Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-02-25

tle uedtn VI tllS SiCdt hllIS lllC people
chose his eldest son Erac to be his sue.
cessor. Erac II. was as brave and
wise as his father had been; he carried
out all his plans and won equal regard
from his grateful subjects. . ah "a
"But envy and ambition start into
life even in the cradle of an infant ma.
tion. Lech, the younger brother, hated
the virtuous king for his superior quail.
ities and for the love of bis people. l.
The enmity engaged by conscious>
ness of weak ness sgreW rapid and proc
duced lis blffer fruit f5fle end offWol
Years. Eech Concealed himself In a
wood where his brother was hunting
came behind him unseen and despatch
ed him with his spear. Then he mang.
led the lifeless body and tore the
clothes 10 make it appear that Erac
had fallen the prey of some wild beast.
Having completed his work he return
ed home secretly.
"The king not returning at evening,
the alarm was given; his servants sought
in the wood and found his torne and
bleeding corpse. He was brought to
the city and solemnly Inferred. The
country was filled with lamentation
and mourning for the youthful monarch;
and the people proved their attachment
to him by bestowing the crown on his
brother Lech. Lech held the reins OF
government with an unequal hand; now
teebly and again with too much rigor.
He was cruel and treacherous, and ere
long caused himself to be universally
hated. His ill-concealed joy at his
brothers death had excited suspicion
against him; and a venerable chief, who
had served in battle under Erac l.,
averred that thrice in vision at night
he had seen the murdered monarch
standing with hand pressed on his
bleeding side and murmuring: "My
brother slew mep'
1.-THE general discomfort was at
length more loudly expressed. a con-
spracy was formed against the wicked
king; and hearing of it, Lech, torment.
ed by the terrors of a guilty conscience,
fled at night from his capital. Long he
wandered, unknowing where 10 seek
shelter, till at length he found protec-
ton at The court of Rithogar; prince OF
the country afterwards called the Sax
ony, where he presented himself as
Polish noble. Meanwhile the Poles
convinced by the flight of Lech of his
guilt, declared the throne vacant and
chose for their sovereign the fair and
gentle Wanda.
"Wanda wore the crown with digni>
ty; corrected many abuses Of Lech's
administration, and applied herself to
the duties Of her high station in such a
manner that she won the confidence
and affection OF her subjects, whilst her
name was pronounced with respect
even in foreign lands.
"Her fame reached the ears of the
guilty fugitive. Strangers who came
70 Rithogar's court spoke of her with
enthusiasm; and Lech's silence was
displeasing to his protector, who, a
brave and spirited monarch,had already
been inspired with distrust by the mys-
terious behaviour of his guest. He
questioned him of the Princess Wanda,
and Lech perceiving that he was sus-
pected praised highly her beauty and
virtues. He then confessed himself her
brother, concealing the crime however
which had caused his Punishment, which
he ascribed to some turbulent mobiles,
and promised Rithogal to secure him
Wanda's hand, provided he would as
sist him to regain the Polish crown.
"For you can never" he said, acquire
that sovereignty; the Poles are proud
and will never submit themselves to a
monarch who is not native Of their
country"
"Rithogar was not averse 10 this
proposition, but he resolved first to see
the princess with his own eyes. He
visited Cracow-I call the city by the
modern name-in the character Of a
Saxon knight. The queen received
him with favor, and said to him many
flattering things ofhis prince Rithogar,
whose renowned had spread even
through Poland.
with joy Rithogar heard his own
praises from the lips of the beautiful
princess, whom he loved at the first
glance. Her femanine grace and soft.
ness, combined with royal dignity and
the rich gifts other mind charmed him
on further acquaintance. He remained
some days at her court and mingled in
the nightly sports ofthe mobiles, proving
himself we'll skilled in all military ac-
complishments and laying every praise
he won at Wanda's feet. Returning
full of sweet hopes to his own country,
he. Immediately sent deputation ofsix
of his chosen and bravest mobiles to
Wanda's court, to solicit her hand in