The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-10-30
The Tyrant Of Rimini.

fed rs If dismayed at his approach, and
well they might, for he was no other
than -igismondo- o-Pandolfo- Malatesta, the
autocrat Of Rimini, and one of the worst
tyrants Of his terrible period.
Malatesta was followed by an escort Of
archers, and as he turned around a corner
and directed his steps towards the court
house, an arrow, shot by an unknown
hand, fell ut his feet. Malatesta picked
il up with n scornful smile. A parch-
ment slip was fastened to the point of
the arrow. On this slip the following
terrible words were inscribed:
"Accursed Malatesta, thy end is draw
ing nigh. IT will be both horrible and
ignominious."
As Malatesta read these words he
turned slightly pale. But he quickly
recovered his equanimity. Casting a
sidelong glance at the house from which
the arrow seemed to have come, he NUT
tered, with terrible smile:
THAT house shall be torn down to-day,
and on its site will construct a gallery
of paintings and statuary. 1t shall be
noble edifce, and it will add to my fame
as one of the best patrons of the fine
arts. As for the inmates of the house
why, they shall be attended to this very
morning"
The procession entered the courthouse,
where Malatesta Immediately descended
to the gloomy basement of the building.
In this basement were located the dun
geons where the prisoners of state were
confined; also the tortue chamber with
all its dread paraphernalia.
During the Infamous reign of Malatesta
these dungeons were always filled with
l. szNs II .. - ~ -. T.
ness, and the torture chamber resounded
day after day with the heart-rending
screams and profound groans of the un-
fortunate persons whom Malatesta's
hangman and his assistants tormented.
On the morning of the 18th of May,
1901, the torture-chamber was to be the
scene of a truly revolving spectacle.
When Malatesta entered the apartment,
over which two torches cast their lurid
light, he took his seat upon. a stone
estrade. A secretary took his seat at
mstHffasve the prisoners brought in y
ordered Malatesta.
The secretary rang bell. A minute
later side door opened. The sound of
clanking chains was heard. At last a
mournful procession, headed by the
hangman and his assistants, entered.
There were ten heavily-ironed prisoners.
They were only half-ciad in the coarsest
hempen garments. They looked pale
and emaciated. Their eyes were hardly
aoie 70 pear .the glare oil the torchlights.
Call their Names" said Malatesta.
The secretary read off the following
names: n;o; A..;.,,o rux;oo ,o.;.,,o
u;nhna,a A..;aIIo % Gw,,;ain,o % D. i1a,,;o;n; =
a1sa Ss-. Xans.aJa p;&a.;-;
Sn anSnss p"ra,;a 'Carin 49, ~ Marn1
nuea TI;o. De,a, ANA, NJ Saan,ds; .aa' 4""i''
iiissans, NY, nn'v tLn y,,,n os = r; ..
II Ioom 20 Jai.. .nJ lam ,,,oL.d - ,o IA h.,
.sau Ia a;saos ne wa uS,s,, si,s o r.d;' III ~ e
the .he eMuuao nsr,as hed h"an in.ad VIC s Sa y,
tne names had been completed, the
secretary sald:
naia,es'a rose 10 MS Ieet, ana sald, III
terrible voice: -.
lou are all accused OF being traitors
10 tne state Oh kiminiF'"
we are not, hrmiy replied the pri-
soners. we have tired to save the Re
Puo,c Oh himini from your traitorous
"aenlna,ions' ranooiio Maiatesta!
ma ma! ma laughed the tyrant. =.
who elected you Prince OF Riminir r
cried the elder Aesiello, venerable
man of seventy. "---
No onew said another prisoner.
He is a usurper and a tyrant.
Malatesta fairly foamed with rage.
Maledetti!" he roared.
"You are accused by everybody in
this city except by your minions and
henchmen." ..r'--
''You will speedily die the death of a
dogv gravely said old Aesiello.
HBut first, you shall die; and the
ravens and hawks shall eat YOUR rottine
carcasses, while 7. after NV death. shall
be remembered as the benefactor OF
Rimini-as he who adorned his city
with the most beautiful edifces and
monuments"
History does not liep' said old
Aesiello, solemnly.
"A truce to all this nonsensep shouted
Malatesta. "Executioner. perform youl
duty.n The scene that ensued be9oar
description. For three solid hours The
unfortunate prisoners were tormented
with all the deyilish ingenuity chara
teristic of the cruel Italian tortures n
the Middle Aces. The object of thi
torturine was to wrest from the sufferer
the confession that tbev were traitors, 4,
the State of Rimini. FIGHT of tbe nr;s
oners remained firm. Two of them
unable to bear the dreadful arony saie
all that Malatesta wanted He wa
delighted.
"Carlo Borauia and Anton;o Nontan;
he said, care shrewd. They will get OF
with simple decapitat;on Az &C. a.
rest Of you, this fate is in store for vn, n