Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-02-22
A LUCULLUS DINNER.
ONE FEAST THAT ASTOUNOED TWO
OF HIS FRIENDS.
Pompey and Cicero Tried to Catch
the Famous Command In a Trnp.
but the Roman SpendthrIft Fairly
Outvtttcd Them.

u D.
but the Roman spendthrIft Fairly
outwtttcd Them.
ght Sides Of History is the title
Of a series of articles by f. II. House in
st. Nicholas. In story form, introduc-
ing modern boys and girls, the author
recounts some of the most amusing cpl
sodes In history. The following Is one
of his stories:
"Lucullus was very fond OF fine din
ners-mOre so than was good for him in
his later years. In early life he was one
Of the greatest Of Roman generals. and
az middle age be bad kingdoms at his
feet. But, like many public men Of that
period. he was pursue by envious enc
mics, and instead Of making a stand
against them he gave up all his glory
and devoted himself to idle luxury. AL
though be was enormously ricn. ne
amazed his friends by the amount OF
money he spent in feasting them. No
matter at what hour a visitor called a
costly banquet was always ready 10 be
served. People who were intimate with
him often tried TO catch him unprepar-
ed, but no one ever succeeded. The most
artful trap of all was set by Ponpey and
Cicero but Luculius was too sharp even
for these able men. D."
DO you mean. asked Harry, his
eyes round with astonishment. do you
mean the great Pompey and Cicero we
hear so much about al schOol?''
The very same. Those were the
men. Did you think that Pompey was
always fighting battles, and that Cicero
dld nothing but speak pieces in the
seLate: Oh. no They used 70 vary
those occupations by str0llIng about the
forum on pleasant afternoons. and one
day they met LuculluS strolliug like
themselves, and laid a plan 10 take him
by surprise. They said they had q par
ucular favor 10 ask He promised TO do
anything III his power. and then they
proposed 70 dine with him that very
day. on condition that be should make
no preparations and give no instruc-
uons. but let them share the ordinary
meal Intended for himself
"LuCulius had not expected this.
Though he was extravagaut enough.
even when wholly alone he could not
bear 10 entertain guests without a good
zeal OF extra extravaganza on their ac-
count. So be tired 10 make an appoint
not listen 10 him. Then be wanted 10
call has servants, and they objected TO
this also. suspecting that be might con.
trlve 10 give some secret orders. They
insisted that he should not open his lips
10 any one besides themselves, but lus,
ramble around until dinne- time and
then take them directly 10 his dwelling.
Here he made a stand. He protested.
reasonably enough, that they demanded
TOO much. He had left home without
even saying that he should 90 back
there 10 dine. At least his friends must
allow him 70 announce that he would
return At the customary hour Other
wise there might be no food atal.
They saw no harm in this. and.
after consulting together. agreed that
be could send that one short message
and nothing more, but he must employ
stranger TO do the erraud. and must
speak 20 him IN their hearing. so that
they could guard against any suspicious
words OF private signals. Lucullus pre-
tended 10 be extremely troubled and de-
c!ared that they deserved nothing fit 10
eat Nevertheless be consented and
calling public messenger gave this di.
rectlon. Go 70 my house and tell the
steward 10 serve dinner IL the Apollo
as usual. Pompey and Cicero were de-
lighted. They kept close 70 their host
through the rest Of the day. feeling sure
that, though they would have an excel
lent meal, they had prevented him this
ume from making one Of the gorgeous
displays in which he reveled.
When al last the three entered the
dining ha s-,t,e
took away their breath. 1t was decorat.
eu win magnlhcence they had not
dreamed Of. But this was nothing 10
what followed. Course after course of
tine rareSt food was set before them.
with wines that were almost beyond
price, until at the end they calculated
that the cost Of the repast could not
nave been less than sum equal TO $40.
OuO In our money of today
W by that Is small fortune to spend
for one dinnerr' exclaimed Percy.
fou may say so. indeed They were
quite right III their reckoning Lucullus
had outwitted them and carried his
point exactly as he wished. "
How, uncle? Tell US how the chill.
dren cried
hlnk II out for yourselves. " said
Uncle C!axton. but the only attempt at
a solution came from Dick. who after
ponderlng deeply caused an outburst Of
mirth by remarking that perhaps it W as
Friday. Dick evidently imagined that
the explanation which had cleared up
the my stery of his uncle's dinner might
be good enough for anything in ancient
Rome
mo. no. Dickv. " said ITncls Claxton
that's not the secret. You must re-
member the message which LuculluS
cent TO his steward-that be would dine
III the Apollo. tie had several dining
balls, named after various Roman gods
and all differently arranged for different
kinds of feastS. He had only to mention
which OF these he would occupy TO let
his servants know what preparations
were necessary and precisely n ow much
money should be spent. Ii was the rule