Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-02-03
Don't make any rash promise

worn by the danes Of fifty years ago.
81 have the greatest desire TO see
how you would look dressed as my
grandmother" she cried.
The king was appalled,.
"Death and the dev-,' he began.
"Oh, fe no swearing in lady's
presence" she said checking him.
"But | am glad I have discovered
what your love amounts to-"
He expostulated with her, and ended
as common mortals do, in submitting
to a woman's will.
She then dressed him in the heavy
brocade dress, and then tied the high,
starched cap tightly under his chin.
"Faugh,' he cried IN disgust, "this
dress makes me smell like musk
rat"
"You don't like perfumes, then =
"No--yes; one --gunpowder Pm
like Charles XII, and there's no per-
fume for me but gumpowder."
"Oh, if / were his wife y exclaimed
Ikla fervently,
He regarded her in pleased sur
prise.
"What are you in love with the
king
"Oh, dear, no. Only | might be
inclined to sacrifice ones self for the
good of ones country
Charles smiled grimly,
"You are vastly condescending," he
replied. Sand pray, what else would
you do for the good of your country?'
II would soften his charcte.'. |
would tame this hon and he should
soon be as much beloved as he is al
ready admire and feared"
"And how is this to be accomplish.
ed ?" inquired Charles.
"Sit down and let me tell you.
There now, you must fancy yourself
Charles XII.
"Well, do he answered with Il
significant smile.
"Consder me the queen," she con
tinued and drew her chair beside
him.
$50 on he cried, rather pleased
with the conceil.
Il should devote my wnole life to
obtaining and securing his entire con
fdence,"
"We will suppose you have it,
"Then should use it to make him
submit, on all fitting occasions to my
sovereign will, | would teach him the
true value of his noble prerogativc."
Which is"
"Mercy.'
"Come, come, Charles XII is Sc
we're, l know-but he is just
"Not always Witness the case of
Captain Reinold.
Charles started, and glanced at her
suspiciously.
"What do you know Of that cul-
prit q he cried.
"IIis sentence is unjust" she an
Swered, firmly, and therefore fit OBJ
ject for the interference Of the queen.
She rose, went to the table and took a
paper from 1t. "Now, if | were queen
I would approach the king, as | do
you, with this paper in my hand.
She walked up to him with dignity
II would say to him, Sir, your honor
and Your glory both require that
you should pnt your name to this
sign.
He took the paper from her in SUI
prise, and looked at it.
"a pardon for Captain Reinold,' he
exclaimed, and his brow darkened
angrily. "Indeed, then my dear little
friend, if I were Charles XII. this
would be my answer"
He tore up the paper
Nothing discomposed, she lmmedi
ately drew another paper from hel
pocket.
"Then," she said, and knelt at hi'
feet, pleadingly, as she spske, 'Kine
of Sweden, your eyes are blinded
not by justice, but by anger Whcr
Captain Reinold was entrusted with
that order, he tornd the battle of Pull.
iowa irretrievably lost if he had de
livered it, he would only have caused
! q massacre of the Swedish prisoner
} by the remorseless Russians. Fol
} this reason alone he did not deliver it
and thus incurred your Majesty's dis
pleasure
81 desire to know the reason of th
extraordinary interest you take in thi