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i ——m— '..
VOL. IT.
[For the Banner of the South.]
My Rocking Chair.
BY CARRIE.
I like its gentle motion,
This rocking to and fro,
Fit emblem of our human life,
Not knowing where to go ;
And so to pass from calm to strife,
Thus rocking to and fro.
I like its gentle motion,
This rocking to and fro;
To gild with human happiness,
Our pathway here below—
Hope weaves her brightest visions,
While rocking to and fro!
1 like this gentle motion,
This rocking to and fro,
Although from dreams of gladness
I pass to scenes of wo ;
For ever thus, in human life,
We're rocking to and fro l
I like its gentle motion,
This rocking to and fro;
God shield us from the storms of life,
0 guide our steps below !
And give us steadfast faith in Thee,
While rocking to and fro.
[Written for the Banner of the South.]
IREIIUS—THE IARIARIAI.
A T:ißc ofßoitic iij the Days
of* fPits^Rsissias.
BY RUTH FAIRFAX.
CHAPTER I.
Beautiful in its lonely grandeur rose
the palace near the mountain pass, and
-graceful were the forms of beauty that
flitted around its walls; but, lovelier far,
than all, Oh! Aruns, was thy fair daugh
ter. Lovely were the flowers that bloom
ed around the fairy fouutain; but Virgi
lia was the queen of beauty. Yet, the
chill wind will fade the delicate flowers,
or the parching sun crumble them into
dust; guard well, then, thy flower, oh !
Aruns, from the chill winds of poverty
and the scorching sun of luxury.
Far enough removed from the city to
avoid its attendant noise and bustle, the
stately palace of Aruns, a wealthy eiti
zesl et Clusium, afforded a most delight
ful retreat for his only child. A rare
loveliness had been bestowed upon this
favored child of fortune, and many were
the suitors who knelt before her; yet,
still, the siweet A irgilia turned away, and
would even fly iu alarm from one of
Tom, the impetuous Lucius, a young
ooble of Clusium. Proud and haughty
iu his spirit, Lucius swore by his gods
not he turned from his purpose: and
uiost dangerous is a man when he yields
iinsefl a slave to his own evil passions.
by, why does the fair Virgilia turn
! ( rom me ?” he asked of his friend Caius.
-‘Ook at me; am 1 not fair and tall in
mature ? Are not my eyes bright, my
inuscles strong ? Is not my form per
(ct . have 1 ever been defeated iu single
combat ? Have not the gods showered
youth, and beauty upon me ?
)i then, does the fairest of the fair
uespise me ?”
\ cuus aloue knows,” answered Caius
"Una slight grimace; “you forget, Lu
(l!^’irgilia, also, possesses these
; 0 o )e hi abundance, and can
more graceful form than thine at
n] .‘ V , 'I* 11 '’ hy consulting her mirror. It
u: ? , shat some more favored lover
' Oiy perfections from her eyes.”
i • ;iere ’ s uo truth in thee Caius!” ex
kndlmed Lucius, angrily; “full well thou
‘owest she lias no favored lover. Close
w i iau * t searched with my eyes those
wiF C ° me - iear ier ’ anc i’ by Eros! lam
|U)g to swear she loves none of them !”
, * '*}» let us not make many words
rjeTn - G lllutt( : r ’ ? ’ answered Cains; “let
v IQ h) a disagreement, 1 know not
;'v ° Ves »' n truth I care not if she
< C .' ' ? r my heart bows not belore her!”
thou lovest and art happy ;
and, in the sunshine of that happiness,
overlook thy friend’s distress,” said Lu
cius sullenly.
“Thou willfully misunderstand me Lu
cius,” said Caius kindly; “I would do
much for my friend, but thou dost not
bear patience with me. I believe that
A irgilia loves. We may not, yet, have
seen her in company with the favored
one, but—”
“Whom does she love?” interrupted
Lucius, impatiently; “thinkest thou of
any one ?”
“No, no, of no one,” replied Caius; “I
have never yet seen her with the one
she loves, yet, still, I say I doubt not
there is a favored lover!”
“I will watch, and if there is—let him
beware !” cried Lucius. “Come, Caius,
let us seek the house of Artins, or rather
of Virgilia, for to tell the truth, though
\ irgilia is most dear to me, yet the no
ble Aruns is no favorite of mine, no. nor
of any of us; be is too lenient with
those low Plebians, and will soon fall
into disgrace among the Patricians.”
