The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-12-20


'Forward!" replied the resolu,e monarch, in an
imperative tone; and us he stopped before the door
of the council chamber quick! your keys'' said
he to the keeper He pushed the door violently with
his foot; and the noise, repeated by the echoes of
the vauIted roof, resounded through the gallery like
report Of cannon.
The old keeper trembled-the mir was chilly, and
the hour mysterious; it ''the very wching time
Of nigh:' the limbs, too that had borne a veteran
through the campaigns ofthirty years, ut such
ment might well toter under the load. The Old man
tried one key, then smother, but without success:
his hand shoo'S-hs sight confused, "a soldier,
and araid!'' cri d Charles with smile: "come
Count, you must be ushcr-open that door,"
"Sirc," replied The grand chamberlain, stepping
backwards, "ifyour ma esty command me march
up to the mouth Of Danish cannon, l will obey on
the Instant but you will not order me to combat with
the devil and his mps?''
The monarch snatched the keys from the lasied
hands of the infrm old keeper 81 sce,'' said his
Majesty in tone of contempt, that l shall have to
finish this adventure;'' and before his terrified suit
could prevent his design he had already opened the
massy oaken door, and penetrated into the council
chamber, first pronouncing the usual formula, with
the help Of God" The companions Of his midnight
excursion entered along with him prompted by q SEN
timent of curiosity, stronger, this occasion,
than terror their courage too reinforced by feel
ings of shame which forbade them to abandon thei.
sovereign in the hour Of peril.
The council chamber Illuminated with i'm
mcnse number of torches. The ancient figured tap
cstry had been replaced by black drapery suspend
ed on the walls, along which were ranged in regular
order, and according to the customs Of those days.
German, Danish and Muscovitc banners, trophies of
the victories by the soldiers Of Guslavus Adoph-
In the middle were distinguished the banners Of
Sweden, covered with black Grape.
A numerous asscmbnge were seated on the bench
Of the hall. The four orders of the stuc-the
bility, the clergy, the citizens, and the peasants
were ranged according to the respective disposition
assigned TO each. IN were clothed in black; and
the multitude Of human faces, that shone like SO
many luminous rays upon dark ground ,dazz.cd the
sight to such degree that Of the four individuals who
witnessed this extraordinary not could dis
Germ amidst The crowd Il countenance with which lie
familiar The position of tho four spectators
might have been compared with that Of actors, Who
in presence ola numerous audience, incapable
of distinguishing single face among the confused
mass.
On the elevated throne whence the monarch habit
uay harrangued the assembly Of the states was seat
ed bleeding corsc invested with the emLlcms of
royalty. On the right of this appariton stood child
the upon his head land the scepre in his hand
the left aged man, rather another phantom,
leaned upon the throne; opposite to which were sew
eral personuges Of austcre and solemn dcmcanor,
clothed in long black robes, and seated before table
covered with thick fo'ios and paichments From
the gravity oftheir dcpotment,thc latter cd to be
judges. Between the throne and the portion Of the
council chamber above which it elevated were
placed an axe and cloth covered with black Grape.
In this uncurthy assembly seemed at all
scous Of the presence Of Charles, Of the three in
dviduuls by whom he WINS accompanied. At last the
Oldest Of the judges in black robes - he who appeared
TO discharge the functions of president, rising with
dignity, struck three times with his hand upon an
open folio. Prof, und silence immediately succeed
cd Some youths of distinguished appearance, richly
dressed and with their hands fettered behind their
backs, were led into the council chamber by door
opposite to that which Charles had opened. Behind
them man Of vigorous mould held the extremity Of
the cord with which their hands pnioncd. The
prisoner who marched in the foremost rank, and
whose air was more imposing than shat OF others,
stopped in the midst Of the council chamber, before
which he seemed TO contemplate with naughty dis
dain At the same instant the seated on the
throne WIS agitated by Il convusive trenor, and the
purple tide flowed fresh from his wounds. The
youthful prisoner kne upon the ground, and laid his
head upoh the block; the fatal axe. gliteng in the
air descended swiftly; stream of blood forced its
way even to the platform Of the throne, and mingled
with that of the royal corse; whilst the head Of the
victim, reboundng from the crimson pavement, rolled
to the feet Of Charles, and stained them with blood
Hitherto establishment had rendered the monarch
dumb but at this horrid spectacle his lngue was un-
loosed He advanced IL few steps toward the plat
form, and addressed himself TO the apparon on the
left side orthe corsc, boldly pronounced the CUSTOM
airy adjuration, elf oa art Of God, sPcaA-if of the
evil one, depart in peace"
The phantom replied, III slow and emphatic accents
''Charies nc. under thy reign shall this blood be