Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-02-13

n0no0C 13cVCnuC CCO1leCtOf0-A TeEft tOle
Scene en- the Site Of Ancient Car.
thaEe.
Theodorus of Abyssinia has been
considered the most cruel and blood
thirsty ruler of modern times, but he
has rival sovereign who lives nearer
the confines of civilization, and whose
atrocious conduct should arouse the
indignation of human people through
out the world. That sovereign is the
present Bey of Tunis, whose whole
career since he became ruler of bis
country has been marked by arbitrary
oppression and cruelties. A few of the
aged sheiks of his country, who had
known his character. before he succeed
ed his father-a mild and amiable
prince-urged his mother to let her
younger son ascend the throne of
Tunis. The heir apparent heard of
this, and with the help of few of his
boon companions he seized the reins
OF Government.
No sooner was he in power than he
vented his spite upon the above.men-
toned men. Not only were nine of
his victims bastinadoed in the most
merciless manner, but the eyes and
tongues of them were torn out, and
they were thrown in this terrible and
utterly helpless condition, in the mid
die of July, into desert spot, where
they perished miserably, prey to the
pitiless rays of scorch,ng African sun,
and to the equally pitiless beaks of
vultures and buzzards. From that
time tho reign of the Bey of Tunis has
been marked by leeds of cruelty, which,
if they have not become generally
known, because perpetrated upon
persons of humber conditions in life
than the illustrious victims mentioned
above, have been none the less heinous.
The Bey of Tunis is the Supreme
Judge iu bis country. He tries GRIM
inals, and orders their immediate ex-
ecution after hearing the case or he
annuls the DEGREES of the Kadis if they
do not suit him, and Furnishes the
unfortunate prisoners according to his
pleasure.
On the 9th of November last the Bey
was in q more towering passion than
ever before. He is an extravagant liver,
and spends more money than the taxes
of Tunis yield to him. During the Sec
ond empire he negotiated a heavy loan
in France, and some greedy Italian
bankers have likewise advanced him
large sums at exhorbitant interest.
Being afraid Of France, the Bey Of Tunis
pays his creditors for that country
punctually, but has little respect for
Italy, and last summer several Italian
men n.of-war had to threaten his capital
with bombardment before he
made arrangements for paying
the interest due to italian bankers.
Being thus constant prey to financial
embarrassments, he does not like to be
swindled by his tax collectors. Now,
on the above mentioned 9Th of Novem-
ber, he received trustworthy informa.
tion that three of them, Badu-Ben.
Hakim, Aldu- Ben FEST and Diakr-Bes.
Legu, had for years committed .defalca-
tions upon the Bey's treasury, account
ing for only two-thirds of the taxes they
had collected. The Bey sent for the
faithless collectors, and, after telling
them about their misdeeds. demanded
what they were going to do about it.
The three were 80 frightened by tho
anger of His HighnesY that they fel
upon their knees, and, confessine thei,
crime, implored his mercy.
The Bey, unable to control his rage
sprang to his feet, and crying, "yo,
shall die, dogs I" ordered the Kadi O
Tunis to appear before him and try tn
prisoners in accordance with the olt
Moslem law. The Kadi appeared
found the prisoners guilty, and aske,
the Bey what punishment should b.
inflicted. The Kadi told him that tn,
law was that those who stole none,
from the exchequer of the Caliph, th'
Sultan, or one Of his vassaIs should b.
impaled. "Let them be impaled
then,' said the Bey. Vainly di.
the wretched prisoners implor
his mercy. Tho Bey remaine'
inAexible, and the cruel sentence wa
carried into execution on the morning
of the following day. An escort of fit,
soldiers took tho three condemned mel
to sand mound on which had bee1
erected the three instruments on whic]
they were to suffer their excruciatin,