return, Yechan?" he asked. "In three days," Yenoske answered. "And I will bring you something, Saiji — new shoes and candies. I will tell you, too, of everything I see. Some day, when you are big enough, you shall go with me, Saichan." " Will it be very long before I am big enough, Yenoske ?" "Oh, a long time, Saiji. You must learn how to read and write and count." "I shall soon learn, Yenoske. I am five years old." Thus the two friends, big and little, talked until Yetaro was seen coming up the walk. Ye- noske rose to make his bow, and Saijiro too salu- ted his father. Politeness is so bred in the Japanese character that the poorest and humblest have manners that would grace an English drawing-room. The villagers did not know exactly what to make of the sensei^ or teacher. He was proud of 38 KESA AND SAIJIRO. his boy, but seemed to care little for his society, and left him to the tender mercy of others so far as pleasure and companionship were concerned. The Yamamidzu people said that the sensei was under a vow. When out of school he passed much of his time in the temple, prostrate before the idols or pacing up and down the stone walk. Many were his ablutions, his washings of head, hands, and feet. Many an hour did he spend in calling upon the gods. Sometimes he would dis- miss school for a few weeks and go off to some shrine, walking until his feet were blistered and his bones ached, going over mountains, fording streams, in sunshine and storm, heeding neither flood nor tempest. At such times Saijiro would be left to the care of a village "Baba," as pleasant and cheery an old body as the one in \\\^yasJiiki near Fujisawa's house. The little one liked the change, for he could play with the village children, while "Ba- ba" was tender and kind to the motherless boy. But his love for Yenoske was the strongest pas- sion of his little heart, and Yenoske' s devotion to him was unbounded. Do the Japanese ever seem very strange to you and like the inhabitants of another world? Do you think they have not their chosen friends, their heart-loves, their joys and sorrows, their smiles and tears, just as you have? It seemed so to some of us at first, before we came to know A MIDSUMMER DAY. 39 them as well as we do now. We have long since learned that all the races of the human family are nearly related, and that the human heart is the same in all countries and ages. The next dearest friend to little Saijiro was a dog, Ts'koi by name, which Yenoske had rescued from some cruel fate and given to him. Ts'koi was not by any means a handsome dog; he look- ed very much like a wolf; but he was faithful and fond of his little master. But the sensei had come home; so Yenoske went back to the village to prepare for his trip to the great town at the foot of the mountain. Yetaro made tea for himself and the boy, pouring it over some cold rice. Saijiro could use his chop-sticks as fast as any one, and soon emp- tied his bowl. The night came on. Saijiro lay down on his little ////^/^, with Ts'koi beside him. Boy and dog were soon fast asleep. Yetaro lighted a tallow candle and bent over his Buddh- ist books, trying to find some light and comfort for his darkened, sin-burdened heart. The moon climbed high in the sky, peeping over the house and over all Yamamidzu. The river was golden under the yellow light. The villagers sat outside their houses, some talking, some listening to the singing and playing of three blind musicians. The occasional cry of the Japanese nightingale, which hides in the thickest shades of the wood, was heard. The 40 KESA AND SAIJIRO. river rushed and roared. It was night on tlie Hakones. A little later, every one was asleep under the dark green mosquito nets, with the slides all shut. It would have been almost im- possible to rouse any one, even if you had wished to do so. It is hard to realize how poor these mountain- eers are. No cows are on the mountain waiting to be milked; there are no full larders, no fields of waving grain. The people on the Hakones depend for their supplies mostly upon what can be brought on pack-horses from the towns at the foot of the mountain. They make cups, bowls, and other articles from the beautiful woods which they find around them, and give these in ex- change for dry-goods and rice. The charcoal business is also carried on by the mountaineers. As for their housekeeping, it is very simple. Rice is cooked when it is wanted, and daikons^ large radishes, are pickled for family use. There is no furniture beside the cooking utensils and oc- casionally a table and a chest of drawers. A few fish are caught in the streams and a few vegetables are cultivated in almost perpendicular gardens. Japan could not support its many millions of people if they did not live in the most economi- cal manner and cultivate every inch of ground. Where they cannot use horses for ploughing, men do the work with their own hands. THE STORY OK THE HAIRDRESSER. 41 CHAPTER V. THE STORY OE THE HAIRDRESSER. " Stotsu, futalsu, mitsu, yotsu, Itsutsu, mutsu, nanatsu." So sang in a weird minor key Fujisawa Mitsu, as she bounded her ball on the veranda and kept count of the strokes — one to eight. The slides of the best room were open, and Mrs. Fujisawa, Tama, and Aka sat on the clean mats, each busied with some piece of needlework. Mrs. Fujisawa was putting together a dress which had been washed, Tama was embroidering a skirt, and Aka was sewing on a little garment for Rinjiro, her adopted boy. The poor doll lay neg- lected in a corner of Aka's room. She had no time to make doll's clothes now. She had plenty of work in these days, the happiest of her life. On a little mattress near the ladies lay Hana, her eyes protected from the light by a blue cotton cloth laid lightly over them. This cloth had been dipped in holy water, w^ater in which the image of the child Buddha had been washed. Both Hana and her mother confidently expected help from it. The little girl lay on her ftiton^ quiet and patient, listening to the voices of other 43 ' KESA AND SAIJIRO. children at their play and to the murmur of wind through the tree-tops. Chiye stood on the edge of the pond feeding the gold-fish with a thin wafer-like substance which they eagerly devoured. In one corner of the garden, near a little summer-house, sat Me- guchi, sewing a seam and watching two of the children. One of these was Kesa, now almost two and a half years old, and the other was the merry-looking Rinjiro, six months older. They were loving playmates. Aka said jokingly that they should be betrothed now, and marry when they were old enough. The children were not encumbered with much clothing. They wore simple white garments and had neither shoes nor stocking. They were rolling poor Darn ma Sama backward and for- ward. Their delighted shouts reached Hana's ears and brought a smile to her pale face. Daruma Sama was a Japanese saint. The story runs that, wishing to cross the sea on a leaf, he spent many years in prayer before he could ac- complish the feat, so many years that he wore off his lower limbs. His image, therefore, has a large head and arms, while the rest of his body is a hemisphere that rolls about to the great delight of children. It was August, and the garden was lovely with its late summer flowers. There were lilies there as white and pure as those Saijiro loved so THE STORY OF THE HAIRDRESSER. 43 dearly on his mountain. By the pond bloomed pale pink and blue hydrangeas. Early chrysan- themums looked up at the children with bright faces. Magnificent lotus-flowers reclined as lan- guidly on their broad leaves as Oriental beauties on soft couches. Oto, the gardener, was pains- taking and faithful, so that everything was care- fully tended in his domain. At last Mitsu's ball bounded away from her, rolling down towards the pond and Chiye. Mitsu slipped her feet into the straw sandals lying near her on the ground and went after the ball. But when she had picked it up she did not return to her play. She stood, instead, by Chiye, watch- ing the feeding fish. ''Mitsu," said Chiye, as she threw her last wafer, "do you see that big fellow over there? the one that shines so and has the 'drop' on his forehead ?' ' "Yes," answered Mitsu. "Well, I call him Shaka Sama"* — a Japan- ese name for Buddha. "He has rays coming out from him, and that mark in his forehead is like Shaka Sama's." "Oh, Chiye!" said the shocked Mitsu, "you should not say that a fish is like Shaka Sama. We must not speak disrespectfully of the gods. Shaka Sama is so good and gentle. I love to * Sama is a respectful title meaning " my lord " or " my lady." 44 KESA AND SAIJIRO. look upon his face. It is so different from those terrible oitis^^ (devils). Chive did not seem much impressed. But there is no telling what answer she might have made, for just then the opening and shutting of slides in the house and the murmur of voices an- nounced the arrival of the hairdresser. "There is Kei," said Chiye, listening to the sounds. "Let us go in." Salutations were not yet over when the chil- dren entered the room where the new-comer was and went down upon the floor with the others. "Truly, a long time," murmured Kei. "For the favors of long ago we thank you," answered the children. "Truly, thanks," said Kei. "How is your honorable father? and your honorable selves — are you well?" A servant brought tea, which they all drank. Then Kei and Mrs. Fujisawa took a whiff from their pipes, knocking the ashes into the hibachi^ or fire-box. Now the hairdresser in Japan usually carries all gossip from one house to another. She is, in consequence, an interesting personage. She will tell how Miss Cho wore her mother's dress to the festival, how Miss Tama broke her wooden shoes and fell in the street, how Mrs. Kuginuki is al- ways crying, and how the "go-between" has set- tled a marriage of this person and that. But Kei THE STORY OF THE HAIRDRESSER. 45 was not so fond of gossip as most ot the hair- dressers. She was a bright-looking woman with gray hair. She wore a dark gown and sash and carried a tobacco-pouch at her side. She talked merrily to the children while making prepara- tions for her task. First an old mat was brought, upon which oil, combs, and a polished steel mir- ror were placed. Then Mrs. Fujisawa with a bow excused herself to her eldest daughter for being first and sat down. Kei unbound her thick long hair. "Kei," said Mitsu, as she watched the pro- cess, '^you promised some time to tell us about the fishing-village where you lived when you were a little girl." "Truly, I did, O Mitsu," said the woman. "But it was a very poor place, a little place on one of the islands of the Inland Sea, near the town of Onomichi. There were only four or five houses — not like your honorable father's honor- able mansion, but dirty and ill-smelling, fit for dogs. Still we loved to watch the water and the beautiful islands. Dogii ! those islands are al- ways green ! We would sit on the shore looking for the boats and wondering how many fish the men would bring home. When they brought enough, the women had to carry them to Ono- michi. This is a pretty place. The houses are large and clean, and there is a beautiful walk on a terrace where one can sit and see the water." 4-6 KESA AND SAIJIRO. Here Meguclii interrupted the story by com- ing up to the veranda with sleepy little Kesa on her back and Rinjiro clinging to her skirt. Kei had to stop and admire the children. "She has very large eyes," said the mother regretfully, referring to Kesa; for this was not in accordance with Japanese ideas of beauty; and Mrs. Fujisawa felt troubled, too, about her baby's round rosy cheeks. Kesa, being sound asleep, was laid upon the floor, while Meguchi sat beside her to keep off the flies. Rinjiro crept to his mother's side, and Kei went on. "It was a long walk to Onomichi. The women got very tired, carrying heavy baskets on their heads and heavy babies on their backs. Then, too, the women had to plant rice. Work- ing with their feet in water and the sun beating down upon their heads gave them terrible head- aches. Dogic r^ — which means in Japanese, Alas! — "it was a hard life, O Mitsu. Yet often we did not have enough to satisfy hun- ger — only a little rice, some pieces of daikon^ and some poor weak tea. Often the men got no fish. They came home tired and cross. They drank sake^'^^ (an intoxicating drink made of rice) "and slept heavily; but the women must go on working. The fishing nets were very heavy; we had to mend them and hang them up to dry. ! M'^ MEGUCHI, KESA, AND RINJIRO THE STORY OF THE HAIRDRESSER. 47 *'One day when the father had brought some fish, the mother took me with the other girls to Onomichi. Honorable mother carried the baby on her back. We tramped all around the town, selling our fish, and at last started for home tired and hungry. The mother looked worn and sick. At last her strength failed. She put the baby upon the ground, sinking down herself. We were all little ones and did not know what to do. Some of the children cried, some fell asleep. By- and-by two men came along, and we begged them to help us. They carried poor honorable mother home. She never went to Onomichi again. Z^% loving and loved. She was a handsome child, large and finely developed for her age, and she still kept the round, laughing eyes of her babyhood. She was living her baby life still, untrammelled by school duties, spending most of her time in the garden with Rinjiro or playing with a good-natured tailless cat. Now had come a busy summer for the Fujisa- was. The five years of Tama's betrothal were over, and soon she was to leave her father's house for her Hakodate home. How interested Kesa and all of them had been in the beautiful silks, satins, and crapes which the merchants had brought to the house 1 Fujisawa spared no money, and the ladies selected the richest materials for dresses and skirts and the most elegant bro- cades for sashes. The gay hairpins of the young girl were given up for long skewers of tortoise- shell and amber. Everything w^as ready, and in a short time the child-bride would look upon the face of her future husband. A steamer had come into port at Yokohama on board of which were the young Mesoburo, the bridegroom-elect, his father, mother, and the go- between. If you could have looked at the fifteen-year- old Tama as she sat in the upper room, you would have seen a slight, oval-faced girl, heauti- 6\. KKSA AND SAIJIRO. ful in Japanese eyes, dressed in the most fasli ion- able style, and neatness itself in every detail of dress and adornment. Her hair was brought over- the top of her head, rolled with exquisite crape, and confined by a large amber hairpin. Her eye- brows were shaved off, her face was powdered, her finger-nails stained and polished, her lips painted. No wonder kissing is unknown in Japan. Who would wish to kiss painted lips ? Her crape dress was of that soft gray shade which the Japanese love, and her crimson bro- caded sash was the richest that could be purchased in the city. Tama could read the ** Great Learning" and repeat the *'One Hundred Poems;'* she was a good performer on the samisen and could sing a number of Japanese songs. At the tea-school she had learned how to make tea and how to present it gracefully to guests. She was skilled in sew- ing and embroidery, well instructed in all matters of Japanese etiquette. The principles of obedi- ence to father, mother, father-in-law, and mother- in-law had been duly inculcated. Indeed Tama was not inclined to anything else. She and ]\Iitsu were children after their mother's own heart, passive and gentle, rendering obedi- ence as a matter of course and reverencing the gods. But the rough, blunt little Chiye, whom Fuji- sawa called his boy, the mother did not under- Tama's new home. 65 stand quite so well ; ai:d Kesa, too, was inclined to question and rebel. Fujisawa met his friends in Yokohama, and they went immediately to Tokio. In the after- noon the two young people who were to be so closely united met for the first time. There were no hand-claspings, no kisses, no caresses, no lov- ing words. They bowed low and exchanged formal salutations. *' Truly, welcome to our humble abode," said Tama. ^' Truly, I am well received and entertained,'* answered young Mesoburo. But, as it happened, the young people w^ere mutually pleased. Tama was considered a beau- ty by the Japanese, and Mesoburo was a fine- looking, courteous young man. Kei's tears fell fast over Tama's dark hair as she arranged it next day for the bridal. ''^ DoguP'* she said, **I have done this for you since you were a baby. How proud you were of your first little hairpins!'* Tama showed her the long pin of golden amber which her father had given her. Kei ad- mired it exceedingly, but in her heart she wished she were sticking flowers and butterflies in her darling's hair. Then came the process of teeth-blacking. This was to show Tama's devotion to her hus- band. She would never marry another, and no Ke«a Riiil Paljlro, C 66 JCESA AND SAIJIRO. j man should look on her to desire her for his wife. "It is very becoming," said the mother and sisters when Tama's white teeth were covered | with the ugly stuff. ' Tama herself was more inclined to cry than to ■ be pleased, but she said nothing. They dressed her for the bridal. She wore a j robe of white crape ; her white sash was heavily embroidered with gold and silver threads. Poor little child-bride going forth into an un- ] tried life, so young and unprepared ! What were her thoughts as she contemplated leaving the beautiful home of her childhood and going off to 1 the north with the stranger Mesoburo? Since I she was ten years old she had heard it all talked about as a very fine thing and as a settled fact. It must be, and she accepted it. And the mo- \ ther? Ah, mothers are mothers everywhere. Mrs. Fujisawa shed many a tear over her child's : departure. Early in the evening, when the lamps had just i been lighted in the city and the new crescent ' moon was shining in the west, there came to Fu- i jisawa's door four sedan-chairs, each carried by i four coolies. | The ladies were all ready and waiting. "The chairs have arrived," announced a i servant. ' Kei stood in one corner of the room weeping j TAMA'S NKW HOME. G"] as though her heart would break, and the women- servants were shedding tears. .Tama arose and quietly bade the servants good-by, putting a coin into the hand of each. They bowed to the ground before her. Llegu- chi\s sobs were heard all through the house. "Come, daughter!'' called Fujisawa. - Tama, carefully attended by her mother and Aka, went out of the house and took her place in the second chair. Fujisawa occupied the first. After Tama came her four sisters, and after them some friends. In the rear of the procession were coolies carrying boxes containing Tama's ward- robe. The Fujisawa servants stood at the door watching the bridal train as far as they could see it, then turned and closed the slides. One of the five daughters had gone out from that home, and it was changed for ever. _^ People stopped to gaze as the party passed down the street. "It is a wedding," they said. "The daughter of the high officer Fujisawa is to be married and go far to the north." At the gate of the house which Mesoburo had rented for the occasion, and to which he took his father and mother, that everything might be done in the best style, stood servants who prostrated themselves when the bearers stopped. Then they rose, opened the gates, assisted the bridal party to alight, and conducted them all into the great empty parlor. 68 KESA AND SAIJIRO. V Welcome/^ said the father-in-law, saluting the bride; *'and welcome to all. Truly, it is like poison to your soul to enter my humble resi- dence. How are all the honorable members of your honorable family?" ^ In the meantime Tama and Mesoburo were down on the floor exchanging most formal and polite compliments. Would the bows and meas- ured speeches never cease ? At last, however, all were upright, with the apparent intention of remaining so for some time. They took their places for the wedding ceremony. Tables were placed before the bride and groom on which were cups of sal^e and some sweetmeats. The go-between, the two fathers, and the two mothers sat near the happy pair, and the others arranged themselves so as to form a circle about them. Three cups of sake were taken with the usual pledges, and the two became husband and wife. It was a simple ceremony which did not take long. But after it came feasting, drinking, and smoking that lasted until a late hour. *'The bride is dressed very beautifully. How fine everything is!" *'How handsome is the bridegroom!" *'How happy are the father-in- law and mother-in-law to receive such a daughter into their house !" "What large boxes of clothes and wedding-presents!" "Great happiness ! very great happiness !" Such were some of the com- ments of the guests. Then followed whole days TAMA'S NEW HOMK. 69 of feasting and merriment. Fujisawa made a dinner, and to it came the young married people, the father-in-law, the mother-in-law, the go- between, Aka, and Baba, dressed in her best suit of gray and smiling all over. What a splendid entertainment it was ! The Fujisawa mansion had been duly swept and garnished. The mats were new and spotless; the woodwork was polish- ed until it shone like glass. A lacquered table was placed before each guest. Tall candlesticks supporting elegant wax candles were arranged at intervals, producing a beautiful effect. At first there were only silver chopsticks on the tables and a small quantity of delicate rice candy. As the guests partook of this they made jokes and puns and congratulated the bride and groom. One said, ''The snow of the north is like the whiteness of this confection." And another, *'More beautiful than the faint gilding of the sunrise on a mountain-top is the pink of this rice- cake." And still another, " May the young peo- ple be as happily united as is the pink of this rice- cake with the white of that one." Then, as though by magic, in came a great feast — soups in lacquered bowls : bean soups, thickened and sweetened; fish soups, with hard- boiled eggs floating about; rice in great bowls, heaped and white as snow. Each guest had a small rice-bowl which the attentive servants kept filled, this ^rain taking the place of bread. Then 70 KESA AND SAIJIRO. came immense platters of vegetables, and fisli dyed all sorts of brilliant colors. There were lotus-roots and lily-roots and pieces of bamboo, crabs, lobsters, and eels, sweetmeats again, and j-^y^/and pipes. The feast lasted two hours. All talked, laughed, and were merry. The father-in-law from the north told stories of the Ainos, the orig- inal inhabitants of Japan, how they wear beards, and how they catch seals in the waters around Yezo. Fujisawa told the Hakodate friends of changes in Tokio, of the foreigners there and what they were doing. The ladies simpered and giggled behind their fans. The children were glad, enjoying everything, yet well-behaved. After the feast some slides were pulled back, and a band of female musicians appeared. Two had samisejis^ two beat drums, and one had a sort of tambourine which she struck. They gave an overture which would have sounded strange enough to our ears, but which the Japanese thought very beautiful. The children knew the tambourine-girl. Her name was Cho, and she supported her aged father by her musical abilities. Suddenly the musicians began a song — a dis- mal sort of chant it would have seemed to us — and from some corner came a dancing girl. She was dressed modestly, and all her movements were graceful. ww^ FEMALE MUSICIANS. TAMA S NKW HOMK. 71 "Beautiful upon the mountains is the waving of the branches of the pine-trees, O yorokobi P^ — i. e. , joyful — chanted the singers. The dancer moved her fan in imitation of the trees swayed by the wind. " Sweetly upon the blue, ethereal sky fleet the white clouds, O yorokobi T^ The dancer extended her arms and moved them to imitate the fleeting of the clouds. "Fair upon the wooded heights bloom the lilies, nodding in the wind, O yorokobi T^ The dancer's hands were swept along the floor. "Exquisite is the breath of the mountain zephyr upon the cheek of the tired traveller, O yorokobi P ' The girl raised her fan and blew gently upon it. "Sad is the fate ot the blind one who can- not look upon the beauties of nature, O ka- waiso r^ — sorrowful. The dancer walked back and forth imitating the uncertain step of the blind. " But happy, thrice happy, they who see these things and love them, O yorokobi P'' The girl walked as one bounding gracefully along. "Strong and light of heart comes the lover over the mountain-path." The girl assumed an expectant attitude. 72 KESA AND SAIJIRO. " Fair is the maiden and pure who thus ad- vances to meet him, O yorokobi T'' With timid, hesitating steps the dancer ad- vanced. " Happy the pair thus united; *' May they long live together; ** May their children be as the fruit of the orange, beautiful, golden, and many." The dancer bowed and retired amid the cheers and thanks of the spectators. It was late, and Fujisaw^a's grand feast in honor of his daughter's marriage was over. The wadding occurred during the feast of chrysanthemums. All Tokio was gay wuth the sun-like flowers. The temple gardens were mag- nificent and all the people were going to see them. "We will go on the fifteenth day," said Fujisawa. "We will take the children and have a picnic." Children and grown people bowled low at this announcement, and on the morning of the fif- teenth they all assembled at the house to take jin- rikishas for the gardens. It was a beautiful, golden October day, and the young folks were very happy. In the party w^ere Aka, Rinjiro, and the baba from the yashiki. Meguchi, Kesa, and Rinjiro were in one jinrikisha. Kesa had on a crape dress and a little coat of rich em- broidered silk. She wore nothing on her head. TAMA S NEW HOME. 73 Her face was powdered. Hanging from her belt was a bag in which she kept her amulet or charm. Rinjiro's dress was very much the same, except that the colors were graver and his sash narrow- er. The children could look down upon the city and the bay as the coolies drew the cart along the way. ''A great many sails, Meguchi !" said Rinjiro, as he looked down on the water. "They are fishing-boats, Rinchan, going out to catch fish." A whole fleet of boats was just going out of the Sunnida River towards the sea, and it was their white sails which had attracted Rinjiro. But the coolies w^ere pulling the jinrikishas farther inland. The bay was soon lost sight of. They went along a canal, past many a "go- down," or fire-proof house in which the Japanese store their goods. The streets were very quiet; only a few people passed them. They were go- ing around the outskirts of the city to some large gardens on the west. Meguchi and the two little ones were in the very last jinrikisha. The older people were laughing and talking, occasionally calling from one jinrikisha to another. Hana was with her mother. Even she enjoyed the fresh air, the bright waters of the canal, the trees and flowers. The gardens were filled with peo- ple, all walking about and admiring the grand display of chrysanthemums. 74 KESA AND SAIJIRO. '' See, Keclian," said Meguclii, " there is Mo- motaro. ' ' Momotaro, or Peach Boy, is a favorite with Japanese children. The story goes that he came out of a peach which an old woman found. She and her husband adopted the baby, and he be- came a great man. Kesa looked up, and there, sure enough, was Momotaro, made out of chrysan- themums, standing up with drawn sword, ready to attack the strong devils. Not far away was **Red Boy;" and in another corner was the mighty Shogun Yoritomo, with flaming robe and sword. The children chatted away to ]\Ieguchi, who told them stories about these various j)ersonages. They ran hither and thither under the great trees, up and down the long avenues of chrysanthe- mums, with doves hopping about their feet and birds flying over their heads, always gentle, never quarrelsome or rough or rude. The older people walked about leisurely or sat to drink tea. Oh, that display of chrysanthemums ! There were bright yellow ones, massed together until they shone like the sun itself There were pure white ones, so stainless that none could pass them without exclaiming. There were shades of pur- ple and red and blue so many that the eyes of the gazer were dazzled. The Hakodate friends were charmed. "It is beautiful!" they said. "For the first time we have gazed upon such wonders." TAMA'S NKW HOME. 75 The whole effect was heightened by the dresses of the people, in color like the flowers, and all this wonderful variety under a blue and cloudless sky. Happy little Kesa to grow up amid such scenes ! The next day Tama went away with Mesoburo and his father and mother. She wept at leaving her home, and her mother's heart was full of sor- row. Of all words of farewell there is none which has a sadder sound than the Japanese saiofiara^ "if it must be so." Tama bowed low on the floor and spoke the farewell word to father, mother, and lit- tle sisters, and long years passed before Kesa saw her again. The marriage did not turn out badly. Tama was well treated in her northern home, and did her best to be a dutiful daughter-in-law and wife. The house in Hakodate was pleasant. From the veranda Tama could look over to the shipping in the bay. Doubtless she thought often of her Tokio home and of the father, mother, and sisters so far away. 'j6 KESA AND SAIJIRO. CHAPTER VIII. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HAKONES. Who will turn from the festivities and gaye* ties of the city to the silence and solitudes of the mountains ? Who is willing, after mingling with those who fare sumptuously and dress richly, to tarry a while with the poor mountaineers who have scarcely food enough to satisfy their hunger? Even the inn at Yamamidzu looked attractive in the bright October sunlight one day when Sai- jiro was about eight years old. In the courtyard a little group, not altogether unknown to us, had assembled. It consisted of a young man, a horse, a boy, and a dog. These were Yenoske and the pack-horse, Saijiro and Ts'koi. The dog w^as lying quietly near the veranda in front of his little master, who was performing a variety of antics, now standing on his head, again on his feet, leaping, singing, and behaving altogether in a wild sort of way, which Ts'koi evidently regarded with distrust. Yenoske was sitting on the veranda with one foot under him and the other on the ground. Several pairs of getas^ wooden shoes, and zoris^ straw sandals, were beside him. Near him on the veranda were wooden dippers, plates, cups, spoons, boxes, and ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HAKONES. ^^ toys. Yenoske was counting all these things and packing them into two large hampers. He had turned merchant in a small way, and was going up to Hakone and down the other side of the mountain to peddle his goods in some of the large cities. The teacher had gone off to Tokio and had given Saijiro permission to accompany Ye- noske. Ts'koi would go with them, and of course the horse was going too. The rainstorms of September were over, and although the mornings and evenings were frosty, the weather was pleasant. "Do you think we shall see foreigners?'' asked Saijiro. ^ ' Perhaps so, ' ' answered Yenoske. * ' We shall see some of the things they use. And we shall see the great Nagoya castle and the wonderful gold- fish, the Hakone Lake, and such beautiful tem- ples, Saiji, with such godsl You never saw any- thing so nice — grand golden images of Shaka Sama and his disciples. Our images here are ugly, old, and broken.'' " I am going to carry Hotel Sama with me," answered the child, taking a little image from his sleeve. Hotel Sama is the patron saint of children and has eyes in the back of his head — a very necessary arrangement for one who is supposed to observe all the actions of small people. "Saijiro," said Yenoske, "we must go after 78 KESA AND SAIJIRO. supper to the temple and make an offering and pra3% It is not right to set out upon a journey without first praying to the gods.'^ Saijiro willingly assented. So after their even- ing meal the two friends, with Ts'koi at their heels, went down to the temple. Yenoske stood at the foot of the steps, rang the bell which was there, bowed his head, rubbed his hands, and re- peated a few words of a Buddhist prayer. He then threw a few bits of coin into the money-box. Saijiro followed his example in every respect. There were a number of children playing about the steps. The temple grounds are like our parks. There babies are taken for an airing, there children romp, there all the gossips congre- gate. It was almost dark when Yenoske and Saijiro returned to the inn. They found Yenoske's fa- ther and mother at supper, and sat down upon the floor beside them. "Be very careful of the little one," said the mother, "and take great care of yourself." " Worship at Inari's shrine whenever you see one, my son," said the father, "for the rice-god has not been good to us. There is a hard winter ahead. Baba will suffer with the cold. Her stuffed dress is worn out, she has no soft mat to sit upon, and there is no money." Yenoske said little, but he purposed in his heart to bring Baba a padded dress and a mat. It ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HAKONES. 79 is hard to keep warm in a Japanese house when the sun does not shine in the winter. The little hibachis do not heat the rooms very well, and old men and women suffer with cold. Baba's face looked pinched and wan; she had scarcely food enough to nourish her; but she laughed as much as ever and always had something pleasant to say. With the first gleam of the morning Yenoske and his companion were on the road, travelling over a steep mountain path which led by a round- about way to Hakone. Saijiro started off bravely and kept up with Yenoske, who went singing along. In one of the loveliest recesses of the mountain was a little tea-house, kept for the con- venience of travellers who passed that way. A bright, fresh-looking girl and an old woman had charge of the place and dispensed tea and sweet- meats to chance guests. "Come and rest; come and rest," they called to Yenoske. He and Saijiro sat on a bench and had refresh- ments. *' Where are you going?" asked Yen, the girl. "Up to Hakone and down to Nagoya," an- swered Yenoske. " Oh, a long way," said the girl. "And the little master ?" "Thanks, he is going with me." • "A brave little man," said the old Baba. 8o KESA AND SAIJIRO. It was a wild place, a sort of glen. Rocks rose behind the tea-house and on two sides of it. In front was a tiny waterfall like an end of ribbon fluttering on the side of the mountain. It was almost too late for flowers, but the changing Oc- tober foliage made up for the lack of them. ^* Truly, a nice place," said Yenoske. *'The honorable grandmother loves it," said the girl. *' She has been- here ever since she was as young as I am, and I expect to stay here until I am as old as she. ' ' Then the grandma laughed and showed her toothless gums. The Japanese are very fond of places like this and take great delight in the beauties of nature, so many persons stopped and chatted with Yen and the old lady. They had for refreshments beau- tiful peppermint cakes, as pure and white as any which are made in this country, some little cakes to eat with tea, hard-boiled eggs, and some of the famous bean candy. Everything was very neatly arranged, and Yen was a cheerful attendant. The tea-house was on the road to the hot sul- phur springs. Yenoske and Saijiro, after saying good-by to the girl and her grandmother, had not far to go before coming to a beautiful hotel. The wood about the house had been left in its natural state and was very odd and grotesque in its ap- pearance, being gnarled, knotted, and twisted in all sorts of peculiar shapes. Here Saijiro for the ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HAKONES. 