Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-02-20

| embroidery and clasps OF gold, We're all
in the newest style, and showed his
graceful person TO advantage.
1t was the fourteenth day OF February,
the Roman Lupercalia; and BritanicuS
had already beeu to the forum, and
drawn name from the holy urn. He
now hed it in his hand-a dainty tablet,
with the name OF Cctayia Julia in Ro-
man characters upon it. A girl by that
name was not unknown to him. being
no less than q fair cousin, of whom he
was very fond, and with whom he had
romped more than once in earlier days.
| He was sagely considering what he
should send her for present, when the
clash of the lictors and the shouts OF
| the slaves who usually followed the
Emperor sounded in the courtyard, and
, the young prince glanced out just as
Nero Yves descending from his golden
chariot. FLUSHED with pleasure and
| lsnishtIy pride, the boy emperor rushed
gavly into the atrium. How handsome
me looked, in his purple toga and his
embroidered bllskins, his long silken
hail, pesfumed With precious unguents
| AID sparkling with gold Gusti Little
resemblance was there between that
happy, boyish face and the cruel, bestial
| Nero he Afterwards became.
| His nuich eye fell on B4itanicns.
| "Ha! my cousin. hast thou been to
the forum and drawn thy name? Why,
thou art iuclly!" as he read the tablet.
"Octavia is our cousin and very lovely.
! congratulate you"
II know nos what to send her. muir
INJURED I3ritanicus.
Send her a chariot and span Of
Phrygiau horses, or a Grecian ann
phora," suggested Nero.
Thou knowest very we'll. my Cousin
Donltjus,' zone Of Nero's names). that
! have no gifts like those to bestow upon
my friends"
What! the cousin Of an emperor, and
as empty OF sesterces as 8 piebian ?
Then you shall be so no longer. What
named shall he thine. A slave shall
be despatched immediately with the
span and chariot to our cousins palacc."
Nay rather let NE choose one Of
those elegant Green vases in the cabi-
net, said Britanicus.
ut shall be as you wish, cousin, but
use despatch; for [ am impatient to
learn how the fair Octavia will receive
thy gift. And the emperor walked
away humming u gay air that he had
learned that Very morning from his Cor
lnthian dancing master.
So a black Nubial was sent with a
beautiful vase of Samian workmanship
to the young princess. and Britanicus
waited with iil-concealed impotence for
the message which should tell him of
the flair girls decision. 1t came at
last
Britanicus was dining with the en-
peror in the great banquet hall amid
murmur Of fountains and odor of flow
ers. Brilliant entablatures shone on
the walls. A hundred guests, reclining
on couches. sat around the board, and
throngs of slaves waited the nod OF all.
The young prince had just quatfed
goblet OF sparkling Falerian,t when the
Nubian placed the expected missive in
his hands. With q bright flush on his
boyish countenance, he eagerly perused
its contents. A delicate waNen tablet,
With lorasy monogram, and the en-
craving Of Venus in car drawn by
pigeons, and underneath a few we'll
chosen words, signifying her acceptance
Of his princeiy gift, and protfered cour-
tesie,. That was all, but it gave joy TO
Britanicus. As he slipped the tablet
under his tunic, he caught the stern
glance Of his aunt.
What have you there, Britanicus 2"
she said, reaching her hand forward +;
and all obeaient slave carried the boy 8
gift to the ferce-eyed empress. She
read it with g frown, aud retaining it.,
she called Nero to her, and they left
the room together.
What could it all mean? Britanicus
wondered what he had done to make his
aunt scowl so savagely, and he felt a
little indignant at her treatment of him.
He could eat no more; aud, rising, he
threw the garland from his head and
walked out into the atrium.
There Nero met him half an hour
later. Without any appearance OF
change in his manner, the Emperor told
HIM that O,:tavia would be at the palace
that night with other company, and that
the evening would be spent in pleasure.
Britanic:,- iiardly knew how to wait
for the nigh coming. He anointed his
hair AMI pss "n new robes, and when
the guests mad arrived, made his ap-
pearance, as gay ard happy boy as one
could wish to see.
What a merry company it was! The
old palace was bright with light, much
sounded, and the laughing voices of the
children made q pleasant chorus on the
evening air. Games were introduced
and, in one which was called, 'Who
shall be King?' there promised to be
much excitement. Nero had been
chosen by lot for the king, and the
interest Of the game depended on the
ingenuity OF the monarch in command
ing such things to be done by his various
subjects as would most amuse the com.
pany. When it came the turn of Bri
famous to receive orders, Nero directed
him to go into the middle of the room
and sing song.
Now, in those days, princes were not
supposed to know much about such
things. Singing was not considered 9
manly accomplishment ut all, and slaves
We're always hired to sing and play al
entertainments. But, Notwithstanding
the degradation imposed on him, and
the severe requirement for one soy young,