our loving mamma,
BESSIE MAYNARD.

THE ASHES THAT MADE THE TREES BLOOM.

A Japanese Fairy Tale.

BY WILLIAM ELLIOT GRIFFIS.

In the good old days of the Daimios there lived an old couple whose only
pet was a little dog. Having no children, they loved it as though it
were the tiny top-knot of a baby. The old dame made him a cushion of
blue crape, and at meal-times Inuko--for that was his name--would sit on
it as demure as any cat. The kind people would feed him with tidbits of
fish from their own chopsticks, and he was allowed to have all the
boiled rice he wanted. Whenever the old woman took him out with her on
holidays she put a bright red silk crape ribbon around his neck.

Now the old man, being a rice-farmer, went daily with hoe or spade into
the fields, working hard from the first croak of the raven until O Tento
Sama (as the sun is called) had gone down behind the hills. Every day
the dog followed him to work, and kept near by, never once harming the
white heron that walked in the footsteps of the old man to pick up
worms.

One day doggy came running to him, putting his paws against his straw
leggings, and motioning with his head to some spot behind. The old man
at first thought his pet was only playing, and did not mind him. But he
kept on whining and running to and fro for some minutes. Then the old
man followed the dog a few yards, to a place where the animal began a
lively scratching. Thinking it only a buried bone or bit of fish, but
wishing to humor his pet, the old man struck his iron-shod hoe in the
earth, when lo! a pile of gold gleamed before him. He rubbed his old
eyes, stooped down, and there was at least a half-peck of kobans (oval
gold coins). He gathered them up and hied home at once.

Thus in an hour the old couple were made rich. The good souls bought a
piece of land, made a feast to their friends, and gave plentifully to
their poor neighbors. As for Inuko, they petted him till they nearly
smothered him with kindness.

Now in the same village there lived a wicked old man and his wife, who
had always kicked and scolded all dogs whenever any passed their house.
Hearing of their neighbors' good luck, they coaxed the dog into their
garden, and set before him bits of fish and other dainties, hoping he
would find treasure for them. But the dog, being afraid of the cruel
pair, would neither eat nor move. Then they dragged him out-of-doors,
taking a spade and hoe with them. No sooner h