East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1860-07-26
THE STORY OF VIRGINIA
BY GRACE GREENWOOD.


esting portion of ancient Rome. Ii was
the scene of many of the most important
and thrilling events in her history.
The Forum was large public place
where most of the business was transact
ed, where markets and courts were held,
and where the people gathered to hear
orations, and to witness great military
and royal displays. ant
1t was surrounded by magnificent tenn
pies of cleaning white marble, adorned
with beautiful sculpture, and its principal
thoroughfares or Was were spanned by
stately triumphal arches.
None of the mighty temples are now
standing, though their ruins are on every
side; but two of these arches remain
the arch of Septimius Severus and the
arch of Titus. Septimus Severus was an
emperor who reigned in Rome about two
hundred years after Christ. Titus wao
the son of the Emperor vespasian, in
whose reign Jerusalem was destroyed
1t was Titus who took that unhappy city
by storm seventy-two years after the
time of her rejected aud crucifed Lord
On his return to Rome, Titus was re-
ceived with great honors. TO commem-
crate his victory, triumphal arch was
bnit. On the side of this were sculp.
lures, representing the conquerors return
ing with captives and spoils. Among
the trophies there are yet to be seen the
golden, seven-branched candlesticks Of
the Holy Temple. 1t is said that no Jew
in Rome has ever been known to pass
under this monument of the humiliations
and woes of his nation.
In the Forum the ancient rulers Of
Rome held tribunals and passed judg-
ments-sometimes wise and righteous,
sometimes outrageously wicked and un-
Just.
Before the judgment seat of the Fo-
rum, among other sad tragedies, occurred
one which / will venture to relate, tho
it has been far better told by great histo-
rians and poets than can tell it.
About four hundred and fifty years
before Christ, one Hapius Claudius ruled
in Rome as chief of council of ten SEN
ators called Decemvirs. He was a cruel,
tyrannical man, who soon made himself
thoroughly detested by the people-but,
supported by the other Decemvirs, he
was thought too powerful to be put down.
So the brave Romans sullenly submitted
for time to his odious government.
Appius Claudus used to come to the
Forum in great state and pride, attended
by twelve grim soldiers. armed with
cleaning battle axes. He frowned
haughtily upon the people, who gave
him looks of surly hatred in return; and
he stalked past the majestic temples as
though his presence were an honor and a
glory to all Rome, instead of the shame
and terror it was, blackeniug the bright
est day, like lowering thunder cloud.
Appius Claudius had follower, a sort
of "poor relation" one Marcus Claudius,
who was ever at the Decemvir's heels,
eager to do his bidding, jealous to carry
out his vilest and most wicked designs.
One afternoon when Appius was in the
Forum, with Marcus as usual in attend
ance, young girl, returning home from
school, with her tablets in her hand and
her satchel on her arm, went tripping
gaily past them. She glanced at the
villainous pair, with pretty scorn curl
ing in her lips and flashing from her
sweet dark eyes, but showed no fear, for
she was az brave as she was innocent
So happy had been her life, and so free
from care that she was as gay as wild
bird; and now, as she went half dancing
up the Via Sacra, or Sacred street, she
warbled blithely to herself, in glad,
melodious voice, which made many; a
heavy heart lighter for little while.
The merchants, artisans and market
people of the Forum all seemed to know
the child; and many rough, black beard.
ed man greeted her kindly, or kissed his
hard, brown hand to her as she passed
She was the sunshine that shone down
the thunder cloud of the Forum.
The evil eye of Appius Claudius fell
on the youg girl--then fastened on her
with an eager, admiring look. When
she had passed from sight, he turned to
Marcus and asked,
"Who is the beautiful maiden ?"
"She is the daughter Of the soldier
virginius, my lord Her name is Vir-
ginia."
"I must have her, Marcusl" said Appi-
us, setting his cruel lips together.
"She is plebian, my lord; thou canst
not make her thy wife; moreover, she is
trothed to the young Icilus."
There was then law in Rome forbid.
ding the patricians, or mobiles, marrying
with the plebians or common people.
81 care not" answered the Deceinvir
"for Icilus, Virginius, or any other base
plebian, and want no wife; but will
have this girl Dost hear, Marcus?"
"I hear, and my gracious lord shall
have his will" replied Marcus, with an
ugly smile on his evil face.
The next morning Appius Claudiu'
came with q strong guard to the judg
ment seat Of the Forum. BY the defiant
and yet guilty way in which he glowered
around upon the people, they knew tha
some mischief was brewing.
Yet, in spite of him, smile ran along
the Forum, as the young Virginia came
laughing and bounding BY, on her way Il
school. But in moment tho smiles o
tho citizens were changed to looks of in
dignation and horror, and tho laughte