8l first time in his life saw a chair, and he was allowed not only to examine it closely, but to sit in it. He saw sick people gathered at the springs, some of them covered with loathsome sores. The sulphur water is very hot and comes hissing and boiling out of the ground. Saijiro was tired in the afternoon, so Yenoske put him on the horse; and thus they came in the early evening to the village of Hakone. Ye- noske was well known there. He went immedi- ately to the hotel where he v/as accustomed to stop. Arriving, they saw a blind shampooer, or rubber, just passing the door. His head was shaved. He carried a staff and blew a whistle. Behind him walked a coolie carrying a stick over one shoulder, on each end of which \\as a large bundle of paper. A woman sat on the veranda washing her feet. One foot was in a little tub, and she was wiping the other with a blue towel. The landlady had some cloth in her hand, examining it, and another woman was just going up stairs. A maid-servant was kneeling near the landlady and looking on with much interest. ^'Welcome, Yenoske," said the landlady as she saw him approaching. Yenoske bowed low. Just then the landlady spied poor little Saijiro asleep upon the horse. *'Aud who is the young master?" she asked. K«»a and Saljlrot. 5 82 KESA AND SAIJIRO. *' Truly, thanks; that is the son of the Yama- midzu teacher. He is going with me down the mountain." "He is welcome," said she. And when Sai- jiro was lifted from the horse she took charge of him, giving him a finer supper than he had ever had in all his life before, pressing him to eat, until for once the child was fully satisfied. Next she made him a bed in her own room. There he slept quietly until morning, never heeding the opening and closing of slides, the going and coming of travellers. While Yenoske was sitting at the door after supper a party of travellers came up the street in sedan-chairs carried by coolies. As soon as the hotel people saw them they raised most deafening cries. *' Come in, come in; come in and rest. Con- descend to partake of our humble refreshment." "Honorable lady," said the coolies, address- ing one of the party, "this is the best hotel in Hakone." "So!" said the lady. "Then we will stop here." From the chair alighted two persons, evi- dently mistress and servant. They went up to the other chair and saluted its occupant. The lady spoke. "Honorable grandfather, we will rest here. How is vour honorable health?" ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HAKONES. St^ ''^Dogur^ said the grandfather, *' I am very cold." "Then," said the lady, addressing the hotel servants, " will you give the respected old gentle- man a seat by the kitchen fire-box and get ready quickly a cup of tea?" Grandfather, shivering, was placed by the kitchen fire. The lady and her servant were shown up the broad, slippery staircase into the best room. The landlord came and went down before them on hands and knees. "Truly, a beautiful day," said he. "Truly, very beautiful," the lady answered. "And how far have you travelled?" "Thanks, from Tokio." * ' The honorable grandfather, how old is he?" "Truly, thanks. The respected parent is seventy-nine years." "A great age. And what," said the landlord, " will you condescend to order?" "We will take fish, eggs, and rice. The old gentleman will have soup." The meal was soon served. Grandfather had 2i futon near the fire, and after taking a picture of a Buddhist god from his sleeve and mumbling a prayer, he went to sleep. The next morning Yenoske and Saijiro saw these travellers get into their kagos^ which the coolies lifted and carried away. The lady was 84 KESA AND SAIJIRO. Kesa's aunt, on her way to her home in Na- goya, the great city beyond the Hakones. Yenoske lingered in Hakone for a day, that Saijiro might see the lake there. The child had never seen so large a body of water. To go out in a real boat was a great pleasure. It was much better than pushing a log about the pond at Ya- mamidzu. Hakone is indeed a beautiful place, famous in Japan for its sulphur springs and fine scenery. Sick and feeble people go from all over the coun- try to bathe in its waters. Long promontories jut out into the lake. The little village lies prettily beside it. The wonder of it all is to find a large lake high among the mountains. There, too, side by side are hot and cold springs. Saijiro had a happy day at Hakone. But next morning none of the kind landlady's persua- sions could induce him to eat any breakfast. Even the old gate at Hakone, about which Ye- noske had told such pretty stories, failed to in- terest him. In ancient times, Yenoske said, nobles who went up to the court of the Shogun had to part with their wives and little children at the gate, because, for a time, the Government w^ould not permit a noble's family to live in the capital. But Saijiro would not look at the gate. Great trees waved their branches over him and the \^«-y:, ^, JINRIKISHA TRAVELLERS ON THK OTHER SIDE OF THK IIAKONICS. 85 late wild-flowers smiled at him in vain. He walked listlessly along and at last began to cry. Yenoske lifted him on the horse. Even that did not help matters. His head rolled about. He felt giddy and sick. He was in a high fever, and Yenoske' s heart was very heavy. At last Yenoske lifted the little boy down from the horse and laid him on the ground. He got some things from the pack and made a bed by the wayside. He wet his handkerchief at a little spring near by and laid it on Saijiro's head. The child tossed and moaned. Some fine people passed by in kagos^ never stopping'to see what ailed a poor pack-horse dri- ver and his little comrade. At last Yenoske walked down the road to see if he could find help. In a few moments, hearing voices and following the direction of these sounds, he came upon a group of three persons. A jinrikisha man was sitting in his cart; near him were two women, one sitting on the ground, the other leaning against a post. Yenoske hastened towards them, and they all bowed. '''' DoguP'' said Yenoske, " I am very sad." The man asked why. ^'' Dogu! I have my master's little son with me, and he is lying on the roadside Very ill." Then the man got up from his cart, and with the women accompanied Yenoske to the spot where Saijiro lay in a heavy sleep, Ts'koi by his side. 86 KKSA AND SAIJIRO. ^''DoguP^ said i\\^ jinrikiya^ "truly, a fine child." And he added, "Bring him to our vil- lage, and we will get a doctor." Saijiro was lifted into the jinrikisha, and they all went off the main road into a village. Here the hotel was a poor one, dirty and ill-kept. A fire blazed on some stones in the kitchen, and over the fire hung a kettle. An old woman sat near the fire, and beside her was a man smoking. Another man was repairing his straw sandals as he sat on the edge of the kitchen floor, which was raised from the ground. A traveller was just passing the hotel. He wore a broad-brimmed hat and carried a staff. Behind him walked a girl who evidently made some attempt at style. "Come and rest, come and rest," said the landlady, when she saw Saijiro and Yenoske. Then accosting the jinrikiya she asked, " Who is this?" The jinrikiya said, "I found them in the mountain, and the little one is very sick." "Where is the doctor?" asked Yenoske, ma- king his bows. Saijiro was carried into the house, and the village doctor came. He had a case of medicines with him. He sat on the floor, looking very wise. Then he went through the process of cup- ping Saijiro, put medicated paper upon the child's temples, and gave him some powders. The next morning, to Yenoske's great joy, Saijiro ON THE OTHER SIDE OK THE HAKONES. 87 was himself again, and the pair went on their way down the mountain. At the foot of the mountain there is a laree town called Mishima. A stream passes through it, cold and clear, running bright and rippling to join the river which is to carry it down to the sea. A lovely grove is there also, and in the grove a temple. It is always dark in the grove; the shade of the trees is very dense. Saijiro thought it a very solemn place as he and Yenoske approached the temple. For Yenoske had vowed that if Saijiro should get well he would repeat a certain prayer two hundred times. He was now going to fulfil his vow. He had some beans in his hand, bought from a man near the temple, and every time he said a prayer he dropped a bean into a box. " Amida Dai Butsu, Amida Dai Butsu," said Yenoske over and over, as he paced the stone walk leading up to the temple. When he had repeated these words two hundred times his vow was fulfilled, and he went to look for Saijiro. The horse was the only one of the trio he could find. The boy and dog were gone. Yenoske, searching anxiously around, soon discovered that there was a great commotion in the town. Men, women, and children were rush- ing down the street, apparently in pursuit of some one. Several of the women had babies on their backs, and the poor babies' heads were roll- ing from side to side. Many of the children cried 88 KKSA AND SAIJIRO. with fright, and one sturdy urchin lay screaming on the ground. Yenoske joined in the chase, not so much for the sake of seeinof what was s:oino[' on as for the purpose of finding Saijiro. **What is it?" he asked of a breathless neighbor. " A foreigner !" gasped the man. Yenoske felt a sense of relief, but kept on. At last the foremost runner reached the hotel, and there those that were nearest to the foreigner saw him alight from a jinrikisha and take his seat on the kitchen floor, which, being slightly raised, gave him the privilege of putting his feet on the ground. All the servants of the hotel shouted, " Come and rest. Come in, come in." After a parley with the landlord, to which the crowd listened eagerly, the stranger was taken up stairs. The slides were drawn, and the multitude beheld him no more. Now Yenoske spied Saijiro with several other urchins in the courtyard of the hotel. Immedi- ately the little boy ran to tell Yenoske about the wonderful stranorer. *' I have seen him ! I have seen the foreigner ! How white his skin is, how strange his hair, and what funny clothes he wears I I never saw any- thing like it before, Yenoske. Does he sit in a chair, and eat with a knife and fork like those we saw in the hotel ?^' ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HAKOXES. 89 So Saijiro was much excited over the foreign- er, and when, the next morning, he actually walked beside the jinrikisha for a short distance, and the gentleman looked at him and gave him a little book, he felt very happy, and stored all these things in his mind to tell old Baba. The pleasant morning changed into a dull, rainy day. Yenoske wrap^Ded Saijiro up in oiled paper, put a broad-brimmed hat on him, and placed him on the horse. Yenoske himself had on his straw rain-coat. The hampers containing wooden articles were also covered with paper. Every person they inet was similarly provided for. Great umbrellas sheltered women and chil- dren, while their high wooden getas kept them out of the mud. Saijiro thought it fun to see these women running through the rain, holding umbrellas over their babies, securely fastened in their outside garments. The babies peeped over their mothers' shoulders with bright black eyes. He pitied the beggars who lay almost naked along the roadside. They asked Yenoske for money as he passed; but money was scarce enough, and he had little to spare. Meanwhile the foreigner was shut up tight in his jinrikisha and saw but little of the country. So the day passed, with rain coming down drearily. Yenoske and Saijiro stopped a little while at noon for rest and food, and then went on to the place where they were to lodge for the 90 KESA AND SAIJIRO. night. Here a pleasant surprise awaited Saijiro: the foreign gentleman was to put up at the same hotel. The boy heard him utter a few Japanese words and could tell that he spoke kindly to the servants who waited on him. The large city which they entered after several days' further travel w^as Nagoya. Saijiro had never seen so important a place before. He was never weary of looking at its castle and the im- mense ofold-fish in the towers. He wondered at the great temple; its idols were far finer than those in the old temple at Yamamidzu. The shops and houses, too, w^ere grand in his eyes. Then the people ! The child had never known that there were so many in the world. He went to the theatre, saw the acrobats perform, and Ye- noske also took him to see some wrestlers. Yenoske disposed of his woodenware, the money for which he carefully hid in his dress. Yet he did not forget t« procure a warm wadded gown for old Baba to wear and a cushion for her to sit upon. He also bought some clothing for his father and mother. ^^ Dogn P^ he said, "I wish I could get a garment for every person in the village, Saiji. I fear the people will suffer through the long cold winter." Indeed, when after several weeks Yenoske and Saijiro returned to the village, snow had already fallen on the Hakones; winter had begun. Dreary enough it was in Yamamidzu through the ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HAKONES. QI cold season. Only occasionally, when the sun shone, did Baba get out of the house. Most of the time she sat on the floor beside the hibacJii^ often holding her poor cold hands over the coals. Many were the stories she told Yenoske and Saijiro about Old Japan, the Japan of her younger days, before foreigners came. For Baba, although in- terested in hearing about foreigners, believed in her heart that they were in some mysterious man- ner connected with the failure of the rice crop in Japan. She chought the gods were showing their displeasure against the Japanese by blighting the crop. The teacher had returned, and the school went on during the winter. Saijiro was among the scholars. He showed his father the book which the gentleman had given him. It was in Eng- lish, and the master could not read it. But there was in it a picture on which the master often gazed. A man hung on a cross, with a look of wonderful love in his eyes. " Who is it, Yenoske?" he asked one day. ^^ Dogu .'" said Yenoske, " I do not know very well, but I believe it is Jesus, one of the gods of the Christians." The master's next question was uttered deep in his own heart only: "Can he forgive sin? Can he forgive sin?" 92 KESA AND SAIJIRO, •CHAPTER IX. RINJIRO'S QUESTION. Kesa and Rinjiro had been working merrily all day, gettino; ready for the festivities of the New Year. Kesa was in her eighth year, a bright, ac- tive little maiden; and Rinjiro had developed into a manly boy. Both children went to school. Chiye and Kesa, every morning as they went down the street, were sure to find Rinjiro waiting for them at the yasJiiki gate. Servants took the oranges and berries which the children handed them and fastened them over the doors. There were pretty flowers, too, and ornaments of bamboo and straw, symbolical of long life and prosperity. "I am eight years old," said Rinjiro. "I shall go to another school before long, Kechan.'' Kesa looked sorry. How she would miss him ! But no shadow of any parting troubled her when the New Year came. She and Rinjiro, dressed in bright new clothes and the recipients of numberless toys, exchanged Japanese greetings of the season. "A great happiness. Truly, the spring has come. A great happiness I" RINJIRO'S QUESTION. 93 Then away went Kesa to play ball with the girls, while Rinjirc ran with other boys to fly his new kite. But his head, as he tried to watch that gaudy paper butterfly mounting towards the sky, felt strangely heavy. By-and-by he went crying to his mother. He was burning with fever. Poor Aka 1 Days passed, and the fever still burned. Her little boy tossed on his pallet. The hope in her heart grew fainter and fainter. She sat by his side \veeping, her hair dishevelled. Yet she tried constantly to cool his head and soothe his wild ravings. She vowed an offering to the gods, the best of her earthly possessions, if her boy, her merry Rinjiro, were spared. She called and called upon the gods to spare him; but it was of no avail. The doctor cupped and blis- tered and administered his powders in vain. A dark, dreary day was just drawing to its close. Aka was sitting in her usual place, putting a wet cloth on the boy's hot head, when the slides of the room were pushed gently aside, and Kesa crept in softly and sat down beside her. " Is Rinjiro better?" she asked. ''^ Dogtcl no; Rinjiro is going to die, Kechan." "But cannot the great god Bind^uru help him, Aka?" Aka shook her head sorrowfully. '''' Dogu ! I have prayed and prayed, and called upon the gods night and day, Kechan, but they will not hear." Aka rocked backward and forward in her an- 94 KESA AND SAIJIRO. guisli. Kesa wept in sympathy; but Rinjiro lay unconscious of all this love and suffering. Then Meguchi came and took Kesa away. She w^as frightened when she found the child by Rinjiro's side, breathing that tainted air. Darker and darker grew the room. One of tliQf as/it^i women brought a lantern. Baba came and offered Aka a cup of tea and some rice, bnt she refused everything. A priest arrived and mumbled some prayers over the sick child, but Aka would not listen to him. So passed the dark night. The river rolled on sullenly towards the sea. The wind blew. The waters of the bay- were rough and wild. Few fishermen ventured out that night. The temple bells and drums, sounding solemnly through the still hours, were like mockery to Aka's heart. She knew that worshippers were calling on the gods who would not listen to her cries and before whom her tears were of no avail. Just at daybreak Rinjiro gazed into Aka's face with a conscious look in his eyes, the first for many days. "Honorable mother, am I very sick?'* he asked. ''^ Dogn ! yes, my darling." " But must I die, mother?" ''^ Dogu! I fear you must, my darling." "Then, mother, why was I born?" Oh ! if Aka had only known that not far from her there were those who had been sent to ex- RIKJIRO'S QUESTION. 95 plain the mystery of life and death. They might have told the dying little one how our Heavenly Father places us here to live our appointed time, be it long or short, and gives us this life in wliicli to prepare for a better one. They might have knelt beside this dying bed and commended this soul to the Good Shepherd, who loves his lambs and gave his own life for them. But these teach- ers did not know of Rinjiro; and long afterwards kind hearts were pained to hear of the little boy who had died asking, "Mother, why w^as I born?" The pretty kites which had been given to Rin- jiro for the New Year lay all untouched in one corner of the room. The new dresses and shoes were all unworn. The active, eager child would never again be seen playing about the yashiki or waiting for Kesa at the gate. Rinjiro was dead. The little body, prepared for the grave, was placed in a sitting posture in the coffin. Books, playthings, and money were buried with him. "He may need them in the other world," said Aka. Kesa, with the other mourners, followed the little coffin to the temple. She felt very solemn. Rinjiro had gone away — where she did not know, and no one seemed to know. The coffin was placed on the altar, amid lights and artificial flowers. Priests mumbled prayers over it. Then Rinjiro was laid to rest in c;6 KESA AND SAIJIRO. the Buddhist cemetery and a new name was written on his tomb. Aka expected now to go back to her parents, but for some reason her husband did not send her away. He adopted a young man to succeed him in his business, and he brought home another wo- man to be a wife to him. This woman twitted and teased Aka ^as of old Hagar taunted Sarah, Abraham's wife. Aka's tears fell like the rain and she had no peace. After the funeral Kesa went and sat down by Hana's side. ''Who will take care of Rinjiro now ?" she asked of the weary, restless child, who was lying in her mother's room beside the hibachi, "The honorable mother tells me of the good hotoke y\zo who takes care of little children when they go into paradise," said Hana. *' Aka prayed and prayed to the gods to make Rinjiro well, Hana. And you and the honorable mother ask them every day to make your eyes better. I'm not going to pray, sister. The gods never listen." "Oh, Kesa," said Hana, "you don't know what you are talking about. The gods are angry, and I must pray a great many times before they will hear me. I have said Shaka Sama's name over five hundred times to-day. I counted the times on my beads. The holy Daruma spent nine years on his knees, and Shaka Sama's dis- ciples had long patience before they became RIN'JIRO'S QUESTION. 9/ Buddhas. And some of the hotokcs^ like the p^od Jizo, have been thousands of years on the way to perfection. The honorable mother quiets my pain by telling me of the holy life and deeds of Shaka Sama. I should like to be with the gods in paradise, Kechan." ''What would you do there?" asked Kesa. To this healthy, merry child death seemed a long way off and paradise vague enough. Hana merely answered, " I am going to think all the time of the holy Buddha." But Kesa's little heart found no satisfying an- swer to its deep questioning. Rinjiro had gone away. Why? Where? Would she ever see him again? One day late in February of that same year the slides of Aka's room were pushed softly back and Kesa's bright face appeared. Aka dearly loved the child, her Rinjiro' s little playmate and his affianced bride. "Aka," said she, "the honorable mother sends you these cherry-blossoms and wishes you to go with us to 'see flowers' to-morrow." It was the season of the year when Japan is full of blossoms, the time when the peach and plum trees bloom, the time of festivity, merri- ment, song, and dance. Poor Aka shook her head, but the little one still pleaded. "Please, Aka, condescend to accompany us. Honorable mother sends lier compliments. W^e Ke<.i «n 1 Saljiro. Y 9^ KESA AND SAIJIRO. are to go in a house-boat down the canals and up the river to Mukojima." **Last year," answered Aka sadly. ''Rinjiro was here. He walked beside us and held my hand. Now I cannot go without him. Thank the honorable mother and sisters, darling. Dogii ! thanks, thanks." So all the next day, while the Fujisawas were on the water or under the cherry trees at Muko- jima, Aka sat in her room mourning for her lost boy. Kesa was very happy seated on top of a house- boat with Chiye and her father beside her. They were not allowed to go out much, these carefully trained children of Fujisawa's, and were always interested in what they saw. Indeed any one might have enjoyed the scene that morning. There were so many boats on the narrow canals that collisions were frequent. Then the sailors with their long poles would push the boats apart, making a deafening noise the while. Sometimes the Fujisawas would pass a boat containing a party of their friends and would exchange pleas- ant greetings, mostly about the weather and sweet spring flowers. "What a large boat!" suddenly said Chiye. *'And what fine ladies are coming down the steps." They wxre passing a yasJiiki^ and the ladies were daughters of one of the old-time nobles. RINJIRO'S QUESTION. 99 They were dressed in handsome silks and crapes. Servants carried immense umbrellas over them. Behind them were other attendants who carried lunch-boxes and tea-caddies. They were evident- ly going to have a great feast somewhere. On swept the boat down the great tidal canals, so full of life that morning. The merry people were singing and dancing, with their heads keep- ing time to music, or telling jokes and stories. Little Hana lay on her pallet in the boat look- ing out upon the water and holding in her hands a bunch of fair white blossoms. Mitsu sat beside her. Childhood for Mitsu was over, and there is no golden period of girlhood in Japan. '^ Mitsu," said Hana, "Aka would not come to see flowers because Rinjiro is dead. Do you think the gods have flowers in paradise?" '''' Dogu P^ said Mitsu, on whose heart a dark shadow was falling, "I do not know. We cannot get into paradise for a long time; not for thou- sands of years, perhaps. And if we are wicked, we shall come back to the earth a worm or a dog or a poor bug." Hana looked sorrowful. "What are you saying to the child?" asked the mother almost angrily. She could not bear to see a cloud over her darling's face. So the conversation dropped. By-and-by they entered Yedo Bay, and FujI- sawa said, " There is the custom-house, and there lOO KESA AND SAIJIRO. are the houses where the honorable foreigners live." The boats danced merrily over the bay. Chiye and Kesa, looking towards the south, could see the forts built when Com. Perry arrived off the coast. To the north was the river; to the east the fishermen's island, Skudajiwa; and to the west the great city, with the long dark line of the Hakones behind it, and back of them still Mt. Fuji. As they passed the mission-houses they saw a lady with a little girl standing on the veranda watching the boats — the missionary's wife and her little daughter Marion. But they were not allowed time to see anything long. Up the river they went, under the bridges, over the bright laughing waters, beside the daiinios\ or nobles', homes, past trees bending over the water with crows cawing in their branches, now catching a glimpse of some great temple roof, now delighted with a great mass of flowers, as some cherry or peach swept its blossoms over the boat. When they came to the landing the sailors fastened the boat to the shore and they all scram- bled out. A beautiful road, sloping gradually from the water, led to the ''cherry-tree walk." This is a lovely avenue with cherry-trees on one side and peach-trees on the other. Fujisawa led his fam- ily to some benches under the trees and ordered tea. They took some, but it was bitter and they RINJIRO'S OUKSTION. lOI did not like it very well. Then up came a man with flowers, sweet blossoms from the trees. A few copper casJi bought as many of the blossoms as they cared for. Kesa and Chiye, leaving the flowers, walked with Meguchi down the avenue. Kesa missed her 'little playmate Rinjiro, who was always so merry on festival days; and she and Chiye thought often of Aka. But, like all children, they were not sad long, and laughed with Meguchi, enjoying the gay scenes. At noon they went to an eel restaurant, where Fujisawa ordered eels broiled on skewers for them all, with the usual accompaniments of rice, radishes, and tea. It was a real feast for the children and they enjoyed it greatly. lyate in the afternoon they crept Into the boat again, Chiye and Kesa getting inside wath the others. The tide was with them and they re- turned rapidly. The oarsmen had nothing to do but to guide the boat. The moon was just rising when they reached their home. "Truly, thanks," said the children to their father; " we have had a happy day." Fujisawa went to smoke in the upper room. He was not altogether satisfied about his children. Deep in his heart he longed for something better than the old ways of Japan afforded them. But still he shrank from putting them under the direct influence of foreigners, especially the Christians. There was a school for ofirls in connection with I02 KESA AXD SAIJIRO. the Government school. Why not send Chive and Kesa to that ? I^ater in the spring an invitation to Aka to ac- company Mrs. Fujisawa, INIitsu, and Kesa to Inoshima, Kamakura, and Dai Biitsu was eagerly accepted. Aka was so glad to have an opportuni- ty to worship before the great image of Buddha and offer flowers and fruits upon the altar there. Kesa was happy at the prospect of a journey in the cars to the great foreign city Yokohama, and looked forward with anticipations of pleasure to the day of starting. She was almost frightened, though, by the rapid motion of the cars, and at first clung to her mother's dress. Soon, however, growing braver, she enjoyed the view from the window. They passed rapidly through the fields and villages which lie between Tokio and Yokohama. They were soon in the latter city, for it is only an hour's ride. There they spent the day at a friend's house, so as to start early the next morn- ing for Inoshima. Kesa enjoyed a jinrikisha ride on the " Bluff," where so many of the foreigners reside. She thought the houses very grand and the little English children on donkeys very pretty, with their long fair hair imder broad-brimmed hats. Her mother pointed out to her the consulates, postoffice, and fine shops. Kesa had never seen such grand things in all her life before. RIN'JIRO'vS QUESTION. IO3 The next day they took jinrikishas and went over the fields to Inoshima, a beautiful peninsula on the coast dedicated to the goddess Benten Sa- naa. They stopped often during the day, so that it was evening before they crossed the sandy isthmus which connects the peninsula with the mainland. Inoshima was lovely in the light of the evening sun. ''Truly beautiful!" "For the first time!" "Wonderful!" These were some of the exclamations of the Tokio ladies. The sea broke along the shore, thundering on the rocks in some places and dancing in bright ripples up to the shore in other places. Some naked children, standing in the shadows of the rocks, were catching crabs. The ladies left their jinrikishas at the foot of the one steep street of the village. They paid the coolies, received their thanks, and went to one of the hotels. After their supper of fish and rice they sat at the open window and looked out on the ocean. Very early in the morning, before sunrise, they were all on the beach, waiting to worship the sun when it came up out of the sea. As it appeared, mounting above the red and golden waters, they bowed their heads in adoration. A missionary looking from his slides saw the group upon the sands, the three women and the little child, and thought with sadness of their ignorance; but even then the thought was in his heart, "Would that I04 KESA AND SAIJIRO. sucli reverence and fervor always characterized the worship rendered to the Sun of Righteous- ness !" What a grand ride Kesa and all of them had that morning along the shore to Dai Butsu! The waves dashed headlong over the land. Kesa shrank back whenever one came too near and was afraid of being sw^ept away. But the coolies knew their business well and brought them up safely to the great bronze image. Kesa wor- shipped reverently with the others, all of them chanting, "Amida Dai Butsu, Amida Dai Butsu." They also placed flowers before the idol, which looked down upon them calm and dignified, as it had done upon worshippers for many long years. A pretty ride through the rice-fields brought them to Kamakura, from Yoritomo's time to 1333 the Shoguns' capital, where they saw many relics of Yoritomo and visited his grave. These were pleasant days for Mrs. Fujisawa, Mitsu, and Kesa. Aka was happier than she had been since Rinjiro's death. Hana heard all about it when they were at home again. The grand image had been her dream by night and day, and she lono-ed to see it for herself. ^- m. -I'l > SEEING BUDDHA'S FACE. lO' CHAPTER X. Spring had come on the Hakones, too. The Fujisawa children could see that there was less snow on them as they looked at them from their garden. There were several boys of Saijiro's size in Yamamidzu. Chintaro, the barber's boy, was an especial friend, with his rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes, and fun-loving nature. Alantaro, the car- penter's son, was noted for his acrobatic perform- ances. His greatest delight was to propel a board down to the very edge of the cataract, jump from it into the raging river, and after battling with the strong current for a time, to the terror of spectators, suddenly reappear on the bank, drip- ping, and grinning from ear to ear. He was the best stilt-walker and kite-flyer in the village and excelled in all boyish games. Then there was Nanjiro, a delicate child of ten years, who always had a baby strapped on his back. Ginjiro and IMejiki lived in the largest house of the place and were good scholars. The girls were Ken, Riki, Hisa, Tama, and Taka. Besides these there were some little chil« dren and three or four babies. IC6 KESA AND SAIJIRO. Near tlie temple lived a little blind boy, Ko- jiro by name. He spent most of his time in the temple among the grim old idols. He loved to hear the monotonous chanting of the priests, the sweet sound of the bell, and the cooing of the doves. At noon one day, when the sun was shining over Yamamidzu, Saijiro sat with Kojiro on the temple steps. The child's sightless eyes were turned upward towards the sun. *'It is warm, Saijiro," he said, **and the air is svv'eet." Saijiro answered, ''Yes; the sun is shining, Ko, and that makes it warm." "I think, Saichan, the sun must be like Slia- ka Sama's face and the warm air like his breath. You know the image of Shaka Sama behind the altar? I have seen the faces of all the other gods, Saiji, but I cannot reach his; and oh ! I want so much to touch it." " You shall, Ko," answ^ered the eager Saijiro, ready to do anything for his friend. "I will help you. We will climb up and see Shaka Sama." The two boys rose and went up the rickety temple steps. Kojiro did not need Saijiro's guid- ance into the building, for he knew every hole and crack of it. But before entering he stood for an instant, pulled the bell-rope which hung there, folded his hands, and bowed his head while he SEEING BUDDHA'S FACE. I07 uttered a prayer. The two priests who usually officiated in the temple had gone to dinner, and the children had the place to themselves. Saijiro took hold of Ko's hand when the latter had fin- ished his prayer and led him to the altar. Be- fore it was a table, and on the table were offerings of rice and beans and pyramids made of carrots and turnips. " Ko, be careful," said Saijiro, as he led his friend to the narrow, slippery steps up which they had to climb before reaching the great image. Kojiro shivered a little. It was cold and dark in the temple. "Am I near Shaka Sama?" he asked. "I cannot feel any warmth, as I do from the sun." But Saijiro held him firmly by the hand, and he patiently mounted the stairs. Then they had to make their way along a narrow ledge, around tall candles and artificial flowers. Kojiro trem- bled as for the first time he touched these things which were so