LANCASTER DAILY INTELLIGENCER SUPPLEMENT-SATURDAY; DECEMBER 3; 1881.
Lancaster inteUcgenrrr
SATURDAY EVENING. DEC. 3, 1881.
Changes la the fetatates.
Tbe president of the American Bar as
sociation, which meets every year in Sara
toga, is charged with the duty of review
ing in bis annual address '' the noteworthy
changes in the statute law " since the last
meeting. This duty, if well performed, is
no slight one in magnitude, and one of a
very great deal of importance te the legal
profession, since there is no publication or
digest which takes this scope. What in
terest cau be given te such a compilation
aud hew admirably the duty of making it
may be performed, is well illustrated by
the last address delivered before the asso
ciation by Edward J. Phelps, of Vermont,
and published in the proceedings of the
fourth annual meeting. Inasmuch as only
five states Maryland, Virginia, Louisi Leuisi
ana, Iowa and Kentucky escaped a legis
lative session last year, and only Califor
nia was relieved from law-making by an
irrcfragible dead-lock in its Assembly, no
single address could digest and classify
the incongruous mass of legislation im
posed by the lawmakers of a single winter
upon their Buffering constituencies. In his
address, however, President Phelps suc
ceeded in se fully compassing the main
features of the new statutes that it is
worthy a place in the legal literature of the
country. We are surprised that no legal
publication has given it and the whole se
ries of these yearly reviews of the statutes
permanent ledgement. Their plan sug
gests the value, if net the necessity, of the
yearly publication of some digest which
would give a bird's eye vjew at least of
the changes in the statute laws of the na
tion and of the thirty-eight states.
Nothing can be mere important te law
yers and publicists than te scan and cate.
f ally wci&h the general tendencies of legis
lation in these days. Much of it is super super super
ogatery, some hurtful, some senseless, and
a small part of it rendered necessary by
the development of the country, the ex
tension of its institutions and the increas
ing variety of our interests. Little that
hwcIIs the statutory year bgeks is due te
the enlarged intelligence of legislators, and
much is monumental of their felly and
short-sightedness. Chieily by way of
waruini: is the history of statute making
te be studied with profit.
In reviewing the legislation of last year
Mr. Phelps finds only two federal acts of
special interest, territorial laud grants for
future universities and the establishment
of international comity in the registry of
trade maiks. In the states there have
been numerous laws made for the better
protection of human life, restricting the
sale and practice of medicine, providing
against damages from lire, water and rail
road accidents, but no marked advance
has been made in the laws against murder
adequate te compeusate for the facilities
offered for the escape of the accused, by
making capital offenders witnesses for
themselves in Michigan, Mississippi, West
Virginia and New Jersey wives in the
latter state new being allowed te testify
for their husbands. The protection of
public health, the restriction of the spread
of epidemics, the prevention of feed and
drink adulteration ; laws in behalf of public
morals, against gambling, peel selling,
lotteries, obscene literature, and for mero
stringent legulatien of the sale of liquors,
by means nioie or less moderate
" Blount's Springs " being always except
ed from the operation of Alabama's new
law have been subjects engaging atten
tion. Gradually the powers of women te
participate in public affairs and their rights
in their husband's estates and te the con
trol of their own have been enlarged. Mr.
Phelps deprecating the general tendency of
ill-constructed and hostile statutes te estab
lish the theory that the husband is the an
tagonist against whom the wife chiefly
needs protection. It is probably the de
generacy of man aud a general dissolute
ncs3 of society, net the statutes, which
have brought about the condition for which
they arc intended te be remedial. We
agree with the president of the Bar asso
ciation that statutes cannot restore the
"old fashioned fcacredness" aud "indis
soluble obligation " of marriage, but new
legislation may be tendered necessary by
the altered relations resulting from the
new conditions of society. Unhappily this
is the case. It is satisfactory te sce that
the cause of education engages a consider
able share of the attention of legislators.
In dealiug with the question many of them
play with edged tools, and a great many
crude stai utes en this subject arc the result.
Mr. Phelps indulges in a vein of pleasantry
and Itasiics of humor throughout his
speech, never transgressing the decorum
of his position nor forgetting the gravity
of hi-: task, but one of the late statutes of
Miunc(ta,icgulatiug the course of instruc
tion in its public schools, is well calculated
te disturb his dignity. According te a law
in that statu it is required " that in all
schools instruction in the elements of
social and moral science shall be given, in
cluding industry, order, economy, punctu
ality, patience, self-denial, health, purity,
temperance, cleanliness, honesty, truth,
politeness, peace, fidelity, philanthropy,
self-respect, hope, perseverance, cheerful
ness, courage, self-reliance, gratitude.pity,
mercy, kindness, conscience, reflection
and the will. Oral lessens upon one of
these topics te be given every day, the
pupils required te furnish illustrations of
the same upon the following morning."
We commend the comprehensiveness of
this scheme te the most persevering
normal schools of Pennsylvania and te
the most ambitious universities of the
East.
The limitation of the powers of munici
pal corporations is assuming very great
importance, aud as usual Ohie is te the
front with the greatest novelty in the way
of legislative devices empowering counties,
cities, towns and villages te engage in va
rious enterprises'. The scheme of the
Buckeyc statesmen is te enact that any
town having a population of a certain ex
act number be vested with certain author
ity, no ether than that intended te be
reached having that exact population.
