CercistoiPu ©a jcUc.
Vol XXXVI —Whole No- 1896.
Ratrs of Advertising.
One square, 18 lines,
1 time 50
44 2 times 75
•' 3 44 1.00
" 1 mo. 1.25
• 3 41 2 50
14 6 4 4 4. 00
44 1 year 6.00
2 squares, 3 times 2.00
44 3 mos. 3.50
Communications recommending persons for
office, must be paid in advance at the rate of
25 cents per square.
Wo £Jo
Attorney at Law,
WILL attend promptly to business entrust
ed to his care in this and adjoining
counties. Office one door west of the Post
Office. June 23, 1850-ly.
J. W. PARKER,
Attorney at Law,
LEWISTOWN, MII-JLIN CO., PA.
OFFICE on Market street, two doors east of
the Bank. [April 12, 1850-tf
w. h mm
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
HAS resumed the practice ofhis profession
in this and the adjoining counties.
" Office at the Banking House of Longeneck
er, Grubb SL CO. Jan. 20, 1948—tf.
GEO. W. ELDER,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
ifwistown, Mifflin Connty, Pa.
OFFICE two doors west of the True Demo
crat Office. Mr. Elder will attend to any
business in the Courts of Centre country.
August 25, 1849—tf.
DR. J. B. MITCHELL
OFFERS ins professional services to the
citizens of Lewistown and vicinity. He
can always be found at his office, in his drug
store, or at the house of Gen. Irwin, unless pro
fessionally engaged. [March 15, 1950.
D. H. ROACH,
BARBER AETD HAIR DRESSER
MARKET STREET, Lewistown, next door
to Judge Ritz's. may24tf
GREAT EXCITEMENT
ABOUT
Benjamin Hinkiey's Patent
Elastic Spring Bottom
MANUFACTURED AND SOLD BY
A. FELIX,
At the Lewiitown Cheap Cabinet Ware Rooms,
WHERE the article can be seen at any
time among his large stock of other
FURNITURE of all descriptions. The fol
lowing testimonials from those who purchased
and have now in use, or had the bottom put into
their old bedsteads, will speak for themselves:
CERTIFICATES !
This is to certify that I purchased twenty
pair of new bedsteads with Hinkley's patent
elastic spring bottom in, am well pleased with
them, consider them a good article, and would
buy no others. I would recommend them to
all persons, as they are easily screwed together,
and can be kept cleaner than any hitherto made.
JAMES ALLISON.
1 jOnctir with the above and consider it a
good article for tavern keepers and others.
THOMAS MAYES.
We certify that we got A. Felix to put B.
Hinkley's patent bottom into our old bedsteads,
and th: 4 "hey answer the purpose exceedingly
well. We consider it a bedstead that can be
kept much cleaner from insects, screwed up
firmer than any others, and recommend thern
to the public.
DAVD BLOOM, JOHN CLARK,
JERMAN JACOB, D. SUNDERLAND.
April 26,1850 —tf
BOOKS & STATIOMF.
TOBACCO AND CIGAR STORE.
rpHE subscriber respectfully informs his
JL friends and the public in genera!, that he
has REMOVED his store to the room lately
occupied by JOHN I. M'COY, as a Shoe Store,
nearly opposite the Bank, where he has just
received a first rate assortment of Congress,
Plug, Roll, Lady Twist. Small Lump, Sweet
and~Plain Cavendish, Black Fat, Luscious Lux
ury, Eldorado, Natural Anti-nervous, Mr* Mil
ler's and Anderson's Fine Cut and Solace 1 O
BACCO; Rappee, Scotch, Macabau and Na-
Hotches SNUFF and Snuff Boxes; PIPES,
and SMOKING TOBACCO; Havana, Span
ish, Half do,, and American CIGARS.
Aleo, Letter and Writing PAPER; Quills,
Steel Pens and Pen Holders ; Motto, 1 ranspa
rent and Plain WAFERS; Sealing Wax,
Slates and Slate Pencils, Lead Pencils, Black,
Blue, Red, and Indelible INK, and Inkstands;
Black Sand and Sand Boxes, and a general
assortment of
Blank and Bcliool Books,
together with a choice selection of JUVENILE
end LITEBABY WORKS.
