The Van Buren press., 1899-01-07
THE DEATH Of PRINCE
BRANC0FAN.
,, s.csRngx SYLVIA nc. \. ouees sf Rsu-,
Copyright. 1893

Tt was in the year l71f Constantine
BrancoYan had beea governing for
length Of time as vaiyod of Wallaehia.
He was now nearly 60 years old; wise
prince, and much beloved by his people
-Four handsome sons had been born to
him. who were the pride Of his house,
and the consolation Of his old age.
Renewing in these noble princes his
own youth. Prince Braneoyan and his
still beautiful wife. with their daugh-
ter. Princess Roxandra, lived a sim
pie. uneventful life in their capital city
Of Bucharest. The people looked upon
The prince as their father, and be justi-
fed this attitude By the pains he took
TO make his rule blessing 10 them.
IN these days there does not remain
any trace Of the insecurity in which the
Inhabitants Of the two prineipalities
then lived. and which compelled them
to conceal their treasures IN wooden
Golfers, which, covered with carpets
and the richest Turkish stuffs, formed
part Of the furniture Of a chamber.
and were capable Of easy removal TO
a place OF safety when their enemies
the Turks, made a raid into the country
Prince Constantin Braneovan had
long grown distastefuI to the sultan
because Of his wise and noble charae-
ter, and Of his having made himself be-
loved by all his subjects He had also
accumulated vast wealth, and had
caused gold pieces to be coined; this
was looked upon as an act Of insubor-
diaation to his suzerain.
There were certain individuals at the
porte willing enough to aggragate the
arGer of the sultan, and amongst these
WAS Greek doctor who had presumed
to fall in love with the beautiful Prin-
cess Roxandra.
With his courteous ways and knowl-
edge Of men and countries, he found
favor with the four young princes, and
accomplished his desire Of being now
and again with the Princess Roxandra
herself. What had at first been mere
ly a passing whim now became the
necessity of his being, and the Greek
passionately resolved that, In spite of
her rank and his nationality, the prin-
cess should be his.
st last, having done all that he
couIdto further ingratiate himself with
Prince Brancovan, the Greek ap-
preached the question. He dweIt upon
his wealth (which he had taken care
to give an appearances Of during his
stay In the eapital), his influence with
the Turks, his desire to see WaIlachia
freed from her bondage, and, unfet-
tered. beginning a nobler future Then
he touched upon his personal hopes.
But he had hardly expressed himself
before the prince interposed Haught-
ily and emphatically he declared it i'm
possible for such q request even to be
considered. And when the Greek
pressed his suit Prince Rrancovan,
usually so calm, grew angry, and sum.
marily dismissed his visitor That was
the end Of the Greeks hopes, but not Of
his designs. He had, in his selfish de-
sires, pretended to be what he was not
and he was no sooner out of Prince
Brancovan's presence than he began to
think OF revenge. He at once removed
10 ConstantinOple and sought all means
OF ingratiating himself with the sultan.
lie was so servile and flattering that
he soon became a prime fayorite, and
then. with subtle cunning. he com
mepced a systematic persecution of
Brane0van. tie represented himself to
the sultan as a friend of Turkey and
anxious that The provinces over which
she possessed suzerainty should be un-
der more effective control than was the
case at present lie proceeded to relate
that he had visited Nallachia in order
TO ascertain the opinions of the people
and their ruler with regard to Turkey:
and then repeated parts Of conversa-
ti0ns he had bad with Prince Bran
covan, taking care TO magnify the
princes patriotic expressions into
threats against his suzerain. He also
told the sultan that vast stores Of gold
had been accumulated by the prince.
and that there was little doubt but
that this was to be devoted 10 the rails
ing Of an army when the time should
be ripe for the Wallachians TO rebel.
also that the prince was conducting
regular and secret correspondence with
some Of the neighboriug states. The
unfortunate prince was speedily taken
prisoner. as well as his wife, their
beautiful daughter, his four sons. and
his nephew and Prime Minister Yacar-
Fseu.
Il was just before Eastertids that the
prisoners were forcibly dragged TO Con
siantinople, and cast into the prison Of
the Seven Towers. This famous prison
is situated at the end Of the land wall
Of Consisutinople, where Il meets the
Sea Of Marmora. Many and harrow
Ing are the tales Of mystery and blood
shed associated with its ancient walls.
This VAS The place TO which Brancovan.
bis sons and nephew, were conducted.
snd in which they were immured until
the following August Brancoran and
Faearescr we're put 10 the most ex-
rnpiating torture In order 10 compel