Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-02-15
TER.NONT PHOENIX.
PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY MORNING, BY
WIN. &c. RYTHER.
TALE OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS.

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In the reign of Marcus Aurelius Antoni.
us, there lived in Rome good old senator.
who had two daughters. Veronica and
Berenice were noted less for their beauty
and genteness, than for the extraordinary
resemblance they bore to each other, and for
their mutual affection. These girls were
twins, their mother had died during their in.
fancy, and it was found, after her death, that
a mothers eyes only had been able 10 dis
tnguish the children. Had their father,
Flavius Torquatus, bestowed much of his
time and attention on them, he might have
acquired the same power OF discrimination :;
but the noble palriciun's hours were divided
between the senatehouse and the court and
when he came home at night, weared, he
was well enough pleased to play with his
two sweet little girls without farther troub-
ling himself concerning them. And yet he
was kind farther; he enircated his wild
owed sister to take up her abode with him.
that she might take care OF the children he
allotted for their use magnificent suite of
rooms he purchased for them numerous
train Of slaves Veronica and Berenice had
scarcely wish unqualified
AS they increased in years, the remerka
BILE similarity Of their persons remained I'M
diminished, but their characters became es.
sentially different Berenice was pensive
gentle ii might be somewhat melancholy,
studious, and fond of retirement; Veronica
was volatile, giddy, ofquick and warm af
fections, yet did these points OF difference
not lesson their fond affection
They had completed their sixteenth year.
among other presents brought by their faith
er on his return from a visit 10 the East,
was young female slave of extraordinary
intelligence and merit. She soon became
the iavorlle Of Berenice, and the noble young
Roman would frequently rocline for hours
on her couch, while the slave beside her,
occupied al her embroidery, would tell her
tales Of her own family and native land
She wept when she spoke of her peaceful
home and aged parents, and Beren:ce felt as
though she loved the girl the more for her
fond regret She asked her for what cause
her liberty had been 70 rfeit,d, for she knew
that ALICE had not been born slave, but on
this point she could not obtain satisfaction
Benrenice would not pursue the painful sub
ject, but her sisters curiosity was not so Ca
silly suppressed. She questioned her faith
er, and the reply of Flavius made both his
StdIt Win
1t was for crime" he said, " for crime of
blacker nature than you can conceive, for
crime that merted DEATH but | piled her
youth: nay" he continued, :" be not alarmed,
she cannot will not injure you; she is gentle
and skilul in The healing arr, for this reason
have her about you, and-you are Ro.
mans, and noble, Berenice You will moi
descend 10 undue familiarity with slave"
Berenice remembered this injunction she
meant to obey it; bnl shortly after this con-
-ve-sation she was attacked by painful i'll.
ness and during the tedious hours OF sleep.
less nights, she could not refrain from desi-
ring ALICE to tell her Stories and sing her
songs. as she had been wont to do Often
and often as she watched the quick soft step
of her attendant, and compared her unwea-
ried assiduty aud gentle activity with the
INDULGENCE and carelessness OF her other
slaves, she wondered what could be the
crime Of which so meek and unohending a
creature had been guilty. One night, she felt
worse than usual, and having persuaded her
sister 10 retire for awhile, she lay perfectly
still, meditating on the past, and on the fu
ture, that fearful future, OF which she knew
so little. and which she so much dreaded
ALICE was kneeing by her couch, and be-
lieving her mistress TO be asleep, she prayed
in soft voice to the God Of the Christians
for her recovery Berenice listened in still
attention; she heard, to her surprise, the
meditation of Being implored of whose
very existence she was totally ignorant; she
saw ALICE rise at least, with an expression OF
resignation and holy hope in her meekly
raised eyes, which she had never witnessed
in the vo,aries of Jove. She called the trem-
bling girl 10 her side, and babe her quickly
explain her sacred faith. ALICE hesitated,
she knew the danger she would incur for
both, and some remains OF the fear of man
yet fingered about her heart; but she con-
queed the unworthy feeling, and, drawing
from the folds OF her robe roll of parch-
ment she read aloud 10 her attentive audi
'iress the record Of the most surprising event
in the history Of mankind
'at@
Many months had passed away, One
evening the sisters were together In their
own apartment Veronica stood before
mirror, her vest of satin, her flower wreath
ed robe, her zone ofbriliants told that she
was preparing for festival. Al the further
end OF the room Berenice was seated. She
WAS arrayed in plain.white dress, and her
hair fell unbranded in It's own rich luxuriance
about her throat and shoulders; with one hand
,she fonded snow-white dove, and ever a
non her dark hair fell over the gentle bird,