The Clayton call. (Clayton, Del.) 188?-189?, 1897-07-06

was extended to the president Of the
senate and pressed it to his lips
At sight of Carl and his boldness
! Christine uttered a scream and with
drew her hand, while a hundred arms
were in a moment raised to ehastise the
peasant slave who had insulted the
officer and aspired to an honor reserved
but for the titled and the rich. And
such was the crime for which he was
thus disgraced-a crime arising from
his ignorance and which merited not SO
SYNONYMOUS punishment.
When the last blow had fallen, he
bounded from the hands of the guards,
and casting his eyes toward the palace
exclaimed, ST swear before God, Chris
tine, that a day will come when shall
kiss thy royal handp' Then, regarding
his punisher with look of ferooity, he
dashed wildly through the crowd.
The next day the miner had Quilted
Stockholm, but he was never again
heard of at Norberg.
Five years after this two prisoners,
the one a young man of some six and
twenty years, accused Of robbery, the
other the head of a band of highway
men, together confined in dungeon of
the fort of Fredericksburg, were thus
conversing:
"Ah," said the young man, "what 1
regret most is that l shall never again
behold her love. "
"Child," replied the robber, ''in a
few years thou wilt 10 liberated. Do
not despair, fer if she thou lowest is
really faithful you may yet be happy.
Listen. Our young and beautiful queen
once ordered 10 blows to be admins
tered to the shoulders of poor fellow
who, struck with an unconquerable pas
sion for her, dared to respectfully press
his coarse lips to her dainty fingers. and
for which he was disgraced as if he had
committed a crime of the most daring
character. But he swore before God
that day would arrive when the hand
which had been refused him should be
pressed to his lips and the mouth which
commanded his punishment would sue
to him for mercy.
THAT day so much desired seemed as
if it would never arrive, but it came at
last. 1t was during the chase when the
queen in her ardor became separated
from her companions, and she found
herself alone in the middle of deep
forest. Suddenly she was surrounded
by band of robbers, who seized her
courser, ignorant of her quality. Re
spect mel she cried. 4 am your queen'
The words fell like lightning on my
heart. The hour Of retribution had ar
rived. 'Lcok on me, said. Do you
not remember me-? 1 am Carl, the poor
miner who once presumed to kiss thy
pretty hand, and for which you ordered
him to he scourged in the face CT all
Stockholm on thy natal day, but l swore
before God that a day would arrive
when 1 should press it to my lips. 1t
has arrived, and my oath shall now be
accomplished l advanced toward her,
but my heart failed me, and wept like
child.
" PROSTATE myself, said she, recov-
ering her wonted dignity and courage.
Those whom 1 permit to salute my
hand must approach on Bonded knee.
''She extended to me her hand, and
kneelirg I pressed it to my lips, proud
and happy that 1 had fulfilled my oath.
departed, first having conducted her to
the right path. The next day and my
companions were surprised and taken.
But, never mind-I still hold it as a
truth, for experience has proved it, that
in love we should never despair There
is always favorable moment, and all
that is necessary is to be watchful, and
when it does arrive to permit it not to
escape us. Do not despair. hope yet
TO sec many happy hours.
Tho jailer opened the door of the pris
on and pronounced the name of Carl.
"Along, my ladP' cried he to the
prisoner.
Carl was about to reply, but was pre-
vented by the keeper continuing:
"Hushl 1t is useless. The gallows is
Ready, and the executioner awaits you.
New York News.