“You speak truly, Lucius; he would
deny the young nobles their little plea
sures, and speaks loud'y of the rights of
Plebians!”
Conversing thus, the young men left
the house of Lucius.
And why was the beautiful Virgilia so
insensible to the attractions of Lucius?
He was attractive, for, indeed, he spoke
truth concerning himself, when he enu
merated his own graces to Ca'us.
Let us precede the young man to the
home of Aruns. Not into the home,
just yet, for see, there is Virgilia, wan
dering along yonder mountain path, with
only one attendant at her side, a young
slave maiden, called Nyda. The sun is
very low in the Heavens, and the cool
breeze of evening’ steals over them.
Folding the soft silkon veil around her,
irgilia walks softly onward ; now a
huge rock bars the way, only a little foot
path winds around it. Will she venture
there ? Unhesitatingly she treads the
patli, and now she and her companion
are hidden behind the huge boulder. A
few steps onward and they reach the mouth
of a little cave, a natural cleft in themoun
tains,but so beautified by art as to seem
the grotto of a fairy queen. Enter! Low
couches are placed on two sides; on the
third a small white marble altar has been
erected; on it stands an image of the
God of love, surrounded with freshly
culled flowers of every hue and shape.
W ith smiling lip, and glowing cheek,
A irgilia adds her offering of sweet flowers
to those already laid upon the altar, and
then looks eagerly up the mountain path,
as it awaiting someone. She is; and,
behold, he comes! Bounding over rock
and ravine, with hardy grace, the young
warrior soon reaches her side. He is
large and strong, with flowing flaxen hair,
and ruddy complexion. His attire is a
rude armor, which he wears as easy as
if it were quilted silk.
He, too, has come to sacrifice on the
shrine of Love, for his hands arc full of
flowers. Virgilia moves, smilingly, away,
and the offering is made.
Turning from the cold image of Love,
to the living, breathing, reality before
him, the warrior kneels belore Virgilia.
And she ? Oh, we see by the very
blush, the speaking eye, that Virgilia
loves, and the loved one is before her!
“Dearest Virgilia,” murmured the
young man, gazing up into her face. The
words were common enough, for the tale
of love is as old as the world, and ever
uses the self-same language,
“Not at my feet, Brennus;” said Vir
gilia, resting her hand on his head;
“come sit here beside me, and tell me
why thou did’st not come yesterday”
As the moments sweep by, and they
sit there conversing, we detect a differ
ence in their speech, for he speaks her
language with an accent on his tongue as
if he were of a different race.
“But my lather is kind, and is not
proud,” said Virgilia, in answer to an ex-
AUGUSTA, Gr.A_., SEPTEMBER 18, 1869.
pressed fear of her lover, that her father
might look with angiy eyes upon their
love.
“Yet, he is a wealthy Patrician, as thou
callest it, and I—thou knowest not what
I am, Virgilia.”
“Oh, I am sure thou art good and brave,
what more is required ?” asked the maid
en fondly.
“A noble name,” answered Brennus.
“Tnou canst win one!” cried Virgilia.
“But, listen to me, Virgilia, answered
her lover; “I will tsll thee more of my
self than thou hast yet heard. Thou
art an Etruscan, I am—a Gaul! Our na
tions are not friends.”
“Oh ! but we are friends,” cried Vir
gilia, clinging to his arm; “Etruscan,
Gaul, or Roman, what is it to me ? If
thou wert a Roman, then, indeed, my
father might look angrily upon me, for
he hates theseßomans, who have wrested
so many of our cities from us. But I,
who love you, care nothing for these
things.”
“But knowest thou what .we are called
Virgib’a ?”
“Barbarians!” murmured the girl.
“Yes, Barbarians! And wouldst thou,
Virgilia, the daughter of a haughty no
ble, give thyself in marriage to a rude
barbarian ? Wouldst thou cross those
lofty mountains to seek a home with me ?”
“I would, dear Brennus; thou dost
wrong my faithful heart by the doubt. I
know not how far away Jiy home is, 1
know not what thy statio 1 is tnere, but
this I do know, Brennus, I know that I
love thee, and am willing to share thy lot
whatever it may be !”
“My own Virgilia,” murmured the
lover, clasping her to his bosom, “thou
dost trust me, and never shall thou
mourn that trust. My home is far, oh!
far away from here ! Think not, dearest,
that I seek my home every evening when
I leave thee here; no, I have a little cot
among the mountains, where I stay; it
would take me many days to reach my
home.”
