Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1871-01-11

CATCHING A TARTAR.
A TRADITION OF SWEDEN.


Charles the Twelfth of Sweden aeci.
| dentally encountered at the Chateau
| GortZ, a young creature from the banks
of the VOlga-a niece of Baron Gortz.
! So powerful was the impression she at
once made upon the hitherto impregna-
bic heart of the hero, that he seemed to
lose all recollection of other matters.
The name of his enehantress was the
Princess 1kla. Being left an orphan at
an early age, she had taken up her res
idenee with Baron GFatz, at Stralsund.
The Baron was one of the Crown
Councillors, and was often entrusted
with important business of the State.
Charles the Twelfth had himself pre-
sented to Ikla under the simple title Of
Count D'Olfen, and in that name he
paid his court to the cratic Princess; for
her Tartar blood made her disregard ma
ny of the cBnyentionalities Of life;
though her uncle often declared that she
had the blood of the Gortzes full in her
veins, and was no more Tartar than
he Was-and there was not much Kali.
muck about him.
Baron Gort5 was highly delighted at
the prospect of becoming the uncle Of
the King; but that delight was temper
ed by q wholesome dread of his pros
peciive nephneW-in-law. For stripping
off the dazzling veil of his military glO-
ry, he must acknowledge that the Lion
of the North was an unmitigated ty-
rant, and ruled his subjects in q very
arbitrary manner.
Baron GOrtz had proof of this one
day, when he received q letter from the
King. It contained these words: -I.I
Baron de GOrtz.-Information has
reached me that the Captain of Hubans,
Gustavus ReinOld, who was condemned
to death for neglect of duty at the bat
tie of PultOwa, but who escaped before
the execution of his sentence, has been
seen in Stralsund. Write instantly to the
Governor; tell him hold him respOns-
IDLE for the apprehension of this traitor.
Within five minutes of his being taken
and identified, let him be shot. And
the person in whose house he shall be
found, shall forthwith be shot. CHARLES.
This letter troubled the good old Bar
on sorely, for his niece had made him
promise to intercede for this identical
young officer. He broke into a cold
Precipitation when he reflected that if
he did so he should get himself shot for
his pains. He wished fOndly in his
heart that the King and Ikla were mar
ried, because then he should be his uncle
and he would never think Of shooting
one of the royal family.
He wrote the order to the Governor, !
and sent it by a servant, who informed |
him that an officer of the police wished !
to speak with him, Wandering at this |
he hastened to the hall below. On his |
return, he found Ikla, u sylphid, dark |
eyed gypsy of u woman, gazing listless- |
ly from the large bay window into the /
street below. She noticed that he was
in q state of perturbation.
What is the matter% she asked.
4 want to put you on your guard he /
exclaimed, hreathlessly. The police |
have sent to say they have reason to be-
lieve young man is concealed some
where in my chateau
I know it, answered Ikla, cody. Il
concealed him. s|.. .
Your exclaimed the astonished Bar
on. sWho is be-? h.i.
'Gustavus Remodel
The Baron uttered dismal grOan.
Ikla, you have murdered mel he
cried, and sank feebly into a CHAIR
Not so bad as that, hope, she replL
ed smilingly.
i tell you that whoever harbors the