The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 14, 1902, Page 4

THE SUNDAY CALL. e T T burdens of war and the caprices and avarice of the Emperor were beginning to ted upon the peopie, and the braetorian bands were massed at Rome for use in the day when the circus, the gladiatorial show and gifts of corn no longer sufficed 1 ullay the discontent of the people, and treason and insurrection raised their hor- rid heads. And they were well suited to please vaniy or crush the rebellions of Rome, as occasion might require. Alexander, who conquered the worid before the lomans, had not, 1 make bold to say, in ail lus vast army companies of men (o compare with these. Tall, muscular and ere scarce one of them but mignt have pused as a moael for the god Murs As gazed admiringly upon tnem I real- how, in the c¢ays Lo come, they migit ge the applaudipg shouws of the pup- ce into cries of dismay and panic, and Laie the future history of mankind. Aiter the cohorts, marching with as (rue military preeision as if bearing the victoricus eagles of Rome into Gaul T sopolamia, came three ful legious, numbering neariy twenty thousand war- Jjust returning from a long and suc- campaign. 1f the people loved ¢ the guards of Lbe Hmperor uped the bardy soluers wh.se helu_conquered nations in subjec- poured weailh into the Imperial City nd made ils citizens the envy of the world. The cheers couid not weli be louder than those that welcomed the co- horts, but they were emphasized by tears ){ joy and prayers of thanssgiv.ng to he gods As 1 watched the measured trea the heavy soldiers and saw how lgl tney carried their armor, pikes, javeiins d short double-edged swords, whose ished surfaces brightly reflectec tne ms of sunlight; as 1 nouced how cefuilly the knights rode their huge, cuprisoned sieeds; with what case nd speed the skirmishers, cailed velites, position. dancers own native vine I observed the resolute expression on every face, I understood how Rome had come to be the ruler of the world, and all hope for the freedom of Israel vanished from my heart. Following the iegions, and well guarded by light solu.is, came a lcng line of captives, chained together like sts; sirong men destined to die in the arena, tul the soil, or sickehp in deep, dark mines, and fair maidens devoted to an easier though more ignominous end. As ] looked upon their tear-stained, shame- marked faces, a feeling of pily 100K pus- session of me, but as their numbers in- creased and 1 reflected that thexr lot was scarce harder than that of millions of their fellows, this passed awa and 1 began to regard them with indifference. Pharaoh-like, my heart was surewy har- dening in the wide Genule world, the hingaom of Power. MNext came a band of well-nigh naked g-awators. Like Lber predecessors, iacy Weie siaves, and most of thnem had been the spoiis of battle. Many Weie marchiug i their last paraue, for ine People were to be royauy enteriained that ua), and the vanqusned cowia not hupe for ciemency in au array of upturied tuumbs or a noa frum iverius, but must yieid his Lite 1hat tue avine Of picasure inight be 1eached 1n Lue st 0f hus eav- g heart and dying gasps. Yeo Dol @ Lear, NOt &n expression of SOrrow wd 1 actect; instead, pride and expectation gicamed 1u every eye, whie vauwily luali- lesied itseif in ardully swelied lauscics, majestic bearing and giances that couuled aumiration. 1 could well understand toe stoicism that ammated these inen—io hght was their trade, to conquer their ambition, to aie their fate. The mighty pageant closed with a vast array of wild ammals, whose red bioud was destined to masxe bright (he nouvay and giad the hear.s of nobie mairons and blusning maidens—so fast doiu customn dull natural sensiblities, SCeucs OL Cacli- age ovaterate leeungs of Piy. Scores of hampered and ciose.y guaraed eicpuuncs, buus, bears, rhinoceroses, hippupviami, giraifes and stags, were 1olloweu Ly Du- merous huge vans loaded witn lious, uigers, leopards, and other fierce and tamed ammals. These were Lo nignt each other in all sorts of novel cumuiLatuons and engage with aimost equauy bruial men in uic-and-death strugs.cs. Revoit- ing as the thought wouid nave been to me three years before, 1 watched tnein curiously and wondered if I would be enabled to view the horrid entertainment. The last van gone, the great fieid cica ed as if by magic, all running forward to whet their appetites for tne sport by another giimpse of the devoted victims. 1 was preparing to go in qQuest of my friend when a strong, though poory dressed man, advanced and asked me for charity. “l nave not broken my fast to-day,” said he, “and one cannot enjoy the games with an empty Siomach. fiunger makes & clever stroke seem no betier than an accident.” The man's face was brutal, almost re- volting, yet 1 gave ulm & denarius and passed on without replying. 