Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-07-13
THE EXTORTED KISS.

To the north OF Europe, at the en-
trance Of the gulf Of the Baltic sea.
stands city resembling in its site "the
queen Of the Adriatic. This second
Venice is known by the name Of stock
holm, where in former days reigned two
Of the wisest snd best Of monarchs, by
nil.e GU t; us tic Cstst. The first, be-
Cause OF his i.u iotism. skill ana gen
ius, had rescued his country from the
subjugation Of the Dane, and the sec
ond. by his indomitable energy and
military knowledge, had exalted her to
the first rank among the nations Of the
world. The latter dying in l643. the
crown devolved upon his daughter,
Christine, then scarcely 10 years Of age.
II was morning Of July, l645, in
Stockholm The air was resounding
with merry ringing Of bells. the roaring
of artillery aud the shouts Of the popu-
lace, for it was the natal day Of the
youthful queen. Mobiles. 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
contrived to make his way to Stockholm
to gain n glance OF the fair creature
whose fame sounded throughout the
world, and whose learning had been ex-
tolled by DescartCs aud Samaisa.
The conrt Of the palace was thronged
with anxious spectators, and the troops
were ranged in due order TO greet the
appearance uf the queen, when suddenly
the windows were thrown open and
the flower OF Sweden--ladies. mobiles and
officers-apIeared in the most gorgeous
uniforms All eyes were directed TO one
point, and universal cry arose Of "She
comesw But Christine was not there.
II was the young and handsome Count
Lngardic, the favorite Of the queen,
who appeared and. having waited till
the enthusiasm Of the populace had sub
sided, read rs follows:
"a bold and insolent peasant having
dared to insult her majesty, il is deemed
expedient that lie should suffer punish
ment, but IN consideration Of the day,
and that no cloud should mar the fes-
tivities. the queen ordains him 70 re.
ceive 10 blows in the presence Of the
assembled multitude as u warning to
future oifente ers.
The chief Il the police, with his as
sistants, having conducted the prisoner
into the center Of the court, executed
the sentence. The pocr fellow with
difficulty refrained from giving vent to
bis sufferings, and the people looked on
with amazement and pity ut so sudden
and ignominious punishment. 1t ap-
peared that this man was poor young
miner who had come from Ncrberg TO
Stockholm 10 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 OH this day il was the custom Of
the sovereign TO lie not only accessible
to her court and the MOBILES Of the land,
bat also to the meanest Of her subjects;
that all had the privilege to approach
and kiss tie royal hand.
Kiss the hand Of "a queen, the hand
of Christine-she that was the idol OF
his life, whose portrait was the only
ornament that graced his smoky cabin
it was happiness which he had never
hoped to enjoy, and the young miner
resolved at Ill 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 moth
ipg-the image Of Christine was to him
~ the loadstar to the mariner, and he
reached Stockholm the evening before
the royal birthday.
Having arrived, he directed his steps
to the church Of st. Nicholas to ask Of
heaven many years Of glory and happi-
ness to the youthful sovereign, and
then with u portion Of his little means
purchased smart costume, in which
having attired himself he rambled
about the city, feasting his eyes on the
many wonders which for the first time
he had beheld, and now to him ap-
peared almost as creations of fairylan
Or romance.
The morning dawned bright and
beautiful, and the forts Of Fredericks
burg and Waxoln, announced that Chris
tine had reached her sixteenth wear.