Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-03-29
THE STORY OF COELIO.
From The .Aiiine for April.

From The AMins for April.
PHILIP H., King of Spain, like
many other powerful monarchs,
loved to lay aside the insignia of
royalty, and, following the example
of Caliph Harcun Alraschid, 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, trammcls of
conspiracies, or wishes for reform;
also, to perform many acts of muni-
fccncc towards the Door and meri,
torious.
In the year l549, Philip paid a
visit to the capital of the Neither
lands, Brussels, where he resided
some time, and was entertained in
manner which recalled the mag
nificcnce Of the days of chivalry.
He was still the idol of his people
who hoped that the son of tharles
", by treading in the footsteps of
his illustrious father, would con-
tinuc towards them the favors and
wise policy WHICH had rendered
both Spain and the rest of the en-
pirc so unusually flourishing. How
Philip responded to these expecta-
tions belongs to history. l 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 sum-
moncd his faithful servant, Ruy Co.
mez. Masking his face with long
gray beard, and enveloped in a
great Spanish cloak, he and his at
tendant went forth into the dark
streets of Brussels in quest Of ad-
venture.
They had not proceeded far in
the direction of the river, when
their attention was drawn to per-
son hurrying with npid but uncer-
tain steps to the bridge. BY his
excited gestures the king concluded
that he was some unfortunate crea-
ture driven by despair to seek a
watery grave. He, therefore, has
tened after him, and, together with
Gomez, arrived just in time to pre-
vent his leaping over the parapet
into the river.
"Stop! for Gods sake, stop!'
cried Philip II.
"Who may you be? Let me
alone, l say. My life's lny own,
and l suppose l may do as l choose
"Tha, you may not. 1t belongs
to God, who gave it. He alone may
take it,"
"Whcrcforc then does He not
provide me the wherewithal to sus-
tain it? He feeds tho vermin, bHt
leaves man 80 dependent that he
may die Of starvation, as l am do
ing. Unhand me, ! say, unhand
me" The desperate man sought
for his rapier, but it was gone.
"What misfortune has driven yos
to this rash extremity" asked the
king.
"Sir, this is my misfortune, and
may it 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 hand
some. His bony frame was elegant
ly built, slender and graceful, yet
strong. His eyes were black and
fiery, his brow broad and intcllcc-
tual, his features regular, but ut
present much marrcd by their cx-
trcme mcagcrness. he expression
of his countenancc, under favorable
circumstances, would have been
open and engaging, but misery had
stamped it with a haggard, care
worn look, pitcous to behold. The
King Of Spain, putting his hand
firmly on the young mans shoulder,
again sighed, "Alas! poor boy:n
Don't stand there signing aud
looking at me. In the name Of tho
saints in heaven, can you give me
food-food and employment? If
not, let me end my miserics."
"Young man, look into my face.
See, does it look carewornp"
Every much So"