Little Fountain of Sakanoshita

“THE honorable gentleman is fond of beautiful scenery.”

“Very fond of such scenery as this.”

“Ah! He will find it much better as we go forward.”

“Indeed ! ”

“ Truly, among the mountains it is surprising. May I ask where the gentleman will stop to-night ?”

“It does not matter; anywhere in this neighborhood.”

“ Has he (dana san) heard of Sakanoshita ? ”

“ Never.”

“Clearly not. Nobody — no foreigner— has ever visited it. At least none has ever stopped there.”

“ Is it remarkable ? ”

“Noblest sir, it is wonderful. Not because I live there ; no, in truth. It is the universal report. Everybody will say the same of Sakanoshita.”

“ Then how far are we now from it ? ”

“ One ri and eighteen cho.”

“ That is, about an hour and a half in time. Very well, we will stay there,

I suppose.”

“Thanks; really many thanks. It will not be possible to regret it. There is nothing like Sakanoshita.”

This conversation took place at three o’clock in the afternoon — a brilliant August afternoon — in a pretty village on the road from Kuwana, the northwestern port of the Bay of Isse, to Oötsu, at the southwestern extremity of Lake Biwa; which ancient thoroughfare anybody may easily find upon a good-sized map of Japan. My informant and adviser was one of the lads who drew my jin-riki-sha (man-powercarriage), — a species of vehicle which, first seen in Yedo in the fall of 1870, had, in less than two years, come into universal use in every part of the country where the roads were sufficiently level to render it practicable. It is little better than a cushioned chair upon a pair of wheels ; but, compared with the old-fashioned kago which it has displaced, is a triumph of luxury and convenience. By its aid the discomforts of travelling in the interior, except among the mountainous regions, have been almost entirely banished.

My leading “power-man” had for some time been attracted by the attention I had given to the growing beauties of the landscape, and had from time to time offered such passing information as it was in his power to bestow, with the simple freedom which among the humbler Japanese is never aggressive, and almost always welcome. On the other hand, his cheery humor, and the slight outward superiority to the average of his fellows which he exhibited had recommended him to my notice at moments when I was not engaged in contemplating nature on a larger scale. He was an excellent specimen of his class, stalwart, alert, and full of a natural, easy grace. Many a Japanese workingman is a very fair Apollo between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five, and after that he becomes a respectable Hercules. If European and American painters and sculptors want masculine models which they will not need to idealize, they may import them in abundance from this country, and from nowhere else, in these days, that I am aware of. This runner of mine was, apparently, a little over twenty, and, besides possessing all the good points of an antique statue, with vitality thrown in, had certain distinguishing marks, not likely to escape observation. His costume was primitive enough, but his waist-cloth, instead of being plain, as is generally the case, was of fanciful red and blue stuff ; and, which was very unusual, he wore cloth tabi. — half shoes, half socks, — and not the customary rough straw sandals. From these trifling indications, I gathered that he had a soul above the sordid considerations of his craft; and as I observed that he was occasionally addressed by his comrades, half satirically yet not with evil humor, as date-sha, or dandy, it was clear that, in spite of the limited capabilities of costume which he enjoyed, he had won a certain social fame in his humble sphere. And I afterward discovered that, among the simple mountaineers of Isse, he was quite as clearly the glass of fashion as he was indisputably the mould of form.

Before we started forward from the wayside cottage, I questioned him further : —

“ Is there a good inn at Sakanoshita ? ”

“ Many, sir, many. It was once a famous resting-place. In the old days it was almost always filled with noble lords. Yes, there are many inns, but there is one more excellent than all the others.”

His listening fellows chuckled, upon which he grew extremely red, but with confusion rather than with anger.

“And which is that?” I asked.

“The Fuku-ya,” he answered, glowing from his waistband to the extremest point ot his shaven crown, —the most comprehensive and unbroken blush that I ever had the opportunity of beholding.

The others laughed aloud, and he himself broke into a smile.

“ Why do they laugh ?”

As he gave no immediate answer, his partner for the day came forward and explained: “Dana San, he says ‘the Fuku-ya,’ because it is there that Koïzumi dwells.”

“ Indeed ! then who is Koïzumi ? ”

“ Koïzumi is the daughter of the house.”

“ She is a friend of mine,” added my pleasant colloquist, who had recovered his equanimity with characteristic rapidity.

“ A very pretty girl, no doubt.”

“ Sayo de gozarimasu ! ” assented the entire body of jin-riki-sha men in emphatic unison.

“ Come, this is really interesting,” said I; “we will certainly pass the night at Sakanoshita, and we will assuredly establish ourselves at the Fukuya ; and if we are fortunate, we will make the acquaintance of Koïzumi. That is settled. Forward — Hayan ! ”

We soon reached the edge of the mountains, and commenced an upward course which threatened to calm the impetuosity of some of our draft-men. But my young adviser seemed insensible to fatigue, and his spirits rose with the physical ascent. No amount of hard labor can ever conquer the goodhumor of a Japanese workman, and as we drew near our destination the entire party burst out into loud cries, and increased their pace until they had whirled us almost headlong to the gates of a stately but somewhat time-worn Yado-ya,¹ at the entrance of which, summoned doubtless by the approaching tumult, stood the landlady and her household, smiling and bowing as if our arrival had been the one ardently hoped-for event of their existence.

A few minutes later we were lying on the soft mats of the best apartment — the daimio’s room, we were explcitly informed — that the inn afforded, and gazing with genuine delight upon one of the loveliest scenes that this land of beauty contains. But it was still early in the day ; and as the journey had been less exhausting than usual, an exposition of activity fastened itself upon me. I announced a determination first to investigate the culinary resources of the establishment, and next to explore the village. I do not now pretend to deny what I did not then affirm, that a willingness to get a glimpse of the vaunted daughter of the house had some share in urging me forth. As I passed slowly through the kitchen, scrutinizing its appointments with, I flatter myself, well-affected earnestness, I observed a rosy-cheeked young girl, engaged in rapid discourse with my favorite runner. Well, she was certainly pretty enough ; there was no danger of disappointment in that direction. My presence was at first unnoticed, and I was greatly entertained to hear the manner in which I was heralded by the enthusiastic and imaginative youth. “ A very noble gentleman,”he declared; ‘‘a gentleman of the highest possible foreign rank ; a great lord ; a celebrated officer of the government; a mountain of dignity and a river of affluence ; one thousand riyos a month, no less, I know it and have seen it, have seen it with these eyes”; and an infinite deal more to the same fanciful effect. He was enjoying his brilliant fictions to such an extent that I had not the heart to interrupt him, and passed out by a side passage, leaving him to the benefit of the impression he was endeavoring to produce by wildly exaggerating the importance of one of the guests he had introduced to the house.

A short ramble, a wholesome plunge into a mountain stream, and supper from imported tins, wound up the chapter of that day. Then, early bed, and sound repose, in spite of casual and not wholly inanimate interruptions. Dreams soothed to gentle images by the music of a hundred brooks and myriads of chirping semi, whose voices are heard only in the forests of Japan.

Such a breezy, hearty, radiant next morning. A morning suited to the place. The very day, of all summer days, for a tramp over and about the valley. The young jin-riki-sha man should be our guide. Let him appear. What ho — and so forth !

