Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-08-09

placid demeanor-; and one, il might be
the most tranquil, advanced a step towards
the seat where he who governed the city.
during the absence of Marcus Antonius,
sat. and thus addressed him;
II is [. most noble prefect. who am
Rerenice. the Christian this girl, nv sis
ter, for love of me, would fam take my
name and punishment on herself, but cred
it her not, it is who am the condemned"
Then arose a touching dispute between
the sisters; sisterly love lending one the
eloquenee which the other derived from
truth. Many of the friends, and even OF
their relatives in the amphtheatre, were
called on to come down and decide be-
tween them, but some spoke for the one
and some spoke for the other. Veronica,
in her agonizing fears, had not the light
and joyous expression of her countenance;
and Berenice's meek and holy hopes had
chased the deep melancholy from her face
and mien.
One or two brutal voices arose and said
/" They both call themselves Christians,
let them both die the death - But one
of the maidens answered, Think not,
most noble project, if you thus decree,
that you viii be guiltless of my sisters
blood she is not Christian at heart;
would TO God that she were then would
| no longer oppose her sharing my early
death. Veronica, acknowledge the truth.
and let me alone" But Veronica, if she
1t was, persisted in her first declaration,
and none knew hoy this dispute would
terminate, when new incident attracted
the attention Of the multitude, and silenced
every doubt.
A speck was seen in the air, it came
lower: ii was milk-white dove. The
bird futtcred round one, then drew near
the other; no caressing hand was held out
TO receive him, but his instinct was not to
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
wont in her long hair. Many were pres
ent who knew the pet to belong to Beren-
ice, so the people were satisfied with this
decision, and the weeping Veronica, still
protesting against her own identity, was
torn from the arms of her sister. Then
the prefect who had been moved at this
singular scene, turned TO Berenice. as she
stood alone in the arena, and said,
81 1t is not yet too late, young maiden,
TO preserve thy life ; have pity on thy
youth and loyeliness, and on the gray hairs
of thy aged father. What harm is it to
swear by the fortune of Cesar and to sac
rihce and be safe ?'' But she answered,
more firmly than ever,
:" 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 unbidden to
the fatal block, and knelt by it; ere she
joined her hands in prayer, she bent once
more tondly over her little messenger bird,
as if to bid farewell to the last object that
told of earthly ties. There was a small
scroll of parchment under his wing Be-
renice felt it, and thinking that i, might
perhaps tell her the only tidings she cared
now TO hear, she rose again, and holding
1t forth. she prayed permission to read II.
The prefect did not refuse, and Berenice
read, first in silence, and then aloud
g The Emperor Marcus is dead, and Com
modius is already proclaimed Cesar"
A loud shout rent the air. It was we'll
known that Commodius, in his heart,
favored the despised sect, and in spite of
their prejudices, the beauty and heroism
of Berenice had moved the hearts of her
countrymen in her favor. A general out
cry for her release was heard, but this the
project dared not grant. Berenice was
remanded TO prison until the pleasure of
A 'Ntnt u, oh,
the Christians. Ii was not very long ere,
wearled with the hardships of the camp.
he returned to his capital and his first
order was that ali Christians should be re-
leased, and restored to their privileges as
Roman citizens. In his train came the
young Lucius; he had found leisure, amid
the excitement of glory, and the hardships
of his campaign, TO study the precious Gift
of his betrothed at first for love of her,
from wish to know the truth.
So, when their nuptials, delayed awhile
by the death of Flavius Torquatus, was
at last solemnized, Berenice 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 i'll Rome; the folIies and cruel
ties of Commodius rendered it distastefut
TO them; and although Lucius stood high
in his favor, and he was very caprlcious.
they knew not how long it might remain
in their own power to depart or abide in
safety.
They, therefore, bade adieu without
sigh to the pomp and luxuries of the cap
ital, and embarked for little island in the
northwest of Europe, without the range of
civilization, where they knew they should
enjoy safety and freedom.
Berenice was perfectly happy she gave
not one regret TO the magniicence she
abandoned, for Lucius was with her, and
as she stepped into the boat, trembling.
caressing girl clunp 10 her. and 4 soft yoic,