1 had not laken ten steps wnen mine cyes feu upon one of the most wretched objects 1 had ever beheid—a man without icgs, seated in @ wooden bowi, which he sud forward by means of his hands. 1 thought of Liogenes in his tub, and stoppec 1o ob- serve him, 3 E n the name of the gods, fair sir, who have bereft me of my legs,” he cried, “something—a sestertius—ior bread. ‘ine corn will be given out to-morrow—if I can but live till then. “And doubliess if thou can’st not. Art that 1 were; but who would own such as 1? It is only by rare good fortune that I have not been exposea to die on that island yonder, in the Tiver.” 'Good 1ortune! “Thou art sureyy a re- incarnation of Diogenes, minus tite legs. 1 wish thee long ufe to enjoy it,” and laughing at his impotent curses 1 walked & Simon, my father, would not have done s0,” 1 reflected. “But he hath not seen the worl I added to myself as I released the purse 1 had instinctively grasped and resumed my walk. Sooun the sound of a lute, well tuned and artfuily played, fell upon mine eyes. A moment later a sweet, clear, temaie voice began singing, in Greek, an ode of Ana- creon, in praise of love and wine, and I paused to note the minstrel.- She was a young girl, whose fine figure and beauti- ful though sorrowful face were even more aitractive than her voice. Thy sad countenance agrees but poor- ly with lhg sweet veice and the senu- ments of thy song,” said I, speaking in Greek, as 1 placed an aureus within her B fair white hand. “‘All things do not harmonize, sir,” she replied, with a courtesy and a smile of thanks. *I sing those songs that please the gay, for they are most generous, and if my e be sad it is surely in harmony with my heart.” ‘So young, so fair, und unhappy?” Misery is confined to no certain age.” 1;nq spezkest strangely, my fair Bic. “But truthtully. Instead of being young and fair, as thou are pleased to call me, would that I were old, and bent, and wrinkled. Then would I sooner see the end of life, without going hence unbidden by the gods.” “By those gods thou nam’st so flippant- ly, why stand’st babbling here? What's in’thy purse The speaker, who had approached us unobserved, seized the girl rudely by the arm. Snatching the purse from her Elrdle he emptied its contents into his road palm. As he counted the coins I observed him closely. He was a large, powerfully built man of perhaps thirty years. His features were regular and, but for lines of passion and marks of drink, would have been handsome. His dress, though in great disorder, was of Lhe finest and bespoke his station in life. “‘Six sestertil, four denarii, three argen- tei, and only one plece of gold, a try tha! e muttered, as he éolld the colns over. “What hast thou been oing? “I have done my best, master,” faltered the girl. “A great parade was passi) and few would listen to my poor songs. “Poor songs! Now, look thee, sir, there is not such another voice in all Rome. - She could make me a fortune if\ she wished.” “1 dare say thou hast one already,” I remarked, as he paused for a reply. “And so I have,” he answered with a low, almost despairing laugh. ‘‘There it stands; regard it well. One miserabie, disobedient lazy slave, Call'st thou that a fortune for a Pollio? Know, sir, that 1 am a grandson of Asinius Pollio, the friend and general of Juiius Caesar, the patron of Catullus, Horace and Virgil, the founder of the first public library in Rome; a man as rich as he was learned. 1. . Flavius Pollio, possess one wretched siave; ves, I have a fortune.” ‘“Hast had, at least,” 1 answered. “Whither went thy grandsire’s weaith?"” “To Tartarus! But 1I'll answer thee fair- s to my credit. My father inherited all the old man's possessions. He was thrifty as a Jew—I mean no offense. He more than doubled what he received, and dying, three—no, two years ago—ieft me almost the richest man in Rome. “And how cam'st thou poor?’ 'As I became rich, by inheritance. The spirit of old Asinius descended to me with his millions—thou know’st one is often like unto his grandsire? I, too, became a patron, not of poets, for they were all dead, but of their successors—actors, gladiators, gamesters, drinkers, rolii ing youths of whatever name or descrip- tion, genuine disciples of Epicurius, de- votees to pleasure. Instead of buuding libraries I set my architect to designing villas, gardens and theaters. In lieu of buying books to feed fat worms on dusty shelves or addle the brains of would-be scholars, I invested my sestertii in dice- boxes, masks, wine-boitles, singers, dan- cers and fighters. In a word, I followed the example of that great and wise king of thy people, Solomon, of whom, thou see’st, 1 have mething heard. “And thou hast now spent all?” “Aye, spent and lost. Yesterday I con- sulted the augurs. They spoke loudly of fortune, and, as thou might'st expect of a grandson of a poet’s patron, 1 beiieved them; sold my last lands and houses and sought the place where the highest game is played in all Rom N “And the augurs proved wrong?’ I in- terrupted. “For me, yes, though right enough for the others. 'In fine, the luck of Tantalus pursued me. -Fortune ever smiled, but ever eluded my grasp. In vain I cursed the dice and invoked the gods; they seemed bent on visiting the follies of old Asinfus upon me. An hour ago I quitted the table bereft of all, save this siave, Julia, who can retrieve my foriunes if she will but do my bidding.” “Thou knowest,” she moaned in an- swer, “that I will do aught for thee, in honor. > “Honor? Bah! What's honor to a brok- en gamester, or a slave? Give over thy weeping. Come, TJI put thee beyond reach of the Tiber or a knife. The gods may bid thee after thou hast served me.” He made a movement as if to seize the girl by the arm, but she eluded his grasp and darted away almost with the fleet- ness of a deer, Pollio, myself and others in close pursuit. She stopped before a tall column which bore aloft a statue of Augustus Caesar, and, extending her arms, clasped an angle of its base with hands scarcely less white than the marble that composed it. . “I am a slave!” she shrieked. “I claim here asylum from a cruel master! In the name of the Emperor I claim it!"” Flavius Pollio halted as if an arrow had plerced his heart. He raised his eyes along the polished side of the tapering shaft and his face grew white as they fell upon the colossal figure that crowned its summit. “The luck of Tantalus again!"%he cried, with an added curse.” “But I'll not be balked,” and rushing forward he seized the girl flercely by the arm. \‘Beware!” cried several warning voices. ‘“Would’st defy the people, the law and, above all, the Emperor?” demanded & gyave personage, whose purple-hemmed toga proclaimed him to be either a curule magistrate or censor. “’Twere madness, friend Pollio.” Restored to some sense of reason and prudence, though not of temper, the mas- ter releaged his slave and retreated a few paces, where he stood dark and scowling. ““Come, friends,” said he at length, an ironical smile upon his thin lips, “this is becoming amusing. My slave refuses to do my bidding, and you sustain her in her disobedience. Which of you will have her as a gift at my hands? What, not an offer on such easy terms? Perchance your modesty forbids. What will you give, then? The best offer shall take her, though it be but an ass.” ““This i8 no market placs,” remonstrat- ed the grave man with the purple-hem- ;r;:g[ntosn. “Would’st insult the Empe- “Be that my care, Sir Consul. Tiberius is my friend and, though stripped by fate of my last coin, I fear not his censure. Come, what am 1 offered for Julia, daugh- ter of Pauline, born in bondage? I have writings here to show and pass my title,” and he took from his toga a crumpled parchment, which he held aloft. “Four thousand sestertil,” said a low, hesitating voice behind me, “‘Come, that is brave,” sneered Pollio. “It will give me another throw of the dice and may retrieve my fortunes. The augurs did not say I would win at first. The thought pleases me. Who else would help me buy back my estates?’ A bent old man with rheumy eyes now advanced and passed his paisied hands over the shrinking form of the miserable r] “Shame!” 1 shouted, unable to control my_ indignation and disgust. ‘“Peace, dog of & Jew!"” returned the old man in snerling tones. ‘“Knowest not that the children of a slave follow the condition of the mother? I am not wit- lessly Investing my money; nor have I young and greedy eyes, like thine, to see through garments of wool. Ten thousand sestertil.” The lnfer of Pollio seemed to have de- parted. Intensely superstitious as he evi- dently was, he no doubt expected to make good his losses. For some minutes he harangued the crowd, praising the mer- its of the girl, and that in no delicate manner. He still spoke ironically, though doubtless hoping to secure a better offer, but no one spoke. He was upon the point T TO U of declaring the old man the purchaser when the girl lifted her face from her arm and gave me one quick, imploring glance. Not all the words in the Torah, arranged by the greatest master of ian- guage, could haye spoken so eloquently. “Twenty thousand sestertil!” I cried, without the Slthte!t delay or the least consideration. The pity that the legleas Diogenes had failed to touch arose in my heart—or was it some other feeling? 