We had not risen, but thus early was the plan of the day determined upon. Again we shouted, but no familiar voice was heard in response. Presently, however, a sliding door was pushed aside, and a pair of bright eyes — the eyes of Koïzumi — looked in upon us.

“By jove!” exclaimed my travelling companion, whom I have discourteously omitted to mention until this moment, “ what a nice girl ! ”

“Hum ; tolerably,” I answered, with crafty dissimulation; but the cold corroboration was not received with composure.

“Why, she is a little beauty ! ” said my friend, with unnecessary emphasis.

“ Yes, I suppose so,” I remarked, continuing to dissemble, like the deep conspirator of a melodrama ; “ where is my charioteer ? ” I added, addressing the new-comer, who still stood at the half-open door.

“ All, Yamadori,” she replied ; “ does the gentleman want him ? ”

“So, Yamadori is his name. I say, Jaudon, did you ever hear anything like it ? My jin-rika-sha fellow calls himself ‘Mountain Bird,’ and his sweetheart, here, is ‘Little Fountain.’”

“Very appropriate.”

“Well, Little Fountain, we do want Yamadori, we want him instantly.”

“Extremely sorry, gentlemen, but he has gone back to Kamayama.”

“ What, gone back ? Why, I must have him. Who is to take us on ? Besides, he has n’t been paid.”

“ O, he spoke about the payment, and said if the dana would give it to me to keep for him it would be all the same. And, any way, Yamadori could not go on with you. He takes travellers only from Sakanoshita to Kameyama and back.”

“ What nonsense ! As to the payment, it is a trick, and he does not believe it will be the same. He thinks your smiling face will get him a double fare. Well, truly, I will not pay at all. I will pay nothing. I will even go and, complain to the Nanoshi ” (village magistrate).

The girl laughed merrily. “ Nanoshi knows what Yamadori is obliged to do.” Then she grew preternaturally grave. “ But, with regard to the trick, we are incapable of it.”

“Of course, of course, Little Fountain ; I am joking, but at the same time I am very angry. I like Yamadori, though I did not know his name ; and I wanted him to show me everything about this valley to-day. ’T is a pity he did not speak to me about going,”

“ ’T is a pity the gentleman did not speak to him about staying. A traveller wished to start this morning ac sunrise. Not a wealthy traveller and high officer like you, but nevertheless— And I am glad you like Yamadori. Everybody likes him.”

“Except Little Fountain,” I suggested. “ Except me, certainly. But he will be back to-night.” “ O, will he ? I say, Jaudon, do you hear that ? He will be back tonight.” “ And we shall be in Kioto, I hope,” replied my ambitious friend.

How long and how earnestly I labored to dissuade him from pursuing the journey with such violent haste, I need not here recount. He did not mind a day, he declared, provided it was to be devoted to a purpose ; buthere was a proposition to surrender twenty-four valuable hours to utter idleness, with the prospect of an equal delay to follow. It would not do ; his mind was made up. For my own part, I was as fully resolved to linger. In the first place, I had been scorched so long on the Tokaido that I wanted a day or two of shady rest. In the next, I wanted to see more of this charming valley, which was unquestionably the most beautiful spot I had encountered, even in Japan. In the third, I wanted to confer upon a particular subject with Yamadori; I have always had a passion for picking up good-looking servants in various parts of the land, and I meditated luring this brisk mountaineer to my distant home in Yedo. Lastly, there was that about Koïzumi which promised innocent entertainment, as well as opportunity for acquiring facility in the dialect of the old provinces, which I suddenly discovered was essential to the complete enjoyment of a visit to the ancient capital of the realm.

So we parted cordially, I promising to push on to Kioto within three days, — a promise which, as I had no purpose of keeping it when I made it, there could be no possible wrong in breaking. At nine o’clock I was left alone, so far as the society of my own countrymen was concerned, in the heart of Japan, And alone I remained, I may as well here give notice, for seventeen consecutive days.

As the morning advanced I took measures to establish confidential relations with the members of the family, with the view of making myself as familiar as might be with the surroundings. From the beginning Koïzumi was of infinite service to me. She was solicitous for my comfort, and expressed concern lest I should be disturbed by fleas. I admitted that their presence had already become more than a matter of suspicion on my part, whereupon, in a burst of candor, she declared her satisfaction that I had not questioned her on that point the evening before ; “ because, of course, I should have had to say there were no such things connected with our house.” When pressed to disclose why the necessity for deception had existed then, and disappeared to-day, she said it was evident that I had determined to remain awhile, so it was useless to disguise the truth any longer. But I was not to suppose that they were very prevalent, or that carelessness was the cause of their coming ; they would begin to thrive when houses grew old and chambers went long unoccupied. “ And we have very few visitors now,” she added, with a sigh. In fact, I very soon learned that no stranger had stopped more than a single night, either at this house or any in the hamlet, for many months past.

While I was gathering in all this and other information, I was carefully recording in my mind the various details of the little maid’s personal appearance, and greatly regretting that I had no mastery of the pencil, to fix the recollection more worthily and surely. There was no exaggeration in my friend’s eulogiums. She was a little beauty; though why he said “little,” and why I echo him, I am not altogether sure. Little for a Japanese, she probably was not. I should say her height was about five feet. In fact, not to deceive anybody, I happen to know that it was exactly five feet, and that is considerably above the feminine average in the East. But we six-footed foreigners get easily in the way of applying diminutives to the gentle daughters of this land, and I have not yet heard that they are offended at it. Koïzumi was five feet tall, with a lithe and slender figure, and, being a working-girl, although the “daughter of the house,” had a freedom and a grace of movement which the “ quality ” do not always possess, chiefly, I think, because of their wrapping themselves so tightly all the while in their closeclinging robes. Naturally, there are no figures more perfect than those of the Japanese young women. The children, up to the age of fourteen, or as long as they have the free use of their limbs, are models of symmetry. About that time they begin to fasten long garments about their hips, the effect of which is to impede their gait, and give them an awkward shamble. In course of time it does worse, arid interrupts the development of their legs and thighs. Among the laboring class, an additional misshapening is accomplished by the practice of carrying burdens, from an early age, upon the back, for the support of which broad straps are passed over the shoulders and crossed in front, pressing directly upon the breasts. When a Japanese girl reaches the age of sixteen without having undergone either of these processes of deformity, she is a wonder to the eye and remains so until twenty-five, or possibly a little later. Then she ceases to charm, for a certain period, in any way excepting by her manner, and that is generally preserved to the last. But as she grows old she has a chance of becoming quite delightful again. There is nothing nicer than a dignified and white-haired old Japanese lady. She is always happy, for she is always much respected and cherished by her youngers, and at a certain age the natural high-breeding of the race appears in her to attain its crystallization. Whatever her station in life, she is almost always sure to suggest an idea of ancient nobility, and to be surrounded by the atmosphere of an Oriental Faubourg St. Germain.

