Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1883-04-20
"A ROMANCE OF HISTORY.

fNgTf 1870 ~ ~
"A ROMANCE OF HISTORY. s
twas nutting time.
A blooming band of peasant children
had gathered from far and near to have
merry day amid the nut trees and
say children-but girls of fifteen
and lads of eighteen and twenty were
scattered throughout the chattering
group "A III SIIg.lTEi *
The nut harvest was a joyful time to
them.
The young are always attractive in q
certain way. The undimmed bright
ness of the eye-the satiny smoothness
of the complexion-the happy smiles
lowering around the rosy lips-each
has a beauty to itself; but add to the
youthful face the charm of perfectly
chiseled features, and of lustrous
brown eyes, looking out upon the world
with an innocent wonder at the chang
ing scenes of loveliness SO constantly
unfolding themselves before them
frame it in mass of shining, wavy
gold of natures own crimping-and
poise it upon a form so 1.-THE and slen-
der in its exquisite grace that Praxi-
teles might have chosen it for his
model-and you can form an idea of
Rika Bremer-the acknowledged beauty
of the whole surrounding country.
And there was romantic story
about her going the rounds. ss .sd $50
1t was said that no less parsonage
than Prince Eric, the son of the great
and good Gustavus, had been standing
one morning by one of the palace win
dows to witness q rustic procession,
which had been gotten up in honor of
some important victory, recently won
by his famous father; and, as he stood
gazing listlessly out, his eyes bright
ened suddenly, and he turned to an at
tendant and whispered a few words
which caused him to hasten away.
When he returned he was not alone
Rika was with him.
Prince Eric's beauty-loying eyes had
been attracted by her rs she had stood
amid a group of other maidens looking
at the gayly-dressed columns of her
countrymen filing by.
She, too, was in holiday attire; and
the black velvet jacket, fitting closely to
her slender figure, and adorned with
silver-gilt buttons, brought out SO vivid
ly the exquisite fairness of her skin,
with its rose-leaf tints of red upon lips
and cheeks, that she looked like a being
of different sphere as she stood amid
her mates.
Confused and blushing, she now
awaited the Princes pleasure. She
dared not raise her eyes to his face. -,
Had she done so she would have been
overpowered by the earnestness of the
gaze with which he regarded her.
From the moment his eyes rested
upon Rika's face the world held but one
peerless woman to him.
1t mattered not that his younger
brother, Duke John, was even then in
another kingdom, wooing for him a
royal bride, upon whose brow rested q
diadem whose splendor far exceeded the
one which he was to inherit upon the
death of his father. err
No. In that moment Elizabeth of
England was forgotten. The peasant
maid who stood before him had become
the Queen of his fancy.
"Thy name, little onePn he asked.
Rika raised her eyes to the handsome,
earnest face, but dropped them timidly
as she met mis- glance. 1.- ''' 5i5sI II -.
~ am sFrederika-the forester's
daughter-your Majesty 49,, Q. sh,
MAY, not yet crave / for that title,
maiden, Young blood must have its
vent, and L am glad to know that the
cares of government are not soon likely
to rest upon my shoulders, broad
though they may be.n ace -
With smile he glanced at his stall
wart frame, which was acknowledged
to be one Of the finest specimens OF
physical comeliness in the country, as
was his face called the handsomest OF
any Princes in Europe.
Rika courtesied respectfully, but did
not reply. GTIRLE ~
If the gracious Prince chose thus to
address as an equal one OF the humblest
of his fathers subjects, she knew well
her position, and was to the full as
proud of her unsullied innocence and
integrity as the haughtiest maid in the
realm. vs-r w..
Her shy modesty added to her beauty
in Eric's eyes. @ IT,
Where livest thou, Frederikap" he
asked, softly; "forI would well like to
send thy father a commission to fell
some trees which much interfere with
the comfort Of the Kings hunting par.
ties in the forest ...... 80, j,
This he said, knowing intuitively
that it would startle Rika to give Hhei
his true reason and say that he intend.
ed to start out himself in quest Of faireI
and more precious game which must
be ensnared in tenderer tolls than those
at command of the keenest sportsman
ut his father court 1850 9aa RaiiFTPa
After a few words more he suffered
Rika TO 60. But the sweet memory oi
her presence went not with her. II
nestled deep within his heart.
After this interview, scarcely weeA
passed that did not find Eric's stop.
turned in the direction of the forester's
cottage. enc1
A glass of milk, from Rika's owl
white hands, was the draught most pre-
ferred by the royal hunter although
out of courtesy, he would sometimes ac
cept q mug of mead from the sturdy
old father. = 4" tt-4f
Matters were in this stage at the tim,
our story opens.
Thenuts were gathered, and the mer
ny groups had dispersed to their various
homes, with the understanding tha
they should meet again the next day
and go together to the palace and dis
pose OF their treasures.
The next morning found them OF
their way, dressed in their best, as be
came SO eyentful an occasion in theil
usually monotonous lives; for royalt,
had such glamor to uninitiated eye
that the mere sight of the walls which
shut il in is eagerly coveted.
1t was pretty sight TO any one VIII,
might have been stationed at the win
dow, to see that blooming procession o
neatly dressed lads and lasses, as the,
wended their way along with many
merry laugh and jest until at last the.