Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-03-23
TRUE LOvEIN RUSSIAN PALACE
II. WHITMORE,
Publisher and Proprietor

Deep Affection Between the CGarO-
witch RWd the SzarevnA "a Soldier
an Bis Way Home from the Wars
Mot by n Noble wife.
A correspondent of the London
News writes from Fortress Duna-
burg as follows:
1t is a bright, frosty day. All
the inhabitants Of our fortress are
assembled on the ice, skating or
looking on. The military band is
playing the well-known mazourka
from 'The Life Of the Gar Nu-
merouS couples are scattered over
the broad expanse-gliding, dane
ing, twirling round as dexterously
on their skates as if they were in
satin shoes. Ladies in their fur
trimmed dresses are here, and Off
GERS in varied uniforms, for, be-
sides our fortress officers, there are
strangers, sent from the seat Of war
to fetch provisions for the army,
and their divers-colored uniforms
enliven the scene. Look at this
handsome pair, flying toward us,
with hands interlaced and feet
keeping time to the measure of the
music. The cavalier, a well-made,
good-lOoking Hussar officer, and
the lady, quite a girl still, very tall
and slender, and as she bends
slightly from one side to the other
she reminds one of river weeds
swayed to and fro by the wind. Her
rosy cheeks glow with deeper red
her eyes sparkle with excitement
she is enjoying herself intensely
Her long, .nut-brown tress flies,
twisting and turning, snake-like,
behind her. In her tight-ftting
sable trimmed velvet dress and tur-
ban hat she is a splendid type of an
aristocratic Russian girl. In oul
little world of Dunaburg she is the
queen of beauty. From the top Of
an ice mountain skaters are start
ing, and come down at a terrific
pace; elderly ladies are being
pushed about in sledges; children
of four and five years old skate to
perfection; there are even baby nov
ices. Our skating ground is Q
pretty sight, surrounded by high
walls of snow, thickly studded with
fir trees from the forest, from which
hang hundreds of Chinese lamps
these are lighted, when there is q
soiree, with fireworks, etc. There
is a little wooden house with a stove,
and a samavar' for making
tea, to keep warm the papas.
mammas, and old generals whose
skating days are over, and
whose greatest pleasure is tC
talk politics while slipping theil
glass of boiling tea. To-day they
are discussing the probability o
their troops having entered Con
stantinople. In the center Of {
group stands the venerable-look
commandant of the fortress, witt
his silver hair and genial face. The
conversation turns on the one hun
dfed Turkish prisoners lately arrived
within our walls. A quadrillC
strikes up. The commandant's two
fair daughters lead off the dance
they are magnificent skaters. Sud
denly the crowd Of officers in tht
little house makes way for an aide
de. camp, who, entering hurriedly
presents a telegram to the com
mandant. His face brightens
Here's good news, he says, tn,
CzareVna will be here this evening
to meet the Czarewitoh, who vii
arrive at nine. He does not expee
her; it is to be a surprise ! ThI
news spreads quickly from ONT
group Of dancers to another. Dane
ing stops as if by magic. Every
! oneis delighted. The eommandant
voice is heard giving orders abou
the illuminations; then bouquets
must be got, too. There's the rub
It's no easy matter to get flower
here at few hours notice, Their
being but one gardener, and h,
. lives miles away. The ladies ar,
all wild with excitement - thel
would like to give the princess {
bouquet. The question arises, wht
will reach the gardeners first ant
: get the best bouquet-maybe th,