Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-11-02
C5e 51a}Ig SPY,
ALARICi
ALARIC;
OR,
THE TYRANT'S VAULT.
A SiciIInn Story of OIden Times.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.
ALARIc.
Not far from the city of Syracuse, when it
was the metropolis of all Sicily, an object of
longing to ambitious conquerors, and one of
the finest cities in the world not far from
this place, upon the shore of the sea, stood
man who had just landed from vessel that
was now sailing away towards the North.
He was quite young-not over five and twen-
ty-tall and well proportioned; with a mus
cular system finely developed and possess
ing face not only striking in its manly beau
ty, but remarkable, in one so Young, for its
stern, resolute, and sef-reant expression
His dress was light and simple, and evidently
| OF Greek manufacture the lower limbs be-
ing clothed in close. fitting goat skin, above
which he wore shirt of white linen, con-
fined at the waist by belt of fine mall
Upon his head was cap of woven stuff, the
top dropping over the right ear and his feet
were shielded by pair of sandals. His only
weapon was short, heavy sword, which
hung in leathern scabbard from his belt of
mail. He stood for awhile, gazing about, as
though undecided what course he should
pursue; but finally he esped an old fisher
man, not far off, who had just come down
upon the beach, and towards 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 fea-
lures before him, and then replied
Aye, fair sir, it is pleasant morning.
We have many such on this coast"
And yet 1t storms sometimes, suppose"
suggested the first speaker.
HE Is a wise man who little heeds the
or rrk1y L,a
with nod of the head which seemed to give
his words more meaning than the circum-
stances under which they were spoken would
imply.
"You are right there" responded the other.
"But tell me-where can find the Artaban-
us, the hermit %
The fisherman took another careful look
into his interlocutor's face, and then answer
| ed
CHE lives upon yonder mountain, which is
called Catalano. Do you wish to see him -
YES"
"rhen follow the path that leads to wonder
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
cave near the top of the mountain, and this
track will lead you directly thither"
The young man thanked his informant. and
| the latter resumed
81 mean no offence. Your face looks IA
miliar. II has the cast of a countenance l
fancied had seen before"
"You'u at least remember of having seen
such an one on this morning." said the Young
man and as he thus spoke he turned away
AYE muttered the old Sician, half to
himself, but yet loud enough to reach other
ears; "and call on Neptune to witness that
have seen it before. Such faces are not
multiplied-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 overcame
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 ,sthat nv
face is go little changed L think remember
that old man, for ne has spread his nets long
In these waters; but how should he remember
me pray the gods that there be not many
in Syracuse that will yet be so obseryant.'
With this the traveller kept on up the
mountain until he had reached a broad table
of rock, from whence he could see the bav.
and the city beyond. The great METROPOLIS
was spread out before him, with its massive
walls, its temples, and its palaces, and tear
started down his cheek as he gazed upon the
scene lie elasped his hand upon his bosom,
and, with lew muttered words, he started
on again. He crossed the stream. and took
the path to which he had been directed hut
he did not follow it as one who was stranger
to its windings. He pursued his way with
an ease and assurance. and, at times, with
an abstractedness which could have been in
dulged In only by one who knew we'll the
way he was going. Up the steep, rocky hight
he climbed, and when he finally stopped, it
was before the entrance to a eave-a cave
which Nature had fashioned in the noun
tain's side, and sheltered from the SUMS fer
vid heat, and the fury of the storm. At the
mouth of this cavern sat an old man, over
whose head some fourscore years had rolled.
his hair and beard were white as the heecv
cloud that sailed above the mount, and floated
IN sllken, wavy masses over his shoulders and
breast. mantle of gray cloth enveloped
his frame, and his feet were shod with heavv
sandals. He was engaged over an old manu-
script, but as he heard the sound of approach
ing 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 re-
turned, at the same time extending his hand,
"How !! cried the aged man, starting to
his feet, as the accents fell upon his ear He
shaded his eyes with the palm of the left
hand, and gazed eagerly into his visitors face.
'Do see aIights' he added. "Is it Alarie--
my old pupil"
"Aye, good Artabanus, am Alaric-eome
once more to see thee"
For some time the Hermit gazed into the
young mans face in silence, but finally he
said
"Sit down-sit down, my son. Thy pres
ence has started host of varied emotions TO
life within me, and l must recover my
thoughts ere | can talk with thee in reason"
"Thank the gods, find thee alive and in
health replied the youth, as he let go the
old mans hand, and took seat upon a wood
Ell bench close by.
"Aye-I am well in body" returned Ar
tabanus. "But," he added, thoughtfully,
continuing to gaze earnestly into his compan-
ions face as he spoke. "the body is but
small part Of man, and the ills of the flesh are
very joys when compared with some of the
pains to which the soul may be subject. But
tell me Of thyself. Where hast thou been ?" .
81 have been in Greece" replied the youth /
"When fed from these shores, eight years
ago, sought refuge there, and there have
remained ever since. Oh Iwept this morn
ing, as gazed down upon the city of nv
birth. had thought / had done weeping
over those memories; but when again gazed
upon Syracuse they came crowding upon me
with power which could not resist. saw
the very temple beneath the walls Of which
my father and brother were slain and