The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-03-14

" T is doubtful if there a prouder boy
than Publius Septimus Antonius Geta his
eleventh birthday. when he drove to the
in a gilded chariot with two magnif-
~ cent black horses all his own He had reason
10 be proud, for it is the lot of many boys
have the march of victorious army halted, that their
birthdays may be celebrated with military games
The fiery steeds pranced and curyeted. The heavy
unsteady chariot as clumsy as it was magnificent
rocked from side to side hundred hands were
ready take the reins should the emperor's young
give the nod; but, though his arms seemed al
pulled from their sockets and his footing shifted
with the swayng chariot he would not give Boys
expected to be hardy and fearless in those days
Young Geta had already been two years with his
be, the bare ground eating anything or nothing
seeing sights which bravest men could hardly
bear. He a frank and friendly little fellow,
whose greatest pride endure all the hardshps
that the Roman soldiers suffered What wonder that
Septimus Severus preferred him to his sullen older
brother. Caracalla!
ter where the games to be held. Geta placed
In the seat Of honor at the right hand of the en-
beror and happier face than his never looked down
upon an assembled auulence AT the H. win pro"
black with anger as Getas was bright with hap
piness sat the older CaraCala, whose heart was
tull of bitterness at this paid his brother.
1t little provincial town: The amphitheater
did not begin to compare with the wonderful Coos-
scum a 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 produced but it was not as far re-
moved from the seats of the common people
most fitting to the Roman ideas OF etiquette. Cara
Gala scowled as he took his purpe-draped seat; for
the mass-the vulgar herd as he called them
temptuOuSly-Were
them with his hand.
Geta with shining face watched every movement
of the wrestlers. Caracalla looked idly about with
eyes Of disdan. At last the climax seemed to have
, come The whole amphitheater silent in breath
less interest; Caracalla began to show some
faint sign of attention One combatant after another
had been downed by one stalwart Roman soldier, who
luckless child from tier of above Cara
calais left hand leaned too far lost his balance
and fell. and cutchng wildly at emptiness to save
himself somehow, struck the emperor's heir full in
the face.
Oh what an angry Caracaa started up from the
purple seat and with scows and fierce imprecatons,
srdered the unlucky child who had mnintenton-
ally insulted him should at once be put to death!
Pale and trembling the dragged before
emperor and his sons. and the deadly swords of
Caracaa's guard of soldiers were drawn from their
sheaths
The emperor and his sons were sacred. No one
touched them unbidden at penalty of death But
the little lad who had unwittingly offended was so
small and innocent! He scarcely comprehended it
all. and shaken by the fall than by his i'm
near and everyone else was looking upon him in an
ger. But Getas face alone was friendly and pitifu
The little slave boy slipped from the soldiers grasp
and flung himself down at the feet of the emperor's
younger SON. clinging to his robe.
II would only have made his punishment more
swift if it had been Caracallas robe he seized but
Geta made Of tenderer we'll as Drawer stuff.
Reaching gently down, he caught the little praying
hands into his own
Father" he said this is my birthday have q
right to a boon l ask for the life OF this boy
The majesty of Rome had been insulted. What
did the life of slave boy matter among the mill
lions subject his sway? To him it seemed I'M
fitting his dignity that such crime. even though
unntentional should go unpublished
1t is impossible. my SON. he said ASK it no
Give up this request and will order whole
Eladiatoral show to please But that such in
suit emperOrs should unavenged. 1t is
impossible that Wonder Roman soldier in the
arena should he overcome by of these barbarian
Thracans.f
But Geta, with The small curly head of the slave
child between his knees, looked anXiousy to the
arena. Any delay 10 be welcomed
Wait father; only wait till the games fin
ished" he begged Lei the boy stay safe witt me
ill the games Then. If Roman soldier is
still the victor, will give him up.
The emperor looked at mis- favorite son. 1t was
hard to deny him. He made sign to the soldiers
who had dragged the child before him, and the swords
sheathed. Once every eye fixed upon
the arena, and behold, Across it stalking the
tallest barbarian that Rome had giant
r1dey clothed in skins. who besought an opportunity
to wrestle with the champion.
MY son." said the emperor-and though he spoke
to Geta his eyes were fixed upon scowling Caracalla
art thou ready to risk this cause on the strength OF
this Thracian giant"
Eyes, oh. yes" cried Geta and CaTecalla sure that
no Roman soldier could be overcome by a barbarian
muttered sulleu assent
l moro he sounded. and the liEH
~ frAsa cnmbatants marched across the arena and