Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-04-22

a hum Of voices, and the noise of dancing
feet Astounded and anxious, he stepped
silently to window, and through it be be-
| held crowd of well known faces The com
pany, flushed with wine and excitement
sang and shouted, and danced madly around
the room. They we're all old acquaintance,
aud inhabitants of the town.
Ignorant of the events of the night, the
man thought he was dreaming.
] Presently his attention was attracted by
the hcentious garb and demeanor Of wo-
man, who circulated among the guests with
loud laugh and libertine gestures, sharing in
and stimulating the orgies. At first, he
could not discern who this woman was
Then be recognized her. 1t was his own wife.
| Hold 7 he shouted, and strobe into the
room where these saturnalia were in pro-
gress. lie knew not what to do or say; it
were hard to find word which should ex-
press the rage that possessed him.
| Hold 7 he murdered out, every fibre
quivering with fury, what do We herep
The guests stood aghast at that appar-
ton of wrath. The boldest started at the
sight Of the man as he stood amongst them,
terrible aud deadly pale. For while none
dared approach him. He went up to his
wife, dark haired, black eyed, red-eheeked
wanton, who stood as if turned to STONE
He fixed his eyes upon her with deadly
gaze.
On your kneesn
/ The woman stirred not
On your knees, wretch 7 yoeiferated the
husband, and struck her in the face, so that
she fell to the ground
Hold, dog! was shouted on all sides
The Raitzen rushed forward, and the man
was seized by twenty hands. He struggled
| against them, grasped the throat of one, and
relaxed not his clutch. even when thrown
down and trampled under foot until he had
chokcd his adversary to DEATH They bound
his hands and thrust him in corner. The
Raitzen formed a circle around him.
What would you Of me 7 he asked the
blood flowing from bis mouth.
What would we? Look around you
See you no. all here are Raitzen 2 replied a
tall darked browcd Serb, scowling scornful-
ly and cruelty at the sufferer
| And / Magyar. What then?'
Ask thy neighbors. Hast thou not heard
that tomorrow is our festival of the exter-
mination of the Magyars. You are one
the last, you shall choose the manner of your
DEATH
so you are the executioner Basil?'
i am the chosen Of my people.
| With Undesirable loathing, the Magyar
spat in bis face.
'Scoundre,.' yelled the insulted man, for
this you shall weep tears of blood
Weep? I?-who ever saw me weep p
fon may STAY me, you may torture me, you
may tear me limb from limb There are e.
nough Of you to do it. But weep you shall
not see me- though you burst for impotent
rage
Weep thou shalt, and It's / will make
thee. Know that it is that seduced your
wife, and for whom she has betrayed YOU
That is thy shame, not mine
'All thy kinsmen are slain
Better they should lie dead in the street
than breath the same air with thee
Thy property is annihilated'
May God destroy those who did it.
Truly, thou art a cool fellow, But
you had a daughter,--a fair and innocent
child
4 George looked upon his tormentor, ard
shuddered.
Lima, think, was her name,' continued tn I
Serb, drawing out his words with refinement
OF cruelty.
/ 'What-what mean your asked the
trembling father.
"A comely maiden, by my word Fair t.
look upon, is she not 2
The devil seize thee What ncxti'
so young and delicate, and yet-six hus
bands. Hard to choose. Your wife coult
not decide to which she should belong,
stepped in, and settled the matter / mar.
ried her--to all six He burst into fiend
ish laughter.
Mute and giddy with horror, the fatbe
raised himself from the ground
4 am sorry continued the Serb, aha
! you are not here for the wedding
May Gods justice fall upon you! shrek
ed the wretched father, sitting his tears
But the parents heart overpowered the prid
: of the man. He fell with his face upon tn,
ground and wept,--tears of blood.
Lift him up, said Basil, that we may SCI
him weep for the first time in bis life Vice.
little. George, and you, sot, tune up you
pipes, that he may have an accompaniment
to his tears
And thereupon the drunken band began t
dance round their victim with shouts 0
laughter and scoffing gestures. striking an'
kicking him as they passed. Now however
, be wept no longer He closed his eyes ant
kept silence, enduring their ill-treatmen
without sign or sound Of complaint.
! Away with him ? cried Basil Throw
/ him into the garnet, and put a sentry owe
: him. To-day we have celebrated his daugh
tiers wedding; tomorrow we viii drink a
: his funeral. Good night, friend George
: He was dragged up to the garnet, ant
! locked in Where they threw him, there h,
], lay, motionless upon the floor, as though al
: sensation had departed from both body ant
soul, awaiting the hour of death, and rejoic
i ing that it was near at hand For a Will
the dancing and singing continued; then tn,
b Serbs departed to sleep, and all was STILL
His eyes were unvsited by slumbcr. Yet
little while, he thought to himself. and eter
nal repose will be mine.
e He lay with his senses thus benumbed
r thinking neither of the past nor the future
when he heard rustic at the garnet window
/ IL 1 a