The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1897-07-08
THE EXPORTED KISS

To the north of Europe, at the Ell
trance of the gulf of the Baltic ses
Stands a city resembling in its site Eth
queen of the Adriatic." This second
Venice is known by the name of Stocky
holm, where in former days reigned twa'
of the wisest and best of monarchs, by
name Gustavus the Great. The first, be-
cause of his patriotism, skill and gen.
Jus, had rescued his country from the
subjugation of the Dane, and the sec
4ond, by his indomitable energy and
military knowledge, had exalted her to
che first rank among the nations of. the
world. The latter dying in 1913, the
crown devolved upon his daughter,
Christine, then scarcely b years of age.
1t was a morning of July, 1916, in
Stockholm. The air was resounding
with merry ringing of bells. the roaring
sof artillery and the shouts of the popu-
lace. for it was the natal day of the
youthful queen. Nobles squires and
the learned of the land had congregated
to pay their homage to their youthful
sovereign, and the peasant from the
most distant regions of Sweden had
scontriyed to make his way to Stockholm
to gain glance of the fair creature
whose fame sounded throughout the
world, and whose learning had been ex-
tolled by Descartes and Samaise.
, The court of the palace was thronged
with anxious spectators, and the troops
were ranged in due order to greet the
appearance of the queen, when suddenly
the windows were thrown open and
the flower of Sweden-ladies, mobiles and
officers appeared in the most gorgeous
uniforms. All eyes we're directed to one
point, and a universal cry arose Of "She
ecomesp But Christine was not there.
1t was the young and handsome Count
Lagardie, the favorite of the queen,
who appeared and, having waited till
the enthusiasm of the populace had sub
sided, read as follows:
"a bold ard insolent peasant having
dared to insult her majesty, it is deemed
expedient that he should suffer punish
ment, but ia consideration of the day,
and that 10 cloud should mar the fes-
tiyities, the queen ordains him to re-
eceiye Is b,Ugs in the presence of the
assembled multitude as warning to
future offenders. -
The chief of the police, with his as
asistants, having conducted the prisoner
into the center of the court, executed
the sentence. The poor fellow with
difficulty refrained from giving vent to
his sufferings, and the people looked on
with amazement and pity at SO sudden
land ignominious punishment. It APP
peared that this man was poor young
miner who had come from Norberg to-
Stockholm to share in the sports and
pleasures of the birthday of his queen.
His crime arose from his ignorance of
the laws of etiquette. 1t had been told
him in the province of Westmanland
that on this day it was the custom of
the sovereign to be not only accessible
to her court and the mobiles Of the land.
but also to the meanest of her SUBJECTS;
that all had the privilege to approach
and kiss the royal hand.
Kiss the hand Of queen, the hand
of Christine-she that was the idol Of
his life, whose portrait was the only
ornament that graced his smoky cabin
lit was happiness which he had never
hoped to enjoy, and the young miner
resolved at all hazards, all trouble and
fatigue to journey to Stockholm and
share in the royal condescension. From
Norberg to Stockholm was long and
fatiguing journey, and his means were
not the most ample But this was noth--
ing-the image Of Christine was to him