CHAPTER VI.-THE ARENA.-THE DEVEL-may blanch thy cheek yet nearer the

OPEMENT OF THE PLOT.-THE END.

snowy marble. Glycon has been a prisoner since the battle."

Upon a miserable couch, in a low hov- "He lives, then! he lives!" el in one of the most unfrequented, narrow "Yes-but he is in training for a glad and dirty streets of Rome, lay the Sena-iator-and next week at the great fes tor Marcellus. He was clad in a tatter- tival he must combat in the arena." ed and lowly garb, and disappointment What, Titus, sayst thou so-there is and sorrow had preyed upon his frame: no hope, then, for the brave Grecian," but there was yet the stern dignity of said Marcellus, looking earnestly at his look the haughty brow, the commanding gasping child.

6.

air of the high born noble. He was appa- "No hope!" exclaimed Livia. "O no rently asleep-though the moving of his-no-she said not so-there is hopelips at intervals might have betrayed to there is hope, Titus ?"

the observer that thought was busy with- "One-but one-and that as yet, my in him. By his side, in a mean dress lady, only faintly shadowed forth. Will corresponding to his own, with her face my master permit a word with him?" buried in his bosom, knelt the sunny, the Marcellus and the old servant convers gentle Livia, the daughter of his house. ed some time together in low whispers, She was wakeful-watchful; for when-careful not to permit their words to be ever the storm beat heavily against the heard by the disconsolote Livia, who sat rude walls of the hut, or the footfall of on the couch with her face buried in her some lonely passer-by broke the stillness, hands. After the short conference her she wonld suddenly lift up her head, and father approached her and took her glance fearfuly around. Upon her once hand. calm, bright features, agony of spirit had "Livia, there is a hope for Glycon. laid a blighting hand-robbing her of Our friends have in secret arranged a much of outward beauty, but at the same plot to save him. It is faint-faint, my time revealing in more lustrous openness Livia; yet Jupiter may look in favor upthe heavenly purity of her soul. on us and give us success. Here must

There was a low repeated tap at the we lie in sad concealment until the games. door. Clasping her hands, a slight gleam Then, when the Roman soldiers and Roof joy stealing across her face, Livia man knaves are intent on pleasure, we sprang across the floor and drew back the must leave to others the fulfilment of the bolt-admitting the gray haired Titus, an design, and fly forever from this degra ancient servitor of her father, The old ded Rome."

man set down his basket, in which were

some slight provisions which he had pur- The festival came. Mad Riot strode chased, and then shook off the rain from with unfettered step through every ave his coarse robe. Livia carefully fastened nue of the Eternal City; and at night, the door behind him. when the minions of the emperor, steeped "Well, Titus," said Marcellus, "what in wild licentiousness, surrendered duty to news-what news? Nothing of gladness the blandishments of sensual indulgence, I warrant me for thy look has no revela- Marcellus and the miserable Livia stole tion of joy." away. Fortune favored their escapeThe freedman shook his head, and, as and ere the morning dawned, the lower if to change the subject, busied himself in ing smoke hung over Rome, to them sink unlading his basket. It was time for the ing down in the far horizon. Livia had anxious Livia to speak. Laying her hand written a scroll, blotted with her tears. softly upon his arm to draw his attention, to Glycon, in which, by her father's di while a deep burning blush rose and man-rection, she informed him whither they tled on her pale cheek, she whispered- had fled, that, should he be saved, he "Didst hear nought of him-no rumor might direct his steps in pursuit. This of his fate? the faithful Titus promised by some "I must c'en tell thee, dear lady," an-means to convey to him; and, with sti swered Titus, sighing, "though the tale fled emotion, Marcellus left the home

that he had hoped to redeem. With a save this evidence of interest in those short adieu he bade farewell to her rec- about him, no sign of emotion was visible ords of glorious days-looked with tear- in his features. The emperor impatiently ful eyes on the pillars of the proud Capi- gave the signal for the fight, and the first tol-and wandered forth a noble, firm, opponent sprung-his burnished armor unshrinking patriot, to lay his bones in a glittering in the light-into the view of foreign soil. the people. A smothered cry of horror "Ho! for the arena!" rung the re- broke forth. He was a tall, sinewy Dalechoed cry. "Ho! for the merry com- matian- the strongest, the most hardy of bats!" was the voice of a people, so lost the brutal gladiators-and him was Glyto human sympathies, that the sight of con to oppose. Throughout the crowd, blood was as grateful incense. High up dread of the certainty of the gallant Gly. toward the heavens appeared the multi- con's fate made them hush every sound tude in the amphitheatre, crowded togeth- as the combatants prepared for their coner, rising a breathing mass, seat above test. There were dreadful odds-but not seat, to the lofty top. The sports were a shadow of fear crossed the calm face of for a time retarded, waiting for the en- our devoted hero. He fixed his eagle eye trance of the emperor. When he ap- upon the Dalmatian, and in lofty courage peared with his officers and guards and opposed him. Caution was his breasttook his seat, here and there hired para- plate. When the gladiator bore down upsites shouted at the top of their voices, on him with a fierce and deadly stroke, "Long live Domitian, the mighty empe- he sprung aside and escaped unscathed; But the the outnumbering people and again, when the heavy sword was were still as the grave and he that had descending, he dexterously with his shield been as a dread demon of evil among turned aside the blow. Thousands, in an them swelled with bursting rage that they agony of anxiety. watched that slow, unewould not echo the shout, "Long live qual combat. The confidence of his foe the mighty emperor." in his armor and his superiority, was the

ror !”