My heroine’s middle position in life at once relieving her from heavy drudgery and emancipating her from the perpetual constraint of fashionable dress, was thus favorable to her aspect, viewing her from our settled stand-point. I have no doubt that if her own secret convictions could have been detected they would have been found unflattering, at least to the extent of believing that her freedom from the pinched and contracted gait of the majority of her countrywomen was a disadvantage, and not a charm. Of course we are all aware that no similar caprices of taste ever reveal themselves in the Western world. Koïzumi’s private griefs, however, if she had any on the subject, did not concern me. Her possible fancies could be overlooked, so long as she herself remained so agreeable a fact. As to her countenance, it was of the best Japanese type, — that type which defies ethnologists and outfaces the Mongolian theory with noiseless but convincing argument. Her complexion, though dark, was luminously clear ; eyes round and flashing in animation, drooping and “ long-drawn out ” in quietude; firm but sweet-tempered mouth, with teeth within, the thought of whose chance future blackening made one thrill with horror ; nose not too severe in regularity, and somewhat resolute chin ; dimples ad libitum, by way of relief to any passing shade of sternness ; face of exact oval shape, set off by piquant little ears, the lobes of which did not detach themselves, as those of our race generally do, from the cheek ; the whole, of course surmounted by a combination of the capillary fantasies of her nation, and presenting altogether such a picture as I hope, to put it with extreme mildness and moderation, I may live to see again.

Having extracted in a short time a large amount of local information from my quick-tongued little hostess, — she was as voluble as she was vivacious in all other respects,— I sauntered abroad to make practical use of it. But in this I was not altogether successful. The villagers overflowed with politeness, but were too much occupied with their usual avocations to go far out of their way to serve me. The children made the conventional pretence of timidity, and perhaps really felt it in this case, the sight of a foreigner being a remarkable, and to some of them an unprecedented experience. So I presently found my way back to the Fukuya, where I set about inquiring, with some impatience, when my Mountain Bird would return to his roost. Koïzumi and her mother were very sorry, but he was not expected before the evening. As I showed signs of increasing dissatisfaction, I was requested to explain the particular duty I wished him to perform, as it might lie within their resources to supply a substitute. When I explained that what I needed was a guide to all the notable places of the neighborhood, the household brightened visibly, and Koïzumi mère hastened to assure me that although there really were no notable places about Sakanoshita, yet the whole locality was as familiar to all of them as to Master Yamadori. Singly or collectively they were at my disposal. Stay, she would go herself.

“ But, Obasan (aunty),” I interfered, “ with your age and domestic responsibilities, I could n’t think of putting you to such inconvenience. Possibly some one of the young people, now— ”

“ To be sure ; there are Takewo and Amegawa, and then here is my daughter ; but she is a child and might be troublesome.”

On reflection, I concluded that the child would not be troublesome, —not oppressively troublesome, — and after a brief delay for hiru-gohan (the noonmeal), we started forth, Koïzumi enraptured at the prospect of exhibiting the beauties of her home, and I at once contented and expectant.

Undoubtedly she was a better pioneer than the Bird would have been ; not only more agreeable, but practically better suited to my purpose. She was an enthusiast, full of sympathy, and, although she had always been a homekeeping maid, had anything but homely wits. Suzuka Yama was the name of the mountain in the lap of which Sakanoshita ² nestled, and before nightfall we knew most of its open roads, and a few of its more secluded pathways. When Yamadori came in with highpressure speed and spirits, a little after sunset, he heard with intense satisfaction of the temporary engagement into which his sweetheart had entered, and, without being consulted, approved its indefinite extension. He entered voluntarily into a commercial statement of the case. If he remained at home to pilot me about the country, he could expect no better reward than that which he might otherwise gain in his normal pursuit ; whereas the assumption of the charge by Koïzumi would prove an additional source of revenue, quite unlocked for, and tending to expedite connubial projects, the fulfilment of which was still undefined in the obscurity of the future. But at this development of thrift the matron became grave, and said that the honorable guest was entitled, by every tradition of hospitality, to the free command of all that she or hers could offer ; and Koïzumi looked a little ashamed, and threw a reproachful glance at her swain, who, seeing that his speculative boldness had betrayed him into an indiscretion, went away and hid himself for upwards of an hour.

It was, however, subsequently settled that the young man should continue to exercise his calling, and that Little Fountain should complete the work she had commenced, of instructing me in the geography of her district. Three days were sufficient to enable me to proceed on my explorations alone, with no danger of getting lost, and after that time I gave myself up to unrestrained mountain and forest revelry. It is a melancholy thing that words, at least such words as I can invoke, are so incompetent to reproduce the living beauty of this radiant Japanese scenery. There is nothing like it. I see no opportunity of even a suggestion by comparison. One charm is its endless and often abrupt variety. Another is its vivid and comprehensive clearness, due to the marvellous purity of the atmosphere. But what I find most winning of all is its quality of familiarness. No matter how infinite its wonders and glories, you may feel yourself on friendly terms with it from the first moment, and are never afterward repelled or dismayed by any sense of rigorous austerity. There is none of the cold severity which at times chills the generous influences of Switzerland. The gloom of bleak or barren grandeur is very rare, for the ruggedness of the mountain-tops is softened by verdure rising almost to the summits, — the desolation line being higher than in Europe or America. The character of the landscapes seems to be like that of the inhabitants. The valleys are always smiling to receive you, and the bamboo-crested hills are always nodding a welcome. I do not think it would be possible, for any length of time, to maintain perfectly easy relations with the Alps. Who would venture to take a liberty with Mont Blanc ? But there is not a peak in all Japan with which you might not, at sight, exchange a good-natured jest ; excepting, perhaps, Fuziyama, which, with all its feminine gentleness of demeanor, has a reputation for solemn majesty and lordly supremacy to sustain, and frowns upon frivolity or license.

Sakanoshita represents all that is most bewitching in Japanese life. It has no startling accessories, like the torrents at Nikwo. — one of which plunges from a lofty lake over a precipice one seventh of a mile in height, — and is guarded by no Vulcan’s giants like those which hover about Hakone ; but it is crowded with natural fascinations which, if not altogether so stately, are far more captivating. The people are Utopian ; simple, affectionate, spirited, and ignorant, rather than innocent, of crime.³ It was a pleasant fiction with them to pretend that the presence of a stranger added a new interest and vitality to existence in the valley ; and it was a pleasant fact with me to take it all for granted. Day after day passed along, the calmness of life diversified only by an occasional impatient note from my friend in advance, who, with every artifice of persuasion endeavored to drag me forward. But I was too thoroughly at my ease to stir. Perfect contentment, for one unbroken week, was the prevailing sentiment of the little circle in which I moved, — I lazily, the Obasan maternally, Yamadori gallantly, and Koïzumi coquettishly contented. Not a ripple on the surface of our satisfaction with ourselves and one another.

At the end of that period, I fancied that I detected slight indications of change. Nothing ominous, certainly not menacing, but still noteworthy to an observer of the fluctuations of rustic temper. They first exhibited themselves in a reluctance, on the jin-rikisha runner’s part, to undertake long journeys from home, unexpected returns, at hours antedating those announced and agreed upon, a tendency to superfluous personal finery, wholly at variance with the economic principles of the head of the hostelry, and a fictitious exuberance of manner which contrasted disadvantageously with the previous accustomed spontaneity. Koïzumi’s attention being called, one day, to these trifling phenomena, she assumed a droll expression and withdrew to a corner conference with a cousin of her own sex and age, in which interchange of soul giggling predominated. It did not appear to concern me at all, nor should I have attached any significance to Master Yamadori’s wavering moods, but for a circumstance that brought them directly under my attention. Near the Yado-ya was a fine little river in which I was accustomed to amuse myself every afternoon, stray villagers sometimes looking on, with no particular purpose, from a bridge above. On one occasion Koïzumi was among the spectators, and in the evening she greatly terrified me by proposing that I should teach her to swim.

