The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-02-18
THEN AND NOW.

- -&&%~< -.
Ytis An old pagan Rome one day cen-
turtles and centuries ago. The shores Of
the Tihsr are crowded with the citizens Of
Rome. They push well down the water
stops, upon which stand little circle Of
weeping women. These women are of the
family Of the man who stands upon boat
surrounded by crew Of dark haired Car
thaginians. Back Of the mass Of people
beyond these, away off in the distance, tower
the mountains crowned by the beautiful
Italian skies.
The man who stands 80 calmly taking
his last look upon Rome and the Roman
people is Atillus Regulus He had been
one Of the most proud, gallant and sue
cessful generals Rome had ever had, but
he had at last been defeated In great bat
tie by the Carthaginian Xanthippus and
taken into the African city In the trail Of
o war chariot-a prisoner.
After holding him 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
o temple, and there, standing before the
gods, he took the most binding oaths to re-
turn to Carthage.
When the Roman senate assembled to
hear the message Of which .Regrilus was
the bearer, he urged upon them not to ac-
cept the terms He told them that he be-
lieyed the senate should never concede to
such terms, and he also said that he be-
lieyed the Carthaginians could never force
Rome to accept them. He knew that If
the senate refused the terms II would mean
his death, but he was Roman citizen,
and Roman citizens always thought of
Rome first, honor next and life last.
The Roman citizens did refuse the terms,
and SO Regulus Is standing in the boat
bidding Rome and her citizens last fare
well. He bids his family goodby, and,
turning to the young men who crowd the
shores of the 1ibcr, he is about to speak.
The noise and hustle Of the people are in
stantly hushed, and his voice is heard say
ing:
II could not love my country SO had she
been capable Of q different decree! What
matters it that ones life must be sacri-
feed in such cause9"
And then the dark skinned crew drop
the cars into the water, and citizen of
Rome is being borne rapidly down the Ii
bertoward the great blue sea across which
torture and death await him. (
Mr.. Purviance has finished his coffee
and having lighted his cigar is looking
over the morning paper. Mrs. Purviance,
sitting across the table, is still slipping her
second cup of the nerve destroying bean.
Suddenly Puryiancc gives vent to an OK
clamation.
"What is 1t, dear2" asked his wife, set
ting down her cup. SIS it those Cuhans
and Spanish again?"
"No," he answered, without looking
from his paper, otis nearer home this
time" And he continues to read
"What can 1t be?' wonders his wife as
she again sips her coffee.
Whatever it is, she feels certain she will
be told as soon as her husband reaches the
end Of the column he is reading.
Mr. Puryiance lays down tho paper and
looking at his wife says mysteriously:
Now, what do you suppose has hap
penedp"
Really, I can't imagine" she makes
reply
"Well, 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 bunkoed as successfully as ever q
was worked by fimfam-
mers." He lays down the paper and looks
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
thingY'
II can't answer that" says her hus-
band. ~ dare say we shall know before
long"
For q moment there is silence. Then
his wife asks:
"Do you believe itP"
"There's no doubt OF it," returns he;
1.-THE grand jury is making an investiga-
ton now. 1t seems that the city clerk,
and the council, and the police are especial
ly corrupted"
"The police;" cried Mrs. Purviance in
alarm, "why, shall be afraid to sleep
nights!"
"Oh, no. You needn't be;'' says her
husband soothingly. perhaps the police
force isn't very bad. The main trouble
seems to be robbing the city of money"
"Well, can't see the difference" re-
turns his wife. "If the police rob the city,
they just as soon rob usP''
"YOu don't understand about such
things" says Mr.. Purviance.
81 don't wish to understand" cries his
wife. II want to live in city where 1
,an feel safe from robbers and murderers
md such people. I should like to know
how we are better off than those poor peo-
pie who have to contend with Tammany"
II say, IL isn't as bad as that" said Mr..
Purviance. For Mr.. Purviance was man
who took a great personal interest in mu-
1icipal reform in his city. He liked to
ihink that his city was model city in
very respect Of city government.
"Shall we tell the children" asks Mrs.
purviance
"Why not?' he asks.
"Why not2' echoed his wife. EDO you
want the children to know that officers of
he city, whom they have been taught to
ook up to and respect, are band Of
hieves2 That the flag that floats over
heir schoolhouse is only to cloak crime2
I you do, don't"
"Oh, come now, says Purviance. 1.-THE
,uilty persons will be punished.
ut isn't that that hurts me-" returns
lis wife. "Do you remember that fresco
# Maccari's in the Palazo-the one you
bought so impressiveP Well, Regulus was
What l call a good citizen. Do you think
We have as good citizens in this city, Even
,neP''
Haven't you any faith in me, my
!ear?" asks Purviance. st. Paul Globe.