“Yes, I know thy home is far away;
tell me, then, dear Brennn q how Twas
you first found this spot.”
“By chance, Virgilia,” r * died Bren
nus. “Yet, no! the gods ynt me! I
was hunting among the mountains till
the evening came on, and, then, to my
surprise, found that I had lost my way.
My adventurous spirit led me on ; the
gods whispered of a brillian future ; I
found a ravine in the mountains; follow
ed its many windings, and, when my
heart began to fail, chanced upon this spot.
’Twas only a little cleft in the moun
tain then, yet, still, it seemed as if the
hand of man had been here, for the en
trance was closed with yonder flat rock.
I cast it aside, and, while sitting in the
shadow, heard sweet voices. Thou
knowest the rest; thou wert wandering
in the mountain path wi’h thy maiden.
I saw and loved thee! And thou! hast
thou not told me that I am dear to thee ?”
“Oh! I have, and thou art- But, tell
me, Brennus, do not thy friends long La
thee ? Do they not fear hat some ill
hath befallen thee ?”
“Doubtless they do.” answered Bren
nus ; “and I will return to them some
day, when I can make up my mind to
leave thy dear side.”
:‘Ah! but I must leave thee, Brennus;
for, see, the hour grows late, the shadows
of evening already darken the path; l
have already stayed too long! Come,
Nyda, let us hasten !”
“May the gods shelter thee!” exclaim
ed Brennus, as they hastily left the
grotto; then, lifting his spear from the
ground, he, also, left the cave, ascend
ing the almost imperceptible path that
wound along the mountain side
With rapid steps Virgilia and Nyda
trod the path that led to their home, and
were almost breathless when they en
tered the large entrance hall. There,
reclining at his ease upon the silken
cushion, was Lucius, awaiting the ap
pearance of \ irgilia. Near him stood
his friend Caius, who looked a little ap
prehensively at the lowering brow of
Aruns. Lucius sprang to his feet, and
catching the hand of Virgilia, in softly
spoken words besought her to remove
her veil.
“The veil is not out of place, most no
ble Lucius,” replied Virgilia; “I have
been walking.”
Aye, but thou hast now entered the
house, and there is no reason why thou
shouldst now conceal thy face!” said Lu
cius, seizing the veil, and trying to re
move it with gentle hand.
“My will is sufficient reason,” answer
ed Virgilia, holding its folds closely
against her face.
“Assuredly,” answered. Lucius, with
drawing his Hand.
At this moment a wide door was
thrown open, and a slave summoned them
to partake of the evening meal. Lucius
had eaten in the house of Aruns many
times, and well knew the delicate wines
and costly luxuries tiiat would be set be
fore him. Lucius was a devoted slave
to wine, and even now hesitated not to
turn from the lovely Virgilia to follow
Aruns to the supper room. This was
the largest and most elegant room in the
house. The floor was paved with blocks
of marble, and rare mosaic, the ceiling
painted with glowing colors, and upon
one of the walls hung a large mirror
of polished steel. A long table stood
in the centre of the room, with two
couches on either side. Lucius immedi
ately threw himself upon one of these,
with his friend at his left hand. A
youg slave advanced with a silver basin,
into which Lucius dipped his fingers,
and then turned his whole attention to
the table. Soft music filled the air while,
they ate, yet no softness entered the
heart of Lucius. While partaking of
the bread of Aruns, he was plotting
against his happiness.
CHAPTER 11.
T he bright sky bore in its limpid blue
the still brighter sun. The dew was
scarcely dried upon the flowers, yet
Virgilia was already abroad. To-day
she is to see Brennus, for he has sent a
special message to her. Well may you
think that her steps were not slow, for
the birds were scarcely swifter than she.
Early as she was Brennus was there be
fore her, and clasped her in his arms as
she entered the cave.
“Oh! dearest Virgilia, I must leave
thee! Too long hat’e I lingered here,
and now l must go. Yet I will return,
trust me, I will return!”
“I will not try to keep thee here,”
said Virgilia, tears sparkling in her eyes;
“yet, 1 will live upon thy promise to re
turn. Thou wilt come back, Brennus,
wilt thou not ?”
“Shall I swear it, Virgilia ?”
“No! oh no! I know thou wilt return;
I did but ask to hear once more the sweet
assurance. Art thou going now ? Will
I not see thee again ?”
