The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-05-24
Morning star AND Catholic MESSENGER
NV oRIFANs SUNNY, MAY "a 1874.

" Has Augustus made up his mnhT
dyes. hut in a curious manner. You have
heard of Yedius Polio, OF Posilippo. lie would
have lived much longer only for his lampreys;
but now he is gone. He died rather suddenly
the other day, blaming the gods for taking
him, and mankind for not keeping him. Al |
though he. has several kinsfolk, lie has wiiled |
his Yesuvian villa, bis pottery, and all his
treasures to Augustus. But the emperor, who
for some time back, had known how Poiiios /
lampreys used to be fattened, was wonderfully |
disguised by the device. Indeed, so fur as
taking personal possession of the property
was concerned, he renounccd the legacy with |
- an oath. thcreupon seized my opportunity, |
brought forward again the case OF your son,
and urged upon Augustus that, if he could not
restore TO the last of the great Emilian race
the Emilian Castle the Liris, he might, at
~ least, confer upon him this Cumnan estate
instead. The emperor pondcred awhile and
consented, but yet with a singular qualifica-
tion. The Lady Pancina, wife Of Cneius Piso,
had, it seems, some claims upon old Polio;
and Augustus has ordered patent to be drawn
out by the lawyer, comforting the property
upon Paulus an imperial grant, but, should
he die without an heir, conveying it afterward
to this Lady Plancna."
al have heard Of reversions to the yonng
after the old should die" observed Lepidus;
"but the disposal which you describe is indeed
curious caprice on the part of my once col
league. Paulus must marry at once, and defeat
tho possibility of SO whimsical remainder"
That day, the Lady Aglais, taking the slave
Melena with her, departed for Rome in one of
Lepidus's old-fashoned carriages, while Dion
ysius returned to the capital in his own chariot
at the same time. AgIais was glad of such
protection and company on the road.
Besides "a trusty serving man of Lepidus's
who acted as goodman, couple of grooms
went with the lady the first stage, in order to
ride back the trumvir's horses. In Rome, it
was planned Dionysius would see that Aglais
should obtain the readiest and lest means of
continuing her journey northward; and the
Athenian even promised himself to escort her
all the way, and to guide her to the very house
in which her son was now regaining his he alth
and strength near Verona.
= Agatha wept bitterly at parting from her
mother, for the first time, rs 1T happened in
whole life. Two incidents marked the after
noon of this Arst separation.
1t was at midday that the sound of the rece,
ding wheels died in the distance; and the
aged Lepidus, pattng the head of the fair
girl, saidG
"Come, niece have fortitude! Your mother
will soon return with our noble Paufus, and
they must see you cheerful and happy, or the!
will blame me. Go to your apartments, ant
prepare for little fishing excursion. will
call the slaves, have out our large galley, ant
give you q row up and down the shingl.
beach,"
She laughed through her tears with lttl
gasp, and obeyed. The castle was encompasse.
with gardens, and these again with an orchard
the whole being enclosed in loosely semi
circular sweep of strong walls, with the sea
line as arc to tho bow, almost like n fortified
tion. A few Thessalian dogs, famed as watch
ers, with which Agatha had early establishe
the most friendly and confidential relations
had been trained to range these gardens, an
whole enclosure, at will, and performed tina
duty or pastime very much with the air o
disciplined soldiers.
While, Agatha was dressing for the boat
she beard one of these dogs bay angrily; and
when she descended into the garden she ga,
her uncle in the act of shutting n heav
wooden door in the enclosing wall, and caugt
the following words addressed to n man O
horseback, of whom she obtained only q mt
mentary glimpse:
mo moro in my house after such menace
but tell this to Tiberius yoG, if it will hel
your interest with him; tell him, l say, th
very little is now required to induce Lepidu
once triumvir, to bequeath all his property
Tiberius Caesar. You fence with an old sword
man."
And while yet speaking, Lepidus slammo
the door, and Agatha heard a horse gallo
away.
"pve outgeneralled him, think" muttcr,
the old man, turning back into the garden.
"Who was there, uncle I" asked Agatha.
"One who shall not trouble us again VIII
my brothers widow and daughter are und
this roof" replied the triumvir. Aud he !
Agatha to the boat. -
Their fishing expcditon!was not very "a
and they were both content when it was ov
It was evening as they re-entered tho cou
yard ofthe castle. They were met by an
slave, who held in Lepidus's establishment,
AG