I assured her that it would be altogether too difficult ; that, in fact, it was impossible.

She could not understand that at all. “ You can swim better than anybody,” she was pleased to say.

“Undoubtedly,” I answered; “but it is one thing to know how to swim, and another to know how to teach others to swim.”

Koïzumi accused me of sophistry.

“And moreover,” I urged, “ I do not speak Japanese well enough, as you ought to be aware.”

Koïzumi politely intimated that that was absurd, and added that it was immaterial to her whether she acquired the art of natation upon the Japanese or English system, She had no antiforeign prejudices. There were no edicts against adopting Western science to that extent, at least, and mere bathing was not necessarily baptism.

“Here is Yamadori,” said I ; “he will teach you by and by, after you are married.”

She tossed her pretty head. “ When I want anything, I want it immediately.”

“ Well, he will teach you any time you like, then, I suppose.

“Yes, certainly,” assented Yamadori, with eagerness ; “ I will teach you immediately.”

“ That is nonsense, Yamadori ; you do not know how to swim yourself.”

“Koïzumi, it does not matter,” he retorted ; “ I will learn to-morrow, or the next time I go to Kuwana. I will go on purpose.”

But destiny decreed that the young enthusiast should not see Kuwana on the following day, or for many days to come. He started at an early hour, with a “fare” for Kameyama, promising to return at three o’clock, by which I understood him to mean, from recent experience, a little after noon. On this occasion, however, he was better, or worse, than his word. I had been wandering in the afternoon with my pleasant companion, carefully avoiding all streams of suggestive magnitude, and came out, toward sundown, upon the main road, where, to the amazement of both of us, Yamadori presently appeared with a most dejected visage, entirely alone, dragging no wagon behind him.

“ Why, my lad, what is the matter ? ”

“ Where is the kuruma (vehicle) ? ” said Koïzumi, who, though on affection bent, had yet a frugal mind.

Yamadori sat down in the middle of the Tokaido, resting his weight upon his heels, which is the common attitude of Japanese repose, and began to cry.

“ Come,” said I, “ this will not do. Koïzumi, tell him to get up and speak.”

She responded by sitting down, likewise, in the middle of the Tokaido, upon her heels, and crying in obligato.

“ Well,” said I, much bewildered,

“ if there were only one of you going crazy, I might be successful in consoling. Under the circumstances I shall leave you to console each other.”

This was because I felt convinced that something really serious must have happened, according to their measurement of seriousness, and that I should be doing them the best favor by ostensibly making light of the mysterious catastrophe, and giving them an opportunity for comforting communion. At the same time it made me very uneasy to see my favorites overcome by such an unusual excess of emotion. Except through the imagination, a Japanese is not easily moved to a display of grief. He will mourn over the sorrows of a hero of romance and utterly dissolve before theatrical representations of human woe ; but in the affairs of his own life he is apt to be a stoic.

I went back to the inn alone, and sat in the gateway, waiting for the return of the young couple. It was not long before they reappeared, but they did not immediately enter the house. After a little low conversation outside, Koïzumi turned and came in-doors alone, while Yamadori moved on toward the upper end of the village.

“ Well, my child,” said I, as she passed me, “ if you can tell me what the matter is, pray do. Tell me whenever you like.”

She looked anxiously at me, paused a moment, then shook her head, and went in, out of sight.

Presently she reappeared, and knelt down very submissively,— which, I should say, is a form of courtesy, and not of humiliation, — and said she hoped I would excuse her if she had been rude, but her heart was very heavy.

“ Poor Little Fountain ! ” said I ; “ but if you do not tell me what it is, how can I help you ? ”

“ So I would willingly, and I wish to,” she replied, “but Yamadori says I must not.”

Of course, the instant I heard this, I became abnormally eager to know, and determined to use every effort to that end ; so I hinted with sarcastic bitterness that, oh ! if she thought I was not her friend, and if Yamadori was disposed to forestall his matrimonial authority to the extent of shutting her out from the sympathy of the world, and she was content to suffer such tyranny, there was nothing more to say, and I would go and pack my portmanteau at once, — which was about as cruel a thing as I ever did in my life, and for which I was punished, as soon as I saw the piteous expression of her face, by a conviction of meanness that made me long to inflict upon myself the Japanese penalty to which Yamadori had been driven on the second night of my sojourn, and withdraw to inaccessible solitudes.

She looked at me intently for an instant and then, with a sigh, said that I misunderstood her, and also misunderstood him. But she could tell me a part of the misfortune ; in fact, all about that. There was only a small something connected with it which she was forbidden to divulge. And then the worst of it came out. In hurrying to get back to Sakanoshita before his time, Yamadori had run too rapidly around a dangerous corner, had upset his jinriki-sha over a rocky ledge, and broken it to irremediable smash.

“ Is that all ? ” I asked, composed-

ly.

“ All ! ” she cried, and her eyes actually opened to that extent that they became oval in the wrong direction, that is perpendicularly, — “all ! Is it not enough ? ”

“ But he was not hurt.”

“ Hurt, no ; he is not the man to cry because he is hurt. But the jin-rikisha.”

“Ah, there was a passenger.”

“ I do not know. I believe so. I forget.”

“ And was he hurt ? ”

“How should I know? It is the jin-riki-sha that we are thinking of. Almost new ; it cost fifteen riyos at the beginning of the fifth month.”

“ I see,” said I, endeavoring to enter into her view of the subject, “and he cannot buy another.”

“Buy another! Oya, oya! How could he ever buy one ? Did you think it was his? O, no, sir, Yamadori is very poor. He has never had fifteen riyos in his life, not all at once. All the jin-riki-shas in Sakanoshita belong to the merchant Sakurai, the wealthiest man of our town, the Nanoshi ; Yamadori has gone now to tell him. What shall we do ? ”

Gradually it dawned upon me that in a sequestered little community like this, where trade had hardly ever been known, where husbandmen wrung their subsistence from the soil with ceaseless labor, and where industry was of necessity so slightly rewarded that the daily wages of the most assiduous toiler could not exceed half a bu, or about twelve cents, an accident like this which had befallen the lad might be nothing less than a calamity. As I was turning this new phase of the business in my mind, and trying to fix upon some appropriate observation, I remarked, casually and indifferently, and with no definite purpose of any kind, “ What on earth made him run so fast ? ”

“ Ah,” said Koïzumi, shrinking back, “ that is what I am not to tell you.”

It is extraordinary how a habit of despotism will grow upon us. I had been exercising unlimited sway over this establishment for several days to my own complete satisfaction, and apparently to that of the inmates. Having been monarch of all I surveyed, I resented the idea that there should be any my right to dispute. So, although it is not exactly pleasant to confess it, I drew into my shell again. I made no further allusion to portmanteaus, not having the pluck to risk a second reproachful gaze from these great sorrowful eyes. But I said, with considerable asperity of tone, “Why, Koïzumi, will you not tell me ? ”

“ I cannot. He would be angry.”