This is an extension of the device by which
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh arc legislated
for in general terms in this state as re
spectively cities of the " first and second
class" when in fact there arc no ethers
in their several classes. With thedecis
ion of the supreme court of Michigan de
nying the power of municipalities te lend
themselves and their money te aid in the
construction of railroads, has begun the
reaction against the former tendency of
courts and Legislatures te let cities run
toward indulgence in a system of subsi
dies which tee often tends te their finan
cial embarassment. In our own state the
opinion validating the Williamsport bends
was the expression of a slender majority
of the court, the odd member being wen te
support of it under circumstances which
created a feud in that high judicatory,
which has been a scandal ever since.
New tax laws, prohibition of railroad
abuses and discrimination, the require
ment from corporations of greater public
conveniences, and the imposition of
new liabilities denote the growing jeal
ousy of the people against the aggressive
ness of corporate power, though the re
lations of one te tne ether becomes mero
and mero a serious problem as railroads
become mere indispensable and their accu
mulation of capital and centralization of
power mere dangerous. Agriculture,arbor Agriculture,arber
iculture, drainage of large areas, forestry,
homestead exemptions, aud irrigation aie
some practical subjects of legislation which
show that the interests of that class of
people who compose half our adult popu
lation are net totally lest sight of in the
changes of the statutes. The vagaries,
oddities and whimsicalities of legislation
make a long list and must be studied te
see te what limit of asininity men appointed
te make laws will stretch their appoint
ment. Of euc thing Mr. Phelps feels cer
tain, that the dignity of the legal profes
sion cau only be maintained by keeping up
the standard of education for it. Fer which
he could have found no better testimony,
than in the fact that docs net seem te
have occurred te him that a large part of
our legislatures are made up of law crs
who tee often fail as lawmakers and whose
defective education, as well as the neglect
of the profession te watch and check the
course of making new laws, is largely re
sponsible for much that cumbers aud some
that disgraces our voluminous statute
books.
In summing up his review, the author
of the address we have bceu considering
freely expresses his opinion against the
tendency te apply codification te gen
oral jurisprudence. The history of the
common law is that of our institutions,
our language, our literature and our re
ligion. The experience of England aud
America has demonstrated the super
iority of a government and justice founded
upon general principles, ever that which re
poses upon any collection of arbitrary
written rules. Iu the same view the as
sumption of omnipotence by legislatures
all the while confessing their ignorance
and exposing their corruption their hasty,
inconsiderate and ill-advised changes of
the statutes, the cuttiug aud carving, the
patching and plastering, from year te
year, all have combined te teach the ruin
ous effects of tee much legislation. That
country is best governed which is gov
erned least, especially by frequent new
legislation. He who lives te see the sphere
of legislation further and further enlarged,
until finally the whole law of the land
will be turned into statutes, te be hacked
at with the jack-knives of annua! and bi
ennial legislators, "will sce also the de
cay of the administration of justice and
the legal profession, and the gradual ex
tinction of theso principles of civil liberty
which the history of the world shows te
be inseparable from the common law."
The Saddle u the vtilier llejic.
Adapted.
He was the manager of a chinch fair,
and one morning he walked into the news
paper oflice and said :
"Want an item?"
"Yes, of course, " replied the editor.
Whereupon the visitor laid the following
note upon the table :
" The ladies of the street church
will give a festival next Friday evening.
Literary and musical entertainments will
be provided anil a supper will be served
te all who desire. The ladies in charge of
the aflairhave had much experience iu
such matters, aud arc sure te provide a
geed time. The admission will be only
15 cents, and it is certain that no ene cau
spend that amount te a better advantage.
Be sure and go and take your friends. "
When the editor had read it, he said :
" Oh, I sec; an advertisement."
"Ne, net an advertisement, We pre
fer te have it go in the local column, "' re
plied the manager. And seeing that the
cditonleokcd skeptical, he then centinued:
"It will interest a geed many of your
readers, aud help a geed cause-; beside.,
we have spent se much money getting up
eur'entcrtainment that we can't affeid te
advertise it without increasing the price
of the tickets. In such a matter as this
we ought te be willing te help each
ether. "
"Well." said the editor," if it gees
into the local column, I suppose you would
reciprocate by rcadinga little notice in
church next Sunday. ,f
The visiting brother asked what notice
and the editor wrote and handed ni:n the
following :
"The Daily lNTKi.!.iaNCF.it for the
coming year will be the best and cheapest
family paper in Pennsylvania. Its pro
prietors have had much experience and
all the helps which a large outlay ofmency
can procure. This paper is furnished at
only ten cents a week. It is certain that
no one can spend that anion t te a better
advantage. Be sure te take the Intelli
gencer and subscribe for your friends. "
The manager hemmed and hesitated,
and then; said solemnly that he doubted
whether it would be judicious te read such
a notice, but suggested that if it was
printed, copies of it might be distributed
at the deer en the evening of the enter
tainment. "Yes, " said the editor, " but it would
attract mete attention in the middle of the
sermon. It will iutcrest a large number
of your congregation and help a geed
cause, and besides se.much money is spent
upon the Intelligencer that I deu't see
hew we can afford te priut handbills te
advertise it without increasing the sub
scription price. In such a matter as this
wo'eughtto be willing te help each ether."
