Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-11-14
GREAT LOVE.
STORIES
of HISTORY
HOratiO and Curtains
tCsyyrisAt. " this AsthorJ
BY Albert Payson Terbnne

EQitQ W q iiilc Vi hiu6Ss ut hN<f ~
city OF Alba Tonga was Rome's chief
rival for the supremacy OF that part
OF Italy. In Alba Tonga lived u young
nobleman named Curiatius. who had
won Horatia's love. The two were be-
trothed
The girl had. with her own hands.
woven for her lover a rich cloak OF
many bright colors. This cloak WAS
the envy of the rough Adams and was
the dearest possession of young Curi-
atius.
The king OF Rome was Tullius Hos
titus. warlike sovereign, who de
sired TO make his city the strongest IN
all Italy. He began by declaring war
on Alba Tonga few border Skin
mishes started the hostilities. Then
an Alban army under King Chilius
marched against Rome. Tullus and
the Roman troops went out TO meet
the Invaders and the two opposing
armies drew up in battle line. waiting
their leaders orders TO begin the con-
fiict
Then il was that the Alban king.
Cluilius. sent a messenger TO Tullus
with the follow
ing proposal: He
"'P'e said II was use
less to sacrifice many lives in warfare
when a smaller number might serve
the purpose just as well. He there
fore suggested that each side select
three champions. and that these SIX
men fight to the death. The army
whose three representatives should be
SLAIN was to be declared defeated
without further battle.
The idea appealed to Tullus. lie ac-
cepted the challenge and chose Tor
Rome's champions Horatia's three
brothers, known as the Horath-
Cluilius selected young Curiatlus ana
the latter's two brothers to fight Tor
Alba Tonga Curiatius was thus forced
to contend for his life and the honor
of his native city against the brothers
OF the girl he loved.
The three "Horatii" and the three
"Curiatii" put on their aTmor ana
marched out into great open space
between the two waiting armies. There
the strange triple duel began. For
lonx time the fight waged and the Is
sue hung in doubt One after an
other. at last. all three Of the Curtain
were badly wounded. Two OF the
Horatii were slain outright. To the
sunrise of both armies. the third OF
the Horati; turned and fed. He was
still unwounded. As he was known
10 be q brave man. no one could un-
derstand his flight
Rut the ruse was soon explained
The three wounded Curiatii pursued
him fercely. They did not keep TO-
rether. but strung out" some dis
lance apart in the chase. AS soon as
thew were so far apart that they could
no longer assist each other. Horatius
suddenly turned upon the one VINO
was nearest to him Rushing at the
wounded. tired man, he killed him
with one blow Of his sword. Then. In
the same way. he attacked and slew
in succession the second and third OF
the Curiatii.
Drasaing from the body OF his SIS
ter's dead lover the gorgeous CLOAK
the girl had woven. Horatius thre"
tine garment about his own shoulders
As a trophy. and was carried BACK TO
Rome on the appraised shields OF his
applauding comrades. he mao sa'ea
the day for his city
Horatia, with the other Roman
vomen. had been watching for the
srmv's return. As her brother was
borpe in triumph through the gates
che saw the cloak about his shoulders
ana knew what had befailen her lover
Durstfng through the cheering crowd.
she barred the victor's way Weep
ing and with dis
ki'ied 'o' hevelled hair. she
Loves solemnly , cursed
him for the death Of Curiatius-
Horafius. the fury Of battle still
unon him. drew his sword. that yet
reeked with Curiatus' blood, and
stabbed Horatia 10 the heart shout
ing:
$50 perish all who mourn their
country's foes"
In an instant the triumphsl process
sion was changed to throng OF
.ngrv soldiers and townsfolk clamor-
ing tot the murderer's blood. Horatius
was dragged before the judges. They
condemned him to be whipped to
death. But IN recognition OF his bat
tic record Il was later decided that a
heavy fne and 4 public humiliation
would suffice as punishment
Horafia's body lay unburied where
!, had fallen until passersby piled
heap of stones above IL 10 mark the
last resting place Of the woman who
had dared to place love before patriot
ian
Telephone 20 Scare Burglars.
The manager OF telephone ex-
change u living alone during his