sacred to him. At last the boys came up to the image of Buddha. It was seated on a lotus-flower, and looked down on them calm and majestic, as are all images of Buddha. "Now, Ko," said Saijiro, "climb up on the lotus." By placing theii feet carefully upon the petals of the flower the boys managed to get up to the image itself. Then Saijiro was puzzled. The loS KESA AND SAIJIRO. surface was smooth; there was nothing for his friend to take hold of. At last he succeeded in scrambling up the side and getting on the im- mense hand of the image. Now, holding by- Buddha's sacred thumb, he stooped down and pulled Kojiro up. But still the blind boy could not reach the face. "Get up on my shoulder, Ko." Ivojiro tried this, but it was not easily accom- plished. There was nothing for him to stand on, nothing for him to hold on by. Kojiro felt al- most as though he were doomed to disappoint- ment. Should he never see Shaka Sama^s face? Saijiro examined the idol carefully. ''There is a place on Shaka Sama's neck where the folds of his honorable robe are. I think I can lift you up." This feat was not accomplished without diffi- culty, even danger. But at last Kojiro stood on the holy Buddha's neck. Then, lost to every- thing else, he passed his fingers over the sacred face that he had so Iouq: desired to touch. His thin little fingers traced and retraced the outlines. He felt the eyes, the nose, the forehead, the lips, the chin. Never had image a more devout wor- shipper. "I see him I I see him !" he called to Saijiro, who stood waiting on the sacred thumb. "My hands have touched his face. I have seen Shaka SEEING Buddha's face. 309 Sama ! I know he is beautiful because he is so smooth. ' ' "But we must go down, Ko," called Saijiro at last. Poor little Ko ! how was he to Q-et down ? Fearless as he generally was, everything was new here. He had nothing to cling to. "I cannot come down, Saiji," he cried. "I shall fall." Indeed, Saijiro himself began to be alarmed. '''' Dogu! what can we do?" he said. Just then the old priest came in. "I will call to the bon-sama^'^^ said Saijiro. The priest, hearing voices, looked this way and that in the temple, but failed to discover the boys. "Bon-sama ! Bon-sama !" called Saijiro. The voice sounded far off to the priest. He began to tremble. Always superstitious, the Jap- anese are ready to believe anything. > "Bon-sama! Bon-sama!" shouted Saijiro desperately from his height on Buddha's thumb. The old priest lifted his eyes to the altar, and in the gloom and distance just discovered two moving figures on Shaka Sama's arms and neck. They were oiiis calling to him ! With a cry he rushed from the temple, meeting on the step his younger, jollier brother. "What has happened?" asked bon-sama num- ber two. no KESA AND SAIJIRO. *''' Dogu! onis in the temple !" This somewhat stag^gered the younger priest; but some villagers coming along and being told the story, all agreed to enter the temple together. In the meantime the children, thoroughly fright- ened themselves, stood trembling and clinging to the idol. It was a relief to Saijiro to see the men enter, armed as they were with clubs and farming implements. "Let us call together, Ko," he said, as the searchers peered cautiously into corners and up at the altar. So together they shouted. * ' Who are you ?' ' questioned the men. "We are Saijiro and Kojiro," the boys an- swered, " and we came up to see the holy Shaka Sama's face and cannot get down." The ''DogusP' and " Wonderfuls !" and "Strange things!" were not few among the as- sembled company. A strong man went up to the idol, lifted Saijiro down to the altar, and then rescuing Kojiro carried him quite down to the temple door. "What were you doing, Ko?" asked his fa- ther as he led him home. "Honorable father, pardon," answered the child. " I wished to see Shaka Sama's face." A day or two after the adventure in the tem- ple, as Saijiro and Ts'koi were running up the village street, they met Baba with the large girl SEEING BUDDHA'S FACE. Ill Tama. Baba leaned heavily upon her stick, and Tama carried a bundle of clothes. "Where are you going?" asked Baba of Sai- jiro, who made her a respectful salutation. Saijiro knew well enough where Baba and Tama were going. They were making their way slowly down to the pool to wash their clothes. It was Sunday. The simple mountaineers knew that the Japanese Government had ordered the seventh day to be observed as a day of rest, in- stead of one day in six, as of old. They also knew that the year began much earlier than for- merly and that the months were changed. The Government so ordered it, and the changes were easily effected. Saijiro, who was running about with no definite purpose, turned and went with Baba and Tama down the path along which the villagers frequently trod; for the women all had to go to the pool to do their washing. The river was too rapid and dangerous to allow of any liber- ties being taken with it. It was a lovely day. Just enough of winter lingered in the air to make it fresh and bracing. The patch of sky overhead was of a deep blue. The mountain was beautiful in its fresh spring dress. Sweet little flowers bloomed by the road- side. There was even, at the end of the village, a single cherry-tree white with blossoms. The people thought it the most wonderful and beauti- ful thing they had. Fruit-trees were rare in that 112 KESA AND SAIJIRO. region, and the people on the mountain came to Yamamidzu to see this tree. If they could but have seen the cherry walk at Mukojima, where the Fujisawa children spent such pleasant hours ! But Saijiro was happy enough. He ran on ahead of Baba, carrying the bundle on his head. Tama had laughingly tossed it to him when they met, then taking Baba's hand to lead her care- fully down the steep descent. ''DoguP' said Baba, " the little flowers are very pretty, and how beautiful is the honorable cherry-tree." " Saichan, Saichan !" called a little voice from above. Saijiro looked up to see little blind Ko stand- ing at the head of the path. He wore a white dress, his feet were bare, and his long hair, not yet cut as a priest's — for it was Ko's desire to be a priest — floated behind him on the breeze. Saijiro gave his bundle a toss which sent it rolling down to the pond; then running rapidly back towards Ko, he took him upon his back and was at the pond before the others, whom he had passed each time with a polite "Excuse me." He safely de- posited Kojiro upon the ground and found a mossy seat for Baba beside him. Tama rolled up her dress and waded out into the water with the clothes, which she beat be- tween two stones. Saijiro lay down on the ground between Baba and Kojiro. It was a pret- 1^3 ty scene. From the height above them down tumbled the waterfaH. The pond was like a pearl set with emeralds, so pure was the water, so green the earth. All around grew^ pretty spring wild-flowers. The blossoms of the cherry-tree could be seen, a mass of white among the trees, as they looked up towards Yamamidzu. "Baba," asked little Ko, "shall I ever see ?'» "Ko sees many things, Baba,'' broke in Saijiro. *'He sees more things than I can think of." Tama w^as all this while busy washing her clothes and Baba's. She had ripped apart their dresses of blue cotton cloth and was beating the pieces on the rocks. She did it cheerfully, and sang in a low monotone a song of spring. It could not be called a merry tune. It sounded plaintive enough. But Baba and the children enjoyed it so much that at last they stopped their talk to listen. It was one of the songs of the Hia- kiuiinishiu^ or *'One Hundred Poems," of which Japanese women are so fond. "Oh, my love!" sang Tama. "I have lost him in this world. Shall I ever see him aq-ain ? Shall I meet him in the next?" "Riki is learning to play the sainiseit^''^ Tama called out to Baba when she had ended her sonq^. *' Old Kinchi is teachinof her." "That is fine," answered Baba. "We shall have music in Yamamid^^u now. Are your KcHa an aijiro. 3 114 KESA AND SAIJIRO. clothes all washed clean, Tama? It is growing late, and we must go home." Tama led Baba, and Saijiro carried Ko up the steep path to the village. Leaving Ko at his home, Saijiro turned and crossed the bridge. Be- fore reachinof his house he heard his father's voice. *' The honorable father is at prayer," said Sai- jiro to himself. Yetaro was prostrate before the idols in his bedchamber. Candles were burning on the altar and the smoke of incense filled the room. ^^DoguP^ thought Saijiro, "I wish the honor- able father could find the honorable foreigners' God — the one who hung upon the cross." A MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL. II 5 CHAPTER XI. A MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL. Kesa and Chiye, under their mother's careful direction, were changing the water of the vases on the altar. Neither of these two girls had the reverence for the deities of Japan which the mo- ther tried so hard to inculcate. Fujisawa himself was something of a skeptic; but he encouraged his wife and daughters to be regular in their at- tendance at the temnles, believing that a Japan- ese woman should love and worship the gods. "Kesa, be careful. Do condescend to take a little more pains, child," called the mother, as the contents of a vase were spilled upon the floor. "Pardon me, honorable mother," said the child. Meguchi hastened to wipe the water from the mat. "The honorable elder sisters would not have done so," she said. "How beautiful!" said the servants when they saw Benten Sama's freshly decorated shrine. It looked like the altar in a Roman-catholic church, with artificial flowers, candles, and in- cense-boxes. Benten Sama was a favorite goddess with the children. Tliev loved to hear stories of her life Il6 KESA AND SAIJIRO. Oil the beautiful islaud of Inoshima — of how she could change herself into a swan or a snake, and of how she appeared to people in trouble — a gra- cious goddess with long, flowing hair and beauti- ful robes. They had pictures of her standing, with the other "gods of luck^" on top of the treasure-boat which is thought to come into the harbor at Tokio at the new year and bring pres- ents and good cheer for all. Mrs. Fujisawa's Benten Sama looked very pretty, standing serene- ly in an elegant lacquered case, with flowers and candles before her. Chiye and Kesa found the duties of idol-wor- ship rather irksome. They could not see the use of placing flowers and eatables before images. **They do not eat," said Chiye in confidence to Mitsu one night. "No; but the gods in paradise see that we offer things to their images and they are pleased," answered Mitsu. "Mitsu, the honorable foreigners don't have images of their gods," said Chiye. " But some of them do," answered Mitsu. "I have myself seen the honorable strangers' images — a woman, like Benten Sama; and a child, like the holy infant Buddha; and men, like Shaka Sama's disciples." "Well, Fusa goes to school, and she says they have no images. Oh, Mitsu, how I wish the honorable father would let me 0:0 to the school ! A MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL. 117 I have seen Fiisa's books; they are about all the different countries in the world. We do n't learn anything except about Japan and the gods and heroes. ' ' "What more does a Japanese girl want to know?" asked Mitsu. Chiye Fujisawa seemed to have been born with a thirst for knowledge. Long before this .she had mastered all that a Japanese girl ordi- narily learns in school, and had begged to be al- lowed to study the Chinese classics. Fujisawa engaged a Chinese teacher for her, but even the classics failed to satisfy the eager girl. Tama and Mitsu played beautifully on the samisen^ but neither Chiye nor Kesa cared much for music. They loved to hear Mitsu' s skilful touch on the instrument and to listen to her songs of old Japan, but had no fancy for playing or singing themselves. ''Where are you going?" asked Chiye of Kesa a few hours later, as she came into the room where Chiye was studying. "I am going with Mitsu and Aka to carry flowers to Rinjiro's grave," answered the child. Just then Mitsu appeared, all ready for a walk and carrying beautiful flowers. She gave some of them to Kesa, and after a respectful saionara to their mother the two girls went to the yasJiiki for Aka, who joined them at the large gate. It was where Rinjirc had always IlS KKSA AND SATJIRO. met Kesa in the days when they went to school together. Aka carried lilies. "How beautiful!" said Mitsu and Kesa as she showed them the pure white flowers. They were mountain lilies, and just then Saijiro had his hands full of them and was carrying them to Baba at Yamamidzu. "Aka, if it had not been for what Kei said that day she told us her story, I believe I should have liked to be a nun," said Mitsu as they walked. "But I so well remember her words: * The women are not holv.' She said that while they beat the drums and prayed their hearts were far away, and that they did all sorts of WTong and foolish things." ''^ DogjtP'' said Aka, " I long to go on pilgrim- age. Many vv'omen go. Why cannot we?" They were going np the broad walk to the temple. Doves came and hopped about Kesa's feet. "Why does Hachiman Sama, the god of war, have doves for his messengers?" asked Kesa. " He looks so fierce and is so ngly, I shouldn't think the doves would like him at all." Near the grim idol Hachiman stood a white horse made of wood. He was Hachiman's ser- vant, as the fox is fabled to be the servant of the god Inari. Kesa stopped for a moment nnder a grand maple-tree. On one side of l:er w^as a terrible ojit A MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL. I19 holding ill one arm a "heavenly lamp." On the other side was the tree where the sacred snake was said to dwell. But neither Kesa nor any one else had ever seen the snake. While Aka and Mitsu went up to the temple, Kesa bought some rice from a man and fed the doves. They crowd- ed around, cooing softly as the child threw the grain to them. The cemetery w^as just behind the temple. Kesa followed Aka and Mitsu to a well-known grave. A little pair of wooden shoes hung on the tombstone, and near by were playthings. Aka threw away the faded flowers which were there and put fresh ones in their place, and then sat down and wept for the little Rinjiro who lay buried under the stone. At last she said, "Kesa, you must come and help me make rice-cakes, sweep the rooms, and get Rinjiro's toys and clothes ready. Rin- jiro is coming to be watli us, and we must pre- pare. ' ' "Will he really come?" asked Kesa. " Yes, my darling, at the feast of the Bony "There is going to be a preaching; let us go and hear the sermon," said Mitsu as they went back towards the temple. A number of people were making their way up to the steps. Many of them were very old. Hun- dreds of shoes were near the temple steps, for no one goes into the temples with shoes. I20 KESA AND SAIJIRO. ''Who will preach?" asked Aka of a man. The man made a low bow and said, "The great boii-sama from Shibo preaches to-day of the holy Shaka Sama." The people, about five hundred in number, sat on the temple floor, with their faces turned to- wards the altar. Aka, Mitsu, and Kesa sat near the door. An aged, venerable priest, with shaven head and yellow robes, occupied as chief speaker the place of honor, and around him were grouped priests of inferior rank. The western sun sent long rays of light into the temple. They fell on the gilded images of the Buddhas and on the golden lotus-flowers. The priests began a low monotonous chant; and some boys, likewise with shaven heads, swung in- cense, the odor of which filled the temple. The priests chanted the praise of Buddha, their holy Shaka Sama. " Pure and holy and absorbed in heavenly contemplation was the great Amida. He left his father's palace and dwelt with the poor and low- ly. Amida Dai Butsu! Amida Dai Butsu!" Then the old priest rose, and stretching out his hands said, "Listen, O people, to the doctrines of the ho'y and blessed Buddha. ' ' He was born in the far-off country India, a prince of high degree. He despised the delights cf his father's house, and determined to becom.e a A MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL. 121 priest to the most liigh and holy one, the Brahma of the Indians. But neither did he find peace in listening to the teachings of Brahma. ''He looked forth one day and beheld a man killing a poor dumb animal. He heard its cries and saw its precious life-blood spilled. "Then his spirit was roused within him. He retired under a banyan-tree and spent days and nights in holy contemplation. He saw beau- tiful visions, knew all things, and became a god. "He travelled far and wide over Tartary, Nankin, and Ceylon. Many were his disciples and gentle were his precepts. Read, O people, the story of the sixteen disciples of Buddha, who were ' flowers of heaven. ' ' ' Here the people all bowed their heads. The great image of Buddha was resplendent in the sunshine. " He founded hospitals for the sick. He gave in mercy to the poor. He became absorbed into the divine essence. " Study the eight steps to perfection: "I. Right belief. * ' H. Right judgment. "HI. Right utterance. "IV. Right motives. "V. Right living. " VI. Right occupation. "VII. Right memory. *'VIII. Ri^ht meditation. 122 KESA AND SAIJIRO. *'The devout Buddhist, O people, must be- lieve the correct thing, must apply his faith to his daily life, must speak the truth, must always have a perfect end and aim in view; his outward life must be without sin; he must faithfully do his duty; he must remember correctly his past con- duct and keep his mind fixed on permanent truth. ^'Listen, also, to the ten commandments: *'L Do not kill. ''II. Do not steal. *'IIL Do not commit adultery. *'IV. Do not lie. *' V. Do not become intoxicated. *' VI. Take no solid food after noon. *'VII. Do not visit dances nor concerts nor theatrical representations. "VIII. Use no ornaments nor perfumery in dress. *' IX. Use no luxurious beds. *' X. Accept neither gold nor silver.'' The people bowed and murmured assent to each of these precepts and commandments. Lit- tle Kesa heard it all, sitting by Aka's side that summer afternoon. The doctrines were good, but they brought no peace to Aka's soul, no hope of meeting her darling again. But the crowd was dispersing, and in the sum- mer twilight the three walked quietly home. A few days later Kesa went to help Aka get ready for the great festival of the "j^^?;/." For A MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL. 1 23 ''the spirits of the dead come back and spend three days of every year with, their friends," say the people. It is a solemn festival and comes in midsimi- nier, when the sacred lotus is blooming in the ponds, emblem of the sanctity, seclusion, and rest- fulness of the Buddhas. Kesa and Aka made lice-cakes and placed them on the shrines erected to the memory of the dead. They unfolded Rin- jiro's clothes, that he might find them ready for him. They laid out for the child -spirit the gaudy, unused toys. " Oh, if we could see him ! If he would only come and play with us and tell us what the gods do in paradise!" said Kesa, as she assisted in sweeping, dusting, and making everything ready. She and Aka talked a great deal about Rinjiro during the three days that the spirits were sup- posed to spend in the house. " He would have been your husband, Kechan. The honorable father and I had promised that he should be your honorable husband and that you should be his honorable wife." "But we should have played together for a long while," said Kesa, whose ideas of the rela- tions of husband and wife were rather indefinite. " Yes; you would have gone to school togetli- er and played together for a long while yet," an- swered Aka; and she sighed when she Uiought of all their lost happiness. 124 KESA AND SAIJIRO. The Fujisawa mansion was also swept and cleaned and ready for the spirits. No child had left the house, but there were grandfathers and grandmothers, for two or three generations back, to come. Rice, flowers, and clothing were made ready for them. Drums were beaten incessantly, and the very air seemed filled with prayers of the living and spirits of the dead. Kesa went with Aka on the evening of the third day of the feast to the bank of a canal. The tide was going out. They lighted little tapers, placed them carefully on the water, and they were carried out to the sea. Rinjiro's spirit was being lighted back to its shadowy home. "Good-by, Rinjiro, until next year," said Kesa; and Aka's tears fell fast. The streets were full of people, all carrying tapers or watching them as they were borne by the tide out to the ocean. ]\Ien were dancing in the streets the sacred Bon dance, chanting a solemn litany, waving their fans, and swaying their bodies to and fro. How weird it all was! Kesa held fast to Aka's hand as they walked rapidly through the streets to their own quiet homes. A few days after this the summer vacation was over, and Kesa went back to school. She was not fond of books, as Chiye was. In a pas- sive way she went through the school routine, giving little trouble, but paying little attention; A MIDSUMMKR FESTIVAL. 1 25 reading monotonously the dull Confucian books, and mechanically repeating their precepts. The teacher was getting old. He had taught the fa- thers and mothers of some of the children, keep- ing on in the same routine year after year. A foreigner going into the school during a reading lesson would have seen the sensez v^alking about with a ruler in his hand and the pupils all sitting on the floor with books open before them. But such a noise ! They all read together, em- phasizing the small words, drawing in their breath, and making a peculiar inflection at the end of each sentence. Kesa read out her lesson clearly; her voice could be heard above the others as they chanted the precepts of the ''Woman's Great Learning." ''When children are able to take their food they should be taught the use of the right hand. "When able to talk, the lads must be instruct- ed to answer in a quick, bold tone, and the girls in a slow, gentle tone. "A leathern girdle should be given to the lads, and a silken one to the girls. " At the age of seven they should be taught to count and to name the cardinal points. "At the age of seven boys and girls must not sit on the same mat nor eat at the same table. "At eight, when going out or coming in, they must wait for their superiors, being taught to pre- fer others to themselves. 126 KESA AND SAIJIRO. "At nine they mnst learn to number tlie days of the month. "Girls, after they are ten years of age, must not leave their apartments. "Placed under governesses, they must be taught to be mild, both in deportment and lan- guage. They must learn to spin, wind off thread, and to weave cloth and silken stuffs, and thus perform those duties which properly belong to women in providing clothes for their families. They may see to the preparations for the sacrifi- ces, and arrange the vessels and the offerings of wines and veofetables. " In the " Bock of Rites'' are these precepts; " Let children be always taught to speak the simple truth, to stand upright in their proper places, and to listen with respectful attention." "Wives must serve their husbands' fathers and mothers as their own. "At the first cock-crowing they must arise, wash their hands, rinse their mouths, comb their Lair; they must fasten on their bags of perfumery, then cro to the chamber of their father and mo- o ther and father-in-law and mother-in-law, and having entered, in a low and placid tone they must inquire whether their dress is too warln or too cold. "In asking and presenting them what they wish to eat they must cheer them by their mild manner, and must wait until their father and mo- A MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL. 12/ tlier and father-in-law and motlier-in-law have eaten, and then retire." "Children must not occupy the principal place in the house nor seat themselves in the middle seat nor walk in the middle of the way nor stand in the middle of the door. They must not ascend high places nor approach steep pre- cipices, nor may they indulge in slander or ridi- cule." Poor little Kesa! These maxims are all good enough in their way, but she might have studied them all the bright days of her childhood and never have known anything of the beautiful world in which she lived — of its trees and plants and flowers, of its animals, and of its races of men and their history. No wonder that Chive was dissatisfied. Kesa wrote Chinese characters in her copy- books, and Mitsu taught her the "One Hun- dred Poems." Mitsu was also her teacher in sewing, embroidery, and paper-flower ma- king. But Kesa was not a very apt scholar in these things and often tried her teacher's patience. Neither did she like her samisen lessons. The teacher went to the house twice a week, and the little girl would sit patiently beside her and try to imitate her as she struck the strings of the instrument with her ivory stick and sang her songs of love and beauty. But Kesa was no 128 KESA AND SAIJIRO. musician and samisejt-^Xsiymg had no attraction for her. "Come, Kesa, it is time for your sewing,'' said Mitsu one day as the child stood idly by the lotus pond. "For shame!" she added, as Kesa turned petulantly away. She was not fond of sewing. "But I have a pretty story, a new one, for you," said the gentle Mitsu; and Kesa went slowly towards the house. "The mother waits with her work, Kesa, and Hana is anxious to hear the story." Kesa quickened her pace and went into the room where her mother and sisters were sitting. Mitsu put Kesa's embroidery into her hands with many directions as to how the work should be done. Then she began her story. "Once upon a time, just when the world was made — " "Who made it?" asked Kesa. "The gods, of course, little sister. But let me go on with the story. Well, the whole world belonged to a fairy who had three children, two sons and a daughter. Now the fairy was about to die—" " I didn't know that fairies ever died," inter- rupted Hana. "Well, this one died or went away from the w^orld, and he left the moon to one boy and the sea to another and the sun to his daughter. The A MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL. 1 29 boy who had the moon was very much pleased, and he has it yet." "But he takes it away sometimes, sister," said little Kesa. "Yes; but he always brings it back again. Well, the boy who had the sea did not like his part. He hated to be cold and wet all the time. The girl had the sun, and one day when she was spinning with her maidens the sea-boy rushed in and overturned the spin- ning-wheels and frightened them all so that the sun-girl ran and hid herself in a cave. Then the world w^as all dark, because the light of the sun really came from her beautiful eyes. "So the fairies went and begged her to come out, but she would not. At last they went and danced before her door. Then Ama opened just a little crack and peeped out. " 'See, here is a fairy more beautiful than you are,' said the dancers, holding a mirror before her face. Ama was very curious to know who the fairy was, so she came out of the cave, and then the rest of the fairies closed the door. "Ama promised to go back to the sun if the wicked Susano were banished. So Susano went down to the earth, and as he was walking sorrow- fully along he saw^ an old man and woman crying over a beautiful young girl. Susano asked what 130 KESA AND SAIJIRO. the matter was, and they told him that every year a terrible eig-ht-headed drao^on came and devoured one of their dausrhters and that this was the last one of eight. They told him, too, that the drag- on was to come again that very day and that they would lose their last daughter if no one was found to rescue her. "Susano told them to dry their tears, for he could easily destroy the dragon. Then he showed them how to brew some beer, and they made a fence with eight gates and placed a vat of beer at each gate. " Pretty soon the dragon came trailing along. He was so large that he covered eight hills and eight valleys. When he smelled the beer he went up to it and drank so much that he became in- toxicated. Then Susano went to him and cut off all his heads. When the dragon was quite dead Susano stepped up to his tail and began to cut that in pieces. His sword struck something very hard, which proved to be the most beautiful sword that had ever been seen. So Susano took it out and the Emperor of Japan has it. "Then Susano married the beautiful girl, and they lived in a fine palace and were happy ever after.'' Kesa and Hana thought this a fine story; but Chiye said it was very foolish and she did not be- lieve it ever happened at all. WINTER IN YAMAMIDZU. I3I CHAPTER XII. WINTER IN YAMAMIDZU. While Kesa was studying the "Woman's Great Learning" in Tokio, Saijiro on the moun- tain was likewise gaining a knowledge of Confu- cius and Mencius, and their counsels to bo\s. "At ten," says the book, "lads must be sent abroad to tutors and remain day and night, study- ing the arts of writing and arithmetic, wearing plain apparel, always learning to demean them- selves in a manner becoming their age, and, both in receiving instruction and in practice, acting in sincerity of purpose." "At thirteen they must attend to music and poetry." "When the father calls, his son must answer promptly and without delay; he must drop what- ever work he has in hand, or if he is eating and has food in his mouth, he must spit it out and run quickly. If the son who has aged parents goes away from the house, it must not be now to this place and then to that, nor must he delay his re- turn beyond the proper time nor retain an un- disturbed countenance when his parents are af- flicted by sickness." "It is the dutv of everv son in winter to warm 132 KESA AND SAIJIRO. and in summer to cool his parents' beds; in the evening to wish them rest, and in the morning to inquire after their health; when going out to an- nounce it to his parents, and on returning to go into their presence. His walks abroad must al- ways be through the same places; he must have some settled business." "While the tutor gives instruction the pupil must learn, and with gentleness, deference, and self-abasement receive implicitly every word his master utters. When he sees virtuous people he must follow them. When he hears good maxims he must conform to them. In a gentle and sub- missive manner he must perform the duties which he owes to his parents and brothers, and must never behave proudly, presuming on his own abil- ities. "He must cherish no wicked designs, but al- ways act uprightly. Whether at home or abroad, he must have a fixed residence and associate with the benevolent. He must carefully regulate his personal deportment and control the feelings of his heart. He must, both when rising and at rest, keep his clothes in order. Every morning he must learn something new and rehearse the same every evening, doing all with the most re- spectful and watchful attention." " Of the three thousand crimes included under the five kinds of punishment, there is none greater than disobedience to parents." WINTER IN YAMAMIDZU. 1 33 Saijiro had also to learn the "One Thousand Character Classic," which consists of maxims and precepts. One thousand characters are used in this book, no two of which are alike. The max- ims are poetical in the original, and the children repeated them in a sing-song style, drawing in their breath and prolonging some of the words. Saijiro studied faithfully and was a good boy in school. But he loved play too, and many a merry game did he have with the village chil- dren. There came a happy New Year's Day for the Yamamid^u people. It was warm and sunn)-, and even Baba could sit outside on her cushion and watch the games. The whole village joined in the sports. Yenoske had been down to the town and had brought up a supply of provisions. The women had pounded the rice into a fine pow- der and had made mocJii^ hard cakes, from it. They had candy and plenty of rice and daikons. The girls had bright sashes, balls, and battledores and shuttlecocks. The boys had new belts and gorgeous kites. The village hairdresser and bar- ber had done their best. The bath-house had been well patronized and everything was bright and fresh for the New Year. Congratulations were heard on all sides. Ya- mamidzu was bright and beautiful, and the people forc^ot that there were such thins^s in the world as hunger, cold, and weariness. Kojiro was happy, 134 KKSA AND SAIJIRO. too, Oil this bright New Year, and laughed and clapped his hands with the rest of the children. The boys and men flew kites, and the girls and women played battledore and shuttlecock. The girls counted and sang merrily as the pretty feathers were tossed to and fro. Some wandering minstrels had stopped in the village to make music for the people. A blind woman sat on a mat in the middle of the street, and while she sang and played her daughter, a girl of thirteen, danced. She gained great ap- l)lause, and all the Yamamidzu people said she did well. The woman sang of the new year, and of the opening of the peach and plum blossoms. Later in the day a story-teller recited some tales of ancient Japan and of the glories of Tay- kosama. Then the children gathered around him and clamored for a story. "Ah," said the man, "I will tell you the story of the eighty-first brother." Then the chil- dren all dropped their toys and listened. The man sat on a mat and held a fan, with which he rapped on a small table. "Once upon a time there were eighty -one brothers. They were all jealous of each other, and all wanted to rule the same kinordom and to marry the same princess. The princess lived in the province of Inaba, and all the brothers started off to find her. All of the eighty brothers joined in hating the eighty-first brother, and they treated THE RABBIT AND THE CROCODILES. WINTER IN YAMAMIDZU. 