Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-07-10
The Dwarf's w edding

| 1t Is well known that ice is capable o1
such great soiidity as to retain in cold coun.
Ifles any desired ape for long time; and
houses have been constructed of it which
nave resisted the elements, not only through
the winter, but far into the succeeding sum-
mer, and in some instances, even during
several years In illustration of this fact,
the Courier des Etats Unis tells the follow
ing story
Peter the Great of Russia had in his ser
vice bnffoon, named Nickoleff, dwarf in
SIZE, and particularly ugly in appearance,
but possessed of a mind full of intelligence
and over1owed with wit and sarcasm, in the
exercise of which even the sacred majesty
OF the Gar Was not always respected He
one day approached his master and request
ed permission to marry.
And who do you suppose would marry
you p demanded the Gar
Catherine ltalivaski," responded the
dwarf
Catherine Italivaski! that majestic,
beautiful creature attached as file de cham
Der to one of tbs Empress ladies in wait
ing? Impossible, my poor Nickoleff! She
is young and beautiful. and you are old and
ugly :.
with offended pride Everybody does not
look upon me with the unfavorable eyes o.
your majesty"
You must be very rich, then, or she
would not love you,' said the Gar.
Allowing that to be, | should not be the
the first one who has been loved for his
wealth - replied the buffoon with cynical
smile. Il know of one far more rich and
mere powerful than | am, who has thought
himself loved for himself alone, instead of
the piles of yellow gold, and was SO plainly
deceived that he alone was unsuspieious of
the true object.
The Emperor turr ed pale with anger, and
bit his lip until the blood flowed, for the
bufoon alluded to a love adventure of the
monarch well known at court, bat of which
none had dared to speak above whisper
Very well, said be, controlling his rage
by violent effort, since you desire to
mary Catherine ftalivaski, you shall do So
| charge myself with the whole expense of
the nuptials, and you will receive from me
the palace which you will occupy with your
charming bride. Meantime you are forbid
den to leave your chamber, under penalty
OF being made acquainted with the knout,
in comparison with which the blows of your
wife which have often made your shoulders
ache, are mere love caresses'
Fifteen days after, the first day of Janu-
break by the sounds of music at the door of
the chamber which served him as prison.
A number of the servants of the Car en-
tered, clothed him in a magnificent suit of
then placed him on a sledge, to
Which were attached four of the most beau
htul horses In the imperial stables, and sur
rounded by cortege composed OF the great
Est lords and ladies of the imperial court,
him to the Cathedral Notre Dame |
lie kazaus where the nuptial ceremony was |
celebrated with a splendor and extravaganza |!
which not only reassured, but delighted the |
proud Nickolef.
The nuptial benediction pronounced, the |
happy couple were placed upon the sledges,
md conducted to an isolated place, short
distance from the city, on the banks of the |
Neva, where had been built palace the like
# which never existed, except in fairy tales.
The palace, which seemed to be construct
ID of chrystal, and which reflected in thou
ands Of luminous rays the blazing torches
Il the cortege, was built of mossique blocks
+ Ice, cut out as If from stone and fastened
nth water in place OF cement The dwarf
nd his wife were introduced into an i'm
nense hall, the furniture of which, tables
hairs, chandeliers, everything was made of
&c, and were served, in the presence OF the
Emperor and his attendants, with feast OF
egal sumptuousness. The choicest and
ance, and the goblets of Nickoleff and
carved from blocks of ice
Tere kept constantly filed, until, at signal
'om Peter, the spouses, stupeied with
'ine, were carried to the nuptial chamber
nd placed upon bed of solid ice, richly
arved and gilded, and there left, without
re or sufficient clothing, in the frigid tenn
erature of Russian winter. The doors
the cham Der and palace were then sealed
y pouring water over them, which imme-
lately concealed, rendering them equally
did with the walls themselves. As the
1rtege withdrew the cruel Emperor re-
larked:
Behold! nuptial night such as was
ever witnessed before.
Eight months after the fatal night, says
lie historian Leveque-that is, at the close
the month of August-this palace and
,mb Of ice still existed, and In an almost
erfect state Certain portions OF the ex
.rior only had yielded to the influence of
lie warm winds and sun, and, melting, had
'rmed about species OF opaque stalactl-
es. The monument itself gradually lost
$ transparency, and became dirty, tar
lshed mass, through which it was no longer
ossible, thanks to God, to distinguish the
0dies of the frozen lovers, of whom the
cry features had been so long visible An
her winter passed, consolidating the fear ,
IL tomb anew, so that two years later, un- $
er the combination of frost, hail. snow,
ust, sun and rain, this fairy palace was
,mpletely transformed into hi lock, and
ldeous to behold
When, at last, Peter the Great gave or
ers to demolish the frightful witness to his
arbarity. the pickax and bar were found
sufficient for the purpose, and recourse to /