The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-08-14
The Sentinel of Pompcii.

Eighteen hundred years ago the lat
ter part of this month there occurred
one of the grandest tragedies ever re-
corded on the pages of history. Two
growing cities, peopled with a busy
populace, imbued with the thoughtless
security that a temporal regime pre-
sented, basked under Italian SIX es on
the sunny slopes of Vcsuvius. In the
blaze of national glory they lived be-
meath the proud standard of the Roman
empire, and that was their LIES chief
est honor. Beyond the mere animal
existence, their only cares were per.
sonal comfort and pleasure. to both OF
which they resigned all future antlci-
pations. The victorious Caesars, laden
with the precious treasures OF barbara
splendor, came trooping homeward
yearly from all directions to the mis-
tress Of the world" Every city, town
and hamlet gave loyal welcome and
shout to the conquering heroes, and in
return for the assurances of allegiance,
the captives, both men and beasts,
were distributed for the future amuse-
ment Of the citizens, The old emperor
was dead, andPompeii, which had just
rendered homage to the ncwly-crowned
Titus, was to enjoy the national sports
on the holiday dccreed by the naughty
sovereign. 1t was Midsummer. and in
the outer bay the gilded triremes
swinging idly at their anchorage. and
the Roman legion stationed at the bar
racks and guard-houses, were the only
sea and land. Outside the northern
gate, leading to Herculaneum, in the
scanty shade afforded by the sentry
box, stood stood a Roman soldier, de-
tailed to guard the principal entrance
to the city. The afternoon approaches
with sultry steps, and the population
seeks the refreshing baths to stir their
drowsy natures and innervate them for
the walk to the Coliseum, at the ex-
treme southwestern corner of the city.
The ncighborinr city of Herculaneum
and suburban villages send their quota
to the great stone auditor um, and
thousands upon thousands flock thither
to safe The r depraved taste in the
iicndish exhibition. The programme
proceeds. and the e lighted multitude
gave vent to their enthusiasm in laugh
ter, cheers. or applause, when-hist! a
roar. q light, ana the heavens are q
mass of flame. ''Mehercule. Mons
incendit! Salve nos, o, Venus!i cry
the affrighted people of the city's god
dess, and in their Blinded fury block
the narrow gates of the theatre as they
rush toward the city.
The story Of that awful night. and
the weeks continuous storm of burn
ing ashes, was written in a book hat
remained unopened for seventeen CEN
turtles. Pliny, the younger, left the
only account of the wonderful scene,
of which he was an eyewitness,
wherein he describes the accident
which led his uncle, Pliny, the elder,
to- visit Pompeii on the day of the
eruption, and caused his death. Her.
culaneum, nearer the crater, was
buried in the molten lava, which
formed an amost impenetrable enyel-
ope to the lost city. Pompeii, at a
greater distance, was shrouded by the
ashes brought thither by the wind, and
consequently presents n fine opportun-
ity for observations. At the Herculan-
cum gate, above mentioned, was found
the rusted armor of a Pompeian SOL
der, erect in the sentry-box. grasping
a corroded spear. The raging hell Of
Vesuvius fires burned out that spirit
which the storm could not quench,
and forever the story of the noble sem
tinel of Pompeii will remain as q syn
onym of fidelity to duty.
Bulwer says of him: ''The fires
ragged, the air was darkencd. the ocean
of tlazing lava flooded every street
and house, palace and garden. Wildly
shrieking multitndes rushed through
the pandcmonium, making the horr!d
scene still more hideous by the death
walls. but amidst it all the sentinel re-
manned motionless in his place, await
ing the resurrection Of eighteen cen
turtles to prove that there was one
faithful soldier in the doomed city of
Pompeii who led at his post and pre-
ferred a dreadful death to a shameful
flight" ~.