The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-09-25
The Desert Island,

The Desert Island.
A rich and charitable man wanted tt
make one of his slaves happy. He gave
him his liberty, and caused a ship to be
equipped with many valuable goods for
his use.
$780, said his master to him, land sal
with this ship to a foreign country, and
all the gain which you obtain on these
goods shall be yours
The slave set out; but scarcely had he
got afloat when violent storm arose
which tossed the vessel against cliff so
violently that it became wreck. The
precious goods sank in the sea, all his
mates persisted, and he only saved him
self with great difficulty, by reaching the
shore of an island
Hungry, naked, and helpless, ne pro-
ceeded further inland, when he perceived.
afar OFT, large city, out of which a large
crowd of inhabitants came to meet him.
with enthusiastic series.
"Prosperity to our king" they called
out to him, and placed him in magnifi-
cent carriage and led him to the city.
On reaching the royal palace, he was
dressed in an ermlne robe, crown was
placed on his head, and he was made to
ascend the throne. The MOBILES gathered
round him, and prostrating themselves
before him: took the oath of obedience to
the king in the name of all the people.
The new king, at first, though this
splendor was beautiful dream, till the
continuation of his happiness dispersed
all doubts that the wonderful event WAS
really true.
81 cannot comprehend" he said to
himself, one day, what has blinded the
eyes OF this wonderful nation to elect a
poor stranger their king, They do not
know who l am, do not question me
whence l come, but place me on the throne.
What singular custom this ISL
Thus he meditated and became SO cur
1ous to know the reason of his elevation.
that he decided to ask one of the mobiles,
who seemed, apparently, wise man, the
situation of this riddle.
"Vizier," he addressed him, "whv have
your people made me king? How could
you tell that | had arrived at your island?
And what will become of me at last?"
'Sire,' answered the vizier, "this island
is inhabited by strange race. They
prayed long ago that a son of Adam
might be sent to rule them. Their peti-
ton was granted, and son of Adam
lands at their island every year at tile
same time. The inhabitants hasten to
him, as you have seen, and acknowledge
him as their sovereign; but his reig
does not last longer than one year. When
his time has elapsed, and the appointed
day has arrived, he is deposed from his
dignity, deprived of his royal treasures,
ana attlred IN common clothes. His
tootmen carry him by force to the shore,
and put him in wretched boat, which
conveys him to another island. This
island is desert and barren, and the per.
son who was, but few days ago, a
mighty king, arrives there empty handed
and finds neither friends, nor subjects.
Nobody shares his mistortunes, and, if he
has net used his year l,he must lead a
sad and mornful life in this desolate land
After the Punishment of the old king.
they go to meet the new one, whom Prov
ldence sends us every year without excep-
ton, in the usual way, and receive him
with the same joy as they did the former
This sire, is the permanent statue of this
country, which no king can alter during
his reign -
"Have my predecessors further asked
the king. sheen warned by your high
ness Of this short duration of their reign 9"
ITO none of them." answered the vizier. !
twas the law of transformers unknown:
but some allowed Themselves to be blind
ed by the splendor which surrounded
their throne; they forgot the sad future,
ana passed their year without being wise.
Others intoxicated themselves in the
sweetness of their happiness; thew did
not dare to think of the desert island. for
fear OF embittering the delight of their
present enjoyment; and thus they passed
rom one amusement to another, till their
lime was up and they were cast into the
ship. When the unhappy cay arrived,
hey all commenced to rcproach them
selves, and to repent of their blindness;
but 1t was too late, anu they were dellv-
cred, without mercy, to the misery which
awaited them, and which they might by
prudence, have prevented"
The history OF the vizier filled the king
18th fear. He shuddered at the fate Of
he former kings, and wished to escape
heir misfortune. He saw with terror
hat already few weeks had elapsed,
md that he must hasten to spend, at
east, the rest Of his days usefully.
"Wise vizer," said he, 'syou have dis
losed to me my future fate, and the short
uration of my kingly power; but, l (
ray you, tell me what have to do, if 1 |
1ish to avoid the calamity Of my pre-
ecessors." I
$ Remember, sire" answered the vizier,
that you came to our island naked, and '
lat you will leave in exactly the same j