The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-10-27
CATCHING A TARTAR.
A TRADITION OF SWEDEN.

but ii is very likely, for the circumstances
fit the popular phrase aptly
Charles the Twelfth of Sweden, sur
named on account of his warlike propen-
sites, by his admirers, the Lion OF the
North" and by his detractors, with equal
Justice. perhaps. the "Madman 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 impregnabe
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 IA princess, her
mother, the baron's sister, having married
the Hoffman 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 a bit of hiStorian-Or
thought ne 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
crown councillors, and was often entrusted
with important business of the state
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'Olfin, and in that name he paid
his court to the erratic 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 GOrtzes full in her veins, and
Tor hp
there was not much of the kalmuck about
htm.
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
nephew 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 a very arbitrary man
ner.
Baron Gortz had proof of this, one day,
when he received letter from the king.
1t contained these words:
Baron de 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-
Strilsand 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-
titled 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 a 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 king and Ika 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 Clip
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
ayoung man is concealed somewhere in
my chateau
Il know it." answered Ikla, coolly. Il
concealed him.
You exclaimed the astonished baron
Who is hes'
"Gustavus ReinOld."
The baron uttered dismal groan.
Ikla, you have murdered me - he cried,
and sank feebly into a chair
Not so bad as that, | hope" she re-
piled, smilingly.
Il tell YOU that whoever harbors the
traitor is to be shot," exclaimed the fright
ened baron, irately.
You know well that Gustavus is no
traitor"
What signifies that? If the king or
ders it he must be shOt-and so must I.''
And the baron groaned again. g What
made you take so fatal an interest in this
wretched young man?'
I" His misfortunes," replied Ikla. " He
is innocent; | know it, and my dear moth
er, your sister, knew it also. Forced by a
cruel and unjust sentence to fly his cOun-
try, he found refuge and safety in ours
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
"a | am much Obliged to you for your pref
erence," answered the baron. dolefully
At this moment a servant entered the
room and announced:
Count D'Olfen,"
The baron's 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.
hot cha Il
small" she returned. roguishly; but listen
to me-obey me, and all will yet be well
| intend to CLAY a desperate game-but il
/ win, shall save a life of far more value
than my own"
She held a rapid conference with the
baron, and though he listened to her al
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 thai
he should be shot any way, and he thought
it did not make much difference for what
He withdrew, and Charles the Twelfth
as Count D'Olfen, entered the ROOM III,
wore the uniform of the favorite regiment
light blue coat trimmed with gold, ant
the corners of the skirts turned back buf
leather breeches; high boots of thick leath
er, to which a formidable pair of spur
was attached; three-cornered black hat
black stock; buff gauntlets and a heavy
sword He looked more like warrior
equipped for the field than a lover seekin.
his lady's bower.
He felt like timid schoolboy in tn,
presence of this piqlant beauty, who hac
stOrmed the outworks of his heart an,
penetrated to the very citadel. Would an,
one believe that he was Charles TIN
Twelfth? He began to doubt it himself
Nations trembled at his name, yet he
will not say trembled-but felt very mucl