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

count of his warhks prOpensites, by his admirers,
the Lion of the North" and by his detrsctors,
With equal Justice, perhaps, the .Madman OF the
North. accidentally encountered, at the chateau
Gortz, young creature from the banks of Vol
ga niece of Bason Gortx. So powerful was
the impression she at once made upon the hith'
erto impreguable heart of the hero, 50 completely
was he spell.b 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 euchantress was the Princess
1kls-for she was a princess her mother, the
Baron's sister, having married the Hetnan of the
Tsrtars. Being left orphan at an early age,
she had taken up her residence with Baron Gortx
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,nalitles of life, though her uncle had
often declared that she had the blood of the
Gsrtz full in her veins and was no more Tar.
tar than he was-and there not much of the
kalmuck about him.
Baron Gortz was highly deli GIFTED at the pros.
peet of becoming the uncle Of the king; but that
delight was tempered by wholesome dread of
his prospective nephew-in.law. For, stripping
off the dazzling veil Of his military glory, We
must acknowledge that the "LOn of the North"
was an unmtigated tyrant, and ruled his ubjects
in very arbitrary manner.
Baron Gortz had proof of this one day when he
received letter from the king. 1t contained
these words:
"BAKoN DE GoRTz: Information has reached
me that the Captain of Hulans. Gustavus Rein.
old, who was condemned to death for neglect Of
orders ut 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 be- forthwith shot. CHARLES"
The letter troubled the good old baron sorely,
for his niece had made him promise to interoede
for this ideAtical young officer He broke into
cold Precipitation when he reflected that if he did
80 the probability was that he would get himself
shot for the pains. He wished foudly in his
heart that Ikla and 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
1t by servant who informed him that an officer
of the police wished to speak with him. Won.
derilg 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 in state of perturbation.
''W hat is the matter 7" she asked.
IL want to put you Oh your guard" he ex.
10 y,nI krn,@ l
sent to say they have reason to believe that "a
young is concealed somewhere in nv
chateau"
81 know it, answered lkla cody. II conceal
ed him"
You y exclaimed the astonished baron "Who
is he :"
"Gustsvus Reinold"
The baron uttered dismal groan
okla, you have murdered me ~ he cried, and
sank feebly into chair
Mot So bad as that, l 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 Il" And the bar
on groaued again. what made you take so
fatal an interest in this wretched young man ~
His MISFORTUNE" replied Ikla. "He is inno-
cent; know II, ana my dear mother, your sis
ter knows 1t also. Forced by IA cruel and unjust
sentence to fly his country, he found safety and
refuge in oars.'
Then why the ducc did he leave it? 2"
10 follow me when you sent for me. Find
ing the pursuit 30 hot, thought the best sylum
Ter him was our chateau"
VI am much obliged to you for the preference"
answered the baron doletully.
AT this moment Il servant entered the room
and announced:
Count D'Oiten."
The baron's vioage frightened with IL hopeful
idea.
"Thers is but one chance for US ALL" he cx-
claimed, marry the Count and then"
He checked himself abruptly.
If it depends on that, our chance il .msll.r
che returned roughly; "but listen to me-obey
me, and all will yet be we'll intend to play y
desperate game-but if l 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.
ishment aud alarm, she finally won him over to
her purpose, and he promised to assist her,
though 1t WA with fear and trembling; but ne
had pretty vel! made up his mind by this time
that ne should he sho, my WY, and he Thought
II did not make nucs difference for what.
lie withdrew. aud Churle. ,Le Twelfth. rs
Count - ONen, catered tnr rpuin. He wore tn,
UNIFORM OF his favuritr regiment: u li.h, blu.
coat trimmed with gold, ,t,i the corner, ot the
SKIRT turned back tut lr,thrr brooches, high
boots OF tuck leather, 10 which a iormdahl. u air
OF spurs Was attached: II ihrr.-cururrpd III ,ck
hat; black stock; buff .aun,et-, and heavy