Also, a food article of Pen Knives, Pocket
Combs. Bank Cases, Port Monies, &c., dec.,
which he will sell at the very lowest cash pri
ces. GEO. W. THOMAS.
N. B.—He will sell Tobacco, Snuff and Ci
gars at WHOLESALE to dealers on the
most accommodating terms.
l>ewistown, June 7,1850 —3rn
Thompson's*
CMPODND SYRI'P OP TAB k WOOD JiAPTDA,
the cure of Pulmonary consumption,
bronchitis, asthma, influenza, obstinate
"ough", spitting of blood, liver complaint,
■ hooping cough, croup, &c.
PUMP Sugar Coated Piilc —German Pill*
!"ylo] For site by J. B. MITCHELL
2 squares, 6 mos. $5.00
44 1 year 8.00
j column, 3 mos. 6.00
6 44 10.00
1 year 15.00
1 column, 3 mos. 10.00
6 44 15.00
44 1 year 25.00
Notices before mar
riages, &c. $l2.
Those voting in favor of the passage of the resolution
were, H. Jones Brooke, J Porter Brawiey, William A
Crabb, Jonathan J. Cunningham, Thomas 8. Fernon,
Thomas 11. Forsyth, Charles Frailey, Robert M Frick,
Henry Fulton, John W. Guernsey, William liaslett, Isaac
Hugus, Timothy Ives, Joshua Y. Jones, Joseph Konig
macher, George V. Lawrence. Maxwell M'Baslin, Benja
min Malone, Benjamin Matthias, Henry A Muhlenberg,
William F Packer, William H Sadler, David Sankey,
Peleg B Savery, Conrad Shinier, Robert C. Sterrett,
Daniel Stine, Farris B Streeter, John If. Walker, and
Valentine Best, Speaker —Yeas 20
Those voting against the passage of the resolution were,
George Darsie, Augustus Drum, and Alexander King-
Nays 3.
2Pißnss ,| i?isiD sn? <&x§@i£®iig
Resolution relative to an Amendment of tie Constitution
TJE3OT.VED by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General
Assembly met. That the Constitution of this Common
wealth be amended in the second section of the fifth ar
ticle, so that It shall read as follows .- The Judges of the
Supreme Court, of the several Courts of Common Pleas,
and of such other Courts of Record as are or shall be
established by law, shall be elected by the qualified elec
tors of the Commonwealth, in the manner following, to
wit: The Judges of the Supreme Court, by the qualified
electors of the Commonwealth at large; the President
Judges of the several Courts of Common Pleas, and of
such other Courts of Record ss are or shall be established
by law, and all other Judges required to be learned in the
law, by the qualified electors of the respective districts
over which they are to preside or act as Judges; and the
Associate Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas by the
qualified electors of the counties respectively. The
Judges of the Supreme Court shall hold their oflices for
the term of fifteen years, if they shall so long behave
themselves well, (subject to the allotment hereinafter
provided for, subsequent to the first election ;) the Presi
dent Judges of the several Courts of Common Pleas,and
of such other Courts of Record as are or shall be estab
lished by law, and all other Judges required to be learned
In the law, shall hold their offices for I he term of ten years,
If they shall so long behave themselves well; the Asso
ciate Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas shall hold
theiroffices for the term of five years, If they shall so long
behave themselves well; all of whom shall be commis
sioned by the Governor, but for any reasonable cause,
which shall not be sufficient grounds of impeachment, the
Governor shall remove any of them on the address of
two-thirds of each branch of the Legislature. The first
election shall take place at the general election of this
Commonwealth nest after the adoption of this amend
ment, and the commissions of all the Judges who may be
then in office shall expire on the first Monday of Decem
ber following, when the terms of the new Judges shall
commence. The persons who shall then be elected
Judges of the Supreme Court shall hold their offices as
follows : One of them for three years, one for six years,
one for nine years, one for twelve years, and one for fif
teen years, the term of each to be decided by lot by the
eald Judges, as soon after the election as convenient, and
