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TWO BABY BOYS. 67
proof by sesamum-oil, was taken out of the split in
the bamboo shoulder-pole. The master at once
recognized the seal and the directions. They were
to " Rai Goro, officer of communications of the lord
"
in other words, to
of the province of Echizen ;
himself. Retiring to a private
room he read the
chief document. The words were few, but his eyes
The news
at once swam with the moisture of joy.
from Kyoto, which he was bidden to announce to his
a son had
prince, was this : by the favor of the gods
been born to the Mikado in Kyoto, November 3.
It would not do to have any one else announce
such a piece of news to his master, the lord of
Echizen. Tho'ugh his leave of absence did not
expire for fourteen days yet, and no business was
expected of him until that time, yet he resolved at
once on traveling even at night in order to reach
Fukui as quickly as possible.
Word was at once sent to the relay-office and in a
few minutes four stout porters appeared with a kago,
or basket-litter, while a foot-runner was sent ahead
to the next relay to order men in readiness. Hence
another runner was to be despatched to Take'fu to
have a saddle-horse ready for a night ride to Fukui.
Uhei, to his almost unspeakable delight, was to
deliver the master's receipt at Tsuruga, and to see
that the wounded letter-carrier got safely back.
Uhei was allowed one whole week for his visit and
return to Fukui, while a koban (gold-piece) made the
wounded man's eyes beam with new light. Visions
of marriage, with a year's house-rent paid in advance,
were healingly mixed with present pain.