Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-09-20

/
was his fondness of the world, and fears of
the cross.
Valencia his wife, and eldest daughter. FL
ducia, had abjured Paganism, and embraced
christianity, nearly year before himself; and
| had been living models of that piety and meek
ness which adorned the lives of most of the
primitive disciples. ~ r
But his youngest daughter, Fertita, and
| only son, Faldinus, had hitherto resisted all
attempts at their conversion. While the for
mer was gay and thoughtless, the latter
wild and reckless and the efforts of their
parents in their behalf, seemed only to have
/ increased their hatred of christianity, and
driven them to greater eXcesses in the plea
sures of the Roman Metropolis.
At the base of one of the hills on which
| Rome was built there broad, regular
street. or avenue. lined on either side, by am
| pie pleasure grounds, and several costly and
| magnificent edifces. Every thing indicated
the abodes of luxury and wealth, with freedom
! from the annoyanccs of the more densely pop
! ulated parts OF the city.
On this street, and marked out from the rest
| by its massive and imposing front, was the res
! ldenCe OF Aliens ana his family.
| \ full description of it, however, is needless.
| II must suffice to say, that the grounds around
| it were beautified and adorned by the nobest
efforts Of taste and genius. The creations of
fancy were nicely blended with those of nature.
! Clusters of vines, with every variety of scent
| ed flowers, were in the richest profusion
while an abundance of statuary, representing
the heroes and divinties of Rome, interspers-
ed. set Off the whole with an air of classic ele-
gance.
1t is due, however, TO say, that some of
4 these latter, of late, had not been regarded by
a portion of the family, at least, with the
same interest as formerly. Several that stood
| in prominent places, Fiducia had managed to
conceal entirely from view, by training around
/ them some vines that grew in their vicinity.
And two, that had long graced the opposite
corners OF the marble steps, Yalens had lately
removed, and placed in remote corner of
the grounds. Indeed these types of an an
cient and repudiated worship had wcll-nigh
/ disappeared, both from within and without the
family mansion and many passer-by had
wondered at the sacraligeous doings of the
/ Ealens.
In large, airy apartment, looking out on
the great, broad street, Valens and his wife
were seated, with their eldest daughter, FL
duca.
s.You seem alarmed tonight, Valencia,'
said VaIens; what has disturbed thy wonted
peace and quiet -
sDoSt thou not see it in the red, glaring
skies 9'' said she hastily rising, and seating
herself by his side.
{: 'Tis only the city on fire., said he calmly
but at the same time, betraying evident emo
tons of uneasiness.
esAnd hast thou seen Prytheus, tonight r.
81 have just seen him. said Valens.
Sand what thnkest he of our Emperor ~
seFhc good man hath studied deeply tht
secrets of the human heart, and thinks ou
: Emperor hitherto may have feigned his vir
tues, and hath only thrown aside the dis
+ guise.'
sBut tllinkest thou that one exalted to sucl
t dignity could be guilty of such treachery 20
..The same baseness that would actuatc tn
0 slave may also actuate thc MASTER" said Va
: lens, impatiently.
: During this conversation, Fiducia had 50
: in silence in an opposite corner of the apart
: ment. She was looking thoughtfully at
c child, about six months old, which lay aslec
at her side-while the long, glossy folds Q
g hair, falling profusely over her neck an
) shoulders, partly concealed her pale face, an
J., prevented her parents from observing tn
tears that occasionally fell from her large
i round, dark eyes.
|. Her thoughts were Of by-gone days-of on
e to whom she had been early welded. A fe'
r. months before, however, he had sickened an
% died but not till he had reioiced with hel
" self in the hopes of better life. In he
he child, Fiducia had a reproduction of HI
image and while her fond heart rejoiced j
D. the loved treasure, she would sit for hour
Iv gazing upon its mirrored countenance, in so
of rowing thoughts of him who had been remove
N by death a few hours only before its birth.
f. s'The skies are yet red with the consumin
u city, said Valens, returning from the doc
er and resuming his seat; 81 think they do b'
ID little to arrest the hames.''
An interval of some minutes silence folloy
a ed, Valencia gazing with heartfelt emotic
a upon her daughter and child, when they we
~ suddenly startled by the sound of foot-ste]
I'd at the door.
,y esIts Vertitia and Valdinus returning,
he suppose said Valencia ssan hour ago the
as left on some business of pleasure"
er .sMost strange!" said Valens, rising to b
feet, and pacing the apartment
n !.Would, they could be persuaded to 9th
H. thoughts said Valencia.
nd y .eMost gladly would my heart rejoice in it