JAPANESE FAN TALES.

BY KIRK MUNROE.

A bright little Jap is Tommi Taroo, And he swings on a piece of round bamboo; For round bamboo is the very best thing That a boy can use as a seat for a swing. He lives in the town of Hiogo— A very nice place to live, you know, Because it's such fun to go to Kobé, The city of strangers, just over the way: A city of Yankees and English too— Comical fellows to Tommi Taroo— French and Dutch and Portuguese, And many another from over the seas.

Fish-day, fish-day in Hizen; Fish for the women, but not for the men; Fish for the girls, but not for the boys. To-day only women know fishermen's joys. And all on account of Queen Jungu, Who once caught a fish as fishermen do; The fish said, "Go and conquer Corea," And this she did within a year. And that is the reason the girls to-day Are all out fishing, instead of at play; And I think the fish they show to you Is as fine as that of Queen Jungu.

Lu-wen lived in Hakodadi; Lu-wen was a little laddie. Lu-wen's head was nicely shaved. He was very well behaved. Suzume was Lu-wen's mother; Nakamura was his brother. Very fine was Nakamura, And his dress was silk of Surah. His umbrella and his fan Were the largest in Japan. Once he gave them to Lu-wen, But bade him bring them back again. This Lu-wen was glad to do When he'd gone a block or two; For people left their tea and soy To stare at him, and call out, "Halloo, big umbrella! where are you going with that little boy?"

Three little Satsumas and old Satsuma, Or four Satsumas in all, Laid aside their tasks, and put on their masks For a grand Matsuri ball. They howled and growled, and acted like Wild animals born and bred. To make an impression they formed a procession, With old Satsuma ahead. Just then the clown, of all the town The funniest man to be found, Jumped on to the back of the first of the pack, And merrily rode him around. Now, when he begun, they thought it was fun, And acted as though they'd gone mad, Until old Satsuma, in very bad humor, Said, "Enough of this thing we have had."

Eight little girls of Japan, All running as fast as they can For fear she'll be late, Each one of the eight Is running as fast as she can. Did you ever see children so fat? In Japan, though, they say, "What of that?" To be fat is a duty; It adds to your beauty. And that is the reason they're fat.