New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-25
From the Aldine for April.
THE STORY OF COELH0.


THE STORY OF CGELH0.
Philip II, King of Spain, like many other
powerful monarchs, loved to lay aside the
insignia of ROYALTY, and, following the eXnl-
pie of Caliph Haroun Alraschld, roam the
streets of his capital of night, accompanied
by faithful servant, in disguise. He was thus
often enabled to discover himself causes of
popular discomfort, trammels OF cOnspiracies,
or wishes for reform; also, to perform many
acts of munifcence toward the poor and
meritOriOus.
In the year l5i9 Philip paid visit to the
capital of the Netherlands, Brussels, where
he resided some time, and was entertained in
a manner which recalled the magniticencc of
the days of chivalry. He was still the idol of
his people, who hoped that the son of Charles
V, by treadng in the footsteps of his Illus
trious father, would continue toward them
the fayors and wise policy which had rem
dered both Spain and the rest of the empire
so unusually fourishing. How Philip re-
spOnded to these expectations belongs to
history. 1 will only mention that at the
period of the action of this story he was in
the zenith of his popularity.
One night, when the ceremonies of the
court were over, Philip summoned his faith
full servant, Ruy Gomez. Masking his face
with long gray beard, and eveioped in a
great Spanish cloak, he and his attendant
went forth into the dark streets of Brussels
in quest of adventure.
They had not proceeded far in the direc-
ton of the river when their attention was
drawn to q person hurrying with rapid but
uncertain steps to the bridge. By his eX-
cited gestures the king concluded that he was
some unfortunate creature driven by despair
to seek watery grave. He, therefore, has
tened after him, and together with Gomez,
arrived just in time to prevent his leaping
into the river.
"Stop! for Gods sake, stop!" cried
Philip.
''Who may you be? Let me alone, say.
My life's my own, and suppose may do as
1 choose with it."
"That you may not. 1t belongs to God,
who gave it. He alone may take it,"
Wherefore then does He not provide me
the wherewithal to sustain it? He feeds the
vermin, but leaves man so dependent that he
may die of starvation, as L am doing. Tn
hand me, 1 say, unhand met" The des-
perate man sought for his rapier, but il was
gone.
What misfortune has driven you to this
rash extremity ?" asked the king.
''Sir, this is my misfortune, and may il
never be yours. l have not tasted food for
two days."
''Alas! poor youth" He was a tall, lank
young man, who, had .he been properly fed
and clothed, would have been remarkably
handsome. His bony frame was elegantly
built, slender and graceful, yet strong. His
eyes were black aud fiery, his brow bread
and intellectual, his features regular, but al
present much marred by their extreme mea-
gerness. The expression of his countcnance,
under favorable circumstances, would have
been open and engaging, but misery had
stamped it with haggard, carewon look,
piteous to behold. The King of Spain, put
ting his hand firmly on the young man IS
shoulder, again sighed, "Alas! poor boy"
"Don't stand there signing and looking al
me. In the name of the saints in heaven
can YOU give Inc food-food and employment !!
If not, let me end my miseries."
Young man, look into my face. See,
does it look carewOrn ?'
Very much So"
"Well, young sir, when you have gone
through as much agony as myself then may
you think of leaving this world in search oi
another, where, as just punishment for youi
crime, a worse fate awaits you in eternity.
Who are you? Whence came you? Above
all'--here Philip searched for a tiny crllciiix
that hung from the rosary he wore round his
wrist, 'are you Catholic ?'
the young man, haughtily. 81 am"
So Are you gentleman ?" again questioned
the king.
''By my patron saint, l am, siras true q
gentleman as ever wore sword"
"Gentleman or not, you are a Christian
Come, follow me, and l will give you some
supper and bed for the night. Tomorrow
we Continued King Philip, who, accustomed
as a sovereign to speak in the second person
plural, had difficulty to adopt the first singu-
Lar in his disguise THAT is, will further
question you as to what you can do to earn
your livelihood for the future. There, Gomez,
lead the way"
Holding the rescued youth by the hand
firmly, lest he should escape, Philip, preceded
by Ruy Gomez, bent his steps towards the
palace.
On his way, curiosity, one OF the strongest
passions of this great sovereign, got the bet
ter of his charity, and, notwithstanding the
young man was SO weak as to render his an
swer almost inaudible, the king obtained
from him the outline of his history. He was,
he said, one AlfonzO Sanchez Coelio, native
OF Portugal, and pOrtrait-painter by pro-
fessiOn. Hc had been driven from Spain by
order Of the Marquis Don Louis dc Maria
vale, Governor of Badajos, for the crime of
falling in love with his eXcellency's daugh-
ter, Donna Estalania, i'll whose company he
had been much thrown during a considerable
time employed in the execution of her pic
tme. He had wandered TO the Netherlands
in the hope of obtaining work. But though
he had done all in his power to earn his
bread, he had in every case failed, and for
two days had not tasted food. He was too
proud to beg, and maddened by want, had
sought to free himself of his niiserics by a
violent death.
The king provided Coelio, as he promised
with substantial meal and a good bed. and
the next morning he awoke much refreshed
to find Gomez by his couch, holding in bis
hand handsome suit of clothes for his ser.
vice. Vainly did he question the shrewd
Ruy as to the condition of his unknown ben
efactor. Ruy informed him that the gentle
man was named Don Paez; that he was in
the service OF his Majesty, and that presently,
when he had finished his collation., the Senior
Don Paez would come to him, and talk of his
prospects for the future.
Accordingly, when Sanchez Coelio had dis
patched an excellent breakfast, the king, still
wearing his disguise, entered.
The first impulse of the grateful young man
was to raise the hand of the supposed ven
cradle Don Pacz to his lips and thank him
for his kindness, above all for having pre-
vented his committing 50 fatal crime as
suicide. Don Paez listened to him with