Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1871-04-08
Catching a Tartar.
A TRADITION OF SWEDEN.

TRADITION OF SWEDEN.
Charles the Twelfth of Sweden acci-
dantally encountered at the Chateau
Gortz, young creature from the banks
of the Nolga-a niece of Baron GortZ.
So powerful was the impression she at
once made upon the hitherto impregnable
heart of the hero, that he seemed TO lose
all recollection of other matters.
The name of his enchantress was the
Princess lkla. Being left an orphan at
an carly age, she had taken up her resi-
dence with Baron Gortz, 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 rep
sented to lkla under the simple title of
Count D'Olfen, and in that name he paid
his court TO the erratic Princess for
her Tartar blood made her disregard
many of the conventionaltes of life :;
though her uncle often declared that she
had the blood of the Gortzes full in her
riens, and was no more a Tartar than he
was-and there was not much Kalmuck
about him.
Baron Gortz was highly delighted at
the prospect of becoming the uncle of a
King but that delight was tempered
with dread of his prospective nephew-in-
law. For, stripping off the veil of his
military glory, he must acknowledge
that the "Lion of the Ncrth' was an
nnmitigated tyrant, and ruled his subjects
i'll very arbitrary manner.
Rarn,, Eort1 bal ,>rnof of .l,;, o,,o
day, when he received letter from the
King. 1t contained these words:
"Baron de Gortz-Information has
reached me that the Captain of IIubans,
Gustavus Reinold, who was condemned
to death for neglect of duty at the battle
Pultowa, but who escaped before the ex-
ecuion of his sentence has been seen in
Stralsund. Write instantly to the Gov
ernor tell him | hold him responsible
for the apprehension of this traitor
Within five minutes of his being taken
end identified, le. him be shot. And
the person in whose house he shall be
found shall forthwith be shot.
CHARLES.
This letter troubled the good old
Baron sorely, for his niece had made
him promise TO intcrcede for this ldent-
cal young officer. lIe broke into cold
perspiration 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 married,
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 servant, who informed
him that an officer of the police wished
to speak with him. Wonder at this he
FASTENED to the hall below. On his re-
turn, he found Ikla, sylphidc, dark
haired, dark-eyed gipsy of a woman,
gazing listlessly from the large bay win
dow into the street below. She noticed
that he was in state OF perturbation.
"What is the matter ?' she asked.
81 want to put you on your guard"
he exclaimed breathlessly. "rhe police
have sent to say that they have reason
to believe that young man is concealed
in my chateau"
81 know it." answered Ikla, coolly. 81
him."
"You - exclaimed the astonished
Baron. "Who is he %
'Gustavus Reinold.' ~ 81. .- --- ~
The Baron uttered dismal groan.
okla, you have murdered me p he
cried, and sank feebly into a char.
"Not so bad as that, l hope" she re-
Piled smilingly
81 tell you that whoever barbors the
traitoris TO be shot and so must ?"
And the Baron groaned again. "What
made you take so fatal an interest III this
wretched young man ?"
"Ilis misforunes" replied Ikla. "He
is innocent | know it, and my dear
mother, yOnr. sister, knew it also. Forced
by cruel and unjust sentence to fly his
country, he found refuge in ours"
"Then why the duce did he leave it ?"
.'Tolfollow me. when you sent for me-
Finding the pursuit so hot, thought
the best asylum for him was your
chateau" aaHr
At this moment, a servant entered tie
room and announced Coant D'OIfcn.
The Baron's yisage frightened with a
hopeful idea. - 80 n-
"Thcre is but one chance for us all !"
he exclaimedg "mmry sthe Count and
thea" He checked himself abruptly.
'sIf it depends on that our chance is
small" she returned roguishly shut lis
ten to me-obey me, and ali will yet be
well. ! intend to play desperate games
butif win, l. shall save q Efe Oa far |
more value than my own" p l'
She held a rapid conference with the
Barren and though be listened to her at
first with astonishment and alarm, she
finally won him over to her purpose, and