1 neither knew nor cared to ask myself. “Done!"” cried Pollio; and his face could not have brightened ‘more had he won ten times the amount on a single throw of the dice. “Good people, the sale and show are completed together. Here, friend, is your titie, there your property. Your name.” “Judas, called Iscariot, from Kerioth, my native place in Judea,” 1 answered, beginning to count out the required goid, which well nigh depleted my purse. “Thy hand, Judas of Kerioth,” said the now smiling young , when he had secured the money. hou art a man after mine own heart, and hast done me a great favor. Come and see the fortune that attends thy money. But, no; thou hast thy new property to dispose, and besides the augurs may continue 'liars. Where may I seek thee? 1 would give thee mine own address, but know not whether it will be a palace or the street.” “1 can be found at the house of Tullius in the .ia Sacra.” “l know hom; a sad rogue at a bar- gain, but an honest man withal. If 1 win I will seek thee there; if not, look for me in the Tiber.” With this he hurried after the onlook- ers, whose departure had been quickened by a blare of trumpets in the distance. ‘Without stopping to reflect upon my new and pecuilar position, I approached the crouching form of the poor girl and laid my hand gently upon her shoulder. She raised her bowed head with a start and looked quickly about her. “Have no fear,” said I, reassuringly; “he is gone and thou art free.” “Free?’ she answered, with a smile, and not a sad one, I thought, as she rose to her feet; “no, I am thy slave.” But 1 will manumit thee.” “On no account. Thou hast paid far more than my worth. 1 know thou did’st it from kindness, and w'll not abuse thy generosity. Besides, were I free I woud soon be again in his power, for I am without friends or protectors. I am, and will continue to be, thy siave, and may glve thee better service than thou think- “I thought thou had’'st no liking for the details of business?"” We both started at this second surprise, while an arm was thrown around my shoulder, and I found myself in the strong embrace of my friend and partner, Joseph Manasseh. 3 “Never again will I grow anxious con- cerning thy safety, friend Judas,” said Manasseh, after we had delivered Julia into the keeping of the wife of Tullius and been conducted to our apartments in the large structure, part residence, part warehouse. ‘‘When had learned that thy ship had arrived and that thou had’st disembarked I went in instant quest of thee and had well nigh concluded that I must reckon thee as lost, at least for the day. Yet here thou art. minus nothing, save a paltry handful of gold, of which we make twenty in a day, and, perchance, a heart, which will renew it- self as do leaves and fruit on naked fig trees.” “I plead guilty to expenditure of the money,” 1 stammered, blushing, I make no doubt, “but as to the other matter thou art entirely at fault.” ““Then my long cherished hopes are gratified?” ‘he cried, with well simulated joy. “Thou art become a merchant with an eye to a bargain. We will own a king- dom yet, friend Judas—nay, protest not; I saw the whole transaction, and well know 'twas pity, not love, either of lucre or fair face, that untied thy purse strings. “I am right glad that thou parted good friends with Polllo. I know him well, He is one of the gayest reprobates in all the city, where the noblest houses are open to him. He hath influence with the Emperor, besides, and can be of great service to us, for there are rumors cur- rent that Tiberius means soon to gratify his greed for gold by ordering the Jews to be again expelled from Rome, only those who pay roundly being permitted to remain. We must cultivate Flavius Pollio, even to the extent of lending him money, if he requires it."” ‘“How prospér our affairs, Joseph?”’ I asked. “‘Bravely. We have more than doubled our capital in the last year. Thou hast no notion of our wealth, Judas, measur- ing everything, as thou- dost, by old books, new wine and pleading eyes. But I have changed my policy since last I saw thee. I have sold many ships and camels, discontinued agencles—in a word, contracted the business within narrower limits. I think I see signs of an approach- ing storm and, as becometh a sailor on the great sea of commerce, have short- ened sall and ballasted my ship with gold instead of silks, perfumery and gems. The portion thy father gave thee is as safe In my hands ‘as 'twere in his. “I am glad 'tis so, Joseph. All is in" thy name and under thy control, and I am well content. Bul what are thy plans? I must soon resume my studies, cither in Alexandria or here.’ “True enough; but let the other worms bave their day at the parchments. Study sclence in men, philosophy in women, God In nature. lou must see some- thing of the polite world, Judas. Nor must thou close thine eyes to the prodi- :lumy. ckedness, even, of man- nd. To become L:“zmt doctor and teacher thou mus the fnner circl of life and note the snares and pitfalls that are masked from the view of the outer world. It was the lack of this kind of understanding that brought Solomon’s goung man to grief and hath been the ane of all, Jews well as Gentilés, !h'lfe the ldny:t of Adudn..; “I am almost persuas to thee, Joseph,” I &:Illnxly repl‘lfi” 'YBI;‘: 1 cannot descend into this subterranean Gehenna that thou call'st the inner circles of lite, without thee as & guide, and AS THER HE: e roADE 3R AHBITIoN, thou hast become so much of a philos- opher that thy words would distract mine aitention. Thou should’st secure a place to walk in one of the porches. Many pupils wowd flock to hear thee, and thou would’st soon become the greatest of the Peripatetics, rivaling even the Stagirite himself.”” “l am overjoyed to find thee in such a merly, and hence reasonable and tract- able mwod,” said Manassen, “for there 1s something of method in all my seeming vagaries. ' Why, hath Tiberius more than once laid his hand heavily upun our people? Because he hates vur sacred na- uon? Not so; are we not his subjecis? He hates not tne indusiry, intelugence and enterprise of the descenaants of surewd ana prosperous Jacoo, but rather their thrift, whicn he calis meanness. 1f Jews spent like Komans they would never be banished from the city. “We must take this lesson to heart, Juaas. we wiul buy the Lnest house for sale in all Rome, furnish 1t wilhout seeming 1egard to cusi—tnough we need not overlouk bargans while doing 1t— and give entertwnments worthy Au- gustus, yea, Saraanapa.us. Thus will we secure lumunity, 1avor, even, and al the same lime means Lo exienda our business; thus wil we see life at its flood-tae; Stuuy humanity from every pussibie colgn of vantage, and that at the real expense O Guatas. Wyudl say sU Lhou Wy plans:” As Lhe seemingly sound arguments and surely Urignt promises- flowed iIrom tue Lps of the great mercuan. my heart beat 4uicaer ana ke blooa thronged to the viry ups. of my tingers. I'ne religious feeungs that had long withhe.d me iromn ireausng turbiuuen paths appearcd (0 meil away betore his glowing woras and tancitul p.c.ures ot pomp and pieasu preseuted themselves io my* inward in. | saw Solomon. in the height of h giuly, Visiled vy KINgS, queens and Wise men from 1ar countrics; caressea by tie lairest of Tualdens ana almost worsa ped by the peopie ol a mig..ly nation. £ heard tne sound of harp ana aulcimer, the 1ovt- Steps of dancers and the volces of men- SIngers anud womeun-singers—ali the bus- tle and ciatter of a great and glorious court: 1 saw his name after the iapse of a full thousand years, still shin.ng among ‘ihe brigniest of ail thuse writien upon the great scroll of the hstory of 1grae.—out 1 rorgot that he had found all these things to ve vanty. “l agree to it most heartily,” I cried, spring.wg excitedly to my feet. *‘I fear 1 am vecoming nurrow in my moods aud methous ahd need a greater breauih of experience, I teave all to thy goou judg- ment. But come, let us breaafast and then seek the amphitheater, eise we shail m:ss ihe show by reason of tiae crush of people.” The next day Julia waited on me for orders. brief as had been the interval since the scene of her tears, sham= dnd despair, it had béen suficient to werk a cuwuplete metamorphosis i _her appear- ancc. Grief was gone, or showed ‘iself only in lines ol seriousness and reflec- tion. Her beauty, of the pure Greeg type, seemed more delicate and ethereal than when her rich voice had first at- tracted my attention, yet the timid gaze of ber bright eyes and the accompanrying tlush of color in her cheeks did ngt thriil me as had her one quica, prayertul glance within the shadow of the Km- peror’s statue. “But 1 will find an occaslon to serve thee,”” she exclaimed, when 1 declared thai I had no orders for her other than that she was to constitute one of the household and consider herself under the direction and control of the wife of 7ul- ijus. ‘“I'hink me not presumnpiuous, adged, with a downward giance, “I none the less a slave because a willing one.” “Tell me something of thyself,” saia L “How came Pollio to possess thee?” “He won me at dice from my master, whu was kind and inuulgent, theugh much giver to gambling. This was only three months ago, yet in that short time I have suffered as much as some who grow old in bondage. For a time he per- secuted me, but, i would look upon violence as a calling by the gods, he desisted and senf me forth intc the streets to sing.” I would not have thought him so avar- iclous,” I remarked. “Nor is he so. He values not gold ex- cept that he may appear magnificent. The amount of my poor earnings was nothing to him, yet he believed the money brought him good fortune at the gaming table. Beware of him, master. He can speak fair and act with apparent gener- osity, but his heart is false and treacher- ous. He will seek thee out; he comes already.” ‘White and trembling. the poor girl clasped her hands and took a step toward me. Then, in response tc a nod of per- mission, she glided from the apartmeut at a side entrance {unt as a slave an- nounced Flavius Pollio. As she dlsap- peared she cast upon me one parting glance, which reminded me of that in the Campus Martius, except that it seemed to plead for me instead of herself. “It turned out a palace, not the streets,” cried Pollio, as he rushed into the room and gnsged my hands with as great show of gratitude and affection, as though he really owed me his life. “I am come to assure thee that thou may’st eat fish without fear of consuming some rtion of thy new, but none the less evoted, friend.” “Thou hast prospered?” I exclaimed, unable to resist the warmth and appar- ent sincerity of his manner. ‘“Prospered? Thanks to thee and the augurs—and, l!keu:‘fv.