Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-12-06

| more expert in ferreting out the homes and
| hiding places of their prey. ~
But they had been busy during the day; and
| tonight, thus far, they had been quite sue
cessful and several of the adjoining prisons
were crowded with the acursed sect, . men,
women, and even little children, awaiting
their turn to stand before the mock-tribunal.
The Emperor, himself, moreover, has been
equally busy in presiding at their trials, in
history does him no wrong, he continued to do
even whole days and nights together. At
length, however, he had grown somewhat wea-
~ and exhausted, and has retired TO his Pal
ace to obtain some refreshment. But his re-
turn is every moment expected.
In the mean time, the lighted hall has been
rapidly filling up with anxious and excited
spectators, while thousands are assembling
outside, filing up the great square with a
dense of furious, boisterous citizens, of
all ages, sexes, and classes. Some, impatient
of delay, are calling for victims, while others
are busy piling the cracking fires with fresh,
dry fuel, or stirring up the glowing embers
with the points of their long spears.
1t requires, however, but glance at the ia
ces of the crowds filing up the seats in the in
terror, to see that various emotions are agita-
ting their breasts-that all, at least, had not
been drawn to witness spectacle of revolving,
barbarous injustice, through curiosity, or for
the purpose Of satiating the feelings of de-
praved aud revengeful hearts. All, no.
While the masses are talking, jeering, and in
duiging in flts of boisterous laughter, as though
assembled to witness some mirthful show or
obscene drama; others sitting, silent and
pensive. while the evidences of a deep, anx-
ious sorrow are plainly visible in their pale,
haggard features. Yes-there are, here and
there in the crowd, yearning, anxious, bleed
ing hearts. Fathers and mothers, perhaps,
in disguise, are there, 10 catch, if possible,
the last look of fondly loved child; or chill
dren, the plying eye of their parents, rudely
torne away from their embrace.
But Immediately in front OF the pyramid.l
throne, is the most pitiable sight of all There,
seated in rows, upon blocks of nlarple, is a
score or more poor Christians, men and wo-
men, under guard Of soldiers. Some. with
pale and haggard features, are gazing intently
at the marble floor, thinking, it mag be, of
children and friends while others, with eyes
closed, and calm, frightening faces up-turned
to heaven, are thinking of home afar in
the azure depths and whittier the spirits
are expecting soon to wing their flight.
Then, directly before them, on the first step
of the platform. are placed the images of sew
eral hcathen Deities, as if TO mock and
santalize these poor sufferers for the sake Of
Christ.
Hushl hush The Emperor tie Emperor
In momect, every eye is turned towards the
door or entrance All is silent-save the
involuntary sighs, or half suppressed ejacula-
tions proceeding from the group in front of
the throne.
There he is. the Emperor--sure enough,
surrounded by his life-guard, fierce, sarage
looking m monsters.
He is advancing slowly along the great
broad aisle, paved with iniays of marble, and
lined on either side by rows Of gigantic, tow
ering columns. Four of the guard are q few
PAGES in advance, the same number support
his right and left, while the remainder follow
He has now seated himself in the elevated
marble chair, his numerous guard occupying
the successive steps, facing on all sides of the
vast interior Their right hands are grasping
firmly the hilt of their swords, while their
long, glittering spears are resting on the in
side of their left shoulders.
Now, if you please, take look at the En-
TIT
you-and you may read the man at your ieis.
ure.
No execution can be taken to his dress. 1t
is certainly prince1y. His robe is long, ample,
and flowing, glittering with the rarest gems,
and rejecting from its folds every variety of
the richest oriental hues.
Nor can any fault be found with the crown
that sits snugly and gracefully on the head
1t is the same which had graced the brow of
the Caesars through long and illustrious sue
cessiou.
Perhaps, however, some exception might be
taken to the Emperor's person and visage,
which, to say the least, impress the mind with
no very exalted ideas of either intellectual or
moral worth
His person Is slender and lean, his limbs
crooked and meanly formed ,even to his finger
ends the Joints of which are enlarged, while
the nails are erimped and yellow.
His head, in general way, is lily shaped, as
If to correspond, as far as possible, with the
rest of him. The forehead is low, falling alb
ruptly away an inch or two only above the
brows, which are covered with long, shaggy
hair, hanging down over pair of small, grey,
hleery ewes surrounded by red Scalded-loOk-