Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-12-29

- 10 way, and which is often told by
nesndinavians around the fire GA wiutei
evenings. IL In the tale Of a yisiait sssr-.l bg
ming charles XI--a vision which is sup.
possh 70 Rave presaged the assassination
vi osstayns LII and the consequent de
eapitation OF Count Ankers,roEn. the as
sassia, and ais associates. Thus runs the
STORY Alag Charles, in deep grief at the
iess OF his Queen, whom be had passionate
~ loved, was sitting in his apartment cue
night. In Attendance were Count Brahe.
MS ald-de-eanp, and the kings physi-
eian- The bereaved monarch had given
no encouragement to conversation, and
silence had reigned for some time, when
the castle clock struck the hour of mid
night. The king rose and expressed his
Wish 70 retire for the night He askes,
what kind of night il was, and the count
went to the window and withdrew tie
curtains-and Immediately stepped back
ID aIilazement- The royal castle in Stock
hoIn Is an immense pile Of buildings sur
rounding vast courtyard. The Swedish
diet fparliamentl Is donaiciled within the
precincts Of the castle, and when in ses-
sion occupies now, as in King Charles'
day, great hall opposite TO the royal
dows STRAINED a blaze Of light Parlia-
ment was not in session, and the iliumina-
ton at this midnight hour was wholly I'M
accountable. The king commanded Count
Brahe to summon the marshal Of the cas-
tie To his presence. The old man came In
state Of bewilderment and trepidation
and could OF course give no explanation Of
the mystery. The king determined TO as
certain the cause for himself. and, bidding
the seneschal precede him with his lantern
and keys, he crossed the deserted court
yard with his two attendants. Entering
the vestibule Of the diet hall, they became
aware that the walls were hung with black
cloth, entirely covering the faded tapes
tries. Awed and impressed, the party
stood silent and undecided for awhile a
murmuring of many voices, evidently
proceeding from the great hall. being faint
ly but distinctly audible Deciding to
solve the mystery at all hazards, the king
commanded the seneschal to open the
door forthwith. In mortal terror the old
servant fell on his knees and implored his
majesty to forego his determination, de
claring his own inability to obey his king s
command. Turning to the count, the king
babe him open the door. "YOur majesty
can bear me witness, " said Brahe, THAT I
have always done my duty in defense of
my king and country. fear no mortal
foe, but | confess | have no courage to
face those of another world, in whose aw
ful presence we evidently stand. "
The physician likewise showed his ii
Nudity or unwillingness, whereupon the
king snatehed the key from the hand Of
the seneschal, eXclaiming, 81 perceive that
these things concern myself alone,' With
out further hesitation he opened the door
aud crossed the thres hold, his attendants
following, in fear and trembling but
ashamed to desert their master.
A parliament was in full session. and the
vast hall was crowded with people. None
looked at or seemed to be aware Of the
king and his party as they entered. A
noticeable thing was the unfamiliar garb
of the members of the midnight parlia-
ment. it was not that of the period nor
that of the past. The Swedish rigsdag, or
diet, OF that day consisted of "A supreme
council and president and the members of
the four estates of the reAlm--the mobiles,
clergy. burghers and the peasants. As
usual, the benches n the lower part Of the
hall were occupied by the peasant mem
clergy and the me IA bers OF the nobility, &C
cordiug tc their degree. At the extreme
upper end OF the great apartment was u
raised dais occupied by the supreme conn
Gil, or court, and the president In the cen
ter appeared magnificent bier. upon
which rested corpse partly covered with
velvet mantle displaying the royal arms
of the house OF Vasa, A large open space
interviewed between the raised platform
and the first benches of the nobility. IN
the midst stood block, aud the hcadsman
leaning On his AK.
The murmuring had gradually died
away into silence. An eager and eorrihle
suspense was apparent in the faces OF the
assembly Presently the president arose,
a gigantic ggure. but bent with age. and
made "A sigu. whereupon woeiul prces-
sion Of men. bareheaded and with man
acled hands aud attended by guarc,s IN
strange uniforms, was seen issuing from
n side door and approaching the scallpid.
Another sign from the president. AMI the
first man knelt down and was dispatched
by the headxnau. One after another came
up and suffered his doom, delngin2 the
eoor with blood The last. a man in mid
die life, was evidently the chief criminal
He lifted his hand in menace at the Judges
and then lad it on the block. 1t WAS sew
cred at once by a str ke of the NIX Inc
head followed immed ately and rolled IN
strange manner mp to where tue klps
stood. seemingly bespattering his feet WIN
blood In anazement and horror the king
exclaimed in loud voice, Merclfni
Lord. is this to be in my reign, or does III
f,rhode he futureS
The response came from the aged ch1ei
and WAS repeated by the multitude. Woe
uoe wee. TO the blood of Nasa Inc
words. though faint and distant, We're DIS
tinetIy heard. As the sounds died away
the light faded and the figures grew ann
and shadow. and soon the whole vision
vanished. The guest hall was empty and
,iark save where the seneschal' lantern
made the gloom visible. In the anteeha'n-
her the worm eaten hangings appeared a
,ususI When the king reached his apart
,meuts, having sworn his attendants TO Sc,
crecy, he commanded the physician u
.place on record the portentous scene "nion
they had all witnessed that night. M
then affixed mis- signature and seal Ih'
a,ta, dants likewise signed the document
which is said still to exist among 'he se
,cret archives Of the Vasa family