The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1841-01-02

COLUMBIA COUNTY, SATURDAY., JANUARY 2, rsAl.

,e guiltless Of my sisters blood she is not
/ Christian at heart; would 10 God she
we're! then would no longer oppose her
sharing my sarly death. Veronica, ,acknowl-
,dge the truth, and leave me to suffer alone
But Veronica, if she il was, persisted in her
frst declaration, and none could tell how
this dispute would terminate, when a new
incident attracted the attention Of the mnlti-
tude, and sileuced doubt. t
A speck was soen in the air. il came low
er; nearer; il was milk-white dove. The
bird 1uttered round one, then drew near
the other; no caressing hand was held out
TO receive him but his instinct was not 10 be
deceived; he settled on the shoulder Of her
who had answered the harsh voice from the
crowd, and sought to nestle as he was won't
in her leng hair. Many were present who.
knew the pet belonged TO Bsrenice, so the
people were satisfied with this decision,and
the weeping Veronica, still protesting against
her own identity, was torn from tho arms
of her sister. Then the prefect, who had
been much moved at the singular scenes
turned TO Berenice, as she stood alone in
the arena, and said:
1t is not yet too late. young maiden, 10
preserve thy life; have pity on thy youth
and lovelness, and on the gray hairs Of thy
aged father. What harm is il 10 swear by
the fortune of Cesar and to sacrifice and
be safer But she answered more firmly
than ever
Il am Christian, and I cannot sacrifice
to your false Gods You condemn me to
death, but fear not to die in defence Of the
truth She advanced unbdden, to the fatal
block, and knelt by il; yet, ere she joined
her hands. in prayer, she bent once more
fondly over her little messenger bird, as if
10 bid farewell to the last object that told Of
d earthly ties. There was small scroll Of
It parchment. under i,s wing; Berenice felt it,
and thinking it might perhaps tell her the
s only tdings she cared now TO hear she rsse
t again, and holding it forth she prayed per-
mission to read it. The project did not re-
0 fuse, and Berenice read, frs, in silence and
then aloud: THE Emperor Marcus is
# dead, and Commodus is already proclaimed
: Cesar A loud shou! rent the air. 1t was
: we'll known that Cemmodus, in his heart
c favored the despised sect; and in spite Of
@ their prejudices Berenice moved the hearts
: of her countrymen in her faver. A general
: outcry for her release was heard, but this
e the project dared not grant. Berenice was
: remanded to prison until the pleasure Of
: Commodus should be known respecting the
: Christian. 1t was not very long ere, weari-
: ed with the hardships of the camp, he re-.
3 turned 10 his capital, and his first order was
g that all Christians should be released, ard
Z restored to their privileges as Roman citi-
Q zens. In his train came the young Lucius;
Il he had found leisure amid all the excite
It ment of glcry.and the hardships of his cam
n paign, to study the precious gift Of his be-
e trethed, at first for love of her, afterwards
from wish to know the truth. So when
i their nuptials delayed awhile by the death
o Of Flayius Torquatuc, were at last solemni-
If ed, Berence had the deep happiness of
knowing that the husband of her choice.
shared the sure faith and pure hope of her
;. own spirit They remained not long in
r. Rome, the lolles and crueltes Of Commo-
4 dus, rendered it distasteful 10 them, altho'
il Lucius stood high in his favor, as he was
very caprcious, they knew not how long it
n might remain in their own power 10 depart
Q or abide in safety. They, therefore bade
n adieu without sigh, to the pemp and lux
# uries of the capital, and embarked fer lit
"a tie island in the northwest of Europe, with
n out the range Of civilization, where they
e should enjoy safety and freedom.
J. Berenice was perfectly happy; she gave
Is not one regret to the magnifcence she aban'
B. doned for Lucius was with her, and as she
d stepped into the boa! trembling, caressins
q. girl clung to her, and soft voice whisper
}, ed in her ear:--My sister! whittier thou
Ell goest,I will 60; Thy people shall be my pec
:. rIa .rd tbv God my Gad:'