FOXTONIUS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1081, 3 April 1913, Page 2

FOXTONIUS.

FROM THE BOOK OF CHRONICLES.

Now, in the days after the Chief Ruler, Georgius Stylibus, did resign from the high seat in the Council of the Rulers, by reason of a devastating fire which wrought much damage to his property, the Councillors drew lots, and 10, the mantle >of Georgius fell upon Albertius Gibbius, a dweller in the land of flax and a man of ambition. And peace reigned in the Council. As the time drew nigh, as was the custom in those days, for the people, after the space of twelve moons, to proclaim a chief ruler, certain of the tribes murmured among themselves and said: “let us make a new law and call upon a stranger who is within our gates to rule over us, for. our tribesmen have dwelt too long in the tents of Foxtonius, and strivings have risen among us, and we have waxed fat in the land and, 10, we have lost our cunning to rule and are as sucklings. Let he of the Garden of Edenus be our spokesman, and let us straightway cast ourselves before the stranger within our gates and make obeisance before him and call him to the seat of the mighty. And those who murmured against the old order with one voice said, “So be it.” And straightway they proceeded to the house of the stranger which was nigh unto the well where the beasts of the field were watered, and the stranger was within the gates of bis dwelling. He marvelled not at their coming, for a spy had forewarned him that strange murmurings were afoot, and astrologers had read the ascending of his star. The babblings of the murmurers against the old rulers were silenced as they neared the portals of the stranger, and he of the Garden of Edenus did proclaim with a loud voice: “O, stranger, deign to listen to the outpourings of a much troubled people. Lo, in these days there is much murmuring among us. We would all wear the mantle of • the Chief Ruler which is cast after every twelve moons but we cannot agree among ourselves, and do beseech you to allow us to proclaim you in our stead. Certain of our men, O Stranger! do inform us that thou art cunning in the use of bowls and with curious sticks to drive small tails over great distances and that thou hast a large store of riches, and dost levy taxes upon those who gather thy flax and the hills have echoed the bleating of thy many sheep in far off lands. Further, O Stranger, we beg you to shed your intelligence over our Council so that our people may have water clear as crystal in every home, and that without price; that the bright light may be free to all; that the taxes may be lifted from the people ; that our wives and children and old men may be given free picture entertainments on low days and holy days, and that by thy magic powers the strong room in the house of the Council shall overflow with bright gold. O Stranger ! we are not of ourselves able to bring about these things, and so we come to you because thou art a worker of miracles !” Then a great silence fell upon those assembled, and the Stranger opened his mouth and spake this wise: “I will give ear unto you, and will, if you speak by the mouth of the people, take the seat of the Chief Ruler, and will in due season, shed the light of my wisdom upon you.” Then was a gathering arranged in honour of the stranger, and he was feted in an ancient temple, amidst clouds of smoke, and the choice acclaimed by the clapping of hands. Now, many of the ancient dwellers were wrath when they heard what the murmurers had done, and they said : “Who is this stranger that the murmurers should set him to rule over us ? Whence came he ? Have our own people lost their cunning to rule ? Are our Councillors become as babes that they require a nurse ? Are we to be the scorn of neighbouring tribes? Go, to, let us bring a man trusty and true from among ourselves skilled in the ways of the Council, to remove the reproach ot the murmurers !” And it came to pass that the faithful Georgius Stylibus was acclaime to take the high place in th Council, and a day was appointed for the people to make choice.