“ Who, Master Yamadori ? I should like to see him angry with me ! ”

“No, no; not with you, but with me. He would only be ashamed with you.”

“ Why should he be ashamed, then ?”

“ But that is what I must not say.”

“ Listen to me, Koïzumi. I really want to know.”

“ Truly, I cannot.”

“ Listen to me, I say — ”

“ I will ask him, and if he permits me — ”

“ If you will not listen to me, there is an end to everything. Never mind about asking him. Tell me all about it before he returns, because I want to think of some plan by which you shall be able to make it all right for him without any delay.”

“ It is very kind, and I thank you ; but I cannot.”

“ As you please,” said I, in dudgeon, and walked out of the gate and began to climb the hill. I suppose I was firmly convinced at the time that my urgency was solely in my little friend’s interest, and that I alone was aggrieved by her dauntlessness, while she suffered nothing from my persistence.

The Nanoshi lived at the upper end of the village, and, as I drew near his house, Yamadori issued forth, still in deep discomfiture. He looked shyly at me, and seemed disposed to avoid my side of the road. Being still huffily inclined, I made no effort to check his homeward progress. Influenced by a new idea, however, I walked straight to the Nanoshi’s door, and, summoning a servant, sent in a message requesting an interview. In an instant the worthy elder was on the threshold, profusely hospitable and polite, and proposing tea and biscuit with an eagerness that would not be denied. This exactly suited my sudden purpose ; a moment later I was seated in the midst of his abundant family, exchanging broadsides of compliment with the entire group.

After this inevitable prelude, I proceeded to the object of my call. The Nanoshi was good enough to give me the freest information concerning the matter in hand. The jin-riki-sha business was not without its hazards, as Yamadori’s mishap had proved. An operator, even upon so humble a scale as his own, ran serious risks. By careful management he had accumulated four of these costly vehicles, during the past six months, and now one of them, the most recent of the lot, had been sacrificed. Of course it was not the boy’s fault ; he knew that, and was not disposed to be hard upon him, but what could he do ? One fourth of his wheeled capital destroyed by carelessness ; at least he supposed it must be carelessness, for he could not get any satisfactory explanation of the cause of Yamadori’s excessive haste. Yes, he had kagos, a dozen of them ; but kagos were only used now for crossing the mountain toward Lake Biwa. Nobody would think of using them on level ground in this age of progress. It would cost him two months’ profits to get another kuruma, for people were mistaken in supposing him to be a man of superfluous means ; he was only prosperous according to a village standard, and even when he should get one, could he venture to confide it to a young man who had that day shown himself unworthy of so grave a responsibility ?

I asked if Yamadori had ever before been found wanting.

“ That he has not,” interposed a brisk young lady of twenty, who sat in a corner; “he is the best boy in the province.”

“My daughter is forward,”said the Nanoshi, “ but, making certain allowances, she is just. Yamadori has hitherto been above reproach.”

“And he is very popular and swift,” added the young girl, “ and brings in as much money as any two of the others.”

“ I was about to say so,” remarked her father, “ in language not less convincing though possibly less violent.”

“ I should think, then, Master Nanoshi, that you might venture to stand by him again.”

“ Since the gentleman is good enough to be interested in him, I would willingly do so; but I cannot afford to purchase another jin-riki-sha within less than two months, and certainly I cannot dismiss one of my men who has done no wrong, to accommodate another who at least has been awkward and unskilful.”

“ Meanwhile, he may starve,” said the impetuous advocate in the corner.

“ Nobody starves in Sakanoshita,” said the Nanoshi, severely ; “ such a thing would be a sorrow to the people ; it has never been heard of and never will be.”

I began to fear that the energetic young lady would injure my cause, but felt grateful nevertheless for her support. “ Can nothing be done ?” I asked, after a minute’s pause.

“ I might put him upon a kago,” said the old man, reflectively.

“ A kago ! and give him a hump,” exclaimed the daughter.

“ A hump on the shoulder is better than emptiness in the belly,” said the worthy magistrate ; “ I can do no better. I wish I could, for I like the lad, as everybody does.”

“ I am obliged to you, Master Nanoshi, and especially obliged to your amiable daughter. Yamadori will be pleased to learn that he has had so charming and effective an advocate.”

The young lady came forward to the light and revealed a countenance the gratification in which was unmistakable. I was pleased at having produced an agreeable effect, and determined to improve it. “ And Koïzumi, too, will be very thankful,” I added. But this, alas ! was a failure, an unquestionable anti-climax. The young lady’s face grew as long as one of her own sleeves, and her brow as dark as the obscurity from which she had emerged. “ I suppose the kagos are too good for him, after all,” she remarked, and turned away pettishly. In taking the last extra step I had clearly put my foot in it. Nothing, however, could be gained by prolonging the conversation, and observing that I was glad to have the Nanoshi’s promise, I formally withdrew, wondering a little, but not much, at the daughter’s variable temper.

They keep early hours in Sakanoshita. I saw nobody but a servant when I returned to the Fuku-ya, and heard nothing of the absorbing topic until next morning, when, as I was dressing, Yamadori presented himself, and begged to know if I could listen to him for a few minutes. I told him I should be very glad, and be came in, but was even more embarrassed than he had previously appeared. After several false starts he began, with many halts and hitches, to say that Koïzumi had told him I wished to know the reason of his ruinous haste the day before, and that, though suffering from profound mortification, he was prepared to inform me. I instantly became unreasonable and autocratic again. “ I do not wish to hear it,” said I. “ except from Koïzumi herself ; she offended me by refusing to tell me yesterday, and I cannot suffer any such evasion as this.” To my surprise, the lad seemed much relieved, and went hastily away to report my determination.

I did not see the little delinquent, as I chose to stigmatize her, for an hour or more. At last she came, looking prettily penitent, and declared herself ready to submit to my commands in all things. Whereupon, like most despots under similar circumstances, I became extremely gracious, called for tea and jelly, and invited her to be as confidential as she pleased.

“ Now that Yamadori has consented,” she began, “ I am ready enough. But it is a very little thing. He would much rather have me tell than be obliged to do it himself. You may laugh at him, but I hope you will not be angry.”

“ Very good, Koïzumi ; for your sake I will not be angry.”

“ And, after all, I am the one that is really to blame.”

“ As to that, Koïzumi, we shall see.”

“ The truth is — ” Giggle.

“ Well ? ”

“ He was hurrying home — ” Many giggles.

“ Go on.”

“ Because he was afraid you would be teaching me to swim.” Countless giggles.

“ Bless us ! ”

“ Yes ; and what is more, he is— ”

“What?”

“Jealous, and has been for several days.”

“ Koïzumi, this is very dreadful.”

“ Is it, indeed ? I know little about

such things. But I hope you are not angry.”

“ No, Koïzumi, I am not. That is, not exactly angry. Certainly not with you, nor yet with Yamadori. But — on the whole, you are a good and faithful little girl. I have a great regard for you. Your obedience to your betrothed is extremely praiseworthy. I should have liked it just as well if you had not told me at all.”

“ But, dear sir, you insisted.”

“ So I did. And what is to be done now, I wonder?”

“ Well, there is something else to be said, and this is indeed difficult. The other was nothing, it was only Yamadori’s fancy ; but now, truly, I am almost in despair.”

