The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-08-04
William Tell.

William Tell.
More than four hundred years ago, the
country which goes by the name of Switz-
erland was under the Austrian government
aud the people were little better than slaves.
They were made 10 pay heavy taxes, and
TO perform the most mcnial offices, while
the Austrans lived upon the fruits of their
labor, and governed them as with a rod Of
iron.
One Of the Austrian governors by the
name of Gcsler, was a very great tyrant,
and did all he could to IMPURE the Swiss peo-
pie, but it was of little use. Ge,ler went
so far in his tyranny a. to command his Lat
to be placed upon pole in the maket place,
and ordered every Swiss who passed il,
to bow to it. The poor Swiss people
did not like il at all but they were afraid
to disobey the order, as Imprisonment or
death would be the consequence Of their
disobedienoe.
There was, however, one noble-m minded
man, who was afraid Of neither impriSon-
ment or death, who refused to bow 10 the
hat, but melted his cOuntrymen to throw
off the Austrian yoke. lie was soon seized
and brought into the presence of the tyrant.
William Tell was famous bowman. and
] Hdh MS OO"S anu ARROWS dDOut MS peTSOl
when he was seized. Geslcr. telling him
he had forfeited his life, proposed that he
should exhibit a specimen Of his skill As an
archer, promising him, that if he could hi
an apple at certain distance, he should 60
| free.
Tell was glad to hear this, and began to
have better opinion Of the governor than
/ he deserved but the cruel man called for
ward Tells only son, boy seven years old,
aud placed the apple on his head, bidding
his father fire att. When Tell saw this he
nearly tainted, and his hand trcmblcd so
much that he scarcely could place his ar
row in the string. There was. however. no
alternative; he must attempt the feat or die :;
but that which unnerved his arm was the
fear that his skill might fail him, and that he
might kill son. His child, seeing the ia
TIERS distress, ondCavored TO console him
81 am sure you will not hit NE, father" said
he. IL have seen you strike bird on the
wing at great distance, and will stand
quite Still.'
The ground was now measured. and the
boy was placed against the tree. 1t is i'm
possible for you to understand what the I'M
fortunate Tell felt ms he prepared to shoot.
Twice he levced his arrow. but dropped it
again. His eyes were SO blinded by his
emotion that he could not see the apple.
The assembled spectators. Of whom there
Were numbers, seemed to hold their breath
At length, Tell summoned up all his cou.
rage. lie dashed the tears from his eyes,
and bent his bow. Away went the arrow
and, piercing the apple, cut it in two, aud
embedded itself in the trce The specta.
tors shouted and applauded. Tell was ta-
ken 10 GeSler, who was about 10 set him
free, when he observed another arrow stick
Ing under his grdle.
ala ~ said he, san arrow, Why that
concealed weapon - at was destined for
YOU" replied Tel, ''If had killed my
child"
Upon this daring threat, Tell was again
seized by the tyrant's soldiers, and was hur.
ried away to be PIT to death. But being a
strong and reSoute man, he made his escape
aud fleeing away into the mountains, inct.
cd the people to throw of'thc tyrant'S yoke.
| They accordingly took up arms. and made
Tell their leader. But he was again taken
prisoner; and being PIT into boat with
GeSler and his men, for the purpose of row.
ing over one of the lakes, a storm arose.
aud the boat was driven ashore. Tel leap.
ed out before any one else could land. and.
snaichinc a concealed arrow from his per-
son, took aim at the tyrant, and shot him
dead as he sat in the boat.
| After this. Tell SO reused the people that
they soon gained their freedom; and Swift.
zerland is free country TO this day. Tell
has never been forgotten. but the people al.
ways think Of him with gratitude and con
slider him as the deliverer of his country
MerrY'S MnSeum.