‘)ko.l,l‘titl'ut o bo yesterday—than] rather to the godl. who regulate all things, I have won ack my money, jewels, houses, lands, slaves, and enough besides to make me one of the three richest men in all Rome. To-morrow I give a banquet at my house on the Palatine. Wilt come, with thy col le, whom I find to be mine old friend Manasseh, as bright and sharp a wit as I ever encountered. Fail not, as thou valuest eating, d ng, sport and friendship. Besides, I have vowed a temple to Fortune—'twas the time I threw a Venus for a stake of a thousand pounds of gold, as much as the Gauls ex- acted for the ransom of Rome—and wish to consult you both about the plans. I well knowing that I°* propose to erect something that will make the world stare and cause my name to be remembered when that of my grand- sire is forgotten with the scribblers he patronized. Falil not, I charge thee, for there will be oysters from Britain, turbot irom Ravenna, wild boars from Tuscany, tair women and sparkling wine from the four quarters of the earth. Fail not, as thou lovest tuem and me,” and the young man embraced me with what I could not regard as simulated affection, and hur- ried away to bid other of his friends to the feast. "f'were long, and far in excess of my banquet. besides, 1 have a mind to 1e- Cul'c unly nose events that fashioned my life ana heart and made me an acior in the great arama, destined, as 1 believe, to end in a lragedy and & Laumpi, How being enacted in Galilee. Sufice it to suy, that a greater entertainment had scarcely been given that year in Rome. ‘s ne gambler nad spent a goodly portion of tne almost faouluus sum the throw of the Venus had won him. The costly fur- mure and magnificent decorations of his nobie mansion, th. ricn and varied viands, the spiced and aromatic wines, coolea with snow from the tops of moun- tans, the strength and sxill of the wrest- lers, the marveious beauty and art of the aalcers ana singers, ail the appomntments the lavisa banquet, quite amazed me and brought a look of wonderment to the face of Juseph even, accustomed as he was to scenes of reveiry and prodigality. DMiany of the greatest nobies and most famous citizens of Koume were prescni, tne somewhat dountful repuiation of the host being, seenungly, no bar to his popu- larity. At the banquet I was seated near tue head of the table presided over by Pouilio, between my comraae and an old man named Milo Manlius. The appearance of tue iatter was most striking by rea- S0l ol tue meanness of his apparel, lus tuga being weil-nigh threadbare and bad- Ly sciled besides. He was a man con- sideravly above the average stature, sSwul.y vuilt, with broad snouiders and a remarkably well-deveioped chnest. His complexion was fair and his face wouid have been handsome but for numerous smail pimples, the result, as I thought, o uissipation, which disiigured it. iis eyes were bright, almost piercing, and of unusuai size. his long beard was badly tangied and consorted well with his iil- kept nough thick white hair, which de- scended low on his neck. Mordecai, the Jew, secmed not more out of piace at the hing's gate than did Muo Mauuus at the lesuu Loard of KFiavius Poliio. “Lon't scrutinize his toga too closely,” was lne host's suggestion to me, before the banquet propel began. “lrue, 'us weil uecorated with wine-ices and buars'- Bredse, uone mMosuy al my expease; but [ cou.u not cuoose vut bid him out of grati- tude. Tue vwid rascal uas saved my il “maveu tuy lite:” 1 exciumed wonder. “in what manner dia death Lnreat- “By the dagger, the rope, poison and the wiber. 1he uid knave hath saved my lite by proviung me the means w live and face my creditors. In nne, he is a Luole, -tenacr, Whose USUTY, &ivays hign beyond au conscience, rises in doub.e ratio to the risk.” ‘4 hy grautuue appears strange, though doubtiess commendable.” “‘Gratitude? Liast say gratitude, friend Judas? by Caesar's cioven-footed horse, 1 hate the old thief worse than I detest water, and it is because I detest water that he is here. Rich to-night, 1 may be poor and in debt to-morrow and require hLis aid to save me from the river and the nshes. His presence is a penance I pay tne folly. Cultivate him, Iscariot, by giving him any especially rich bit of fat that chances to fall to thy portion. 