The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-03-04
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CATCHING A TARTAR.
A Tradition OF Sweden.
BIZ GEORGE L. AIKEN.


count of his warliks propensites, by his admirers
the Lion of the North" and by his detrsctors,
With equal justice. perhaps, the ''Madmsn OF the
North" accidentally encountered. at the chateau
Gortz, . young creature from the banks VI VOL
ga niece of Ba.oa Gortz. So powerful was
the impression she At once made upon the hith'
erto impreguable heart of the hero, SO completely
was he spell. bound in her charms, that he SEEM
ed to lose all recollection Of other nattere, even
OF the disastrous battle Of Pultowa.
The name of his euchsntress was the Princess
lkla-for she was q princess, her motnef, the
Baron's sister, having married the Hetnsn OF the
Tsrtars. Being left an orphan at an early age.
she had taken up her residence with Baron Gortz
in Stralsund.
The Baron was q bit of historian-or he
thought he wss-snd Was then engaged in writ
ing q history of the king, who called upon him
often TO revise and correct the work. Besides.
the Baron of the crown councillors, aud
was often entrusted with important business of
the state.
Charles the Twelfth had that desire which
seems inherent ia the breast of greatness-he
wished to be loved for himself alone, without any
regard to his state and grandeur; conseq he
had himself presented to Ikla under the simple
title of Count DOlfen, and in that name he had
paid his court to the erratic princess; for her
Tartar blood made her disregard many of the
conventi,nalities of life, though her uncle had
often declared that she had the blood of the
Gsrtz full in her veins, and was more Tar.
tar than he was-and there was not much of the
Kalmuck about him.
Baron Gortz was highly delighted at the pros
peet of becoming the uncle of the king; but that
delight was tempered by wholesome dread Of
his prospective nephew-n.law. For, stripping
off the dazzling veil of his military glory, We
must ackno wledge that the "Lion of the North"
was an unmitigated tyrant, and ruled his subjects
in very arbitrary manner.
Baron Gortz had proof of this one day when he
received letter from the king. 1t contained
these words:
SHARON DE GORTz: Information has reached
me that the Captain Of Hulans. Gustavus Rein.
old, who was condemned to death for neglect Of
orders at the battle Of Pultowa, but who escaped
before the execution of his sentence, has been in
Stralsund Write instantly to the Governor;
tell him hold him responsible for the apprehsu-
sion of this traitor. Within five minutes of bis
being taken aud identified, lot him be shot Aud
the person in whose house he shall be found
shall DO forthwith shot. CHARLES"
The letter troubled the good old baron sorely,
for his niece had made him promise to nteroede
for this ideAtical young officer. He broke into q
cold perspiratien when he reflected that if he did
SO the probability was that he would get himself
shot for the pains. He wished fondly in hi.
heart that Ikla aud the king were married, be.
cause 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 a servant, who Informed him that an officer
OF the police wished to speak with him. Won.
dering at this. he fastened to the hall below. On
his retarn he found Ikla, petite, dark-haird dark
eyed Gypsy Of a woman, gazing listlessly from the
large bay window into the street below. She
noticed that he WAS in state Of perturbation.
"What is the matter 7" she asked
.ps = v,,,t. - l.
claimed breathiessly. The police have been
sent to say they have reason to believe that a
young man is concealed some where in nv
chateau"
II know it," answered lkla, cody II conceal
ed him"
You exclaimed the astonished baron. "Who
is her,
"Gu,tavus Reinold"
The baron uttered dismal groan
"lkli, you have murdered me !" he cried and
sank feebly into chair.
"Not SD bad that hope she replied
smiling.
Il tell you that whoever harbors the traitor is
to be shot exclaimed the frightened baron,
irately.
"You know well that Gustavus is no traitor"
"What signifies that? Ii the king orders it,
he must be shot-aud so must | !" And the bar.
on groaned again What made you take so
fatal an interest in this wretched young man z"
Hi, misfortune" replied Ikla "He is limo.
cent; l know IT, anu my dear mother, your sis
ter, knows it also Forced by a cruel and unjust
sentence to fly has country, he found safety and
refuge IN ours'
Then why the duce did he leave it?'
10 follow me when you sent for Inc. Find.
ing the pursuit so hot, thought the best asylum
fer him was our chateau"
II AIN much obliged to you for the preference"
answered the baron dolefully.
AT this moment II servant entered the room
and announced:
Count DOlien"
The barons ysare Frightened with hopeful
idea.
There is bat orc chance for US ALL" he cx-
claimed, marry the Count and then"
he checked himself abruptly.
1T II depends on that, our chance is small"
she returned roughly; "but listen to me-obey
me, and all will yet be well. l intend to play y
desperate game-but if win, shall save life
OF tar more value than my own
She had rapid conference with the baron,
and though he listened to her at first with aston.
!shment aud alarm, she finally won him over TO
her purpose, and he promised to assist her,
though 1t "a- with fear and trembling; but ne
mad pretty vel! made up his mind by this time
that he should be shot my w.y, and he thought
1t did not make uuck difference ipr what,
lie withdrew. aud Charles the Twelfth ns
Count - oltn, catered tnr rouin. II. wore ii,.
uhllorn OF his favor,to regiment; "A li,ht blu.
coat trimmed with gold, und the CORNER, ot The,
SKIRT turned back tut leather brooches, hjyb
boots OF hlack leather, 20 which iormidahI. y ,ir
OF spurs was attsched: tht.,.curu.rrd bi eek
hat; II olack stock; buff .aunte,. and y heavy