River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-09-26
The Desert Island.

Co" said his master to him, "and sail
with this ship TO foreign country, and
all the gain which you obtain ON these
goods shall be yours"
The slave set out; but scarcely had he
| got aiioat when violent storm arose,
which tossed the vessel against cliff so
violently that it became a wreck. The
precious goods sank in the sea, all his
mates persisted, and he only saved Linn
self with great difficulty, by reaching the
shore of an island
Hungry, naked, and helpless, he pro-
ceeded further inland, when he perceived,
afar off, 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 a magniti
cent carriage and led him to the city.
On reaching the royal palace, he was
dressed in an ermIne robe, a crown was
placed on his head, and he was made to
ascend the throne. The MOBILES gathered
round him, and prostratihg 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 a beautiful dream, till the
continuation of his happiness dispersed
all doubts that the wonderful event was
really true.
II cannot comprehend he said to
himself, one day, "what has blinded the
eyes OF tins wonderful nation to elect a
poor stranger their king, They do not
know who ! am, do not question me
whence come, but place me on the throne.
What singular custom this is!
Thus he meditated and became so cur
ious to know the reason of his elevation,
that he decided TO ask one Of the mobiles,
who seemed, apparently, a wise man, the
situation OF this rid0Ic.
''Vizier," he addressed him, "why have
your people made me king2 How could
Won tell that had arrived at your island
And what will become of mo at last?'
''Sire," answered the vizier, "this island
is inhabited by strange race. They
prayed long ago that son Of Adam
might be sent to rule them. Their peti-
ton was granted, and q son Of Adam
lands at heir islannd every year at the
same time. The inhabitants hasten to
him, as YOU have seen, and acknowledge
him as their sovereign; Tut his reign
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,
ami attired IN common clothes. His
.ootmen carry him by force to the shore,
and put him in a wretched boat, which
C )nveys him TO another island. This
island is desert and barren, aad the per
son who was, but few DAVIS ago, a
mighty king, arrives there empty-handed'
md finds neither friends nor subjects.
Nobody shares his mistortunes, and, if he
has net used his year wellhe must lead
sad and mornful life in tbs desolate land
After the Punishment of the old king
they go to meet the new one, whom Prov
idence 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 permencGt statue of This
country, which no King can alter during
his reign"
Have my predecessors further asked
the king. 'been warned By your high
ness OF this short duiationof their reign?"
ITO none of them" answered the vizier,
was 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,
and passed their year without being wise.
Others intoxicated themselves in the
sweetness of their happiness; they did
not dare to think of the desert island, for
fear OF embittering the delight of their
present enjoyment; and thus they passed
from one amusement to another, till their
time was up and they were cast into the
snip. When the unhappy cay arrived,
they all commenced TO feproach them
selves and TO repent OF their blindness !;
but it was too late, ana they were delv-
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
it'll fear. He shudderei at the fate of
the former kings, and wished to escape
heir misfortune He saw with terror
that already a few weeks had elapsed,
end that he must hasten to spend, at
least. the rest of his days usefully.
"Wise vizer," said he, you have dis
closed to me nay future fate, and the short
duration of my kingly power; but, ]
pray you, tell me what have to do, if
wish to avoid the calamity of my pre-
decessors."
! Remember, sire" answered the vizier
" that you came to our island naked, and
that YOU will leave in exactly the same
state. and never return. The only means
] possible to avoid the danger which threat
ems YOU by Punishment to that island i
TO make il fruitful and cause people Il
settle there This is, according to oul
laws. allowed. and your subjects are so do
cile they will 60 whittier you send them
Send, also, a number of laborers thither
and let them change the desert fields IN
10 fruitful ones, build cities and store
houses. and provide them with all nee
essarv vituals la short, prepare fl
yourself new kingdom. whose inhabi
J tants may receive you ioyfully after you
| punishment Blu hasten, and let no mo
! ment pass by uselessiy, for time is shoFf
and the more YOU do towards the build
ING OF your new home. the happier wi
your stay be. Ifyou dispise my advis
or loiter, You are lost, and long miser
will be your lot"
f The king was a wise man, and tn
/. words of the vtzier gave wings to his re-
{ olution and activity.
lie at once dispatched many of h
: subjects to the island; they went wit
: pleasure. and Sci to work zeslously. Til
leland began to beaatify itself, and b
< fore six months had elapsed large towr
stood on its blooming pastures. No
/ withstanding this, the king did nj
!, siacken in his zeal; be sent more inhab
Z tnnce. who were even more willing tha
9 the first, as they went to q weli-cult
{ waited land. which their friends and rel;
1, tives inhabitated.
i Meanwhile the end of the year Al
4 preached nearer and nearer. The form,
: kings had uembled for this moment, bl
h this one awaited the day with Impatient
i for he was going 10 land where, throug
T his own activity, be had built himself
= durable dwelling place.
5 The fixed day arrived at last I'll
t king was seized, robbed OF his oiadel
. ana ROYAL robes, and Brought to the shi
t which was o take him to the place I
/ his Punishment. Scarcely had he reacl
( 4 II. ~.