The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1867-01-19
The Ds,arf's Wedding.


long time and houses have been
constructed Of it which have resisted
( the elements, not only through the
winter. but far into the succeeding
( summer, and in some instances even
during several years Ia illustration
Of this fact, the Courier dcs Flats
Uni. tells the following story
Peter the Great of Russia had in
his service a buiioon named Nicko.
lief, dwarf in size. and particularly
ugly in appearance, but possessed Of
a mind full Of intelligence and over.
flowing with wit and sarcasm. in the
exercise Of which even the Gar was
not always respected He one day
approached hi. master aud requested
permission 20 marry
And who DO you suppose would
marry YOU demanded the ear
Catharine ltalya,kt. % replied the
dwarf
{ Catherine ltalyaski tina, males
tie. beautiful creature, attached a.
flle.de-chamhrc to one of the en-.
presses ladies in waiting! lmpossi.
/ lie my moor NicsoGrF she is
young aud handsome and you are
old and ugly
. She loves me said Nickolicf
swelling with oferded pride Ey-
ery one does not look upon me with
the unfagorahlc eyes Of your ma
icstv
You must be very rich then. or
she would not love you, said the
Gar.
" Allowing that to be. should
no, be the first one who had been
loved for his wealth replied the
hufoon. with cynical smile. II
know Of ono far richer and more
powerful than AN. who has though,
himself loved for himself alone. in
stead of his pile. of yellow gold and
was so plainly deceived that he only
wa. upsuspictou, Of the true object,
The emperor turned pale with an
ger. and bit his In. until the blood
flowed fer the bufloon alluded to
love adventure of the monarch well
known NJ court but Of which none
had Jared to speak above "a whisper
a Very we'll said be. controlling his
nsc Ly violent effort, since you
desire d, marry Catharine Itnlya- Ii
Won shall do ,o. | charge myself
vi,L fl, whole cxpeu.e of the nun
,i,Is and you will receive from me
N. r,larc which Won will orcupy
Win y,ur CHARMING bride Mean
Time ynn aro forbidden tn leave yaur
ch,mL,r under penalty Of being
mad. ACQUAINTED with the knout in
compari.on with which the blows Of
NV wife which have often made YOU
,cbc are NOR, love c,rc,-e.
Fin,,n lays after ON the 1l,h of
J,nn,ry t-jo the bnHoop wa. ava.
l.ncI NJ d,y break by the sound, of
u,..;, NJ IN, door Of the chamber
which served him a. n prison 4
number of the servant. Of the Car
.c,,,r.J rl,thol him in a magnificent
.,i, oc garments then placcd him ON
A., .l.ds. Ia which were attached four
of the most beautiful horses in the
immortal stables and surrounded hy
, cortepo compoScl of the greatest
I'D and l,d}c. az the court con.
dr,,,l him to the cathedral No,rc
Dame de Kaaan. where the nup,ial
ceremony was celebrated with splcn
dor and extravaganza which not only
re assured. but delighted the proud
Nickolief.
After the nuptial bcucdiction was
pronounced. the happy couple were
placed upon slcdgcs, and conducted
10 an isolated place. a shor, distance
from the city. on the banks of the
Ncya. where he had bull, q palace.
the ike af which never existed cx-
cent in fairy tales The palace. an.
pnrcntly constructed Of crystal. and
which reflected in Thousands of lumi
nous rays the blazing torches of the
cortcrc was bull, Of massive blocks
of lee. cut ont as il from stone and
fastened with water instead Of &c.
mcut Tho dwarf and his wife were
introduced into an immense hall the
furniture Of which, tables. chairs,
chandeliers. everything was made of
ice and were served in the presence
of the emperor and his attendants.
with feast Of regal sumptnousuess
The choicest and most delicate
wines were served in abundance, and
the Goblet, OF Nickulicf and Cathl
rine also carved from blocks Of ice
were kept constantly filled. until
AT a SIGNAL from Peter. the spouscs.
.tupcfcd with wine, were carried to
the nuptial chamber. and placed upon
bed of solid ice. richly carved and
pildcd and there left without fire or
other clothing in the frisid tempera
turc Of Russian winter. The doors
of the chamber and palaces we're then
.a1ls, by pouring v ter over them.
when they Immediately CONCEALED
rendering them equally solid with
tht walls themselves A. the cortcge
withdrew the cruel Car remarked
, Behold nuptial night such a. was
never witnessed before.
Eiph, months after the fatal night
| say. the historian Levc1uc that j.,
| a, the close of the month of AUGUST
ihi, palace and tolYb Of ice still
existed. and in an almost perfect
| .,,,. fcr,,in ror,;ona Of the crtp.