The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-12-05
The DlgAaF's WEDDING

The DWARF's WEDDING
1t is we'll known that ice is capabl,
of such great solidity as to retain in
cold countries any desired shape fol
long time; and houses have been
constructed of it, which have resisted
the elements, 4ot only through the
Winter, but far into the succeeding
summer, and in some instances even
during several years Tn illustration
told: ' -
Peter the Great of Russia had in
his service a buifoon, named Nicko-
lIeh, dwarf in size, and Particularly
ugly IN appearance, but possessed OF
q mud tni OF Intelligence, and over
HowlnS with wit and sarcasm. in the
exercise of which even the sacred
majesty OF the Gar was not ALWAYS
respected. Ee one day approached,
MS master and requested permission
to marry.
"And who do you suppose would
marry you?" demanded the Car
dwarf. ~
"Catharine Italivaski! that maies-
nc, beautiful creature, attached as
fiiie-de chambre to one of the ON.
press ladies-in waiting! Impossible
my poor Nickolieff! She is yonng and
beautiful, and You are old and uglv."
''She loves mel" said Nickoliefr
swelling with offended pride. Every
body does not look upon me with tIe
nuf3vorahla eyes of your majesty"
lyon must be very rich, then, or
she would not love you," said the
ALLOWING that to be, [ should not
be the first one who has been loved
for his WEALTH." replied the buf;oou.
with a cynical smile. 81 know one
;r richer and more powerful than !
nm, WHO has thpnght himself loved
for himself alone, instead of for his
plles OF yellow gold, ana was so plain
~ deceived that he alone was unsus.
plclous OF the true obiect.''
The emperor turned pale with
anger, and bit his lips until the blood
flowed; for the bntfoon alluded to
love adventure of the monarch we'll
khoWn ut court, but Of which none
had dared to speak above q whisper.
Very we'll, " said he, controlling his
rage by violent effort, s.since YOU
desire to marry Catharine Italivaski.
you small do SO. I charge myself
with the whole expense of the
nnptl"ls, and you will receive from
lae the palace, which yon will occupy
With your charming bride. Mean
tune, you are forbidden to leave vonr
Chamber, under penalty Of BEING
made acquainted with the knout in
comparison with which the blows of
my wife, which have often made your
shoulders ache, are mere love
Fifteen days after, on the 18th dav
Of january, 1920, the buffoon was
awakened at daybreak by the sounds
of music at the door of the chamber
which served him as prison. Anum
Der OF the servants of the Gear enter
ed, clothed him in a magnificent suit
Of garments, then placed him on a
sled9e, to which were attached four
OF the most beautiful horses in the
-A' PEi l'l SlapleS, ana surrounded by
a c0rtege composed Of the greatest
lords and ladies the imperial court,
conducted him to the cathedral Notre
Dame -de-kazan, where the nuptial
ceremony was celebrated with a splen-
oof ana e&travagance which not only
completely re-assnre1, but delighted
the proud Nil olieff. ! wa
me nnptial benediction pronounc-
ed' the happy couple were placed
upon siedges, and conducted to an
1So .ated place short distance from
the city' on the banks of the Neva
,:, wnere mad been built q palace, the
l.He OF which never existed, except in
fairy tales. The palace, which seem.
ed to be constructed of crystal and
which reflected in thousands Of
'mInons rays the blazing torches of
the c2rtege, was built of massive blocks
OF Ice, cut out as ii from stone. and