Ere long the combats began. Pairs of safety of Glycon. At length the enraged gladiators successively fought, and again Dalmatian threw himself with a final efand again was the absorbing sand thrown fort upon the Grecian. His powerful blow upon the bloody arena. After the spec- was caught upon the inclined shield, and tators had become satiated with this his heavy sword glanced aside, throwing dreadful enjoyment, the ravenous deni- him from his guard. This was the mozens of the forest were let loose for men to ment for Glycon. battle with, in abhorent and unnatural adversary from his feet-and, as he fell, warfare. Some, wary and cunning, slew he plunged his sword into his unguarded their wild antagonist; others were torn neck. The dark fountain of life poured in pieces by their ruthless fangs. Domi- from the wound, and attendants dragged tian soon grew impatient for the consum- the body from the arena.

He closed-threw his

mation of vengeance, and gave command There was a long, exulting shout-but that Glycon, the Grecian, should be it became instantly and painfully hushed brought into the arena. As he firmly en- as the roar of a half-famished lion echoed tered, armed by the emperor's orders only on the air. Until now, not a muscle of with a sword and shield, there was a stir Glycon's frame had quivered-not a limb among the populace of admiration and had trembled—nor had his cheek blanched love, which the more galled the savage in his danger. But now his lip quivered Domitian, and made his breast burn the his keen eye glanced with lightling quickfiercer for revenge. Glycon stood un-ness around, and his face became deadly daunted before the eyes of the circling pale. Joy beamed on the visage of the multitude, with a composure of nerve and emperor as he observed the change. "He an elevation of countenance that spoke the is afraid," exclaimed he. "Glycon is bold determination and fearlessness of his afraid! Good-good-now-Now let forth soul. At times he bent his head forward the lion!" as he slowly paced the arena, and his eye roved searchingly among the mass; and,

Was it fear that had come over Glycon?
Already the keeper had advanced to

obey the command-already was the Loud echoed it through the city that sword of Glycon pointed by his trembling the Senator Marcellus and the brave Glyhand to receive his raging foe-when at con, who had fought for the people, were once, loud, mingled, increasing cries broke returned; and when the emperor was told forth on all sides among the crowd. Up of it, he with joy gave back to the vener sprung the multitude upon their feet. able man the possessions of his house; Broader and broader swelled the clamor. and Glycon was received with honor"The enemy! the enemy !" "Rebellion!" winning respect and love as the friend and "The senators!" "The soldiers!" were counsellor of his master. shouted forth, mingling its stunning confusion. Like the angry sea the heads waved to and fro. The women shrieked and clung to their protectors. Through the broad entrances rushed thousands to escape from imaginary danger; and thousands threw themselves into the arena.

The coward emperor sprung up and looked wildly around.

From a "Lady's Gift," by Mrs. Stanford.

The Wedded Life,

I may perhaps startle you, by saying that the first year of a young woman's wedded life is generally the most unhappy,

"My guards, ho! My guards! clear and the most trying one she experiences. me a pathway! Ho! my guards!" However intently we may have studied Soldiers and parasites gathered about the character of our affianced-however him, and the noise grew louder as he hur- well we may imagine we knew it in all ried into the open air. its narrow windings, still shall we find,

"Now, my lord, now," said one behind when we become wives that we have Glycon-"none but friends are around. yet something to learn. By actions is the Quick-put on this robe. The emperor affection on either side shown, and alwill soon discover the cheat. Mingle with though it is in the power and nature of a friends-away."

woman to manifest her devotedness and tenderness by a thousand little attentions,

The prisoner had fled-whither, the she must not repine if she receive not the strictest search of the emperor could not like. detect. The plot had succeeded.

