The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-01-31
THE WHIPPED scHooLMAsrER

A Traitors Fate and Magnanimity OF .
Roman Leader.
Once in the worlds history it came to
pass that it was the schoolmaster who
had the whipping instead of the boys;
and what is more, the boys were the
ones to lay on the blows, and they did
it with will. Never man had sounder
beating, and never one deserved it
more.
The boys were Falerians, of that
country which is now Tuscany. The
teacher was probably Greek, but it
does not matter where he came from.
for he was coward and traitor, q
man to be ashamed of; without honor
or any of those qualities we call manly.
The city of Falerii was being besieged
by the Romans, though not very vigor-
ously. 1t was time when Rome had
not so many wars as usual on her
hands, and SO, to keep the citizens out
of mischief among themselves, Camillus,
chief among the military leaders,
marched his forces into the next neigh
boris country and prepared for a good.
long, leisurely siege. That is how Plu-
tarch would have us understand it.
But the Romans did not begin war
without giving ample notice, doing it
with certain forms established years be-
fore. First, herald, with fillet of
wool around his head, went to the
frontiers, and cried: :. Hear, o Jupiter!
hear, We confines of Faleria! let Justice
hear! am public messenger of the
Roman people. / come justly and re-
ligiously deputed, and let my words
gain credit" After which he made
known the grievances and demands.
Then he kept on towards the city and
shouted it all to the first man he met
no matter whether that man was beg
gar, thief, deaf, blind, servant or ruler,
to the first it must be said. Then he
went over with it again as he entered
the gate; last, he proclaimed it in the
market-place, and then went back to
Rome.
As no notice was taken of it by the
Falerians, after thirty days he came
again and pronounced the words: AT
tend, o Jupiter, Juno and Quirinus
(Romulus), and you celestial, terrestrial
and Internal gods, attend!" and then
he declared in strong terms that the
Romans would be obliged to have just
ice done, and once more departed for
his own city.
The Falerians, however, sent no depu-
tation to Rome to make terms, but pro-
ceeded to strengthen the defenses of
their already well-fortified city, and
kept about their business. Soon back
came the same herald, bearing javelin
burned at one end and dipped in blood,
which he hurled upon their lands, and
in the presence of three grown-up per-
sons. as witnesses, declared war.
And now the legions came pouring
out of Rome; the roads through the
vineyards and along the hills were
thronged withmen and cattle trampling
and laying waste; bands of Roman
knights, foot soldiers carrying palisades,
long strings of the beautiful Roman
oxen dragging the ponderous machines
which were to be hurled against the
enemy's walls-all in preparation of
siege which might last year; and in
sight of Falerii the camp was estab-
lished. But still the artisans worked in
their shops in market and household,
in temple and forum; everything went
on in the usual way; women and chill
dren were about the streets, and the
school where the sc=.ss Of leading men
were taught held its sessions as If there
was no such thing as war.
1t had been the custom of the master
to take his pupils out every day beyond
the city for exercise and games, and
there they had practiced gymnastics
and ran races, for physical education
was of as much account as book learn
ing. This he continued to do after the
siege began, and then the wretch of a
man formed plan to betray them to
the enemy. Therefore each time he
would lead them further from home,
till it began to be delight to the boys
to hover on the verge of danger-the
very presence of it gave a zest to their
play.
And what tempting place was that
Roman camp, to which they were lit
tie nearer to-day than they ventured
yesterday! Every afternoon both the
cavalry and foot soldiers came out for
drill. The children could see the pranc-
ing of the horses and over the field came
the sound of the trumpets; and how
dazzling bright shone the brazen he'll
NETS and coats of mail, and how the
steel of their weapons flashed in the
sun! The sight and the music set the
blood leaping along their veins and
made them wild with excitement.
81 ct ms on On - eaid the vv,oSto,.