St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-12-01

lenicnt with thee for the service thou
hast done our house. Pass our rash
promise by, and will place thy for
tune far beyond thy utmost hopes"
Then, Ferdinand, miscalled the
just, already breaks his vow," said Nj
colo, bowing coldly. Hereafter let
men know that truth is not a jewel
worn at the courts of kings"
Father" said fair Rosalic, implor-
ingly, as NicOlo was about to take his
departure, /" be just-be generous !"
by heaven, this is too much !" ex-
claimed Ferdinand now thoroughly an
cry. My own daughter sides against
me. Dost thou not know, dear girl,
that the eagle mates not with the fall
con? By our sires' graves, thou must
look loftier than this low-born churl,
be his service what it may. Begone,
thou base-born hind !" he added, ad-
dressing Nicolo, land never dare to
enter here again, or | will have thee
scourged from the palace gates !"
Father" said fair Rosalie, her face
now drowned in tears, " | shall forget
| am the daughter Of the good king
Ferdinand !"
Rosalic, who saw that it was useless
to appeal to her fathers honor in his
present fit of rage, took her departure,
accompanied by her maids Of honor,
but she resolved at future time she
would press the suit of Nicolo.
Come, lords, bestir thy wits" said
Ferdinand, when Rosalie had left the
room. Show me some way to cheat
this lofty braggart, whose language
far exceeds his station, and yet leave
such a clause that can still retain
my royal word"
The king had promised so much to
the point, that all the courtiers were
silent.
Art dumb as mutcs ?" said the
king, glaucing from one to the other
Of the throng. My Lord Gabaldri,
thou vert wont to be most circumspeCt
and sage. What manner of man is
this same Nicolo Pcsk, that dives the
wsest peer Of our broad realm to 81
ience ?"
lie is not man, your majesty,
but a nondescript, norman with
weUbed toes and fingers, and It's re-
ported through the isle that he has
spent long days and nights upon the
waters"
" Enough" said Ferdinand. Il
have resolved plot. If, when two
years shall pass away lie holds me to
my word, III cheat him of his prize.
and still maintain my honor"
CHAPTER II.
Two years have passed away, and
notwithstanding her fathers urgent
appeal, and many brilliant offers of
marriage, the beautiful Rosalic has re-
manned true to her love for Nicolo.
His fame as q swimmer has rcsounded
through the island and it is even re-
ported that he had spent whole days
and nights at sea as if it were his ma
tive element.
After the first burst of anger. King
Ferdinand regretted that he had dis. |
played 50 much aspcrity against the |
prcscrvcr of his daughters life. in
presence Of his cOurticrs, and he of
tered brides to conciliate the Young
fisherman, but they were disdainfulIy
refused. Nothing would content the
aspiring Nicolo, but the hand Of Rosa
lie.
AS we have stated, it was in an
age when warrior, or he who had the
slightest claim to noble birth, might
hope to mount throne but between
the princess and an humble fisherman,
the gulf was deemed too broad.
One day the monarch called the
Lord Gabaldri to a private council
and explained his meaning.
pledged my kingly word, he said
to the courticr, "to grant whatever
this Nicolo Pesk might ask, if it was
in my power"
The royal will is law" said the
courtler. He should have been as
moderate in demand as you were leni-
ent in promise. In such case no one
can blame your majesty if you fail to
keep your promise"
Not so Gabadri," said the mon
arch. "All the world would see the
part had played. and should forfeit
the bright name of Ferdinand the |
just. l cannot solve the spell this |
water norman has thrown about my
child, but am well aware she loves
him. Her tcll-tale check and haggard
looks have proved that he has made
strong impression on her heart
Your majesty will surely not con
sent that he should wed the matchlesS
Rosalie :"
IL have scheme | wot Of" said
the WHY monarch, that shall battle
all his hopes, and still preserve my
daughter for noblcr mate. | long
have wished to learn the awful secrets
of Chary bdiS, the dread whirlpool of
our kingdom, and who SO tit as this |
same NicOlo to bring intelligence from
the dark cavcrns Of the sea?'
"Should he succeed :" exclaimed |
the courtier, what then ?"
AS Ferdinand the Just, | may no
more refuse that he should we'd the
Princess Rosalie !"
"And what if he declines the task ~
Twill post him through the isle as
u mere braggart and coward, who
is unworthy of her love. But still
think he will accept the task, although
the chances are all in our favor for
who Of woman born could ever hope |
to search the vast Tartarian abyss,
where Neptune holds his choicest Sc
crets, and yet return to mother earth
again ?" .. ....
And has your hishness made the
Princess aware yet of your purpose 2"
Tonight l will unfold my scheme
10 her, and at the same time dispatch
Il messenger to Nicolo to acquaint him
with my whim, To which, if he accedes, |
he shall possess the maiden he dared
to love. Good night, my lord but
by the morrow's dawn let it be trump
ctcd throughout the isle that Nicolo .