the result certified by them to the Governor, that the com
missions may be issued inaccordancethereto. The Judge
whose commission will first expire shall be Chief Justice
during his term, and thereafter each Judge whose com
mission shail first expire shall in turn be the Chief Justice,
and if two or mors commissions shall expire on the same
day, the Judges holding them shall decide by lot which
shall be the Chief Justice. Any vacancies, happening by
death, resignation, or otherwise, in any of the said Courts,
shall be filled by appointment by the Governor, to con
tinue till the first Monday of December succeeding the
next general election. The Judges of the Supreme Court
and the Presidents of the several Courts of Common
Pleas shall, at stated times, receive for their services an
adequate compensation, to tie fixed i>y law, which shall
not be diminished during their continuance in office ; but
they shall receive no fees or perquisites of office, nor hold
any other office of profit under this Commonwealth, or
uoder the government of the United States, or any other
State of this Union. The Judges of the Supreme Court,
daring their continuance in office, shall reside within this
Commonwealth ; and the other Judges,during their con
tinuance in office, shall reside within the district or rounty
fer which they were respectively elected
J. 8 M'CALMONT,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
V BEST,
Speaker of the Senate
SENATE CHAMBER, )
llsamsßt Ru, January 2S, IbW). V
!, Samuel W. Pearson, Chief Clerk of the Senate of
Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that the foregoing reso
lution, (No. 10 on the Senate file of the present session,)
entitled "Resolution relative to an amendment of the
Constitution," —it being the same resolution which was
agreed to bv a majority of the members elected to each
House of the last Legislature—after having been duly
considered and discussed, was thin day agreed to by a ma
jority of the members elected to and serving in the Senate
of Pennsylvania, at its present session,as will appear by
their votes given on the final passage of the resolution, as
follows, vlx :
Extract from the Journal.
BAML W. PEARSON, Clerk.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, >
HABBISBCBO, March 14, ISSO 5
I, William Jack, Chief Clerk of the Home of Repre
sentative* of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that the
foregoing resolution, (No. 10 on the Senate file, and No.
211 on the House Journal of the present session,) entitled
'•Resolution relative to the amendment of the Constitu
tion," —it being the same resolution which was agreed to
by a majority of the members elected to each House of
the last legislature—after having been duly considered
and discussed, was this day agreed to by a majority of the
members elected to and serving in the House of Repre
sentatives of Pennsylvania, at its present session, as will
appear by their voles, given on the final passage of the
resolution, as follows, viz :
Those voting in favor of the passage of the resolution
were, John Acker, John Allison, William Baker, Robert
Baldwin, David J. Bent, Craig Biddle, Jeremiah Black,
John 8 Bowen, William Brindle, Daniel tf B. Brower,
Jesse R. Burden, John Cessna, Henry Church, John N.
Conynghain, Sylvester Crtdland, Benjamin O. David,
William J Dobbins, James P Downer, Thomas Duncan,
William Dunn, William Espey, John C. Evans, William
Evans, A. Scott Ewing, Alexander 8. Feather, James
Flowers, Benjamin P. Fortner, Alexander Cibboney,
Thomas E Grier, Joseph E Griffin, Joseph Guffey. Jacob
8. llaldernan, George 11. Hart, Leffert Hart, John Hast
ings, William J. Hemphill, John Hoge, Henry Iluplet,
Lewis lierford, Washington J. Jackson, Nicholas Jones,
John W. Killinger, Charles E. Kinkcad, Robert Klotz,
Harrison P Laird, Morris Leech, Jonathan D. Leet, An
son Leonard, James J. Lewis, Henry Little, Jonas R.
M'Clintock, John F. M'Culloch, Alexander C M'Curily,
John M'Laughlin, John M'Lean, Samuel Marx, John B.
