Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1851-11-26
canitai s,lrrnrdsmnnshin.

fights, and other bloody exhIiei'ions. ...h
have heard accounts Of the zest WIN
,rL;ch tbese sono1,inary spectacles are
49, as.ad o,,a,, by the fair ladies Of that
w. 49, In fact, fondness for slaugh-
tsl saems to characterize the Castillian
zee, for scenes of conflict are no less
Iashionable amusement in Mexico than in
the mother country. Cortez baptized
the land in blood, more than three CEN
turtles ago, his sway has been maintained
| by blood, and the people of that Inflated
republic are ever ready to feast their eyes
on sights which would send thrill of ter
ror through nations less brutalized by ia
miliarity with such scenes. To this ap-
petite for the horrible we are perhaps in
debted for the incident following which
we tell as was told to us:
j. Once upon time. large number of
prisoners, of many countries, were con-
fined in the Castle of Perote, all charged
and convicted of capital offences. To
render their execution more interesting,
the chief officer in command of the for
tress, resolved upon this plan: Among
the conYicts were three chiefs, one French,
one English and one American. To give
eclat to the occasion, the Mexican COM
mander proclaimed that these three of
fcers should become the executioners of
their fellow prisoners, and that this labor
of love might be done with some nicely,
it was announced that he who displayed
the greatest expertness in the use of the
sword should himself be pardoned.
This programme having been made
public, all awaited the great day with in
| A
with it the largest gathering that had ev-
er been known to throng the, theatre of
Perote. In due time the condemned
were introduced and arrayed in the pit of
that immense edifce. Their necks were
barred, end bright red string tied close
around each. Next, the French, English
and American officers were conducted to
the arena, each bearing in his hand a
sword, the edge of which fairly glisten-
ed-so keen was the weapon of death.
All things thus prepared, one poor
wretch was dragged forth, and placed in
| front of the Frenchman, who was told
5 to cut as nearto the red string as possible,
4 without touching that mark, as thereon
r depended his chance for pardon. Mon
eur took his position and fourished his
~ capon in grand style. Having bran
i Ched the fatal weapon over the head of
al h victim several times, he finally gave
ID thlast stroke, when the head of the con-
Ca dened rolled at his feet. Shouts and
lie huns from the crowd attested the skill
N wilwhich this feat was accomplished
a, AIR which, murmurs could be heard,
intinting that it would puzzle the
Ameean and Englishman to excel their
a Frent competitor in gladiatorial PROV
ess.
Ne!John Bull was required to test
ne his sdterity. Taking his position, he
II waseoronted by another prisoner. Be-
ing spE and surly as usual, John made
Il, fewPses, and then severed the head
I'd and bonofhis subject at one blow, bare
n ly grazE the string. Loud rang the
It; aapplausealmost lifting the lofty dome
H. from its stenings, so great was the ad-
he miratlon tn which the deed was receiv-
ed. Like crowds that was tickle, and
ly bets now high, odds being given that
ne the Englmen would escape, and the
" others uncgo punishment.
RS AT thisTisis brother Jonathan and
,d his man we paraded. Little time was
a wasted in.Fiiminaries by the Yankee,
ev for, disdainy flourishes, he made one
= single swooIt the poor victim and then
r. coolly sheath his sword.
by the diis YOU missed mel exclaim-
? ed the prlsonS' Stnding. erect and SEEM
IBID L ? I'd baae it, spit then = said
er a yankee NJ poSd' helHng himself toa auid
5. Wishing tQ eey thS,onmaiad to spit,
the prisoner itlined. toward his head,
ct when it fell to Ne floor, lis owner shaving
~ been So skilful decapit,ted as not to
- feel the operate,
ut 'Vital. BrayAmericano p yelled the
le spectators, amid perfect tuynul of ap-
s. Pfause with Whit the Yankee was con
ID Quoted to the do and discharged, lea
IN wing the Frcnchnn and Englishman to
l. suffer along with he herd among whom
p they had been consmned.
y .WohK, WORK L-.havc Seen and heard
. of people who thougt it beneath them to
70 work-to employ thnselves Industrious
y In some useful lair. Beneath them
to work ! Why, wo5 is the motto of
me ana nc who accGplishes the most
IS man. Aye, and is tbenost S;st;no Ss;;sL'
y ed man among his Aow-creatures and
d his God-who so forss the great bles-
r sings of life, as to allS his ENERGIES to
/ stagnate in inactivity ae,uselessness had
y better die 5. for, says II Ioly Writ, He
v that work not, neither a M 10 cot An
s. luler ~ sumoerer OF Ine round, wea-
re to those around him.
is Beneath human beings to d. Look in
m the artists studio, the pas oorret
" where the Genius of Immortal Stands
"a ready to seal his works with hS;refFaca.
lie BILE .sigiet, and then you will onS .oa =,