Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1832-12-06
EXECUTION OF 4 FEMALE IN PERSIA.
(By an Eye IIitacssl


EXECUTION OF a FEMALE IN PERSIA
(By an Eye Uitacss)
A considerable crowd had assembled
before ] arrived At the place OF execu.
ton. Ia the centre was a brazen NOR.
tar placed on small piece of rising
ground; a match communicating with
the interior Of the mortar. was at some
distance; and not Tar from IL was a
hrcbrand ready lighted 1 took nav
place with a heavy heart in the mills,
OF the crowd, ard chose il at tina,
distance which placed me out Of all
probability Of danger.
Scarce had stopped, when saw
The officer Of justice approach, for whom
the guards opened passage, with dit.
beuIty, and not without dealing some
blows amongst the throng. Between
two of them advanced the condemned
person.
From her head to her feet she was
covered with thick black veil, to hide
her face. Her step was firm and her
countenance seemed unmoved. She
often spoke tn an eunuch who accom-
panied her. but the noise around pre-
vented my hearing a word she uttered.
However, as she drew near To the
place OF punishment, the spectators be
came prolou ndl v silent; and when she
arrived At the mortar not breath was
heard. She took advantage Of this 81.
lence to raise her voice and address
the multitude, with a precision and
clearness which excited universal as !.
tenishment.
But the officers perceiving the i'm
preston that she produced on the by
ISLANDERS, soon interrupted her. She
made no effort TO continue. and suffer.
ed herself to be taken close TO the ~ or
tar; her step ~as firm, she did not
pray, she did not speak, but appeared
more resigned than many men would
be in the same situation. She did Cot
even shed q tear.
She vas told 70 kneel down, and
lean her breast against the mouth Of
the mortar. She oDeyed. Her wrists
were bound with cord. and they were
firmly tied to some pickets that had
been purposely placed there. In the
mean time she did not discover the
least emotion. She leaned her head on
the mortar, and awaited her fate with
the calmnesS that the bravest soldier
might envy.
At length the signal was given. A
man armed with the firebrsnd, bent IL
slowly to the match. and just as il was
about 20 take FIRE, universal shudder
took place among the crowd. The
match yrs lighted; one moment only
had passed; a deep grosn issued from
every bosom; the smoke disappeared
there was no explosions; and the unhap
/ py creature raised her head TO see what
bad happened. A rapid beam of hope
shot across my breast; | thought il a.
meant that she should be saved.
Scarce had this idea entered my
mind, when another brand was lighted.
The victim raised her head a second
time. and gave deep sigh. as if her
soul had just taken SIS fight; this long.
this dreadful sigh, was scarcely finish.
ed, when the explosion took place, and
the smoke Of the powder hid every OBJ.
jsct from my sight.
The fatal cloud. hovever, was soon
dispersed; the explosion had finished.
all vas annihIlated, except a few
shreds Of her garments, snd the bones
Of her arms. Two women rushed for.
ward At the fatal moment towards the
scene Of punishme1t, SeiZed these Fss-
nants. and hiding them with their wells,
hastily returned 70 their hsram, carry.
ing ~ these dreadful testimonies oI
the falIilment Of . sanguIDary judg'
ment.
--eps111s