Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-06-27

1
of her home, which she found had already
been visited by the destroying element.
"Nerea where art thou2 she cried in an
agony of terror.
No voice replied, but the same awful
quiet reigned around The moon had
already disappeared behind the murky
clouds. and the thick flames, increasing
and ascending higher and higher each
succeeding moment, presenting a striking
contrast to the surrounding gloom. The
scene was grand beyond description, yet
Nina seemed to be the only spectator, as
with clasped hands and countenance
beaming with intense excitement, she
gazed upon this truly sublime picture of
devastation. But she was aroused from
her reverie by the voice of Nerea, who
was at her side.
is it indeed thou ?" she exclaimed
joyfully.
"4es sister, but where is my father 2n
Il left him at the house of Octavius
and came to seek thee Where hast thou
been, Ncrea 2'
Il went to meet thee and my sire, dear
Nina, and waited long for thy coming
but the silence became SO fearful that |
could not bear it, and 1 retraced nv
steps homexard as soon as possible 1
reached our dwelling in time to see it y
ruins; and now whittier shall we 20 to
find an asylum ?"
God will direct US, dear sister, but let
US return to my father. His anxious
heart is even now beating for thy safety"
| The sisters babe final adieu to the
smouldering ruins, and with hurried steps
! passed rapidly onward towards the
mansion of Octavius.-They had not
| proceeded far when an attendant of Nero.
holding a lighted torch, was observed to
issue from the sceue of confagration.
! oh Father in Heaven can this be the
work of mans hands 2" Exclaimed Nina
Hush" said her sister, "he approaches
let US stand In the s. adow of this column.
The incendiary drew near, but SO
! absorbed was he in mediation that he
did not notice the companions of his
solitude. Leaning against the pillar, he
gazed upon his work of destruction, and
then, fixing his eyes on the ground
beneath him, he broke forth into hurried
denunciations of crime And can it be
that the hand Valerius has kiDdled these
flames oh, horrid deed thou monster
of iniquity thy salnted mothers blessing
rests upon thee nova cursed and awful,
will be thy doom And yet thou didst
but obey the command of thy Sovereign. |
Sovereign God is thy sovereign-thy
Judge. Thou art weighed In the balaaee
aud art found wanting In what 2
Eternity will tell, thou guilty wretch
The blood of martyred thousands rests
upon thy head. But thy reward Think
on that The throne of the Caesars shall
be thy throne, and when death shall
summon thee hence, thou shalt sway the
sceptrc over demons in the world of
tormeuts.
The miserable man, bowed down to the
ground by the weight of his remorse,
dropped the torch and burying his face
in his hands, groaned piteousty.
Nina" said her sister, let US hasten
from this spot; | can stay here no
longer" D
"God have mercy upon this poor sufferer,
and forgive him ere he dies" whispered
Nina fervently, for he alone knows how
to pardon the erring. Blessed be his
holy name that the Saviour came into
this world and suffered the agonles of the
cross, that poor SHINING mortals might
obtain forgiveness through his blood"
With noiseless steps the two sisters
retreated from the column, and wended
their way by more circuitous but safer
path than that which led to the circus
| MaximIs towards the dwelling of Octavi-
US.
Immured in gloomy dungeon on the
! island Tlber was an aged man, once one
/ of Rome's most influential citizens, now a
! lonely prisoner with none but his saviour
| to sympathize in his sufferlngs. 1t was
| dusk The streets of the seven-hllled
CITY echoed to the tread of soldiers still
intent upon the persecution of christians
| But the sound of reyelry. and taunts of
mailed hots as they hurried new victims
| to prison, the receptacle of all criminals
the low songs aud rough jests, the piteous
pleadngs of the daughters for their aged
parents, the curses that polluted the air,
| the neighing of horses and the Gathering
of their hoofs as they came laundering
over the bridge of Fabricious reached not
/ the ear of Antonius as he poured forth
/ his soul before God in prayer His cell
door opened cautiously aud Nina entered
Throwing herself upon her fathers neck
| she wept bitterly. Thank Heaven" said
the old man, Il can see the before L die.
/ L feel that my Gays upon earln are lew,
and wished to bestow upon thee and
Nerea my blessing. Where is thy sister"
'She is writing to our brother for an
army to overthrow the tyrant. But he
can do nothing. Yet his influence With
Galba is very great. A conspiracy Is
already on foot planned by Nlndex- L
believe Nerea only writes to hasten Its
execution"
The jailor now apeared to warn Nina
that it was time to leave. MAY L not
stay to receive my fathers blessing 2"
:sMy orders are strict, | can allow the e
no morrow" Nevertheless thou must
go.''-"Farewell, then, dear father. God
preserve thee till the morning
i After leaving the prison, Nina breathed
more freely, for under the mask of age
and iufrmity, she was not likely to be
thac