Meek, Michael Meyers, John Miller, Joseph C. Molloy,
John D. Morris, William T. Morison, Ezekiel Mowry,
Edward Nickleson, Jacob Nissly, Charles O'Neill, John
B. Packer, Joseph C. Powell, James C. Reid, John 8.
Hhey, Lewis Roberts, Samuel Robinson, John B. Ruther
ford, Glenni W. Bcofield, Thorns C. Scnuller, William
Shaifner, Richard Simpson, Eli Blifer, William Smith,
William A. Smith, Daniel M. Smyser, William If. Souder,
Thomas C Steel, David Steward, Charles Stockwell,
Edwin C. Trone, Andrew Wade, Robert C. Walker,
Thomas Watson, Sidney B Wells, Ilirani A- Williams,
Daniel Zerbey, and John 8. M'Calmont, Speaker— -YeasB7.
Those voting against the passage of the resolution
were, Augustus K Cornyn, David Evans, and James M.
Porter—Nays 3.
Extract from the Journal,
WILLIAM JACK, Clerk
SRCHETARV'S OFFICE.
Filed March 15, ISSO
A W BENEDICT.
Deputy Secretary of tke Commonwealth.
SKCHETARV'S OFFICE.
PENNSYLVANIA, ES.
] do certify (hat Ihe above and foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the original resolution of the General As
sembly, entitled 44 Resolution relative to an amendment
of the Constitution," as the same remains on file in this
office,
I" testimony whereof I have hereunto
n 'y band, and caused to be affixed the
I seal of the Secretary's Office, at Il.irris-
Uurg, this fifteenth day of June, Anno
Domini one thousand eight hundred and
flfty . A I. RUSSELL,
|e*iJ3rn Secretary of the Commonwealth
FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 9, 18.10.
iJoctvo.
JEAISETTE AND JEAAXOT,
BT CHARLES W. GLOVER.
You are going far away,
Far away from poor Jeannetle,
There is no one left to love me now,
And you, too, may forget;
But my heart will be with you
Wherever you may go,
Can you look me in the face
And say the same, Jeannot?
When you wear the jacket red
And the beautiful cockade,
Oh! I fear you will forget
All the promises you made ;
With the gun upon your shoulder
And the bayonet by your side,
You'll be taking some proud Lady
And be making her your bride
Or when glory leads the way
You'll be madly rushing on,
Never thinking if they kill you
That my happiness is gone ;
If you win the day, perhaps
A General you'll be ;
Tho' I'm proud to think of that,
What will become of me ?
Oh ! if I were Queen of France,
Or, still better, Pope of Koine,
I would have no fighting men abroad,
No weeping maids at home ;
All the world should be at peace,
Or, if Kings must show their might,
Why, let them who make the quarrels
Be the only men who fight.
& Sbclcct Calc.
THE EiR L Y CHRISTIANS.
A TALE OF HEATHEN ROME.
In the reign of Marcus Aurelius Auto
nius, there lived in Rome a good old sen
ator, who had two daughters. Veronica
and Berenice were noted, less for their
beauty and gentleness, than lor the extra
ordinary resemblance thev bore to each
other, and their mutual affection. These
girls were twins, their mother had died
during their infancy, and it was found,
after her death, that a mother's eye only
had been enabled to distinguish the chil
dren. Had their father, Flavius Torqua
tus, bestowed much of his attention on
them, he might have acquired the same
power of discrimination ; hut the noble
patrician's hours were divided between the
senate-house and the court; and when he
came home at night, wearied, he was well
enough pleased to play with his two sweet
little girls without farther troubling himself
concerning them. And yet he was a kind
father ; he entreated his widowed sister to
take up her abode with him, that she might
take care of the children ; he allotted for
their use a magnificent suit of rooms ; he
purchased lor them a numerous train of
slaves. Veronica and Berenice had scarce
ly a wish ungratilied.
As they increased in years, the remark
able similarity of their persons remained
undiminished, but their characters became
essentially different. Berenice was pen-
Five, gentle, it might he somewhat melan
choly, studious, and fond of retirement;
Veronica was volatile, giddy, of quick
and warm affections, yet did these points
of difference not lesson their fond affec
tion.
