Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-11-16
THE BATH OF BLOOD.

About the year 1910 Elizabeth Bathora, sis
ter to the King of Poland, and the wife OF
rich and powerful Hungarian magnate, was the
principal actor in the most singular and horri'
bic tragedy mentioned in history. She occu-
pied the Castle of Csejta, in TransylTania.
Like most ladies of that period, she was sur
rounded by troop of young girls, generally
the daughters of poor, but noble parents, who
lived in honorable servitude; in return for
which their education was cared for and their
dowry secured. Elizabeth was of a severe
and cruel disposition and her hand maidens
led no joyous life. Slight faults are said
to have been punished in the most cruel and
mercileSs tortures.
One day, as the lady of Csejta was admiring
at the mirror those charms which that faithful
monitor told her were fast waning, she gave
way to her Gngovernabe temper, excited per-
haps, by the mirrors unwelcome hint, and
struck her unoffending maid with such force
in the face a. TO draw blood. As she washed
from her hands the stain, she fancied the part
which the blood had touched winter, softer,
and as il were she believed she had found the
elirer ig, the fount of never-fadng youth and
beauty Remorseless by nature, and now urg-
cd on by irrepressible vanity, the thought no
sooner flashed across her brain than her reso
luton was taken; the life of her lucklesS hand
maiden was not TO be compared with the pre-
cious boon her death promised to secure. f.
liZabeth, however, was wary as well as cruel.
At the foot of the rock on which CseJta stood
was a small cottage. inhabited by two old wo-
men, and between the cellar OF this cottage
and the castle a Subterranean passage
known only to one or two persons, and never
used but in time of danger. With the aid OF
these old crones and her steward, Elizabeth led
the poor girl through the secret passage to the
cottage, and alter numbering her, bathed in
her blood. Not satisfied with her first essay,
at different intervals, by the aid of these ac-
three hundred madcns were sacrificed on the
altar of vanity and superstition.
Several years had been occupied in this pitt
less slaughter, and no suspicion was excited,
though the greatest amaZement pervaded the
country at the disappearance of so many per-
sons. At last however, Elizabeth called into
play against her two passions even strOn-
ger than vanity and cunning-love and re-
venge became interested in the discovery of
the mystery. Among the victims of Cseita
was beautiful virgin, who was beloved by and
betrothed to young man of the neighborhood.
In despair at the loss of his mistress, he fol-
lowed her traces with such perseverance, that,
in spite of the hitherto successful caution OF
the murderess, he penetrated the bloody Sc
crets of the castle, and burning tor revenge, he
flew to PreSburg, boldly accused Elizabeth Ba-
thora of murder, before the palatine in open
court, and demanded judgment against her.
SO grave an accusation brought against per
son OF Sucn nlEn rank, demanded the most Sc
rious attention, and the palatine undertook to
investigate the affair in person. Proceeding
Immediately to Csejta, before the murderess or
her accomplices had any idea of the accusa-
tion he discovered the still warm body of
young girl whom they had been destroying as
the palatine approached, and had not time to
dispose of it before he apprehended them.
The rank OF Elizabeth mitigated her punish
ment to imprisonment for life, but her assis-
tants were burned at the stake.
Legal documents still exist to attest the
truth of this circumstance. Paget distin-
gaished traveller, who visited CSejta about
twenty years ago, says: 'sWith this tale fresh
in mind we ascended the long hill, gained the
castle and wandered over its deserted ruins.
The shades Of eveding were just spreading o.
yer the valley, the bare. gray walls stood up
against the sky, the solemn stiffness OF eve
ming reigned over the scene; and as two
vens, which had made their nests on the cas-
ties highest tower, came toward it. winging
their heavy flight, and wheeling once around,
each cawing coarse welcome to the other,
alghted on their favoritc turret, | could have
fancied them the two old crOnes, condemned
to haunt the scene of their former crimes,
while the Internal mistress was cursed by some
more wretched DOOM