Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-06-13
ChriStiern and Yasa.


But as pebbles in the sea-
Christiern and Yasa.
1t was at late hour in the evening of
the 10th Of November, 1920. that page,
clad in the gorgeous velvet costume worn
by the attendants Of King Christiern II.
of Denmark, aroused the chief jailer OF
the gloomy prison of Copenhagen, where
distinguished personages that incurred
the ill-will Of His Majesty were confined,
from his slumbers. and said to him, in An
i1npe1ious tone:
In the Kings name. l wish to see
young count Gustavus Vasa."
What. One ct 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
hostagesi'
You low-born cur" returned the
handsome Eagc, haughtily. Here is Il
document, signed by Christiern the Sc
cond himself, authorizing me to see
Gustavus Vasa."
gible words. Then he took burning wax
taper and led the way to door, which
he opened with one of the large KEYS
from the bunch fastened to his belt.
That door opened upon narrow and
dark corridor, lined on both sides with
small, damp dungeons. where the cruel
and vindictive Christian confined.
THE VICTIMS OF HIS HOSTILITY.
At last the jailer stood still in front of
one Of the last dungeons
He opcned7it, leaving the key with the
whole bunch in the door.
In the uncertain light the royal page
distinguished atall, tine looking youth,
who sat on a stone bench, leaning against
the wall.
ut 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 up to the page. AS
recognized the lad, who Put his finger
upon his lips as if TO appeal to him not to
say anything.
RATHER TREMuLOUS VOICE:
"Cnchain the prisoner. The Kings
orders are never read to shacklcd prison
ers."
The jailer 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
jailers hands. Then, exclaimlng:
''Now.FOR FREEDOM, DEAR GUsTAvUs,"
he debt the jailer a stunning blow in the
face, dragged the prisoner, who seemed
utterly bewildered because of all these
occurrences, out of the dungeon and lock-
ell andbolted it.
Thejailer 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 his arms.
Beloved girl!' he exclaimed, as he was
showering kisses upon her swelling lips
anu dimpled cheeks. 'Have you really
cometoA deliver me from durance vile?
What,does this disguise of yours mean?"
''Ahs!' sighed the page. "It means
but let us first effect our escape from this
horrible building.'
II shall follow you to the end of the
world!'' he cried, enthusiastically.
~ shave 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 Vas;a, ''my
othercountrymen here-can not we liber
ate them, tso?"
+; "s e. es1 1eRlied Vanda' 1--WE have no
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 large boat awaited
them. They entered it, and were swiftly
rowed by four stalwart oarsmen toward
the Swedish shore.
"Now. you shall hear everything,
Gustsyus," said Wanda to the young man.
But what l have to tell you is horrible
and heart.rending."
what is it," exclaimed Gustavus.
DO you know, Gustavus Vasa," she
said, almost solemnly, :'that to-day you
are the foremost nobleman in Sweden?"
But my father he stammered out.
Your NOBLE father is dead"
Deadr'
zone week ago he and ninety one other
Swedish nOblemen were beheaded at
Stockholm by order of King Christiern."
GustaXus uttered
A CRY OF DESPAIR.
"My poor father.''' he groaned, bury
ing his face in his hands.
"The tyrant, Christiern, wanted to
have the wives and children of these vic
Tins also killed, but his officers refused
to sanction such proceeding. Your
motlier---''
"She must be heart-broken, Wanda"
"She is deeply afflicted, Gustevus, but
she hopes"that you will avenge the MUIR
der Of your noble father,
81 will will!' he cried, passionately.
II will cut the royal villain of Denmark
to pieces"
mo, no." she interposed; "that ia 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 crQwn upon your head. but to drive
Christiern back into his petty kingdom
of Denmark
"And you shall be my Queen!' he
cried, kissing her affectionately. "But
tell nae, Wanda, how did you obtain this
costume Of royal page?"
"From King Christiern himself"
"He uttered an exclamation of sur
prise.
"Yes, Gustavus. 1t was in this wise:
LaI4en Bragsoe, the scoundral VINO be-
trayed your father INTO the hands of the
bloodthi'sty King, was implicated
in an intrigue against the tyra1t. I &c.
cidently heard of it. Christierd was very
thankful. l had gone to him in male
attire. I told him was native of Den