They had completed their sixteenth
; year, when among other presents brought
| by their father on his return front a visit
to the East, was a young female slave of
extraordinary intelligence and merit. She
I soon became the favorite of Berenice, and
I the noble young Roman would frequently
recline for hours on her couch, while the
slave beside her, occupied at her embroid
i ery, would tell her tales of her own family
and native land. She wept when she
spoke of her peaceful home and aged pa
rents, and Berenice felt as though she loved
the girl more for her fond regret. Site
asked her for what cause her liberty had
been forfeited, for she knew that Alee had
not been born a slave, but on this point
she could obtain no satisfaction. Berenice
would not pursue the painful subject, but
her sister's curiosity was not so easily
| suppressed. She questioned her father,
and the reply of Flavius made both his
daughters start with horror.
"It was for crime," he said, 44 for crime
of a blacker nature than you can conceive ;
for crime that merited death, but I pitied
her youth ; nay," he continued, 44 be not
alarmed, she cannot, will not injure you ;
she is gentle and skillful in the healing art,
for this reason I have her about you, and
—you are Romans, and noble, Berenice 1
—you will not descend to undue familiari
ty with a slave."
Berenice heard this injunction; she meant
to obey it; but shortly after this conversa
tion she was attacked bv a painful illness,
j and the tedious hours of sleepless nights
she could not refrain from desiring Alee to
tell her stories, and sing her songs, as she
had been wont to do. Often and often, as
she watched the quick short step of her at
tendant, and compared her wearied assi-
I duitv and gentle activity with the indolence
; and carelessness of her other slaves, she
wondered what could be the crime of which
' so meek and unoffending a creature had
been guilty. One night, she felt worse
than usual, and having persuaded her sis
ter to retire for a while, she lay perfectly
still, meditating on the past, and on the
future, the fearful future, of which she
knew so little, and which she so much
dreaded. Alee was kneeling by her couch,
and believing her mistress to he asleep,
i
she prayed in a soft voice to the God of
| the Christians for her recovery. Berenice
listened in still attention ; she had heard
to her surprise, the meditation of a Being
implored, of whose very existence she
was totally ignorant; she saw Alee rise at
last with an expression of resignation and
holy hope in her meekly raised eye, which
she had never witnessed in the votaries of
i love. She called the trembling girl to her
side, and bade her quickly explain her sa-
I cred faith. Alee hesitated ; she knew the
| danger she would incur, for both, and some
remains of the fear of man yet lingered
j about her heart; but she conquered the
; unworthy feeling, and drawing from the
folds of her robe a roll of parchment, she
i read aloud to her attentive auditress the
; most surprising event in the history of
i mankind. * * * " *
Many months had passed away. One
evening the sisters were together in their
own apartment. Veronica stood before a
mirror; her vest of satin, her flower
wreathed robe, her zone of hriliants, told
that she was preparing for a festival. At
, the farther end of the room Berenice was
seated. She was arrayed in a plain white
dress, and her long hair fell unbraided in
its own rich luxuriance about her tiiroat
1 and shoulders ; with one hand she fondled
a snow-white dove, and ever and anon her
j dark hair fell over the gentle bird, and it
, nestled lovingly with it; the other rested
on a parchment which appeared to engross
the maiden's deepest attention.
44 Come, now, Berenice," said hersister,
playfully fixing the wreath of roses, pre
pared for herself, on her si-ter's brow,
• 4 lay aside for once your melancholy book,
ami send your dove to his rest, and come
down to the banquet," Berenice looked
up, and answered gently.
44 Not so, Veronica, not ; it if
the anniversary of poor Aire's death ; and
: did she not die ior love of me, watching
• and waiting when all others slept ? Her
image has been with me through the day;
I cannot join the banquet with my heart
full of sad memorials ; leave ine, sister,"
and Berenice took off and returned the
wreath.
44 \et listen, one word more ; thou
know est who will be there this evening.
My lather will frown, and Lucius Emilius
will sigh when Igo in alone. Lucius de
parts to-morrow for the battle ; and shall
he go without one benison from his afli- '
anced ?"
