The Shasta courier., 1867-11-16
NUMBER 81.

nearQ the prsclOTldn Ctith IlHS WIFI uCcid-
nations, and the name of Galha sounded in
his ears A man ut work in field adi0in-
ing to the road started up at the sound Of
horsemen pressing forward with expedition.
and, Behold - he said. those people
are hot in pursuit of Nern.n Another
asked. * What do they say of Nero in the
city ?'' As they drew near to Phaon's
house, Nero was alarmed ty sudden acci-
dent. His horse startled 1T "A dead carcass
that Law on the side of the road, and the vell
in consequence Of the violent motion. falling
from his face, veteran who had been dis
missed from the service. knew his master,
and saluted him by his name. The fear ot
being detected made the fugitive prince and
his followers push forward with their utmost
speed. Being arrived at n small distance
from the house, they did not think it safe TO
enter it in public manner. Nero dismount
ed, and crossed field over grown with reeds.
Phaon advised him to lie concealed in
sand pit, till he prepared subterraneous
passage into the house. That, said Nero,
were to bury myself alive" He scooped
up some water out of muddy ditch and,
having allayed his thirst, asked in 4 doeful
tone 4" Is that the beverage to " hich Nero
has been used?" An opening was made in
the wall on one side of the mansion, and
Nero crept through 1t. He was conducted
to a chamber. where he saw nothing but
wretchedness. In that mean room he threw
himself on a meaner bed, and asked for some
nourishment. They offered him bread but
it was so black, that his stomach sickened
at the sight. The water was foul, but thirst
obliged him to swallow the nauseous draught.
His friends saw that no hope was left they
dreaded his impending ruin. and advised
him fo hi SaIf bI-S manly 1aat
from an ignominious denth. Nero signifed
his assent; but he studied delay, found to
linger still in life. Preparations for his
funeral were necessary. He ordered a trench
to be dug, suited to the dimensions of his
body quantity of wood to be collected
for the funeral pile and pieces of marble
to be brought to form decent covering for
his grave. He bewailed his unhappy lot;
tears gushed at intervals he heaved a pit
eous sigh, and said to his friends: What
musician the world will loose ~
During this scene Of delay and cnwardice,
a messenger, according to Phaon's orders,
arrived with papers from Rome Nero
seized the packet. He read with easerness,
and found himself, not only declared pub
lie enemy, but condemned to suffer death,
with the rigor of ancient usage. lie asked
What kind of death is that p? and what is
the ancient usage?' He was told that, bv
the law of the old Republic. every traitor,
with his head fastened batween two stakes.
and his body entirely naked, suffered the
pains of a slow death under the ictOr's rod.
The fear of that ign0minious punishment
inspired Nero with short-lived passion,
which for the moment had the appearance Of
courage. He drew two daggers. which he
had brought with him. as if medtating some
,1rodipiOuS Aood tria1 .h., 81 Iu.I,
then calmly replaced them in their scabbarls,
saying: The fatal moment is not vet
come" lie turned to Sporus and requested
him to begin the funeral lamentation.-
Sing the melancholy direc. and offer the
last obsequies to your friends" lie cast his
eyes around him: " And why he said.
'why will not some one dispatch himself,
and teach me how to die" lie paused for
a moment and shed flood of tears. lie
started up, and cried ont. " Nero. this is
infamy you linger in disgrace; this is no
time for detected passions; the moment calls
for manly forttude."
These words were no sooner uttered. than
he heard the sound of horses advancing with
speed toward the house This he signife,i
by repeating line from Homer The fact
was, the Senate had given orders. that ho
should be brought back to Rome t. undergo
the judgment which they had pronounced.
and the officers charged with that commits.
were near at hand. Nero seized his dagger,
and stabbed himself in the throat. The
stroke was too feeble. Epaphroditus lent his
assistance. and the next blow was Il mortal
wound. a centurion entered the room. and,
seeing Nero in a mangled condition. ran
Immediately to his assistance. pretending
that he came with friendly hand to bind
his wound, and save the Emperor life
Nero had not breathed his last He raised
his languid eyes, and family said: I" You
come too late is this your fidelity" lie
spoke and expired. The ferocity Of his
nature was still visible in his countenanee
His eyes fixed and garing, and every fea-
ture swelled with warning passions. he look
ed more stern, more grim and terrible than
ever.
Nero died on the IL day of June. A. d.
GS, aged 80 years, after reign of IL years,
7 months and % days.
The News was received at Rome with all
demonstrations of joy. The populace ran
wild about the streets with the cap of liberty
on their heads, and the forum sounded with
accamations. The body was sccretely COM
mitted to the flames at the place where he
died, and the urn, carried by two female
servants, was deposited in the monumental
vault of the Domitian family. The race of
the Caesars ended with Nero he was the
last and the worst of that illustrious house.