The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-04-07

enice's meek and holy hopes had chnsed tho deep
melancholy from her face and mein.'
One or two brutal voices and sud, "they both
cali themselves Christians, let them both die the
death - but Of the maldens answered, "thinlt
not noble perfect, if you thus decree that you
will be guIltless of my sisters Blood she is
Christian at heart; would to God she were? then
would no longer oppose her sharing my early death
Veronica, acknowledge the truth, and let me suffer
alone" But Veronica, il she was, persisted in her
first decaration and none could tell how this dispute
would terminate, when n new incident attracted the
attention Of the multitude, and senced every doubt
speck was seen in the air, it came lower, nearer;
II WAS milk white dove. The bird nuttered round
one, then drew the other; no caressing hand
held out to receive him, but his instinct not TO be
deceivcd he settled the shoulder of her who hud
answered the harsh voice from the crowd, and
sought TO nestle he wont in her long hair
Many were present, who knew the pet belonged TO
Berenco, so the people satisfied with this de-
cson, and the weeping Veronica, still protesting a
gainst her identity, from the arms of her sis
ter Then the perfect, who had been much moved
at this singular scane, turned to Bercnlce, as she
rtood alone in the eren, and said
"It ia not yet too late, young maiden, TO preserve
Thy life; have pity on thy youth and loneliness, and
on tho grny hairs Of thy aged father. What harm is
it TO by the fortune Of Cesar and TO sacrifice
and BIO saGe7" But she answered, more firmly than
ever;
al am Christian, and cannot sacrifice to your
false gods? You condemn me to death, but fear
not to die in defence Of the truth" She advanced,
'Rnbiden, the fatal block and knelt by it, yet,
she joined her hands in prayer, she bent once more
fondly her little messenger bird, f to bid fare
we'll TO the last object that told Of earthly ties There
small scroll Of parchment under its wing; Der
'snice fet it, and thinking that it might perhaps tell
her the only tidngs she cnred hear, she again.
and holding 1t FORTH she prayed permission to read il.
The perfect aid refuse, and Bercnce rend, first in
silence, and then aloud: 1.-The emperor Marcus is
dead and Commodus is already proclaimed C@sar."
loud shout rent the air. II well known that
'Commodus, in his heart, favored the despised Sect
and ia spite of their pre- udices the beauty and hero
ism Of BeFence, had moved the hearts of her
Irymen in her favor. general cutlery Of her reease
was heard but this the perfect dared not grant Ber
'enice was remanded to prison until the pleasure Of
Commodus should be known respecting Christians.
II very long ere, wcaried with the hnrdshps
%: the camp, he retired 10 his capital, and his first
der was, that all Christians should be released md
restored TO their privileges as Rcmnn citizens In
his, train came the young Lurus; he hud~nund eis-
amid all the excitement of glory, and the hard
ships Of the campaign, to study the precious gift Of his
betothcd; FIRST for love Of her, nnd afterwards from
wish to know the truth. So, when their nuptinls,
delayed awhile by the death Of Flavus Torquatos,
at last soemnized, Berenice had the deep hap
pness ofknowing that the husband of her choice
ahared the faith and pure home of spirit
They remained not long in Rome; the folies and
rcTuelties Of Commodua, rendered 1t distnstein to
them; and although Lucius stood high in his favor
"a no very capricioas, they knew not how long it
might remain in his power TO depart abide in safe
ly They, therefore babe adieu without sigh to
the pomp and luxuros Of the capital, and embarked
for little island in the northwest of Europe without
the range LIBERALIZATION, where they knew they should
enjoy safety and freedom.
Berenice perfectly happy; she gave not
greet to the magnfcence she had abandoned, for Lu-
cus with her, and as she stepped into tho boat,
a trembling, caressing girl cung to her, and soft
voice whispered in her ear: "Nly sitter whittier thou
goest, will go; thy people shall be my people, and
(hy God my God - The Rorer.