Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-08-14
4flistrIIaurclls Artttlcs.
For the Standard
A STORY OF OLDEN TIME.

IL was eighteen hundred years ago
Many events have transpired since that
time. Many men have lived, acted their
part in the great drama of time, and
passed off the stage to. be remembered no
more. Many men of great minds and
strong purposes, men of iron wills and
giant daring, men whose works will never
be forgotten, even though their names
should be lost in the throng of countless
benefactors to the human race, have made
their mark upon the worlds history since
then. Kingdoms have arisen to mighty
power from the wrecks of their prede-
cessors, sinned against the Most High,
and as their reward, have gone down to
the dust, leaving nothing but their memory
and their ruins for their SUCCESSORS
Eighteen hundred years ago Rome was
great and powerful. She embraced in
her iron clasp nearly all the world that
was worth striving for, and even then she
was endeavoring to grasp more, to spread
her conquests farther, and add to the
terror of her already terrible name. But
alas for her pride ! the northern war
horse might already be heard neighing
furiously upon her borders, and the tramp
of the mighty millions who were to crush
her forever, could already be heard faint
ly in the distance.
1t was in a remote province of this
mighty empire that the events happened
which gave rise to this legend in a
province which, although small, had al
ready given her proofs Of characterization,
where the hills, fertile vallies, and MUIR
muring brooks gave to the inhabitants a
genuine love of freedom, firm seated as
the hills which lowered above them, and
quenchless as the exhaustless fountain
which sprang up among the rocks. II
was morn. The sun rose over princely
mansion, lordly palace, and humble cot
and gilded the SUBMITS of the mighty
hills, awoke choir of songsters in every
grove, and lighted the husbandman to hi:
daily toll. 1t shone down quietly, grand
ly, and beautifully as though no darl
scene Of guilt was to be enacted, anC
only peace and duty were to be guideC
5 by its beams. But this day was Jude;
to fill up the sum of her Indebtedness ant
add the last to her long catalogue 0
! evils.
In the surburbs of Jerusalem lived
hnmble artisan who had always followed
the calling of his fathers. All the morn
ing he had toiled earnestly and persever
ingly, but trifes had continually arise1
to harrass and vex him. He had beer
unsuccessful in all the labors of the morn
ing. Nothing had seemed to 60 RICH
with him and although prompted by
! desire for wealth, he had not Joined tn,
throng which had been gathering in tn
city to witness an execution of some cele
brated convicts who were that day to pa,
the penalty of their misdeeds, it seemet
that he had made but little progress il
his labors. The cool breeze and tn
bright sunshine alike came unheede
through the open easement. It only vexe
him more to see all nature sporting i
gladness about him. As the day grow
old his vexations increase. At last h
hears a commotion in the street, an
angrily throwing down his tools he zoe
to the door and looks farther. Dow
the street he sees an advancing multitud,
Can it be that the malefactors are to pas
his door p? yes, for there are the officer
with their slaves, and the hated Roma
soldiers. At sight of the first a feelin
of fiendish satisfaction comes over hin
but it is soon succeeded by anger and
desire for revenge, as the soldiers marc
proudly along. His sister too, attracte
by the tumult joins him at the door
mark the progress and survey the az
pearance Of the throng.
Beautiful and lovely, far above he
companions, is this sister. At first he
kind eye fills with compassion for IL
culprits, but soon she partakes of ii
spirit of her brother and her countenanc
assumes a sterner aspect. The convic
are three. Two are men who have til
appearance of hardened criminals. A
they pass they cast defiant glance
the surrounding multitude. Their looE
breathes nothing but hatred. Occasion
ally they give vent to and insulting e.
preston, intended for their companio
whose burden is more than he can bes
and who has the appearance of youth an
innocense. 1t seems impossible that Oh
so young and prepossessing in appea
ance should perpetrate a crime so gre;
aC his must no 70 ,,a,.;. -