'• No," replied her sister, speaking low
and faltering ; " you. Veronica, will tell
him that I wait to see him here, before his
departure,"
"■Berenice! my sister, bethink you of
our father; remember his patrician pre
judices ; surely this step—"
" Go, dear sister," answered Berenice, 1
mildly yet firmly ; •• for the love th" f you
bare me, do me this errand. 1 would not ;
any other eye should mark the weakness
1 fear to betray at parting with one whom
my father has commanded me to love ;
tell ray father that I am unwell, and it is
true, my head and heart ache—go. dear
est." And \ cronica, unconvinced, vet
persuaded by die tears of her sister, which
in truth were flowing fast, left her alone.
Berenice resumed her reading, but not
for many minutes ; she arose and shut the
volume, saying, " Not thus, not thus with
divided attention and with wandering
thought, may 1 presume to read this holv
record." She placed it within a small
casket, locked it carefully, and then walked
forth into a balcony, on which the win
dows of the apartment opened. The
moon had just risen and shed soft light on
the magnificent buildings of the eternal
city ; the cool, thin air swept over the
brow of the maiden, and calmed her'agi
tated thoughts; she had a bitter trial be
fore her, for she was about to intlict a deep
wound on the' heart of one whom she
loved with all the innocent fervor of a girl's
tjrst affection ; and she trembled as she
pictured to herself his sorrow. Then Be
renice looked up at the quiet of the even
ing sky, and thought of the time, when
earth's interests would be over for her;
and could she thus look, and thus think,
and still hesitate! Ah, no! When she |
heard the step of Lucius drawing nigh,
she plucked a single flower from a creep
ing plant that overshadowed the balcony, j
and keeping it in her hand as a token to
recall her better resolutions, she advanced
to meet him.
44 It was not for this, I sent for you
liiiher," she said, in reply to his passion
ate expressions of regret and love ; 44 you
are a Roman soldier, Lucius, I know it
was neither your destiny, nor your wish
to be ever at a lady's side. Believe me, I
have learned to look on this parting as a
thing inevitable ;" as she spoke,
her voice faltered.
Lucius leaned forward to console her,
to whisper of re-union, of long re-union ;
44 Your father has promised, dearest," said
he, 44 that this campaign once over, the
Marcomanni once defeated, I shall be re
warded, at my return, with the hand of
my Berenice."
44 It may be so," she answered sadly,
44 if you still wish it."
44 if I still wisli it! Berenice, of what
are you dreaming ?"
44 1 am not dreaming, Lucius Emilius, lam
speaking the words of sober realitv. You
think ot me, as of the beloved child of
Flavius Torquatus; the co-heiress of his
wealth and honors ; of one whose hand
will confer distinction. If, on your return
from Germany, you should find me des
poiled of all these advantages, an alien
from my father's house, it may be from
his heart, scorned and forgotten by inv
friends, despised by mankind—"
44 You would still," replied Lucius, 44 be
to me the same Berenice whom, in the
hour of prosperity, 1 had vowed to love
and to cherish ; but what can be the mean
ing of your terrible words ? why do vou
toriure yourself and rnc by such utterly
vain imaginings ?"
Berenice withdrew from the encircling
arm that supported her ; she leaned against
the slight column of the verandah ; her
voice was softer than the softest whisper,
yet eveVy word fell with terrible clearness
on the ear of her lover ; 44 Lucius Fniilius,
1 am a Christian."
