The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-03-29

the strong affection of her sole parent.
She also, in accordance with the estab-
lished customs Of her people, was be.
trothed and wore upon her fore. finger
the iron ring of her distant kinsman
Servius TuIlius. This youth had been
selected by her father from family
considcrations-thc affections of the
children were not thought ot-Scryius
was Il soldier bold and aspiring one
of his age, which did not exceed six
teen when he entered the royal army.
Whether the bctroihmcnt between
himself and hls kinsnan's daughter
would be agreeable to him when the
time for consumating it arrived. gave
the young soldier little uncasincss.-
The evil day was far off and the com
pact in the meanwhile secured him q
princely fortune. He was away on
some distant expedition ut the time
Priscus visited Rome once more to
form matrimonial engagement.
~ Roman knight was passing the
house OF Tarquinius, when attracted by
Il sweet and giriiSh voice, he raised
his eyes and met the curious gaze of
the proprictor's daughter.
Who are you?' he asked abruptly.
She tirnidly drew back from the
soldiers intcrrogatory.
Nay speak pretty one said he,
smiling kindly.
Nv hat is thy name ?
Rhca Sylvia
Indeed the mother OF our Romu-
lus and Rhcmus bore the same and
was Il NeStal Wouldst thou like to fill
the office of thy illustrious namcsake :?
Even the young Rhca Sylvia knew
that the Office of Il Ncstal was one of
the highest consideration, and answer
iIS the question with delighted and
sparkling eyes. 'Ofal things it would
please me the best She had forgot.
ten her bctrolhcd-thc world with
which she was barely acquaintcd--,hc
hopes of her fond and induI.ent father.
Her very name had from infancy. as
socalcd her, in imagination, with the
vcstal order, and to become pricstcss
OF ttiat order appeared to her the most
glorious destiny 10 which Il female
could aspire.
Art thou Of Romc?' asked the stran-
ger
No Of Curinth.'
And thy father, what is his name
and rank
y patrican by birth. Tarquinius
Pr>cus by name
llah the good PriScus. Then
thy wishes shall be grat,iicd. Know
me child for Pontilrx MaxmuS. and
thank the gods for this accidental meet.
ing. Prepare t" enter the Temple of
Ncsta on tomorrow, when the good
m"thcrs shall call to escort thee to
their burning atarS. Young novice,
! bid thee farewell. Aud ANGUS
MarnnnS passed ON, leaving the fair
'h4a Sl llvia lost in establishment at
the sudden {. angc IN hrr destiny.
Deeply aS Pri>cu> felt the loss uf
his daughter, and an>iu,i>iy ;ls he de-
sired /" keep her with him. venrra,un
and respect for thu order and for the re-
llgion OF his country tnrhatic any inter
ference "n ms pa,i. The vows were
made, and Rlica Sylvia became Il
novice in those sublime mysteries.
known only /" the virgins Of the sun.
For ten years She acted the favored
guardian OF the sacred fire. The rank
was limail V won. ana tIl, pure and ar.
dent iricstcss devoted herself with
zeal and enthusiasm to the duties Of
her high Office which proved that no
r'hol.v or earthly feeling intcrlningIrd
with her devotion to Ncsta. Taruuin.
us PriscuS had returned to his native
Corinlh, and IN the pursuits of litera-
turc and science ceased to regret his
daughter whist he gloricd in her high
destiny and immaculate fame. The
Vcstal was pious, honorcd and happy
the most popular and beloved of her
whole sisterhood.
Father Jupiter ! what glorious
being, exclaimed young and hand
some soldier, as Il VcstaI and her guard
passed the place where he was stand
ing. 'ltwcre worth kingdom to win
~ ''h'i" tSiii So iillI a. CItlluEc.
Say you SO, sir soldier replied q
citizen near whom he stood, 'and know
you not it might cost head Our
PIous Ancus would turn Vcstal's
smile into the bttercst fruit you could
pluck in all Rome.
'lt may be so, sir citizen, yet his
power will not last always
NO, but the CoIlinc Gate will sur
vIvc hIln--a proper dread of which,
will turn the VcStal's smilo into a
frown'
"a smile and more have been won
from Vesta purity, and in spite of
Vestal fears
Not in Rome my gay soldier
$50 mlsty legends toll; yet our
great Romulus had Vestal mother
80 the same legend sayeth but
IIah You soldier of Rome md
doubt her certain history. Beware
sir soldier. 1t were no less than bias.
phcmY in you tn throw n shade of