The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-10-14


robe about him, and casting disdainful
look on the ihrong which now commenced
kneeling about the image, left the chapel.
When the worshippers had concluded
their devoticns they retired, and soon the
priest was left alone with one person gho
still knet at the altar. The priest having
carefully fastened the doors, the derotee
rose, and, casting aside the gray mantle
which disguised him, exhibited the fine
form of Agricola the slave.
"Father," said he, 81 Icrave thy blessings.
Thou hast been ever kind to Agricola; but
he is poor, and all that he Can return he
now presents to thee, the love that springs
from his heart"
"Tis all ask" cried the priest, casting
aside his mantle and embracing him, ",he
love of the good is The greatest treasure.
But, my son, thou hast failed in confidence
to me, and dangers beset thy path ranged
thicker than the pixies of the Macedonian"
Agricola blushed and sank his head upon
his breast
at is true" he replied; 'fhat have not
told thee all-but now"
"Mnd il not now-I know ALL" the
youth glanced incredulously into his face,
when the priest taking his hand, continu-
ed, "yes all-thou lowest thy masters a.
dopted daughter, and she returns thy love.
Is it not so9"
"Alasl alas! too rightly hast thou said"
answered the young man despondingly.
"Say not alas!" cried the priest, his eyes
Frightening with delight, "she shall be thy
wfe!"
"My wife" repeated Agricola, retiring
a few PAGES, regarding the other with aston
ishment, ''and slave!"
"Fear not! ifthou woudst be happy obey
me. At midnight fly hither with thy bride
and will unite thee"
"But, remember" said the youth, tor
tured with many conflicting emotions, "the
populace will slay tliee if thou dost unite
| ii slhNt W Il lGeG-UOTH girl!
'Leave that to me. Obey my instruc-
tions. Now away! return at midnight"
At the same hour as on the previous
morning Armenms repeated his'visit, but
the priest met him at the altar, and, as he
was about to speak, said in bolder tone
than he had hitherto used
"The deity has again spoken of theer'
''EIast thou punished the slave!" de-
manded Armenius eagerly
"First must relate the words ofthe god
| serve, then to my question:"
''Be speedy with thy fooleries!' said
Armenius haughtly, 81 have weighty bd-
siness to-day, and few moments to spare.
'Last night" said the priest, ''the god
spoke to his servant, and said, the friend
Atticus, whom Armenius eXiled, vet lives!
Start not, senator of Rome--Auicus yet
lives and in disguise has returned to Rome,
found proof of thy baseness, and receive d
honors from Augustus. He has learned,
too, that before her death his wife was de-
livered ofa child-that thou didst seize the
infant, and ddst bring him up as thy slave,
that thou mghtest feast thy hellish hate in
seeing the son Of thy rival eat with thy
bondsmen."
"Hast thou ended!' aaked the auditor
81 have," answered the priest.
"Then know thy god or thou speakest
false, for of a surity know that Atticus is
long since dead. Now answer me, hast
thou slain the slave!"
"To satisfy thyself how faithfully have
executed my commission" said the priest,
''faise yonder veil and behold his body"
The senator strobe in his direction point
ed out, and drawing aside the curtain beheld
Agrlcola, with Sylvia in his arms. He re-
coiled at FIST, but in an instant exclaiming.
"Wretch thou hast deceived me!'' u1-
shealhed jewel-hilted dagger from beneath
his robe, and was bounding forward, when
the priest caught his arm.
"Hold, murderer he cried "nor dare
TO shed freeman's bood!"
"Iie is not free. He is my slave" cried
the senator, striving TO free himself from