The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1866-04-25
THE STORY OF ALEXANDER
AND SEPTIMUS. -
TRANSLATED FROM 4 BYsANrIrr HISTORIAN

tne nOnlan Empire, Sllll continued the Set
of learning, politeness and wisdom. TIL
Emperors and Generals, who in these per
ods OF approaching ignorance, still felt
passion for science, from time to time adde
to its buildings, or increased its professor
ships. Theodore, the Ostrogoth, was o
the number; he repaired these schools
which barbarity was suffering to fall int
decay, and continued those pensions to me
of learning which avaricioustG ha
monopolized to themselves.
In this city, and about this period, Alcan
der and Septimus were fellow students to
gether. The one the most subtle reasone
of all the Lycium the other the most slo
quent speaker in the academic grove. Mu
tual admiration soon 6egot an acquaintance
and simiitude of disposition made then
perfect friends. Their fortunes were nearl,
equal, their studies the same, and they wer
natives of the two most celebrated cities il
the world; for Alexander was of Athens, ant
fSeptimus came from Rome.
In this mutual harmony they lived 70
some time together, when Alexander afte
passing the first part of his youth in th
Incidence of philosophy, thought at lengtl
| of entering into the busy world, and as
step previous to this, placed his affections
upon Hypatia, a lady Of exquisite beauty
Hypatia showed no dislike to his addresses
The day of their intended nuptials was fixed
the previous ceremonies were performed
and nothing now remained but her being
conducted in triumph to the apartment O
the intended bridegroom.
An exutation in his own happiness Of
his being unable to enjoy any satisfaction
without making his friend Septimus part,
ner, prevailed upon him to introduce hi
mistress to his fellow student, which he did
with all the gaiety of man who found him
self equally happy in friendship and love
But this was an interview fatal to the peace
Of both. Septimus no sooner saw her, bu
he was smitten with aninvoluntary passion
He used every effort but in vain, to sup
press desires at once so imprudent anC
unjust. He retired to his apartment in in
eXpressible agony; and the emotions of his
mind in short time became so strong, that
they brought on a fever, which the physi-
clans Judged incurable.
During his Illness, Alexander watched him
with all the anxiety Of fondness, and brought
his mistress to join in those amiable offices
of friendship. The sagacity Of the physi-
Clans, by this means, soon discovered the
cause of their patients disorder; and AL.
cander, being apprised of their discovery,
at length eXtortcd a aconfcssion from the re-
luctant dying lover 2 #fE Es.
1t would but delay the narrative, to dc.
scribe the conflict between love and friend,
ship in the breast Of Alexander on this occa-
sion; it is enough to say, that the Anthenians
were at this time arrive to such refinement
in morals, that every virtue was carried to
excess. In short, forgettul of his own fell
city, he gave up his intended bride, in all
her charms, to the young Roman. They
were married privately by his connivance;
and this unlocked for change of fortune
wrought as unexpected change in the con-
stitution Of the. now happy Septimus. In
a few days henwas perfectly recovered and
Here, by an exertion Of those talents of
which he Was so eminently possessed, he in
IL few years arrived at the highest dienities
Of the State, and was constituted the city
judge, or prator.
Meanwhile, Alexander not only felt the
pain of being separated from his friend and
mistress, but a prosecution was commenced
against him by the relations Of Hypatia,
for his having basely given her up, as was
suggested for money. Neither his inno-
cence of the crime laid to his charge, nor
his eloquence IN his own defence was able
to stand the influence of powerful party.
He was cast, and condemned to pay an
enormous fine. Unable to raise so large a
sum at the time appointed, his possessions
were confscated, himself stripped of the
habit of freedom, exposed in the market
place, and sold as a slave to the highest
bidder.
A merchant of Thrace becoming his pur-
chaser, Alexander, with some other compan-
ions of distress, was carried into the region
OF desolation and steriity His stated em-
ployment was to follow the herds of an i'm
perious master; and his skill IN hunting was
all that was allowed him to supply preca-
rious subsistence Condemned to hopeless
servitude, every morning condemned him
to a renewal of famine and toll, and every
change of season served but to aggravate
his unsheltered distress. Nothing but death
or fight was left him, and certain death was
the consequence Of his attempting to fly. =
After some years of bondage, however, an
opportunity OF escaping offered he en-
braced it with ardor, and travelling by night
and lodging in caverns by day, to shorted a
long story, he at last arrived at Rome.-
The day Of Alcander's arrival, Septimus
sat in the forum administering justice; and
hitherto our wanderer came, expecting to
be instantly known, and publicly acknowl-
edged. Here he stood the whole day
among the crowd, watching the eye of the
Judge, and expected to be taken notice of;
but so much was he altered by long sue
cession of hardships that he passed entirely
without notice; and in the evening, when he
was going up to the pr9tor' chair, he was
brutally repulsed by the attending lictors.--
The attention of the poor is generally driven
from one ungrateful object TO another
Night coming on, he now found himself un.
der necessity of seeking place to lie in.
and yet knew not where to apply. All
emaciated and in rags as he sas, none of
the citizens would harbor SO much wretch
edness, and sleeping in the streets might be
short, he was obliged.to take up his lodg-
the usual retreat Of guilt. poverty and de-
spair. = a ga.. r
In this mansionof horror, laying his head
upon an inverted urn, he forgot his miseries
for awhile in sleep; and virtue found upon
this finty couch more than down can sup
ply to the guilty. ,.7,e- -.....-r...-..,- ,-.
1t was midnight when two robbers came
to make this cave their retreat; happening
to DISAGREE about their plunder, one Of
them stabbed the othor to the heart, and
left him weltering in blood at the entrance.
In these circumstances he was found next
morning and this naturally induced farther
inquiry, The alarm was spread, the cave
was examined, Alexander was found sleeping,
and Immediately apprehended and ac-
,used of robbery and murder, The cir
,umstauces against him were strong, and
The wretchetlness Of his appearance confirm
ID suspicion, ,,.5 X t.os.{ &. :.
Misfortune and he were now SO long ac-
1uainted, that be at last became regardless
1f life. He detested a world where he had