Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-10-07
From the LADIES' Companion.
ROMANCE OF ANCIENT HISTORY.
Stony or ATHENAI
ny mrs. E. S. Satin.

The Grecian sage, Leontius, was lying on his
couch calmly awaiting the approach Of DEATH
His daughter, the beautiful Athenais, was bend
ing over him, and bathing his brow with her
tears. The fading beams of the setting sun H.
lumined the apartment; and cast over the pallid
cheek Of the dying man, a glow that Knocked the
hue Of health. AS the weeping Anethais behcld
this rosy flush, she mshed her voice ofmourn-
ing, and, for an instant, ray Of hope irradiated
her brow, and shone amid her tears, as a tran
sient sunbeam sometimes gilds a stormy cloud,
land sparkles amid the falling ram. Leontius
beheld the change, and said in faint but tranquil
Deceive not myself ny dear Athenais,
with vain Elusive hopcs--they will but cheat
thee into a momentary forgetfuness Of sorrow,
and render the hour Of grief, that must come,
more painful TO endure. Learn 10 look calmly
upon the trial that awaits thee, and bear with be-
coming fortitude the loss thou art about TO sus-
tam. ] feel that must die. Even now the
lamp of life burns dimiy in its socket, and ere
long it will be gJenched forever. Weep not so
bitterly, my child, at the decree OF the Gods
I They are wlse-they are merciful. They have
granted me long sojourn on the earth, and they
are now conducting me peacefully and pleasant
lly TO repose. Murmer not, then, at their dis
pensations, but bow submissively to their will.
and pray for aid to strengthen thy spirit in the
coming season of affliction." .
But Athenais renewed her lamentations, and
her tears flowed more freely as she listened 10
her fathers words Grief had gained the mas
terry over her spirit, and, for time, it ruled
with despotic sway. Calmly Leontus waited
until the violence Of the storm had passed, and,
in the lull Of those passionate emotions, he said
81 grieve TO see, my child, that all the lessons
Of wisdom and virtue which have taught thee,
have failed 10 lift thy mind TO that elevation
which had hoped it would attain. But de-
spair not, that thy soul will one day be as lofty
and heroic as my fondest wish could desire
Thou art young, and thy heart is yet tender
enough to take deep impression from every
passing touch. Let but few more years roll
away, and the breath of sorrow, like the beam
Of Joy, will pass almost unheeded over thy spir-
it's fount Of feeling, and wake only ripple on
its surface. Thus W wouid have il. And now,
my dear Athenais, have but a few more mo-
ments TO linger, and entreat you TO listen TO
the voice that will so soon be silent forever
Hereafter, it might be a source of deep regret
to reflect that von had not hsnand MY ds';"e
words.
'tful head, and with forced caimrreSs-"'''' -
posure, listened TO his words. =,
"In leaving thee, my child, TO the evllS Oh
life and the temptations of the world, do mol
leave thee without protector, Tor thy own eN-
cellent heart will be protector more Vlgiian.
and more ueeful than the wise't could appoint
i-ar, IN ladueathing my pr. mony almost en-
l,;relv tc inv two brothers, do thee no act ol
Injustice, for thy youth and loveliness, and
above all thy many virtues, constitute Go"Il
that queens might envy. What were riches t'
one like thee? What were stores OF sParkilrt
Gems and heaps Of glittering gold? Hast tho'
, not beauty whose splendOr can rival ihe uia
mond's light, and treasures oil the mlna "hos'
D value is above all price? These la't, my daGSh
e ter, are legacy which none can take away
S Time who will steal thy youthful charms can
4 not deprive thee of those unfading treasures
{ They are exhaustess as the earth, and endnrln
as life. Thou art nebly portloned, ana dl
C Ihappy in the belief Of thy welfare.
n !Tbe nhilosopher pauscd-a solemn silenC
IF re;gned in the APARTMENT, and it seemed tn
: deaih was lowering near. Faint and faint'
l. grew the light of departing day-dm and DIN
le mer burned the lamp of expiring liIe' Low
the softest whisper Of the leaves when surr
to hv the breath of spring, rose once more
d. voice of the dying sage.
is uMy daughter, see you not yon lingering
ed dionce in the west-how slowly aud majestic;
v, liz il gives place to the footsteps OF nighlE H'
or scrtly and sweetly the last beam fades away a
in Is;,L: 60 rest? Thus does a philosopher
We farewell TO earth. Thus calmly and peaceful
sink TO his last repose. May such, dear Ath'
be ais when thy soiourn here is ended be my G
nd sine hour. Blessings be with thee now and
eut ever. Farewell! !"-.So gently and so tramp
lis- " had he sunk into the arms OF Death tna'
I6ereaved Athenais dared not disturb WIN
voice of her sorrow the silent and solemn see
For many moments she sat fearless mo'lohl
. almost breathless, gazing reveren'iy upon
-, lhushed and holy features OF the departed
Atm as soon as the awe, which that fearful yiSl
Death inspires in every one, who' Tor 'he
lime marks his approach, had passed away
yonng mourner gave full vent TO her grlet'
II bending her blooming cheek TO that marble br
'ue' I She went with the bitterness OF desc
,ake spirit. ;,o,o,, q,
l' ,NL bly dear TO her heart, that, in losing MN;
%o" had lost all that could render life endurao,
NV Her mother had been dead many years ana
no'i i optius had supplied the place OF both par
n was his eve that had watched over her u
Il c0 troublous days Of infancy, and his voice
Do ~ had pladdened, with words of praise the II
pPeu years of childhood. In the pleasant sprlns
'a'' oe vo,th. he had been ever near TO gmue
DO nrc,ect-to lead her steps in the path oil VI
here and her mind TO the fount OF knowledge
\ tbe lhad heen narent, companion, friend and pre-
istri- lor. and Athenais had loved as never emu
before 1t is a sad thing, the hrsi ueep
,rrav. of Young, fond heart. As "a dssola'hg
enom- would br,tse and blight the gentle tenan
8 600 hower-garden, so does the tempest oil III
rnose destroy its tender blossoms OF feeling I,
d tbe waste its beautiful buds of hope. bu' Az
terrible in its effects, ii is transient IN uu
n al al nrH n