Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-08-04
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OR, THE THRACIAN WREsTLFE
BY HERMAN II. HEATH.
CHAPTER XII.
MANIMIN'S RETURN TO ROME

MANIMIN'S RETURN TO ROME.
From the moment after the assassina
ton Of Geta, by the trcachery of Cara
Gala, and the voluntary absence of Max
imin from Rome, had been enacted the
bloodiest deeds by Carlacalla. ever known
IN the history OF time. Hundreds of
thousands pershed through the freaks of
his diseased fancy: ever the possession of
fear that one was the friend of anv but
him, constituted him his enemy. The
Senate, survellant, and dreading his bloody
hands, was but a simple tov in his hands:
and the army, by large donations from
the public treasury, was easily led to ac-
knowledge him its head. .
MaXiinin had now been absent but a
year from the imperial city. when he re-
ccived Unexpectedly a secret mandate
from the Senate to repair to Rome. whith-
er he Immediately started attended by
Eoluntina, Ormerous, and Homedus.
Twas late in the night when NIaximin
arrived within the walls of Rome. and
Immediately lodging his friends with Pa
plnean, chief of the Praatorian guards,
who was his friend, and priyy to Maxi
min s call TO Rome, he wcnded his way
TO the senate house: the Senate then sit
ting. although la.e in the night. When
Maximin entered, passing through the
magnificent vestibulum, the Senate rose
up and Plantanius, in the name of the
Senate, welcomed him to Rome.
MaXinin bowed, and became seated.
AurIllus Victor, an orator and sage, as
well as man of noble blood, was one
among the very few who dared to defend
Rome against the assaults of the tvrant
Carracalla. lie was speaking from the
rostrum, and paused when Maximin en-
tered, but when the warrior was seated
he resumed:
Il have said enough, conscript fathers,
to warn up all the Roman blood within
your veins. But if this be not enough.
[ willpress upon you more singing words
still. How many OF you, noble fathers.
whom | behold around me here, that have
not cause to mourn the fate of some
kindred or friend, by Carracalla's bloody
hand. Who among you dare have his
Vengeance. though he drag your virtuous
wives from their homes, or murder your
offspring in their beds Has he not
polluted every street in Rome with noble
blood, and is not the imperial palace the
seat ofmortal revenge upon all the Roman
world. Does not the Emperor squander
the contents Of your Golfers and bribe the
legionSto serve you, and can you say
YOU have liberty, while he doth thus
enslave yous TO longer forbear,. is but
to sanction: for myself, | declare for
rebellion. "I.i a...r Fr.
Aurilius Victor sat down in silence,
but no one among that number of Senators
ventured to affirm his course; not one
vindicated the Emperor. ra.
Plantanlus rose, and, before the Senate,
related to Maximin that he had been
brought hithcr, not, perhaps to combat
Immediate danger, but that he might be
near if danger should ensue. erhou art
in friendship largely with the soldiery
and such chief shonldnever be far away
when occasions call for action"
Then the Senate broke up, and passing
homewards, by the palace, which was
brilliantly lighted, Maximin and Plantan-
ius fingered to aknow what caused the
brilliant glare within. ..''
Passing through the porch, in which
stood columns and statuary, they paused,
hearing voices behind one of the pillars.
q tell thee twas Aurilius Victor: he
did detile thee most outrageous: and but
that | desired to come straight to thee
with it, had waited to answer him.
1t was plain that some traitor and the
Emperor himself were met-that a spy
had been in the Senate, and by precon-
cert, all that had transpired therein, was
being revolved Hna oeu.- 50.
And did he so? Then tonight he
dies" was the reply of the we'll known
voice of Carracalla. .
/" q Besides, too, know'st thou, Cara
Gala, that the. Senate hath sent for that
Thracian, Maximin, and that he is even
here in Rome? | tell thee, beware, dan
gers beset thee.' uae faloj "a
A"l had thought of that: but him will
Ilet Macenius dispatch, for they are dead
ly eneinies:' replied Carracalla. "But,
what | would have thee do Galba," he
resumed sis, that this night, ere the