“ Koïzumi,” said I, “ it does not appear that the result of my endeavors to force you to betray confidence has been eminently happy ; if your betrothed has again forbidden you —”

“ Yes, he has forbidden me.”

“ Then say no more ; I excuse you.”

“ He has forbidden me, but that is nothing.”

“You amaze me. How can it be nothing to-day, when yesterday it was everything ? ”

“ Gentle sir, it is wholly a different matter. To begin with, a great deal of time has passed since yesterday. Next, Yamadori then forbade me on his own account; he thought you would never forgive him ; whereas now he forbids me on my own account, because it is entirely my own affair. Finally, if I can get courage to speak at all, I do not propose to trouble myself about Yamadori’s permission.”

The rural simplicity of Sakanoshita maidenhood was evidently getting beyond my sphere of comprehension. I prudently said nothing.

“ You know, sir,” said Koïzumi,— and there could be no doubt about the sincerity of her anxiety this time, — “ that the Nanoshi is very rich. I must tell you. also, that he has an itching palm.⁴ He is doubtless irritated at the loss of his property, and Yamadori is sure to be dismissed from his employment. But the Nanoshi has a great respect for treasure and station. Now I have had a thought, that if a noble officer in the service of the government, and one of such wealth that figures cannot measure it, would consent to intercede for him, the stern magistrate and merchant would be merciful. O dear sir, pray do this for poor Yamadori, and forgive the presumption of the rude girl who trembles while she asks it.”

“ Little Fountain,” said I, “you are a good girl. I said so before, and I see no reason to alter my judgment. But I understand that rank and riches are needed to exercise the influence you speak of. Now, the truth is, that I have neither.”

“ O sir, Yamadori told me —”

“ That I had one thousand riyos a month. I know he did, but it is not true. He is a fine romancer. Here, I will show you my passport ; you shall know all about it.” ⁵

“ It is not necessary, since you tell me so. But what does it matter ? Yamadori has told everybody the same, and the whole village thinks it is true.”

It appeared, then, that I was not to attribute my influence with the Nanoshi wholly to my power of personal persuasion. Perhaps it was all the better; any way I could offer some reparation for my bad treatment of the young girl, if that were really all she wanted of me.

“And this is all, Koïzumi, that you have to ask ? ”

“ That is all ; I am only afraid it is too much.”

“ You are quite sure there is nothing else you wish me to do ? ”

“Why, what else can there be?” she asked, with genuine perplexity.

“What else, to be sure ? ” said I, dismissing my suspicions. “Very good, my dear, you may set your mind at rest.”

“ You will do it ?”

“ I have done it. I saw the Nanoshi last night.”

The grateful little thing tried to laugh, and not to cry, and failed in both efforts. “ O Yamadori ! ” she screamed, “ come here and thank the gentleman, for I have no words to do it.”

Yamadori was not far distant, not beyond her call. He came slowly and sheepishly, and, in consequence of an hysterical incoherence into which his sweetheart immediately fell, remained insensible for a while to the brightened prospect of his situation. When at last it broke upon him he was much moved, but only said, “ I am sure that the gentleman would not have done this for me if he had not forgiven me for my folly.”

“And me for mine,” said Koïzumi.

As it was distinctly obvious that the girl had done nothing but exactly what was best all through, this seemed an illogical proposition. But she was determined to be pardoned jointly with her swain, and laid so much stress upon it that there was no escape, and I was compelled to pronounce a solemn absolution, in the approved style of the ancient and honorable English comedies.

For the remainder of the morning I abandoned myself to revery. A few additional words had shown me that Yamadori was ready enough to accept the inferior occupation of kago bearer, though Koïzumi, like the magistrate’s daughter, was troubled about his shoulders, and promised to make him a nice, soft pad. I began to ask myself the question why, although I was not a high officer with one thousand monthly riyos, I could not go out of my way to practically smooth the difficult course of this village love. I certainly felt deeply interested in the young people. But if that circumstance were to stand as sufficient justification, there would be nothing to hinder me from going about and proffering material assistance to thirty-two millions of people, that being the aggregate population of Japan, according to the last government census. It is rather a perilous precedent to give way to one’s impulses of profusion in this country, the temptations are so frequent and powerful. For nearly two hours I reflected, and then announced a journey. Two of the Nanoshi’s ablest jin-riki-sha men should that afternoon convey me to Kameyama, fifteen miles distant, where I could pass the night, and return the next day, at my convenience.

This was sufficient to constitute an event in our circle, and you may be sure that I threw as much mystery about it as I could, expressly to heighten expectation. I admitted that I had a project, and an important one, but declared that nobody should know what it was, or whom it concerned, until my own time of disclosure. Yamadori regretted that he should not have the privilege of assisting in drawing me, and Koïzumi begged me not to remain too long away, lest the Nanoshi should extricate himself from the spell of my influence and retract his promises. I played Alexander, affected to nod, and intimated that as I had taken the affairs of the universe under my control, no person need concern himself as to the results. That night I slept at Kameyama.

The next morning, having paid my runners, and notified them that they need not wait to take me back, I visited the quarter of the carpenters and wagon manufacturers. This town is not without a reputation for the neat and substantial vehicles it produces, and after a little search I found a capital double jin-riki-sha, — firm, compact, not too heavy, and refulgent with red lacquer. Half an hour of tolerably tough bargaining put it in my possession at a reasonable sum. Long before noon I was on my way to the mountains again,

this time propelled by strangers. Our arrival in front of the Fuku-ya created a sensation. Yamadori was up on the hill, at the kago depot, but he soon came running down to learn the cause of my strange action in sending home the other kuruma without an occupant.

“ We were afraid you meant to remain away a long time,” said Little Fountain.

“ Some of us thought you were dissatisfied with the way in which the jinriki-sha was managed,” said Yamadori.

“ The jin-riki-sha was well enough pulled, although your hand was wanting, my lad ; but the weather was warm and uncomfortable, and I fancied a larger one to come home in. So you see — ”

“ Truly, that is a majestic piece of work,” he replied, inspecting the new vehicle with the appreciative eye of a connoisseur.

“ Do you like it ? ” said I.

He examined it closely before answering. “ I have conceived a better one,” he finally remarked, “but I never saw one so good. Perhaps there are none finer in Tokio?” he added inquiringly.

“ I am glad you like it,” said I, “for it is yours, Yamadori.” And I precipitately retired from mortal view, in imitation of a certain effect I had often admired in melodramas.

For several minutes I was allowed to be alone. Then the daughter of the house peeped into my room and regarded me silently with an expression that confused me not a little.

“Come,” I exclaimed, “say something, you stupid girl,”

“ I understand well that the gentleman does not wish to hear too many thanks,” she answered, “and I could not talk about anything else. Koïzumi’s heart is very full.”

“ Nonsense, you silly child! — and all about a two-wheeled cart. What does your sweetheart say ?”

“ O, Yamadori, he is crazy with delight and fear.”

“ Why with fear ? ”

“ He thinks that the Nanoshi may make a claim on the kuruma or its earnings, in return for that which he lost.”

“ I do not think that will be possible, unless it was in his agreement that he should make good all accidental losses. But it can be easily arranged. I can give the new jin-riki-sha to you, my dear, and you, I suppose, will not refuse to lend it to him, if he behaves himself.”

