The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-02-25
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,
the most enlightened of the native tribes,
had 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 fee for his life from the wrath of q
morose monarch who occupied the
throne, and he met with many romantic
adventures and hair breadth ESCAPES.
Once, when some soldiers came to take
him in his own house, he vanished in
cloud OF incense, such as attendants
burned before Princes, and concealed
himself in a sewer until his enemies
were gone. He fled 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 a
girl who was reaping in q field, he
begged her to cover him from sight
with the stalks of grain she was cutting;
she did 80, and when his enemies came
up, directed the pursuit into a false
path. At another time, he took refuge
with some soldiers who were friendly
to him, and who covered MIN with o
war-drum, about which they we're dane
ing. No bride 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 fair lady's hand and
great fortune?" said the Prince.
"Not for all the worldl" 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
found 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
80 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-
Gtions 0or these people had sort of
picture-writing), and he was himself
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 Tezoucans, like the Aztecs,
were idolators, who INDUCED in the
horrid rites Of human sacrifice to 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 q boy
gathering sticks in field.
"Why don't you 60 into yonder for
est, where you will find plenty of
wood?" asked the disguised monarch.
~Ahp cried the boy, shat forest
belongs to the King, and he would
have me killed if should take his
wood; for that is the law" "
us he so hard man as that?"
AYE, that he is-a very hard man,
indeed, who denies his people what God
has given themi"
It is q bad law" said the King;
land 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 II" exclaimed the boy.
You are afraid some one will come
and find you? But I viii keep watch
for you" urged the King.
Will you take the punishment in
my place, if I chance to get caught?
No, mol" cried the boy, shrewdly shak-
ing his head, II should risk my life if
I took the Kings wood"
But tell you it will be no risk,"
said the King. 7 viii protect you go
and get some wood"
Upon that the boy turned and looked
him boldly in the face.