Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
An American King David.

An American King David.
When the Spaniards, under the
famous Cortes. came to Mexico in 1919,
they found the country inhabited by
people already civilized.
About 100 years before the Tezcucans,
themost enlightened of the native tribes,
had a Prince whose history has strik
ing resemblance to that of the Hebrew
King David. His name is hard one,
but by dividing it into double syllables
we may master it-Neza-hual-coyotl.
In his youth, like David, he was obliged
to flee for his life from the wrath of
morose monarch who occupied the
throne, and he met with many romantic
adventures and hair-breauth escapes.
Once, when some soldiers came to take
him in his own house, he vanished in
clcud of incense, such as attendants
burned before Princes, and concealed
himself in Il sewer until his enemies
were gone. He fed to the mountains,
where he slept in caves and thickets,
and lived on wild fruits, occasionally
showing himself in the cottages of the
poor people, who befriended their
Prince at the peril of their own lives.
Once, when closely pursued, passing
girl who was reaping in field, he
begged her to cover him from sight
with the stalks of grain she was cutting;
she did so, and when his enemies came
mp. directed the pursuit into a false
path. At another time, he took refuge
with some soldiers who were friendly
to MIN, and who covered MIN with a
war-drum, about which they were dane
ing. No bribe could induce his faith
full people to betray him.
would you not deliver up your
Prince if he came in your way?" he
once asked a young country-fellow, to
whom his person was unknown.
"Neverp replied the peasant.
Not for a fair lady's hand and a
great fortune?" said the Prince.
Not for all the world" was the
answer.
The Prince, who was rightful heir
to the throne, grew every day in the
favor of the people, and at last he
foand himself at the head of an army,
while the bad King was more and more
detested. A battle was fought, the
usurper's forces were routed, and he
was afterward slain. The Prince, who
so lately fed for his life, was now pro-
claimed King.
Heat once set about reforming abuses,
and making wise laws for his kingdom.
He established society devoted to the
encouragement of science and art. He
gave prizes for the best literary compo-
sitions for these people had sort of
picture-writing), and he was himself a
poet, like King David. His poems,
some of which have been preserved and
translated, were generally of religious
character. His favorite themes were
the vanity of human greatness, praises
of the Unknown God and the blessings
of the future life for such as do good in
this. The Tezcucans, like the Aztecs,
were idolators, who indulge il the
horrid rites of human sacrifice 10 their
awful deities; but this wise and good
King detested such things and endeav-
ored to wean his people from them, de-
claring, like Davi /, that, above all idols
and over all men, ruled an unseen
spirit, who was the one God.
The King used to disguise himself,
and go about among his people, in
order to learn who were happy, how
his laws were administered, and what
was thought of his Government. On
one occasion. he fell in with a boy
gathering sticks in field.
"Why don't you go into yonder for
est, where you will find plenty of
wood?' asked the disguised monarch.
"Ah!" cried the boy, shat forest
belongs to the King, and he would
have me killed if I should take his
wood; for that is the law"
as he so hard man as that?"
aye, that he is-a very hard nam,
indeed, who denies his people what God
has given themT"
at is bad law" said the King;
"and I advise you not to mind it. Come,
there is no one here to see you; 60 into
the forest, and help yourself to sticks"
Not Il" exclaimed the boy.
you are afraid some one will come
and find you? But I will keep watch
for you," urged the King.
Will you take the punishment in
my place, if chance to get caught?
No, mol" cried the boy, shrewdly shak-
ing his head, I should risk my life if
took the Kings wood"
But tell you it will be no risk"
said the King. Il will protect you; go
and get some wood"
Upon that the boy turned and looked
him boldly in the face.
Il believe you are traitor" he cried
IAN enemy of the King! or else you
want to get me into trouble. But Won
can't. I know how to take care of my
self; and I shall show respect to the
laws, though they are bad"
The boy went on gathering sticks,
and in the evening went home with his
load of fuel.
The next day his parents were aston.
hnE TO- l.