The Victim - A romance of the Real Jefferson Davis by Thomas Dixon
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page 30 of 626 (04%)
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way."
The Boy was so small, in fact, that a fine old priest in pity for his tender years had a little bed put in his own room for him to watch the light and shadows in eager young eyes when homesickness threatened. And then he talked of the wonders and glory of Rome on her seven hills by the Tiber, of the Coliseum, the death of Christian martyrs in the arena--of the splendors of St. Peter's, beside whose glory all other churches pale into insignificance. He lifted the curtain of history and gave the child's mind flashes of the Old World whose pageants stretch down the ages into the mists of eternity. Of books, the Boy learned little--but the monks kindled a light in his soul the years could not dim. To the other students the old man was not so gentle. They were tougher and he set their tasks accordingly. They rebelled at last and decided on revenge. The plot was hatched and all in readiness for its execution. The only problem was how to put the light out in his room. The Boy held the key to the citadel. He was on the inside. He could blow the candle out and the thing was done. He refused at first, but the rebels crowded around him and appealed to his sense of loyalty. "They can force you to sleep in his room," pleaded the ringleader, "but, by Gimminy, that don't make you a monk, does it?" "No, of course not--" "You're one of _us_--stand by us. You didn't ask to sleep in his old |
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