The morning call., 1893-04-18

The Sacred Oar and His NGtire Puncher.
| glances likewise. l warrant you it will
make her good material in the nights sooth-
| saying"
"Who Is she?"
None know surely, but old Syrax, my
freedman, says she abdes in the tents on
the outer court of the Coliseum among a
bevy of beautiful Egyptian maidens and
that all Rome is talking of her skill in re-
vealing he future. The noble families are
among her chief customers, and they do say
that even Candida herself"
The Emperor rises and reads a scroll
cans't hear its purpOrt, CaiusP'
But scanttly al this distance, Yet
would wager thousand sesterces that it is
gracious and dignitied in tone. The magis-
ter arena bows, thou seeSt, and signals for
the O!ymptan 'pentathlOn,' as they call it.
lis pretty notion to introduce the Gre
clan methods OF costuming and contending
into our arena. Yet methinks our own
youth is as deXterOus with the discus or
1ayelln as the best of these Doric cham pions
Dost thou not agree with me- Flaccus ?"
II know not; but tits graceful COMPETE
ton and useful"
Il see-too pretty, and not having sufi-
eient solidlty about Ii, thOc thiGkest? itake
thy meaning well; and others, also. are be-
coming impatient and DESTROYS of seeing
blood flow"
NAY, nay. Caius, thou mistakest my
meaning. War is necessary. but my heart
bleeds over such wasteful butchery3
On. know the cant Of thy school. old
Flaccus but spare me, l prythee. Yonder
come the gladiators and the people roar
applause, almost overwhelming the swell
ing strains of their salutation.''
Ave Caesar, murituri te salutantP All,
ptiful self-devotion. They about to die
salute thee Man can go no further in
submission TO, nay, enhancement of, the
memorable Fates. Must such gallant war
rlurs suffer death to make a holiday for
Rome ?"
mot if they fight we'll enough. ANY man
may keep his own head and by his valor
win the wooden sword of honorable retire
ment. Or the vestal virgins may save even
the vanQuished by the turning of a thumb.
But their chant Is ended and even Musician
SteVartus must have delighted in their rem
dition Of his sonorous threnody of up-
daunted manhood"
"They engage, the short swords against
the long, but to mine eye a fairly even
match. Old Hirpias marshals his line right
eunningly and counselS wariness al the out
SET"
But Lepidus is drawing him on. See,
his men have gained a clear foot of ground,
and the patient tactics of their foes will
soon be over-proonged. Hal thought so |
hirpias gives the signal at last. and his
line responds. Ye gods, how their short
blades ring upon the bucklersr'
They fall, they fall and the people
hound the svordsmen on with furious
clamorP'
THE VOLTS brood is tasting its first blood
to-dayi A grand stroke. Hrpias; let them
press their advantage; thrust and spare not,
old veteranl"
NAY. enough, surely! See the wounded
lie III heaps; but the signal sounds and the
bloody conflict ceases. Ills strange that
the people demand so fatal a climax"
wait till the slaves have borne out the
dead and wounded, and then will we have
wager on the combats to come, poet"
Il thank thee, Caius, but must AWAY: I
have tTyst to keep"
u did but handy jests with our poet. "
explained Calus to a more thck-skinned ac-
quaintance after the bard had disappea red.
He is the best of our singers. and / donbt
not goes TO immOrtalize in song the rIories
OF this very night. But come. let us eniov
the choicest of the wine, as represented by
the remnant of the arenic games. Poets
disturb one. and verify it may be long dav
before Rome witnesses a show so magnif-
cent in appointment, so lavfshly rich in
novelty and variety of ScopeP'
Keen shafts 60 oft astray, Caius," quoted
the breathless poet over his shoulder as he
edged his way out. Yet his slight confusion
seemed TO indicate that one at least of his
friends Jests had flown near the mark.
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