The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-07-20
4 Roman Hero.

In the war between Rome and Carthage
the Consul Regulus was taken captive
He was kept close prisoner for two wears
piniug and sickening in HE Loneliness.
while in the meantime the war continued
and at last victory so decisive was gaine(
by the Romans that the people of Carthagc
were discourored, and resolved to asl
terms Of peace. They thought no on,
wouldhe so readily listened TO ut Rome
as Regulus, and they therefore sent hin
there with their env0vs, havinr first made
him swear that no would come hack TO his
prison if there should neither be peace nor
an exchange of prisoners. They little
knew how much more true-hoarted Ro-
man cared for his citv than himself-fOr
his word than for his life.
Worn and detected. the captive warro,
come to the outside of the gates Of his owl
CITY, and there paused. refusing to enter
az am no longer a Roman citizen,'' he
said: 81 am but the barbarians' slave, and
the Senate may not give audience to stran-
gers within the walIs.'
His wife Marcia ran out to greet hir
with his two sons, hut he did not look u
their notice, as mere slave; and he cor
tinued in spite Of all entreaty. to renal
outside the city. and would not even go T.
the little farm he loved so well.
The Roman Senate, as he would not com.
in to them. came out to hold their meetin
in the Champagne.
The ambassadors spoke first: then Re-
Illus, standing up, said, as one repoatin@f
task: "Conscript fathers, being II slave t
the Carthagenians. come on the part
my masters to treat with you coucernin
peace and an exchange of prisoners" II
then turned to go away with the ambassa
doris as a stranger might not be present q
the deliberations of the Senate. His ole
friends pressed him to stay and give hi
opinion as a Senator who had twice beer
Consul. but he refused to degrade the dig
nifty by claiming it; but, at the command
of his Carthagenian masters, he remained,
though not taking his seat.
Then he spoke. He told the Senators t.
,ersevere in the war. He said that ne had
,een the distress of Carthage, and that 8
peace would he only to her advantage. no
to that of Rome. and therefore he strongly
advised that the war should continue
Then, as to the exchange of prisoners, the
Carthagenian Generals, who We're in tbs
hands of the Romans, We're in full healtl
and strength, while heHhimself was toe
much broken down to be of service again
and indeed he believed that his enemy haT
given him slow poison, and that he coul(
not live long. Thus he insisted that NJ
exchange of prisoners should be made.
1t was wonderful, even to Romans, f
hear of a man thus pleading against him
self, and their Chief Priest came forwar
and declared that az his oath had beer
wrested from him by force. he was not
bound by it to return to his csptivitv.
But Regulus was too noble TO listen t.
this for a moment. "Have you resolved
to dishonor me?" jie said. 81 am not ig-
norant that death and the EXTREMIST tor
lures are preparing for me; but what are
these to the shame of an infamous action
or the wounds of guilty mind? Slave a
! am to Carthage, ! have still the spirit o.
a Roman. 1 have sworn to return. 1t is
my duty to go; lat the gods take care OF
the rest
The Senate resolved to follow the advice
of Regulus, though they bitterly regretted
his sacrifice. His wife wept and entreated
in vain that they would detain him; they
could merely repeat their permission for
him to remain; but nothing could prevail
with him to break his word and he turned
back to the chains and death he expected
as calmly as if he had been returning to
his home.-[Book Of the Golden Deeds.