The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-07-12

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81 come not as | came yesterday
he continued, after long pause, "witt
tears and entreaties to move you.--
Yesterday | knelt to implore you to
save your fathers heart from breaking,
and all in vain. To-day ! come with
harsher purpose. You asked me but
now to take you in my arms and bless
) ou, as ] did when you were little
child. Berenice, if you do not aban-
don your infatuatlon,if persist in bring
ing eternal dishonor on your ine--Ber-
enice, listen! may the curse of youE fa-
ther--"
The girl pressed his arm heavily; she
tried to speak. but her parted lips were
white as marble, and refused to utter a
sound.
The old man looked on her, and the
curse on his lips was stayed. He loo
ked on her, and kissel her before he
went, for he loved her mother.
"My sisterr' she family murmured,
as he moved away; but Flavius an
swered,
"You will never see me again; you
would infect her with your superstition.
cannot be left childlessin my old age."
And the old man went; and as the last
sound Of his departing step died away,
Berenlce thought her worst trial was
over, and she withdrew her thoughts
from the world, and sought to prepare
her soul for death.
Late in the following day the people
of Rome assembled in the amphithea-
tire, to witness the martyrdom of the
Christians. Horrible deaths they died!
Some OF them were torn TO pieces by
wild beasts; others were burned at a
slow fire; some few were crucifed,an
they counted such a death unmsrited
honor. Berenice was reserved for the
last; and because she was of Roman
and patrician blood, she was to suffer
the mllder punishment of decollation.
The sign was given, and when it was
proclaimed by the herald that the
Christian maiden was coming forth,
here was so deep silence among the
vast multitude that even the advancing
steps Of the girl and her conductors
we're heard. But what was the sur
Prise Of FL present when they beheld,
lot one, but two young maidens, both
lressed alike in white raiment, both |
coming forth in the same quiet step and |
,lacid demeanor; and one, it night be
he most tranquil, advanced a step to-
wards the seat where he who govern
ID the city, during the absence of Mar
us Antonius, sat, and thus addressed
i'm:
"lt is |. most noble prefect, who am
'erenice the Christian; this girl, my SIS
er, for love Of me, would fain take my
anne and punishment upon herselfbut
redit her not; it is |, who am the con.
emned."
Then arose touching dispute be.
ween the sisters; sisterly love lending
ne the eloquence which the other de-
wed from truth. Many of their friends
nd even of their relatives, in the am
were called on TO come
own, and decide between them, but
'me spoke for one and some spoke for
le other. Veronica, in her agonizing
ars, had lost the light and joyous ex-
ression of her countenance; and Ber- {
lice's meek and holy hopes had chased
le deep and melancholy from her face F.;
I'D mien.
One or two brutal voices arose and '
i'd, "They both call themselves Chris
ans, let them both die the deathw But ;
lie of the maidens answered, "Think {
st, most noble prefect, if you thus de- I
zee, that you will be guiltless of my i
ster's blood; she is not Christian at {
'art; would to God she were! then S
ould ! no longer oppose her sharing h
y early death. Veronica, acknowl- t
ge the truth and let me suffer aIone." t
1T Veronica, if she it was, persisted
her first declaration, and none could a
Il how this dispute would terminate; t
hen new incident attracted the at t
ntion Of the multitude, and silenced t
cry doubt. s
A speck was seen in the air; it came Fl
wer, nearer;it was a milk-white dove. S
ne bird fluttered round one, then drew
ar the other. No caressing hand r.
is held out to receive him, but his in o
net was not to be deceived; he set t.
d on the shoulder Of her who had p
swered the harsh voice from the
owd, and sought to nestle as he was m
mt in her long har. Many were m
esent who knew the pc, belonged to la
renice; SO the people were satisfied CT
tn the decision, and the weeping We
,ica still protesting against her own W