The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

Balbus started at this homethrusfc , coloured deeply , but made no reply . " Pray Balbus , " continued Cenna , " what AVOUIC the fair Lais—is it nofc she Avhom thou affectest , and art about to marry ?—Avhat would she say to

her gallant bridegroom haunting a certain house in the Suburra ?" "Harkie , Cenna , there is a small sum of sestercii thou OAvest me . I will trouble thee for repayment . "

The pamphleteer stared aghast at this demand , which so neatly turned the tables upon him .

" Why Balbus thou hast not taken my innocent raillery in bad part . Tush , man , everyone knoAvs that my bark is Avorse than my bite . Be friends again , and as for that small sum I OAVB you , I shall pay some of these days , indeed , very soon . "

" I Avarn thee , Cenna , to beware of that innocent raillery . It may make thee acquainted with the chains and hard-fare of a debtor ' s prison . Mind my caution . Here comes Murtius , " and with a shght salute he left .

" Pluto seize the usurer , " muttered Cenna to himself , " he has a hold on me that I Avould I had on him . " " Cenna , " asked Mamma , " do you owe him money ?"

" Aye , like a brainless fool as I am . " "By Plutus , then , we pull in the same trieme . "

" What , my poet , are you a ny caught in his net ?" "Yes . He came about me with his offers of money , pressed it upon me , and I took it . Since then I hav r e never been my oivn master—I Avrite

a song , or perhaps an ode . In conies this Balbus and snaps ifc up , for interest of his monej r . My poor tragedy I perceive -will go the same way , unless I can find means to pay off his debt . HOAV came you under his claws ?"

"By Capitoliile Jove , Mamma , give me thy hand . My poor poet , for thou hast the fire Avithin thee , in spite of all thy brag of fair dames , I shall never laugh at thee more . " "Dost thou then believe that I am a poet , "

asked Mamma , gloAving Avith pleasure . " That I clo , my friend . I bite , for my life is soured Avithin me . Jove , to think that that licentious beast should Avin a reputation for ability upon our Avorks . It takes me all to keep my patience in his presence . Listen . My father was

reputed Avealthy , I Avas young and extravagant in dress , a leading fop , a patronizer of pugilists and gladiators , and I Avas in love . In short I Avas a fool . The mistress of my love , " and Genua ' s broAV grew dark as he spoke , " took my money ,

flattered my hopes and left me upon my father ' s death for this beast , this Balbus . I borrowed money from him , his purse was opened wide to me in these days , he professed friendship , I took him with me to my mistress . Tou know the rest . My

father died , Balbus , by my directions settled his affairs , and I found myself Avorse than a beggar , tAvo hundred di-drachmae in the the usurer's debt , who seized upon my patrimony . " " But by the Claudia Lex no usurer dare lend

money to anyone in his nonage , to be repaid after his parent ' s death , and Yespasianstill more strongly wrote it ' That those usurers Avho lent money to any son under his father ' s tuition , should have no right ever to claim it again , not even after the death

of his parents / " "I kneAV the law , but I Avas owing the money and the loss of gold was more preferable than the loss of honour . I have since learned that instead

of being in Ins debt , Balbus has choused me out of nearly two thirds of my paternal estate , one third Avould have paid my debts . " But Avhy not appeal to the law ?" " I will tell you , because I must have revenge ,

a deep revenge for my wrongs ; but listen . He came fco me one day Avith sundry papers which I signed . I was thunderstruck after doing so to learn that I could have nothing from my father ' s estate , ancl that I had signed among these papers

a bond for the tAvo hundred didrachmae . I got furious and threatened to have him to law , but he shrugged his shoulders and laughed , and on leaving me said : ' Friend Cenna , cease thy visits to

Cornelia , as she has accepted me for a protector / " My heart chilled ivithin me at these ominous words . I rushed to Cornelia , the slaves laughed in my face , and shut the door . Where to turn , Avhat to do for a livelihood . But to be brief , I had to

descend from my throne of foppery , lay aside my jewellery , my fine robes , and become a hirelingpen-driver . For my meat and clothing , I pen Balbus ' s speeches . " " Who or what is he ?"

" His grandfather came to Rome in the latter days of Nero's reign . Hark in your ear , he was a Jew . He rendered himself serviceable to the Emperor , who made him a Roman citizen . He