Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1854-12-07
CHAPTER ".


CHAPTER ",
EARLY the next morning Juan Pasquale con-
voked the tribunal Of the UintiTNl0rS, with
ou; informing them for what purpose they
were assembled. All wore the grea, costume
ol their charge, and the primer aSsistcntc pre-
sided over them, with the rod of Justice in bis
hand. An usher announced the king. All
rose asLOniShed.
est down, gentlemen" said Juan Pas
quale.
They obeyed ard lke king entered.
"N eli, SenOr dSsiSteate," said Don Pedro,
"what is your pleasure for you See that |
hasten to your cali, although your summons
might have been transmitted to NE with lit.
tie more respect or polileness."
"Sire," replied PasquaIe, "we have not TO
deal with respect or pOliteness just now, but
with justice. am not acting now as kings
courtier, but as Q magistrate Of the people"
"WelI, what will thou with me9"
"Sire," continued Juan Pasquae, ga mur-
der was committed on Friday night. Your
highness is aware Of it, since received my
first information from you"
"Whai next ?"
"Your hlghness gave me thee days 10 dis
cover the murderer"
"And--'
"And," said Pasquale, looking stealfastly in
le kings face. al have discovered him v'
"lla! ha % said the king laughing.
"And have summoned him so appear be-
fore my tribunal, because Justice is the same
for the strong as for the week, for the great as
the small King Don Pedro, Of CaSti {, you
ar nrnuyal oT 4 ,T 49,
MO Mendez, captain Of the night watch for
the district of La Gira!da. Ans wer 10 the
tribunal"
"And who dares to accuse me l'' asked the
king.
81 !" rejoined Pasquale.
"And if the king OF Pasquale should plead
not guilty 2"
"Then he will be submitted to the trial oil
the coffin. The body Of Antonio Mendez has
been preserved for that purpase."
'"rhat was useless" replied Don Pedro, in
a light manner; 81 killed the man."
al regret, said Juan Pa quale, in grave
manner, "that the King of CASTLE should ap.
pear 10 attach so little importance 10 the mur
der OF one OF his subjects, especially whenthe
murder was committed with his own hands"
"Softly, senor aSsistente," replied Don Pc
dro, obliged 10 defend himself; "softly, there
is no murder here, but simple combat. did
not assassinate Antonio Mendez. killed him
liz sell-defence."
'There can be no self defence against an
agent OF police performing his duty"
but his zeal may have caused him to for
get HIMSELF" replied Don Pedro.
"Fhe law is not so subtle, SIRE" replied the
aSSiStente, in firm voice, "and from yourown
confessions, you stand convicted Of murder"
"lt is f,lSe, wretch !" exclaimed the king
'l acknowledge that killed the man, but |
warned him before, and ordered him 10 retire.
Then the fool drew his sword, and killed
him. So much the worse for him. Why did
he refuse TO obey my orders ?"
"Because it belonged TO you, sire, 10 obey
him, instead Of Offering him culpable resist
ance. Oh, threats cannot prevent me from
fulfilling my terrible duties. When, without
consulting me about it, you took NE from my
mountains. and made ME primer aSSiStcnte, il
was not 10 have u courtier, but a Judge. Well
you stand beIore the Judge: what have you to
anSwerP'
Il have said all have to say" replied the
| king.
"1hsn listen 10 our decision p
The eyes of Don Pedro sparkled with pride
he placed his hand upon the guard OF his
sword. Juan PasquaIe continued:
"To-morrow, at noon, Don Pedro Of CASTLE,
| summon you 10 repair 10 the square of La
Giialda, she nearest one to the spot where the
crime was committed, TO listen and submit 10
the sentence which justice shall find proper to
pronounce; and as you prize the mercy Of God,
fail not TO re. air thther with such feelings as
should fill the heart of the guilty but repent
ant"
And having thus spoken, in q slow but firm
voice, Juan Pasquale motoned to the king to
retire, and rising himself, he left the court fol
| lowed by the yinHgutaT0s.
The first feeling of Don Pedro had been
that Of anger; the next was that Of admiration.
At tina, period, the king OF CASTLE was still
the first half OF his life; he had been surnamed
tie Juds', and his heart was still susceptible
OF being moved by noble example unheard
ol anu unexpected to find among the courtiers
which surrounded him man who dared thus
10 prosecute a king who had failed 10 observe
the laws OF his kingdom. He resolved, there
fore, to obey the summons Of the a3sistente,
and repair, the next day, attired in the insig-
MA OF his supreme rank, 10 the place OF La
Giralda. Ferrand de Castro, and ian Padil-
"a were alone TO accompany him, not wishing
a larger escort, for fear he might Je suspected
Of being iatimidstea. The new of this extra
ordinary trial socn spread through seville, ant
excited tue surprise of all. The summons sen
10 the king; the obedience of Don Pedro TO
ole OF his magistrates, he so accustomed tc
commend; the frmneSs of the judge, who hat
dared 10 brave the king authori,y-everythinl
announced for the next one of those solemn
scenes long 10 be remembered by a nation
Wherefore, the whole population of Sevill,
was seen the following morning rushing to
wards the square of La Giralda.
Don Pedro, with his companions, was qui
city awUiting the hour at which he was TO ap
peat to hear the sentence passed upon him
lself. His coultiers had insisted upon hi
taking larger escort, but the king had re
piled that he SHOULD insist upon his orders be
ing fulfilled, and that no other guards shoult
be present but those who usually presided a
the judgments of the primer assistente. Blu
he allowed pozen Of his courtiers, unarmed
10 follow behind, and that only after he hac
exacted their promise not 10 take any steps
whatever might happen, without an order from
him. AS soon as he appeared, the people
lcommenced shouting in manner whick king
are seldom accustomed to hear. Don PedrC
/ was not mistaken as TO the motive Of these ac
lclamatioDs, which were called forth more b,