The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-12-20
st, JOhnsbury Vt, December 90, 1912.

would willingly have dispensed, but which was really
equivalent to command, was succeeded by an at
tempt on their part to enven his Majesty with differ
ent subjects conversation. No opic however that
was introduced, could outlive the second or third
phrase The King was in ono of his gloomy moods
for royalty, with reverence be it spoken, has its mo-
ments of merriment and ill.humor--s mixture Of
sunshine and of cloud: and be it known TO the gentle
reader that tickish is the position Of courter when
majesty is in the dumps. To mend, or rather to mar
the matter, tho graAd chamberlain, Imagining that
the sadness which ovorshadowod the monarchs brow,
proceeded from conjpgal regret fixed his eyes upon
the portrait of the Queen, hung up in the cabinet,
and with sigh ofso pathoS exclaimed, elbow strik-
ing the resemblance! who could not recognize that
expression Of majesty and gentleness-that''--
-"Fudge!' cried his Majesty. Conscience had
probably something TO do with the abrupness of the
exclamation. The old chamberlain had unwittingy
touched tender chord; every alluson to the Queen
appearing like tacit rcproach 10 the august and
widowed spouse "That portrat,'' added the
King, "is too flater!ng-the Queen was far from
handsome:'--then as if inwardly repentmg This
harshness, he rose from his seu and paced the apart
ment with hasty sndes to conceal the tears that had
well nigh betrayed his emotion He stood in the
embrasure of window, which looked upon the
court The moon was obscured by a thick veil of
clouds-not even solitary star twinkIed through the
darkness.
The palace, at present inhibited by the Kings of
Sweden was not at that time finished; and Charles
XII, in whose reign it had been commenced, usually
resided in old fashioned edlice, built something
in the shape of horse shoe and situated at the point
of Rterholm; commanding view Of the lake
Mailer. The royal cabinet at one of the extrem-
tiles, nearly opposite to the grand hall council
chamber, in which the states were accustomed to as
semble when message communication from the
crown expected.
Just at this moment, the windows of the council
chamber appeared brilliantly iIlumina,ed.-Thc King
lost in surprise. He at first imagined the light
proceed from the torch OF some domestic. Yet " hat
could occasion unreasonable visit to place that
for considerable time had been cosedl Besides,
the light too vivid to be produced bya single
torch-it might have been attributed to conflagra-
ton; but no smoke was pcrceptiLle-no noise was
heard the window-gla were not broken; every
thing in short seemed to indicate illumination,
such takes place public and solemn occasions
Charles without uttering word, remained gazing
at the windows of the council chamber. The Cont
Brake, who had already grasped the bell cord,
on the point OF summoning page, in order TO ascer-
tain the cause Of this singular illumnationwh the
King suddenly prevented him. 81 will visit the
chamber my SELF said his Majesty: the seriousness
ofhs department and the paleness of his
indicating strange mixture OF determination and
persttous lie quilted the cabinet with the un
hcsa,ng step Of one resolved to obtain the mastery
himself the legislator of etiquette and the regu-
ator cr bodies, each with lighted taper, followed
him with fear and trembling.
The keeper of,he keys had already retired to rest
Baunga.ten despatched by the King to awake
him. and to order him forthwith open the doors Of
the council chamber, Unbounded the worthy
keepers surprise at the unexpected inlmation. De-
nign Providence, however. has ordained monarchs
TO command and created keepers Of keys to obey.
| The prudent Cerberus, Of whom make honor
able mention 1--WE hope his shade will pardon cas
steal ausion to the du les Of his staon,) yawncd,
dressed himself in haste, and presented himself be
fore his sovereign with the insignia Of his ofiicca
bunch OF keys, of varions dimensions, suspended ut
his grdc. He commenced by opening the doors of
gallery which served a sort Of ante to the
council chamber. The King entered: but his aston
ishmcnt may be conceived. on finding the walls Of
the building entirely hung with black.
| s'By whose order has this been done?'' demanded
he, in tone of anger. "Sir,'' replied the trembling
keeper of the keys, 81 am ignorant; the last time the
gallery opened, it was vain scotted with oak as
usual; most assuredy these hangings arc not from
your Majcsty's WARDROBE The King, however,
had by this time traversed at rapid pace two thirds
of the gallery, without stopping TO avail himself of
the worshipfu warden's conjeeturcs The latter per
sonage and the grand chamberlain followed his Males
ty whilst the learned doctor fingered little in the
rear; the considerate Escuapus seemed nicely bal
anced between the dread of remaining alone, and
that Of exposing his valuable safety TO the sequel Of
an adventure which had so strangely commenced
e'Sire,'' cried the keeper Of the keys, Il beseech
your Majesty to go farther. AS have living
soul there is witchcra in this matter AT this hour
| and since the death Of the Gueen-God be gracious
IN us II is said that her Ma esty walks every night