Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1892-12-20
ereon and cIeone
[From Kate ,zlela,s washIngton. j

plicity of the Homeric period of Gre
clan history, which continued for
many day, received check, we'll
nigh a death blow, at the time of, or
shortly after, the wars with Persia.
Up to this time, artistie avocation
poetry, painting, sculpture, architec-
ture-was the right of genius, ire
spective of social considerations or
even of citizenship. Indeed, when
the Athenians went to the field to de-
fcnd the republic against the Persian
invader, such avocations were neces-
sarily confined to those whowere not
Athenians--to captives and slaves.
This was very we'll for while i;
but when the young warriors, distin-
guished by heroism, elated with vic
tory and proud of their triumphs, re-
turned from the war, they naturally
enough disdained to labor, even in
regions of art, with those whom they
had made captives in the field. And
so law was enacted. that under
penalty of death, no one should en-
gage in works of art save treemen.
Now Crcon was a slave, but he was
n slave of genius, whose soul was
afame with love of art. Beauty was
his God, and he worshiped it; and no
wonder, for it had filled him with its
divinest inspiration. Even now he
was engaged on a work, sculptured
group, for which he hoped, some day,
to receive the commendation of Phid-
las, even the praise of Pericles.
What was to be done!
Into the marble block before him
he had put his head, his heart, his
soul, his life. On his knees, from
day to day, he prayed for fresh in
splration-new skill. He believed,
gratefully and proudly, that Apollo,
answering his prayers, had directed
his hand, and had breathed into the
figures the life that seemed to animate
them, and now--now-all the gods
seemed to have deserted him.
Cleone, the devoted sister of
Creon, felt the blow as deeply as her
brother.
go Aphroditcl" she exclaimed !;
Immortal Aphrodite, high enthroned
child of Zeus! my queen, my god
dess, my patron, at whose shrine /
have daily laid my offerings, be now
my friend, the friend of my hrotherl"
Then to her brother: 30 Creonl
to the cellar beneath our house. 1t
is dark, but will furnish light and
food. Continue your work. The
gods will befriend u.s."
To the cellar Creon went, and
guarded and attended by his sister,
day and night, he proceeded with his
glorious but dangerous task.
About this time all Greece was i'm
vited to Athens to behold an exhibit
tion of works of art. The display
took place in the Agora. Pericles
presided. AT his side sat Aspasia.
Phidias, Socrates, SophocIes and
others stood near him.
The works of the great masters
were there. But one group, much
more beautiful than the rest-a group
that Apollo himself must have ckfsel-
ed-challenged universal attention,
exciting at the same time no envy
among rival artists.
"Who is the sculptor of this group?"
None could tell. Heralds repeated
the question, but there was no
answer.
"a mystery then! Is it the work
of slave?'
Amid commotion, beautiful
maiden with disarranged dress, dis
heveled hair, a determined expression
in her eyes, and closed lips, was
dragged into the Agora.
"Ihis woman" cried the officers,
''this woman knows the sculptor; we
are sure of this; but she will not tell
his name"
Cleon was questioned, but was
silent. She was informed of the pen
atty of her conduct, but her lips re-
mained closed.
Then" said Pericles, 'tlle law
is imperative, and am the minister
of the law. Take the maid to the
dungeon.
AS he spoke, youth with flowing
hair, emaciated, but with black eyes
that beamed with the flashing light
of genius, rushed forward, and fling
ing himself before Periclcs, ex-
claimed: 80 Pericles! forgive and
save the maid. She is my sister. /
am the culprit. The group is the
work of my hands, the hands of
slavel''
The indignant crowd interrupted
him, and cried, " To the dungeon.
to the dungeon with the slave"
"As 1 live, nol' said Pericles,
rising. See that groupi Apollo
decided by it that there is something
higher in Greece than an unjust law.
The highest purpose of law should be
the development of the beautiful.
If Athens lives in the memory and
affections of men, it is her devotion
to art that will immortalize her
Not to the dungeon, but to my side
bring the youth.
And there, in the presence Of the
assembled multitude, Aspasia placed
the crown of olive, which she held
in her hands, on the head of Creon.
at the same time, amid universal
plaudits, tenderIy kissing the affec-
tionate and devoted sister, Cleone.
Keep it in the house. Good advice from the
Captain. Captain s. g. Walker. Company G.
Ist Regiment, Indiana Veteran Legion, La
faYeTtc. Ind. writes this: II have used Dr.
Bulls Cough Syrup in my family for the last