Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-07-25
A Singular Monarch.

The cruelty of Media Karu, King Of
Coraa, towards his female subjects was
notable A strict supervision was kept
over all the women of his nation, and his
cruelty to them was ultimately the cause
of his death. II seems they were forbid
den to appear at the windows of their
own homes or to walk out even in their
own gardens after sunset. The sandel-
makers were forbidden to make coverings
for their feet, in order that they might
not be able to travel about.
Toward the last of his terrible reign
when his carriage was to pass through a
seaport town female cfligy was posted
in one of the principal streets
The royal carriage neared it and his
majesty, seeing as he supposed q woman
standing in his very presence, in great
fury ordered his guards to advance and
sever her head from her body. Upon
approaching to execute this order the
imposition was discovered, and the
guards conveyed this fact to the occu,
pant of the royal carriage. This so en-.
ragged Media Karu that he ordered the
town to be leveled and its inhabitants
put to the sword
1t was fired in several places, but the
frantic inhabitants, goaded to despair,
defended their homes with all the fury
of lunatics, and thus the battle lasted for
nearly week, when having gained but
slight advantage, the king ia coward at
heart withdrew from the contest With
the loss of nearly half his force. He
even sent word to the besieged that he
had not ordered pillage to commence and
endeavored to convince them of the
truth Of his assertion by Staying the com.
mander Of his guards but in reality
doing it from chagrin at being defeated
in his murderous attack.
Retiring to his capital after the most
inglorious struggle, he fiercely upraided
his own wife, alleging that she with all
her sex were'to blame because the affair
was first brought about by female efligy.
Well indeed did the queen understand
this conduct of her brutal consort; well
did she know that from that time forth
her own life was in danger, and she deter
mined to avert the impending blow by
being herself the first to strike.
To this end she consulted with an off.
Ger of inferior grade, attached to the body
guard, who had recently fallen under the
kings displeasure, representing to him
the danger both were in, and promising
if he would aid in sending the monster
by "quick transit" to the other world
he should be placed high in power fol-
the balance Of his life.
The offer was accepted, and the services
Of two trusty servants were procured by
the use of large sum of ready money
and further encouraged by the promise
of future reward. Each was armed witt
u pair of daggers of the keenest edge
The queen herself directed them to {
little valley at the rear of the palace, tc
which the king often resorted, accom-
panied only by single attendant, fol
the purpose of bathing. While here hi
was set upon, the attendantput to flight
and Media Karu killed while in the act o
disrobing. And thus persisted, at the
early age of AZ, one Of the most infamous
monarchs that ever sat upon barbarian
throne Meantime, the soldiery, the solC
support of all despots, had either beer
effectually weaned Or bought over, ant
the young prince, then scarcely II year
of age, assembled the blood stained thron,
Of his father