The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-10

merrify with the young couple. put iatoE
on the King could not close his ears TO the
complaints of his people. who deplored
the arrival of this stranger In their
midst, and the disorder which relgned
since his advent. Gradually. too. NIscol
began to neglect his young wife, and 10
leave her ut home with only her father as
companion. while he chased round the
world. And now VigIlia became silent and
sad. When she was questioned as to the
whereabout of her husband. or the date
of his return, or the reason of her not ac-
compsnving him. she invariably answered.:
II know not"
When he did return his manner was rude
and violent toward her. aud while she
grew more silent and submissive. he grew
rough and overbearing. The white beard
of the old King often shook with anger
when he witnessed the treatment to which
his once high-spirited daughter was sub.
jected. He bowed his bcary head toward
the earth saying. Il fear me shall not live
to see the birth of my grandson. May the
Great Spirit grant to thee. through thy
through its father"
Shortly after this the good old King was
taken TO his rest, and his devoted subjects
mourned for and Ismented him nine times
nine weeks.
Vlgilia's grief and bitter tears were only
assuagod when she brought forth her little
son. child so wonderfully beautiful of
countenance. but SO extremely delicate in
constitution. that abe locked with trem-
bling on his tiny face, and lost herself In
conjecture at the thought of how he would
ever be able to govern her turbulent peo-
pie, or how far he would be capable of re-
sisting his fathers severity.
Night and day she held him In her arms
She never trusted him from out of her
sight; even when she passed Judgment on
offenders and accorded state interviews.
her baby lay on her breast. Zephyr was
the name which she gave to her son, who
grew daily in beauty and In bodily
strength. thanks to the great care which
fortify his fragile frame for the ordeals
through which he must necessarily pass
before he could be elected King
Her faithful deer, Graur and Mititica.
carried him long distances on their backs.
in order to inure him to fatigue. His agile
mother ran races with him, taught him
how to bend the bow, and to carry heavy
weights. In order to accustOm him to
suffer and to endure she beat hlm with
twIRs and flung stones at him. and when
his laughter changed to tears she upbrAid-
ed him with cOwardice and bathed him
with icy water.
On the morrow she would beat him even
more severely. until he learned to over
come the sensation of pain and to laugh in
spite Of suffering
Vlscol had always hated his son. and now
his absences became longer and more fire.
quent. Once he was in so great hurry TO
get away from them that he left behind
him his beautiful harp; this instrument be-
came source of great pleasue both to his
neglected wife and child. Vikilia possessed
great musical talent. and she would play
dirges and melancholy airs, but when the
young Zephyr breathed on the harp-strings
it was as If the whole air sang with the
song of rejoicing.
The people now hated Viscol so intensely
that they no longer allowed him to enter
the country, and when he made his appear
ance in the clouds they discharged such q
shower of arrows at him that he was glad
to beat q speedy retreat.
Some of these brave men loved their
young Prince because of his resemblance
to his beautiful mother; but others de:
splsed him because of his weakness and
delicacy. All were agreed as TO praisinG
his enthralling music. and when he
stood by his harp. hts long. silky bail
reaching to his shoulders, he seemed to
them being from another world. Twas
true he could not drive four stags abreast
as could his mother the Queen. but he had
become much stronger than she ever eX'
pected that he would be.
When Zephyr attained his sixteenth year
the people pronounced IL to be time for him
to 60 through the test in order to ascertain
their King, for SHOULD he fail to pass the re-
CURED ordeal they would compel Queen
Vigilia to take one of themselves as con.
sort. so that they might have suitable
man to reign over them.
On the day appointed Zephyr bore the
heat of the sun bravely. and no one was
aware how he lay painting with fever the
whole night through tended By his devoted
mother.
On the second day. while he collected the
but helped him in secret: and in the even.
ing. when he tainted from fatigue, she was
there to catch him In her arms.
Next dawned the day which she most
dreaded, when every stone which struck
his tender body wounded her heart to the
core. When she saw him falter she en-.
couraged him with cheerful words and
caressing signs. which brought back the
color to his cheeks and the smile to his pale
lips.
hurled. when treacherous hand flung q
sharp-edged stone, which strhck the boy on
the temple. His mother sprang forward
with cry of anguish and caught him te
her breast. then she knelt down and pressed
his curls dripping with blood to her aching
heart.
Once only did Zephyr open his eyes.
Bring me the harp" sighed he.
They ran quickly to bring IL for him; be
took 1t in his arms, and his pure soul passed
gently over the celestial chords. whose di
vine vibrations foated in airy waves away
Then the poor mother arose with sci
features. and arms appeaIingly raised to
heaven, exclaimed:
"Oh! ye men of stony hearts, be We alst
turned to stone! Listen. Great Spirit. be-
seech Thee to the cry of mother for veng O.
ance! Turn to stone, ye traitors. We who
have ruthlessly taken the life of the purest
being on Gods earth. Be We turned tt
stOne!"
Then before her ey es this nation of giants
who had been gathered in q semi circle
around her, became instantly petrifed
while she sighed so deeply that her hear
broke with plaintive cry. which reveal lee
to the world mothers anguish and tn.
enormity of the crime which had been com
mitted by mortal men.
As for tho stays. they spread out their
heavy wings, and flew away forever ont o