Untitled

34
THE WONDERFUL CITY OF TOKIO.
Fitz gave his box to a beggar, and, nodding at his friend,
said, in a grumbling tone:
" I think I should be sick if I ate many
of them. I like
my plums sugar-cured."
Near the gateway was a bronze statue of a priest, carrying
KUYA-SHONIN, A FAMOUS
PRIEST.
in one hand a bamboo staff, and in
the other a pilgrim's hammer.
"
Why has that figure a branch in
its mouth ? " asked Fitz.
"Oh, don't you know?" quickly
replied his sister. "Old Deacon
Brown always chews a straw when
he is thinking what he will say at
the next prayer-meeting. It assists
his mental digestion. I believe the
good
bozu carried a branch of bam-
boo for the same reason."
Oto's eyes twinkled, and he re-
marked :
"You are right, Sallie. The
statue represents one of our famous
priests named Kuya-shonin. When he made his pilgrimages,
he affixed a metal bell to his girdle, and, after he had
repeated a certain number of prayers, he struck the kane with
his hammer. He travelled all over the country, and made
many converts."
:t
Yes, but why does he hold that twig in his mouth ? " per-
sisted Fitz.
" Oto has told you that Sallie guessed the reason," said
Johnnie.
"I wish they would put the particulars on the pedestals,"
grumbled Fitz.
?
These sort of things worry a poor little fel-
low, who wants to know as badly as I do."