Then the gentleman saw the situitieu.
A Large Undertaking.
It is positively anueunced that a com
pany has been organized in New Yerk for
supplying the Eastern cities with gas man
ufactured at the coal mines in Western
Pennsylvania, and conducted te the places
of consumption through a system of pipes'
Mr. Jehn Hoey, of the Adams express
cempauy, is said te be a heavy stock
holder. The New Yerk organization is
said te be in negotiation with a Philadel
phia company for the use of a system of
cold-packed pipe-joint, by which it is
claimed that $1,500,000 would be saved in
the cost of the lead used in tnnlrinrr ti.n
joints, and bridging dispensed with."
When a Chicago preacher wants a new
church all his own, and a big congrega
tion, he has himself convicted of heresy.
X Rebib Holiday.
A Tale of Ancient Berne.
B. B. S.
Fer tllC ISTELLICEXCEH.
chapter i.
Reme was yet glorious ; but it was net
the glory of her earlier days. Prosperity
bad enervated, and luxury debased, her
populace, whose venal practices in govern
mental and social affairs broadly displayed,
what they affected te despise.a disposition
of cowardice, ill-suited te the name and at
tributes of a Reman citizen. And when
the profligate and exquisitely-conceited
Carinus, with his brother, assumed control
of the Reman empire, he found in the Ro Re
mans a people ever ready for a display of
their vanity, and the gratification of their
desire for rich amusement.
History has condescended te record but
little of the administration of Carinus, ex
cept his exhibitions and games of the am
phitheatre and the circus, which, it is con
fessed, exceeded in pomp and magnificence
the spectacles of former days. But tra
dition of times adds an event, which.theugh
founded en truth, and embellished by fic
tion, can amuse, though it may fail te in
struct, the mind of a philosopher or a
savant.
It was a day of joy and hilarity in Romp.
A hundred gladiators were te contend in
the arena of the Colosseum, that mighty
subject of ancient splendor and modern
wonder, and the fair aud heroic land of
Greece was represented in the deemed
baud. In one of the recaeses of the amphi
theatre a score of them wcre assembled.
There weie no tokens of fear about them ;
fate had iuitiated, and victory confirmed,
their vocation, and they were, with the
exception of one, gladiators by profession.
Negligently scattered about the apartment,
their scanty apparel showed their brawny
limbs and toughened siuews in unimpeded
power.
In a corner, apart from his companions,
steed a youth, whose symmetrical form,
neble carriage, closely, clustered hair and
faultless profile, at once stamped him as a
perfect type of the true Greek. Unlike the
rest, he was attired in a rebe of soft skins,
falling from the neck te the feet, and fast
ened and made te fit closely by a bread
leather belt around the waist. He had
steed se long, alene and silent, that the
men became impatient and curious, and
a powerfully-built mau, the acknowledged
leader of the Greek gladiators, advanced
and addressed him with :
"In truth, youngster, you must leve si
lence. Surely Harpecrates claims yen at
this moment. Why se depressed T
" We should net let but one of the gods
rule here, " returned the youth, evasively,
in a musically modulated voice.
"Yes, let Comus reign alone," shouted
the gladiator, boisterously. "I would net
let these foppish aud sef t-braiued Remans
beheld mc mope or cower before the de
crees of fate. Ne, jcr ITcrcule ; we arc
Greeks, aud worth a thousand Remans !"
" Aggeus is continually cursing the Ro Re
mans ; yet he swears in Latin, " remarked
a savage-looking gladiator, as he reclined
easily upon the lloer.
" Bah ! These ten years I have been in
the service of Rome have made me careless
of which language I use" said Aggeus, iron
ically. "But cheer up, Sesthcnes, " he
continued, addressing the young Greek.
"The god's arc propitious te the fortunate,
always.
"Yes, te the fortunate, " remarked Sos Ses
thencs, slowly. " But with whom de you
contend'.1"
"Oh," replied Aggeus, carelessly. " I
am told a most sturdy and valiant Geth
tries my mettle te-day. And you ?"
" With no one. I bribed a keeper, and
he allowed mc te enter here with you and
your comrades, " replied Sosthenes.
" By Jupiter, ; you are bold, "exclaimed
Aggeus. "If they find you here, you will
fare badly. But hark that din. The em
peror has arrived, aud the nice gentlemen
and lovely ladies grew impatient for tiie
gladiator's bleed. I tell thee, comrades,"
he continued, turning te his companions,
" this shall be a long and warm sport, and
we can trust only te our skill aud the fav
or of the gods for success. But where 's
Sosthenes?"
Every gladiator leaped te his feet, and
peered into the corner where tin; young
Greek had steed ; he was gene.
"Well, he's a queer ene," at length
exclaimed their leader. "Even while my
back was te him but an instant, he disap
peared. I wonder hew he get out of here."
