The Opelousas courier., 1892-10-29


| which for several centuries iourished in
a part of whet is now the Republic OF
| Mexico.
Stretching away from the imperial
| city toward the M ,untains were fields of
yellow maize, nat glittered IN the sun
hight like seas of gold. Mingled with
and beyond these were plantations of the
maeueY or aloe, one of the most i'm
portant and useful products of the
| country. Farther in the distance, and
from thence extending to the mountains
themselves, were vast forests of the rich
and variegated flora of the then semi
tropical region.
One evening, as the sun was casting
his last bright beams On the valley, she'd
ding a refulgent glory over the land
scape, there stood at the edge Of the
forest two men engaged in earnest con-
sultatioD.
One OF these, although young, was
clad in the garb Of a high warrior, or
s'l0rd OF the realm" with a short tunic
e which was a cuirass made of thin
plates Of gold and silver. A magnificent
cloak OF many-hued feathers and a silver
helmet. from the top of which waved q
panache OF variegated plumes, sprinkled
with precious stones, completed the attire
of the Prince, for such he was.
His companion wa a man whose hair
was white with age, yet his eyes flashed
with energy and his step was still firm.
This was Hui,zil, priest of the terrible
wal god, Huitzilopochtli.
The younger man was speaking.
aAnd thinkest thou not, good Father
Huitzil, that my father, the King, viii
decree to save the maiden, that she may
become my wife,
MAY, Prince NezahualcovotI, that
may not be. For who would oppose the
commands of the great and awe inspiring
Hutzilopochtli, the god of gods2 And
has he not spoken through me, his SER
want, that the maiden must die2 Nay,
my son, lift not thy hand against the
anointed of the gods! Thou shalt find
others as worthy OF thy favor as lula.
The world is wide and Huitzilopochtli is
it's ruler. He who taketh one can give
another. Be advised, my son, and let
not thy hand be guided by the rashness
OF the unbeliever."
aMy. father, thou art wise, but thou
art old. It is naught to thee that the
fierce passion RACES in my bosom. Thou
art like Wonder mountain, rearing its
snow-clad summit toward the sun am
like the fire mountain, the flames roar in
my bosom. What knowest thou Of youth
or the love OF YOUTH ! tell thee that I
love the beautiful Tula. aud she shall be
my bride, or anothr snail sit On the
throne of Tezcuco in the stead OF my
father. I have said it,"
The visage of the old priest was stern
as he replied to this impetuous outbreak.
uMy son speaks truth and falsehood.
He is young, and has the flames of the
ere mountain within his bosom, yet is
he wisdom of the gods withheld from
him. Huitzilopochtli has opened my
eyes, and / see into the future. The old
king sits upon bis throne in peace. He
dreams not of danger, yet t 10 enemy IS
at his gates. One ONE from the north,
ind the old king is slain. see the
Prince Nezahnaicoyotl driven like the
east from cave to tree. But at last he
] the victor. He sits on the throne Of
f~ezcuco, and q maiden sits by his side.
be face OF the maiden is not the face OF
lula"
As the old priest continued he fell into
i rhythmical chant. He stretched his
rms toward the setting sun, and as he
,eased speaking the last raw Of the orb
IL day fell aslant his upturned connte-
nance, lighting it with m almost divine
'aiiaace, until the listening prince stood
twestruck and won iering.
The ray Of li4ht lated aRas. and still
! issy ~rsRaaiaed silsnt, wrapped ii