The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-02-02

some youths stood respectfully before
their father, bareheaded, and listened
to his words. Each in turn kissed his
hand, and he looked with dimmed eyes
upon these his sons who were the pride
of his life. the hope of his house, and
whom he was now exhorting to die as
Christians should. When he came to
his youngest born. who was still
child, his eyes overfowed with tears.
Soon footsteps we're heard in the ad-
joining room; Pasha entered, and
bade them all accompany him to the
presence of the sultan.
The aged prince soon stood before his
suzPrain.
"Brancovan," said the latter, "is this
true which / hear of thee, that thou
wouldst throw off thy allegiance, and
declare the independence Of thy princi-
pality Say, is 1t true thut thou hast
even dared to coin money from thy own
gold? Thou art fearless as II thoIwert
thy own master! What hast thou to
plead in justihcation?"
whether have governed we'll or i'll.
God above is the best Judge; but il
were once a power on the earth, see
now to what ignomdny I am reduced!"
replied the captive prince with dignity.
"Brancovan, measure thy words;
thou and thine are condemned to death;
not one Of thy rebellious tribe shall es-
cape his dOom!"
"As God wills it; our lives are in
your hands"
The populace crowded to witness the
executions. Brancovan looked calmly
down on the multitude; amongst them
he recognized the princess, his wife.
and their daughter Roxandra, whom
the Turks In their refinement of savage
cruelty had compelled to witness the
terrible spectacle. The princes face
darkened as the Muezin-or Turkish
priest-adwuced. and after making the
usual three salaams, thus addressed
him:
"My master, we have an ancient Gus
tom here, to the effect that a con-
demned prisoner may be pardoned il he
be willing to change his religion. and
embrace our holy Mahomedan faith"
Then the sultan called in q loud voice.
"Brancovan, renounce thy dog-like
Christian belief, thou and thy sons, en-
brace that Of our own, and then shall
ye all 60 forth free!"
Better that my race should perish,
than that We should deny our sacred
religion" was the undaunted reply.
Then must ye all prepare for death"
said the sultan, frowning, and gave
orders that Vacarescu should be the
first on whom the soldiers should lay
their hands.
"Become one Of our followers, for
sake thy master, live, be rich and hap.
py," said the Nuezin to him.
"A Facaresou does not betray his
prince or his churoh!" said the ex-min-
lister proudly. and, bowing his head, he
was instantly recapitated.
The officials then seized on the third
son OF the prince, naughty youth.
with eyes full OF firS and hair blssk
as the ravsaS W1ne
DENY ~ luleA ca2 I U0 &Ws
thee" ~ ~ salhzR
"Do not insah - y BE41HUtN"
said the boy, and hnas5Eas eswa. -
head was severed from his bsdv, Gni
rolled to his fathers feet!
The old man sighed heavily, and his
long beard trembled, as he said: Lord,
thy will be done!"
The sultan then pointed to the Sec
ond son, who fell imploringly at his
fathers feet. The prince grew pale
with fear. lest his son should fail him.
but the latter, blushing, raised his
penetrating eyes to those Of his IA
ther and said:
81, alone, Of all thy children, have
caused thee trouble and vexaticn,
through my wnyward heart and my
quick blood. I cannot go to sleep. tho
sleep of eternity without kissing thy
hand, and craving thy pardon!"
The old mans face again grew placid.
and fervently blessing his kneeling son,
he said
"At this very hour every fault is ey.
plated! thou art going TO God" The
young man barred his neck before the
yataghan of the executioner while he
eldest son, whose manly face was set
off by heavy beard. looked at his
brothers corpse, and burst into violen,
tears.
On perceiving this the sultan cried:
''Forsake thy religion! Isee that life
Is sweet to thee. embrace our faith. be
free. be happy!"
The young Brancovan did not seem
% hear these words. but took from his