The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-05-27

Heraclo possessed a very Violent 'em-
per, and when in rage was terrible. A
witch of the mountains cautioned him
when he was child to restrain his
temper, or it would not only prove his
ruin, but the destruction of Mexico.
He was so proud and naughty that he
held even the King in defiance. Sure
" the Monarch would not dare punish
one so powerful and influential as he.
The King had been at war with some
northern tribes and had succeeded in
humiliating them, and compelling
them to pay tribute. Heraclio returned
laden with spoils and honors, and a
great banquet was given in honor
of him, in the piazza in front of the
Kings palace. He was honored as
no General had ever been, and MADE
one of the Kings chief advisers. There
was poor slave whom Heraclio bitterly
hated. He purchased the slave. who
had been captured in war. and made
his life miserable. Before his capture
the young man had been Prince, and
it was his bravery which had won the
lasting hate of Heraclio. He finally
had the captive Prince dragged to the
mountain and there chained to tree.
He beat him with stick until he was
bruises from head to foot. Then he
had the vultures come day by day, and
devour his flesh as fast as it grew.
Heraclio rejoiced in his misery and
used every device to increase it. The
Prince prayed to die and end his suf-
fcring, but death was denied him.
Heraclio kent tame vultures to feast
on his flesh, until his lower limbs were
nothing but dry bones. One day the
tortured man refused to breathe and
ended his miserable life by voluntary
suffocation,
1.-THE King heard of the cruelty of
his chief counselor, and had him ar
rested But Heraclio had such conf
dence in his high position that he did
not dream that harm could befall him.
As he was going across the judicial
chamber he saw his own portrait hang
ing on the wall, with line traced by
an arrow across it. He started back
filled with fear and establishment. A
capital sentence was indicated in that
manner. He had over-estimated his
power, and had been sentenced to
death. With the fear of death, came
the horrors of remorse. The blood of
the murdered slave seemed to cry out
against him, and he fled from the pal
ace. The guards, not knowing he was
condemned, allowed him to pass. He
fled to the mountains. Los Tres Frailes
was first reached, and when he had
concealed himself, he lay down to
sleep. He slept long time-some say
hours, some say days, and some say a
hundred years. When he awoke the
small trees about him had grown old
and died. He was very hungry and
had no food, and no means of provid.
ing any save the flint-head spear he
had brought with him. He espied 9
fawn short distance away and gave
chase to it. 1t fled, going down, down,
down into a deep canyon. He seemed
to neither gain nor lose on 1t. The
chaparral and mesquit bushes disap
peared, the cactus was left behind, and
on every side there sprang up Q
strange, unnatural tree. He pursued
the fawn through a canyon SO dark
that no object but the animal, which
seemed of golden color, could bt
seen. After wandering for miles
through the dark canyon, he came Ou
in broad valley watered by delight
full rivers, and covered with luxurian
grasses. There was city in the dis
lance, the streets Of which were paved
with gold. The spires and roofs glist
ened so that he scarce could bear tht
light. The gates were of pearl, ant
before them tall, dark soldiers in shin.
ing armor solemnly marched. He ha(
no thought of the fawn now, but slak
ing his thirst in the first stream hi
came to, started for the Reals Perdi
dos o Encantados'
"Alto ahi, (halt) said the sentr,
as he came near the gate. The un
fortunate Heraclio came to stand
still, for the man handled his shinin!
lance in such a way that the senior
courage seemed all of a sudden to de
sert him. who are you?'
"He explained that he was Genel
al of the army of the King Of the Az
tees. and wanted shelter within tn
walls of the city. The sentry VIII
! seemed to know his past history, re
fused to admit him until he had burne
incense to the gods for the peace 9th
, man he had so cruelty murdered. TIL
proud Heraclio refused to do this. H
was sorry he had committed the mul
der, but he could not humiliate hin
self in this manner. For days an
weeks he wandered about the VALLEY
subsisting on grass, and roots, an
herbs, like the cattle--refusing to d
: the bidding of the sentry. The sentr
9 was always at the gate and the wal
were so high that he could not elm
! them, or get glimpse of the interior
From behind those walls came I'll
I sweetest music ear had ever heart
!. 1t seemed to come from some instr
ment that floated in the air. Voic,
l joined in singing songs so sweet as
y almost drive him mad. He was to-
J, mented at times by flying vultures an
e serpents, and the most lOathsome an
r mails one ever saw. Through all OF
= white dove seemed to act as his frien,
= and urged him to comply with the d
r mand of the sentry, and enter the gat
Y He held out yet awhile, but his former
was too great and at last he compile,
t burning incense to appease the wra,
t of the gods. Then as he approache
d the gate, the sentry raised his lance
b salute. and the gates of pearl opene
l. wide for him to enter. He passt
; through. accompanied by the dow