Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-05-23
The Story Of Co'eio.

The Story Of Co;eio.
Philip II. King of Spain, like many
other powerful mOnarchs, loved to lay
aside the insignia of royalty. amt, fol-
lowing the example Of Caiiph HaroUu
Alraschid, roam the streets of his CAPT
tai of night, accompanied by q faith
full servant, in disguise. He was thus
often enabled to discover himself caus"S
of popular discomfort, trammGiS of cun-
spiracies, or wishes for reform; also to
perform many acts of munitiCcncc to-
wards the poor and meritoriOus
In the year 1549 Philip paid visit to-
the capital of the Netherlands, brussels,
where he resided some time, and Wa
entertained in a manner which recall 81
the magniticence of the days of chiy43-
ry. He was still the idol of his pcopl.
who hoped the son of Charles v, 10y
treading in the footsteps of his illustri-
Gus fathers, would continue towards
them the favOrs and wise policy which
had rendered both Spain and the rest of
the empire so unusually tiOurishing.
How Philip responded to these eXpecta-
tons belongs to history. | 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
faithful servBnt, Ruy Goymez. Masking
his face with long gray beard, and en-
velOped in a great Spanish cloak, he
and his attendant went forth into the
dark streets of Brussels in quest of adj
venture.
They had not proceeded far in the di-
rectiOn of the river when their attention
was drawn to a person hurrying with
rapid but uncertain steps to the bridge.
BY his excited gestures the king cOnclud-
cd that he was some unfortunate Crea-
ture driven by despair to seek watery
grave He therefore, FASTENED after
him. and, together with Gomez, arrived
just in time to prevent him from 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 l suppose
may do as 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
the wherewith to sustain it He feeds
the vermin, but leaves man so dependant
that he may die of starvation, as | am.
finland me :" The desperate man felt
for his rapier, but it was gone.
"What misfortune has driven you to
this rash extremity ?" asked the king.
''Sir, this is my misfortune, and may
it never be yours. | have not tasted
food for two days"
"Alas poor youth" He was a tall,
lank young man, who, had he properly
been fed and clothed, would have been
remarkably handsome. His bony frame
was elegantly built, slender and grace
full, yet strong. His eyes were black
and fiery, his brow broad and intellec-
tual, his features regular, but at present
much marred by this extreme mcager-
ness. The expression of his cOuntenance.
under favorable circumstances, would
have been open and engaging, but mis-
cry had stamped it with haggard, care
worn look, piteOus to behold. The king
of Spain, putting his hand on the young
mans shoulder, again sighed, 'Alas !
alas! poor boy"
"DOn't stand there signing and look
ing at me. In the name Of the saints in
heaven, can you give me foOd-food and
employment. If not, let me end my
miseries"
''Young man, look into my face. See,
docs it look careWOrn p
every much So"
"Wen, young sir, when you have gon"
through as much agony as myself, thea
may you think of leaving this world IN
search of another, where, as jlst pHni>h
ment for your crime, worse fat" awaits
you in eternity. Who are You? Whence
came you? Above all'-hera Phi}in
searched for tiny crucitiX that hung
from the rosary he wore around his
wrist-''arc You Catholic p
'Who darrs to question t?" rXclaia-
ed the Young man laH@hti|y. Il am.
care Y,,n a gentleman = again qilGs-
toned the King.
by NY patron saint, | am, siH.-aT
tar" gentleman as ever wore sword.
"Gantirman or mt, you are Chris
tian. Come, follow me, and will give
voU some supper ana bed for the night.
| Tomorrow we Continued King Philip,
who, accustomed as sovereign to speak
iii the second person plural, had diff
Guilty to adopt the first singular in his
! disgnise)-that this, | will first question
you IS to what you can do to earn your
livellhood Tor the future. There, Go
meZ, lead the way.
Holding herescued youth by the hand