The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1905-12-08
THE STORY OF REGULUS.

ii T. SIOR OF REG ULUSs
On the other side of the sea from
Rome there was once great city
named Carthage. The Romans peo.
pie were never very friendly, to the
people Of Carthage, and at last a war
began between them. For along time
it was hard to tell which would prove
the stronger. First the Romans would
gain battle, and then the men Of
Carthage would gain battle; and 80
the war went on for many years.
Among the Romans there was a
brave general named Regulus, a man
of whom it was said that he never
broke bis word. 1t so happened after
while, that Regulus was taken
prisoner and carried to Carthage, ill
and very lonely, be dreamed of his
wife and little children so far away
beyond the sea; and he had but little
hope Of ever seeing them again. He
loved his home dearly, but he believ-
ed that his first duty was to his coun-
try; and so be had left all, to fight in
this cruel war.
He had lost battle, it is true, and
had been taken prisoner. Yet he
knew that the Romans were gaining
ground, and the people of Carthage
were afraid of being beaten IN the end.
They had sent into other countries to
hire soldiers to help them; but even
with these they would not be. able to
fight much longer against Rome.
One day some of the rulers of Car
thage came to the prison to talk with
Regulus.
"We should like to make peace
with the Roman people" they said,
"and we are sure, that, if your rulers
at home knew how the war is going,
they would be glad to make peace
with us. We will set you free and
let you 90 home, if you will agree to
do as we say"
"What is that?' asked Regulus.
'in the first place." they said, "you
must tell the Romans about the bat
ties which you have lost, and you
must make it plain to them that, if
they will not make peace, you will
come back to your prison."
Very WE'LL" said Regulus, I pro-
mise you, that if they will no make
peace, l will come back to prison."
And SO they let him 60; for they
knew that great Roman would keep
his word
When he came to Rome, all the
people greeted him gladly. His wife
and children were very happy, for
they thought that now they would not
be parted again. The white.haired
Fathers who made the laws for the
city come to see him. They asked
him about the war;
81 was sent from Carthage to ask
you to max peace" he said. "But
it will not be wise to make peace.
True, we have been beaten in few
battles, but our army is gaining
ground every day Tle people Of
Carthage are afraid, and we'll they
may be. Keep on with the war q
little while longer, and Carthage shall
be yours. As for me, l have como
to bid my wife and children and Rome
farewell. Tomorrow I will start back
to Carthage and to prison; for 1 have
promised"
Then the fathers tried to persuade
him to stay.
"Let US send another man in your
place." they said.
"Shall Roman not keep his word?"
answered Regulus. II am i'll, and at
the best have not long to live, I will
go back, as I promised" His wife
and little children wept, and his sons
begged him not to leave them again.
IL have given my word," said
Regulus, "the rest will be taken care
of
Then he bade them goodbye, and
went bravely back to the prison and
the cruel death which be expected.
This was the kind of courage that
made Rome the greatest city in the
world Famous Stories.