The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1881-09-29
- eIe st II n / q 4.
The Beautiful Singer.

the lips Of childhood, often moved
him to tears. Once upon q time
Gustavus Adolpbus. after long and
severe fighting, had conquered d
strongly fortified town, in which
we're citizens who had been born
within the limits Of the Swedish rule
hut bad since found new homes.
Aud all these people he condemned
to death. They were marched out
from the town at pigbtfall, to be
beld 10 camp until the following
morning, when they we're to be shot
for treason. Several Of bis officers
iuterceded with the king for the
lives Of these poo, people.
But Gustavus felt that he bad al
ready granted enough. First--in
the ruddy heat OF his passiou--he
had consigned the whole tribe to
death but since then he bad great
ly modified the sentence, condemn-
ing only those Of the former sub
iects Of Sweden who had been taken
With arms in their hands 4; and from
this no power Of persuasion or argu-
mel mt could move him. All the talk
Of bis old chaplain about these peo-
pie having only joined their fellows
in protecting the homes to their
wives and child len, moved him not
an atom. They are traitors 7 he
said, land as traitors they shall
die !"
At late hour-it was past mid
night-Gustavus Adolpbus threw
on his cloak and drew his slouohed
bat down over bis eyes, and, staff in
band. wandered forth in the dark
ness. Without thinking whittier be
went, he slowly walked on, answering
the seutinels as they hailed bi m, un-
I'll at length his steps were arrested
by a strain Of music.
Who is that p lie asked Of SEN
tinel whom he chauced TO meet a
moment later.
at is one of the prisoners, SIRE =
The wife and children of one of tleir
chief men have had PERMISSION to
night with the husband
aud fatlra- - ..--a-----s
The king nodded his thanks for
his iufor nation, and moved on.
Slowly he approached the tent from
which the music issued, and as he
drew near he heard deep, manly
voice
Hush Bush Weep not. God
will provide Il
The king looked in through the
open seam in the cloth and saw u
gray haired mau, with an imposing
presence-a grand face and head,
aud clear flashing eye, surrounded
by bis wife and children, who clung
to him with passionate tender.
ness. |
III ush !" he said" "Let us not
make these precious moments dark
er than they need to be. 1t is but
the fortune Of war, my loved ones.
Come. my Hermions-sing to me,
once more, our dear old song Of the
Fatheland For, though Gustavus
will take my life, yet l love the land
that gave birth. God bless dear
Sweden, now aud ever more (! Now
Hermions-sing: Come-let thy
voice give my poor heart cheer il il
may be-
Presently thereafter a beautiful
girl OF fifteen or sixteen summers,
threw back the silksn hood from her
golden curls, and began to sing.
Her song was the SSede's oldest
aud most cherished piece of music
The words full of love and devotion
love Of home and of country
md the melody was peculiarly sweet
ind touching. And never had the
siug heard it sung so grsndly. The
words fell upon his ears with new
meaning, aud the music touched his
Ipirit with q strangely awakening
,ower. As the charming melody
'wslled to grander and grsnder
ones, aud the voice OF the singer
and strengthened, the
istener felt his heart hush with awe. /:
Aud finally, when the last rich
sdenoe died away, in mellow, melt.
ug echoes upon the upper air, be
PRESSED his hands over his eyes, apd
,urst into tears. i
After time Gustavus lifted bis
'ead and looking once more through /.
Ihs aperture in the wall Of the tsnt
70 saw the family upon their knees, :.
nd heard the voice OF the old man
Aised in prayer. He listened TO- a . !,
ew seconds aud then turned a,d "