Lucius went forth that night from the
chamber of his betrothed an altered man ;
for the chill of disappointment had fallen
on his proudest and fondest hopes. He
bad tried all his persuasive powers to in
duce the girl to forsake her new opinions ;
he had tried in vain ; so now nought for
him remained to do but to fulfill the en
gagement in which his honor was con
cerned, and then to return, to love her
still, and to protect her, if necessary, with
his life. He bore with him two precious
gifts, to console him in absence, as far as
anything could console him—the golden
casket and the carrier dove. * *
Berenice was again alone, not, as here
tofore, in the solitude of her own luxuri
ous apartment; not surrounded, as she
was wont to be, with her books, and music,
Mid flowers ; she was alone in the solitude
of a gloomy prison chamber. A small
aperture near the ceiling, guarded by iron
bars, admitted just light enough to show
the dismal emptiness of the place, no
tapestried hangings to hide the cool, damp
walls, no warm carpets to cover the stone
floor. It contained only a low couch, and
on that the maiden was seated, sometimes
raising her clasped hands in the deep ear
nestness of prayer, sometimes covering
her red and swollen eyes to hide, it might
l>e from herself, the tears she could not
restrain. Presently a low knock was
heard at the door, and her father entered.
Berenice shuddered ami said, 44 Not this,
oh, let me be spared this worst grief!—
yet, no ! the sacrifice must be complete ;
give me only strength to bear it." Then
she advanced, and led Flavius Torquatus
to her couch, and, meekly kneeling before
him, prayed him yet once more to lay his
hand upon her and bless her.
The old man answered, " It is not for
this I come, unhappy girl; 1 coine to tell
you that all my entreaties have been in
vain, the orders of the Emperor must not
be disobeyed, and his orders were, that all
of your fanatical sect should be extermi
nated. Were Marcus here, the tears and
prayers of his faithful servant might avail ;
but he is beyond the Danube ; to-morrow,
a general execution. Oh. Berenice ! must
1 live to sec your blood flow forth by the
hand of the common executiouer ?"
•' I come not, as 1 came yesterday," he
continued, after a long pause, 44 with tears
and entreaties to move you ; yesterday 1
knelt to implore you to save your father's
heart from breaking ; and all in vain.—
To-day I come with harsher purpose.
You ask me but now to take you in mv
arms and bless you, as I did when you
were a little child. Berenice, if you do
not abandon your infatuation, if you per
sis 4 in bringing eternal dishonor on your
line—Berenice, listen ! may the curse of
vo.ir father "
The girl pressed his arm heavily; she
tried to speak, but her parted lips were as
white as marble, and refused to utter a
sound.
The old man looked on her; and the
curse on his lips was stayed. He looked
on her and kissed her, ere he went, for he
had tenderly loved her mother.
44 My sister !" she faintly murmured, as
he moved away, but Flavius answered :
44 \ou will never see her again ; you
would infect her with your superstition ;
1 cannot be left childless in my old age."
And the old man went; and as the last
sound of his departing step died away,
Berenice thought her worst trial was over,
and she withdrew her thoughts from the
world, and sought to prepare her soul for
death.
Late on the following day, the people
of Rome assembled in the amphitheatre to
witness the martyrdom of the Christians.
Horrible deaths they died ! Some were
torn to pieces by wild beasts ; others were
burned at a slow fire ; some few were cru
cified, and they counted such death an un
merited honor. Berenice was reserved for
the last, and because she was of Roman
and patrician blood, she was to suffer the
milder punishment of decollation. The
sign was given, and proclaimed by the her
ald, and when it was proclaimed by the
herald that the Christian maiden was com
ing forth, there was so deep a silence
amongst that vast multitude that even the
advancing steps of the girl and her con
ductors were heard. But what was the
surprise of all present, w hen they beheld,
not one, but two young maidens, both
dressed alike in white raiment, both com
ing lot-h with the same quiet step anu
."New Series—Vol. 4 INo. 42.
1 placid demeanor*; and one. it might he
; (he most tranquil, advanced a step towards
the seat where he who governed the city,
■ during the absence of Marcus Antonius,
sat, and thus addressed him :
'• It is I. most noble prefect, who ani
Berenice, the Christian ; this girl, mv sis
ter, for love of me, would fain take my
name and punishment on herself, but cred
it her not, it is 1 who am the condemned."
Then arose a touching dispute between
the sisters ; sisterly love lending one the
eloquence which (he other derived from
truth. Many of the friends, and even of
their relatives in the amphitheatre, were
called on to come down and decide be
tween them, but some spoke for the one
.and some spoke for the other. Veronica,
in her agonizing fears, had not the light
and joyous expression of her countenance ;
and Berenice's meek and holy hopes had
chased the deep melancholy from her face
and inien.
