River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-06-13
Christierl and Yasa.


the 18th of November, 1920, that page.
clad in the gorgeous velvet costume worn
by the attendants of King Christiern IL
of Denmark, aroused the chief iaiTer of
the gloomy prison of Copenhagen, where
distinguished personages that incurred
the ili-will of His Majesty were confined,
from his slumbers, and said to him, in an
impeIious tone:
" In the Kings naMel / wish to see
young count Gustavus Easa.'
What One OF the Swedish hos
tages2 You can not see him, my lad.
Has not His Majesty strictly rdered me
not to permit any interviews with those
hCstaeesl"
You low-born cur" returned the
handsome page, haughtily. "Here is a
document, signed by Christiern the Sc
cond himself, authorizing me to see
Gustayus Vasa."
The iailer muttered few unintelli-
gible words. Then he took a burning wax
taper and led the way to a door, which
he opened with one of the large KEYS
from the bunch fastened to his belt
That door opened upon a narrow and
dark corridor, lined on both sides with
small, damp dungeons. where the cruel
and yindictive Christian confined.
THE VICTIMS OF HIS HOSTILITY.
At last the jailer stood still in front of
one of the last dungeons.
He opened it, leaving the key with the
whole bunch in the door.
In the uncertain light the royal page
distinguished a tall, fine looking youth,
who sat on a stone bench, leaning against
the wall.
cit is Gustavus," murmured the page
The prisoner rose to his feet, but the
chain that was fastened to heavy iron
ring round his body was SO short that he
was unable to hasten un 10 the page, as
was his frs: impulse for he had evidently
recognized the lad, who put his finger
upon his lips as if to appeal to him not to
say anything.
\ RATHER rEEMULoUs VOICE:
"Unchain the prisoner. The Kings
orders are never read to shackled prison
ers.n
The iailer obeyed reluctantly
No sooner had the prisoner been I'M
chained than the page snatched the torch
light and the bunch of keys from the
iaier's hands. Then, exclaiming:
SNOW FOR FREEDOM, DEAR GUsTAvUs,"
he dealt the iailer stunning blow in the
face, dragged the prisoner, who seemed
utterly bewildered because of all these
occurrences, out of the dungeon and lock-
ed and bolted it.
The iailer yelled in the dungeon with
rage, but the thick walls and the heavy
door prevented his frantic cries from be-
ing heard.
Meanwhile Gustavus Vasa had clasped
the royal page in shis arms.
Beloved girln' he exclaimed, as he was
showering kisses upon her swelling lips
and dimpled checks Have you really
come to deliver me from durance vilel
What does this disguise of yours mean2"
Alas" sighed the page. sit means
but let us first effect our escape from this
horrible building
Il shall follow you to the end OF The
world :" he cried, enthusiastically.
II have horses waiting outside" she
whispered, land boat is moored at the
Kings Holm ready to convey us across the
Sound. Now let us hurry away"
"But," interposed Gustavus Vasa, "my
other couu.rymen here-can not we liber
ate them, tGo."
''No, no, replied Wanda, "we have no
time for that"
They hastily left the somber building.
Two masked men of commanding
stature had been waiting for them with
two splendid chargers. They galloped off,
and reached the Kings Holm twenty
minutes after. There a large boat awaited
them. They entered it, and were swiftly
rowed by four stalwart oarsmen toward
the Swedish shore.
''Now you shall hear everything,
Gustavus, said Wanda to the young man.
''But what have to tell you is horrible
and heart rendIhg."
What is itin exclaimed Gustavus.
do you know, Gustavus Nasa,n she
said, almost solemnly, Sthat to-day you
are the foremost nobleman in Swedeni"
But my father he stammered out.
Your nople father is dead.n
Dead -
"One week ago he and nlnety-one other
Swedish noblemen were beheaded at
Stockholm by order of King Christiern."
Gustavus uttered
a CRY OF DESPAIR.
MY poor fatherr' he groaned, bury
ing his face in his hands.
The tyrant, Christiern, wanted to
have the wives and children of tfesc vic
Tins also killed, but his officers refused
10 sanction such a proceeding. Your
mother
She must be heart-broken. Wanda"
She is deeply afflicted, Gustsvus, but
she hopes that you will svenge the muir
der of your noble father.
will! Will he cried, passionatelv,
Twill cut the royal villain of Denmark
TO pieces
No, no, she interposed '.thar is not
enough. There is no one that has bet
ter claim to the Swedish crown than You,
Gustavus, and / want YOU not only TO put
hat crown upon your head. but TO drive
Christiern back into his petty kingdom
Uf Denmark"
And You shall be my QueenG' he
cried, kissing her atfeetionetely "But
Tell me, Wanda, how did you obtain this
costume of Il royal page
"From King Christiern HIMSELF
lie uttered an exclamation of sur
prise.
ayes, Gustavus. It was in this wise:
Lallen Bragsoe, the seoundral VINO be-
trayed your father INTO the hands of the
blcodthi.sty King, was implicated
in an intrigue against the tyrant / &C
oideGtly heard of it. Christiern was very
thankful. / had gone to him in male
attire told bin | was native Of Dem
mark, sad wHa.l dearly love 70 become
pBe OF MS MAJ -'y's pages.