Further words were interrupted by the
heavy deer being swung open, and the
gladiators saw a file of soldiers stationed
at cither side of the entrance. A keeper
entered with attendants, who placed in
the hands of the Greeks Idng lances and
nets. Net all, however, were thus given
aims. Aggeus was te remain until the
hour came when he should meet, in single
and deadly combat, a captive Gotli.deomcd
te the arena.
" Vnle, my comrades, " exclaimed their
leader, as they filed from the apartment ;
" and may the gods protect you." And
their last farewell that Aggeus heard came
bravely back, "vale !"
Left alene with the great deer closed upon
him, Aggeus threw himself upon the fleer,
and pendcied ever the strange disappear
ance of the yenng Greek. He was .sur
prised by seeing a large stone suddenly
fall from the wall, near the lloer, leaving
open an aperture amply large for the ad
mittance of the body of a man, and in tlic
faint light he beheld, a moment later,
Sosthenes emerge from the hole, saying :
" Don't be alarmed, Aggeus ; I'm a
fiiend. "
Well, I'm net alaimed, butFmvciy
much surprised, " returned the gladiator.
"Yeu seem te knew much about this
structure ; but, by Jupiter, you are run
big a great risk. What de you mean by
these proceedings?"
" Listen, " replied Sosthenes ; " Aggeus,
you arc a Greek, and, like myself, descend
ed from the brave Spartans. If you found
a native of that fair land in danger here in
Reme, would net your strong arm be' ever
ready for his aid?"
"New, by the gods, I sern te meet
this valiant Geth in you arena ; rather let
me face a hundred Remans in my coun
try's cause, " exclaimed the generous
Greek.
"Then listen," said Sosthenes. "Twe
weeks age, a miserable Reman magistrate,
in Athcns,saw there the glorious daughter
of the neble Patreclus, and tore her from
his arms, for a present te the emperor. I
learned of the event seen after its trans
action, followed the abductor's train alone,
in the guise of a Turkish servant, and was
engaged by one of the officers. We ar
rived here this morning, Crcssida being
well treated during the journey, and is
new in one of the apartments of the pal
ace, where, after these games are ever,
the emperor will see her. "
The dark eyes of the gladiator seemed
te glow with rage, as he listened te his
companion's words, and he raised his huge
fist, andstruck it against the wall in his
excitement, exclaiming :
"By all the gods of Greece, these sen
sual Remans have destroyed all honor in
the Greeks, and left them weak a3 slaves !
There was a time when such a wrong
would have reused all Greece te arms!
But, though we have no arms, you and I
will rescue this Grecian maid. Yet, hew
are we te gain the palace unperccived ?''
4 'Fellow me," answered the youth ; "this
aperture gives us access te ene of the sub
tcranean ways that lead te the Tybcr, for
the purpose of flooding the arena. Come,
we have no time te lese. "
Se saying, they hurriedly entered the
tunnel, Sosthenes having carefully re
placed the stone, a proceeding easilv ef
fected, from the fact that an iron ring had
been fastened in the side next the passage,
it being ene of the many contrivances "in
the immense structure, designed for pleas
ure and for cruelty by its builder. Grep
ing their way, "they hurried through the"
cavern, and in an hour's time came te its
opening along the bank of the Tyber.
"But hew are we te reach the palace in
daylight?" inquired Aggeus;
"By the aid of these things, " replied
his companion, as he drew from their place
of concealment several pieces of Turkish
wearing apparel, much tern and soiled.
They were seen clothed in the garments,
and each armed with a keen dagger, sup
plied by the careful foresight of Sosthe
nes, they silently issued from the tunnel,
and gained the street. They traversed,
without danger, the different ways, and
had reached the front of the nalace, when
the neise of a distant commotion arrested
their steps, and ere long an excited crowd
rushed towards the palace, with the cry,
" Aggeus has escaped !"
"The curs, " muttered that personage
te his companion. " We shall have te be
watchful. The best thing is te mingle
with the crowd. "
Sosthenes neuueu assent, and they joined
the mob with equal clamors. The throng
pressed te the palace, and seen the two
Greeks found themselves, with many
ethers, within the vestibule. At that
instant the cry of "The guards I" was
heard, and a moment later a legion of sol
diers were amongst the excited people,
forcing them from the palace, te the street.
Aggeus was about te fellow the crowd,
when he felt his arm clutched, and turn
ing he saw his companion point te a door
way, before which hung heavy fel ds of
tinted velvet.
"We will remain iu this place, and may
escape detection by going in there, "
whispered Sosthenes, hurriedly.
They were quickly behind the velvet
screen, and discovered themselves iu a
small apartment, from the end of which
a narrow stairway ascended, that being
the only means of egress from a place, in
which their liability of capture de
termined their actions. It was but the
work of a minute te mount the stairway,
find themselves in a long passage, the ter
minus of which they discover leads into
apartments designed for the occupancy of
the emperial servants.
"It is net safe te go there, " whispered
Sosthenes, as they halt.
"Ner safe te remain here," returned
the gladiator.
Aggeus retraces the passage a few yards,
and suddenly utters a low exclamation,
which brings his .companion te his side.
"See," exclaimed the former; ""we
have passed another entrance. Here is a
way leading from this hall, " pointing te
a low doerwav. screened bv folds of velvet.
