The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-05-27

extricate the difficulties. - %
The burden of high taxes is on the
increase without any advantages being
deri yed from it, Last year there was a
levy Of 50 900 made in this township
for a building fund. This money has
been nearly all collected. but what has
become of iti We have not aAschool-
house in the township proceeding from
this money. We begin to think the
voters and tax payers of this town.
ship are severely punished for their will
fpI prejudice manifested in last sprins's
election. 3 : ~ - a
THE DWARF'S WEDDING.
4 7. a
IS 1t is we'll known that ice 1s capable
of such great solidity as to retain in
cold countries any desired shape for a
long time; and houses have been con-
str1cted Gift which have resisted the
elements, not only through the winter,
but far into succeeding summer, and in
some instances even during several
wears. In illustration of this fact, the
Courier DIES Etats Unis tells the follow
ing story: =.
Peter the Great of Russia had in his
service a buffoon, named Nickolieff, q
dwarf in size, and particularly ugly In
appearance, but possessed of a mlnd
full Of intelligence, overtowing
with wit and sarcasm, in the exercise
of which even the sacred Majesty OF
the Car was not always respected. he
one day approached his master and re-
auested permission to marry. 81
"Who do you suppose would marry
ven ~ demanded the Car.
"Catharine Italivaski," replied the
dwarf.
"Catharine Italivaski! that majestic,
beautiful creature, attached as tillede
chamber to one of the empress's ladies'
in waiting. Impossible, my poor Nick.
olieff! Sheis yourg and beautiful, and
you are old and ugly"
"She loves me-" said Mic kolieff, swell
ing with offended pride. Everybody
does not look upon mo with tho usfa-
vorable eyes of your majesty"
"You must be very rich, then, or she
would not love you," said the Car.
"Allowing that to be, should not be
the first one who has been loved for his
wealth ~. replied the butfoon, with q
cynical smile. 81 knew OF one tar more
powerful and rich than am who has
thought himself loved for himself alone,
instead of for his piles of yellow gold,
and was so plainly deceived that he
alone was unsuspicious of the true OBJ
.ect."
The Emperor turned pale with anger,
and bit his lips until the blood flowed,
for the buffoon alluded to q love adven-
tare of which none dared speak above
a whisper. Every WE'LL" said he con-
trolling his rage by a violent effort,
"sInce you desire to marry Catherine
Italivaski, you shall do so. charge
myself with the expense of the nuptials
and you shall receive from me the pal
ace. which y0u will occupy with your
charming bride. Meantime you are
forbidden to leave your 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 caresses.' :.
Fifteen days after, on the 14th day of
January, 1720, the buffoon was awaken
ed at daybreak by the sounds of music
at the door of the chamber which
served him as a prison. A number of
the servants of the Car entered, clothed
him in a magnificent suit of garments,
then placed him OH a sledge, to which
were attached four of the most beauti-
full horses in the imperial stables, and
surrounded by a cortege composed OF
the greatest lords and ladies OF the
imperial court, conducted him TO the
cathedral NOtre Dame de Kazan, where
the nuptial ceremony was celebrated
with splendor and dextravagance which
not only reassured, but delighted the
proud Nickolietf.
The nuptial benediction pronounced,
the happy couple were placed upon
sledges, and conducted to an isolated
place, a short distance from the city, on
the banks of the Neva where he had
built a palace, the like OF which never
existed, except in fairy tales. The pal
ace, which seemed to be constructed of
chrystal, and which reflected in thous-
ands of luminous rays the blazing
torches of the cortege, was built Of
massive blocks of ice, cut out as II from
stone, and fastened with water in place
of cement. The dwarf and his wife
were introduced into an immense hall,
the furniture of which, tables, chairs,
everything was made of
ice, and were served, in the presence of
the Emperor and his attendants with a
feast Of regal sumptuousness. The
choicest and most delicate wines were
served in abundance, and the goblets of
Nickolieff and CatheriBe-also carved
from blocks of ice-were kept Constant
" filled, until at signal from Peter,
the spouses, stupified with wine, were
carried to the nuptial chamber, and
placed upon a bed of solid ice, richly
carved and glided, and there left with
ont fire or other clothing, in the frigid
of Russian winter. The
doors of the chamber and palace were
then sealed by pouring water on them,
which instantly CONCEALED, rendering
them equally solid with the walls
As the cortege withdrew,
the cruel Gar remarked; Behold q
nuptial night, such as was never wit
messed before ~.
Eight months after the fatal night,
says the historian Leveque-that is at
the closing month of August-this pal
ace and tomb of ice still existed, and in
almost perfect state. Certain portions
of the exterior only had yielded to the
warm winds and sun, and melting, had
formed about it species Of Opaque
stalactites. The monument itself grad
ually lost its transparency, and became
a dirty, tarnished mass, through which
it was no longer possible-thanks TO
God-to distinguish the bodies of the
frozen lovers, OF whom the very features
had been SO lsng visible. Another win
ter passed, consolidating the fearful
tomb anew, so that two years later, un-
der the combination of frost, hail, snow,
dust, sun and rain, this fairy palace was
completely transformed into little hill
lock, black and hideous to behold.
When at last Peter the Great gave
orders to demolish the frightful witness
to his barbarity, the pickaIe and bar
were found insufficient fer the purpose,
and recourse to blasting was necessary
-. - nf rfHa ha M g. Il