The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-02-24
CATCHING A TARTAR.
A TRADITION OF SWEDEN

Surnauleu, Oh uccOuuC OF MS Waruk'
ipropensities, by his admirers, th,
"Lion of the North" and by his de
tractors, with equal justice, perhaps
the "Madman of the North, accidentl,
encountered at the Chateau Gortz,
young creature from the banks of tn,
Volga-a niece of Baron Gortz. 81
powerful was the impression she II
once made upon the hitherto impreg
nable heart of the hero, so completed,
was he spell-bound in her charms
that he seemed to loose all recollection
of other matters, even of the disastrou
battle of Pultava.
The name of his enchantress wa
the Princess Ikla-for she was Prin
cess, her mother, the Baron's sister
having married the Hetman of til,
Tartars. Being left an orphan at NJ
early age. she had taken up her resi-
dence with Baron Gortz at Stralsund
The Baron was n bit of a historian
or thought he was-and was then en-
gagged in writing history of the King
who called upon him often to revis'
and correct the work. Besides, til,
Baron was one of the Crown Council
lors, and was often entrusted with i'm
portant business of the State.
Charles the Twelfth had that desir,
which seems inherent in the breast O
greatness-he wished TO. be loved fol
himself alone, without any regard u
its state and grandeur. Consequent
ly, he had himself presented to Ikli
under the simple title of Count Dol
fen, and III that name he paid hi,
court to the erratic Princess; for hel
Tartar blood made her disregard man,
of the conventionalities of life, though
her uncle often declared that she hac
the blood of the Gortzes full in he,
veins, and was no more Tartar tha,
he was-and there was much of tho
kalmuck about him.
Baron Gortz was highly delighted
at the prospect of becoming the uncl.
of the King; but the delight was tenn
pered by wholesome dread of hi,
prospective nephew-in-law. For
stripped of the dazzling veil of hi,
military glory, he must acknowledge
that the "Lion of the North" was al
unmitigated tyrant and ruled his sub
jects in n very arbitrary manner.
Baron Gortz had proof of this one
day, when he received letter from
the King. 1t contained these words
Baron de Gortz: Information has
reached me that the Captain of HUI.
bans, Gustayus Reinold, who was
to death for neglect of or.
ders ut the battle of Pultaya, but who
escaped before the execution of his
has been seen in Stralsund.
Write instantly to the Governor; tell
him hold him responsible for the
of this traitor. Within
five minutes of his being taken and
Unidentified, let him be shot. And the
person in whose house he shall be
found shall forthwith be shot.
"CHAgLE."
The letter troubled the good old
Baron sorely, for his niece had made
him promise to intercede for this iden-
tical young officer. He broke into a
persiration when he reflected that il
he did so he should get himself shot
for his pain. He wished fondly in
his heart that the King and Ikla were
married, because then he should be
his uncle, and he never could think OF
shooting one of the royal family.
He wrote the order to the Gevernor Or,
and sent it by servant, who informed
him that an officer of the police wish
ed to speak with him. On his return,
he found Ikla, sylphid, dark-haired
gypsy of q woman, gazing listlessly
from the large bay window into the
street below. She noticed that he
was in a state of perturbation.
"What is the natter" she asked.
81 want to put you on your guard, y
he exclaimed, breathlessly. The
police have sent to say they have fea-
son TO believe that young man is
somewhere in my chateau 81
81 know it" answered Ikla, cody.
sI concealed him."
"Youp exclaimed the astonished
Baron. "Who is he?"'
"Gustavus Reinold."
The Baron uttered dismal groan.
"Ikla, you have murdered me-" he
cried, and sank feebly into chair.
ssNot SO bad as that, I hope" she
replied, smilingly.
s'I tell you that whoever harbors
the traitor is to be shot-and SO must
IT. And the Baron groaned again
"What made you take SO fatal an in
terest in this wretched young man. %
ellis misfortunes, replied Ikla.-
"He is. innocent; I know it, and my
dear mother, your sister, r,lzAeY1t slso.
Forced by a cruel and unjust ssnsence
to fly his country, he fohad refuge in
ours" G
"Then why the deuce did he leave
it?"
ssTo follow me when you sent for
me. Finding the persuit SO hot, ]
thought the best asylum for him was
your chateau"
At this moment servant entered
the room, and announced Count
D'Olfen.
"There is but one chance for us all!
he exclaimed: marry the Count, and
then" she returned, roguishly: "but
listen to me-obey me, and all will
yet be well. I intend to play des-
perate game; but If win, I 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 with astonishment 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 that time that he should be shot