Sosthenes followed the motion, and ex
claimed :
"By Jupiter, these Reman emperors
have passages everywhere in their pal
aces. We will enter this ; perchance it
will lead us in the right direction. But
we must be silent and cautious, and may
Angcrena attend us. "
Slowly he moved aside the screen, and
they saw, te their great satisfaction and
surprise, net an open apartment, light and
with occupants, but a narrow way, dark,
but for an open entrance, about the mid
dle of it, into another arpartment. Si
lently they enter, traverse this way, until
they draw near the entrance mentioned,
when they halt.
"Let us decide, before we go further,
what course te pursue, " said Sosthenes.
" We must pass that open doorway. In se
doing, we may be observed by persons in
the room iute which it leads, or, what is
still worse, it may be guarded. "
"But te where de you think this pas pas
sage we are in will conduct us?" asked
Aggeus.
" Inte a mere prominent part of the pal
ace, perhaps, "answered the young Greek;
" and in that case, we arc sure te be dis
covered and captured. "
It was net, however, feasible or safe te
remain where they were, and the two
Greeks were compelled te proceed, no mat
ter what further events would be devel
eped. With their hands upon the hilts of
their daggcis, they noiselessly moved ior ier
waul, aud wcre almost abreast of the
dreaded doorway, when Aggeus, who had
taken the lead, suddenly stepped and
pointed te the entrance ; and Sosthenes
saw the shadow of two armed guards at
cither side of the deer. Toe near te dan
ger, and perhaps te death, the Greeks
read determination and purpese in each
ether's eyes, and then glided toward the
sentinels. They could only surmise that
there wcre but two te encounter, but the
old Grecian bleed flowed in their veins,
their cause was houer, aud death alone
could end the attempt. They crept en a
minute longer, then, with the beuud of a
panther, each sprang upon his man, even
as the challenge issued from the guards'
lips. Sosthenes felt the sharp point of a
lance pierce his arm, but he tere the
weapon from the Reman s grasp, aud the
Greek's dagger sank te- his heart. Fortune
still mero favored the gladiator, whose
onset was se fierce and successful, that
the sentinel had net time te use his lance,
and fell, in an iustant, te the fleer. But
ere the Greeks could exchange words,
thev heard quick steps behind them, and
turning, found themselves in deadly en
counter with two ether guards. All un
prepared for this new attack, they might
have succumbed te the agility of their
new antagonists, when shouts were heard
in the distance, and a Reman tribune
dashed into the apaitmcnr, and drawing a
dagger, plunged it into the breast of
Sosthenes' fee. the gladiator s strength
and training again wen him his victory.
" Fellow me, " exclaimed the tribune.
"I knew you ; you are here te rescue the
Grecian girl ; I te revenge my wrongs.
The palace is alarmed, and we dare net
remain here. I knew where we can be
concealed until night, then accomplish our
purposes. "
As the tribune spoke, he rushed towards
the end of the passage, closely followed
by the two Greeks. On through a stately
room, into another passage, through that
te a flight of stairs, leading downward, in
to a chilly, underground passage, aud into
a dark apartment, the heavy doers of which
their guide closed, as the yells of the sol
diers echoed te their cars.
"Safe ! thank the gods, " exclaimed the
tribune, as he rested against the wall of
the dungeon.
"Safe, " echoed Sosthenes. "We can
not be safe here. The people of the pal
ace, forsooth, knew of this place, aud will
seen be upon us. "
"But the deer will held until we gain
a safer place, " replied the tribune.
' Where is Aggeus?"
" I am here, " answered the gladiator,
"and find this a most miserably dark den.
By Jupiter, I had rather meet a hundred
Remans in the light of the arena, than
tussle with one in the gloom of a dun
geon. "
"Well, Aggeus, we must thank our
neble friend here for our lives. Even
though we should have slain all the guards,
we would net have known where te hide,"
said Sosthenes. "But here they are,"
he exclaimed, as the tread of many feet
resounded upon the pavement without.
"The curs .'- muttered the crladiater.
"They are at the deer. Tribune," he
continued, addressing the Reman hotly ;
"tribune, have you brought us here te die
like dogs? We will open the deer, and
meet tbcm like men. "
"Step," hissed the Reman. "Iu a
corner iu this dungeon a stor.e is closely
fitted ever an opening te a passage, in
which we shall be safe. Lend me your
aid. "
Groping te where the Reman was kneel
ing, he directed them te press upon the
stone, en which his hands were placed.
Their united efforts succeeding, a grating
sound was beard, and the bread stone
turned en a bar, running through belts
across the middle of the stone, en the un
der side, revealing a larce eneninsr in the
fleer. At the Reman's bidding, Aggeus
descended first, the tribune followed.
Bat Besthenes, forgetting for a moment
his position, lingered te watch the heavy
deer tremble from the blows of the sol
diers without. Then, like a flash, his dan
ger came te mind, add groping for the
opening, he round, te bis horror, the
stone returned te its customary position.
With strength rendered mighty by dis
pair, he pressed upon the slab, but it
weuld net yield. He danced at the
deer ; it was falling. Already the lights
without gleamed through a narrow open
ing, which had been effected by the assail
ants. He redoubled his strength. The
ponderous deer fell with a crash. A
prayer te the gods; one mere desperate
trial of strength ; he feels the stone move
and sink ; but the soldiers have entered
the dungeon.
chapter ir.
