Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-02-21
CHAPTER XIV.
[corYRIGHr sEoURED.l

Valens and his daughter, having threaded
many q crooked, dirty street, and cautiously
crept along through piles of black ruins, at
length, found themselves, with grateful hearts,
safely seated again in their home.
The danger Lad now become most immi-
ncnt, and through portions of the city, no one
could venture to pass, except n the peril OF
his life. Not only were they in danger of be-
ing arrested as Cfristias.s, but The streets were
everywhere infested by night, with bands of
proving monsters, whose only ohjectw was insult
and robbery. Thousands Of fcitizens, for the few
last nights, had been knocked down, robbed,
and maI-;reated in the most heartless and
shocking manner. In fact, the whole city was
now in Z state of the most wretched anarchy.
Distress prevailed among all classes. No one
rslt his life secure-though against the poor
Christians the wratIifal storm was directed
How could 1t be otherwise The Emperor was
setting before the people the most iiideous
spcctscies OF barbarity. large portions of the
city lay in ashes, while thousands and tens Of
thousands of the lower classes were goaded to
desperation BY suffering and want.
No wonder, therefore, that VaIens and his
entering the hall, and united IN their thanks to
God, for their safe return.
Valencia, vino had remained at home, in
company with one or two neighborng women
"of like faith,'' was also on her knees at their
side, with little Ware clasped in her arms.
Soon after this, an event occurred in the
family, that was the cause of renewed sorrow.
valdinus, as already stated, had conceived
the Idea of a soldiers life, and had thoughts
of Joining the army. This desire he had ex-
pressed soon after he had formed the acquain-
tance of Marcus, and to whose influence over
him il was attributed.
Yalens, from the first, had prudently oppos-
ed his sons Wishes and had used every means
in his power to dissuade him from it. He was
his only son, and he wished him to remain ar
home. Then, knowing the wild, reckless turn
of his mind, he knew the consequences of such
a life would, in all probability, prove utterly
ruinous. Besides, the influence of the prin-
ciples of the gospel on his mind, had changed
his own views in regard to all such things,
and he wished his son to seek for honor and
glory of another kind.
The prudent counsels of the father seemed,
at length. to have prevailed. Valdinus had
promised to remain at home. He was fire.
quentiy absent, however, greater part of the
night,-no one knowing tchere. at home, he
was sulky and silent: and although he some
times spoke feelingIy about his sisters death,
yet lie evidently cherished deadly hatred to-
wards the Christians as sect, and seemed to
think the slanderous reports circulated about
them more than half true.
On a certain evening, a fresh lew of troops
was to leave Rome for one of the foreign le-
gions. The next morning Valdinus was mis-
sing.
The following day, towards its close. Va
lens learned to his great sorrow, that his son
mad enlisted as a common soldier, and left
home with the levy in question.
The shock came upon the family witha sud
Hsn, overwhelming violence, and re-opened
Rie Wounds which the death Of Fiducia had
'iaicted, with sad, painful freshness.
hone, however, lamepted it more than Yer
'lIiS' 1t seemed 10 snap assunder her only
remaining earthly tie. They had hitherto
o7eH the most loving and congenial spirits
eof only united in heart SIS brother and sister.