things the state was
made strong. "For," said the soothsayer, "this thing must be dedicated to
the Gods in this place if the commonwealth of Rome is to stand fast
forever." And while they doubted, one Marcus Curtius, a youth that had won
great renown in war, rebuked them, saying, "Can ye doubt that Rome hath
nothing better than arms and valor?"

Then all the people stood silent; and Curtius, first beholding the temples
of the immortal Gods that hung over the market-place and the Capitol, and
afterward stretching forth his hands both to heaven above and to this gulf
that opened its mouth to the very pit, as it were, of hell, devoted
himself for his country; and so--being clothed in armor and with arms in
his hand, and having his horse arrayed as sumptuously as might be--he
leapt into the gulf; and the multitude, both of men and women, threw in
gifts and offerings of the fruits of the earth, and afterward the earth
closed together.

STORIES FROM OVID

THE MIRACULOUS PITCHER

By Nathaniel Hawthorne

One evening, in times long ago, old Philemon and his old wife Baucis sat
at their cottage door, enjoying the calm and beautiful sunset. They had
already eaten their frugal supper, and intended now to spend a quiet hour
or two before bedtime. So they talked together about their garden, and
their cow, and their bees, and their grapevine, which clambered over the
cottage wall, and on which the grapes were beginning to turn purple. But
the rude shouts of children, and the fierce barking of dogs, in the
village near at hand, grew louder and louder, until, at last, it was
hardly possible for Baucis and Philemon to hear each other speak.

"Ah, wife," cried Philemon, "I fear some poor traveler is seeking
hospitality among our neighbors yonder, and, instead of giving him food
and lodging, they have set their dogs at him, as their custom is!"

"Well-a-day!" answered old Baucis, "I do wish our neighbors felt a little
more kindness for their fellow-creatures. And only think of bringing up
their children in this naughty way, and patting them on the head when they
fling stones at strangers!"

"Those children will never come to any good," said Philemon, shaking his
white head. "To tell you the truth, wife, I should not wonder if some
terrible thing were to happen to all the people in the village, unless
they mend their manners. But, as for you and me, so long as Providence
affords us a crust of bread, let us be ready to giv