1 35 him shamefully and made him carry the heavy luggage." Here the man held up before the children a picture which represented the eighty-one brothers travelling among the mountains, the eighty-first brother carrying the pack. ''By-and-by the brothers came across a poor hare lying in the road and crying. His hair was all plucked out and he looked very miserable. The brothers told him to go and bathe in the sea and then lie down on a mountain and let the wind blow over him. But the poor hare was then in still greater distress; the wind blowing over his cracked skin put him in terrible pain. While he lay crying there the eighty-first brother came along:. He asked the hare how he frot in such a plight. Then the hare told him that he was on an island and wanted to get over on the main- land. So he called to a crocodile, and they made a bargain. They were to count how many croco- diles there were in the sea and how many hares there were on the land. So the crocodiles rano^ed themselves in a long row to be counted and the liare crossed over on their backs." Here the story-teller showed the children another funny picture. All the crocodiles were in a long row, and the hare was running across. ^'But," continued the man, "the silly hare, just as he had gained the land, laughed aloud and told the crocodiles his scheme; and the 136 KKSA AND SAIJIRO. last crocodile seized liiin and plucked off all liis hair. "The hare further told the eighty-first brother that he had followed the advice of the eighty bro- thers and had bathed in the sea. Then the eighty-first brother told him to bathe in the river_ and take a good roll in the bushes. Having done; this the hare was quite cured, and he befriended the eighty-first brother, so that he married the beautiful princess." "A very great thank-you," said the children, and they clapped their hands and went away. About noon two visitors entered Yamamidzu. They were Yen and the old grandmother from the mountain tea-house. Yen's face was pow- dered, and she wore a silk sash and finer hair- pins than the village girls had ever seen before. She was a real belle among them, and was greet- ed with many exclamations of surprise and de- light. But she led the old grandmother carefully by the hand and was mindful of her comfort in every respect. "Truly, welcome," said the villagers, crowd- inof around them. "It is a lonof walk for the grandmother. And how is the honorable old lady?" " Thanks ! Baba is very well, and she is very happy to come," answered Yen. Then the grandm^other was seated on the mat beside the Yamamidzu Baba, and the two Babas WINTER IN YAMAMIDZU. 1 37 laughed and chatted and smoked their pipes. Yen joined the merry group of girls, and soon her laugh was heard above the others. Saijiro and Ts'koi were here and there among the people, and even the schoolmaster Yetaro tried to be cheerful. Yenoske was invaluable to the little boys. He helped with the kite-flying and shouted with the children if some kite made a particularly high flight into the blue sky. But the bright hours wore away and the cold winter night came on. The people had to go into their houses, but the story- telling, playing, and singing were kept up until a late hour. It was the last time that the Yamamidzu Baba went out. The next day an unusually severe storm set in. The wind swept through the mountain gorge and carried the snow in great drifts throuirh the villagfc street. Baba's streno-th seemed suddenly to fail, and she lay on \\er futon ^ scarcely caring to move. She could still tell her stories, however, and Saijiro and Yenoske often be^reed for them. Her thouo^hts went back to the old days when her children were small and her strong young husband went up and down the great mountain Fuji. '''' Dogu ! I was not one of the holy ones wdio went up to the summit, although honorable hus- band spent two months every summer up there," 138 KKSA AND SAIJIRO. said Baba one night when Yenoske and Saijiro sat beside her. "At the very top, Baba? And what did he do there?" asked Saijiro. "Every year," answered Baba, "during the sixth and seventh months the mountain was 'open,' and pilgrims came from all over the country to worship at the crater. Dogu ! it ivas a sight when the pilgrims came in their white dresses, carrying their staves. Hundreds and hundreds passed by the house every summer. At the top was a village where the pilgrims could rest, and honorable husband had charge of one of the houses and fed the holy travellers, taking a few pence from each for rice, tea, and sweet sake. "I was very lonely when the husband went up the mountain. I would go with him as far as I dared. There were beautiful flowers at the base of Fuji — lilies, jDoppies, and other beautiful plants. But farther up there was nothing but ashes. Our feet would sink in them, and we could scarcely walk. Then honorable husband would send me back with the baby, and I would work in the garden and keep the house clean. " Often the top of the mountain would be hid- den from me by the clouds, and then again it would stand out clear and white against the sky. There was always snow on it. I was ^dad to see WINTER IN YAMAMIDZU. 139 the top, and often looked up to where the honor- able husband \vas. " But, dogii ! one day he went up to spend the two months on the mountain, and never came back again. Some said he fell down the crater; others that he had been murdered. Search was made for him, but he was never found." "What did you do then, Baba," asked Ye- noske. "Honorable father-in-law was a servant of a samjirai^-'" and I went to live with him. The house was in a lonely place, and we had to work very hard. Our master the daiinio was severe, too, and we were heavily taxed; we scarcely knew what was our own. At last some of the farmers determined that they would not stand it any longer, and they rose in a body and killed some of the officers. It was a long time before the strife ceased, and we were all very unhappy. But at last peace was declared between the daimio ^ Under the Shoguns the feudal system prevailed in Japan, the damiws, or territorial nobles, owning- tracts of land within whose limits their will was law. The whole population was then divided into four classes : the samta-ai, or military fami- lies, from whom the retainers of the daimios were recruited, and who had the right to wear two swords, as a sign of gentle birth, the farmers, the artisans, and the merchants or traders. Since the revolution of 1868 the feudal system has been abol- ished ; the daimios have surrendered their lands, castles, and retainers to the Government, and the people of Japan are now divided into the three classes of nobles, gentry, and com- moners, the last including the peasantry, artisans, and traders. 140 KESA AND SAIJIRO. and his servants, and we were all ordered to Yedo. "The daimio's household was very large; and then there were the two-sworded men and their retainers and wives and children. Dogjt! it was a great train. We moved very slowly. The daimid rode in a beautiful closed norimoiio^^ (a large litter, carried by several bearers), "and all the people prostrated themselves before him as he passed. Hotels and tea-houses were made ready for his ac- commodation; but we, who were in the train, of- ten orot no rest dav or nio^ht. "Dead bodies of thieves and murderers were exposed along the road, that men might see that justice had been done. Sometim-es the whole train was stopped by a man throwing himself in the road before us and presenting a petition to the daimio. "At last we reached the orreat citv and were comfortably settled in our yasJiiki. The daimio had feasts, mock-battles, and theatricals, and there was much visiting. The samurai were idle and drank much sake. The women had nothing to do and quarrelled among themselves. " One day all Yedo was excited. The soldiers were called out, temple bells were rung, and fires were lighted. Some strange ships were in the bay. They were from America, and all they wanted was to deliver a letter to the great Emper- or. When this was done thev went awav. Soon WINTER IN YAMAMIDZU. 141 after there was a terrible earthquake. There was no difference between the land and the sea. The earth trembled and seemed to rise in great waves beneath our feet. Houses were shaken down and people were killed. * ' Some years after that there was a great bat- tle in Yedo. I don't know just what the fight- ing was all about, but our prince's establish- ment was broken up, and my son, Yenoske's fa- ther, came to Yamamidzu, and I followed him." All this was not told without many interrup- tions. Baba had to be rubbed and warmed, and cups of tea were given her. *' Baba, you are very old; shall you die soon?" asked Saijiro. ''^ Dogu! I suppose I shall," answered the old woman. *'But you haven't been wicked enough to be put into burning oil, have you, Baba?" said the child, who still retained vivid impressions of the Buddhist hells. Poor Baba could not answer this question. Soon after telling her story she grew almost un- conscious, only rousing now and then to take a little nourishment. The stormy weather continued. Small -pox broke out in the village, and some of the babies died. One day there was an unusual stir in the town. In the midst of a drivinof storm some men arrived carrvinor ^ car in which was an imasre of 142 KESA AND SAIJIRO. the god of the sick. From village to village in the mountains, wherever there was sickness or distress, this idol liad been carried. The Yama- midiju priests met it and services were held. But the sickness did not cease. Provisions grew scarce. Yenoske w^orked hard at his carving, and at last started down the mountain with his wood- en ware, in order to get some food. Saijiro went with him to the end of the village street. Ye- noske had on high wooden shoes, which kept him out of the wet snow, but his clothing was scanty and his feet and hands were red with cold. There were few travellers on the road. Two w^omen go- ing up to Hakone carried umbrellas which were weighed down by the snow that had fallen on them. At a large tea-house a girl leaned against an open slide looking over the white landscape. She recognized Yenoske, and asked him to sit down and have a cup of tea. *'How are the peo- ple of Yamamidzu?" she inquired. ''^ Dogu! ihey have small-pox there, and there is much distress. Baba is dying, and we have little food," answered Yenoske. '' Truly, misfortunes !" said the g^irl. Yenoske did not linger longer to talk, but hur- ried down to Odawara, got his rice, and went back to the village. The school was carried on during the w-inter, but Yetaro was sick and couqfhed a ofreat deal. WINTKR IN YAMAMIDZU. 143 One day lie went in to see old Baba. She opened her eyes and said, ''^ Sensei^ your boy is a good boy." The teacher sighed and said, " Baba, you are going to die, and I shall soon follow you. Where are we going?" But Baba went back into her stupor again and made no reply. Thus she slept her life away. One golden April evening a coffin was carried up to the temple. All the Yamamidzu people followed it; and when the funeral services were over the slow procession went up the mountain to the cemetery where poor Kochi lay, and Baba's body was laid to rest. 144 KESA AND SAIJIE.O. CHAPTER XIII. MITSU'S TROUBLES. ^'' DogiL ! honorable father, dogu^ dogii! please do not make me marry the man.'^ Fujisawa Mitsu was pleading with her father. A brother ofBcer had sent a go-between to ask IMitsn in marriage for his son. Some business re- lations made the match a particularly desirable one for Fujisawa, and he insisted on his daugh- ter's acceptance of the offered husband. Mitsu had seen the young Akichi, knew his father's family, and dreaded going to live with him. ^^ Dogn ! Mitsu, you are sixteen years old; it is time for you to be married. And as to happiness, some women are happy and some are not, and that is all there is about it. I expect to be obey- ed, and you need say no more." Fujisawa closed the slides behind him and went away. Mitsu's tears were fallino: fast. The orentle o o mother felt sorry for her suffering child, but dared not interfere. Fujisawa was liberal in many ways, and for the most part kind to his wife and children, but he expected implicit obedience from them, and would suffer no remonstrances when MITSU'S TROUBLES. 145 once lie had made up his mind as to what they should do. So he went off to the custom-house leaving Mitsu crying and Mrs. Fujisawa trying in vain to comfort her. At last little Kesa slipped in arid sat down by her sister's side. "Why are you crying, honor- able sister?" said she. ^^ Dogu^ I must be married!" answered Mitsu. "But is that vciy bad, honorable sister?" asked Kesa, who remembered well Tama's happy marriage, with its feastings, rejoicings, and con- gratulations. "You'll have beautiful things — silk dresses, amber hairpins, and beautiful sashes. Oh, Mitsu, I should like to get married ! But now I shall never marry. Rinjiro was to have been my honorable husband, and n'ow he is dead." "Oh, Kesa," said Mitsu, smiling in spite of her tears at the child's earnest way of taking her early widowhood, " there are other husbands left, and you w411 find one, and a good one too, dar- ling. But, Kechan, I do not want any fine clothes. It is Akichi, and we hate him; and his home is so dirty and noisy." So Mitsu sobbed on, while Kesa sat by her side not knowing what to do and with a sorrow- ful, puzzled look in her dark eyes. "The gods bless you, my daughter," said Mrs. Fujisawa, who always turned to her idols for com- fort in trouble. Kesa an.l Saijiro. IQ 146 KESA AND SAIJIRO. Then she went to Hana, and Kesa got ready for school. Mitsu went out of the house, down the quiet street to Aka. They had grown to be loving friends of late. Something drew them to- gether in a strong sympathy; and Aka forgot her own troubles as she listened to Mitsu' s story, and shed tears which were not for Rinjiro. Fujisawa gave Mitsu beautiful dresses and an amber hairpin, but there was no interest felt in the preparations such as there had been for Tama. Fujisawa was stern and gloomy, Mrs. Fujisawa quiet and sympathetic, and Mitsu tearful and sul- len by turns. Kesa felt that a shadow rested over her home, and often sought Mitsu and sat beside lier. The sisters said little, but Mitsu found com- fort in Kesa's presence. She was a blundering little thing, not very quick to learn, not always obedient; but her heart was full of love and her sympathies were deep and strong. Old Kei shed tears when she arranged Mitsu's hair for the wedding, but they were not like those which had fallen for Tama. It was a dull March evening when Mitsu was taken to Akichi's home as his bride. The house was a gloomy place near the east wall of the castle. In the spring the grass on the slope which stretches from the wall to the moat is green and beautiful; but it was dry and brown when ]\Iitsu went to her new home, and every- thing looked dreary. The house was noisy and MITSU'S TROUBLES. 147 disorderly, very different from Fujisawa's refined, beautiful home. The father-in-law had a num- ber of women in the house beside his lawful wife. Some had children and some had none; and the women disputed, quarrelled, and drank sake. No loving welcome was given to Mitsu. A room was assigned her with no outlook except at one corner, where she could catch a glimpse of the castle wall, with the trees above it and a gleam of shining water at the foot of the slope. The only one of the family at all congenial to Mitsu was a young girl named Hota, who had been sold as a kind of slave to an old man in the family. She told Mitsu of her love for the young Jukichi and of his love for her. She showed Mitsu a fan on which her lover had written verses composed by himself They likened the pale Japanese girl to branches of plum-trees, rich peach-blooms, and snow on the mountain Fuji. The other women of the household hated Mitsu and Hota, were jealous of their mutual friendship, and gave them no peace. There came a spring morning which Mitsu long remembered. It was when the blossoms were all beautiful upon the trees — the blossoms to which Jukichi had compared his love. Hota was not to be found in the house. Late in the day some fishermen discovered her body floating in the bay. She held in her hand the pretty fan, and in the folds of her dress were trinkets given her by 148 KESA AND SAIJIRO. her lover. She had thus ended her miserable life. So Mitsu's only friend left her, and the days passed heavily and wearily. One cold, wintry day almost a year after Mit- su's wedding an old woman and a young girl were walking down one of the side streets of To- kio, going towards the castle. Their heads were mufiled in their d::ukius^ or winter hoods, so that only their eyes could be seen. Those of the old woman were bright, though her form w^as bent; and the sparkling face of the girl could not be entirely hidden even by the covering that she wore. They were Fujisawa Chive and Meguchi. Both of them carried small objects that looked like sticks, but which were in reality something very highly prized by the Japanese — plum branches that would bloom out when put in water. "Meguchi," asked Chiye suddenly, "do you think that IMitsu will have a vase to put the plum-blossoms in ?' ' ^'•DoguP'' answered Meguchi, "poorMitsu! I fear not." "Then let us stop and buy a pretty bamboo vase for her," said Chiye. The little shop where such things were kept for sale w^as near them. They turned aside, and, sitting down en the floor of the shop, asked the shop-keeper to show them some vases. There MITSU'S TROUBLES. 149 were a good many styles — some simply a hollow piece of bamboo, and some cut into quite elabo- rate patterns; some were painted, and some had Chinese characters written on them. "Here is one with a pretty poem from the Hiakuninishm on it," said Chi ye. " Mitsu loves the HiakunmisJiiii, ' * After a little bargaining the vase was bought, and Chiye and Meguchi went on, going all the while towards the castle. There was a beautiful display of tea-cups, tea pots, and little dishes in the shops. This was the street for china. Then they turned into the paper street, where all the merchants sold paper. These merchants sat by the hibacJiis^ with their pipes, and called to the passers-by to examine their fine stock of pa- per. But Meguchi and Chiye kept on, and at last reached the house where Mitsu lived. They stood outside and called, "It is very cold." An answer was heard from within, and a sour- visaged woman opened the door. She saluted them and bade them enter. The room was dark and gloomy. No pride was taken in keeping mats clean and woodwork polished, as in the Fu- jisawa mansion. There were no bright coals in the JiibacJd^ and Meguchi shivered, while Chiye looked at things with contempt. "Poor Mitsu, to have such a place to live In!" she thought. 150 KESA AND SAIJIRO. Then slie said aloud, "Where is Mitsu?" There were several women in the room. One of them was ripDingf a dress, preparatory to wasli- ino- it. She nodded in the direction of some slides, behind which Mitsu was supposed to be. Chiye and j\Ieo:uchi, foUowinof this direction, went UP to the slides, drew one of them open, and discovered Mitsu sitting- on the floor in a dejected posture. She looked pleased to see Chiye and ]Me.o:uchi. The latter .^lanced hastily around the room. "Where is the little baby?" she said. "Z^^^//," answered Kei, "I don't know about that. I never saw a book like this before, and I mean to read it. The honorable foreign doctor has great skill and good medicines; why don't you take Hana to him?" "I fear," was the gentle answer, "that no one can do good who despises Shaka Sama and his teachings." Here the conversation ended. The guests drank more tea and then w^ent home. Hana grew worse rather than better, and her faith in Bindzuru was sorely tried. "Take the child to the foreign doctor in the THE GOOD DOCTOR. 1 77 Concession," said Fujisawa to his wife as one day Hana's low moans reached his ears. Poor Mrs. Fujisawa! It was her last hope. Both mother and child shrank from the Christians and from all knowledge of the Christians' God. But, oh! to have her darling's life spared ! So it happened that, one June afternoon, among the many others who crowded the good doctor's dispensary in the mission, Mrs. Fujisawa and Hana awaited their turn and the doctor's decision. Does any life lived upon earth come nearer to that which the Lord Jesus lived than that of the missionary doctor? Surely, the people crowding about the door of the house where the Saviour tarried in Capernaum were like these who, on that summer afternoon in Japan, waited for the word and touch of his disciple. There were blind and lame and withered. There were those covered with loathsome sores and those grievous- ly tormented with pain. The doctor went from one to another, administering remedies and speak- ing kindly words. He stood, at last, before Hana and her mother. *' What is it that you want, my good woman ?" he asked. The mother lifted her eyes to that friendly face and was reassured by what she saw there. "My little daughter has been sick and we fear that she will die; and we do not know where her spirit will go. She is afraid. We have heard of your Kesa and Saijiro. I 2 178 KESA AND SAIJIRO. skill and have come to ask you to save her life." The doctor looked into Hana's worn face, felt her feeble pulse, examined her swollen limbs. The dire disease was there and slowly creeping upward to her heart. All of his skill would avail nothing. His heart yearned over the child, shrinking back even now from the darkness, the uncertainty of death; over the mother, dreading to see her child go into it without her. He bent over Hana as if to examine more closely. In reality he was seeking for some words to meet the need of child and mother. The stillness of the room was broken only by the "swish, swish" of waves against the breakwater and by the soft sighing of the summer .wind. "Do you see the picture on the wall, my child?" asked the doctor at last. It was a picture of a shepherd leading his flock. In his arms he carried a tender lamb. " Is it the Jesus-God of the Christians ?' ' asked Mrs. Fujisawa. "No," answered the doctor, "it is only a shepherd. But the Lord Jesus sa)'s that he is like a shepherd. He loves children as a shep- herd loves his lambs. He holds them in his arms. He carries them in his bosom." To the darkened souls who heard the doctor's words this Jesus-God was only one of many gods. But "loves," "holds," "carries;" not one of THE GOOD DOCTOR. 1 79 the Buddhas, not one of the gods of Japan, ever spoke such words as these. The three little words were like three little seeds dropped into Hana's heart. But it was long ere they found strength to germinate. Always, however, she bore in her memory the picture of the shepherd leading his lambs. Her extreme dread of the foreio^ners was gfone from that time. "But can you help my child, honorable doc- tor?" inquired the mother anxiously. " I think I can give her some medicine which will relieve her pain, my good woman. And you must come again." Kesa was watching for them when they re- turned home. She was eaQ:er to hear what thev had seen and what they had done. Had they seen the little foreign girl ? Hana was too weary to answer questions, and the mother was never communicative. So Kesa's curiosity remained ungratified. l8o KESA AND SAIJIRO. CHAPTER XVI. THE STORM IN THE MOUNTAINS. Just beyond the Hakones, near the town of Shidzuoka, where the ex-Shogun lives, lies the Oyama range. Within its dark recesses, so say the people, dwells a dread deity whose anger must be appeased by most solemn and mysterious rites, who grants forgiveness to those only who perform severe penances. One sultry July morn- insr, not lonor after the day on which Hana and her mother visited the missionary doctor, some men were dragging a heavy cart up one of the steepest of the Oyama passes. There was scarcely a breath of air on the mountain. The leaves were drooping on the trees; flowers and grasses hung their heads. The perspiration stood in great drops on the men's bodies; but they did not stop either for rest or for refreshment. They went on, on with that weary load, deeper and deeper into the heart of the mountain. Climbing, they chanted a wild song, often calling upon the name of the god and stri- king their breasts. Their breasts were bruised and sore, their feet torn and bleeding, their faces pale and distorted with the violence of their wor- ship. Their hands were cut by the cart-rope. THK STORM IN THE MOUNTAINS. l8l Never a word spoke tliey to each other. Over and over again they chanted their prayer. First of all, bearing the chief weight of the burden, went Yetaro, the Yamamid^u school- teacher, Saijiro's father.. How he panted ! Fre- quently a terrible cough racked his frame. But he did not falter. He was trying his last chance for favor with the gods of Japan. This failing, he had nothing left. At last, however, the weary chanters paused for an instant. But it was only to listen for something. Faintly, from afar off, came mingled sounds as of drums, of gongs, of human cries. "We near the temple," said one. " At noon we shall worship there." ''Take courage, brother," said a second. "The great Buddha be praised!" chimed in a third. The temple which the new-comers gained at last was small. The densest shade, unbroken by a single ray of sunshine, was all around it. Never a ray of hope had entered the hearts of those who worshipped there. Never a traveller had descended that mountain with new peace in his heart. It was an altar of despair, a place cf gloom and of the shadow of death. Up came the weary wretches with their cart before the gate. A priest advanced to meet them and all prostrated themselves. " It is well, O friends," said the priest. "You 1 83 KESA AND SAIJIRO. liave drawn the sacred car up the mountain. En- ter and pray." Yetaro let go the rope. A sickening sense of exhaustion and of utter misery rushed over his spirit, a loathing of life and of the rites of Buddh- ism. But he struggled through the gate and went to a fountain to bathe before entering the temple. How terribly oppressive the air was! How difhcult for those failing lungs to do their work! How hard for the faltering heart to find strength to worship! Yetaro' s heart and flesh were failing. He entered the temple and pros- trated himself before the altar. Poor feet, cut and torn! Poor hands, bruised and wounded! Poor heart, broken and without hope! There he lay before the idols, the grim, ugly, unforgiving idols. He had come there, but now he found no words to call upon the god, no strength to beat the drums or sound the gongs. The din around him increased with the ardor of the worshippers. * ^ Beat the drums !' ' called the priests. ' ' Shout the name of the god. Call upon him; he is away. Call, call, call!" But Yetaro heard it all dimly, as at a distance; it seemed to him only an empty, frightful din. A sad hopelessness had seized him. In his weak- ness there came a thought of his boy playing hap- pily in peaceful Yamamidzu, a thought of the time when Kochi had gone in and out before him, with his bright, merry baby on her back. Then TIII.V STOiai IN thp: mountains. 1S3 came a memory of sweet running water in his village home and of the lilies Saijiro loved so well, but never a thought of the god before whose shrine he lay. It was all over for Yetaro; the weary pilgrimage of the years was finished; the crying to Japan's gods for mercy would be heard from his lips no more. While the priests and people chanted the praise of this god a severe storm burst over the temple. Yetaro joined not in the song, but in a lull of the rain went away from the temple with the sound of the chant ringing in his ears. With difficulty he made his way back to the main road. The rain poured down upon him, wetting him to the skin. Little streams swollen into torrents tried to turn him back. He waded through them down, down, away from the terrible mountain to the great highway. He would look upon his boy's face once more and die. At sunset that evening Yetaro sat at a little wayside tea-house just where the mountain road meets the Tokaido, the great highway between Tokio and Kioto. The heavy clouds had rolled over and were broken into great fleecy masses of white, with borders of gold and tinged with sun^ set colors, pinks, purples, and blues. The setting sun threw long rays of light over the landscape. Yetaro sat on a bench drinking a cup of tea. For days he had eaten little and was well nigh ex- hausted. Lifting up his eyes he saw a man com- 184 KESA AND SAIJIRO. ing from the Hakones, a traveller like liimself. Yetaro arose and they bowed down to the ground. *' From what place are you?" asked Yetaro. "Thanks," answered the man, "I have come fromTokio." "Are you going up to the mountain to pray ?" asked the teacher. "No," answered the stranger, "I worship the idols no more. I have heard the Jesus- teachers, and I want to believe as they do. I do not un- derstand very well, but I have a book from which I read. I am going back to Tokio to learn more. ' ' He drew from one of his big sleeves a copy of the Gospel of ]\Iark, Kei's beloved volume. ^^DoguT^ said Yetaro. "Does it tell about a man who hung on the cross?" "Yes," answered the traveller; " I will find you the place. ' ' So in the fading light Yetaro and the stranger read together IMark's story of the crucifixion. "Do you know why he hung there?" asked Yetaro when they could see no more. ''^ Dogu!'^ answered the man, "I cannot tell very well, but the teacher said it was because we have all sinned, and he bore our punishment." A great joy shot through Yetaro's heart. His resolution was taken. He would go to Tokio and find the Jesus- teacher, and Saijiro should go with him. Late the next afternoon Yetaro came into the THE STORM IN THK MOUNTAINS. 185 village, where Saijiro was having a merry game with the boys. There was a new teacher from Tokio at the Yamamidzu school, and the instruc- tion was no longer confined to the Chinese clas- sics; the boys and girls were taught something besides these. The teacher, dressed partly in for- eign style, sat by a table, while his books were neatly arranged in a bookcase instead of being piled up on the floor. The schoolhouse itself had been repaired. There were clean mats on the floor and the roof no longer leaked. There was a blackboard in the hall, and the pupils learned the Japanese syllabary and Chinese characters from that. The girls were delighted with the charts, from which they had object lessons. Even blind Ko's hands were guided around the great globe, as he with the others learned the shape of the world and the relative positions of the countries. Graded readers had been introduced with inter- esting stories in them; and the pupils learned of Washington, Napoleon, and other noted charac- ters. The Japanese Government had determined that all the people should be instructed in the new sciences. Saijiro stopped playing when he saw his father and saluted him, bowing down to the ground. ''You will come home with me, my son," said Yetaro; and together they crossed the little swinging bridge. The boy, eager to prepare the evening rice for l86 KESA AND SAIJIRO. his father, walked on without asking any ques- tion as to his journey. "Saijiro," said the father at last, *'in two days you will be ready to go with me to Tokio. ' ' Much astonished as Saijiro was, he merely bowed his head. The father continued his direc- tions. "We will shut up the house and carry what clothing we can with us." " Shall we be long away, honorable father?" asked Saijiro. "A very long time, my son. I shall come back no more, and you will remain with the hon- orable foreigners." That evening Yenoske learned the teacher's intention of leavinof Yamamidzu and g:oinQf to Tokio. His heart was heavy at the thought, and he stood for a long while in the starlight, leaning aofainst the side of the house and thinkinof over a plan he had in his mind. At last he went in, and finding his aged father and mother sitting on their mats smoking pipes preparatory to retiring, he said as he prostrated himself before them, " Honorable parents, the scnsei and the little master go to-morrow to Tokio. The sensei is very ill, and will die and leave the little master alone in the great city. Dogii ! I crave your hon- orable permission to go with them. I cannot let them ofo alone." ^^ Dogtc ! dogu P' said the old man and the old woman together. "We can ill spare you. Ye- TIIK STORM IN THE MOUNTAINS. 1S7 noske. Who will take care of us and manage the business ?" ^^ DogiL^ honorable parents, how can \h.^ se7tsei and the child go alone?" questioned Yenoske in his turn. ''It is true,-' said the father; " as you please, my son. You will return to us by-and-by. Rev- erence the gods. ' ' "Thanks; a great thank-you," answered Ye- noske. "May you rest well, honorable parents. Goodnight." l88 KESA AND SAIJIRO. CHAPTER XVII. FROM YAMAMIDZU TO TOKIO. Very early in the morning of the second day after the teacher returned to Yamamidzu Yenoske pushed aside the slide of his parents' house; pass- ing softly out, he went to the shed where the horse was chewing a bit of rice straw, and stood for a moment with his arm thrown lightly over the animal's neck. There was something wonderfully alike in the pair. Yenoske was patient, so was the horse; Yenoske often went hungry, so did the horse; Yenoske asked no questions, neither did the horse. Many and many a mile had they travelled together through summer heat and winter cold, treading rough, toilsome ways and bearing heavy burdens without murmur or complaint. Yenos- ke' s heart was too loyal to allow him to part from his faithful friend without regret. He stroked the animal's mane, looked into his eyes, and then, leaving an extra supply of rice straw where he could get it, turned away and went towards the house. Strong as was his love for the mountains, for father, mother, and home, he had a yet stronger passion, and that was his love for Saijiro. The FROM YAMAMIDZU TO TOKIO. 189 boy was liis darling, his heart's desire, and his little master. Yenoske had always obeyed every command of the child, carrying him on his back, climbing precipices for lilies, and wading into deep streams for lotus flowers and bulbs. When he left home his last thought was for " Saichan.'' During his journeys everything that could inter- est or please the child was stored away in his memory to be related on his return. There was always something for Saijiro stored away in his sleeves or in the bosom of his dress. This morning Yenoske had his head bound with a blue 'kerchief, and in one hand he carried a broad-brimmed hat. He wore a loose robe pulled up above his knees. He was all ready for his journey. Just as he reached the house the slides were pushed open, and his mother, who had evidently just arisen from her bed, stood be- fore him. Yenoske saluted her. **Get ready quickly, honorable mother. I hear the little master coming, and it is time to start." Saijiro had come across the bridge, and Ye- noske could hear the sound of his wooden clogs as he came rapidly up the village street. "Is the honorable father all ready, Saijiro?'