The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-08-27
Damon and Pythias.

About one hundrdd years before Christ,
lived Damon and Pythias, Pythagoreon
Philosophers, who had gone from Athens
to Sicily OH 4 pressing invitation of
Dionysius, called the "Tyrant of SYRIA
cuse," in order to teach the rude inhab
tants of that fertile island the arts and
sciences. Falling under the displeasure of
the tyrant, Damon was condemned to
death and the time of 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 as
surance do you give me that you will re-
turn ~ 81 will give you my friend
Pythias, said Damon, 6. 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 re-
turn Yes said Pythias, 81 will
stand for him, and if he is not there on the
day appointed I will suffer death in his
place. "Well," said the King, g this is
strange; but Damon you are at liberty to
go and visit your family, and if you do not
return, as l suppose you will not, justice
will not lose her victim
Damon hurried home to embrace his
family and to communicate to them the
sad intelligence, that, in few days he
When his wife learned the state of
things-that he had violated no law; that
he was condemned by a mere whim of
Dionysius, aud that his friend, Pythias,
had become bondsman, she insisted upon
his not returning. She reasoned with him,
and besought him by the affection he bore
to her and her children not to RETURN
But all her entreaties were in vain.-
"Would you have me violate my sacred
pledge of honor to my friend Pythias,"
said he. s'No, no; would despise myself
in that case-but l shall return and re-
lieve our friend and maintain my honor,
even at the expense of my orn life :"
Damon remained at home, as we may
imagine, as long as he could. At length,
amid the sobs and tears of his wife and
children, he tore himself away from those
he loved. The execution was to take place
at noon, and as his progress was impeded
by bad roads and 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 meri-
dian, the spires of the city were in view
fastening on, he found large multitude
gathered in front of tho prison. The
tyrant was there, seated on Il platform, to
another! The hour for execution had
nearly expired. Ah," says the tyrant,
"where is your friend Damon. Did I not
tell you that he would not return ?''-
"But," says 'Pythias, she will return, if
he is alive. l know he will not disappoint
me, know him and he would rather die
than break his word" The tyrant then
looked at the sun dial, and it was just
noon. "Now,' said the executioner,
"procecd.' 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, "till we see
what this means.'' There stood Damon,
painting and covered with dust. lie had
come in time. The tyrant was so much
struck with this proof of friendship, that
he pardoned them both, and requested per-
mission 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.
A BURMESE MOUSE TRAP.-The Bur-
mesc make an efl'ectual, simple and cheap
mouse trap, by taking an open earthen jar
and punching 4 hole in the side with nail