Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1867-02-20
THE DWARFs WEDDING.

1t is well known that ice is capable of such great solid
ty retain in cold countries any desired shape for
long time and houses have been constructed of which
have resisted the clements, only through the winter
but far into the succeeding summer, and in n tan
ces, during several wears. n illustration Of this
fact the Courier des Etats mis- tells the following story
Peter the Great of Russia had in his service buoon
named Nckolien dwarf in size and particularly ugly
in appearance, but possessed Of mind full of inte-
gence and 0verhowng with wit and sarcasm, in the
ercse of which the sacred majesty of the Gear
not always respected. He one day approached his
master and requested permission to marry
And who do you suppose would marry your demand
ed the Gar.
'Cqtharine Itavaski' replied the dwarf.
'Catharine ltalvaski that majestic beautiful crea-
ture attached as file de chamber to Of the Empress
ladies in waiting Impossible, my poor Nickoleff She
is young and beautiful, and you old and ugly
She loves me? said Nickoeff, swelling with offended
pride Everybody does not look upon me with the un-
favorable eyes of your majesty
you must be very rich, then, or she woud not love
you' said the Gar.
Allowing that be- should not be the first one who
has been loved for his wealth. replied the buffoop with
cynical smile Il know of one far more rich and more
powerful than am who has thought himself loved for
himself alone instead of his piles of yellow gold and
plainly deceived that he alone was unsnspcious
of the true object
The Emperor turned pale with anger, and bit his lip
until the blood flowed for the buoon alluded to love
adventure Of the monarch well known at court but of
which none had dared to speak above a whisper
Very WELL said he controlling his rage by a violent
effort since you desire to marry Catharine Itavaski
you shall 90 so. charge myself with the whole eX-
pense OF the nupals, and you will receive from me the
palace winch you will occupy with your charming bride
Meantime you forbidden to leave your chamber un
der penalty of being made acquainted with the knout
ID comparison with which the bdYs of my wife which
have often made your shoulders ache are mere love ca
Fifteen days after, the day of January T72O the buff
loon was awakened at daybrea by the sounds of music
at he door OF the chamber which served him as prison
number OF the servants of the Gar entered clothed
hlm IN magnificent suit of garments then placed him
on siedge, to which were attached four of the most
Deantui horses IN the imperial stables and surrounded
| cortege composed of the greatest lords and ladies
VI the imperial court conducted him to the cathedral
pathe de hazan, where the nuptial ceremony was
ol"1ou with splendor and extravaganza which not
ny ~, i lo"onureQi out dehghted the proud Nckolief
Inc nuptual benedction pronounced the bannv connie
We're placed upon the sledges and conducted to an I
ateq place, short distance from the cty ON the ba %
OF the NeVa where had been built naace the llro 90
Wh!ch never existed, except in fairy tales The nalaoa
"nlch seemed 10 be constructed of crystal and
reflected in thousands of luminous ravs the hIa ~
ches OF the cortege, built of massive blocks 0f ice
cut as If from stone and fastened with water in nace ~
cement The dwarf and his wife were Introduced into
an immense hail. the furniture of which tables chairs
chanoelers everything made of ce and
IN the presence of the Emperor and his attendants
with least OF regal sumptuousness The choicest and
most oecate wines were served in abundance and the
gooets OF Nlckolief and Caharine-also carved from
pocks OF lce-were kept constantly filed until at 3
signal from Peter the spouses stupefed with vpe NOV.
carried 10 the nuptial chamber and placed nnou he'd
-oi soa ice, richly carved and giIded and thare loft
'hou6 hre or other clothing in the frigid
VI l'ussian winter. The doors of the chamber and
aPaaIe were then sealed by pouring wafer o1-nr th
"H10n innediately congeaed rendering them ennal1