1t may serve thee a good turn.” *‘But none here appear to know him,” I suggested. ( “kather, none care to remember him. Besides, 'tis his first appearance in the polite world, and then his regular resi- dence is at Antioch, Cultivate him, Ju- das; he s the only Roman that can en- lighten one of thy nation in matters of business.” “Charge it to malice if thou wilt,” re- marked Manlius soon after we were seat- ed at the table, “‘but I like to detect weak points in the character of you Jews, par- ticuiarly when they make to mine own advantage.” As he spoke he seized with his long yel- low fingers a piece of boar’s-head that lay untouched upon the golden plate be- fore me, his own portion having been already dispatched. “f have an eye to utility and dislike to see anything wasted, even the affections,” hle added, as he wiped his fingers upon his sleeve, “Each to his own,” replied Manasseh dryly. “I dare say that the flesh of un- clean swine is as delicate nourishment to thee as are ambrosia and asphodel to the deifled men you Romans call gods.” “And that the affections of which thou 'K""k“' so flippantly are modeled after the love of those same swine for filth,” I added hotly, for the words and manner of the old man had excited my indigna- tfon and disgust, Besides, I had not for- given Pollio for placing me next such an unworthy guest. A flush of anger, dark as a rain-cloud ‘when illumed bx a flash of lightning, set- tled on the old man’s face, but disa eared almost as qulcklg, and was fol- lowed by a roar of laughter, which sug- gested the distant thunder In the com- na_rl;on that had presented itself to my mind. “Listen to their goolish prattle,” he cried, half choked by merriment and boar’s flesh; “but they will grow. wiser ‘when they reach maturity—if they be not sooner hl.n.od:r c.rucl‘fl Knpc:m’ou llmt, young men,"” ‘went on, s ng low and seriously, “that your words are in- discreet, and might cost you your lives it addressed to other than a poor, philo- sophical old man? Have a care,” and he looked warningly Into our faces as he xlupet% his greasy chin with the folds of ga. His words and manner startled us both & little, and we hastened to disclaim any intended Insult. men know far more than gray- it least In their own conceit’— s went on, as, with a hand trained to minister to the palate of a true Epicu- rean, he helped himself to the shoulder- blade of a roast hare. “It was so a thou- sand years ago, and I am not setting my- self up as an oracle when I predict that it will be so a thousand years to com You, who speak so slightingly of the gods that have so often protected Rome and made Romans the ruiers of the world; [ dare say you believe in the prophets of your own country and religion?" “We do,” answered Manasseh, last tittle; even the words shadow the downfall of Rome. “Rome will fall, replied the old man with a sad smile, “for oniy tne gods en dure forever, but she will leave behind her a civilization that will rival their im- mortality. What say you to our augurs and oracles? Think you the art of ¢ vination is confined to the Jews and the.r rocky country’ ‘We believe in one God,” I answe 3 nd know that he hath reveaicd him- self to us. That he may speak Lo oth- €rs we do not deny."” “He does. He hath guided my steps for forty years. NoL a day bui him through his appoin.ed entraiis ot a chicke 0 Lol men—tne entraiis of a chicken hither to-might that 1 mignt talk with you.” The straugeness of the sugs element of superstitic ment I every human the solemn lace und carn oid man, which Lo acwor o tated, held us speibouud, us of the power of speccn. confess tu a suauge awe, such as haa ne me. “Now that I reflect upon it,” ¢ the aged money-iender, touchuiug the use of swi more than confirmed the ceived. | was teld that at tue house Fiavius Pollio I should this night sit at meat with two young men wno were become 1amous in the world and live the memories of men until the end time.” ‘I'ne old man might have been jesting with us before, but he was terribly in earnest now. There was candor in the curves of his mouth, intensity in his arched eyebrows, honesty in the tones of his voice, solemnity in the deep lines of his hard’ face, superstitious faith in the gleam of his bright eyes, conviction in Lis whole bearing. 