The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-02-26

Fromtha moment Nero relinqushed his de-
sign upon Tita, hut resolved at least that pleasure
Of bloodshed should expiate their illustration.
christians, he said turning to Claudus, we have
mont tor the last time. Epaphroditus, my guard
The freedman withdrew, and entered in n few
moments accompanied by some soldiers Claudius
was remanded to his cell, bu, he gazed on Tita,
The FAINT smile that beamed through his sad
expression, was borrowed from the hope that
their meeting above would never know para
ton.
CHAPTER x-THE CHRISTIANS TRIAL.
The threat Of the Tyrant was soon to be reaI,z.
cd; and the faith of the Christians to be tested by
resignation 10 their death Nero very anxious to
convert tho ofhis victims to his own enter
ainment, resolved that the hour OF their execution
should be during the night, and that the manner ,
of by fire. lie appointed was his custom
when Christian was To die--his garden to be fitted
for the occasion, and throne to be erected for him
sclfaud Acte.
AT the appointed hour the gardens Of the palace
were illuminated, the pile surrounded by fagots
was prepared for the matyrs, and before it at short
distance, stood the throne of him who regarded the
agonies OF death as lightly the mimic sports of the
Stage. A slow and solemn flourish of trumpets an
nounced the approach Of the procession. The
monarch and his mistress already their
throne.
Preceded and followed by a numerous guard the
Christians drew nigh. Caudius bore in his hand
Il small crucifX, which IN the intervals of PRAYER
he fervently pressed 10 his lips, while the strength
and submission he impored in the name of
Him who had died for all, were audibly responded
TO by Tita
They wero already at the stake; two of the guards
advanced and bound them 10 The pile, and were
on the point Of firing II, when the exclamation of
Hold, from Nero, suspended their further prog
ress. The eyes of all were turned TO the throne.
The Emperor held a scroll; his hand trembled
while he read il, Ill, rage and disappointment strug-
CLING within him, he tore and tramped it, II had
been handed to the guards surrounding the throne,
aud the bearer had disappeared ere Nero received it,
1t ran as follows.
"The Christian about to die hath saved thy life,
hut will not make that the price Of his free.
dom. 1t is true that by doing, he hath div uiged
and defeated our design We forgive &C: which
sprung from the gen,eness of his faith Think
not, that though Of us in chains that there
are not others ready 10 avenge the Names of thy
victims, and redress their wronged and violated
country. The dagger yet remains unsheathed, and
the sons Of Rome cursesthe life of the Tyrant If
Claudius and Tita perish, Nero dies.
coNsPlRAToR.'
The Tyrant looked on the crumbled fragments a,
his feet, as though ashamed that threats should
change his purpose or cheat him Of his feast of
blood. He vainly endeavored TO laugh away his
fears; but il vain his mind reverted 10 the
dangers from which he had been rescued The
Tyrant is continually coward, and suspicion gem
crates those cruelties from Others which have been
inflicted by himself. Terror prevailed but Cunning
forgot not to enhance the pardon the glft of gem
csosity. Release the Christian he exclaimed she
hath saved my life. He descended the throne
with the Asiac, unwilling as il were, to remain
on the spot where Mercy had surplaned Ven.
yeance.
The Christians had tasted the bitterness Of death
n its anticipation. The repIieve called them back
% n world whose hopes and interests they had for
got in the change which awaited them and while
Ne wept with gratitude for their pardon Faith
ui turned their hearts to the Future as an Home
mot made with hands, eternnlIin the heayens'