The Placer herald., 1872-11-23
OF PERFECT i.lFE-A LEGEND FROM
IHE, "CASTA KOMAAOKuM."

''OASlA AOMANOhtD.
" hen Titus was Emperor of Rome, he
made a decree that the natal day of his first
born son should be held sacred, and that
whoever violated it by any KIDD of labor
should be put to death.
This edct being promulgated, he called
Virgil to him, and said, "Gtood friend, have
established law but as oAenses may fre-
quently be committed without being discov-
cred by the ministers of justice, we desire
you to frame some curious piece Of art which
may reveal to us every transgressor of the
law" Virgil acquiesced, and Immediately
commenced his operations. lie constructed
magic statue, and caused it to be erected
in the midst of the city. By virtue Of the
secret power with which it was invested, it
communicated to the emperor whatever was
done amss.
And thus, by the accusation of the statue,
an infinite number of persons were convicted
and punished.
Now, there was certain carpenter called
Focus, who pursued his occupations every
day alike. Once, as he lay in bed, Lia
thoughts turned upon the accusations OF The
statue, and the mulliudes which it hid
caused to perish. In the morning he clothed
himself, and proceeded 10 the statue, which
he addressed in the following manner.
go statue, statue because Of thy infor-
nations, many Of our citizens have been ap-
pretended and slain. | VOW to God, that,
if thou accusest me will break thy head.
Having so said he returned home. About
The first hour, the Emperor as he was wont,
II fol aI tn cia
to inquire if the edct had been strictly COM
Piled with. After they had arrived and de-
Tweed the Emperors pleasure, the statue
exclaimed, Friends, look up; what sec you
written upon my forehead:' They looked
and behe,d three sentences, which rae thpe:
"Times are altered. Men grow worse. Ho
who speaks the truth has his head broken.
"Go, said the statue, "decllrc to his Maj
esty what you Lave seen and read" The
messenger oboyed, and detailed the circum-
stances as they had appeared
The Emperor commanded his guards to
arm and march to the place on which the
statue was erected; and he further ordered,
that if any one presumed TO moest it they
should bind him hand and foot ana drag him
into his presence. The soldiers al pro acled
the statue and said: "Our Emperor wills
you to declare the name Of he sounded
who threatens You" The statue made an
swer, "It is Focus, the carpenter. Every
day he violates the law, moreover, menaces
me with broken head if expose him"
Immediately Focus was apprchended, and
conducted to the Emperor who said, friend
what do hear of thee? Why hast thou
broken MY law?" "My lord" answered
Focus, cannot keep it; for am Obliged 10
Obtain every day eight pennies, which with
out incessant labor, have not tie means of
acquiring" "And why eight pennies p said
the Emperor. every day through the
year, returned The carpenter, 81 am bound
to repay two pennies which | borrowed in MY
youth-two | lend, two lose, ard two |
spend" "For what reason do You do ll'is?'
asked the Emperor. "My lord, " he replie ,
''listen to me. I'm bound. each day 10 re-
pay two pennies TO my father; for, when
was a boy, my father expended upon me dai-
ly like sum. Now he is poor and needs
my assistance; and, therefore, return what
borrowed formerly. Two Other pennies
lend my son who is pursuing his studies, in
order that if by any chance should fall into
poverty lie may restore the loan, just as |
have done to his grandfather. Again, l
lose two pennies every day on my wife, for
she is contradictions, wful and passionate
Now, because Of this disposition, | accom-.
whatsoever is given to her entirely lost
Lastly, two other pennies expend upon my
self in meat and drink cannot DO with
less; nor can | obtain them without unremit-
ting labor You now know the truth, and
| pray you, judge dspassionately and truly"
Friend" said the Emperor, "thou hast
answered well. Go and labor earnestly in
thy calling" Soon after this thc Emperor
died, and Focus, the carpenter, on account
of his singular wisdom, was elected in bis
stead by the unanimous choice Of the whole
nation. lie governed as wisely as he had
lived, and, at his death, his picture bearing
on the head eight pennies, was deposited
among the efliges of the deceased Enpe-
rors.-Oh and Ne,c for Norember.