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

THE EXPORTED KISS.
To the north of Europe, at the en-
trance of the gulf of the Baltic sea,
stands a 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 and best of monarchs, by
name Gustavus the Great. The first, be-
cause of his patriotism, skill and 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 1913, the
crown deyolved upon his daughter,
Christine, then scarcely 10 years of age.
1t was a morning Of July, 1915, in
Stockholm. The air was resembling
with merry ringing of bells, the roasille
of artillery and the shouts of the popu-
lace, for it was the natal day of the
youthful queen. Mobiles, squires and
the learned of tho land had cengregated
to pay their homage to their youthful
sovereign, and the peasant from tho
most distant regions of Sweden had
contrived to make his way 10 Stockholm
to gain a glance of the fair creature
whose fame sounded throughout the
world; and whose learning had been ex-
tolled by Descartes aud Samaise.
The court Of the palace was thronged
with anxious spectators, and the troops
were ranged III due order to greet the
appearance Of the queen, when suddenly
the windows were thrown open and
the flower Of Sweden-ladies, mobiles and
ofiloers-appeared in the most gorgeous
uniforms. All eyes were directed to one
point, and universal cry arose of "She
comesp But Christine was not there.
It 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 and insolent peasant having
dared to insult her majesty, it is deemed
expedient that he should suffer punish
ment, but in consideration of the day,
and that no cloud should mar the fes-
tivities, the queen ordains him to re-
ceive 10 blows in the presence of the
assembled multitude as a warning to
future offenders. ="
The chief of the police, with his as
sistants, 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
and ignominious a punishment. 1t ap-
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. It 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 hard.
kiss the hand of a queen, the hand,
of Christine-sho that was the idol 81
his life, whose portrait was the 6nlS
ornament that graced his smoky cabin
it was Il happiness which he had never
hoped to enjoy, and the young miner
resolved at all hazards, all trouble and
fatigue 10 journey to Stockholm and
share in the royal conGesconsion. From
Norberg to Stockholm was long and
fatiguing journey, and his means were
not the most ample. But this was nqfh-s
ing-the image of Christine was to him
as the lcadstar to the mariner, aid he
reached Stockholm the evening before
the royal birthday
Having arrived, he directed his steps
to the chulch Of st. Nicholas to ask of
heaven many years Of glcry and happi-
ness TO the youthful sovereign, and
then with portion of his little means
purchased smart costume, III which
having .attired himself he ra1nbled
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 fairyland
or romance.
The morning dawned bright and
beautiful, and the forts of Fredericks-
burg and Waxolm announced that Chris
tine had reached her sixteenth year.
Awakened by the roar Of artillery, Carl
started from the ground where, like
many others, he had passed the night
in slumber, and, although yet carly,
found the streets thronged with thou
sands of Inhabitants. evincing their en-
thusiasm in every possible manner. As
the day wore on Carl mingled with a
train who were proceeding TO the pal
ace, and from his smart attire and
handsome figure contrived, although
Internationally, to PASS the guard and
enter the vestibule. The poor fellow,
bewildered and delighted with the mag
nifcence which on every hand sur
rounded him, kept wandering about, re-
gardless as he was ignorant Of all eti-
quette, jostling and pushing aside no.
bles, ladies, officers and other function
aries-in short all who impoded him.
At length, having entered the great
gallery, his simple costume attracted
the gaze and called up the establishment
of the assembled multitude. Murmurs
upon murmurs rose all around, but still
Carl kept advancing. He was ignorant
of the storm then gathering and had
proceeded as far as the door Of the hall
of audience when the officer in waiting
demanded his name and business. He
was about to reply when, catching a
glance of Christine, his enthusiasm
knew no bounds, and pushing the officer
aside he rushed into the royal presence,
seized the hand which at that moment
2 0FNxy9C