“Once more, dearest,” answered Bren
nus; “meet me here to-morrow morning ;
after I have seen thee I will go hence, for
a time only; when I come back again I
will ask thy father for thee, and thou
shalt go home with Brennus the Barba
rian
“Do not call thyself such names,
Brenuus, thou art no barbarian !” said
Virgilia, reproachfully.
“Deceive not thyself, dearest,” replied
Brennus; “my countrymen are indeed
rude, and if my manner seems soft to
thee, ’tis only because I cannot be rude
in thy dear presence. I am a warrior,
Virgilia, and my hand is more used to
grasp the spear than flowers.”
“And, yet, thou dost hold the flowers
tenderly, Brennus,” said Virgilia, smiling,
“as if thy hands were used to themHhou
dost not cast them aside, as Lucius loth.”
“Who is Lucius ?” asked Brennus,
eagerly.
~>f‘A young Noble of Clasium whose
father is a Roman. He would have mo
for a wife, Brennus, if I would listen to
his words.”
“And thy father, Virgilia ; how favors
he the young noble’s suit ?”
“Have I not told thee that my father
favors not the Romans ?”
“Aye, I had forgotten that; but, tell
me, have you nothing to fear from this
noble ? Is be wealthy ? Is he power
ful ?”
“Oh, yes, both wealthy and powerful.
His father, at Romo, is the most power
ful of the haughty Patricians, who tram
ple on the rights of the poor. My father
likes not this young Lucius, for Aruns
is a just man, and would give to all their
due. Though a noble my father has
but few friends among the Patricians,
because he will not trample on his de
pendants as they do.”
“What dost thou tell me, Virgilia?”
cried Brennus, in great alarm, “thy
lather is not liked, is looked upon with
suspicion, and this proud and cruel no
ble desires thee fir a wife! Thou dost
alarm me dearest! Oh! for my sake
keep c lose to thy father’s side, lest this
Lucius should attempt to carry thee oft’.
What shall Ido ? Would it not be best
for me too see thy father now, and carry
thee with me ? Yet, no! The thought
is that of a fool! He would not consent,
for he knows not but that Brennus may
be the vilest of the vile,”
“I, also, sometimes tremble,” said Vir
gilia ; “but I will keep within the house,
lor only 7 last night, after he had broken
bread in my fathers house, he urged me,
with threats, to promise myself tj him.
He spoke, then, of his suspicions; he
told me that I loved another. I did not
deny it, Brennus, for I knew he could
not harm thee, and I hoped he would
then leave me.”
“And did he so ?” asked Brennus,
“No ; he became angry, and swore by
the gods that no other should have me.
Oh! he was very angry, Brennus, and I
trembled before his rage.”
“Tr emble no longer, sweet one, I will
think over this until to-morrow morn.
Fear not; and now, farewell.”
“I will not fear ; but didst thou say
this farewell was for the last ?” adsed
Virgila.
“For the last time! The gods forbid!
Nay, I said not so, sweet flower. 1 will
return .”
“Ah! ’twas thus I meant it,” said
Virgilia, smiling faintly; “and now—”
she bent her head on his shoulder, and
her farewell was lost in the heavy sigh
that broke from her heart.
“To-morrow,” whispered Brennus, and
placing his love in the arms of Nyda, he
ascended the mountain path with fleet
steps.
“The flowers are fading on the altar,”
said Nyda, striving to attract her mis
tress’ attention.
“Aye, eveu as my hopes are !” replied
Virgilia, with a heavy sigh.
“Be not so sad,” said Nyda, kneeling
beside her fair owner; “remember the
noble Brennus hath promised to see thee
again, to-morrow. Look ! The place is
in disorder; let us bring fresh flowers
and sweet perfumes, that, when my lord
returns, he may find all to iiis pleasure.”
“Brennus is no Noble, good Nyda;
yet, thou sayest well. We will trim our
altar and scatter the perfumes. Your
basket is without, Nyda, bring it in.”
“I would give my life a sacrifice to
the gods but that Breurius is a noble in
his own country!” said Nyda, confidently,
as she brought in the basket of flowers.
“My poor girl, I fear thy sacrifice*
would have to be made,” said Virgilia.
“I do not think that Brennus hath even
wealth in his own country. Didst thou
not near him say he was only a poor bar
barian ?”
'-Aye, I heard the words, and mark ed
the proud look on his brow while he
spoke them. He is so grand and beauti
ful he must be a favorite of the gods ’ ’
“Please thyself with bright dreams,
‘ Nyda, but f,hey are only dream-;, as thou
ISTo. AT.