In the supreme hour of danger, a cow
ard will meet death with despair ; a brave
mau will welcome it with honor; and,
while the former micht sink from fear
alone, the latter disdains te fall, era the
blows of his assailants have deprived him
of strength.
Sosthenes did net hope, nor did he de
sire, for aught but death at the hands of
the Reman soldiers, since capture would
be worse than death. Conscious of the
fact that his two friends, Aggeus and the
tribune, were safe, and would be in posi
tion, te rescue the Grecian maiden, he
would have spurned the thought, as un
worthy of the valor and honor of a Greek,
te ask mercy at the hands of these, who
were, though it might net be their duty,
was certainly their desire, te take his
life.
But fortune had otherwise designed.
Even as the first guard had crossed the
threshold of the doorway, the stone, by
which his friends had entered a passage
below, moved, and the instant a score of
the pursuers rushed into the dungeon, and
Sosthenes had risen te his feet, standing
directly upon the end of the stene which
sufficient pressure would cause te sink, te
bravely meet the onset of his assailants,
it lowered with a quick motion, dropping
the young Greek at the feet of his com
panions, and rising te its usual positieu
with timeless rapidity.
"Thank the gods," exclaimed the tri
bune ; "we bad given you up for lest."
But the generous heart of the gladiator,
who never feared te face five combatants
of equal strength and form in the arena,
and mock the dullness of their skill,
melted at sight of his brave young
countryman, and, clasping him in his arms,
he embraced him with all the fondness of
a brother, and the admiration of a Spar
tan. "I tell thee, my boy, " he cried, " the
gods will give us full success. But, by
Jupiter, it took all the strength of a strong
gladiator, and a sturdy tribune, te get
that stene te move. Hear these curs
above. Think you, " he continued, ad
dressing the tribune, "thcre isdaugeref
them entering here? "
"Nene, " answered the Reman. " But
tell, young Greek ; hew came you te re
main behind? When Aggeus and my
self found ourselves here en this fleer, I
presumed, net being able te see you in the
gloom, that you had entered with us. "
"I scarce knew myself, hew it came
about, " replied Sosthenes. " I could dis
tinctly sec your forms dieappear through the
opening, but I turned te leek at the deer,
aud see it quiver, as the soldiers showered
blows against it, and when, as I recalled
my peril, I prepared te fellow you, I
found, te my dismay, the stene replaced.
I abandoned all hope, when the soldiers
threw down the deer and rushed toward
me, but at that instant I felt the stone
sink beneath mc. "
"Why, that is propitious, " exclaimed
the tribune. "Ne ene in the palace
knows of the existence of that means of
escape from the dungeon, and their
keenest scrutiuy will develop them nothing,
for the stene fits se nicely and naturally,
that its mechanism cannot be observed.
The soldiers will, therefore, attribute your
strange disappearance te the sudden in
terposition of the gods. They will be
misled by the notion, and, although they
will watch faithfully, they will consider it
nseless te search further for us. "
"Forsooth, it was then a geed thing, "
-said Aggeus, " and your delay, Sosthenes,
served us a geed turn. But what, Reman,
is your plan?"
"This," returned the tribune "We
must remain here until evening, when the
emperor will return from the games. ve
will go then from here, by secret ways, el
which I knew, te the upper part of the
palace, and, with the aid of the divine
gods, we shall succeed in our designs. '
"But your purpose in bciughcre, what
is it?" asked Sosthenes. "Is it only te
aid us in rescuing this Greek girl? "
" Ne, " returned the Reman, quickiy.
" I de a deed te-day that shall make Reme
joy and dread. "
"Yen de net mean the emperor, " said
Sosthenes, incrcdueusly.
" Yeu are Greeks, " returned the tri
bune, "therefore can I tell yen." He
paused, and seemed te labor under strong
emotions ; at length he resumed :
"Along the banks of the Tybcr, I lived
in careless peace. A villa, beautified by
nature, and adorned by art, nestling among
thick blooming trees, .and a wife, as beau
tiful and geed, as the gods have ever
given te man, were mine. But a miserable
emperor despoiled the honor of my home,
and I have sworn revenge. Yes, this day
shall Carinus die. "
The voice of the tribune was fierce aud
bitter, and although in the darkness the
Greeks wcre unable te see his face, tlicy
felt the anguish of his soul.
A silence, which men in peril most pre
fer, fell upon the group, and slowly the
weary hours of the day dragged en. The
Reman burned with impatience for the
evenings that should bring him the me
ment of his revcuge. Te Sosthenes the
hours were as slew. He pictured te his
mind the impotent grief of the aged Patro Patre
clus, mourning for his stolen daughter, and
powerless te save her from harm. But
when he thought of her in her danger, his
impatience knew no check, and he paced
the dark and narrow passage, with a
fiercer restlessness than a newly-captnrcd
lien iu his cage. Fer he had followed the
captive maiden, net merely because she
was a Greek, and his honor could net
leave her te her fate, but because she was
te him the queen of Grecian women. He
he had ceme from the sacred soil of Sparta,
te the elegance of Athens, and in that
home of wisdom and of art he bad, met
Crcssida, and told his love. In his devout
thankfulness and joy, rich sacrifices and
precious libations were offered te the god
of love, who seemed te rain the choicest
blessings en the levers' lives. But new had
ceme misfortune, and it made him chafe
like a newly-captured lien in his cage, and
still slower the weary hours of the day
dragged en.
