Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1869-03-16
Correspondence.
TALLAs, NEAR CEsEREA, Asia Minor, /
Jan. %, 1869. {

/
In my letter to the children of my for
mer sabbath school, spoke of receiving
insults, such as stoning, etc. from the chill
dren in the streets of Ceserea.
During our residence in this village
which, by the way, might very well pass
for city, containing, probably, not less
than Is, 600 inhabitants, and is sometimes
reckoned much higher-we have suffered
not little inconvenience in various ways
from the misconduct of the boys, encour-
aged, doubtless, by older persons. We
had complained to the Governor of this
district, at the palace in Cesera, but had,
hitherto, been unable to send him the name
of a single offender.
A "zabtea" policeman) had been sent
to warn the people in the troublesome
quarters, but to no effect.
A short time since, on the sabbath a
few lads were detected. in breaking the
fence in the court in front of our house,
and our servant succeeded in securing the
names of two or three. | then caused a
letter to be written to the Governor, in a
very few words, stating the facts in the
case and sending the name of one ef the
offenders. The next day towards evening,
two "charbaiees" prominent, wealthy men
in the place. called to intercede for the ac-
cused, saying that zabtea had come, to
take him to the Governor for punishment.
Being otherwise engaged, l did not sec
them,-of course, unwilling, so soon, to
listen to their pleadings.
The next morning several of this high
er class called, whom | received, and lis
tened to their plea. They represented
that the family was extremely poor, and
could not bear the expense that the pro-
ccedings would involve if carried forward.
Imprisonment here, is very different
thing from what it is in New England. A
comfortless room, without fire, without
bed, without food, is all the government
furnishes to criminals in confinement. OF
course, bed and food must be furnished
by the friends, and if they live at some
distance from the city much difficulty is
experienced. While we were conversing,
the accused was brought in, stout lad of
fifteen years. He, with several others,
had, that very morning, come to our gate
and used insulting language, which before
us all firmly denied. Soon, his father
came, dressed in a suit of rich broadcloth,
but / did not know, at the time, that it
was he. In answer to the question "who
is the father to this boy ?" they replied
He is poor man, and is at home" AT
this bold and shameless falsehood, they
did not even blush.
Women also came to plead with our la
dies in behalf of the accused. But all
their pleading is in vain. knew their
words are not to be trusted, and frankly
told them, that had committed the whole
matter to the Governor, and they must
look to him.
The boy was taken by the zabtea to the
city four and a half miles. In the pres
ence of the Governor he denied the fault
Then said the Governor, "who did the
wrong, if you did not 2" The lad men,
toned the names of several "Well,"
said the Governor, "bring them all to me-"
The next evening | was visited by others,
whose sons now found themselves in troub-
bic, for the officer had come for them
All their pleading is still in vain. The
boys must all (eight in number) 60 to the
Governor They went away disappointed
though acknowledging that punishment
ought to follow.
The next morning, one of the chief
men Of the place, member of
the Governors Council in Cesera, call
ed on me, saying the boys were now going
to the city with the zabtea and praying
that | would even now pardon the Offend
ers. As the weather was cold, | knew
the boys must suffer in prison, and know
ing well THAT the Gov. would not let them
off without severe rcprimand, consent
cd to pardon them, on condition they first
60 to the Governor and receive repri-
mand. This was no small trial, for this
Governor has so wide reputation for his
love of justice that all rogues fear to be
called into his presence, | also assured
my supplicant that if anything further Of
a similar kind occurred, should hold
him responsible for it, to which be assent
ed. Tho boys were taken to the Govern
or, and but for the intercessions Of this
member of his council, would doubtless
have suffered severe punishment. But,
they were pardoned by the Gov, not, how
ever, until he had given them severe
reprimand, assuring them that if any more
such conduct was discovered, the offenders
shall be bound together by their feet, and
and driven in disgrace through she mar