Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-08-02
Damon and Pythias Evidence of True
Friendship.

About one hundred years before Christ
lived Damon and Pythias, Pythagoreon Phil
osophers, who had gone from Athens to Sicily
on pressing invitation of Dionysius, called
the .'Tyrant of Syracuse" in order to teach
the rude inhabitants of that fertile island the
arts and sciences. Failing under the dis
pleasure of the tyrant Damon was condemned
to death and the time for his execution APP
pointed. Anxious to see his wife and children
once more before his execution, he asked the
King for permission to visit them. The King
answered "What assurance do you give me
that you will return ?" II will give you my
friend Pythias," said Damon "for security"
The King asked Pythias if he were willing
to become the bondsman of Damon, and to
die in his place, provided he did not return
eyes" said Pythias, 81 will stand for him,
and if he is not here on the day appointed, l
will suffer death in his place p 'Well," said
the King, "this is strange; but Damon you
are at liberty to go and visit your family, aud
if you do not return, as suppose you will not,
justice will not lose her victim"
Damon hurried home to embrace his family
and to communicate to them the sad intelli-
gence that, in few days, he must return to
Syracuse to suffer death: When his vile
learned the state of things-that he had vio>
mere. whim of Dionysius, aud that his friend,
Pythias, had become his bondsman, she in
sisted upon his not returning. She reasoned
with him, and besought him by the affection
he bore to her aud her children not to return.
But all her entreaties were in vain. "Would
you have me to violate my sacred pledge OF
honor to my friend Pythias p said he. "No,
no; would despise myself in that case-but
| shall return and relieve our friend and main
tain my honor, even at the expense OF any opn
Ie"
Damon remained at home, as we may
imagine, as long as he could. AT length,
amid the sobs and tears of his wife and chill
dren, he tore himself away from those he
loved. The execution was to take place at
noon, and as his progress was impeded by bad
roadssand high waters, on the day appointed
he was still twenty miles from Syracuse but
he rose early in the morning, and as the sun
was approaching the meridian, the spires of
the city were in view. Hastening on, he
found n la re multitude gathered in front of
the prison. The tyraut was there, seated on
platform, 10 witness the novelty of one man
dying for another The hour for execution
had nearlp expired. "Ah," says the tyrant,
"where is your friend Damon. Did [ not tell
you that he would not return ?' "But," says
PythlaS, me Will return, II he is awe L
know he will not disappont me, / know him,
and know he would rather die than break his
word" The tyrant then looked at the sun
dial, and it was just noon 'Now," said tho
executioner, "proceed." Pythias laid his
head on the block, the axe was raised, and its
sharp edge cleaning in the sunlight. When,
10 there is a movement in the crowd. "Stop,"
says the tyrant "tll we see what this means"
There stood Damon, painting and covered with
dust He had come an time. The tyrant
was so much struch with this proof of friend
ship, that he pardoned them both, and re-
quested permission to join their fraternity.-
1t is well known that a popular and widely
extended society, the "Knights of Pythias,"
is founded on this beautiful incident
Lutheran ObserUer.