So that little business was comfortably settled, the Nanoshi, moreover, declaring that nothing would be further from his designs than to interfere harshly with the young man’s unexpected prosperity; only, as he had shown himself generously disposed, when his good-will had seemed important, he thought that Yamadori ought to take a new proposal from him into favorable consideration, and this was nothing more nor less than that, instead of attempting an injudicious rivalry in so small a field, they should unite their capital and form a kuruma partnership, Yamadori’s acquisition, together with his strength and agility, to entitle him to two fifths of the profits of the business, and he to pay three fifths of the cost of the next jin-riki-sha purchased on joint account. I thought so too, and said to Koïzumi that I imagined her view of the old gentleman’s character had been hasty, and that if his palm itched at all it was to perform deeds of benevolence and nothing more. But she did not take very kindly to the alliance, though she would not oppose it. As to Yamadori, he thought it was the most superb opening that could be dreamed of. The affair I considered was virtually accomplished, and, precisely as it had been a week before, beatitude seemed to reign universal and supreme.

We know what often happens to the best laid schemes of all animals, low and high. In less than forty-eight hours, portentous signs began to manifest themselves, this time from a novel quarter, which presently assumed a highly ominous form. It was no other than Koïzumi, who now departed from the even current of her usual placidity. She ceased to smile, was petulant without apparent cause, and once or twice was bitter in repartee. In consequence of which it became proper for me to interfere again.

“ Koïzumi, come hither ; you are in new trouble.”

“I? —not at all. I care nothing, however much he may misbehave.”

“ So, Yamadori is in mischief once more. Tell me, is he jealous still ?”

“Sir, he was never jealous. It was a deception. How could he be jealous when he has cared nothing for me all the while ? ”

It was more and more evident that I must have a finger in the pie. “ I am determined that you children shall not make yourselves miserable,” I declared; “let me know at once what has happened.”

“ In this case, sir,” she said, sitting down beside me, “ there is no remedy. Yamadori has deserted me.”

“Deserted you? Impossible. He was here this morning.”

“ O, he continues to come, but he has deserted me, all the same ! We have quarrelled desperately.”

“It must be a capital sight to see you try to quarrel, Koïzumi.”

“ I can do it if I wish. I have called him such names, — but nothing like what he deserves. If you would only teach me how to talk to him in English.”

“To swear at him, I suppose you mean.”

“ To swear at him, yes.” ⁶

“ Koïzumi, I will undertake that task if it is really necessary. Now, explain everything.”

Gradually I made myself master of the facts. They did not look well for Yamadori. He had shown himself fickle. Either his heart was not constant, or the new jin-riki-sha had got into his head. I found that the Nanoshi’s daughter, who had interested herself so warmly in his behalf, had for a long time been suspected of a hidden partiality for him, which it would have been hopeless to openly display ; but that since the young man had suddenly become a capitalist, she had felt free to hang out signals that could not be mistaken by the slowest of perceptions. The father had not shown himself averse, and Yamadori was rapidly giving way to the flattering influence. My little girl was quite convinced that her lover was as good as lost.

“ This is incredible,” said I, “ it is monstrous. I have seen her. She is not nearly so pretty as you, and I am sure she cannot be so accomplished.”

“ It may be so, sir ; but I think that you foreigners place more value upon good looks than we do. Nobody ever said much about mine before you came here ; and accomplishments go for little when they are not joined to wealth.”

“ But you, Koïzumi, should be a person of distinction. You are the daughter of the first yado-ya in Sakanoshita, and you will one day be the mistress of it. That is a position. Why, the Nanoshi’s house is not half so large as yours.”

“ That is nothing now. I have heard that when the great daimios used to pass through, in former years, we were well to do ; I can just remember those days. We had twenty servants then. It is very different now, as any one may see.”

“ He is blind, he is an idiot.”

“No ; he is not an idiot, but he is date-sha, and his vanity is the strongest part of him. He cannot resist the temptation to make himself the first man of the village.”

“ I will speak to him, directly.”

“That would never do. I am very fond of him, but I could not be happy if he were forced to return to me against his will. No, sir, you are very kind, and I am wretched, but you must not try to help me in this.”

“ What is to be done, then ? ”

“ I will think about it all the afternoon ; I will go to Inari-sama,⁷ and perhaps something will come to me.”

Koïzumi’s complaint was easily verified, and that without any direct questioning. Strolling forth, I found the inconstant at the jin-riki-sha house, inspecting the stock, oiling, polishing, and repairing here and there, and chatting at intervals with his aged partner’s daughter, who was continually “happening in” from the dwellinghouse, on the most transparently fictitious errands. The minx had actually the effrontery to thank me for my present to Yamadori, who heard her without being abashed in the smallest degree ; at which, fearing to derange Koïzumi’s plans — if she should form any —by a premature explosion, I walked away in silent indignation.

Returning to the inn, I found the maiden I had left forlorn in the hands of the barber, who was erecting a marvellous structure upon her head. She had a samisen on her knee and was practising jubilant melodies. Here was a new surprise. Had the wind changed again ?

“I have an idea,” whispered Koïzumi, getting up and following me.

“ Inari-sama has inspired me. I hope it will do, and I am sure it will, if you will help me.”

“I will do anything you like.” “Mountains of thanks. Yamadori will be here this evening as usual, or if he is not I shall send for him. I shall have many things to say to him, most of which will not be true, but that makes little difference.”

“ The end justifies the means,” said I.

“ I don’t understand that,” said Koizumi, “but I shall tell a great many fibs, all of which came to me this afternoon at the temple. What I wish to ask is, that you will not contradict anything I may say.”

“ Very good ; I will contradict nothing.”

“ And you will support me if necessary ? ”

“ Ah, that is serious ; and I am in the dark.”

“ O, there shall he no harm ! Inarisama is responsible.” And she laughed merrily, as if confident, in anticipation, of success.

“ I suppose I must trust Inari-sama, for the sake of his disciple,” said I.

“ My mother approves, and will also assist me.”

“ Good ; you make me very curious.”

“ By and by, sir, you shall see and hear everything. To tell you now would spoil all.”

At seven o’clock in the evening I was requested to visit that part of the house in which the head of the family resided, where I found a considerable gathering of neighbors, seated in a hollow square, with little boxes of refreshments before them. They bent forward to salute me as I entered, and then silently resumed their tea and pipes. This was obviously a ceremonial reunion of some significance. For a moment I thought that a reconciliation had taken place, and that I had been summoned to assist at the nuptial party. But the fact that Yamadori was not present invalidated this conjecture. Inasmuch as I knew nothing, and yet was expected, according to Koïzumi, to appear to know everything, I maintained a discreet silence. An elderly lady volunteered a recitative, and a younger one vouchsafed a dance, at the end of which the truant stalked in, not a little overcome by the unaccustomed brilliancy of the scene. He understood it more readily than I.

“ Why, this is a farewell,” he said, “ who is going away ?” And, answering himself, “ It must be the noble gentleman. Truly, this is a sorrow to Sakanoshita,”

Koïzumi, who was tightening the strings of a samisen as he entered, here interrupted him with a merry song, then popular all over Japan, the refrain of which was “Jin-riki-sha abunai ” (’ware jin-riki-sha), in the selection of which I detected mischief. Having finished, she turned to Yamadori, and said in her most musical tones, “Yes, we are going, and within two days. We are very glad you have come.”