^ asked Yenoske* " He will meet us at the brido^e." In a few minutes Yenoske, accompanied by Ills parents, turned away from the hotel and went 190 KESA AND SAIJIRO. to the bridge, where they found the teacher wait- ing for them. It was growing lighter, and they could just see the outlines of the house where Ye- taro had lived so long, where Saijiro had spent his childhood, and where Kochi had died. Ye- taro gave one backward glance as they stood there, and the little company moved on. As they passed the temple little Ko joined them. He had been waiting long for Saijiro, and now ran to him and took hold of his hands, sobbing with grief at the thought of losing him. " Don't cry, Ko. I will come back again and tell you such beautiful stories of what I see in the city," said Saijiro. "Tell me about the beautiful gods you see, Saijiro; and if you should go to the great Buddha's image which the bon-sama has told me about, think of me and tell me about it." They were going up a narrow mountain path. Yamamidzu lies down on the side of the mount- ain, so they had to go up some distance before reaching the Tokaido, or great Bast-Sea-Road, which leads down into the town. The road was steep and slippery, and only the great stones kept them from sliding at every step. Brighter and brighter grew the morning, until at last up came the sun over the mountain, and all the flowers woke to beauty and all the birds to song. Then the inn-keeper and his wife and Yenoske saluted FROM YAMAMIDZU TO TOKIO. I9I the sun, rubbed their hands, bowed their heads, and prayed. The warm beams poured down over their heads and filled the valley with light. But the sun listened not to their prayers. Yetaro did not worship, and Saijiro, watching his father, likewise remained silent; but Ko's worship came from the depths of his little heart as he turned his face upwards as though to receive a blessing. At last they came to the main road and the time of parting. It was a beautiful spot. Just where the two ways met was a waterfall, and directly in front of the waterfall a lovely glade, with rocks and trees and clinging vines. A sum- mer-house was there, and in the summer-house w^ere two ladies, evidently from the city. They were admirinof the scenerv. " Beautiful, truly beautiful !" said one. " For the first time," said the other. The ladies had on plaid sashes and trailing dresses. They looked curiously at the little party from the village, and covered their mouths wdth their sleeves as they passed. Their coolies were on the road opposite the tea-house eating their morning rice. It was in this place near the tea-house that the Yamamidzu friends separated. "Farewell, sensei^''^ said the innkeeper and his wife to Yetaro; and "Farewell, little mas- ter," to Saijiro. 193 KESA AND SAIJIRO. Ko's tears were falling again, and lie clung to Saijiro. The old woman wept mncli when she bade fare- well to her son, and even his father wiped his eyes. ^^Saionaj-a; you have been a good son, Ye- noske. Take care of the honorable sensei and the little master," said his mother. '''' Saioitara^ my son; don't forget to worship," said the father. *'Be good to Ko, Baba," urged Saijiro, the tears gathering in his eyes. Down upon the ground they all fell, saying their last farewells and parting with real sorrow. Then, taking little Ko, Yenoske's parents went back to their village. The others, lifting upon their shoulders the sticks to which their bundles were tied, went on under great overhanging trees down towards Odawara. A grand old highway, that, between the two capitals of Japan ! Over it the dairnios used to pass with their trains in the days of old Japan. The Dutch passed along it on their yearly visits to the Shogun's capital. The morning being so lovely, our travellers went on cosilv enouQ:h. Yetaro w^as feelinor bet- ter, and talked to Saijiro as they walked. Perhaps you would not have guessed that the guttural sound issuing from Yenoske's throat was singing. Yet he was considered a good singer in Yamamid- zu. He knew the words of all the best Japanese FROM YAMAMIDZU TO TOKIO. I93 The sun grew hotter and hotter. Yetaro's strength was easily exhausted, and at an early hour they stopped for their nooning. A clear lit- tle brook flowed by the roadside. They took their blue 'kerchiefs, dipped them in the brook, and wiped faces, hands, and chests. Then stooping down they drank. Seating themselves under a tree, Yenoske opened a box and took out rice and daikon. This, with some tea bought from a tea- house near by, was their frugal meal. The spot could not have been more lovely. The trees formed a roof thick enough to protect them from the sun. Soft moss made a couch better than any to which they had been accustomed. The brook ran close by, and all around were flowers and vines. The music of a waterfall sounded in their ears. There were katydids, grasshoppers, and tree- toads about them, but nothing hurtful. Almost hidden from our travellers by a turn in the road was a little thatched cottage. Near it the brook suddenly widened. Some women were standiuQ: in the water wash ins: clothes. Their voices could be heard through the sounds of dip- ping and pounding. One could almost distinguish what was said. Yenoske and the teacher lay upon the ground resting and smoking their pipes. Sai- jiro amused himself by watching the women and turning occasional glances upward at the fleecy clouds. But at last the women finished their washing Kesa aixl Saijini. J •? 194 KESA AND SAIJIRO. and carried the clean clothes away in tubs to the cottage. Some men passed by on their way up the mountain. A fine lady w^ent by on a litter. A traveller, like our Yamamidzu peoj^le, appeared and saluted them. He asked where they were going. ^'Thanks; we are on our way to Tokio." "Ah," returned the stranger, "I am just from Tokio. Do you go to see the sights or to pray at one of the shrines?" Yetaro answered, *'No; we are going to look for the Jesus-teachers and find out about one of their gods, one who died upon a cross." The stranger had heard of the Jesus-teachers, lie said. "But I have never listened to their teachings. The old way is good enough for me." The day was passing. Yetaro and his com- panions rose to continue their journey. The af- ternoon grew hot; the way was steep and weari- some. Early in the evening they reached Oda- wara and went to a hotel. There the occupants were already preparing for the night. As usual, the large gloomy kitchen was in front. Servants were busy boiling rice, cutting daikons^ frying fish, making tea, and doing a thousand other things. Girls, carrying trays, rice-bowls, and tea- pots, were hurrying from the kitchen to the upper story, where guests were assembled. Every now and then was heard a loud clapping of hands from FROM YAMAMIDZU TO TOKIO. 195 the guests, followed by a prolonged ' ' Hai P ' from the kitchen. There was a splashing of w^ater in a large tank where travellers availed themselves of the luxury of a hot bath. In another apartment blind shampooers were hard at work rubbing and pounding tired travellers. After seeing that Yetaro and the boy had a room and some refreshments, Yenoske went off with the servants. Candles were brought, green" nets were hung, futons and pillows were provided, and Yetaro and Saijiro lay down side by side. Yenoske woke first. "Come," he said, light- ly touching the sleeping boy, "it is time to get up and make ready for the journey. Get water for the honorable father and then bring rice and tea." Saijiro rubbed his eyes. He had forgotten that they were in Odawara. He jumped up and hur- ried out into the courtyard of the hotel. Early as it was, most of the coolies had gone — some to carry kagos up the mountain, some to drag jin- rikishas along the great highway, and others still to lead pack-horses up the narrow passes, or them- selves, transformed into mere beasts of burden, to bear heavy loads. The day was sultry. Not a breath of air came from land or sea. Saijiro bathed himself at a fountain, and then begged a basin in which to carry water to his father. A girl gave him one, and also a blue cotton towel. 196 KESA AND SAIJIRO. Yetaro was up when Saijiro reentered their chamber. The servants brought rice and tea, and Yetaro and Saijiro ate breakfast. "Honorable se?isei^^^ said Yenoske, stepping just inside the room and stooping in a reverential manner, "shall you take a jinrikisha? Dogii^ the way is long, and you are weak!" The teacher shook liis head. A few minutes later they started on their jour- ney, still going toward the East Sea and the great city Tokio. Yenoske had spoken truly. It was a long way and a weary one. The sun poured his fiercest rays upon their unsheltered heads; the sand of the road burned and blistered their feet. Not a tree along the highway for shade and coolness ; not a green field to invite them to rest and refreshment. There were few travel- lers. Once a party of pilgrims passed on their way to ]Mt. Fuji. Yetaro shuddered wdien he saw them. "It is all of no use, my boy," he gasped, as he saw Saijiro looking earnestly at the men iii their white dresses. "I have done it, and I know no peace." Once Yenoske urg^ed him to sfo and rest in a temple inclosure; but Yetaro would not enter. "I have done it all," he reiterated. "I am on my way to the Jesus-teachers. ' ' At noon they came to a quiet river rippling FROM YAMAMIDZU TO TOKIO. 1 97 brightly along on its golden sands. Yenoske went to find a boat, leaving Saijiro with his father. The teacher looked very white. Indeed, Yenoske had gone bnt a few steps when Saijiro was calling after him: "Oh, Yenoske! what is the matter with the honorable father?" Yetaro had fainted. Yenoske brought w^ater quickly, and, some men coming up, he was lifted into a boat that had just arrived. The rest, the cool breeze, and some rice procured on the other side of the river revived the dying man. Slow- ly, slowly they went along the Tokaido, and in the evening they came to a little town where Yenoske said they must remain a while. "To-morrow night," murmured Yetaro, "we shall be in Tokio." The little village at which they had stopped stood in the midst of some rice-fields. The Ha- kones were scarcely visible; but all around were foot-hills, green as emeralds and covered with trees, maples, cedars, and pines. Around one of these hills, the one nearest the hotel, wound a beautiful stream. Flowers bloomed in the hotel garden. The air was cool and pleasant. How different it was from crowded, noisy Odawara ! "Oh, honorable father, isn't it nice!" said Saijiro, as they sat at the open slides of an upper room eating their supper. The sun had gone down, and the soft evening light gave the landscape a red tinge. Saijiro had 198 KESA AND SAIJIRO. never before seen rice-fields when the grain was ripening. His eyes were delighted with the rich green. When Yetaro lay resting under the mosquito- net, Saijiro and Yenoske stole out for a walk over the fields. One of the hotel girls offered to ac- company them. The three went together over a narrow path leading through the rice-paddies. The ground was very wet, and frogs were trying to see which one of them could make the most noise. The girl suggested that they should go to see the waterfall. Already the boys could hear the sound of it. Yenoske' s heart gave a great bound. It was like home, his home in the Ha- kones. But Saijiro looked rather contemptuously at the baby waterfall, scarcely higher than his head. *'Do you call that a waterfall?" said he. ^'Why, in our country we can't see up to the heights from which the water tumbles." "And where,*" asked the girl, "may your honorable country be?" ^^ Dogn! it is in the Hakones. We are going to Tokio to find the Jesus-teachers. The honor- able father wants to learn their doctrine." "Two of the Jesus-teachers stopped here seven days ago," the girl said. "They were on their v/ay to the Hakones. They told us about one God, and sang some songs about him and a happy land. But the song said that the land was FROM YAMAMIDZU TO TOKIO. 1 99 far, far away, and I do not know where it can be. I like this country well enough." The speaker was dressed in a blue calico. Her sleeves were tied up, that she might not be impeded in her work. She had a round, rosy face and well-developed limbs. She leaned against the hillside, while Saijiro lay at her feet looking at the rice-fields. Yenoske sat by the little wa- terfall. He loved its music. Ts'koi lay curled lip in a heap near his master. Smoke, tinged with the sunset red, rose from different parts of the rice-paddies. Thatched cottages of farmers made the scene more picturesque. The last day's journey was over rice-fields and under shady trees, until they came to the lower land near the sea and the great plain on which Tokio lies. There was no smoke rising from high chimneys, no domes or min- arets or towers, to indicate the neighbor- hood of the large city. They came upon it sud- denly in the evening, entering by way of the Kudan. The teacher looked long and earnestly over the city as they stood on one of the heights above Fujisawa's house. *'The Jesus-teacher lives over by the bay," he whispered. His strength was fast failing. The boys could see that he was very pale and haggard in the twir light. They passed Fujisawa's door, The whole 200 KESA AND SAIJIRO. family stood there making their saionaras to Kei, who had been dressing the ladies' hair. " Kesa," said Chive, ''see that poor sick man, -vvith the boy and servant and that funny yellow dog." In truth Yetaro was very ill; and at last, his strength failing utterly, he sat down on the steps of a small temple. Saijiro hung over him in some alarm, while Yenoske went for water. Just then old Kei came up to them. Now the Japan- ese will often pass dying persons in the street, leaving them to their pain and woe without so much as giving a word of sympathy. It is strange that the same religion which teaches them not to tread upon a worm nor to torture a fly should be so indifferent to human life and suffering. But a man is only a man; and a worm may be an ances- tor or some great and holy person in this vile form! Kei had been reading too much of the gospel, and its truth had made too deep an im- pression on her heart, not to be touched at the sight of the dying man and the distressed boy. "What is it?" she asked of Saijiro. Yetaro opened his eyes. ''^DognP'' said Saijiro, " this is my honorable father; he has travelled a long way, and he is very ill." "From Vv'hence did you come?" asked Kei. " Thanks; from the Hakones." Just then the sunset light was gilding those FROM YAMAMIDZU TO TOKIO. 20I mountain-tops, making a long bright line along the horizon. "We have come to find the Jesus-teacher," added Saijiro. " My father wants to know of the doctrine." Then Kei's heart was touched indeed. Ye- noske came with the water and Yetaro was some- what revived. A coolie w^as called, and the sick man was lifted into a jinrikisha. "Take me to the Jesus- teacher," he said; "I have no time to spare." Slowly went the little procession through the darkening streets, that seemed endless to Saijiro, and on down to the mission-house on the bay. The coolies drew the cart up before the gate, and Kei asked for " the honorable missionary doctor." He came immediately. ^^ DogiLP^ said Kei, making her bow, " I have found a sick man who has come all the way from the Hakones to learn of your doctrine." The doctor saw at a glance that poor Yetaro' s hours were numbered. "Make ready a room in the servants' quar- ters," he said. "Give the stranger some refresh- ments, and I will come." Yetaro was lifted out of the cart and laid on a pallet in one of the servants' rooms. He took a little tea and then asked impatiently for the doc- tor. The doctor came soon and sat down beside 202 KKSA AND SAIJIRO. him. " What is it, my friend ?" he asked kindly, administering some strengthening draught. ''I am dying," said Yetaro, "but I wish to know of your teaching. I have worshipped the Japanese gods in vain. I have wasted the years of my life in going from shrine to shrine." ^^ Dogu P^ ejaculated Kei, who stood near. The man's story was like her own. ''I have stood on Fuji's top," continued Ye- taro, "I have prayed to Isuye," a holy shrine. " I have fasted and chastised myself, have made and kept most solemn vows. Dogu^ I have had no rest. I want forgiveness for my sins. Dogii^ I have been very wicked!" Then came a violent fit of coughing, followed by a terrible exhaustion. Again the doctor ad- ministered a stimulant. The tears rolled down old Kei's cheeks. Saijiro and Yenoske were with the servants, taking their evening meal. "I was taught the principles of Confucius," continued Yetaro at last, "respect and obedience to parents and all maxims of truth and right. But I was unkind and rough to my parents; I cared nothing for them, but only for sal:e and gambling and all sorts of wicked things. One night, when drunk, I quarrelled with one of my companions, and in my anger I killed him. When I knew what I had done I fled from the place, and no one pursued me. Dogii, ! the people care little about a man who mav be found dead bv the wav- FROM YAMAMID^U TO TOKIO. 203 side; and that one was a stranger and had no near relatives. ''But the dreadful deed sobered me. I be- came a student, and was industrious and temper- ate. Especially did I study the doctrine of the gods to find some way to wash away my sin. But my guilt has ever been present with me. I had no rest. Often I longed to go back and confess my sin to the officers of my own country. But I did not. At last I married, and when my boy was a mere infant I went to live in Yamamidzu. I was often impatient and irritable with my wife. Our food w^as scanty and poor, and at last she died, worn out with suffering and sorrow. I have done all I can to get peace and pardon for my sins in the Japanese way, and now I have come to ask of the Jesus-doctrine, and if I may be forgiven. And I want my boy to be brought up in the way of truth and right. "Once when he was on the Tokaido travel- ling down to Nagoya, a foreigner met him and gave him a book. It had this picture in it.'* Yetaro took from his breast the little book and showed the picture of the crucifixion. "Ever since I have wanted to know about the man on the cross. A man in the mountain told me some- thing about it a few days ago. I am dying; but oh, tell me about the man on the cross! Can he forgive me? Can he forgive me?" Gasping for breath, Yetaro fell back on his pallet. '204 KKSA AND SAIJIRO. The missionary, Mr. West, had come in, and had listened with deep interest to the sick man's story. Kei stood wiping lier eyes in one corner of the room. Saijiro crept close to his father and took his hand. Yenoske stood with the ser- vants at the door. Some one brought a candle, and its flickering light shone upon Yetaro's head as he lay on his pallet. The doctor administered a stimulant and beckoned to the missionary to draw near. His eye fell upon the little book, which he recognized as one he himself had given to Saijiro when he first came to Japan and was travelling to Nagoya. "My friend," said he, "I will read of the Man who hung upon the cross, and of one who was crucified with him, and will teach you the prayer of this one, who was a thief and perhaps a murderer." Yetaro held the little book in his hand while the missionary read the evangelist Luke's account of the thief upon the cross. The sick man re- peated after the missionary the prayer of the peni- tent one, who, acknowledging the justice of his punishment, said with faith, " Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." And eagerly did Yetaro listen to the Saviour's gracious answer, "To-day shalt thou be with me in para- dise." "He came from heaven, the beloved Son of God, and died to save sinners; he died that we FROM YAMAMIDZU TO TOKIO. 205 might live; he bore our punishment in our stead, because he loved us. Do you believe this, Ye- taro?" The sick man bowed his head. *' Do you believe that he died forjj^^//, Yetaro ?" Again he nodded assent. "Let us pray," said the missionary. The servants bowed their heads. Yenoske fell prostrate to the floor. Saijiro clung fast to his father's hand. Kei drew nearer to hear the words of the prayer. "Oh, thou blessed Saviour, thou who didst hang upon the cross that our sins might be for- given, have mercy upon this poor soul who has been so lonof seekino^ thee. Reach down and take this poor wandering one unto thyself Grant him all he wants — forgiveness of his sins, the peace that thou alone canst give, life and blessed- ness with thee for ever." A restful look came into Yetaro's eyes. "I have found him at last," he said, " the Man who hung on the cross. I only ask now that you teach my boy. He will repay you as well as he can." The promise was readily given. Yetaro sank rapidly and soon passed away, and Saijiro was left an orphan in a great city. 2o6 KESA AND SAIJIRO, CHAPTER XVIII. THE CHAPElv SERVICE. It was Sunday morning, the beginning of a warm summer day. Aka had risen early from her pallet. Her heart was too sorrowful to let her rest long. The woman who had come to live in the house after Rinjiro's death had been more than usually unkind the day before. She often left her heavy baby to the weak and weary Aka's care. Aka loved the little one. She would carry him away into her room, and laying his cheek to hers would listen to his baby prattle. But her health was so delicate it seemed some- times as if she could not bear the care of him. Her trembling frame tottered under his weight. Now Aka slipped quietly out of the house and stood for a moment in the street. The sun had just risen. Old Fuji was hidden behind clouds and mist. The storm which had broken so re- lentlessly over the teacher was still raging on its summit, although all was so calm in the fields below. Aka looked towards Fujisawa's house and her heart went out towards little Kesa, just then soundly asleep by Chiye's side. " My Rinjiro's THE CHAPEL SERVICE. 207 little bride, ' ' she thought. ' ' How handsome and happy they would have been together!" Then she turned and went to the temple. The court was quite deserted; but within ]3riests were chanting a solemn dirge and the deep tones of a bell could be heard. Aka said her prayer at the steps and threw her money into the box, then she walked into the cemetery and straight towards a well-known grave. Birds were twittering in the boughs above her; doves hopped around her feet. Her tears fell on the stone which bore Rinjiro's new name, as she stood and thought of him. With a wooden dipper that lay near the grave she dipped out the water from the hollow in the stone; then she filled the hollow with beautiful flowers and poured fresh water over them. lyook, Aka! the sun rises over the hilltop and gilds the temple roof. For you a new morning is dawning. This very day you shall catch the first glimmer in your darkened soul of the Sun of Righteousness. She stole into the house on her return as quietly as she had crept out and went to her own room. Here everything was neat and pretty. In one corner a little table held some books which she had been reading. The books were a novel, one of the long Japanese novels in many volumes, each volume consisting of two books. Nothing of this insipid sort could comfort Aka's aching heart, but still she must do something; time hung 1208 KESA AND SAIJIRO. heavily on her hands. So on this Sabbath morn- ing she took up the seventeenth vohime of her novel and tried to become interested in it. In the meantime the household of the Fuji- sawas had begun the day. Very early the ser- vants were all astir. They drew water, kindled charcoal, swept mats and verandas, and opened slides. There is no such thing as sleep while all this is going on or after it is done. So at a little past seven a pleasant bustle began. Chiye and Kesa slipped on their blue cotton dresses, washed ther. Mitsu came into the family room, and soon faces and hands, and went to salute father and mo- after Hana appeared there. Hana had improved somewhat imder the foreign doctor's treatment; she suffered less pain. The servants brought in breakfast. Each member of the family had a little lacquered table on which were tiny cups and dishes. The meal consisted of rice and tea, with some salt fish and pickles. They chatted together pleasantly as they ate. "Soon you will go to the foreign school, '^ said the father, addressing Chiye and Kesa. Chiye' s eyes sparkled. Kesa bowed. "We have a request, honorable father," said Mitsu. "We wish to go to the Christian temple this afternoon. This is the rest-day of the honor- able foreigners. If you please, we beg." "Z^^^?/," said Kojiro, "I wish they would come and tell me about him." "They liave sent some books, and some day they are coming themselves," answered Yenoske. The two were hurrying up the street to the little inn, where Yenoske stopped to go in and greet his parents. Then he hastened to find Bo- kichi, the go-between. ^^ Dogti^ the honorable Yen consents and is ready," said Bokichi. In truth, the bright, happy Yen of the moun- 283 tain was the one whom Yenoske had selected as his bride. The old baba was dead, and Yen had come to live in Yamamid^u. "Thanks for your kindness; yoti have attend- ed to my business well," said Yenoske. In the evening the villagers, the blushing Yen amonof them, crowded around Yenoske on the temple steps. Close to his side crept little Kojiro, eager for news of his friend. The old priest had been in Tokio, and asked something about the city. Yenoske told them of the foreign-built houses in the Tori and of the foreign cars and om- nibuses which run up and down the wide streets. ^^ Dogu^ it must be very dangerous to the Jap- anese. Are children killed?" asked one of the villagers. "I have never heard of a child having been killed," answered Yenoske. "They have Jap- anese grooms to run in front of the horses, and they lift the children out of the way." "Tell us about the iron road with iron horses breathing out fire. Have you had a ride on it, Yenoske? and were you terribly frightened?" asked the landlord, Yenoske' s father. "The little master and I rode a fev/ miles once," answered Yenoske. ^ ' Dogu ! dogu P ' said the mother. "Very wonderful!" said the father. "We went very fast, and sat on w^ooden benches and held on tightly." 284 KESA AND SAIJIRO. "Are the honorable foreigners good to you, my son?" asked the anxious mother. "Very, very kind, honorable mother. I have never known such kind masters. They tell us that the 'Jesus-books' teach them to be kind and good to all. DogiL^ I cannot understand the doc- trines well, but they are good." ' ' Tell us about the sensei^ ' ' said the priest. "He believed in the Jesus-book before he died. He looked happier than I ever saw him look before." "My son, be careful. Our gods may be very angry. It is better to be safe and to reverence the gods of your fathers, and not to neglect the wor- ship of your honorable ancestors," said the mo- ther. "Z>^^?/, honorable mother, I am not a Chris- tian; I cannot understand the doctrines well enough yet. But I know that they are all good. And when the little foreign master died they said that he had gone to a happy country to be with their God, and that they too were going there some day and should see him. And he gave me a book;" and Yenoske took the little Testament out of his sleeve. "Z?33 and said regretfully, *'If I had only known, I would have given her one like Marion's." One pleasant June Sabbath Marion Fielding stood at the schoolroom-window looking for Kesa. She knew that when the next Sabbath dawned she and her father and mother would be far out on the ocean, every moment taking her farther and farther away from her dark-eyed friend. The girls were already beginning to come over the commons to the school, most of them carrying flowers, and all looking bright and happy, as though glad to get back. "There she is, mamma. I know the old jin- rikisha and Meguchi," said Marion at last, has- tening to meet Fujisawa's daughter. Kesa had not only lovely flowers, but a beauti- ful lacquered box and handsome crapes to give to ]\Iarion. " The mother, Mitsu, and Aka send these with their compliments," she said, "and wish you to accept them and take them to America with you." ''''Okiarigato^^ — a great thank-you — responded the American girl. " Will not Aka and Mitsu be at the church this afternoon, Kesa? You know that Saijiro, Yenoske, and Yen are to be baptized, and mamma is so happy to see them enter the Christian church before she goes away." "They will be here," said Kesa, and the girls went into the house. Saijiro was now a tall, studious boy of seven- 334 KESA AND SAIJIRO. teen. He had almost completed the course of study in the boys' school. Harukichi was still his faithful friend, and Saijiro had decided to follow in his footsteps and preach the gospel to the Jap- anese. Yenoske had long ago been promoted to the position of dining-room servant in the doctor's family. Yen was as smiling as ever, and her baby as bright and rosy as though it had been born in America. The hearts of Yenoske and Yen had been touched by the Spirit of God, and, forsaking their old beliefs, they had accepted the Saviour as theirs. Yenoske's devotion to his *' little master" was unchanged, and when Saiji- ro had decided to receive Christian baptism Ye- noske had begged that he and Yen might be ad- mitted into the church at the same time. Ko, full of love to every one, and especially to the Lord Jesus, who had opened the eyes of the blind, stood at Saijiro's side. Mr. West, as he looked on the little group from the mountain, gave thanks in his heart to the Good Shepherd who thus had led his sheep. \'ery solemn and touching was the engagement of those who had been servants of idols to be faithful and earnest in serving the Lord. "I cannot believe as quickly as Chiye did, Marion," said Kesa a little sadly, as the two girls went out of church toq:ether after the communion. ^' But vou will some time, Kesa." THE MIDNIGHT PRAYER. 335 "I hope so; I will try to be good. I wish I were eoingf with vou." " You will write to me, Kesa, and I will write to yon, and tell you all about America and grand- mamma's house. And three years w^ill pass away quickly, mamma says." But Kesa's heart was heavy with sadness and loneliness. She kept close to Marion's side dur- ing the last few days of her tarrying in Japan. Together they carefully packed away the old doll Daisy and her wardrobe. Together they tended the flowers, some of which Carroll's hands had planted, but whose blossoms he never saw. The day before the steamer sailed Marion whispered a request to her father. He smiled and said, "I will see, daughter," and went away. Some hours after he returned, and in answer to his child's questioning eyes said, "All right, dar- ling." " Oh, papa, did you really see the officer Fuji- sawa, and did he say Kesa might go to Yoko- hama?" " Yes, daughter," said the doctor, replying to both questions at once; and Marion ran off to tell Kesa that she was to go with her to the ship. A sorrowful group gathered in the mission chapel the morning that Mrs. Fielding and Mar- ion went away. The old teacher, Makichi, con- ducted the morning worship, and amid the tears of servants and friends he read Paul's address to 2)1)6 KESA AND SAIJIRO. the Ephesian elders, with the touching words at the close: "And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship." Exquisitely touching was the venerable man's prayer as he thanked the Lord for sending such missionaries to Japan, and begged for the divine protection in behalf of those who were about to depart and for their safe return in due time to the people who loved them. Mrs. Fielding and Marion bade their friends farewell with tears. They felt like turning back and saying, "We will remain with you," but it was necessary for them to go, and amid tears and pra}'ers and flowers which were showered upon them they left the shelter of the mission-house. Soon Kesa and Marion were seated by the car window looking out upon the landscape as the train hurried along. "There is Fujisan," said Kesa as she spied the top of the mountain. " How I wish we had something we could both look at while we are separated," said INIarion. "Well, there are the stars," responded Kesa. " Yes, and the sun and the moon," said Mar- ion. thp: midnight frayer. 337 " But I have the English Bible you gave me, Maichan, and you have my Japanese Testament, and they are better than anything else." *'Yes," answered Marion. "But see how- pretty the fields are, Kesa, in their bright summer dress. I do love them so. I wonder if America is as pretty as Japan. ' ' It was only ten o'clock when the party reached Yokohama, and they started immediately for the ship, which lay far out in the harbor. After get- ting through the custom-house they had a ride in a Japanese sampan far over the bright waters. The bay was full of life that morning. The sound of the hammer was heard from many of the ves- sels as work went on preparatory to going to sea again. A ship under full sail was just coming into port after a long voyage around the cape, and a steamer was slowly making her way up to the anchorage. The low hills which ran up from the water's edge were all bright green, and Kesa and Marion could still see Mt. Fuji and the Ha- kones. The boatman sang as he propelled the boat rapidly over the waves. Up to the great steamer "City of Tokio" they came at last, passing around under her sides to the stairway. With some difficulty they got on the platform and went up the steps. Kesa had never seen anything like this mag- nificent vessel before and was almost awed by the size of the ship, its mirrors, carpets, and beauti- Kosa aii'l Saijiro. 22 2,T,S KESA AND SAIJIRO. fill furnishings. But there was no time to linger. A peep into Marion's room and she must go. Mrs. Fielding drew the girl into her arms for a moment and whispered a few words in her ear. " I think the love of the Americans is deeper than that of the Japanese," said Kesa. " But the love of the Lord Jesus is deeper than all, my little Kesa," she said, and let her go. An hour later Kesa stood with Miss Wilton on a high bluff overlooking the sea and watched the departing steamer until it was a mere speck on the distant ocean. "Dear Kesa, do not cry so," said Miss Wil- ton. ' ' They who love one another are never sep- arated in heart, and our Father will watch over us all." Kesa felt better after listening to her teachers soothing words; but the next day she was listless and indifferent, and at last positively refused to obey some simple command of Miss Wilton. Miss Wilton was surprised and repeated her order, but still the girl refused to obey. "Then, Kesa, take your seat," she said. Kesa arose, left her class, walked slowly to her seat, and sat down. Then, to the amazement of her teacher and the consternation of the girls, she threw her book across the room. There was a moment's silence. Never before had such an instance of insubordination been known among the Japanese girls. Insolent disre- THE MIDNIGHT PRAYER. 339 gard of the commands of a teacher was something nnprecedented among them, something that they looked upon with horror, as the breaking of a direct command of their sages and religious teachers. " Kesa Fujisawa" — the clear voice of the teacher rang through the school — "take your book and go to your room. You are suspended from the regular exercises of the school until you do as I bid you and bring me a sentence written on your slate." It was quite early in the morning, and all the long summer day Kesa sat in her room alone with the slate and pencil. A girl of her own age, one of her friends, several times went up to her and begged her to obey the command of her teacher. It was touching to see the sorrow of all the Japanese girls, sorrow which even brought tears to their eyes; but Kesa's were dry and her heart was unmoved. She heard the school-bells rung as hour after hour passed away and change after change of class was made. She knew when the noon-hour came. Some one brought her rice and tea, but she pushed them aside and left them untouched. She heard the girls go into the room below for the Chinese writing lesson, and knew when the hour for Bible-reading came, which she usually enjoyed so much. Then she heard the day-scholars go away, and the boarders came up and got ready for their walk and left her alone.. 