Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-11-02
MORNING LEADER.
ALARIC ;
OR,
THE TYRANWS VAULT.
a sICILIAN STORY OF ANCIENT TINES.
CHAPTER l
A sIcILrAN STORY OF ANCIENT TINES.


ALARIC.
Not far froi1 the city of Syracuse, when it was
the metropolis Of all Sicily, an object of longing
to ambitious cJnquerorS, and one Of the finest cit
les in the world not far from this place, upon the
shore Of the shore of the sea, stood a man who
had just landed from vessel that was now sailing
away towards the North. lie was quite young
not over five -and-twenty-tall and well proper
toned; with muscular system finely developed;
and possessing face not only striking in its
manly beauty, but remarkable, in one young,
for its stern resolute, and sefreliant expression.
Ills dress was light and simple, and evidently OF
Greek manufacture, the lower limbs being cloths
ed in close-ftting goat skin, above which he wore
a shirt of white linen, confined at the waist by Il
belt Of fine mail. Upon his head was 4 cap Of
woven stuff, the top dropping the right ear;
and his feet were shielded by a pair Of sandals.
His only weapon was a short, heavy sword, which
hung, in a leathern scabbard, from his belt Of
mail. He stood for a while gazing about, as
though undecided what course he should pursue;
but finally he espied old fisherman, not far off,
who had just come down upon the beach, and to-
wards him he made his way.
"a bright, pleasant morning, good sir," said
the youth.
The old man cast his net from his shoulders and
gazed up. He carefully scanned the features be-
fore him, and then replied:
"Aye, fair sir, = is a pleasant morning. We
have many such on this coast"
"And yet it storms sometimes, suppose" sug-
gested the first speaker.
"He is wise who little heed5 the storms
he cannot quell, said the fisherman with nod Of
the head which seemed to give his words more
meaning than the circumstances under which they
were spoken would imply.
"Yuu are right there" responded the olher.-
"But tell me-WheTe can l find Artabanus, the
hermit"
The fisherman took another earefullook into his
interlOcutCr's face, and then answered:
"He lives upon yonder mountain, which is call
ed CatalauO. Do you wish to see him?'
"Yes"
Then follow the path that lead, to yOnder cot
until it brings you to a small stream. Cross that
and then upon your right hand you will see
beaten track. He lives in a cave near the top of
the mountain, and this track will lead you direct
ly thither."
The young man thanked his informant, and
was upon the point Of turning away. when the
latter resumed:
81 mean no offense. Your face looks familiar.
II had the cast of a eOuntenancs l faneied had
seen before"
You'll at least remember of having seen such
an one this morning" said the young man, and
as he thus spoke he tCrnsd away.
"Aye," mUttered the old Siclian, half to him
self, bat yet loud enough TO reach other ears and
| call on Neptune to witness that have seen il
before. Such faces are not multipled-they are
not plenty in Syracuse these times. Alas, more's
the pity"
The youth hesitated for a moment as though he
would turn back, but he oyercame the disposition
and kept on. When he had begun to ascend the
mountain he stopped and looked behind him, and
saw that the fisherman was already upon the
water.
"Can it be" he said to himself, ''that my face
is SO little changed think 1 remember that old
man, for he has spread his net long in these wa
IeIs; but how should he remember ne? pray
the gods that there be not many in Syracuse that
will yet be go Observant.
With this the traveller kept on up the mountain
until he had reached broad table Of rock, from
whence he could see the bay and the city beyond.
The great metropolis was spread out before him,
with its massive walls its temples, and its palac-
es, and tear started down his cheek as he gazed
upon the scene. H. clasped his hands upon his
bosom, and, with few muttered words he started
on again. He crossed the stream and took the
path to which he had been directed: but he did
not follow it as one who was q stranger to its wins
dings. He pursued his way with ease and ass
surance, and, at times, with an abstractedness
which could have been INDUCED in only by one
who knew well the way he was going. Up the
nally stopped, it was before the enhance to
caVe-a cave which Nature had fashioned in the
mountains side, and sheltered from the suns fer
vid heat and the fury of the storm. At the mouth
of this cavern sat an old man, over whose head
some fOurscOrs years had rolled. His hair and
beard were white as the heeey cloud that sailed
above the mount, ami AOated in silken, wavy mas
ses over his shoulders and breast mantle Of
gray cloth enveloped his frame, and his feet were
-boJ vrfFh haoprr sopdois ITa I'D
an old manuscript, but as he heard the sound of
approaching footsteps he closed the volume and
raised his head
"GoOd morning, my son" he said with look of
simple welcome.
"Kind father, greet thee" the youth returned,
at the same time extending his hand.
GLOW ;" cried the aged man, starting to his
feet as the accents fell upon his ear. He shaded
his eyes with the palm of his left hand, and gAz>
ed eagerly into his visitors face. "Do 1 see
aright?" he added. is it Alaric-my old pupil Z"
"Aye, good Artabanus, 1 am Alaric-come once
more to see thee
For some time the hermit gazed into the young
uan's face in silence, but finally he said:
'Sit down-sit down, my son. Thy presence
has started host Of varied emotions to life within
me, and I must recover my thoughts ere 1 can
talk with thee in reason
Thank the gods. find thee alive and in
health" replied the youth, as he let 60 the old
mans hand, and took seat upon wooden bench
close by.
..Aye-I am we'll N body" returned Artabanus.
"But," he added thoughtfully, continuing to gaze
earnestly iato his companions face as he spoke,
"the body is but small Part Of man, and the ills
of the flesh are very joys when compared to some
of the pains to which the soul may be subject
But tell ne of thyself Where hast thou been 2"
81 have been in Greece" replied the youth
ffNE- I al tbara aiuEf
J sought refuge there, and there 1 have remained
ever since. Oh! I wept this morning, as l gazed
dJwn upon the city Of my birth. had thought
ha done weeping over those memories; but when
again gazed upon Syracuse they came crowdiDg
upon me with power which could not resist
saw The very temple beneath the walls OF which
my father and my brother were slain; and could
see the roof beneath which my mother died. Ar
tabanus there were not many Of the patrician
families escaped that foul bu.chery.'
"No, Alaric. OF all who were loyal to the true
interests of the people, have seen only yourself
return There were few escaped, but not many.
Were there any went with you to Greeee|
aNo, father I escaped alone saw my noble
parent cut down. saw my brother fall-and
when knew had no relative left in the city,
fled. Fortune favored me. l found small boat
by the sea shore, and put out alone upon the
dask waters. fostsd away to Melita, and from
thence I gained passage TO Greece. The tyrant
stiil reigns in Syracuse.
"Alas! yes And his deeds are evil, and the
people suffer We have had no peace in Sicily
since Heux died. Thou vert but mere child
then"
81 was seven years old. I remember the good
king well, for my father, you know, was one OF
bis chief officers"
"Aye-you were older than thought said the
hermit, musingly.
"And l remember that there was some mystery
connected with the good kiug's DEATH remarked
Alaric Gam I not Tight|
"Thsre was not much mystery" answered the
old man, "He was weak and weary, and he leit
the throne that he might die in peace; and death
soon came to him. But why hast thou returned
- Syracuse ?" .-I
"Csn you not guess?' returned the youth.
Il might guess many things, my son."
"And yet but one Of them would be right !
- I l,et hahi ind m