Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-02-03
CATCHING A TARTAR.
4 TRADITION OF SWEDEN.

North and by his dictators, with e.
quail justice, perhaps, the "Madmaa of
the North,' accidentally encountered
at .he Chateau Goriz, a young Great
urc from the banks of the Volga-a
niece of Baron Gortz. So powerful
was the impression she at once made
upon the hitherto impregnable heart
of the hero, 80 completely was he
spell bound in her charms, that he
seemed to loose all recollection ofoth.
er matters, even of the disastrous bat
tie Of Pultowa
The name of this enchantress was
the Princess Ikla--for she was a prln-
cess, her mother, the Baron's sister,
having married the Hetman Of the
Tarars. Being left an orphan at an
early age, she had taken up her resi-
dcuce with Baron Gortz at Stralsund.
The Baron was a bit of q historian
or he thought he was-and was
then engaged in writing history OF
the king, who called upon him often
to revise and correct the work. Be
sides, the Baron was one of the
crown councillors, and was often en-
trusted with important business of the
state.
Charles MI. had that desire which
seems to be inherent in the breast of
greatness--he wished to be loved for
himself alone, without regard for his
state and grandeur. Consequently he
had himself presented to Ikla under
the simple title Of Count d'Olten, and
in that name he paid his court to the
erratic princess, for her Tartar blood
made her disregard the conventional
ities of life, though her uncle often de-
clared 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 of the Kalmuck about
him.
Baron Gortz was highly delighted
at the prospect of becoming the uncle
Of the king but that delight was tenn
pered by a wholesome dread of his
prospective nephew-in-law. For,
stripping off the dazzling veil Of his
military glory, he must acknowledge
that the "Lion of the NORTH" was an
unmitigated tyrant, and ruled his
subjects in a very arbitrary manner.
Baron de Gortz had proof of this
one day, when he received letter
from the king. 1t contained these
words:
"Baron Gortz, information has reach
ed me that the Captain Of Hubans
Gustavous Reinold, who was con
demned to death for neglect Of orders
at the battle of Pultowa, but who es
capped before the execution of his
sentence, has been seen in Stralsund
Write instantly to the governor tel
him hold hm responsible for the ap.
prehension 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 be forthwith shot.
CHARLES"
This letter troubled the good Baror
sorely, for his niece had made hin
promise to intercede for this iden,ica
young officer. lie broke into a cold
perspiration when he reflected that i
he did so the probability was that ht
would get himself shot Tor his pains
He wished in his heart that the king
and lkla were married, because ther
he should be his uncle, and he coulC
never think of shooting one of the roy
al family.
He wrote the order to the governor
and sent it by servant, who informed
HIM that an officer of the police wish
ed to speak with him. Wondering a
this he hurried to the hall below. Or
his return, he found Ikla, a sylphid,
dark-haired, dark-eyed gypsy of wo
man, gazing listlessly from the larg
bay window, into the street below
She noticed that he was in a state O
perturbation
"What is the matter 7" she asked.
Il want to put you on your guard,
he exclaimed, breathlessly. 9Th
police have sent to say they have res
son to believe that young man i
concealed somewhere in my chat
eau"
81 know it," answered she cooll,
81 concealed him.
"Who" exclaimed the astonishe
) Baron. "Who is he 7"
SEuotoyu, Ra;po1J