Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-11-03
CATCHING A TARTAR.
A TRADITION OF SWEDEN.


ing Tartar" am not prepared to say
but it is very likely for the circumstances
fit the popular phrase aptly.
Charles the Twelfth of Sweden, sur
named on account of his warlike propen-
stiles, by his admirers, the Lion of the
North" and by his detractors, with equal
justice, perhaps, the Mailman of the
North" accidentally encountered, at the
chateau Gortz, a young creature from the
banks of the Volga-a niece Of Baron
Gortz So powerful the impression she at
once made upon the hitherto impregnable
heart Of the hero, so completely was he
spellbound in her charms, that he seemed
TO lose all recollection of other matters,
even Of the disastrous battle Of Pultowa.
The name Of this enchantress was the
Princess Ikla-for she was a princess, her
mother, the baron's sister, having married
the Hetman of the Tartars. Being left an
orphan at an early age she had taken up
her residence with Baron Gortz in Stral-
sund
The baron was bit of historian--or
thought he was-and was then engaged in
writing history of the king, who called
upon him often to revise and correct the
work. Besides the baron was one of the
crownAcouncilors, and was often entrusted
Charles the Twelfth had that DESIRE
which seems inherent in the breast of
greatness-he wished TO be loved for him
self alone, without any regard to his state
or grandeur; consequently he had himself
presented to Ikla under the simple title Of
Count D'Olfn, and in that name he paid
his court to the cratic princess; for her
Tartar blood made her disregard many of
the conventionalities of life, though
her uncle often declared that she had the
blood Of the GortZcs full in her veins, and
was no more a Tartar than he was-and
there was not much Of the Kalmuck about
him
Baron Gortz was highly delighted at
the prospects of becoming the uncle Of
the king but this delight was tempered
by wholesome dread of his prospective
ncphew-in-law For, stripping off the
dazzling veil Of his military glory, we
must acknowledge that the Lion of the
North was an unmitigated tyrant and
ruled his subjects in very arbitrary man
ner.
Baron Gortz had proof of this, one day
when he received a letter from the king
1t contained these words:
g Baronde Gortz, information has reach
ed me that the Captain of Hulans, Gusta-
vus Reinold, who was condemned to death
for neglect Of orders at the battle of Pull
iowa, but who escaped before the execu-
ton of his sentence, has been seen in
Stralsund. Write instantly to the Cover
nor: tell him | hold him responsible for
the apprehension of this traitor Within
five minutes of his being taken and iden-
tilted, let him be shot. And the person in
whose house he shall be found shall forth
with be shot CHARLES"
This letter troubled the good old baron
sorely, for his niece had made him promise
to intercede for this identical young officer
He broke into cold perspiration when he
reflected that if he did so the probability
was that he should get himself shot for his
pains He wished fondly in his heart that
the kiB4, and Ikla were married, because
then he should be his uncle, and he could
never think Of shooting one of the royal
family
He wrote the order to the Governor, and
sent it by servant, who informed him
that an officer of the police wished to speak
with him. Wondering at this he fastened
to the hall below. On his return he found
Ikla, petite, dark haired, dark-eyed gip-
sy of a woman, gazing listlessly from the
large bay window into the street below.
She noticed that he was in state of per-
tubation.
"What is the matter?" she asked
IL want to put you on your guard" he
exclaimed, breathlessly. THE police have
sent to say they have reason to believe that
a young man is concealed somewhere in
my chateau.
II know it." answered Ikla, coolly. 81
concealed him"
g. You!" exclaimed the astonished baron
"Who is he?"
"Gustavus Reinold"
The baron uttered dismal groan.
Ikla, you have murdered me z" he cried,
aud sank feebly into chair
g Not SO bad as that, hope" she re-
piled, smlingly.
i tell you that whoever harbors the
traitor is to be shot" exclaimed the fright
ened baron, irately.
6 You know well that Gustavus is no
traitor"
What signifies that? If the king or
ders it he must be shot-and so must II
And the baron groaned again. !" What
made you take so fatal an interest in this
wretched young man."
His misfortunes," replied Ikla. He
is innocent know it, and my dear moth
er, your sister, knew ii also. Forced by
cruel and unjust sentence to fly his coun-
'
s. Then why the deuce did he leave it"
To follow me when you sent for me.
Finding the pursuit so hot, / thought the
best asylum for him was your chateau"
" am much Obliged to you for your pref
erence," answered the baron, dolefully.
AT this moment u servant entered the
room and announced:
Count D'Olfcn,"
The barons visage frightened with a
hopeful idea
There is but one chance for us all" he
exclaimed marry the count, and then
He checked himself abruptly
:" If it depends on that our chance is
small" she returned. roguishly "but listen
to me-obey me, and all will yet be well
intend To CLAY desperate game-but if
| win, / shall save life of far more value
than my own"
She held a rapid conference with the
baron, and though he listened to her at
first with establishment and alarm, she
finally won him over to her purpose, and
he promised to assist her, though it was
with fear and trembling but he had pretty
well made up his mind by this time that
he sholld he shot any WAY and he fholIpht