Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-05-30

claimed Woe to our country !!
Woe to the Roman people Alas,
what will become Of us = This was
but preparing the way for the maid
to ask the cause of her distress. The
matron disregarding her solemn
promise, at once told the whole mat
ter, with an injunction of strict Sc
cresy. The maid equally regardless
of the order OF her mistress, at once
communicated it to her lover who
just came in. He in turn left at
once and told every one on the high
way. The news, thus started, trav
eled with lightning speed and even
reached the senator before be reach
ed the Senate Hall, and was accosted
on the doorsteps with the question !:
Have you heard the newsl A lark
has been seen by the priests dying
through the air, armed with helmet
and lance, and the senate is about
to deliberate upon the significance
of this strange phenomenon Motto
ing the universal excitment among
the people, he FASTENED home and
thus reproyed his wife: woman,
what have you done? Yous have
ruined me. The secret is exposed,
and the whole city is in excitement.
Your loquacious tongue will send
me in exile from my country
behold, sister, added Ned, sin
this manner Roman ingeniously
tested woman's capacity to keep a
secret, just as you test the leaky yes
sci by pouring water into it,
Minnie could scarcely conceal her
vexation, nevertheless, she remarked
sententiously and joyislly "This
story, though simply invented for
the occasion, has at least aroused my
curiosity to hear the other one."
"True or invented, that matters
not. This much it teaches, | main
tain nothing strange or uncommon
when say that woman"
Hold, brother, let us have the
application some other time. Pro-
coed with the other story
"Then listen. One day the Ro-
man senate remained unusually long
in session. Very important state
affairs were under discussion. It
was a matter of great moment and
its nature required secret session.
No one was allowed to be present
except the sons of senators and only
such as expected to succeed their
fathers. Among these was Papr-
Jus, very promising youth. When
be came home his inauisitiye mother
asked him what important business
had prolonged that days session Of
the senate. Young Papirius was
much embarrassed by this question.
On the one hand he was too con-
scientious to tell his mother an I'M
truth, and on the other hand he con-
sidered it violation Of his duty to
divulge state secrets. He tried pre-
varication, but to no purpose, for
this only aroused and infamed his
mothers curiosity. She fattered,
she plead, she insisted and at last
grew angry. Selling dagger she
cried of you do not tell me at
once, l will stab you to the heart"
"Thus menaced, he said 'The
senate to-day decreed that every
citizen must have two wives, SO that
the population of the state may be
increased more rapidly, and great
er number of soldiers can be placed
in the field. But, dear mother, for
heavens sake do not betray me by
divulging the secret, else it will cost
my life.'
Scarcely had the mother heard
this pretended slate secret when she
FASTENED with all speed to her neigh
bors and friends with this terrible
news. Surprise, tears and rage at
once seized the women, and they ex-
claimed with one accord, we will
die before we will submit to such in
dignity They held a meeting and
unanimously resolved, cost what ii
might, to put down such shameful
innovation by storming the senate.
They rushed en- masse TO the Senate
Chamber and raised a terrible hue
and cry. The senate in amazement
inquired tue cause of the tumult, but
were for long time unable to learn
what was the cause OF the prevailing
disorder and confusion. At last, get
ting at the root of the matter, they
succeeded 10 convincing the crowd
that it was only hoax. Cresttallen,
the excited women returned to theil
homes. When some of the senators
showed a disposition to tease the
author Of this affair and punish him
young Papirius presented himsel
and explained the whole matter
The senate, far from furnishing him
commended him for his loyalty, ant
the ingenuity by which he provedit
But thereafter none of the young
sters were allowed in the senate dur
| ing secret deliberations"
Snow / ask, added Ned waggish
ly, "why have the women always beel
excluded from participation in stat
secrets, and important deliberation
of state affairs generally, If not Of
account of their inquisitiveness, ID
| auacisy and inability to keep sc