The feelings of the other sex are not Ere many years the crimes of the mon- so soft and exquisite as those of our own, ster insured his doom-and the hate that if they were, we might possibly be hap dared not attack him in open day, destroy- pier, and we may for a moment wish that ed him by the arm of the assassin. Domi- they were so, but we shall restrain so tian fell, and a world rejoiced. His body selfish a desire, if we reflect how much was left to decay in the open air. His more unfit they would be by such a conhonors were all annulled, his memory stitution to bear the crosses and buffets loaded with the foul opprobrium which of the world; and we shall rejoice that his vices deserved, and Nerva mounted they do not possess our keener sensibili the throne. ties and rest content with our lot, refusing

With deep anxiety did a peasant, his to increase at their expense, a happiness, wife and her father, humbly tilling the which, if not quite meeting our ideas of earth in a little village in Greece, watch perfection, does so sufficiently to make the reign of this good prince, to see if us blest.

greatness would develope the vices which It is said that "Lover's quarrels" is but stained the reign of his predecessor; but the renewal of love-but it is not so in after two years of honorable rule, Nerva truth. Continued differences and bickerdied. Trajan succeeded. The salutary ings will undermine the strongest affec projects of Nerva were fulfilled in him; tion, and a wife cannot be too careful to and when it was sure that the citizen of avoid disputes upon the most trival subthe Eternal City could live in the land of jects; indeed, it is the every day occur his fathers in peace, the peasant and his rences which try the love and tempers of family left their obscure retreat, and start- the married life-great occasions for quar ed on their way to Rome. rels seldom occur. Every wish, every

335

as Lou

prejudice, must meet with attention, and animal, hop on, jest as soon the first thought of a woman should be the like, pleasing and providing for her husband.-country, I'm a leetle smarter than any for though I'm from the back It is impossible to enumerate all the little other quadreped you can turn out of this incidents which may annoy married men, drove. After this admirable harangue, or the Itttle inobtrusive pleasures which it he put his bowie knife between his teeth is in the power of a wife to give; hut and took up his rifle with, Come here, throughout her life in her employments old Suke, and stand by me!' at the same and in her amusements, she must ever time presenting it at the chairman, who, bear his pleasure in her mind. She must however had seen such people many a act for him in preference to herself, and time before. After some expostulation she will be amply rewarded by witnessing the man was persuaded that he belonged his delight in her and in his home. To a to the lower chamber, upon which he woman who loves her husband with all sheathed his knife, flung his gun on his the devotedness of her nature, this will be shoulder, and with a profound congee, rea pleasure, not a task and to make him marked, Gentlemen I beg your pardon, happy, she will never grudge any sacrifice but if I didn't think that thatar lower of self. room was the groggery may I be shot.'

MANNERS IN

MISSOURI.-A member

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elect of the lower chamber of the legislature of this State was last year persuaded acquainted with a couple who made CHOICE OF NAMES.-We were once by some wags of his neighborhood that if choice of the most noted names of the day he did not reach the state house at ten o' for all their children, some half a dozen, clock on the day of assembly, he could and the proud mother of the young Gracnot be sworn and would lose his seat. chi, would take every occasion, when He immediately mounted with hunting strangers were within hearing to "call the frock, rifle and bowie knife, and spurred roll" of the "great folks," in something till he got to the door of the state house, like the following manner :where he hitched his nag. A crowd were in the chamber of the lower house this moment and mind Andrew Jackson & on the ground floor, walking about with William Shakspeare while Arthur Weltheir hats on and smoking cigars. These lington helps Napoleon Bonaparte, over he passed ran up stairs in the senate the mud puddle; and then run and call chamber, set his rifle against the wall and your daddy to dinner!"

bawled. Strangers, whars the man what

"You, Martha Washington! come here

THE RED CROSS' OF ENGLAND.-In the

swors me in?'-at the same time taking out his credentials. Walk this way' time of the crusades, the national standard said the clerk, who was at the moment of England was a White Cross, and that igniting a real Principe, and he was sworn of the French the 'Oriflame,' a Red Cross; without enquiry. When the teller came this was lost at the battle of Agincourt; to count noses, he found there was one and the English sovereigns, afterwards, senator too many present, the mistake pretending a right to the kingdom of was soon discovered and the huntsman France, assumed the Red Cross of France. was informed that he did not belong there Charles VII. then dauphin, being made 'Fool who with your corn bread!' he acquainted with this fact, changed the enroared. You can't flunk this child no signs of his nation to a White Cross! and, how you can fix it. I'm elected to this the more distinctly to mark that, he willhere legislatur, and I'll go agin all banks ed, that, hereafter, to be considered as the and etarnal improvements, and if there's national colour; he himself used an enany of you oratory gentleman wants to sign entirely white, which he called a corget skinned, jest say the word and I'll nette, and gave it as an ensign to the first light upon you like a nigger on a wood- company of gendarmerie that he raised, chuck. My constituents sent me here, and it has ever since borne the name of and if you want to floor this two-legged la Cornette blanche.

The PHILADELPHIA VISITER AND PARLOUR COMPANION, is published every other Saturday, on fine white paper, each number will con RELIGION refines our moral sentiments, disengages tain 24 large super-royal octavo pages, enveloped in the heart from every vain desire, renders it tranquia fine printed cover, forming at the end of the year under misfortune, humble in the presence of God, and steady in the society of mer