1 glanced at Joseph's ashen face and saw him start as his eyes tell upon mine. ou two young men,” Manlius con- tinued most impressiveiy, “destined to an earthly immortality, at least, have both sueered at me for eating the flesh of a wiid hog: Vet one of you shall feed with swine and the other escape a fate worse than death through tae instrum; ality of the same unciean br The look of intense earnestness from the tace of the old usurer with concluding words. He cooly drained tall goblet of spiced wine and greed helped himself from a dish of dainties pre- sented by a siave. Not another word was said on the subject, while Joseph my- self soon recovered some measure of com- posure and joined in the general conversa ton. Youin is ever elasty nd, under the influence of the gay comp: wine, stirring music and fascinating sur roundings, the incident passed, not indeed from our minds, where it was indelibiy stamped, but from our present conscio ness, and we joined heartily in the reveiry. The long and splendid banquet was drawing to a close. Satiated with eating and drinking, all under the influence of wine and many incapable of speech .or motion, few remained with sufficiently steaay 'hands to pour upon the ground a final libation to Bacchus. Of all about me, Milo Manlius appeared to retain the greatest degree of self-possession, the enormous quantity of wine he had con- sumed having had little effect upon him beyond coloring his mottled face and loosening his tongue. He gazed ardently at the beautiful dancers and applauded warmiy their wild abandon, making the while most suggestive and indelicate re- marks. The philosopher had altogether depart- ed, leaving behind only a gross and sen- sual old man. > At this stage of the debauch—fo feast had now become nothing less—a slave presented a golden salver upon which was a small packet bearing my name. Hastily breaking the seal, I found that it contained a smaller packet upon which was written in Greek, “Open this in privac, The writing was in small, well formed characters and pl cated a female hand. Marveling as to the identity of my unknown correspond- ent, I was about to withdraw from the table, as many had already done, when I considered that I could not well find a place where I ran less risk of being ob- served than among the intoxicated throng where 1 sat, and 1 broke the second seal, disclosing a ribbon of blue silk and a square piece of parchment, was written the following: Master: Pardon my presumption, but I fear thou art beset with dangers. This evening, before the banquet began, I saw Pollio 1n the street engaged in earnest conversation with an uncouth old man whom I have often seen in his compan Passing as near as possible without at- tracting their attention, I heard your name pronounced. Beware, master. Some plot against thee is on foot. Forgive me for inclosing a ribbon from my hair. I well krow that thou believest not in charms, but I am quite sure that it will protect thee from harm. Thy faithful slave—Julia.” Ho, b shouted Manlius to a young slave, as I concealed letter and ribbon in my toga, “‘some wine here. Think not that I will go athirst to spare the purse of Flavius Pollio. And, look thee, knave, pour out for these two young men o Judea. I neither wish to drink alone, nor, like Socrates, go forth from a company to find one sober enough to drain a goblet for good fellowship. Pour, I say; we wi neither spare ourselves nor Pollio’s wine. Having filled high the glasses, the slave was_turning to depart when Manlius fil- liped the second finger of his left hand— which he seemed to use in prefererice to the right—against the temple .of the un- fortunate wretch. To my utter conster- nation, the slave staggered back as if struck a severe blow from a clenched hand, the blood trickling down his face in little streams. A feeling of disgust, amounting almost to ¥0sltlve hatred, took Soa:elswn of me as I noted the look of lendish satisfaction that shone in the eyes and distorted the mouth of the old “to the that fore- sent m meet and £ OF iy seil died the upon which man. 1 have here & deeper stud; thought,” was my reflection. M a “The hand that is strong and steady enough for that can surely control a dice box,” cried the usurer, as raised the ‘wine mblet to his lips. “What say'st thou, friend Pollio? The banquet is over, thy guests are well nigh departed. Wilt :" t:l.t‘l:zmu éo refunhlome of the ses- y_ prodigall as b g_BhVO“!i;' = . 24 Permitted us e o '0X 18 never satisfled,”™ ollio, as he rose unsteadily to his l‘e‘e’t ‘He can neither eat nor drink more at g present, but a sort of Instinct, whi mistakes for reasoning, tells hln:' thc:t g: Wwill be hungry again to-morrow. I hate l'l(:x mlgll!te{h(o l'hy ;v rice, friend Man- s, bu ou - derest spot. vl gemiile o thfl‘;edn' I will gamble a: slaves, gold, food, drink, :fi e Taing " 0T . what might that be?” old man, with a pronounced me::!‘ed o ‘The right to gamble again. Com: gen- give the old fo a game al- 3 about half & _score of others, was following the hos from the banquet hall. My course eeme(; marked out for me and, joining the par. ty, I entered a small but most sumptu- Word proincad by HAvi s el roduce: slaves - m}n‘t" “nmefht:l} b‘am. rz 5 not attempt a description of th game that ensued, of whlch'rund-ntéoa next to nothing. I remember that it was ¥llyed With four bits of {vory, in the orm of cubes, except that two opposite des were rounded, leaving four flat sur- ces upon which they might come to a State of rest. Of these, two opposite sides bore the numbers one and six, the others three and four. Several engaged in the Lt