34^ KESA AND SAIJIRO. Still by her side lay the empty slate and the un- used pencil. Then the sun neared its setting, and when it had almost sunk in the west she heard soft footsteps in the dormitory and felt her- self encircled by gentle arms and drawn out to where she could see the sunset. " Kesa, dear Kesa, the sun is going down." Then rushed into Kesa's heart the memory of the last Bible-lesson they had before Marion went away and the words that they had read together: ''Let not the sun go down upon your wrath; neither give place to the devil." She gave her teacher one look, wliich lingered long in Miss Wilton's memory, and then rushed for her slate. In a few moments she brought it to Miss Wil- ton, and on it was written, "This is a beautiful day, but my heart is dark. God bless me and take away my darkness and give me light." Then sob after sob shook the girPs frame until jNIiss Wilton was almost alarmed and could do nothing but soothe and comfort. "Dear, dear child," she said, 'God will give you light." And something soon came to Kesa which was more of a comfort to her than anvthinof else could have been. The Shepherd sent help to his suffer- ing lamb. When she arrived at home the next day for her Saturday's holiday there seemed an unusual stir and brightness about the house. Lis- tening for an instant, she caught the tones of a TIIK MIDNIGHT PRAYER. • 34I well-remembered voice, and in another moment was with Chiye — Chiye come back from Nagoya to be a helper and guide to her younger sister. Kesa was radiant with happiness when she and Chiye started off to the mission on Sunda)' morning. How delightedly she anticipated lead- ing Chiye to her teacher ! How surprised Miss Wilton would be ! But when they arrived at the school the sad news of Miss Wilton's sudden, serious illness met them, and Chiye had to go home without seeing her. Poor Kesa ! Her heart was sad enough. She missed her teacher's sympathy and could not bear to think of her pain. The evening at the school was very quiet. The girls sat in the dormitory in small groups and talked of the sick teacher. From the chapel came the sound of the students' voices as they read the evening Scripture lesson. ^'Kesa, cannot God make the teacher well?'* asked little Koko. "Yes, I suppose so," said Kesa. "Well, cannot we ask him ?" "Yes, Koko, we will when we say our even- ing prayer." The girls went to bed early and the house was very quiet. Kesa could not sleep. She loved her teacher dearly. More than that, she clung to her and feared to be away from her. A terrible thought came into her mind as she lay tossing on 342 KESA AND SAIJIRO. her pallet: **Wliat if Miss Wilton should die?'* For a moment she felt as though she were sinking in deep waters with no helper near. At last she could bear it no longer. " We must ask God to spare our teacher," she resolved, and going from one pallet to another she roused the sleepers. *' What is it?" asked the astonished girls. "It is I, Kesa Fujisawa, and we must rise and pray. I fear the sensei will die, and we must ask God to spare her life." The clocks were striking the midnight hour when those Japanese girls arising from their sleep poured out their hearts in prayer for their be- loved teacher. With a sweet strong faith they earnestly asked for what they wanted, and then went to their rest again. "What were you doing in the middle of the night?" asked Miss Wilton of one of the older girls the next morning as, much relieved, she sat propped up in the bed. "We were having a prayer-meeting. Kesa Fujisawa called us up to pray for you." * ' Tell Kesa to come to me. ' ' The girl came quickly, stood for a moment in the doorway, then rushed suddenly to the bedside and nestled in her teacher's arms. " Oh, seiisei^'^'' she said, " I do think I am a Christian now; I never loved God before." TIIIC LITTLK VISITOR. 343 CHAPTER XXVIII. THE LITTLE VISITOR. The hearts of Saijiro and his "mother in America" had become closely bound together. The poor minister's wife in Pennsylvania, with her six children to care for, had many a sacrifice to make in order to provide means for Saijiro' s education in Japan. But she never regretted the adoption of the boy, and the influence of her lov- ing spirit was very beneficial to her own children. Early they learned to deny themselves many little gratifications, that they might do something for their "brother in Japan," and they watched eagerly for letters from that far-off land which had become such a reality to them. "What shall we do in order to become more interested in missions?" asked the leader of a " band " one day of a returned missionary. "Do more work for them," was the reply. And it is a fact that the more we do for them the more interest we shall take in them, the nearer will the heathen nations seem to us. One summer evening, in the twilight. Clay Rindberg came home from the postofiice with a letter bearing the well-known Japanese stamp. "A letter from Saijiro, mamma. Do light 344 KESA AND SAIJIRO. the lamp," he cried; aud the other children crowded around. Even ' ' papa ' ' threw down his papers, and all gathered about the table. This is what Mrs. Rindberg read : "Dear Mother: I know that to hear I have become a Christian and have been baptized will make you very happy. Long time I think I give my heart to God. But my heart very hard, and I think I love not the Lord Jesus. "I have in mountain a little friend Kojiro. He for lonof time blind, cannot see anvthinQf. One day I go with my kind teacher back to my home at Yamamidzu. I very happy to see my old friends, but I happiest of all to see Ko. The doctor look at Ko's eyes and he say he can make them see. Then we all very glad. Ko's father and mother cry for joy. They think he always be blind, and they very sorry. So the doctor bring Ko to Tokio, and he take the things from his eyes by which he not see. Then first Ko see the setting sun, and he think it the face of God. But the missionary say, 'No, that is not God's face. That is the sun, which is God's work.' "Then Ko want to know all about God and the Lord Jesus Christ. So I teach him. We beg that he stay here at school, and some of the bo}'S earn money that he may be taught. Ko soon love God very much. Then he say to me, ' Saijiro, why you not love God ?' Ko THE LITTLE VISITOR. 345 want to be baptized, but lie say, ' No, I wait for Saijiro.' So we read about Jesus curing blind men, and Ko say to me, * Saijiro, do you not love him because lie cure blind men?' But I do not love him. "Then w^e read how he hung on the cross to save sinners, and Ko say, 'Saijiro, do you not love him because he save sinners ?' Then I think how my father glad when he hear that, and how he believe on Jesus and love him very much. But I still cannot love him because he died on the cross. "Then my heart sad and Ko's heart sad, and I go to my friend Harukichi and I say, 'Why cannot I love God and be a Christian?' And Harukichi say, ' I do not know. ' Then he pray with me and ask God that I might be a Christian. Then all boys pray that I become a Christian; and I pray too, and say, ' Oh, God, make me a Christian.' And still my heart hard. "Then one day I sit and think of my good mother Kochi, who carried me around when I was a little baby. I think how good my father was and the old haba who took care of me when my mother die. I think of Yenoske who was so good, and of the kind missionary teachers, and of my good friend Harukichi, and of my dear mo- ther in America. And I think, 'God give me all these things;' and I say, ' I am wicked boy.* "Then I cry, and Harukichi say, 'Why you cry?' And I say, 'I am wicked boy, Harukichi.' 34^ KHSA AND SAIJIRO. "Then Harukiclii tell me, 'I am glad yoii think you wicked boy. Now your heart soft; now you come to God.' "Then I see, and then my heart soft because I know I am wicked, and because God love me and save me from my sins. "All Yamamidzu people who are here have receive baptism — Yenoske who was good to me when I little, and Yen his wife, and also Kojiro, who clapped his hands because he so happy for me. " I send love to my mother, father, sisters, and brothers in America. "I love you. "SAIJIRO." Great joy did this letter from Saijiro give to the little group at the parsonage, and the glad news of the boy's conversion went through the village. Two months afterw^ards Saijiro and Harukichi read Mrs. Rindberg's answer. All the while that Chiye had been in Nagoya Harukichi had heard little or nothing of her. But his heart remained unchanged, and great was his joy to see her one day at the service with Kesa, Aka, and Mitsu. "I must speak with her or in some way make known to her my love," he said in his heart. The next day he went to his faithful friend and counsellor Mr. West. "Honorable sensei\ what do you do in America when you purpose to THE LITTLE VISITOR. 347 marry a girl and want to tell her of your love?'* he asked. "Sometimes we go to the girl and tell her" plainly and in a manly way that we love her, and then, if she returns the love, we speak to the fa- ther. Or some speak to the father first. But, as a general thing, the two most interested know first each of the other's love. But will you tell me, Harukichi, of whom you speak and who has now your love ?' ' "Thanks, honorable sensei^ yes; it is the officer Fujisawa's daughter Chiye of w^hom I speak. I w^as baptized at the same time with her. I saw her face, and felt sure that I should love her more than any one else in the whole world. Then she became ill and went away, but I never let her go out of my heart. Last Sunday I saw her at the mission chapel, and I think she is well, and I want to tell her of my love and ask her to become my wife." "In this case, Harukichi, I think it best that you should go to the father, tell him of your love, and ask permission to marry his daughter," said the missionary. So Harukichi went up to the custom-house and asked to be admitted to the presence of the high officer Fujisawa. Fujisawa rather admired the manly-looking youth, with his air of courtesy and good-breeding, and politely inquired wdiat he wanted. 348 * ' I have a strong love for your honorable daugh- ter Chiye. For many months I have cherished her memory in my heart. I crave your honorable permission to make her my wife." *' Why did you not employ a go-between?" asked Fujisawa, who had listened patiently enough and without any apparent displeasure. "Because I do not like the Japanese custom of employing go-betweens," answered Harukichi. "I have come myself to ask for your honorable daughter." "Tell me of your business and prospects. I hear that your parents are wealthy and are able to give you a fine establishment." ^^ Dogii! in truth, honorable sir, my parents are wealthy, but they have disinherited me," an- swered Harukichi sorrowfully. "And why?" asked Fujisawa. " I have become a Christian and am studying for the Christian ministry, and my parents hate the new doctrines." Fujisawa's whole manner changed. "You may not say anything to my daughter until you have become reconciled to your parents. These Christians have done great harm in the country by setting one member of the family against the others. What difference does your belief make? The doctrines of the Christians have made trou- ble and division in my own household, and I will have no more of them." THE LITTLE VISITOR. 349 Then said Harukiclii, " Honorable sir, the Japanese families were full of dissension and bit- terness before the foreigners came. There is no more disturbance than there was before. And in many a household peace has come where before there was trouble. But it is well. I will not speak now to your daughter." And Harukiclii bowed and retired. " Chiye, come here to me," said Fujisawa, when he returned to his house that evening. Chiye obeyed in fear and trembling, on account of the sternness of her father's voice. "What do you mean by encouraging a young man who has not the decency to conform to Jap- anese customs, who is disinherited by his parents, and is studying to preach the Jesus-doctrines?" " But, honorable father, I know nothing about it," said Chiye. Fujisawa would listen to none of her denials. He was unrelentingly angry, and all of Chiye^s protestations were in vain. " I did not know that he loved me, honorable father," she said repeatedly, bewildered and terri- fied, for the father's angry voice could be heard all over the house. Mitsu and Kesa had crept into their mother's room. "Z>^^//," said Mrs. Fujisawa, *^ this new doc- trine makes a great deal of trouble for us, Mitsu. In former times, before you knew anything about 350 KESA AND SAIJIRO. it, we were all so much happier. The honorable father never grew so angry." " Dogji^ honorable mother, do you not remem- ber how angry the honorable father was when I objected to my marriage?" asked Mitsu. "What can Chiye have done that he should talk so to her?" wondered the mother, as the fa- ther's tones of command and the gentle accents of expostulation came to her ears. ' ' Dogu^ I know not, honorable mother, ' ' an' swered Mitsu. Then Chiye was dismissed, sobbing and trem- bling, to her own apartment. Fujisawa sought liis wife, and the two sisters went to Chiye. "What is the matter?" asked Mitsu; and Ke- sa's questioning eyes were filled with tears. ''^ DoguP^ answered Chiye, "the young Haru- kichi, of whom you have heard, and who gave up everything for the sake of preaching the gospel, has asked me in marriage of the honorable father, and he is very angry. ' ' "Do you love him, sister?" asked Kesa. "I have not thought of it, darling. But I think I might love him. He is good and noble, not like other Japanese young men whom I know. ' ' Chiye said no more, and the subject was not mentioned again. But in her heart a seed of love had been dropped which grew and strengthened. In some way the two young people, without ex- THE LITTLE VISITOR. 351 chano:iiio: a word, came to know each of the other's love and patience, and determined to wait with meekness "the Lord's time." The school year closed, and Kesa was to go to school no more. Fujisawa positively forbade it, and the girls trembled lest they should be forbid- den to attend the Sabbath services. Sorrowfully Kesa and her dear teacher took leave of each other. Miss Wilton's heart yearned over Kesa, and she found it hard to leave her with God and to trust him for her. In the early autumn there came to the Fuji- sawas a young visitor who did much to restore the happiness of former days, for a time at least. This was no other than Genski, the eldest child of Tama and Mesoburo. He was a straight, man- ly little fellow of eight, somewhat imperious in his manner, but lovable withal. He brought with him a brightness and freshness which affected pleasantly all the members of the family. It was something new to have a boy. All of the old toys with which Kesa and Rinjiro had played were brought down from their shelf and speedily demolished. Old Meguchi worshipped the lad, and the aunties were only too happy to show him everything which could possibly interest him. " Do you have acrobats in Hakodate, Genski?'* asked Chiye one day. "Oh, yes; but perhaps not such as you have in Tokio," answered Genski. 352 ICESA AND SAIJIRO. ** Then we will go over to Asaxa and see the acrobatic performances to-day," said Chive. Three in a jinrikisha — Kesa, Chive, and Gen- ski, with Aka and Mitsu in another cart behind them ! They were all happy that bright October morning. " Hakodate is not like this. It is more quiet. There are only a few pack-horses in the place and a few jinrikishas standing around." This Genski said as they rode through the crowded city streets. * ' Have you ever seen the men fishing for sal- mon there?" asked Kesa. '* Oh, yes, my honorable father has often taken me out in a boat to see the men fishing. I have also seen the Ainos spearing seal in the waters near Hakodate." " How does the snow seem when it covers everything up in winter?" asked Chiye of the lit- tle northern boy. '^Oh, I like it; we have fun then making snowballs and Daruma Samas, and pelting one another. But it is very cold." So the young folks chatted until they reached Asaxa, where they were to see the acrobats. A crowd of people had gathered, and the per- formers were all ready. They were dressed in bright scarlet, and had feathers in the little caps which they wore on their heads. There were some poles near them, and a platform where a THE LITTLE VISITOR. 353 man sat beating a drum and humming a most do- lorous tune. The chief acrobat ascended the platform, and addressing the spectators said, "You are now about to behold a most wonderful performance. Look and wonder, O people." Then suddenly throwing himself on his back, he raised his feet high in the air, while a small child ran up the sides of the platform like a mon- key and perched himself on the man's feet. He stood for a second, bowed to the people, then, rolled himself up into a ball and w^as tossed up in the air and caught on the man's feet, always coming down right side up and always laughing. When he had finished some boys a little larger came and balanced themselves one on top of another, until the last one, standing on top of all, was a great distance from the ground, and one not accustomed to such things might tremble and wonder how he was going to g^t down. But in an instant they were all down on the ground again, and the man, springing up, made a bow, while the people cheered lustily. Then followed feats of jugglery, knife-swal- lowing cutting off heads, and other performances. The Fujisawas and their little guest looked, cheer- ed, and threw copper coins until they were tired; and then they went to see wax-figures in the long," low wooden building back of the temple. The figures were wonderfully human in their 354 KESA AND SAIJIRO. appearance, and Genski was much interested. He knew all the characters represented, and was as familiar with the story of Old Japan as Chiye herself. There in wax was the sacred white horse, the servant of Hachiman; and the change- able goddess Benten was there in a number of forms. Genski recognized Kintaro, the "red boy," Momotaro, Yoritomo, Hideyoshi, and a number of others, all in stalls like so many horses. A man exhibited the figures and told the story of each, pointing with a long stick. "Don't you go up to worship. Aunt Mitsu?" asked Genski, noticing that none of the party paid any attention to the idols. "No, Genski, we do not worship idols any more. We have learned of the true God." "Will you teach me about him?" "Yes, Genski, we will teach you; and when you go home you can tell your mother." Fujisawa himself took Genski to see the wrest- lers, the "strong men" of Japan. These men ^ive public boxing and wrestling matches in thronged amphitheatres. On another day the proud grandfather took Genski to see a play. It was one of the old plays of Japan, and Genski in this way learned some of the ancient customs of the country and saw the old armor and court-dresses. There was an exe- cution in the play, when the heads of the actors apparently rolled down on the stage and were THE LITTLE VISITOR. 355 carried away in baskets; and the principal actor committed suicide by disembowelling himself iu the siofht of his retainers. The play was over by six o'clock in the even- ing, and Genski was safe at home early. This is a great advantage which Japanese theatres possess over those of this country; everything is done be- tween sunrise and sunset. Genski' s visit did good to all the family. Even the poor mother, whose health had been failing since Hana's death, enjoyed the mirth and pranks of her bright little grandson. Old Kei came to see him and almost over- whelmed him with caresses; and Aka saw in him something to remind her of her lost Rinjiro. Greatly to the disappointment of the girls, Fujisawa determined to send him to one of the Government schools. But little Genski, like Chi- ye and Kesa, had an early, deep-rooted aversion to idols, and dearly loved to hear of the God who made the sun, moon, and stars and the beautiful world. Kesa studied with Chiye, and found in her a dear companion and friend. And so for the Fuji- sawas another winter passed away, and Kesa was fifteen years old. 35^ KESA AND SAIJIRO. CHAPTER XXIX. SOME LETTERS AND A WEDDING. How it rained ! Genski had gone merrily ofT to school in a jinrikisha. The sisters had watch- ed him from the window as long as they could see the top of the cart with its oiled-paper coverings, and when their precious little charge was quite out of sight had turned to their sewing. As a general thing a Japanese house is a terri- bly close, gloomy place during a rainstorm. The paper slides, which have to be closed to exclude the rain, do not admit much light, and no one can see out. When the storm is very severe the wood- en shutters also have to be closed, and the air becomes very close and oppressive. But Fujisawa had had glass put in the upper room, and the girls could see away down the steep and slippery streets and look up to the heights above them; and al- though the rain came down heavily and persist- ently, there was no wind, and the side of the house was open. The three girls sat on the floor w4th their sew- ing. Japanese women have to rip their dresses every time they are washed. The pieces, after being cleansed thoroughly in very hot water, for they have no soap, are spread on boards to dry, and SOMK LETTERS AND A WEDDING. 357 are as smooth when finished as if they had been ironed by the most accomplished laundress. Then the dresses have to be put together again. The sisters did not usually talk much while thus working. Japanese ladies are generally great gossips, and many are their jealousies, bitterness- es, and heart-burnings. But the Fujisawa girls had never been allowed to gossip even in their earlier days, and now that they had become Chris- tians they were still less inclined to it. The missionary teachers had learned the be- setting faults of Japanese women and had faith- fully labored to correct these faults. The seeds of truth which they had planted had in many in- stances sprung up and borne fruit — fruit which had taken the place of the evil weeds of slander, envy, hatred, and malice. " Chiye, who is that man who comes here so often to see the honorable father?" asked Kesa, who had been quietly sewing her seam. ''^ Dogti^ I do not know," answered Chiye, and Mitsu looked grave. " Sometimes I feel afraid that it is one of those dreadful go-betweens, and that he has come to ask one of us in marriage," said Kesa. " I shall never marry a man whom I do not know because the honorable father wishes it, Chiye; I have made up my mind." '' He will make you do it, darling," said Mit- su, whose suspicions had been aroused by the con- 353 Ki:SA AND SAIJIRO, stant visits of a man, his long talks with her father, and the sighs and averted looks of her mo- ther. "But, sister, I will not. I will run away. And I am going some time to be baptized. The honorable father seldom looks at me now, and he never speaks kindly, but is always hard and cruel. Sister, I am very unhappy." Then said Chiye, the comforter, "Dear Kesa, so might I be very unhappy. But you know the teachings of the honorable senseis at the school — that God does what is right and that we must trust him." "You trust him, Chiye, but I do not," said Kesa. "Who is that coming in the rain?" asked Chiye. The girls, looking from the window, saw that a jinrikisha had stopped at the entrance. They could not see the occupant, so covered was the cart with oiled paper. And when the person in- side got out they could scarcely tell whether it was a Japanese or a foreigner, a man or a woman, so enveloped was the unrecognized guest in wa- terproof and hood. But soon the girls, to their surprise and joy, recognized Miss Wilton, and hastened to greet her. They removed her drip- ping outer garments, brightened up the coals in the hibachi^ brought hot tea, and w^elcomed her with loving words. SOME LETTKRS AND A WEDDING. 359 "I am not in the least wet," she said, laugh- ingly submitting to all these attentions. " I have a letter for you, Kesa, from Marion, and as I was not eno;ao:ed in school this morninor somethinof impelled nie to come and bring it to you myself. I am hungry for news from Marion myself, so I thought we could all enjoy the letter together. How is the honorable mother?" "Thanks, the honorable mother is very poorly. Will you go in and see her after we have read the letter?" said Mitsu. They gathered around the JiibacJii^ taking oc- casional sips of hot tea while Miss Wilton read the letter. Kesa's brio;htness had come back to her for a time, and she listened with sparkling eyes to the words her young friend had penned. "Dear Kesa: I have been thinking of you so much to-day that I must sit down and write. " I am very happy at the school, only lonely now that mamma has left me, and I do want to see you all again. At night when I go to bed and on Sundays I think of Japan, of how the sea is washing its shores, and of how the little chil- dren are playing in the water, catching crabs, and of the boats dancing over the waves. I want to see the bay and the river and the little thatched cottages and the mission-houses. "How are Yenoske and Yen and the funny little baby Cho ? I know she must be having a good many falls with her first little clogs. 360 KESA AND SAIJIRO. " I do not see half as many funny things here as I did in Japan. ' ' How is our o:arden ? Do vou take care of the plants now? Oh, I forgot; your papa does not allow you to go to school any more, so of course you cannot take care of the garden. But you can go on Sundays and look after the flowers and see the gold-fish. How many of the fish have died? I am sure some have, because they were always dying. * ' Papa and mamma will go back to Japan in October. They have gone away from me. Kesa, I cried until I was almost sick when they went away. It was so hard to let them go, and I wanted to go back to dear, dear Japan too. I love Japan; and, Kesa, I have determined to go back there and be a missionary; and you and I will be together in a school, and we will teach the chil- dren God's way. *'I have something else to tell you, Kesa; I am a member of the church. Oh, Kechan, if we could go to the communion together ! **The girls here have a missionary society and I am a member. Next month the subject will be Japan, and I am going to dress in my Jap- anese costume, and we are to have an exhibition of Japanese curios. Do you remember how much fun we had with my Japanese dress, Kesa? I have had to take out the tuck that Mitsu put in. I have grown so tall that you would n't know me. SOMK LETTERS AND A WEDDING. 36 1 "I wish you were here at school with me. You will soon see papa and mamma, and they will tell you all about me. "I am so glad that Chiye is back. Give my love to her and to Aka and Mitsu. Tell them how I want to see them. And oh, kiss a flower or a tree or something in dear Japan for me ! " Please write very soon to your friend, " MARION FIELDING." Miss Wilton read the letter in English and then translated it. Mrs. Fujisawa had come in and listened atten- tively. She was the first to speak when the teach- er ceased her reading. ^^ Dogu^ these Christians have a very deep love in their hearts. They never forget. For all your kindness to my daughters we give you thanks ; dogtc^ a very great thank-you." "We love to be kind to all, dear Mrs. Fuji- sawa. But how is your honorable health ?" ^^Dogu^ I am poorly enough these days. I have no strength, and often have fever and sweats at night," answered the mother. Miss Wilton was not surprised a few days later to hear that Mrs. Fujisawa was prostrated with gastric fever, which for a time seemed to baffle the efforts of all the physicians. Those were dreary days for Kesa, Mitsu, and Chiye, and in their care and anxiety for the mo- ther the dreaded go-between was forgotten. He 2,02 KESA AND SAIJIRO. did not appear during ^Irs. Fujisawa's worst time of sickness and passed out of the girls' minds. Early in the summer bright little Genski went back to his northern home. "Good-by, darling," said Chiye as he turned to bid her farewell. "Tell the honorable mother of the true God." In October Dr. and Mrs. Fielding returned to Japan and hastened to the anxious family, where the mother still lay on her bed of suffering. The doctor's skilful treatment soon effected a chancje in her condition; and when care and nourishing food were all that she needed a day seldom passed without a call from some one from the mission with some strengthening or appetizing prepara- tion. One day, as Mrs. Fielding was busily engaged about the invalid, Fujisawa, who w^as watching them, said, "I have never seen such love as this before. It is wonderful." Then said the doctor's wife, hoping to make an impression on the man's heart, " It is our reli- gion that impels us to do thus. It is the loving spirit of Jesus." But Fujisawa' s face grew hard and he turned away, and Mrs. Fielding went home sorrowing. "Chiye, you know how the honorable father let you and Mitsu be baptized and said nothing about it. Do you think, sister, that / might re- ceive baptism from the missionary and tell the SOME LETTERS AND A AVEDDIXG. 363 father nothing?" Kesa said this to Chive one eveninof when the two sisters were too-ether in one of the bedrooms. ' ' You forget, Kesa, that the father has posi- tively forbidden your baptism. He would be very angry if you were to go against his wishes. I hoped that the dear mother's illness and all the kindness of the missionaries would soften his heart, but it seems it has not." "I hoped, Chiye, that it would, and that I might ask his permission to be baptized." "Kesa," said Chiye after a little pause, "did you know that that man was here last night again ? He brought a large box to the honorable father. I am sure he is a go-betw^een. Oh, Ke- chan, I will never marry any one except Haruki- clii; and if it should be you, darling!" " Chiye, I will not marry any one in that way. I will run away." But Kesa's heart was sad and a terrible fear came over her. Something made her feel sure that it was she whom her father was thus bargain- ing away. She went and sat down by her mo- ther's side. Incapable of understanding her youngest born with all her needs and question- ings as that mother was, undemonstrative as she had ever been towards all of her children except Hana, her heart was still the mother-heart to which the child crept in her trouble and hers the sympathy which soothed and comforted. 3^4 ICKSA AND SATJIRO. ''^ Ka-chan^^^ Kesa said, " who is the man that comes here to see the honorable father?" Mrs. Fujisawa shrank from a direct answer to that question, and Kesa saw the shrinking. ' ' Ka-chaii^ please tell me. Is he a go-between ? and does he want me?" "Yes, darling," answered the mother. But she was hardly prepared for the cry of anguish which burst from her daughter's lips. ^^ Ka-chaji^ ka-chajt ! is the father going io sell me? He sold Mitsu, and he will not let Chive marry good Harukichi, whom she loves and who loves her; and now he would sell me. Ka-chan^ I hate him!" ^^ Dogii^ dogu^ Kesa, what can I do ? You must obey the commands of the honorable father." Chiye, hearing the disturbance, went in and spoke gently to Kesa — Chiye, who was so pa- tiently bearing her own cross. "Darling, you are distressing the mother," she said. "Come, and we will do as the teachers at the mission tell us, carry our troubles to God." So the two girls went to an unoccupied room at the end of the house and knelt there, and the elder sister prayed : "Dear Lord, this is my sister Kesa and her heart is very sad. She does not know where to turn nor w^hat to do. Lead her through her trou- bles, soften the father's heart, and bless us all, for Jesus' sake." SOME LETTERS AND A WEDDING. 365 "To-morrow I will go and talk to the teach- er," said Kesa, rising. Soon the house was quiet, and Kesa, worn out by her emotions, fell asleep. The next day Miss Wilton, sitting in her room, heard a gentle knock at the door and was sur- prised to see Kesa enter in answer to her response. "What is it, Kesa?" she asked, noting the troubled expression of the girl's face. "Is the mother worse? or is Chiye sick again?" " No, sejisei; they are as well as usual. I am troubled and have come to talk with you. Sensei^ the honorable father is very angry with me. Pie will scarcely speak to me and does not wish me to come and see you or to be baptized. And, oh, scnsei^ we fear he is going to make me marry a man whom I do not know, and I cannot do it." Kesa's tears fell fast, and the teacher's heart was sorely pained. "Dear Kesa, I am sorry to hear all this. I had hoped that the father's heart would be soft- ened and that all would be well with you. It will surely be well, Kesa, if you give yourself to God and trust in him — well with you and with Chiye and Harukichi too, dear child. How would you like to go with me to Shiba this after- noon ? I have something to tell you and feel like going under those grand old trees." The day was warm and bright, although it was already winter; and when the coolies drew 366 KESA AND SAIJIRO. the jinrikislias within the temple enclosure Kesa and her teacher could hear the twittering of birds and see bright red camellias blooming among their glossy green leaves. Miss Wilton directed the coolies to turn away from the temples into the forest which surround- ed them. The jinrikishas went on through broad avenues and winding paths until they reached the deepest shade of the trees. Then, ordering the coolies to wait, Miss Wilton led the way to a lovely nook where the golden sunshine poured through the trees, making glorious the mosses and ferns below, while above was a patch of blue sky. It was a lovely, quiet scene, and the two sat for some time without speaking. A peace seemed to steal into Kesa's heart, a deep, sweet peace, as though sent from above. Miss Wilton's voice broke the silence. "Kesa, I told you I had something to say to you." ' ' Yes, scnsci. ' ' *'I am going away, Kesa. I am going to be married." A look almost of terror came into the girl's eyes. She loved and trusted this teacher so thor- oughly; she relied so implicitly on her for help in her trouble; she knew that she could flee to her at any moment for protection; and now she had just told her that she was going away, and that, too, in the hour of the girl's greatest need. "Dear Kesa," said the teacher, drawing her SOME LETTERS AXD A WEDDING. 