Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1872-01-13
THE DEATH OF NERO.

clothes, was in one of the palaces o
Rome; surrounded by his boon com
panions, male and female, indulgins
in the most loathsome orgies, when {
great uproar was heard in the streets
A messenger was sent to ascertain th'
cause. He returned with the appall
ing tidings that Galba, at the head 0
an avenging army, was marching rap.
idly into Rome; that insurrection hac
broken out in the streets, and that d
countless mob, breathing threatening
and slaughter, were surging toward
the palace.
The wretched tyrant, as cowardly
as he was infamous, was struck with
disnay. He sprang from the table SC
suddenly as to overturn it, dashine
the most costly vases into fragments
he cried, II am ruined am ruin.
ed !" and called for cup Of poison
Suicide was the common resort in
those days Of the cowardly in the
hours of wretchedness. Nero took the
poisoned cup, but dare not drink it.
He called for dagger, examined
its polished point, but had not the
nerve to press that to his heart. He
then rushed from the palace in his
womans garb, and with his long hair
tluttering in the wind Thus disguis-
ed, he almost flew through the dark
and narrow streets, intending to
plunge into the Tiber. When he
reached the bank and gazed upon its
gloomy waves again his courage failed,
Several Of his companions had ac-
companied him. One of them sugges-
ted that he should flee to country
seat, about three miles from Rome, and
there conceal himself. Insane with
terror, bareheadcd, in his shameful
garb, he covered his face with hand
kcrchief, leaped upon "A horse, and sue
ceeded, through thousand perlls, in
gaining his retreat. Just before he
reached the villa, some alarm so fright
ened him that he leaped from his
horse and plunged into q thicket by
the roadside. Through hriars and
thorns, with torn clothes and taccrated
flesh, he reached the insecure asylum
he sought.
In the meantime, the Roman Senate
hurrielly assembled. Emboidened by
the instruction, and by the approach
of Galba, they past decree declaring
Nero to be an enemy of his country,
and doomed him to death, more ma-
)orun-that is, according to anclen'
custom. Some one of Nero compan-
ions brought him the tilings in his hi
ding place. Pallid and trembling he
inquired "And what is death, mare
mVor"m The appalling reply was
1T is to be stripped naked, to have
the head fastened in the plllory, and
be scourged to death.
The monster who had amused him
selfln Witnessing the tortures of 9th
ers recoilel with horror from tn"
dreadful ailllction. Selling dagger,
he again endcavorcd to nerve himself
to plunge it into his heart, y prick
from the sharp point WAS all he could
summon resolution to intllct. lie
threw the dagger aside and sroaned IN
terror He then strove to talk him
self into courage.
Ought Nero, said he, "to be afraid'
Shall the emperor be a coward No.
Let me die courageously y
Again he grasped the dagger, anxi-
ouslv examined its keen edge, and
again threw it aside with groan of
despair.
Just then the clatter Of horsemen
was heard, and a party Of Dragons
was seen approaching. His retreat
was discovered, and in u few moments
Nero would ue helpless in the hands
of his enemies. Then there would be
no possible escape from the ignomini-
Gus and agonizing death. In the de-
lirium Of despair he ordered freeman
to hold a sharp sword SO that he might
throw himself violently against it.
lie thus succeeded in sevcring the
lugular vein, and his life blood spur
ted forth. AS he sank upon the
ground the soldiers came up. He
looked at them with malignant
scowl, saying, "You are to late Y and
died.
Thus perished this monster Of de-
pravity. 1t is said that this event
took place on the 10Th Of June, A. ID.
6S. Many Christians at the time sup
posed Nero to be Anti Christ. The
wretch had reigued thirteen years,
and died in the thirty second year Of
his age.
A cynical old bachelor says that it
is the privilege of hoops to surround
the lovicst Of all things, among which
IRE gir.s and whisky.
BGT" "Ella, my child, said pru-
liSh old maid TO her young niece, who
would cnrl her hair in pretty ringletS-
If the lord had lntented your hair to,