The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-12-06
GREAT LOVE
STORIES
of HISTORY
BY Albert Poyson Terhune
HoratiO and Curiatius
Copyright. by the Author.)

Horatia was the daughter Of a noble
Roman family, in the ancient days
when Rome was a small city and
ruled by line of kings. The nearby
city Of Alba Tonga was Rome's chief
rival for the supremacy of that part
OF Italy. In Alba Tonga lived a 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 Curl
atius.
The king Of Rome was Julius Hos
titus, a warlike sovereign, who de-
sired to make his city the strongest in
all Italy. He began by declaring war
on Alba Tonga. A few border Skin
mishes started the hostilities. Then
an Alban army under King Cluilius
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-
f1ict
Then it was that the Alban king.
Cluilius. sent a messenger to Tullus
ing proposal: He
said it 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. He &C
cepted the challenge and chose for
Rome's champions Horatia's three
brothers, known as the Horatll.'
Cluilius selected young Curiatius and
the latter's two brothers to fight FOR
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 armor and
marched out into a great open space
between the two waiting armies. There
the strange triple duel began. For a
long time the fight waged and the Is
sue hung in doubt. One after an
other, at last, all three of the Curiatii
were badly wounded. Two OF the
Horatii were slain outright. To the
surprise of both armies, the third OF
the Horatii turned and fled. He was
still unwounded. AS he was known
to be a brave man, no one could un-
derstand his fight.
But the ruse was soon explained
The three wounded Curiatii pursued
him fiercely. They did not keep to-
gether, but strung out" some dis.
lance apart in the chase. AS soon as
they were so far apart that they could
no longer assist each other. Horatius
suddenly turned upon the one who
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.
Dragging from the body Of his sis
ter's dead lover the gorgeous cloak
the girl had woven, Horatius threw
the garment about his own shoulders
as a trophy, and was carried back tc
Rome on the appraised shields OF his
applauding comrades. He had saved
the day for his city.
Horatia, with the other Roman
women, had been watching for the
army's return. AS her brother was
borne in triumph through the gates
she saw the cloak about his shoulders
and knew what had befallen her lover
Bursting through the cheering crowd
she barred the victors way. Weep
ing and with dis
hevelled hair, she
solemnly cursed
him for the death of Curiatius.
Horatius, the fury Of battle Still
upon him. drew his sword. that We,
reeked with Curiatus' blood, and
stabbed Horatia to the heart, shout
ing:
$50 perish all who mourn theil
country's foes!"
In an instant the triumphal process
sion was changed to throng o.
angry soldiers and townsfolk clamor
ing for the murderer's blood. Horatius
was dragged before the judges. They
condemned him to be whipped tt
death. But in recognition of his bat
tie record 1t was later decided that j.;
heavy fine and a public humiliation
| would suffice as punishment.
Horatia's body lay unburied where
it had fallen until passersby piled I
heap of stones above it to mark thu
last resting place OF the woman WHIT
had dared to place love before patriot
ism.