The Wilmingtonian., 1824-01-15
GUSTAVUS VASA.


GUSTAVUS VASA.
After the death of Steno the administrator, and,
the bosom friend of Gustavus, and the consequent
murder Of the senate, and a price being sci uponI
his own head, the future delverer of Sweden REL
tired to the mountains Of Dalecarlia, hoping he
might hide himselfin the woods with which that
country is covered, and imagining that it would
not be difficult to stimulate the inhabitants to re
volt against the tyrant Christiern, they had
ALWAYS shown themselves averse to the Danish
Yoke. At that time there was not one good town
in the whole province, and hardly any thing but
small villages situated on the borders of the TO
rests, or on the banks of lakes and rivers. Some
Of these villages depended on the noblemen Of
the country, but most belonged to the crown, and
we're governed by the peasants themselves; the
elders supplying the places of Judges and cap
tans. The national government burst not sen
eiher troops or garrisons into this province; no
Ibid the kings themsl Ives enter it in legal man
ner till they had given pledge to the mountain
eers TO retain their privileges On these inte-
pendant people, therefore, Gustavus placed q
firm confidence.
:. Disgusting himself as peasant, he set fortl'
on his way to Daecarlia, accompanied by a boo
who was to be his guide. lie crossed over tn
'lwhole country of Sudernanla, then passed be
-Itween Mericia and Westmonis, and after the ia
Itigues OF long and dangerous journey, arrived
safe among the mountains He had no soone
Ientered the province, than he was abandoned BY
ibis guide, who absconded, robbing him of all the
money he had provided for his subsistence. He
wandered up and down amongst these dreadful
lIdeserts destitute Of friends and money. not da.
ring to own even that he was a gentleman. A.
length the Inhabitants, then hardly more civilised
han savages, proposed to him to work for his
livelihood. To conceal himself from discovery
r and to support nature, he accordingly hired him
hIself to labonr in the mines at Fahlun, and for
q long course of time did he toll in these cavcrns
i and breathe as his common element the air, one
- respiration OF which seemed 10 bring me the
!, Summons of death.
It Near Fahlnn, ON little hill, stands very an
: cent habitation, OF simple architecture
n ltha, you would have taken it for hnd's cottage
Instead of place that in times of old, had beer
: the abode of nobility. II consists of long barn
. like structure formed Of fir, covered in strang.
is slfashon with scales, and odd ornamental twisting
!. lin the carved wood. But the spot was haliowet
sIby the virtues OF its heroic mistress, who savei
.Iby her presence of mind, the life Of the futuif
,ldeliverer of her country. The following are lhr
d circumstances alluded to; and most ofthem wer,
communicated to me under the very roof
d Gustavus, having, by ali evil accident, been dis
wIcovered in the mines, and after being mar owl
g betrayed by Swedish noblelnan, bent his cour,
i. towards this house, then inhabned by person o
1.-THE name Pearson Cor Peterson) whom he ha
known in the armies of tie late administrator.
Here, he hoped, from the obligations he had TO,
is m-rly laid on the officer, that he should at eas
find safe retreat Pearson received him wit
), every mark of friendship; nay. treated him wit
,lihst respect and submission which noble mini
ssre proud to pay to the truly great, when robbe'
u OF their external honOurs. He seemed NOR
afflicted BY The misfrtunes of Gustavus, than tina
d dprince was for himself; and exclaimed with sue
h hlvehemence against the Danes, that, instead of
"a waiting proposal to take up arms, he offered
!. una,ked, TO try the spirit OF the mountaineers
ID and declared that himself and his vassals woul
A. be the first 10 set an example, and turn out vi
r. der the command of his beloved general
n Gustavus was rejoiced to find that he had 8
, last found man who was not afraid to draw hi
sword in the defence of his country, and endeavol
y ed by the most impressive arguments, and tn
prospect of suitable recompense for the pei
sonal risks he ran, to confirm him in so generou
a resolution. Pearson answered with repeate
assurances of fidelity; he-named the gentleme
and the leading persons among tine peasant
gIwhom he hoped to engage in the enterprise
: tiustavus relied on his word and promising no
i to name himself to any while he was absent, SOM
eIdays afterwards saw him leave the house to pu
- his design in execution.
e 1t WAS indeed design, and black one. undel
the specious cloak of jealous affection TOR Gus
q tavus, the traitor was contririns ms rum. lh'
hope of making his court to the DANISH tyran,
and the expectation OF large reward made TIN
son of Judas resolve to sacrifice his honour to h
e ambition, and for the sake ota few ddcsts, violate
the most sacred laws Of hospitality, by betrayinl
his guest In pursuance of that base resolution, ~
n went straight to Christern's officers command
u ing in the province. and informed him that Gus
'rtavus was his prisoner. Having committed thi
d treachery, he had not courage to face his victim
h and telling the Dane how to surprise the prince
;, who, he said, believing himself 10 be under th
'protection OF friend, (slame to manhood, Il
J. dare to confess that he could bcttay such cohf
l. denceD he proposed taking wider circuit home
e while they, apparently unknown 10 him, for no
70 even my wife knows that it is Gustavus.
Accordingly, the officer, at the head OF par
ty of soldiers, marched directly to the place Ths
y men invested the house, while the leader, ab
h rubtly entering, found Pearson's wife, according
tito the fashion ofthose days. employed IN cuinar,
% Interpretations. At some distance from her sat
young man in rustic garb, Topping on the knot'
from the broken branch of tree. The otiice
n went up TO her, and told her he came in CHRIS
eltiern's name 10 demand the rebel Guatsynsi wh'