The Martyr of the Catacombs / A Tale of Ancient Rome

ers in s

ashes of

on the Ap

out upon his investigations. It was merely a journey of inquiry, so he took no soldiers with hi

ly preserved by the families to whom they belonged. Further back from the road lay houses

built with enormous blocks of travertine, and ornamented beautifully yet simply. Its seve

, whose epitaphs announced their claims to honor on earth, and their dim prospects in the unknown life to come. Art and wealth had reared these sumptuous monuments, and the pious affection of ages had preserved them from decay. Here where he stood was

Capena, and see the tombs of Calatinus, of the Scipios, the Sarvilii,

once stood and hurled his javelin at the walls of Rome. The long lines of tombs went on till in the distance it was terminated by th

st the bounds that originally confined it, and sent its houses far away on every side into the

d his ears. Before him rose monuments and temples, the white sheen of the imperial palace, the innumerable domes and colum

endor of the home of the living was t

here animated the eloquent stone and awakened emotion. Here were the visible forms of the highest influences of the old pagan religion. Yet their effects upon the soul never corresponded with the splendor of t

n the scene and again recalled the words of Cicero,

he fear of death, but have learned to die rejoicing. What secret power have they which can thus inspire even the youngest and the feeblest among them?

who seemed capable of assisting him. Buildings of all sizes, walls, tombs, and temples were all around,

tained from this beyond the discovery that the outward appearance gave no sign of any connection with subterranean abodes. The day passed on, and it grew late; b

, and the sun was near the edge of the horizon, when his quick eye caught sight of a man who was walking in an opposite direction, followed by a boy. The man was dressed in coarse apparel, stai

and laying his hand

fossor. Com

ss terrified him. In an instant he darted away, and before Marcellus c

lus secure

th me,"

th such an agony of fear

other's sake; she wil

s feet murmuring t

e led him away toward an open spac

d confronting the boy, "tel

Pollio," s

do yo

Ro

e you do

ut on an

as tha

fos

you doing

rying a bun

s in the

visi

ere you ca

tute person

does

ar fro

ruth. Do you know anythi

out them," said

u ever i

en in some

any body who

. The fossor

to the Catacombs

there at such a time as th

ant to know. Were

go there when it is f

us abruptly, "come with me to the

ed. "I am in a

lect the worship of the gods. You mus

" said the

y n

a Chri

going there now. They are the destitute people to whom you are c

silent. "I want you now to take m

ave mercy! Do not ask m

u m

t betray m

among the many thousands that lead down below. D

moment, and at lengt

n he walked a short distance. Here he came to an uninhabited house. He entered, and went down into the

down," said Ma

e to go down alone

y do not commit murder. Why

e no t

me. I came pre

can

ou re

and my relatives are below. Sooner than lea

You do not know

any of my friends die in agony, and I have helped bury

y turn

what will your friends t

to a passion of tears. The mention

t you love her. Lead me down,

em. I will die first. D

said Marcellus, "do you think

ian, want with the persecuted Chr

ar I will not use my knowledge against your friends. When I am be

hat you will no

ar and the immortal gods,"

he boy. "We do not need to

ntered the na