.One or two brutal voices arose and said :
" They both call themselves Christians,
let them both die the death !" But one
of the maidens answered, '• Think not.
most noble prefect, if you thus decree,
that you will be guiltless of my sister's
. blood : she is not a Christian at heart ;
would to God that she were ! then would
1 no longer oppose her sharing my earlv
J death. Veronica, acknowledge the truth.
I and let me alone." But Veronica, if she
it was, persisted in her first declaration,
and none knew how this dispute would
.terminate, when a new incident attracted
! the attention of the multitude, and silenced
every doubt.
A speck was seen in the air, it came
lower : it was a milk-white dove. The
bird fluttered round one, then drew near
the other ; no caressing hand was held out
; to receive hirn, but his instinct was not to
be deceived ; he settled on the shoulder of
her who had answered the harsh voice from
the crowd, and sought to nestle as he was
wont in her long hair. Many were pres
ent who knew the pet to belong to Beren
ice, so the people were satisfied with this
decision, and the weeping Veronica, still
protesting against her own identity, was
torn from the arms of her sister. Then
the prefect who had been moved at this
• singular scene, turned to Berenice, as she
! stood alone in the arena, and said,
" It is not yet too late, young maiden,
■ to preserve thy life ; have pity on thy
! youth and loveliness, and on the gray hairs
of thy aged father. What harm is it to
swear by the fortune of Caesar and to sac
rifice and be safe ?" But she answered,
more firmly than ever,
" I am a Christian, and cannot sacrifice
to your false gods ! A" ou condemn me to
death, but I fear not to die in defence of
the truth." She advanced unbidden to
j the fatal block, and knelt by it; ere she
joined her hands in prayer, she bent once
more fondly over her little messenger bird,
as if to bid farewell to the last object that
told of earthly tics. There was a small
scroll of parchment under his wing ; Be
renice felt it, and thinking that it might
perhaps tell her the only tidings she cared
now to hear, she rose again, and holding
it forth, she prayed permission to read it.
The prefect did not refuse, and Berenice
read, first in silence, and then aloud :
*' The Emperor Marcus is dead, and Com
modius is already proclaimed Caesar."
A loud shout rent the air. It was well
known that Commodius, in his heart,
favored the despised sect, and in spite of
their prejudices, the beauty and heroism
of Berenice had moved the hearts of her
countrymen in her favor. A general out
cry for her release was heard, but this the
prefect dared not grant. Berenice was
remanded to prison until the pleasure of
Commodius should be known respecting
the Christians. It was not very long ere.
wearied with the hardships of the camp,
he returned to his capital; and his first
order was that all Christians should be re
leased, and restored to their privileges as
Roman citizens. In his train came the
young Lucius; he had found leisure,amid
the excitement of glory, and the hardships
of his campaign, to study the precious gift
of his betrothed ; at first for love of her,
afterwards from a wish to know the truth.
So, when their nuptials, delayed awhile
by the death of Flavius Torquatus, was
at last solemnized, Berenice had the deep
happiness of knowing that the husband of
her choice shared the sure faith and pure
hope of her own spirit. Thev remained
not long in Rome ; the lollies and cruel
ties of Commodius rendered it distasteful
to them ; and although Lucius stood high
in his favor, and lie was very capricious,
they knew not how long it might remain
in their own power to depart or abide in
safety.
Thev, therefore, hade adieu without a
sigh to the pomp and luxuries of the cap
ital, and embarked for a little island in the
northwest of Europe, without the range of
civilization, where they knew they should
eujoy safety and freedom.
Berenice was perfectly happy ; she gave
not one regret to the magnificence she
abandoned, for Lucius was with her, and
as she stepped into the boat, a trembling,
caressing girl clung to her. and a soft voir.*
whispered her: " Mv sister, whither thou
guest I will go; thv people sh.i'i hi- mv
people, and thv <od nr. (od'