KIKITO, THE MAN WHO WAS NOT CONTENT,

Otago Witness, Volume 01, Issue 2123, 1 November 1894, Page 49

KIKITO, THE MAN WHO WAS NOT CONTENT,

By M. Kataoka, author of " The Japanese Rip Van Winkle," &o , &o.

Chapter 111.

This unhappy man now knew the fate that bad befallen him. Not one, but two lives, Of Kikito and Shomika, were revealed to him. It were useless to make known his miserable jfecret to any one. "Who would believe Buoh » tale 1 Would he not be looked on as a madman 1 Evidently he must go on to the «nd, unless he could induce the god to restore him to his own existence again.

The next day it was necessary that he •hould have long interviews with some of tbe great nobles of Japan, and endeavour to win them over to a course of action that was justly regarded as most injurious to the nobility of the land. If he failed he knew that his reception from the Emperor would be;difgraoe>nd dismissal, if indeed his head would be left on bis shoulders. If he succeeded, he was aware that all his brother gobies would look' on him as having dealt a fatal blow at the power and privileges of his order. The bad news was then brought to iim that the treasure cheat had been broken open in the night, and much of its contents stolen. Nor did he fail to learn that the general opinion was that he had been remiss in his vigilance as to its proper guardianship He would have to make good the loss out of his own resources, and the execution of the negligent soldiers who had been on duty at the time was a small satisfaction when he had to own to his own carelessness. Then his wife had taken all her women and her belongiogs, and was gone back to her parents, who were high in favour at court, so that on bis return he might expect to meet an army of private as well as public troubles. For several days Shomika, with his officer?, secretaries, and messengers, was engaged on the most' difficult diplomatic task that a itatesman could be called on to deal with. Every means at his disposal, and they were unlimited, were tried to ensure success and avoid what must lead to insurrection, but all in vain. The nobles were firm in a just cause, and on the fourth day Shomika, worn out, weary, and baffled, prepared to face an angry and disappointed master, as the bearer of the worst tidings that could well be borne to a ruler, surrender— or civil war. It would be a difficult task to describe what Shomika's feelings were as he came in sight of that hill, stream, and bridge, where, as Kikito, he had spent so many quiet, uneventful days. He looked up at the house, coßy and covered 'with climbing flowers, where he had slept the dreamless sleep that only a mind at ease can ever enjoy. Repressing tbe longing he felt to alight and inquire as to his Susito and hid youDgsters, he rode on, and in all Japan no man at that hour moso felt miserable 4 than he. On arriving at court the prince soon found his wont ;fear» realised. After the first interview, in whioh he made known his failure, tShe Emperor refused to reoeive him. Important events were taking place in whioh he bad no share, and finally, when the party hostile to himself got the ascendency at court, he found himself one morning awakened by an officer at his bedside, who Informed him that it was the Emperor's pleasure that ha should be straightway conveyed to prison. Silent and unresisting, Shomika was led a«ay. and 10 days later was informed that be was to be sentenced to death ; but that the Emperor had sent him a jewelled and sacred sword, a masterpiece from the hands of Miochln, with the aid of which there was no doubt he would be glad to anticipate the executioner. " And this is to be the end," sighed the nnfortunate prince. "Well, so be it; at least I can leave some of the demon Daikoku's w«alth to my Suaito, and bo keep her from want, now that Kikito can fish and toil for her no more."

Some bitter tears he shed, and indeed his misery would 'have softened the heart of a ■tone. Anything more unsuitable than a mocking laugh in that gloomy chamber oould not be imagined. But laughter hearty and long caused the condemned man to look up, and, behold ! Daikoku was there, his great round paunch shaking with mirth. » Well, Mr Kikito Shomika, or Shomika Kikito, or whatever you call yourself, what k the matter now 7 Still not content, eh ? Truly a thankless fellow are you. As pauper or as prince, always dissatisfied 1 Such a splendid sword too 1 If there is to be any fun with the sword, let your old friend Daikoku see the play, ha Ihalha 1 " and the demon laughed louder than ever.

