The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-24

T.
1t is in old pagan Rome one day
centuries and centuries ago. The shores
of the Tiber are crowded with the citi-
zens of Rome. They push we'll down
the water-steps, upon which stands a
little circle Of weeping women. These
women are of the family Of the man
who stands upon a boat surrounded
by crew Of dark-haired Cartha gini-
ans. Back Of the mass Of people rise
the white buildings of the city, and
beyond these, way off in the distance,
tower the mountains crowned by the
beautiful Italian skies.
The man who stands so calmly taxi
ing his last look upon Rome and the
Roman people is Atillus Regulus. He
had been one Of the most proud, gal
liant and successful generals Rome had
ever had, but he had at last been de-
feated in a great battle by the Car
thaginian Xanthippus and taken into
the African city in the trail of a war
chanot-a prisoner.
After holding him a prisoner for some
time, the Carthaginians sent him to
Rome to lay before that nation certain
terms and treaties. Before leaving he
was taken into a temple, and there,
standing before the gods, he took the
most binding oaths to- return to Car
image.
When the Roman senate assembled to
hear the message Of which Regulus was
the bearer he urged upon them not to
accept the terms. He told them that
he believed the senate should never
concede to such terms, and he also said
that he believed the Carthaginians
could never force Rome to accept them
He knew that if the senate refused the
terms, it would mean his death, but
he was a Roman citizen, and Roman
citizens always thought of Rome first
honor next and life last
The Roman citizens did refuse the
terms, and so ReguIus is standing in
the boat bidding Rome and her citi-
zens last farewell He bids his fam
lily goodbye, and turning to the young
men who crowd the shores of the Tiber.
he is about to speak. The noise and
hustle of the people is instantly hushed,
and his voice is heard saying:
Il could not love my country so had
she been capable Of a different decree!
What matters it that ones life must
be sacrificed in such a cause?"
And then the dark-skined crew drop
the oars into the water and citizen Of
Rome is being borne rapidly down the
Tiber toward the great blue sea across
which torture and death await him.
II.
Mr.. Purviance has finished his coffee.
and, having lighted his cigar, is looking
over the morning paper. Mrs Purvi-
ance, sitting across the table, is still
slipping her second cup of the nerve
destroying bean.
Suddenly Purviance gives vent to an
exclamation.
What is it, dear?" asked his wife.
setting down her cup. us it those Gu
bans and Spanish again?'
NO, he answered without looking
from his paper, its nearer home this
time" And he continues to read
What can it be?" wonders his wife,
as she again sips her coffee
Whatever 1t is, she feels certain she
will be told as soon as her husband
reaches the end of the column he is
reading.
Mr.. Purviance lays down the paper.
and, looking at his wife, says mysteri-
ously:
Now. what do you suppose has hap
pened?"
Really, I can't imagine" she makes
reply.
We'll, then, this has happened.
says Mr.. Purviance "a resident of our
city says that this city has BEEN.
he picks up the paper and reads-"has
been held up and buncoed as success
ruby as ever countryman was
worked by flimflammers. He laws
down the paper and looks questioning.
ly at his wife
What do you think of that?" he
asks
why, it's perfectly awful!' she ex-
claims. who do you suppose did
such a thing?"
I can't answer that" says her hus-
band. Il dare say we shall know be-
fore long"
For moment there is silence. Then
his wife asks:
DO you believe it?"
There's no doubt Of it," returns he
the grand jury Is making an investj-
cation now. 1t seems that the citv
clerk and the council and the police
are especially corrupted
The police" cried Mrs. Purvianca
In alarm, why. | shall be afraid to
sleep nights!''
80, no; you needn't be-" saws bar
husband. soothingly. Perhaps the 30
lice force isn't very bad The main
trouble seems to be robbing the CITY
of money"
We'll, 1 can't see the difference
returns his wife. eff the police rob
the city. wouldn't they just az soo1
rob us?''
You don't understand about such
things" says Mr.. Purviance.
Il don't wish to understand" cries
his wife. Il want to live In a CITY
where l can feel safe from robbers
and murderers and such people.
should like to know how we are better
OF than those poor people who have
to contend with Tammany!'
i say 1t isn't as bad as that" said