367 nearer, "do not look like that. I am not foing out of Japan, only down to the southern country. I will come back to Tokjo, dear Tokio, some day; and perhaps you will come to see me." "Is it where old Kei lived, senseiT^ "Near there, dear, and perhaps we can find Nantaro, Kei''s brother. Kei -is talking of com- ing down to try to find Nantaro and to establish Bible-readings. Dear Kesa, do not sob so, child." Then with loving tenderness the teacher tried to make this poor weak lamb feel the care of the Shepherd, and at last Kesa grew stronger and calmer. They separated at the great gate of the temple. Kesa went with her own faithful coolie up to the Kudan, while Miss Wilton went back to the mis- sion-house which she was so soon to leave. True it was that her work in Tokio was over. The days of patient seed-sowing had not been in vain. Many of the little ignorant Japanese chil- dren for whom she had cared had grown to be faithful, intelligent girls and women, rejoicing her heart by their Christian steadfastness. Now a sweet surprise had come into her own life, and with one who loved her, and whom she loved in return, she was to go to one of the cities of the In- land Sea. Kesa sat by her little table in the evening writing a letter to Marion. Chiye was by her side, now and then helping her to a word. 368 KESA AXD SAIJIRO. ^' Dear Marion:" thus the letter read, "My heart was very sad this afternoon. I have very great trouble in it. My father angry with me. He scarcely speak to me. He will not permit me to go to school any more. He not permit my baptize. I fear he want me to marry some strange man, as my sister Mitsu did so long ago, and she have so much trouble. My heart feel very dark and sad. "Then Chiye and I go and tell my troubles to God and I feel better. And next day, that is to- day, I go to see Miss Wilton, and she take me to beautiful place in Shiba, and we sit and she say nothing for a long time. But the birds sing in the trees and the wind sound among the leaves and the sun shine down on the grass. And the blue sky is above us all, so beautiful and so peace- ful, and I think, * God is love.' And then Miss Wilton tell me that she go away, and when I cry she say, * Do not cry, Kesa, for the lyord Jesus is with you.' " Then I think I will trust him and give him my heart, and I will believe he do right. Now I have peace, and Chiye and Mitsu are very glad. But I not marry the man. "I see your garden every Sunday. Yenoske take great care. Six gold-fish are dead. And Yen and the baby are well. The baby walk and fall down some time and some time cry. Chiye is better, but she look very white and not strong. SOME LETTERS AND A WEDDING. 369 My mother, too, get better every day. Many girls go to church on Sundays. Thanks for your letter. We all send love. *^ Your dear friend, "KESA FUJISAWA." A few days after this letter was written Miss Wilton was married at the mission. The "girls" were invited to the wedding and saw for the first time in their lives the simple Christian ceremony. Chiye and Kesa were there, dressed in new gar- ments, with bright, beautiful sashes and elegant hair-pins. ''How pretty they all look!" said Mrs. Field- ing as she watched the girls partaking of some simple refreshment and noted their gentle man- ners, their neat dresses and bright faces. "Dear Mrs. Fielding," said their teacher, "how thankful I am for what you have always tried to impress upon my too doubting heart — that the Shepherd loves these lambs better than I do. But, oh, watch over Kesa for me. My heart bleeds for the child." Kwi ati'I Paiilro. 24 370 KESA AND SAIJIRO. CHAPTER XXX. KESA AND HER FATHER. No wonder that Fujisawa felt angry with his youngest daughter. He was trying to harden his heart against her, trying to do her a great injury; and we always feel harsh towards one whom we are attempting to injure. Yet after all he was really fond and proud of Kesa. Heretofore he had met with nothing but submission in his chil- dren. Mitsu had submitted when he ordered her to marry the man from whom she shrank. Chiye had submitted when he forbade her to marry or to see Harukichi, whom she loved. He had no thought but that Kesa would acquiesce when he commanded her to marry. It was one morning before he went to the cus- tom-house that he summoned her. "The honorable father wishes to speak with you, Kesa," said Chiye; and when Kesa went, Chiye prayed that the Lord Jesus would be with her and bless her and give her strength. Kesa rose when Chiye called her, went quick- ly, and stood before her father. She did not pros- trate herself, but was respectful, and quietly awaited his words. " Kesa, I have completed the arrangements for KESA AND HER FATHER. 371 your marriage. You will be the bride of Susumi, the son of the high officer Masanawa." *' Thanks, honorable father, but I cannot marry Susumi Masanawa," answered the girl. " And whom will you marry? I suppose you are like Chiye, and love some one among those wretched Christians." "No, honorable father, I care for no one. But I will not marry a man whom I do not know and for w^hom I do not care. Dogu^ father, for- give me," she added, seeing the look of anger and hatred on her father's face. "I cannot; oh, I cannot. Oh, honorable father, remember Mitsu and all that she has suffered. Please, please for- give me; but I cannot; oh, I cannot!" "There is no use in your talking so to me, Kesa. This marriage shall take place, and I command you to prepare for it." "Honorable father," respectfully began Kesa; but the continued expostulation only angered Fu- jisawa the more, and he pushed her from him. "It is the Christian religion that has done all this. I will have no miore of it. My youngest child shall obey me. Kesa, I forbid your having anything more to do with the foreigners. Neither you, Chiye, nor Mitsu shall with my permission ever go to the Concession again." In his anger Fujisawa seized some of Kesa's books which were lying near him and threw them into a dark closet. l-]2 KESA AND SAIJIRO. The poor weak mother, with Chiye, Mitsit, and Aka, sat trembling in another apartment. They dared not go to Kesa lest their interference should still more excite the father. ''I wish not to see you, Kesa, until you have made up your mind to obey me without more ado; for obey you shall. You are already prom- ised to Susumi; the preparations for the wedding will go on." Fujisawa closed the slides and went away. That there was any danger of his plans being thwarted the father never dreamed. Poor Kesa ! She felt stunned and bewildered. Chiye went and sat down by her side; and after a little time of silent comforting, Kesa said, "Chiye, I am going to run away. Come quickly and help me; there is no time to lose." "No, no; don't be in a hurry, little sister. Stop and think," said Chiye gently. "But, sister, I Jiave thought and thought and thought. My mind is all made up." "But where are you going, Kesa? and how can you go alone ?' ^ "I am going down to Kei's country to find my teacher. Chiye, come and help me. I must be a long way off before the father comes back to- night from the custom-house." ^'' Dogu ! where can you go? and how angry the father will be!" said poor benumbed Mrs, Fujisawa. KHSA AND HKR FATIIKR. 373 Mitsu said nothing at first, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. Then suddenly turning to Kesa she asked, "Did you not tell me, darling, that Kei thought of going back to her country?'' " Yes, sister." "Then I will go quickly and ask her to ac- company you." "Take me quickly to Nippon Boshi," said Mitsu a few moments later, as she got into a jin- rikisha. The coolie was not long in reaching Kei's house. An old man sat on the mat near Kei, and a sickly-looking child lay on the floor. Kei was reading some sweet words of Scripture to them. "Truly welcome, O Mitsu," she said, as she rose to welcome her guest. "Kei, can you finish your reading and listen to me?" asked Mitsu. " Rosuki, you and Tono may go now, and soon I will read you more." But long months passed ere Kei came back to finish her reading. " Kei, the father insists upon Kesa's marriage, and she is going away to find her teacher in the southern country. We wish you to go with her — • and ricrht aw^av," said Mitsu. ^^ Dogii^ doguP'' said Kei; and after asking a few questions she made ready, and leaving the house in the charge of a neighbor, \vent off in the jinrikisha with Mitsu. " Send word for me to the honorable mission- 374 KESA AND SAIJIRO. aries," begged Kei; "and, O Mitsu, go and read to my people sometimes." Mitsu promised to do what she could, remem- bering sadly that she had been forbidden to have any intercourse with the foreigners. "Aka will do it all," she thought. Kesa was all ready for her journey when Mitsu and Kei came to the house, and Aka was there. Both Kei and Kesa carried a few necessaries done np in blue 'kerchiefs. Japanese ladies do not need much when they travel. The servants had prepared rice and made tea, but the family group sitting on the floor by the little table was sorrowful enough. The mother's heart felt like breaking, and Chiye mourned sorely, while Mitsu felt as though the brightness of her life was to be taken away. But there was little time for farewell words or tears. '''' Saiojtara^ darling, darling!" *''' Saionara^^^ answered Kesa. Kei bowed low, and in a moment they were gone — gone from the sheltered home out into the great world. Kesa's childhood was over. She gave one long, lingering look at the house and at the group of dear ones left behind, the coolies lifted the shafts, and they were off. It was far into the evening before Kesa would let the coolies stop. They went in the moonlight through the fields over which Yetaro, the teacher, had travelled so wearily. KESA AND HER FATHER. 375 ^'Dogu^ darling, we must stop," said Kei as they came into a village late in the evening. All of the people in the little thatched inn had gone to bed, and the travellers rattled the door and called for some time before any one heard them. "It is a poor place, Kesa," said Kei when at last they were admitted by a sleepy-looking wo- man. " I do not care," said the weary girl; and worn out by her day of sufifering and travel, she threw herself down on the poor pallet and fell into a heavy sleep. T^-/6 KI<:SA AND SAIJIRO. CHAPTER XXXI. A WINTER JOURNEY. * ' Kawaiso /" It was Kei who spoke the word, and it means sorrowful. She had just risen from her pallet and was looking at Kesa, who was still asleep. The girl looked pale and exhausted, and for a moment Kei thought with dismay of the long journey before them. ''^ Dogii^ where is your faith?" she said to her- self, and pushed open the slides and went out into the little ofarden. A f^lorious mornino: had bro- ken over Nippon. There was not a cloud to be seen, and the cold air was fresh and bracing. A servant-girl was washing rice in a little wooden tub. Her long sleeves were strapped across her back and she had a blue handkerchief bound about her head. ^^O hayo^'' (good morning), said Kei. *' O hayo^^^ responded the girl pleasantly. *' Fine weather," said Kei. "Truly, very fine," answered the girl. " Bring me some of your honorable water and get ready some honorable rice. The jo sania^'*^ young lady, "and I wish to proceed on our jour- The orirl brouo:ht Kei some water in a shallow A WINTER JOURNEY. 377 copper basin, and she washed her face and hands, wiping them on a blue towel which she took out of her sleeve. Then pouring out the water she refilled the basin and left it on the veranda for Kesa. "(9 hayo^^^ she said when she went in and found Kesa already up. * ' O hayo^ ' ' said Kesa. "The honorable water waits for you, Kesa, and we must set out for the river." While Kesa was washing the servant went into the room, opened all the slides, rolled up the beds, brushed up the floor with a little paper broom, and then brought in some rice and tea with a few little pieces cf daikoti. "Truly, a poor breakfast," said the girl as Kei and Kesa took their chopsticks and began to eat. "We hear that the rice is very scarce this year," said Kei. ^^ Dogu^ yes; people are very sad and find it hard work to get enough to eat." The fresh air, the cold water, and the break- fast made Kesa feel better. "Let us go now," she said. ^'^ Dogu^ no, not until I have spoken a Vv^ord of the true doctrine," answered Kei. There were very few people at the little way- side inn, and only an old man, a woman, and the servant-girl came to listen to Kei, 37S KESA AND SAIJIRO. ^^l^ogu^ what do you want?" said the old man to Kei. *'To have prayer." " But already I have worshipped at the shrine of Inari this morning. Where is your god ?" "We cannot see him and we have no image, but we have a book, and I will read it to you." ' ' Do you not offer anything to him ?' ' asked the woman. "He tells us to give him our hearts," said Kei. Then she turned to the Sermon on the Mount and read the Saviour's gracious words to all those who are troubled in their hearts as to food or rai- ment or shelter; and the old man listened and nodded his head and said it was all very good. Then Kei and Kesa knelt and repeated together the Lord's Prayer. "What do you call your God?" asked the man. "Our Father," answered Kei. ''^ Dogii, it has been a long time since I called any one father,'^ said the man. Kei left them a little book called "The True Way of the Cross," and then she and Kesa said " Saionara^^ and went on their way to the river. Our travellers were well wrapped in padded coats and dziikins^ and the rapid exercise kept them warm. There were few people on the road. After A WINTER JOURNEY. 379 walking about an hour the two passed the inn where Yetaro with Saijiroand Yenoske had spent the night. Kesa enjoyed the keen frosty air and the rapid walking. The color came back to her cheeks and the brightness to her eyes. By the time they came to the river there was a change in the weather. The wind blew sullenly, as though bringing a storm, the sky was overcast, and the water of the river was dark and rough. ^''Hai! hail hail lendo P"^ Kei clapped her hands and shouted for the boatman, who was on the other side ; but he did not hear. ''Oh, Kei, who is that?" cried Kesa suddenly, and Kei turned quickly and saw a man running swiftly towards them. To the girl's excited fancy it was a essenger sent after her by her father, and she grew so white and trembled so violently that Kei ran up to her, saying, ^^ Dogtt^ Kesa, don't be so frightened; it is only a postman running with the mail." The man was all out of breath when at last he reached the river and threw the mail-bag on the sand. Another man, with two horses, had come up, and they all stood on the bank and gave one pro- longed ^^Hai-iP^ which brought the ferryman over. The boat was large and flat-bottomed, and there was room for the horses too. So they all got in, 3S0 KESA AND SAIJIRO. and the ferryman worked the boat rapidly through the water. ''There are not many travellers on the road," said the postman to the ferryman. "No; I get very little money from the ferry now, and rice is scarce and high. In the summer the boat is constantly going to and fro, and it is always filled with people," said the ferryman. " Do you ever carry any of the honorable for- eigners?" asked Kei. "Oh, yes; some of them drink a great deal of sake. ' ' " But those are not the Jesus-teachers." "No; I can always tell the Jesus- teachers. One of them gave me a book once, but I cannot read well enough to understand it." "The doctrine is very good. Try to get some one to read it for you," said Kei. Kesa and Kei had their noon rice at a misera- ble little inn, and Kesa felt wearied and home- sick. It began to drizzle. Dogs and chickens huddled under the eaves of the house, and some half-naked beggars, covered with loathsome sores, came up and asked alms. Kesa put some cop- per coins in their hands, and turned away dis- gusted. The jinrikisha ride that afternoon was dreary enough. The two travellers wrapped themselves up in the blankets and had the top of the cart covered with oiled paper, so that the only outlook A WINTER JOURNEY. " 38 1 they had was from the front. Occasionally from one of the houses they would hear the "twang, twang" of a samisen mingling with the sound of the rain pouring from the eaves. Once or twice ajinrikisha passed them, and several times they passed a traveller on foot, closely muffled and carrying an umbrella. "Kei," said Kesa, ''I wonder what the mo- ther and Chiye and Mitsu are doing, and whether the honorable father knows I have gone. O Kei, do you think he will be very angry and make the others very unhappy ? I heard him say that they should go no more to the church; and how sad that will make them; and I have brought all this on them!" "Ah, Kesa, they would rather endure the fa- ther's anger than have you marry that man. Be of o:ood courao^e and all will be ri2:ht. The hon- orable teacher will advise you what to do. Let us be patient, and all will be well." "But, Kei, I thought when the honorable sciisci was sick that I had learned to love God ; and now my heart is dark. Mitsu, Chiye, and Harukichi have sorer trouble than I have, but they are happy, for they love and trust God. But I am not. What can I do, Kei ? I do not like the Japanese way, but I am not a Christian. I can't believe anything, and I do n't love any one, and my heart is cold and hard and full of anger." ^' Dogii^ Kesa, we will read the Book, and you 382 KESA AND SAIJIRO. can talk with, the honorable sensei^ and all will yet be well.'^ Kei longed to have Kesa talk with the teacher. She felt utterly unable to guide the poor wanderer herself. But the Shepherd was looking after his sheep all the time, and Kei felt his comforting presence, although Kesa did not. In the late afternoon, while the cold rain still came pouring down, they reached the great city Odawara. The hotel servants came out to greet them, and the weary, wet travellers were taken up to the best room, where they warmed themselves over hibacJiis filled with glowing coals, and had hot soup and tea. "This is very good," said Kesa, holding the soup-bowl close to her mouth and tossing in the soup with chopsticks. "What is it made of?" asked Kei of the girl who sat near them, ready to pour more tea or to fill their rice-bowls. "It is made of /(^/-fish, and has eggs and tofii in it," said the girl. " Very good /^//," said Kei. TofiL is a very light sort of omelet which the Japanese like very much. It grew dark, and the girl brought in candles. "Have any of the Jesus- teachers been here?" asked Kei. Her heart was ever in her work. " Yes ; they stop here very often, and sing hymns about Jesus and a happy country and talk V'A A JAPANESE SANDAL-MAKER. A WINTER JOURNEY. 3S3 to US. They have left us some of their books," answered the girl. *' Are there any believers here?" asked Kei. ^'' Dogu^ no; but there is an old woman here who wants to learn. You might go to her." After dinner, in the pouring rain and through the dimly lighted streets, Kei and Kesa followed a man with a lantern to a house back of the hotel. They could hear through the storm the sound of the waves beating on the shore. *' Ah, much snow has fallen. It will be rough for theyb samay "They^^?/, scnsei^ I cannot feel happy. I have been angry with my father and I hated my aunt. Why cannot I be like Chiye?" " Dear Kesa, I hope there are better things in store for you. Will you put yourself under my o:uidance and do what I ask ?" "Yes, sensei^ if I can." "Then sit down and write a letter to your father and tell him where you are and why you went away; and try to put anger and hatred out of your heart while you write. Will you do this?" ' ' Yes, sensci, ' ' Kesa was supplied with materials and began her writing; Mrs. Levering took up her needle- work, and the room, was quiet again. 400 KESA AND SAIJIRO. " I have finished, sensei^^^ said Kesa at length, and proceeded to read her letter. "Honorable Father: Compliments, com- pliments. *' I beg your honorable forgiveness for running away from my home. I could not marry that man. Oh, honorable father, please do not make me. And do not think it is because I am a Chris- tian that I ran away. My heart is hard and heavy and I am not a Christian. Mitsu is a Christian and she does what you tell her to do. Chiye is a Christian and she submits quietly to your honor- able will. But pity your poor Kesa and do not make her marry that man. Please, compliments, compliments. " KESA FUJISAWA. "At Hiroshima." ** That will do nicely, Kesa, and now I have something for you. Did you think I was not ex- pecting you?" Mrs. Levering put a letter in Kesa's hands. *'It is from Chiye," she said as she took it, and burst into tears. It was written in English and was the first word she had had from home. Thus it read: *' Dear Sister: You will want to know how we all are at home. The father not know you have gone for two days. Then he ask, ' Where is Kesa?' and I tell him that you have gone away. He say nothing, but his face grow very black and THE HOME AND THE PRISON. 4OI he go away. For three days now he say nothing at all, but is always quiet, and we do not know what to think. Eut he not try to find you. ^^The mother is very sad, but she never say she sorry you go away; and sometimes I read the Bible to her. ** Dear sister, we miss you. Mitsu and I w^ant our dearest sister. We talk often how you com- fort us when you come and sit beside us w^hen we feel sick or sad. And every day we pray, 'Lord Jesus, bless Kesa and bring her back; but oh, soften her heart and make her a Christian !' And we know God will hear our prayer. * ' We send much love to you. *' Your loving sisters, "MITSU AND CHIYE FUJISAWA." Mrs. Levering said nothing as she listened to Kesa's passionate sobs after reading this letter. She let her weep on, and prayed God to comfort her. Her own letter from Chiye had touched her very soul, with its strong faith in the midst of this hour of trouble and its fulness of love and pity. "Surely Chiye Fujisawa is a Christian if ever one lived on this earth," she thought. " Seal your letter now, and we w411 take it to the postoffice," said Mrs. Levering gently and firmly to Kesa after a time. The letter was sealed and directed, and as they walked to the postoffice they talked on indifferent KeB.i flii-l Saijiro. 25 402 KESA AND SAIJIRO. subjects and discussed the beauties of the land- scape. When they returned to the house they found ICei. Sh2 had been weeping, indeed, but joy shone in her eyes. Sick and in prison, after a life of desperate crime, she had found Nantaro, and although he turned away from her at first, he had at last talked with her and seemed softened. "He must serve his time out, and at the end receive that dreadful flogging," said Kei, and she shuddered. "But then I shall have him, and I will teach him of the Lord Jesus, and of how his blood can cleanse us from all sin." JINRIKISHA RIDES. 403 CHAPTER XXXIII. JINRIKISHA RIDES. *' While you are waiting for an answer to your letter we will take some peeps at this beauti- ful country," said Mrs. Levering to Kesa the next morning. So in the afternoon Tom, the horse, was brought to the gate all saddled and bridled, ready for the missionary to ride, and jinrikishas were called for the ladies, while all the children in the neighborhood assembled to see the "honorable foreigners" start out. "Have there never been any foreigners down in this part of the country before, senseiV^ asked Kesa, as she noted the eager, expectant look on the dirty little faces. "Very few, Kesa. An English gentleman was here with his family for a while, but the peo- jDle are not much accustomed to foreigners." The shafts were lifted, and Tom was all ready for a start; and then began a race between the coolies, the horse, and the children, the latter be- ing at last outstripped. They looked like little savages. Some had very scanty clothing, and others none at all. One boy seemed like a very imp of mischief, and Kesa 404 KESA AND SAIJIRO. watched him with some interest as he stood now on his head and now on his feet; then, gathering up his dress, he would start off on a run, and at last Kesa, thinking he was left far behind, turned to see him breathless and grinning at a turn of the road. The friends were going to Nigitsu, the finest temple in the city. They passed through some of the most crowded streets, and then crossed a long bridge and came to a part less densely populated. To the left was a canal, with great cedar-trees on its banks. Above was the blue, cloudless sky, and all around were hills upon hills and islands upon islands. Oh, the beauty of these southern winter days ! with sunshine warm enough to give heat to the old people, who sit out of doors in preference to shivering over charcoal braziers in the house. The entrance to Nigitsu was beautiful. From the soft turf rose great cedar-trees, and at inter- vals under them were placed huge stone lanterns. The gateway was ornamented with the usual gilding and carving; it was very old; its build- ers had long been sleeping in the Buddhist grave- yard. "What a magnificent pavement!" said Mrs. Levering, as they went up to the old unsightly temple, the walls of which were crumbling away. "Why is it that these people, with so much building material around them, do not build bet- JINRIKISIIA RIDES. 405 ter houses?" asked the missionary, as they looked at the blocks of granite and the decaying mud. Having seen Nigitsu, the party took horse and jinrikishas again for Iwahana. Out of the town, past rows of tumble-down cottages in the out- skirts, into a pleasant road with hills on one side and a clear stream on the other, rolled the jinriki- shas until the coolies dropped the shafts at a little tea-house opposite Iwahana. '' Do you know what Iwahana means, senseiT^ inquired Kesa. "Yes; rock-flower, Kesa; and very pretty it is too. ' ' On the hill were rocks lying scattered about, and from these the hill derived its name. There were other flowers beside the ' ' rock-flowers ' ' there, and the whole party climbed the steep ascent, and came down with hands filled with bright blossoms and leaves of red sumach. *' How beautiful it all is," said Mrs. Levering as they started off again. They turned into a lane skirted with hedges, and passed pretty little farmhouses almost hidden in the foliage. Then they went far out into the fields, where men, women, and children were at work. *'What long distances your people walk. They could not do that in America, where it is so far from one town to another, with no tea-houses scattered between." 4o6 KESA AND SAIJIRO. A mist filled the valley as they went home, but it seemed to make everything even more beautiful as it lifted to disclose now a mountain and now a gleam of shining water. '''' DogiiP'' said Kei, out of breath. Two or three days had passed, and the friends were climbing some steps cut in a steep hillside, going up to a temple. "What are those little sticks with papers for?" asked Mrs. Levering. "There are prayers written on the papers," said Kei; and Mrs. Levering noted the Chinese characters on every one. The temple, which they gained after some hard climbing, was on a ledge just about large enough to hold it. From three sides they could look down a precipice. Climbing still higher up the steep hillside, they at last gained a point from which the islands burst upon their view. "There is Miajima," said Kesa. "Yes; we can always tell it by its blueness and its three curves," said the teacher. "Did you ever walk on such hollow ground before?" asked Mr. Levering. It did indeed seem almost as though it might give way beneath their feet. "How do you account for it, Lynn?" Mrs. Levering inquired. "Only by supposing that there are lava-beds JIXRIKISriA RIDKS. 407 under ns. You can see the effects of ancient fires over there." The descent was very difficult, but at last, af- ter sliding and slipping several times, they reached the jinrikishas and Tom, and were off again. "Towards the sunrising," called the mission- ary to the coolies, and away they went to the cas- tle, across a bridge, and by the side of the river. Then turning to the east, they came to a broad road and rolled along under grand cedars. An- other turn, and they saw before them an oddly shaped hill. x\nd so the jinrikishas went wind- ing in and out among the hills until they reached the rice-fields. Here the road was so rough that the ladies all preferred walking to enduring the jolting of the springless jinrikishas. Next came a bamboo grove, the sunlight glancing through the leaves. Some people came out of their houses to see the foreign lady walking through the fields. "The people down here are afraid of us, Ke-. sa," said Mrs. Levering; "they think we will be- witch them;" and Kesa smiled to see a womau pulling her husband into the house. In the afternoon they came to a temple. Kesa. counted a hundred steps as they toiled up to it. "I wonder why the Japanese put their templesi> in such high places," said the missionary. " Do they think there is any merit in climbing^; up to them, Kei?" asked Mrs. Levering. 4oS KHSA AND SATJir.O. ''^ DogJt^ yes, honorable snisei^^^ answered Kei. **They can climb up and down a certain number of times, and thus do penance.'' " The view is certainly grand," said the mis- sionary, as they stood on the edge of a precipice and looked over the country. Rivers, hills, islands, plains were spread out in one grand pano- rama before them. For the next few days there was a storm of wind and rain which kept them all in the house. Kesa felt the time pass a little heavily, so she was glad to awake one morning and find the sun shining brightly, with only a few soft white clouds floating lazily in the sky. ''Now for our trip to Hijiyama," said Mrs. Levering at the noon meal. So the jinrikishas were called, and they were soon making their way over the bridges and across the fields to Hiji hill. The hill was very steep, and at its foot the coolies let down the shafts. The ascent had to be made on foot. It was hard climbing, but the road was exceedingly beautiful. On one side of the narrow footpath there was an abrupt descent, and on the other the hill towered above them. Trees, shrubs, and grasses were of the richest green, and occasional rocks gave variety to the coloring. At the feet of the climbers and on all the hillside bloomed quantities of wild flowers. "lyCt us stop and see this little cemetery,'* JINRIKISHA RIDKS. 4O9 called Mr. Levering, who was acting as guide, to the climbers behind him ; and they all went in to wander for a time among the graves. The tombstones were of handsome granite, and not crowded together as the stones in the Buddhist cemeteries usually are. On one granite stone Kei read, "To my eldest son." The eldest son is the most important mem- ber of a Japanese family. He is " ni sa7t^'''* hon- orable brother, to the younger children, and his father's hope and heir. On other graves hung straw sandals, and on children's graves toys were placed. The Japanese fill the children's coffins with their playthings; and in former times the young samurai took with him into the grave his little sword. "Ah," said Mrs. Levering suddenly, "here is something homelike;" and she pointed to a stone on which was written in English, " Fell asleep in Jesus." It marked the grave of a little English child, whose mother had to go far away wdien the fa- ther's engagement at the Government school in Hiroshima terminated. "His mother in England must often think of her baby lying here," said Mrs. Levering; and they lingered a while near the baby's grave and laid some flowers upon it. The view which greeted theii eyes from the top of the hill fully repaid them for all their toil. 4IO KESA AND SAIJIRO. It was more beautiful than anything they had seen before, and they stood for a long time ga* zing on the entrancing scene. The place where they tarried was a soldiers^ cemetery. One stone was cut into a beautiful urn, while others were cubes and others still were small shafts; in all were hollow places for hold- ing water, and in many of them were fresh flowers. "The Japanese bring flowers to the graves of their loved ones as we do," said Mrs. Levering. "It reminds me of an extract I found the other day," said her husband; " I will read it while we are resting : " 'Do not keep the alabaster boxes of your love and tenderness sealed until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them and while their hearts can be thrilled by them.. The thing you mean to say when they are gone, say before they go. The flowers you mean to send to their coffins, send to brighten and sweeten their homes before they leave them. I would rather have a coffin without a flower, and a fu- neral without a eulogy, than a life without the sweetness of love and sympathy.' " But the darkness drove them home. The hill- side was all quiet as they went down; no sound of human voices reached their ears. A SABBATH IN HIROSHIMA. 41I CHAPTER XXXIV. A SABBATH IN HIROSHIMA. The Sabbath is not entirely disregarded through the Japanese Empire. It is a holiday. Few indeed among the people of Hiroshima un- derstood its sacredness, but it was an advantage to the missionary to have it observed to the extent of being an official and school holiday. It gave the officers and pupils leisure for study of the Scriptures, and the old daimio" s house became the resort of those who wished to study the Jesus- way. One summer evening, when the rain had been pouring down all day, and the missionary had given up all thought of any more guests and had shut up the house for the night, he heard the familiar call at the door, and opened it to admit a grave-looking man of pleasing appearance. Hq had come up in the rain from the village. His parents were Buddhists, bitterly opposed to the teachings of the foreigners, but he had heard of the new religion and had come to learn for him- self. Since then, during the fall and winter even- ings, after the lamps were lighted and when the fire was crackling in the stove, a little company of learners had gathered around the table in the 413 KESA AND SAIJIRO. sitting-room to study about Jesus. The stranger who came in the summer rain attended faithfully himself, and sometimes brought others. Then Bible-classes for Sabbath mornings were started and a preaching service was asked for. Thus was the way opened for proclaiming the gospel in Hi- roshima. All this Mr. and Mrs. Levering told to Kei and Kesa the Sunday after they reached Hiro- shima. Several men from the village, with Owada, Masuda, Imai, and Noda, young men from the Government school, came in to the Bible-lesson, and the morning passed pleasantly. They were just beginning the study of Gene- sis, and Iwada read in Japanese, ^'In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. ' ' *'Ah, Mr. Iwada," said the missionary, *'the almighty God, the everlasting Father, created the world. Is this any harder to accept than your old belief that ' Isanagi ' made it?" *'No, sensei. There are many ridiculous sto- ries connected with Isanagi that Japanese who are not Christians do not believe," answered Iwada. They read on how God made the light and the expanse of heaven, the dry land and the seas, the grass and trees, the lights of heaven, fish and reptiles and birds, the beasts, and last of all man, and made them all *'very good.'* A SABBATH IN HIROSHIMA. 