"We can never tell the hour in this
den," at length grumbled Aggeus. "I
thirst for light, even mero than for the
wine after a long and bloody conflict. "
"Yes, Aggeus is right, " exclaimed Sos
thenes ; " this is tee oppressive ; I can
remain here no longer. Tribune, lead en ;
it may even new be evening, for it seems
an age since first we entered here. "
The Reman rose from hisrccliuing pos
ture, a position he had retained for several
hours, and silently proceeded, followed
closely by his companions, through the
underground passage they were in, and
reached its end, where four or live rings
were found fastened in the stene wall, by
which theyceuld ascend the wall te a narrow
offset above. Effecting this, the tribune
pointed te a tunnel, large enough te ad
mit the body of a man, runnirg directly
through, the tribune explained, te an
apartment or cellar, in which was stored
wine.
"But we must use theutmeit caution,"
said the Reman. "The guards are new
doubtless stationed in every part of the
palace. At the end of this tunnel, a nicely
fitted stone cau be removed from the wall,
and the opening leads at once into the
cellar. "
"Then why delay?" asked the impa
tient yenng Greek.
"De you mark the peril?" returned
the Reman. " Consider ; we reach the
stone at the end of the tunnel, we remove
it, the opening is displayed, and then,
should there be guards, or ether' persons,
iu the apartment, the only result is cap
ture ; the only fate, death.
" But what are we going te de ?li said
the gladiator, impatiently. "I tell thee,
tribune, if some sturdy Geth had in the
arena made my bones ache, as they ache
me new, from being iu this cramped den,
I could have seme respect for the fellow ;
but if I hide here much longer, I shall
have no respect for myself. "
" Have you counted the hazard in re
moving the stone, and meeting, possibly,
the guards?" asked the tribune.
"Yes, " Sosthenes responded ; "and te
prove my assertion, I will go first. "
"Ne; I will lead, "said the Reman.
' I can remove the stone easier and quicker
than yourself. Fellow me, and be si
lent. "
Quietly they crept through the tunnel,
which was net mere than a dozen feet in
length, and in a few moments the tribune
stepped, and said, iu a low voice :
" I shall new remove the stene. "
Saying which, he slowly pushed it out,
and it fell, with a dull thud, te the lloer.
An instant later, the three men steed up
right iu the apartment, prepared for any
attack. But fertune again favored them ;
for the cellar had no occupants. Frdm a
small window, at the top of the wall, a
small amount of light was admitted, and
the conspirators were enabled te aseurtain
that it was evening, and that the shadows
of night were falling.
"Thanks te your impatience, gladia
tor, " said the Remau, "we left the pas
sage at the right time. If that light de
ceives me net tee much, the emperor will
seen arrive from the ciicus, with his
guards and attendants, and then shall be
enacted a greater play than what he there
beheld. But come, we dare net remain
here. "
The perfect kuowlcdge of the intricate
ways beneath, aud the apartments aud
passages within, the palace, which the
Remau possessed, made him able te avoid
theso in which they were most liable te
meet with the imperial guards aud at
tendants, and pursue only these best suited
te mitigate the 'peril of their situation.
Following the tribnne, they passed from
the cellar, through a narrow doorway, and
found themselves within a hallway, laintly
lighted by a window, at the extreme end.
Noiselessly they traversed its length, and
were en the point of entering another pass
age, when each felt a sudden and firm
held upeu his arm, aud, turniug quickly,
they beheld themselves in the grasp of
three powerful guards. But they were
net te be captured se easily. Moved by
oue impulse, each, at the same moment,
tere from the grasp of the soldiers, who,
relying tee much upon the idea of their
being taken unawares, wcre themselves
surprised, and received the daggers of
their captives in their hearts.
"Well uone," whispered the tribune
hurriedly. "Yeu fellow mc. We must
discover aud gain admittance into the de
partment in which the Grecian girl is con
lined. Ere long the emperor will have ar
rived, and will go at euce te that apart
ment. We must be there te receive him.
Come."
They glided into the passage at the
entrance of which they had been assailed Ly
the guards, aud discovering a flight of
stene stairs, they ascended them and
gained another hallway, mero open aud
prominent by its adornments in carving
and statues.
" Use double caution here," whispered
the tribune, "yen deer will admit us te a
secret passage, that will lead us te
where they have secured the Grecian
maiden."
With the utmost carefulness they glided
ever the marble fleer and gained, unob
served, the secret way mentioned by the
Reman.
"But where," asked Sesthcnc3, as they
hurried swiftly along, " where is Crcssida
a prisoner, and hew are we te gain ail
admittance te the chamber?"
"If sbe is where I think she is, we will
have no difficulty in making an entrance,
providing we reach there safely. A secret
passage, barely wide enough for a man te
pass in, te the apartment, which is en
tered by a deer, the existence of which, I
("believe, no ene in the palace except myself
is conscious."
