The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1908-07-16
RUNAWAY SLAVE: A TALE
OF ANCIENT ROME
BY ROBERT EUGENE MeALprNE.

The full moon shone brightly upon
the streets of Rome; the cool breeze
invited many to leave their close
apartments and come out for a breath
Of fresh air. The streets and broad
plazas were gay with the multitudes.
whose varied Costumes, speech and
complexion showed that they came
from every land.
Presently a youth in Syrian cos
tune turned the corner Of an alley
and began TO drift aimlessly with
the crowds. Though strong of limb
and supple in body, yet the detected
look on his handsome face showed
that health OF body does not always
give quiet of mind. The elation of
youth was lacking; he seemed to
feel himself on the losing side in the
battle of life.
Among the bable of sounds. Just
then his ear caught words in his own
tongue. a middle-aged man and
woman passed him, the man telling
her something most earnestly: a mo-
ment more and he began TO sing
gently. To the surprise of the now
eagerly listening youth. the song
proved to be a Christian hymn which
he remembered having heard. In
stantly the scenes of his past life
flashed over his mind and he seemed
to gain fresh strength and hope from
the recall. Following these new
friends till convinced that they were
Christians, he ventured to address
them in their own tongue:
Pardon me, friends, but would
you be kind enough to help a fellow
countryman? l have but lately come
to Rome, and though l have sought
earnestly for work, there seems TO he
no place for me. My money is near
ly all gone, and if do not soon find
some honest way to live, my case will
be desperate.
"Ah, who are you and where do
you come from?"
THAT is a long story, but | am
from the Taurus Mountains in Cappa-
docia. the same region from which
you evidently come, and am an
honest man I'm search of work"
Poor boy" said the woman. You
arc very young to be so far from
home and so adrift in the world
Where is your mother?"
Dead, madam. and my father also
They were murdered by Il band Of
mountain robbers" and the boy had
a struggle to repress a sob.
"Ah. well, we must not keep you
standing here. We are on our way
to a Christian service; would you
mind going with us?"
81 should be most happy TO go
with you"
Are you a Christian:"
mo, l know very little about the
sect, but threw away a good oppor-
tunity to learn it, which / now re-
gret, for what / then saw makes me
believe it more than mere supersti-
tion, and in my present friendless
state. 1 think 1t might tend to give
me strength and courage"
Such frank questioning and reply
drew them together and by the time
the place of meeting was reached,
they seemed like old friends. Sit
ting down among the waiting people.
the quiet calm OF the place seemed
to bring peace to his spirit. And
when the aged preacher stood up,
the tones of his voice thrilled the
youth like noble music. Though his
stature was small and his silyery
locks and bronzed face revealed much
hardship, yet the clear light in his
eye and the warm glow of his mes
sage, made the hearers forget all
thought of weakness \of his body.
The Syrian youth seemed to drink in
the words OF the Gospel with eager
ears; 80 deeply was impressed