Litchfield enquirer., 1835-08-27
TALE OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS.
 Frops Lady's skesch ef Corfa.

In the reign of Marcus Aurelius Anfoni1 us, there lived in Rome good old senator, who had. two daughters. Veronica and Berenice were noted, less for their beauty and gsntleDess than tor ihe extraordinary resemblance they bore to each other and for their mutual affection. These girls were twins-their mother had: died during their infancy, and itwas fnund, affer her death, that mothers eye only had been able to distinguish tho children. Had their faifer. Elauins Tnrf4nafns hes,n 4 ks of his dime and attention 10 them, he might have acquired the samo power of discrimi- nation but the noble patrician's hours were divided between the scnate-house and the court; and when he came hume at night wearied, he wss well enough pleas- | ed to play with his two sweet little girls, without farsher troubling himself concern ing them. And yet. he was a kind father 1; he entreated his widowed sister toSfake up her abode with linn, that she might take care of the children he allotted for their use magnificent suite ofTooms he pur- chased for thema numerous train of slaves. Veronica and Bcrenice had scarcely wish ungrati6ed. As they increased in years, the remark able similarity of their persons remained undiminisIed. but their characters became essentially different. Berenice was pen- sive. gentle, it might De somewhat 1melan- choly, studicus. and fond of retirement. Veronica was volatile, giddy, of quick and warm afections--yet did these points of difference not lessen their fond affection. ! They had completed their sixteenth year, when, among other presents brought by their father on his return from visit to the east. was T young female slave of extraordinary intelligence and merit. She soon became tlse fayorite of Berenice. and the noble young RomaIEwould frequently recline for hours on her couch, while tiIe slave beside her, occupied at her embroid- ! cry, would tell her tales of her own family and Ha.iye.land. Sls wept when she spoke : of her peaceful home and aged parents, and Berenice felt as though she loved the girl l the more for her fond regret. She asked her for what cause her liberty had been forfeited. for she knew that Alec had no, been born . dave; but on this point she could not obtain satisfaction. Berenice would not pursue the painful subject, but her sisters curiosity was not % easily sup pressed. She questioned her father, and the reply of Flayius made both his daugh- teTs start with horror.
 IL was for crime he said; for crime Iofa blacker nature than yoncan conceive for crime that msriied death but I pitiee \ her ysuth. Nay he continued, be no
 alarmed; she eanuoi, will not. injuse you she is gentle and skiifnlaih the, healing ar
 flor this reason have her about yon.-
 And--you are Romans and, noble, Bere.
 nice--you will not descend 10 undue famii
 iarity siih slave.'
 Borenice remembered this inj0nction-
 she meant to obey it; but shortly aftel
 this conversation, she was attacked by [ \ painful illness. and, during tho tedious
 hours of sleepiess snights. she could nof re.
 frain from desiring Alec to tell her stories and ,sinE her songs. 5as she had been von
 to do. Often and often, as she watched ] the quick, soft step of her attendant. ant