The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-09-10
Brutus and His Sons.

BrutVs and His Sons.
Iarquin the Proud, King of Rome.
was in sore perplexity. A dreadful
pestilence had broken out within the
city, and the people were dying in great
numbers. To add to the general gloom.
a serpent was seen to glide cautiously
from one of the pillars Of the palace and
disappear.
The news Of this unusual occurrence
spread rapidly, and created great alarm.
Even the King was dismayed. His SUI
perstiti0us fears were excited. He re-
garded the strange appearance of the
serpent as an i'll omen. What did it
foreshow? His death, or the dissolu-
tlon OF the monarchy? It was prob
lem which could rot be solved. After
much specializing, it was decided that
his two sons, Aruns and Titus, should
consult the oracle of Delphi, and seek
an explanation of the mystery The
young princes were thirsting for advent
ure, and joyfully undertook the Jour-
ney into Greece.
A man named Lucius Junius Brutus
had accompanied them. His father had
fallen victim to the cruelty of Tarquin,
and to secure safety, he affected men
tai imbecility. Aruns and Titus hadno
suspicion that he was other than he
seemed. They did not expect that he
would share the perils they must en-
counter. His apparent idiocy made
them think it impossible for him to un-
derstand the great issue at stake; but
he could jest, and amuse the party with
his tricks. He went simply as buffoon.
Upon reaching the temple of Delphi,
an Offering was presented to the god.
1t was piece of gold, inclosed in a
rod of carmel-wood consecreated to re-
ceive. it. In this way, it was hoped to
appease the wrath of the deity.
The princes then inquired with great
anxiety, " Who shall reign in Rome
hereafter? ?"
The reply was, "He shall be king,
who shall first kiss bis mother"
Aruns and Titus were surprised.
They agreed to conceal the words of
the oracle from their elder brother
Lestus, and to hasten back to embrace
their mother the queen, and to reign
Jointly.
Brutus had also heard the answer of
the god. He affixed very different
meaning to it. The earth, he thought,
was the common mother of mankind.
Pretender to fall, he devoutly kissed
the ground and arose, cherishing a Sc
cret hope of becoming a future ruler.
He returned with the princes to
Rome. The mask Of idiocy he had
worn to conceal deep purposes was now
boldly thrown off.
He was burning to revenge the muir
der OF his father, and personal injuries.
Lucretia, the wife Of Collatinus, had
been cruelty wronged by Lestus Tar
quinn. She was relative of Brutus,
and his hatred of Tarquin and his fami-
~ now became intense. Every energy
was employed in the work of overthrow
ing the regal power.
lie became public agitator. He
boldly set forth the oppressive acts of
Tarquin, and the advantages of sim
pier form OF government. The people
listened and believed. An insurrection
speedily followed, and the king and
princes were forced to leave Rome.
BY single powerful stroke, Lucius
Junius Brutus had put an end to the
monarchy, after it had existed forty
three years. aaNFG
The Romans were now called upon
to decide how they would be governed.
After much debate, it was determined
that the supreme authority should be
vested In two persons. Brutus and
Collatinus were elected consuls. They
were surrounded with all the ensigns OF
power, and the kingdom was changed
to republic.
The most rigid laws were made. The
new consuls sought by leveling rank,
and allowing fortune to command nc
respect, to obliterate all traces of the
monarchy. ~
In time this despotic exercise o.
power made the republican government
unpopular. The young patricians
reared in luxury and addicted to pleas
ure, groaned under the arbitrary swa,
of the consuIs. Sympathy for the de
posed King and Princes condemned tx
exile began to be felt. The forme.
gayeties were remembered, and man,
earnestly longed to have them revived
Opposition to Brutus and Collatinu
arose and spread widely.
Tarquin soon became aware of tht
disaffection. He sent his emissaries tt
Rome, who found means TO excite tn
young men into spirit of rebellion
A plot was matured in secret, to restor'
the monarchy. The noblest youths il
Rome engaged in it. The two sons O