"Oh I heaven above," cried the poor prince, " can it be permitted that such cruel mockery Is to be inflicted on one about to die! Is there no mercy on high, or punishment for this inhuman oruelty ? "

Tbe room, or rather cell, was dark, being only lighted by one barred window, but all at onoe a gentle light, soft aud silvery, began to disperse the gloom. It floated about At first like a cloud, gradually condensed, and finally took the shape of a bright and beautifal woman, with mild benignant eyes. The prisoner was well nigh past being surprised at anything, so strange had been his recent 'experience*, but Bomething in this sew visitor's appearance fell soothingly on his soaJ, so that he was almost prepared for the words in which she addressed him. "You have called on my name," eh« said ; "I am Kwan-noD, the goddess of meroy. Why have you called on me 1 "I am the moßt wretched amongst men," answered Shomika. " Misfonufce has driven me to the last extremity, death, from which there Is no escape for me. I have brought it on myself, and therefore do not repine. But that evil and vindictive power which was the principal worker of all my woe, not patisfied with his fatal work, never ceases to embitter even my laßt hours with his hateful hilarity And hie mockiug presence. Driven to degpair I tentured to appeal, almoat without figs?, to" jroui p&m«, O goddess, if I can

claim the least portion of that blest quality whioh is all your own, I ask only that this hateful presence be removed from adding a deeper bitterness to death." Kwan-non turned to Daikoku, whose mirth had ceased, and who looked Indeed most mean and contemptible as well as uncomfortable under the gentle gaze of the goddess.

"I know," she said, "the nature of the ■bargain into which you have entrapped this foolish man. Quite useless 1 also know it would be to ask you to undo the past and restore to him that inestimable treasure for which through long ages you have sought in vain I "

" Quite useless," muttered Daikoku.

" I have no power to compel you," continued the goddess more sternly; "retain your present form then, and that quality of content, which is your onlyredeeming feature ; but over the destiny of this mortal I have been given full power. Your influence over him ceases from the present. Therefore be gone at once and leave me to undo, as far as possible, your baneful work." " Willingly," said the god of wealth. " I was lean, I am fat ; I was miserable, I am happy ; I was mournful, lam merry. I have made a good bargain. Farewell." So he disappeared, with a last laugh at Shomika, who heeded him little, for all his attention was fixed on Ewan-non, and some gleam of hope was arising in his breast. "Listen to what has been decreed for you," she said. " You shall be Kikito once again I " — with clasped handß the prisoner fell on his knees — " but before that yon shall have to suffer the agony of death in the body of that prince in which your spirit now dwells. Onoe restored to your former condition all this shall come back to you only as a dim- j remembered dream. Your mind shall be well nigh a blank. Beware, then, how you j live — that you murmur not at your lot in j life. You shall have the choice of cultivating content, or nourishing a covetous and moody nature. If you choose the wrong path your punishment shall be swift and sure. To enoourage you in the right I shall sometimes j visit you. Are you oontent 7 " Shomika replied : "I am well oontent ; but this prince whose power and person I have usurped, has he not taken my plaoe 7 Surely no punishment ought to accrue to him." " Fear not, and trouble not yourself about what you can scarce understand," was the rejoinder. " That prince's spirit is long since happy. He died suddenly and unnoticed at that bridge, and on the moment when the spirit of Kikito entered his body. This was known beforehand to the wily Dalkoku, and he arranged his plans accordingly. Now prepare," continued Kwan-non. " Have courage, and all will be well 1 " " I trust you In all things," said the condemned man, and he bowed bis head and covered it with bis robe> The goddesß looked steadily at him, reached forth her hand, and tooked the jewelled sword. t « • * * What strange tragedy took place in that oell will never be known. Bat when in the morning the guards opened the door the body of the great Daimio Shomika was found stiff and cold, pierced through the heart by that bright blade, the last gift of the Emperor to his ambassador. * « • • < They are very pleasant, the glad sunshine on the far-stretching plain, the gentle breeze on the hillside as it murmurs amongst the lofty trees, and the silvery shining of the i distant river. So thought Eiklto as he slowly I and gradually awoke from dreams more terrible than death. Wat it all a dream 7 He feared to question his own soul. More than ever did he fear when his beloved Susito threw herself in tears on his breast, and asked him how he could have so long abandoned her, whither had he gone, and for what reason 7 Neither to her nor to himself was the matter ever made clear. Only when some days afterwards, while sitting fishing by the stream, a talkative traveller related to him the great events that had taken place at court between the Emperor and the nobles, didsome troublesome, vagueglimmeringof the trntb come to him ; but when the incidents of the death of the Prince Shomika were told him a pain sharp as a knife went through his heart. Tbis passed away, but henceforth more sober and silent than ever was Kikito. Sober and silent, but not at all unhappy, and no one from that day ever spoke of him as Kikito, the man who was not oontent. LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS. Dear Dot,-— I am a little tan terrier and my name is Tiger. One day my master went to a home in Ofcuria, aud he took me with him. Ho s'ray<-d there for a night and went home the next day, but I didn't go with him. I stajed there five or six weeks and then he came back for me. The children did not want him to take me away, so they trok me rabbiting next day, but he did cot c,o away till they cAme home, aud then he wvnfc borne and took me with him. I went with a Lit of coaxing. I »t*ved a night and a day and then I tho.iglit I would come back to nay new master again, so I went home, and he has not come for me s'nee, and I am still here. lam very fond of ge^ng into the house and sitting bu-ide the fire, but they put me outside, *s thc-y do not like me in the house. They sometimes tike me out rabbiting to tell them the ho'.es the rabbits are in, and then tbey put the ferrets in snd they cha^e the rabbits out, aud my other friendi and I catch them — Yours truly, Tigeh. Pukerau, October 22. Dear Dot, — I have been to Dunedin since I wrote to you I^st, and I think it is a very pretty place. I it'tyed with my aunt for a week at Qceen Island, «nd the firufe Sunday I was there two of my couins aud ma went to the 6eab:ach. We were running in and out of the water when a big wave came and nearly carried us away. I had a row on the river and I eujoyed it very much. My cousin and another yourig lady rowed us up the river to Mr Brown's fellmongery, and I saw how leather was made. I saw them teasing the wool and pressiog it. We went to see some friends at the Taieri, and ma and I went gathering some pretty ferns in the Wcodside bush. We took them home in a box. Grandfather paid, " Throw away that rubbiab," but ma prized them too much to throw them away. We came home after a month's holiday, well pleased with our trip. My brother Willie met us at the station, and ma drove ub home. Some Taieri friends promised to come up at New Year, I cope they will como. — Yours braly, Aones Gardiner Young (aged 10 years). PuVerau, October 22. Dear Dot.— l am in the Second Standard at school and there are 18 in m &wa. This is a

