Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1852-10-29
THE FAMILY 0FPISO.
A TALE OF PERSECUTION IN ROME.
BY LIZZIE LINDEN.


darkness, shedding glimmerng light upon the
gorgeous temples and triumphal arches, or per-
chance tipping the submits of Rome's seven
nils with frigid lustre, and playing on the sep
ulehres of her noble dead with false and clam
my radiance.
As the shadows deepened the silence became
more dread, and the few who walked the streets
gradually decreased till only the venerable An
tonius and his daughter remained. Gently did
the arm OF Nina support her aged sire, and care
tuily did she guide his steps along the rugged
Appian way, speaking cheering words to revive
his dropping spirits, though her heart was filled
with anguish, and the tears which she in vain
endeavored to suppress, flowed freely down her
fair, sad face. Yet with self control which
none but IA Roman maiden can command, she
sabdued her emotion and strove to quiet the anx-
ious fears offs beloved parent, hough'they added
to her own.
dearest Nina, what means this dreadful still
ness that broods around2 My eyes are dim and
my sight Is wasted, but this awe inspiring gloom
touches my heart strings, and fearful forebodings
throw their shadows forward upon the page Of
Memory, as she records the names of martyrs
yet TO suffer Methinks row see my own en-
rolled among the number. / fear not death yet
Heaven grant the bloody scene may not ocCur"
not thy feeble frame and thou art weary. Rest
thee awhile on these steps and the gentle Nj
ma drew from her shoulders the heavy mantle
which protected her slight form IRON the chill
air, and wrapped it around her father.
"God bless thee child, for thy affectionate care
know that in the kindness of thy heart thou
hast made this sacrifice, but indeed, | can
not accept the gift. | have no need the cloak
and thou must wear it, because it is the wish of
thy parent "
81 obey thy command, for never shall it be
said that Nina disobeyed her father, though it
might pain her heart sometimes to fulfil his re-
qurements"
Chou hast'evcr been dntful to me my daugh-
ter, and thou wilt one day be rewarded for it,
But where are we ? Have we reached home"
Nay, father this is only the temple of Mars,
and there is yet some distance to walk.
Let Us arise then, and 60 on our way. 1t is
not well tor US to be out longer feel that dan
ger is near, and the very wind seems to come
fresh from the graves Of slaughtered Christians
Daughter, the tyrant has his work of death yet
to accomplish, aud tremble for thee But put
thy trust in the God of thy father, and he will
never torSake thee"
The heart of Nina was full, but she checked
her rising emotion, and offered q silent prayer
for strength, should the hour of trial come.
Are we almost there p said Antonius with
trembling accents.
YES, father, can just see the top Of the old
Paatne above the theatre. But what light is
that? 1t grows brighter and brighter. The cir
Gus Maximus is on fire. Oar own little dwell
ing will soon De wrapt in flames. Oh, my Sis
ter my own dear Nerea"
"The Lord preserve herr" murmured the old
man. nina, dearest Nina, hasten and kring her
hither"
Wilt thon remain here till return ?"
Yes, child, my limbs are feeble and | need
rest; therefore stay but my heart shall 90
with thee"
The affectionate daughter, after having led the
veteran to place of safety, quickened her pace
and was soon in view of her home, which she
fonnd had already been visited by the destroying
element.
"Nerea where art thou - she cried in an ag-
ony of terror
No voice replied, but the same awful quiet
reigned around. The moon had already disap-
peared behind the murky clouds, and the ,hck
flames, increasing and ascending higher and
higher each succeeding moment, presenting
striking contrast to the surrounding gloom. The
scene was grand beyond description, vet Nina
seemed 20 be the only spectator, as with claSped
hands and count@uance bcamIng with intense
excitement, she gaZed upon tnlS truIy sublime
picture Of devastation But she was aroused
from her revere by the voice Of Nerea, who was
at her side.
lis it indeed thou ?" she exclaimed joyful
ly.
=" Yes sister, bat where is my father :"
= left him at the house of Octavius and
came to seek thee. Where hast thou been, Ne
raa p
81 ...,,. a. ... H. IL .,.., - Ioo- N;,o
AMI waited long for thy coming; but the silence
became so fearful that could not bear it, and |
reraced my steps homeward as soon as possible
| reached our dwelling in time to see it in ru-
ms and now whittier Shall we 20 to find an as
Ium p
God will direct ~, dear sister, but let us re-
turn to my father. His anxious heart is even
now beating for thy safety"
The sisters babe final lieu 10 the smOul-
drrng ruins, and with hurried steps passed rap
idly onward towards the mansion Of Octavius. -
They had not proceeded far when an attendant
of Nero, holding lighted torch, was observed
to issue from the scene of conlagraton
"Oh, Father in Heaven can this be the work
of mans hands ?" exclaimed Nina. 'Hush,"
said her sister, che approaches let us stand in
the shadow of this column.
The ncendiary drew near, but so absorbed
was he in meditation that he did not notice tie
companions of his solitude Leaning against
tie pillar, he gazod upon big work of destruc-
ton. and then, fixing his eyes on the ground
beneath him, he broke forth into hurried deuun-
Citations of crime. "ADd can it be that the hand
Valerus has kndled these flames On, horrid
deed thou monster of iniquity thy sainted
mothers blessing rests upon thee nova curse
and awful, will be thy doom And yet thou
didsi bat obey the command of thy Sovereign.
Sovereign God IS thy sovcreign-thy Judge.
Thou art weighed in the balance and art found
wanting. In what ? Eternity will tell, thou
guilty wretch The blood OF martyred thou
sands re Is upon thy head. Bot thy reward =
Think on that The throne cf the Caesars shall
be Thy throne. and when death shall summon
thee hence. thou shall sway the sceptre over de-
mons in the word of tormeDts.
The miserable man, bowed down to the ground
by the weight of his remorse, dropped the torch
aud burying his face in bis hands, groened pite-
ously.
Nina" said her sister, ''let US hasten from
this spot | can stay here no longer"
God have mercy upon this poor sufferer, and
forgive him ere he Dies" whispered Nina ter
veniy. for he alone knows how to pardon the
erring Blessed be his holy name that the Sa-
viour came into this world and suffered the ago
MES Of the cross, that poor SHINING mortals