“ ‘ We ’ ! Domo, domo ! May I ask who are ‘we’? ”

“ The dana-san and myself,” said Koïzumi, gayly and unblushingly.

Yamadori let fall an exclamation of astonishment in ten syllables, while I rose to remonstrate; but a quick glance front the principal actress in the comedy reminded me that I had pledged myself to acquiescence in all that she might aver. Certainly I had not bargained for this sort of thing, but I was bound not to hazard the success of my heroine’s plot, whatever it might be, to say nothing of the personal interest I felt in its development.

“ The gentleman has decided to increase the number of his servants at Tokio, which his magnificent income of one thousand riyos a month enables him to do without limit. He is so good as to say that nobody else in the empire can put on buttons or repair his wardrobe as well as I can. Therefore, we proceed at once to Kioto, stopping one day at Lake Biwa in order that he may teach me to swim.”

“Is this really true?” faltered Yamadori.

“ Sayo de gozarimasu,” corroborated the assemblage.

“And is your mother going with you ? ”

“ Foolish boy. Who would take care of the Yado-ya ? Besides which, she has no desire to travel, and is too old to learn to swim. Sit down, Yamadori.”

He collapsed in a daze, looked stupidly around, and sighed heavily.

“ You ought to be very glad,” said an old gossip ; “ it will be a great relief to you.”

Yamadori looked fiercely at her, said nothing, but swallowed cups of hot tea with rapidity.

“And now, Yamadori,” continued the young girl, with such singular sweetness that I made sure a coup de grâce was coming, “ we shall be sorry to incommode you, but I shall naturally require my jin-riki-sha. If you will bring it to-morrow, I shall be obliged.”

“ Your jin-riki-sha ? ”

“ Yes, the new one.”

Yamadori started to his feet. “ Why, it is mine ! ” he exclaimed ; “ I am going to add it to the Nanoshi’s lot, and we are to do business together.”

“ O no, my friend ! ” said Koiïzumi, in softer and more melodious accents than I had ever heard from her lips, “it is mine, and was given to me. I only promised to lend it to you, when I found it convenient. My generous benefactor and master remembers.”

“ To be sure I remember,” said I, glad to be able to support her truthfully in one statement.

Yamadori stood motionless and very pale for a moment. “ I have been a brute,” at last he murmured: “now I am properly rewarded.” And he turned away trembling, and departed without saying good night.

Then came Koïzumi’s hardest trial. She was obliged to remain hours later, and keep up the semblance of festivity, for the numerous guests had no conception of the unreality of the scene in which they were taking part. She had confided in nobody but her mother.

After it was all over she came, wearily and timidly, and asked if I thought it would succeed.

“ If it does not, young woman,” said I, “ you have put me into a pretty position. You may well say that you got the idea from Inari. You are a fox yourself.”

“ Of course, sir, I have taken a great liberty, but truly, I was desperate ; I am so fond of him. I was convinced you would not consent if I told you my plan beforehand, and so —”

“ You played Inari with me.”

“ Forgive me.”

“ O, I don’t care, if it does not fail ! ”

“It will not fail; it has succeeded already.”

“ How can you know that ? ”

“ Inari tells me so.”

“It did not take long, the following morning, for us to arrange the closing act of the drama. Yamadori came about ten o'clock, and deposited the vehicle which had been his delusion and destruction before the gate. His expression was not one of penitence ; he seemed to have fallen beyond that, into complete hopelessness. But it was not my cue to relieve him too suddenly.

“ Your jin-riki-sha is here, Koïzumi,” he said; “you will find it no worse than when I took it. I should have brought it earlier, but I had to look at the springs, and oil the wheels, and put on a new nut at this side.”

“ That is very thoughtful of you,” said I.

He saluted me gravely, but made me no answer.

“ I hear you are going to-morrow,” he resumed, turning to Koïzumi.

“I believe so,” she answered ; “the kami-san (lady of the house) will be happy to see you whenever you choose to come, but I suppose you will amuse yourself best with your friends at the Nanoshi’s.”

“ I do not think the Nanoshi would receive me now ; and if he would, I should not go there. Nobody in Sakanoshita will ever see me after you depart.”

“ What do you mean, Yamadori, and where will you go ? ”

“It does not matter, and I do not know; but I cannot stay in this place.”

“ Yamadori, I hope you do not think I have treated you ill.”

“You, Koïzumi ! you have never shown me anything but kindness.”

“Look here, my lad,” I put in, “ since you are going to quit this place, why not come along with us ? or, if you wish, you can take any road you like best, and meet us at the Eastern Capital. My house is large enough and I am always getting new servants.”

“ I see that the gentleman is always getting new servants,” said Yamadori, still overlooking me, and addressing Koïzumi ; “ though, by the by. I told you a falsehood when I said his income was a thousand riyos. Never mind.

He is very good, but I cannot go with him to Tokio.”

“ Come, Yamadori,” said I, relenting a little before the stipulated time, for, although he had undoubtedly behaved badly, he was suffering torments for it, and in his last new attitude he was manly and honorable, “ I believe, after all, that you cannot bear to part from Koïzumi. Perhaps she is willing enough not to part from you; but when you began it, which you certainly did, she was perfectly free to look out for herself. Now you seem to take it greatly to heart ; if she is willing to have compassion on you, I will not be hard. She may stay if she chooses, and our contract shall be void. Put I make two conditions. You must marry her immediately, and the jin-riki-sha and any other things I may give her must be hers forever. I leave you to decide the matter between you.” And then I hurried away, knowing well that it was already decided in both their minds before I had finished speaking.

That night there was another feast at the Fuku-ya, — a genuine wedding jubilee. Almost all Sakanoshita was there, even the Nanoshi. His eldest daughter was prevented from attending by a trifling indisposition. In the midst of the proceedings Koïzumi made opportunity for a few words with me.

“I do not know when I shall venture to tell him the truth,” said she, '‘probably never. But I do think that after it is all over I may safely say that the kuruma shall be his.”

“ You are a foolish little girl,” said I, “ but you shall do as you please.”

It was time for me to close my holidays among the mountains. The long vacation was nearly over, and I had yet the old metropolis to see. Two days later I started westward. Koïzumi gave me a little wallet, which she bad worked with her own hands, and which I use to this day. She regretted that her poverty prevented her from offering a worthier gift, but she could not have thought of anything prettier or more serviceable. Yamadori bestowed upon me one of the ingenious paper lanterns of that district, which can be folded and carried in the pocket, He testified his devotion in two other ways. First, on the back of the jinriki-sha he painted my monogram in brilliant colors, copied from an envelop which Koïzumi picked out of a packet for him, and, alluding to it as my “crest” (mon), vowed that it should always shine there in remembrance of me. Next, although wholly unused to the work, he insisted on bearing one end of the pole of the kago in which I was carried toward Oötsu.

I promised that I would certainly return to Sakanoshita during the next semiannual recess, and I meant to do so when I said it. But something else turned up, as it always happens, and I suppose it is a question if I ever see the place or them again. Once in a great while I receive little scraps of letters from them. They say that they are happy and do not forget me.”

E. H. House.