As the tribune ceased speaking a pain
ful leek came into the features of Sosthe
nes, and he laid his hand en the ether's
arm, sayiug :
" Neble Reman, the gods seem te have
given the life of the emperor Carinus iute
your hands. But you will net see him
alone. He is always strongly attended,
and the least attempt en your part te de
him harm will, even though you succeed
in killing him, be rcacntcd by the guards,
aud your life will net be a mimiie leugcr
than his whom you will have slain. Fer
ourselves, Aggeus and I have sworn te
recue the captured maiden, and restore
her te her father's arms. Oue of us may
fall ; I cannot believe that both will, for
the gods must leave her one protector."
"Forsooth, well spoken," said Aggeus,
in a low veice. " It is net our plan te enter
the prison of the maid wlirn it is filled
with attendants and guards, but te steal
her thence before they have arrived. Fer
myself I cars net. 1 dicamcil last night
my Spartan mother beckoned me fiem the
home of the gods above, aud chanted in
my cars the dirge of old Thcrmepyhu."
" Greeks, " returned the tribune, " it is
tee late new te rescue the maiden as you
had planned. Wc shall'havc barely time
te gain the apartment before the emperor
comes. We will be secreted there. ; at a sig
nal from mc you will lush forward, scize
the captive, aud trust te the gods te es
cape in the surprise and confusion. Yeu
have spekan of death," he continued ;
"kuew then, 1 have seen the last of
earth. Think you I run a risk ? I de net,
for I see hew all will happen. This
dagger shall scarce be in the heart of the
base Carinus, ere mine shall fuel its
lercc. "
The young Greek shuddered at the
words of the Reman, but Aggeus gazed
with admiration upon him.
iney again went forward, reached the
narrow passage, traversed it, and found
themselves facing a small sliding panel iu
the wall, which would admit them te the
apartmcut they supposed te be occupied
by Cressida. Noiselessly the tribune
pushed the panel aside, and peering in, he
saw that she was indeed there, and that
there were no persons in attendance. They
entered, closed the panel, and concealed
themselves behind a screen of velvet,
which hung pendent from the ceiling.
Whatever intentions either of the Greeks
might have had te flee with Crcssida from
the place, at that moment, were frustrated
by the loud blast of bugles reaching their
cars, aud from below the dulled hum of
shouts and songs floated through the
palace.
The games in the ciicu?, notwithstand
ing the escape of Aggeus, wcre continued
all day, but new evening bad come, the
vast amphitheatre was deserted, and the
emperor, with his f.iwing parasites, was iu
the palace. He stepped net for feed or
drink ; he has heard of the prize that
awaits him, and fie orders her te be
brought.
Silently the three men wait in the cham
her above. The noise of hundreds of feet
and voices float te their cars, and they
listen with impatient zeal. Five minutes,
ten minutes, elapse. Sosthenes peers from
behind the screen te gaze at the lovely
girl. But she is gene; the velvet screen
has been pushed back from the doorway.
His exclamation startled his companions,
who at "once conceive the situation.
There is no time new te tarry. In an in, jf
stant Sosthenes is out of the worn, fol
lowed by his companions, and bounding
heedlessly down a flight of bread marble
stairs. Aggeus and the tribnne are new
at bis side, and, as they reach the rich
fleer below, one glance gives them the sit
uaticn.
In a gorgeous apartment, in the midst
of a host of attendants and and guards, is
Carinus, before whom, in all glorious
beauty and defiance, stands the Greek girl.
Thcre are shouts in the palace, but
there are louder ones without, of which
these within knew net, and there are even
new a multitude, wonderfully excited,
entering the palace. A rumor is abroad
the city liat Carinus has been slain, and
the populace is proclaiming a new em
peror. Carinus advanced toward the Grecian
maiden, but ere he could lay his hand
upon her, Sosthenes was upon him, hurl
ing him back into the power of the tri
bune, seized Crcssida, and steed with
drawn dagger, te protect her. The glad
iator quickly gained his side, and sank his
weapon into the breast of one of the
guards, who had pressed tee near. At the
same instant the tribune sprang toward
the emperor, buried his dagger in Car
inus' heart, with the cry, "Thus de I
revenge !" and, turning with an exultant
smile, sank the weapon into his own
breast. The shouts of the throng with
out had increased, and, as the tribune fell,
soldiers and civilians burst into the pal
ace, and the cry of " Leng live the em
peror, Diecletian !" fell en every ear, and
that newly-elected magistrate, hearing of
a commotion within the pafctce, hurried
there, and entered the apartment, in time
te save Sosthenes and Crtcsida, but tee
late te protect the neble gladiator, who
had guarded the youth and maiden, and
had slain a dozen soldiers, until at last, W
opposed en every side, a score of spears
pierced the trusty, generous breast, and
Aggeus fell, as he exclaimed :
" Sosthenes, forget net, though I lived
as a gladiatier, I died as a Greek. "
The generous clemency of the illustrious
Diecletian pardoned Sosthenes, and the
next day they started for Athens, with
the body of the brave gladiator, and safely
arrived there, where, ever after, Sosthe-
nes dwelt, with his neble wife, in high
and honorable position.
NU W Alt VEKTlSEMGHXa.
1883
1888.
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