Western cyclone., 1886-11-11

Driven Insane by the BarbaritIes of His
Austrian Captors.

Austrian Captors.
New York Graphic.
There has just died in an insane asy-
lum at Buds Pesth man whose story
recalls one of the most terrible episodes
OF the struggle for Hungarian indepen-
dence In 1S4S.
Ference Renyi was a schoolmaster,
and at that time about twenty-seven
years of age. He was high spirited,
lively, kind hearted, and the idol of his
pupils. He was quite expert at playing
the fiddle, and his services were much
sought after by the young people of his
native village to enhven their fetes. He
also could sing, and many OF his songs
were of highly patriotic character.
The young man lived with his mother
and sister, but engaged to charm
ing young girl, and soon expected to be
married. Just then the Hungarian gov
ernment, having proclaimed its indepen-
dence, called for volunteers. Renyi Of
fered himself and was accepted.
One day after having fought like a
lion at the head of detachment he was
made prisoner by the Austrians. Led
before the notorious General Hsynau,
Renyi refused to disclose the position of
the main body of the Hungarian army.
Haynsu, however, was not to be foiled
in his quest for information, and to &C.
comphsh his end resorted to one of the
most barbarous acts that has sullied the
records of modern warfare. Finding on
inquiry that his prisoner was native Of
neighboring village and that he had
mother and sister, he ordered the lat
ter to be arrested and brought to his
headquarters. They we're then confront
ed with the unfortunate young man.
"If you want the lives of these women
spared" Hhynau then said to him, ''you
will give me the information have ask
ed for"
Renyi made no reply. He trembled
violently, however, and his eyes flied
with tears, but he did not yield.
Don't speak, my son." cried his aged
mother; "do your duty without refer
ence to me; l have at most bat short
time to live"
And the young girl added;
"If you betray your country your
name will be tarnished, and what should
| do without my honor? Don't speak,
Ference. Be calm; Ishall die bravely."
RenYi continued silent. In few mo-
ments the two heroic women we're shot
dead by order of the brute in generals
uniform.
Still another test remained, and Hay
nau did not hesitate to apply it. He
had Renyi's iancee brought before him
and threatened her with a similar fate.
The latter was afraid to die. On hear
ing what would happen to her if her
lover did not yield she threw herself on
her knees and besought him to save her.
Speak, Ferencz," she cried. "See, 1
am young, / love you-don't let them
kill me- By speaking you will save
yourself as well as me, and when we are
free we shall go far away from here and
be happy. Speak, my beloved, and save
thy wife"
And she seized Renyi's hands and
wrung them with the energy OF drown
ing man grasping at straw.
RenyI was convuIsed by his overpow-
powering emotion. Suddenly he showed
his fnancee from him and turned away.
Again the wretched girl pleaded with
him, but her lover was silent. Then the
soldiers seized her.
"Accursed one" she exclaimed, "my
curses rest upon thee; thou art my muir
derer."
When the scene was ended Renyi was
taken back to the apartment where he
was confined, but it was discovered that
the poor fellow had lost his reason in
undergoing the terrible ordeal to which
he had been subjected; bis savage cap
tors allowed him to live after they had
robbed him OF all that made life tolera
ble. Over his grave Hungary should
erect its grandest monument, though,
doubtless, he has already found an i'm
perishable one in the hearts OF his coun-
trymen.