413 " Is there anything unworthy of our belief in all this, Mr. Owada?" '' No," answered the young student. "I wish more of our people would come and learn these truths," said one of the men from the town. "What does this mean, scnsciV^ asked Noda, and he read, "And God created man in his own image." "It refers," said the missionary, " to the spirit of man, which God made to bear a likeness to him- self in its power to know and think and w411 and love, but especially in the holiness of its thinking and willing and loving. Made thus in the image of God, man at first knew and loved and obeyed God. How he lost this holy likeness to God by disobedience we shall see in another lesson. When we learn that man was made to know and delight in God we cannot wonder that now he is restless and dissatisfied until he finds Him." "No, sensei ; many of the Japanese feel so," said Noda. The young men were much interested in the lesson and promised to think of it all at home. In the afternoon Kesa and Mrs. Levering sat for a while on the upper veranda. For miles and miles around them in every direction, in the val- leys and on the islands of the Inland Sea, w^ere the heathen people bowing to their false gods and worshipping their graven images. 414 KESA AND SAIJIRO. *'Are you not lonely sometimes, sensei?^'' asked Kesa. *' Yes, Kesa, sometimes. No one can be thus far away from home and friends and not feel lonely. Sometimes I even long for the storms and cold of northern climates and dream of ice and snow. But how is it with you, Kesa ?" *'0h, seiisci^ I do long sometimes so much for my home. I hope that I shall soon get a letter from my father and that he will tell me that I can come. ' ' " I hope so, dear. But I have been thinking to-day, sadly, I fear, of Sabbaths at home, of our grand churches and solemn music, and of how the multitudes go up to worship." "Would you rather be there than here, sen- sciV " No, dear child," was the hearty reply. Mr. Levering, wlio had joined them while his wife was speaking, said, "And I too have been thinkinof of the difference between Christian life here and at home, and I rather like this phase better than that. True, we cannot go up to the house of God with the multitude, have our souls uplifted by the music of the organ, join in the singing, or bow in prayer with the great congrega- tion; but we can as certainly have the presence of God, and our religion must be real heart- worship, without hypocrisy; there's no room for that here. When I look at the people in our plain churches, A SABBATH IN HIROSHIMA. 4:5 sitting Oil mats or on rude benches, and drinking in so eagerly the simple word of life, I cannot wish for more luxury, more elaborate displa}', more learned preaching." "Ah," said Mrs. Levering as her husband stopped speaking, " there are the boys coming to sing. Let us go down to the organ." Soon over the fields floated the old tunes, " An- tioch " and "Coronation," as both Americans and Japanese joined in the singing. 4l6 KESA AND SAIJIRO. CHAPTER XXXV. A BEAUTIFUL ISLE OF THE SEA. *' Do you think we can venture, Lynn?'* Mrs. Levering was standing at the gateway looking anxiously up at the clouds. Four jin- rikishas were waiting, and the missionaries, with Kesa and Kei, were all ready for a trip to Miaji- ma, the beautiful island down the coast. *' What dojvu think about it, Julius Caesar?" asked the missionary. *' Julius Caesar " was a coolie who bore a curi- ous resemblance to the pictures of the hero of that name in old Roman history. He now looked wisely at the clouds, scratched his ear, and an- swered, ^'' Dogii^ honorable master, the honorable rain comes not down to-day." The friends had relied on Julius Caesar's favor- able prophecy the day previous, when the clouds looked equally threatening, and had no occasion to regret their trust; so they had confidence in him again and started off. After crossinof several lonor bridcres and ridinof over some pretty fields they reached the little town Kusatsu. Here a few drops fell, followed shortly by a few more, and at last the rain came down in torrents. The road over which they A BEAUTIFUL ISLE OF THE SEA. 417 were travelling was the most romantic they had yet seen. Even in the pouring rain and the par- tially obscuring mist it Avas charming. On one side the sea, dark and stormy, dashed up against the shore; on the other towered a mountain half concealed by the fog. The roadway itself was very bad, being sandy and full of holes. It seemed as though it would all be washed away at no very distant day. At leuQfth the island rose before them like an im- mense sugar-loaf, with small cedar-trees growing on its steep sides in strange positions and at nearly regular intervals. "It is trying to lose so much of the beauty around us," said Mrs. Levering, as they went on in the view-obscuring storm, through green fields, and with the "everlasting hills" about them. The weather was forlorn enough when they reached the place where they were to take a boat for ]\Iiajima, and they went immediately to the landing:. "How much for a boat to Miajima?" asked ^Ir. Levering. "Seventy-five cents," said the boatman. "I will give you thirty cents," said Mr. Lev- ering. " Fifty cents," said the boatman. But the charge was too high, and the whole party went to the hotel, dried their clothes as best they could, and ordered dinner. They had Kwa »n<1 Sa-Jlro. 27 4l8 KESA AND SAIJIRO. rice and fish brought them, and while they were eating the expected message came; the sailors would go for thirty cents. It was almost dark when the party reached the landing to cross to the island, and the gray, rou2:h water did not look invitinof. The boat was tolerably large, but it had the usual low cabin, into which they crowded, and in which they could not stand upright. A single lantern swung from the cabin roof. After a time the moon came out and shone dimly through watery clouds, and as the rain had ceased, the party crept out of the cabin and stood on the deck, watching the scarcely visible shore and the dark water. It was a strauQre scene. The coolies, as they worked their oars, w^ere rap- idly chanting a peculiar strain and rocking their almost naked bodies backward and forward, while ahead loomed IMiajima, growing more and more distinct, until at last the boat struck the shore. A rope was thrown out, a plank was laid down, and the travellers crossed over and were in Mia- jima. As they turned to go up the hill a deer crossed their path and Kesa stopped to pet it. " How tame it is, scnsci^^^ she said. The landlord of the hotel to which they were going went out to meet them, politely ushered them into the best room, and brought tea and cold water. A BEAUTIFUL ISLE OE THE SEA. 419 While supper was being prepared the travel- lers sat on the veranda and viewed the place as well as they could in the darkness. At supper they talked with the landlord and landlady about Miajima and the deer. They passed a comfortable night on mattresses stuffed with cotton and placed on the floor, but all night long the rain poured in torrents on the roof and ran in streams from the eaves. In the morning the prospect was no brighter. " I do not fancy being shut up in a Japanese hotel all day," said Mrs. Levering; but the words were scarcely uttered wdien there came a cheering burst of sunshine, and the clouds all rolled away. ''Go to Momiji first," the landlord advised. This w^as a grove of maples, and as they went towards it beautiful views greeted their eyes in all directions. They came first to a place where a rapid mountain-stream rushed over immense rocks, making tiny cascades and whirlpools. A bridge crossed the stream, and the friends went over the bridge and clambered down on the rocks to a little tea-house built in the middle of the stream. There were chairs in the tea-house, but they all preferred sitting in Japanese fashion on the floor, so as to be near the water as it came hurrying and tumbling over the rocks. At the entrance of the beautiful grove Momiji was an old man selling toothpicks. "Please buy, honorable foreigners," he said 420 KKSA AND SAIJIRO. as the missionaries passed; and they bought some, the old man assuring- them that they were medi- cated and that one using them would never have toothache. The next visit was to an old temple, on the walls of which hung some curious pictures, and among them was one evidently given by the Dutch. It was a queer old picture, and they all looked at it with a great deal of interest. A king and queen were standing by the seashore with courtiers and maids of honor behind them, and a ship under full sail was just coming into port. The picture was painted in brilliant colors. *'That shows that we are in the country of the Dutchmen," said I\Ir. Levering, referring to the long residence of the Dutch in that part of the country. Then they clambered down some stone steps and made their way to the seashore, to see the famous torii^ or bird-rest, which is found in front of the temple gates. This is about the largest lorii in Japan. When the tide is full it is in deep water, but at this time it stood high and dry. ''It will not do not to stand under it," said Kesa; so off came her wooden clogs and short stockings, and she waded out in the shallow water, stood under the toj-ii^ looked up at the massive timbers, and smiled at the friends on the shore. The temple to which, this iorii was the entrance A EKAUTIFUL ISI,E OF THE) SKA. 42 1 was the most curious one they had ever seen. At high tide it also is in the water. It consists en- tirely of long open galleries with pictures on both sides. Some of these pictures were of wood, and carvings of animals and flowers attracted the at- tention of the travellers. "Oh, sensci^ here is another Dutch painting," called Kesa; and there, indeed, hung another one on the wall beside the antiquities of Japan. At the end of the last gallery was a bright- eyed little boy, who accosted them politely and asked them to buy some of his beans to feed the deer. Kesa bought some for a few cash and let the pretty creatures come up and eat out of her hand. But the day's bright hours were hurrying away, and the party wished to reach home by nightfall. So, returning to the pretty hotel, they called for a boat. Strange to say, although the day was perfectly clear, the sailors had a supersti- tion that on the next day there would be a great storm, and all the boats were put away in antici- pation of the hurricane. It was some time before the men could be per- suaded to bring out a boat, and the ladies spent tlie intervening time in exploring the hotel gar- den. At last a boat was obtained, and bidding farewell to the kind people of the inn, the travel- lers started homeward. The boat-ride was more pleasant than the dark voyage of the night before, 422 KHSA AND SAIJIRO. and they all sat on top of the cabin and watched the magnificent sunset. *' I wait for these sunsets every day, wonder- ing what new beauties will be disclosed," said Mrs. Levering, as they watched the grand display. Nearing the shore, they discovered Julius Caesar and his friends waiting for them, bowing and smiling on the breakwater. ''Truly, fine weather," said the coolies. "Truly, fine weather," responded the travel- lers, as they took their places in the jinrikishas. It was late when the friends reached the house by the river. "An honorable guest has arrived," said one of the servants as they entered the gates. Wondering who it could be, they went into the house, and Kesa stood face to face with her father. IIOMK AGAIN. 423 CHAPTER XXXVI. HOMK AGAIN» *' Honorable father!" *' My daughter!" Nothing more was said, and the low bows were very formal, but Kesa, looking into her father's eyes, felt that all was right. "It is in answer to IMitsu's and Chiye's pray- ers," she said afterwards; and she wept as she thought- of the love and patience of her sisters, the real affection of her parents, and her own way- wardness and ingratitude. ''God is good to me, sensei^ God is good," she repeated over and over; and ]\Irs. Levering in her heart thanked the Good Shepherd for thus fol- lowing his sheep. "How is the honorable mother? And the honorable sisters, are they well?" asked Kesa of her father when the first salutations were over. "The honorable mother and the honorable sisters are well, my daughter, and wait for your return," answered Fujisawa. Then the missionary and his wife came in and welcomed the guest, and all sat down to a cheer- ful dinner, served partly in Japanese and partly in American stvle. 424 KHSA AXD SAIJIRO. The few days that Fiijisawa spent in Hiro- shima were occupied chiefly in going about the town, in which he was much interested. He and the others went to see the workmen fashioning umbrellas and immense Chinese lanterns. They looked at the castle, and went again to visit Ni- gitsu, Iwahana, and beautiful Hijiyama. Mr. Levering told Fujisawa of the busy work in the cotton-fields during the previous summer, when all the people were gathering cotton and the whole town was white with the snowy balls. The day before Kesa and her father went away was sad for them all. Kei's brother, Nantaro, was released from prison, and had to receive his stripes. From the house, though all the doors and windows were closed, they could hear dis- tinctly the sound of the lash and the cries of the victim. Poor Kei shut herself in her room, and rocked to and fro and moaned, as the sound of her brother^ s agony reached her ears. *'/)^^?/," said the indignant Fujisawa, "such punishments are abolished by law." "I thought so," said Mr. Levering, "but it seems that the law is not enforced down here." Then Fujisawa told them of the great reform in the prison system throughout Japan, and gave some details of the horrors of Japanese prisons and punishments in former days. "The prisoners were crowded together in fil- thy places where they could not get a breath of HOME AGAIX. 425 fresh air," said he; "and heads were cut off by the dozen, the victims kneeling in rows, with hands tied behind them, each awaiting his turn. Heads were placed in the public thoroughfares, where all could see them." At last the terrible sounds in the prison-yard w^ere over. The gentlemen went with Kei and took charge of her brother. A bed had been pre- pared, and in less than an hour Kei sat by the suf- ferer's side, happy in once again being allowed to minister to the wants of her beloved Nantaro. The leave-takings were cheerful this time; Kesa felt glad to go home, and her teacher was thankful and hopeful for her. As the boat bore them away from the shore Kesa's eyes rested for a moment on the glory of the mountain-tops. '*It would remind Marion of the ' City of God,* " she said to herself Then she called her father's at- tention to some fishermen who were standing in the water casting their nets. They passed the little island Ujina. The water was bright and sparkling; all the hills were sunlit; they had a pleasant ride over a placid sea, and in due time reached the steamer, clambered up the side, and were soon going rapidly in the direction of Kobe. They saw the pretty city Tomo in the morning, stopped at a town on the great island of Shikoku, spent a whole day again among the lit- tle islands, and landed in Kobe at midnight. Then a sea-trip to Yokohama, a railroad journey 426 KESA AND SAIJIRO. of an hour to Toklo, a rattle tlirougli the streets of the city in a jinrikisha, and Kesa was at home again with her dear mother and sisters. "We prayed for you all the time, Kesa," said Chiye. And Kesa answered, " I knew it." Saturday afternoon had come, and Saijiro and Harukichi were in the little room that they had occupied together for so long. Saijiro was now almost nineteen years old. He was taller than the Japanese ordinarily are and very studious. He had nearly completed the course of studies in the school and was a young man of whom the ''mother in America" might well be proud. Harukichi had just laid down the sermon he had been studying. On the next day he was to preach for the first time as a regularly ordained minister in his own church in Tokio. By teach- ing and working during his entire theological course he had managed to support himself. "I wonder, Harukichi, how you have waited and have had patience all these years," said Sai- jiro. '' I could not have done it." ''You do not know, Saijiro. God gives us strength. But I cannot tell you how often I have felt my patience giving way. I long for my pa- rents, and I long for the time to come when I can have my beloved one to myself and when she and I can work together in this great harvest-field." IIOMK AGAIN. 427 But later on this Saturday afternoon, when Saijiro had gone off on some expedition with the other boys, Harukichi sat by the window in the twilight when two jinrikishas appeared, coming slowly along the road. At first he watched them mechanically; but as they drew nearer the figures in them seemed strangely familiar. Could it be possible ? Yes, surely ! Nearer and nearer they came, and Harukichi' s heart gave a wild throb and he hastened down to greet his father and mo- ther. The old lady literally lifted up her voice and wept. "My son, my son," she said, "we can live without you no longer and have come to see for ourselves. ' ' Oh, the happiness in the mission family that evening ! The news was carried from one to an- other, " Harukichi' s father and mother have come. The Lord has answered his prayers." Among those who heard Harukichi' s first ser- mon to his beloved flock the next day were his " honorable parents " and his heart's love, Chiye. 428 KESA AND SAIJIRO. CHAPTER XXXVII. SOME HAPPY DAYS. And now there came some bright, pleasant times for our friends. The Fujisawa mansion was all thrown open again and filled with children, who ran and laughed and shouted through the house and played in the garden; for Tama and T\Iesoburo came down from the north and brought Genski and his sisters — two dainty little ladies — and his baby brother. Almost the first thing Genski did after the salutations were over was to go to his aunt Chiye and whisper in her ear, " Honorable auntie, we all go to the mission-school and the honorable father and mother attend the mission chapel." And Chiye thanked God in her heart. Tama had not been in Tokio very long before she made a discovery. "Who is that young man who looks so often at Mitsu ? and why does he hang around the house and follow her to the church?" she asked. Then Kesa laughed and said, "Oh, that is Toichi, and we all make fun of him, he is so tall and awkward." But Mitsu said nothing. And it happened that one day two young men SOME HAPPY DAYS. 429 called on Fujisawa at the custom-house, one be- inq: the aforesaid Toichi and the other Haruki- chi. Toichi, being the elder, spoke first, and said, "Honorable sir, I know and esteem your daugh- ter, the honorable jMitsu. I am not wealthy and am engaged in Christian work, but I will love and protect her." And what answer did the high officer Fujisa- wa make? He knew something of Toichi, and he said, "My friend, if you will consent to come into my family, adopt my name and have your children bear it, and be to me as a son, you may have my daughter ]\Iitsu." For the husband of lonqf aofo was dead and JMitsu was free. Then Harukichi made his request and said, "Honorable high officer, some years ago you re- fused me your daughter Chiye on the ground of my parents' disinheritance of me. I have the pleasure to tell you that they have received me aq:ain as their son. I am now a Christian minis- ter settled over a church in Tokio. I am able to make your daughter comfortable and happy. Your honorable permission I crave." Then Fujisawa gave to Harukichi the beloved Chiye to be his wife. Not long after that day there was a double wedding in the Fujisawa mansion in the Kudan. Toichi and Mitsu and Harukichi and Chiye stood up before the venerable Makichi and promised in 430 KESA AND SAIJIRO. the name of the Lord to be faithful husbands and wives. Kesa was happy as a princess; and when Ma- kichi in his earnest prayer thanked the Lord who had given such grace and patience to these dear young people, tears rose to her eyes — not rebel- lious tears, but tears of love and peace. She slipped her hand into Mrs. Fielding's, saying, ''I wish Marion were here." Then came a pleasant year for Kesa at school, and both she and Marion finished their course of studies the next June. One happy day Kesa accompanied Marion's mother to Yokohama, and went out to the great American steamer in a sampan to meet and wel- come her young friend. *' Dear Kesa," said Marion when they had an opportunity to talk together, ''are you not yet a Christian?" And Kesa said, "I cannot be like Chiye, Maichan; Chiye is always the same, but my heart is often dark; but I do love the Lord who died for me, and I do think I am a Christian. I was wait- ing for you to come and now I will be baptized." So one August Sunday Kesa was baptized. Then, by Marion's side, she ate of the broken bread and drank of the poured-out wine, v/hile the presence of the Lord filled both their hearts with peace. CHRISTIAN HOMES AND WORK. 43I CHAPTER XXXVIII. CHRISTIAN HOMES AND CHRISTIAN WORK. One cold winter morning Fujisawa was in- dulging in a romp with liis little grandson, tlie child of ]\Iitsu and Toichi. The old home still looked bright and pleasant; Mitsu was well and liappy, and Toichi seemed very proud of her and the baby. **It is the time for the morning worship," called Toichi at last. "Will you not remain, honorable father?'* asked Mitsu. But Fujisawa shook his head and went off, al- though not at all angered. Then came the servants and the Qrentle mo- ther, who, although still worshipping her idols in secret, would always listen to Mitsu when she read the Scriptures to her, and attended family pray- ers and went occasionally to the meetings. Ke- sa followed her mother and some of the neighbors came in. Toichi read and explained a few verses of Matthew's Gospel and prayed, and then Kesa led in singing a Christian hymn. "Where are you going to-day, Kesa?" asked IMItsu, when the simple service was ended. "Thanks, honorable sister^ I am going to see 432 KESA AND SAIJIKO. Cliiye, and then to the girls' missionary meeting at the school," said Kesa. Chiye's house was near Shiba. Money in plen- ty was at Harukichi's command, but only so much as was sufficient to maintain his family in comfort did he retain. The rest was given freely to the work of spreading the gospel among the Japanese. When Kesa arrived at the pretty little house she called, *' Excuse me," and then pushed open the slides and went through to the back room, where Chive sat near a JiibacJii. Harukichi stood beside his wife, and in one corner a merry little girl was playing with some toys. The baby looked up and smiled when Ke- sa entered, and Harukichi and Chiye w^elcomed her with lovino^ words and looks. *' Where are you going to-day, honorable bro- ther?" asked Kesa. *' Thanks, young Saijiro and I go to the out- skirts of the city towards the west, to hold meet- ings, and shall be away all day. Good-by, dear wife ; good-by, honorable sister ; good-by, little one." *'It always seems so quiet and peaceful here, Chiye," said Kesa when Harukichi had gone. Then Chiye pointed to a long scroll on which was beautifully written in Chinese characters, *' Peace be unto this house;" and Kesa under- stood. Then came a cry at the door, and the servant CHRISTIAN HOMES AND WORK. 433 soon after entered with a letter lying on a beauti- ful lacquered tray. She stooped low to the floor and handed the tray to Chiye. Her pale cheeks flushed and there was a glad look in her bright eyes. " It is from Kei, Kesa,'^ she cried; and the sisters read the letter together. " Beloved, beloved, greetings in the Lord. I rejoice to tell you how blessed I am in my work. God has kept me in peace and in health, although I have travelled much over mountains and through valleys and in boats on the sea. The people listen gladly, and the work is blessed. Nantaro, my brother, goes with me and will not leave my side. I think he will soon believe. Pray for him. Please, your honorable prayers I crave. Compliments, compliments to the honor- able mother and sisters and to the honorable hus- bands. Compliments, compliments." Great was the rejoicing over this letter, and Chiye and Kesa read it over and over, while the baby Michi played in her corner. Early in the afternoon the two sisters took a jinrikisha for the mission-school, where Marion met them, and the three went together to a room consecrated by work and prayer for many a long 5'ear. Bright girls and pleasant-faced young wo- men gathered here, and after some opening exer- cises took out their work. Some were embroi- dering, some were dressing dolls, and others had plainer sewing. All the articles were to be sold KpKa iiBfl Sahi.o. 28 434 KESA AXD SAIJinO. for the benefit of some poor cluirch or Sunday- school, and the workers talked together pleasant- ly of what they had heard concerning the progress of the cause that they loved. *' Old Momo died trusting in Jesus," said one. '^Momoki believes," said another. A third had a sad tale to tell of one who had gone back to heathenism, and they all grieved, and prayed that the girl's faith might be restored. The subject for the day was their neighboring country, Corea. "Good news has come to us," said Kesa ; "work among the girls has begun in Corea. Some are already studying with the honorable foreign teachers, and some are learning to be nurses in the hospitals." Then Kesa, taking an English magazine, fluently read and translated an account of the good work begun among the women of Corea. A girl was then asked to thank God, and she said, "Dear Lord, we thank thee that thou hast been so good to the women of Corea, and we thank thee for the new schools in Osaka, Kioto, and Kanazawa, and we pray thee to bless the schools in Yokohama and in Tokio and all over the land. Bless the Bible-women and all the Christian workers all over the land. This we ask for the dear Saviour's sake." "I am never happy except when I am work- ino: hard," said Kesa to Chive as thev rode home CHRISTIAN HOMES AND WORK. 435 together in the jinrikisha. "I could never be quiet and suffer pain like you, and be happy." Then said Chiye, " I hope you will have some hard work given to you, Kesa." *'You and Mitsu do so much in speaking to the women and children and living such beauti- ful lives." True it was that Chiye and ^litsu found con- stant opportunities of usefulness in a quiet way, and many wandering ones were directed by them into the safe and happy path. Aka too was use- ful; she had long ago joined a class for married women, and what she learned she imparted to other women in her neighborhood. She was con- tented and cheerful, very different from the sad weeper of days gone by. Fusa, Chiye' s friend, was in a training-school for nurses; and slow Haru had found that medicine was her forte, and was studying to be a doctor. Connected with the various schools were kin- dergartens, and there were normal classes for the girls who wished to learn the system. Some of the older pupils taught the little ones; and there were Bible-readings, prayer-meetings, and schools for poor children — work in plenty for all. lyOok at Tokio on a Sunday morning not long ago. Kesa, Mitsu, Aka, and other Christian wo- men and girls are starting out to gather poor and outcast children for the Sunday-schools. To the fishermen's children, to \\\^ jinrikiyas'^ children, 43^ KESA AND SAIJIRO. to poor, blind, halt, and withered, they go; and by nine a large number are gathered together to hear the Christian teaching. Later come the great congregations to the churches; to the For- eign Concession, to the Kudan, to the Tori, to many a place in the suburbs, they flock, and all Tokio resounds with Christian hymns and the melody of organs and the voices of the under- shepherds as they tell of the love of the chief Shepherd for his sheep. And not only in Tokio, but in many other cit- ies of Japan — in Yokohama, in Hakodate, in Ki- oto, Osaka, and Kobe, and even in far western Kanazawa, the gospel is preached. On the Ha- kones, on the islands of the Inland Sea, every- where the good news is being carried, and hearts rejoice. Besides all this, many a little seed is dropped in private and many a heart in secret goes up to God in prayer. SAIJIRO S RKSOLVE. 437 CHAPTER XXXIX. SAIJIRO'S RESOLVE. The story of the Good Shepherd searching lor and leading home his lost sheep cannot be told too often, especially in this present age, when so many are looking for a better way than that marked out in the Vv'ord of God and a better leader than the Lord Jesus Christ. There are even those born in Christian lands wdio are trying to persuade men -that Buddhism is a better religion than Christian- ity. But what has Buddhism done for the world in comparison with the blessings of which Chris- tianity is the source? What is its art compared with Christian art? its music compared with Christian music? its science compared with Chris- tian science? its literature compared with Chris- tian literature ? its morality compared with Chris- tian morality? its charity compared with Chris- tian charity? What sins has it washed away, what fears has it banished, what tears has it dried, and what soul has it led safely through this world to that of which the gospel tells us? You have seen the great changes which have taken place since the spring day when Kesa came into the world and when Saijiro cried for his mo- ther on the mountain. But do not think that all 43^ KKSA AND SAIJIRO. the work is done. It is true there are schools, colleges, theological seminaries, normal classes, training-schools, mothers' classes, Bible-readings, prayer-meetings, and churches scattered through the land. The Bible has been translated into Japanese and some Christian literature has been given to the people. There are thousands of edu- cated young men and women, and scores of preach- ers and teachers; but the cry ever is for more la- borers, and the motto on the Christian banner is still, "Forward !" For the Japanese are num- bered by millions and the native Christians only by thousands. The number of idol-worshippers is appalling; and infidelity, as soul-destroying as superstition, is abroad in the land. One evening Harukichi and Saijiro stopped to rest after a day of labor at one of the temples in the suburbs of Tokio. The mountain child whom we first knew was now a strong, vigorous young man, just completing his course of studies in the theological seminary and ready to go to work. Harukichi had listened with joy and thankful- ness to his earnest talk that day to the crowds who had gathered to listen. " God bless you, my bro- ther," he had said as they left the preaching- place. But Saijiro was quiet and thoughtful and did not speak until the two were resting on the grassy slope in the temple enclosure; then suddenly he said, "Oh, my friend, I have thought over the SAIJIRO S RKSOLVK. 439 proposal made me to take charge of one of these city churches. It would be pleasant to work w^ith you and have you ever by my side, but my heart is in the mountain with my people, and to them I must go. ' ' Then Harukichi, although grieved to lose his young friend, stretched out his hand to him and said, "It is well, Saijiro; you have decided well; and the blessing of God be with you." But Saijiro had something more to say. " Oh, Harukichi," and he spoke with kindling eyes, "my heart goes out to the youngest daughter of the high officer Fujisawa, your beloved wife's sister. Dogit^ I have nothing but pov- erty and hard work to offer her. Do you think that I micrlit ask her to be mv wife?" Then Harukichi smiled wisely and said, "Ask her, Saijiro; and God be with you." A week or two later there had been a gather- ing of Christians in the grand temple enclosure Uyeno. The church members had held a solemn convocation. Hundreds had met to pray and talk and sing, and three hundred Christian women had come together and told of what the Lord had done for them. And now the crowds were dis- persing and the people were going back to their homes. In one corner of the temple grounds a little group had gathered, all friends whom we well know. There w^ere Mitsu and Toichi, with Sai- 440 KKSA AND SAPJIRO. kichi, their queer, bright little boy, between them, and Chive and Harukichi, with little Michi. Aka was near talking with Kojiro, still under in- struction in one of the missions, and not far away were Dr. and Mrs. FieMing and Marion; while Yenoske and Yen were arranging some baskets, and Cho was trying hard to help her mother. The sun was setting, and long beams of glory streamed through the trees. "It is time to go home," said Chiye at last; "but where is Kesa?" Harukichi smiled and pointed down the walk, saying, "See, dear wife." And, truly, there came Kesa and Saijiro hand in hand. When they reached the little group Saijiro said, "Rejoice with me, my friends, for Kesa has promised to be my wife and go with me to the mountain." Then the others crowded about the newly-be- trothed pair, and there was abundance of joy and well-wishinof. Chiye came and stood by Kesa's side, and when the others had ceased speaking she said, "You will have your longed-for hard work, dear sister. May the Good Shepherd be Avith you for ever!" And all the others responded, "Amen." GLOSSARY, AiNO, singular and plural. The aborigines of Japan. AiTCHU. The burden of a coolie's cry or song. Ama. a Buddhist nun. Amida. a title of Buddha. Baba. Grandmother, or nurse. Bakemono. a ghost. Bent. A pink coloring matter. Benten. The name of a goddess. Bento. a little wooden box. Bon. a Japanese priest. BoN-SAMA. A respectful title for a priest. Cash. A petty coin ; lo make a cent. Chan. A term of familiarity, added to the first syllable of a child's name or title. Thus "Kechan" means " Dear Kesa." Dai. Great, noble, exalted. Dai Butsu. A chief idol of Japan. Daikoku. a Japanese idol. Daikon. a large radish. Daimio. a territorial noble of former days. Dai Nippon. " Great Japan." DoGu! Alas! a common exclamation of surprise or sorrow. DzuKiN. A winter hood for females. FuRUSHiKi. A kerchief or scarf. Futon. A stuffed mattress. 442 KICSA AND SAIJIRO. Geta. a wooden shoe, Hai! Yes, or Look out! HiAKUNiNiSHiu. "One hundred poems," a collection very popular in Japan. HiBACHi. A brazier or fire-box. HoTOKE. A saint. JiNRiKisHA. A two-wheeled carriage drawn by men. JiNRiKiYA, singular and plural. Men who draw jinrikishas. Kago. a sedan-chair. Mikado, The title of the emperor. MocHi. Hard cakes made of rice. MusHi. The hot and wet season in Japan. Nippon. Japan. Oxi. Evil spirit, Saionara ! Farewell ! If it must be so ! Sake. An intoxicating drink made from rice, Sama. a title of respect to men, women, or idols. Samisen. The Japanese guitar. Sampan. A small boat. Samurai. The military class. San. a respectful title. Sensei. Teacher. Shaka. a title of Buddha, • Shogun. a military commander-in-chief. Tai-fu. a "great wind," or typhoon. Tai-kun. "Great ruler." Taykosama. " The great lord," the name of a famoi:s prince of old Japan. Toriye, or ToRii. A bird-rest before a temple. Yashiki, a gentleman's dwelling; and outbuildings in- closed. Yebisu. a Japanese idol. ZoRi. A sanda '^' !B00> Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide A,^ ^ « Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. O Treatment Date: April 2003 PreservationTechnologles * A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION o 111 Thomson Park Drive ' r CranberryTownship, PA 16066 .-i Q' (724)779-2111 *:.., '''■ HECKMAN BINDERY INC. /^^ APR 85 _ N. MANCHl J^^ INDIANA 46962 V . s • • ^ r> <>>^