Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-01-02
An American King David.

they found the country inhabited by
people already civilized. 49, .'
About hHndred years before, the
Tezcucans, the, most enlightened of
the native tribes, had prince
whose history has striking resem-
blance to that of the Hebrew King Da.
yid. His name is . hard enc, hut by
dividing it into double syllables we
may master it,-.Neza- hual ,coyoll. In
his youth, like David, he was obliged
to flee for his life from the wrath of a
moross monarch who occupied the
throne, and he met with many roman
tic adventures and 7hair-breadth es-
capes.
Once, when some soldiers, came to
take him in his own house, he vanished
in cloud OF incense, such as attend
ants BURNED before princes, and con-
cealed himself in sewer until his
enemies were gpns. He tetpto the
mountains, where he slept in caves and
thickets, and lived on wild fruits, occa-
s;onally 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 u
field, he begged her to cover him from
sigh, with the stalks of grain she was
cutting; she did so, and when his enc
mics came up, directed the pursuit into
q false path. At another time lie took
refuge with some soldiers who were
friendly to him, and VINO covered him
with q war-drum, about which they
were dancing. No bribe could induce
his faithful people to betray him.
|. Would you not deliver up Your
o!ince if he came in your way?" no
once asked a young country fellow, to
whom his person was unknown.
"Never!" replied the peasant.
"Not for a fair ladys hand and a
great fortune? said the prince.
mot for all the worid!" was the
answer. '@
The prince, VINO was rightful heir to
the throne, grew every day in the favor
of the people, and ut last he found
himself at the head of an army, while
the bad king was more and more de.
tested. A battle was fought, the usurp-
er's forces were routed, and he was
afterward slain. The prince, who so
lately fled for his life, was now pro.
claimed king.
He ut once set about reforming
abuses, and making laws for his king
dom. He established society devoted
to the encouragement of science and
art. He gave prizes for tho best liter
airy compositions (for these people had
a sort of picture-writing), and was him.
self a poet, like King David. His
favorite themes were tho vanity of hu.
rs I,
God. and the blessings of the future
life for such as do good in this. The
Tezcucans, like the Aztecs, were idola-
tors, who INDUCED in the horrid rites
of human sacrifice to their awful deities;
but this wise and good king detested
such things, and endeavored to wean
his people from them, declaring, like
David, that above all idols, and over all
men, ruled an unseen Spirit, who was
d one God.
The king used to disguise himself,
and 60 about among his people, in Or
der to learn who were happy, how his
laws we're administered, and what was
thought of his government. On one
such occasion he fell in with 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. "that forest
belongs to the king, and he would have
me killed if l should take his wood
for that is the law"
Is he so hard man DIS that?"
Aye, that he is,-a very hard man,
indeed, who denies his people what
God has given themin
1t is bad law" said the king;
land I advise you not to mind it.
Come, there is no one here to see you;
go into the forest, and help yourself to
sticks"
mot !" exclaimed the boy.
you are afraid some one will come
and lind you? But ! 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, 4" l should risk my life if
l took the kings wood"
g But tell you it will be no risk, "
said the king. II will protect you: go
and get some wood"
Upon that the boy turned and looked
him boldly in the face.
-" believe you are traitor" he
cfied,- an enemy of the king or else
you want to get me into trouble. But
you can't. I know how to take care OF
myself; and shall show respect to the
lays, though they ere bad"
NSs boy went on gathering sticks and
IN vs evening went home with his load
of fuel.
The next day his parents were aston
ished to receive summons to appear
with their son before the king. As
they went tremblingly into his pres.
ence. the boy recognized the man with
whom he had talked the day before.
and he turned deadly pale.
:" If that be the king" he said. "then
We are no better than dead folks, all
But the king descended from his
throne, and smilingly said:
Come here, my son! Come here
good people both! Fear nothing.
met this lad in the fields yesterday
and tried to persuade him to disobey
the law. But 1 found him proof against
all temptation. So I sent for you
good people, to tell you what true