rainy day and I cannot get outside to play. We have 13 cows milking. I have a white cat, and it is quite deaf. Its name is Frank. We have sir ducks, and some of them have topknots. We live bcide the Clutha river.— Yours truly, Sterling, October 20. Jessie. Dear Dot, — I hive two brothers and one sifter. Their names are George, Annie, and Wilson, who is the baby. Do you like Wilson for a name ? I have a little pup ; will you please give me a name for him. —Yours truly, Bkssie Wi.dge (aged 8£ years). Woodlands, October 18. [Call the pup Rover. I think Wilson is an uncommon Christain name, but it is all the better for that.— Dot.] Dear Dot, — My sister has been for a trip to Dunedin with ma, and it is my turn the next t ; me. By that time I shall be able to write you a long letter. Ma brought me a nice doll from Dunediu ; please, Dob, will you give me a name for it. We hive two calves and two pet lambs ; please will you give me names for them. — Youro truly t Mahy Howie Young (aged 7 years). Pukerau, October 22. [Call the doll Violet, the calves Daisy and Rose, a-d the lambs Spring and Skip.— Dot.] Dear Dot, — We have four cows milking ; their names are Polly, Tibby, Cherry, and Rosy. Miss Paul is our teacher at school. We bave nob far to go, but only two of us go. Our examination will soon be on, and I hope I shall pass. We have no cats now ; they all went away. The flowera are coming out just now, but we have not very many. I like flowers ; do you, Dob ?— Yours truly, Maggie Waters (aged 9 years). Glen^edi, October 25. [Y'S, Maggie, I am very fond of flowers.— Dot.] Dear Dot, — I have two pet limbs now; I had & pretty little one given to me. Their names are Frisk and Daisy. We are having lovely weather at Rangitata, and everything is bright and cheerful. The apple trees Jare all laden with blossoms, which make the gardens look so pretty. I have one cow to milk every night and morning, bat I do not like milking ; do you, Dob ? I like reading the children's letters in the Wituesi very much. We bave a back calf, and it follows us about; will you please give me a name for it ? My vegetables are ready for use now. lam very fond of vegetables. I am very busy with my tlower garden, but cannot keep the weeds oat of it. — Yours truly, Sarah Waller. Raufiitata, October 25. [I have never learnt to milk, Sarah, *so I cannot say. I suppose, however, it is very hard on the wrists. Call the calf Gipsy. — Dot.] Dear Dot, — I am a Photo, and I live at the news'ativn. Some young fellows came to see me, and they said I was good looking, and one of tbem took me out of a book. They had a fight over me, and broke my back. Dear Dot, don't you think it was very cruel of them to break my back ? I hope they don't break my mate's back. — Yours truly, Matilda Langfobd, Edenda'e, October 21. LITTLE FOLKS' RIDDLES. 853. By John Reid, Tapanui :— Arrange the numbers! from 1 to 9 in such a manner that by adding them together the answer will be 100. (2) AVhat is the diiterence between an old fourpenny piece and a new shilling? ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S RIDDLES. 852. By John Reid, Tapanui :— (1) When it is a coach in China (Cochin China). (2) Noah, when j he took Ham into the ark. (3) Her coachman.