The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-15

Fl eIeVenth blrth0ay in a gilded char5ot with two magnih-
 cent black horses ali his own He had reason be proud. for it is not the lot of many boys to have the march Of victorious army halted. that their birthdays may be celebrated whh military games
 The fiery steeds pranced and curyeted The heavy, unsteady chariot as clumsy as it magnificent. rocked from side to side. A hundred hands were ready take the relns should the emperors young give the nod; but though his arms seemed al pulled from their sockets and his footing shifted with the swaying chariot, he would not give Boys expected be hardy and fearless in those days Young Geta had already been two years with his father in the army, sleeping accomplishing, if need be, the bare ground eating anything nothing, seeing sights which our bravest men could hardly bear. He was a frank and friendly little fellow, whose greatest pride to endure all the hardshps that the Roman soldiers suffered What wonder that the whole army loved him. and that the emperor, Septimus Severus preferred him to his Sulen older brother. Caracalla
 When the brilliant cortege reached the amphithea- ter where the games to be held Geta placed in the seat of honor al the right hand of the peror and happier face than his never looked down upon assembled audience. At the left, with brow black with anger Geta's bright with hap piness sat the older Caracalla whose heart full of bitterness at this honor paid to his brother
 It little provincial town. The amphitheater did not begin to compare with the wonderful Colos- at Rome The citizens had made great effort to adorn it suitably for the emperor. The place served for his train hung with the richest dra peries the time produceds but it not far moved from the seats of the common people as was most fitting to the Roman ideas of etiquette Cara caa scowled he took his purpe-draped seat; for the mass-the vulgar herd as he called them con
 
 them with his hand.
 Geta with shining face watched every movement of the wrestlers Cceaoalla looked idly about with eyes of dlsdan. Al sst the climax seemed to have come The whole iithCater was silent in breath less interest; ever C4.aeaIa began to show some faint sign of attention One combatant after another had been downed by stafwart Roman soldier who challenged the world. Just that uckless slave child from a tier of seats above Cara caas left hand leaned too far lost his balance and fell. and olutching wildly at emptiness to save himself somehow, struck the emperors heir full in the face.
 Oh what an angry Caracalla started up from the purple and with scowls and fierce imprecations ordered that the unlucky child who had unntention- ally 1nsulted him should at once be put to deathi Pale and trembling. the little lad dragged before the emperor and his sons and the deadly swords of Caracallas guard of soldiers were drawn from their sheaths.
 It the common punishment for such an offense The emperor and his sons sacred. No touched them unbidden at penalty of death But the little lad who had unwfttingly offended small and innocent! He scarcely comprehended it all and was shaken by the fall than by his i'm pending doom, only realizing that some danger near and everyone else looking upon him in ger. But Gea's face alone friendly and pitiful The little slave boy slipped from the soldiers grasp and flung himself down at the feet of the emperors younger son, cnging to his robe
 It would only have made his punishment more swift if 1t had been Caracalas robe he seized but Geta was made of tenderer as well as braver stuff. Reaching gently down. he caught the little praying hands into his own.
 Father" he said, "this is my birthday. I have right to boon. l ask for the life of this boy"
 But the stern emperor's face look of sent. The majesty of Rome had been insulted. What did the life of slave boy matter among the mill lions subject to his sway? To him it seemed h. fitting to his dignity that such crime. though unntentional, should go unpunished.
 'It is impossible, my son. he said. Ask 1t more. Give up this request and will order whole padiatoral show please you. But that such an in- suit to emperor's should go unavengedi It is as impossible that wonder Roman soldier in the arena should be overcome by of these barbarian Thracians.'
 But Geta with the small curly head of the slave child between his knees, looked anxiously to the arena Any delay to be welcomed.
 Wait father; only wait till the games fin fshed' he begged "Let the boy stay safe with fill the games are over. Then Roman soldier Is still the victor will give him up"
 The emperor looked at his fayorte son Ii was hard to deny him. He made sign to the soldiers who had dragged child before him and inc swords were sheathed Once every was fixed upon falIest barbarian that Rome had ever giant r;,dely clothed skins who besought opportunity to wrestle with the champion
 ssAry son." said the empefor-and though he spoke o (eta his eyes fixed upon scowling Caracalla- art thou ready risk this cause on the strength Of this Thracian giant?
 "yes oh yes'' cried Geta; and Caracalla sure that n fT2oman soldier could be overcome by barbarian, Atered sullen assent. 1nce more the trumpet sounded. and Fhe long line 'E fresh combatants marched across the and