Osage Valley banner., 1880-09-30


fore the altar. Then suddenly the Is
triote pirates. swift a. arrows, rowed
their boats into the harbor where the
gay procession had Just dlsembarkod.
In the midst Of the solemn service. tho
doors Of the church were thrown open
and the dark bearded pirates rushed IN.
With their drawn swords IN their hands.
they made their way To the altar, and,
snstching up the terrified brides, they
rushed 10 their boats, not forgetting to
secure the caskeis with the bridal gifts
Before the mortified bfidog-ooms and
guests could realize what had happened,
The robbnra we're carrying their prize.
with swift and steady strokes, toward
the shores Of IstriA. The Dore was as
sisting al the ceremonies; but, rushing
from the church he called on all to fol-
low, till the number OF citizens soon
swelcd TO hundreds, as they ran 90 the
wharf shouting for vengeance.
There were several ships in the har-
bor. and they hastily embarked. Ev-
cry sail was unfurled. and they started
IN pursuit of the pirates and their pre-
cious booty. The wind being favorable.
they overlook them In the laguons. or
low water near the shore. II was not
10 be expected that any quarter would
be given TO the robbers. The girls
were restored unhurt 10 their lovers,
and all the jewels were recovered. It
Is said that every pirate was fcttered
and thrown headlOng into the sea, not
one escapingto tell the story TO his coun-
trymen.
Another gorgeous festival at Venice
was the marriage Of the city TO the Adri-
attic Sea. IL was celebrated every year
on Ascension bay, and this. too, had its
origin IN an historical event. In A. ID.
ITO. Pope Alexander Ill was driven
from Rome by the Emperor Frederick
Barbarossa, or Red. beard. and he took
refuge in Venice, where he was received
with great respect and affection. The
| Emperor demanded that the republic
should give him up; but the request
was refused.
Bnrbarussa then sent q fleet Of seyen-
ty-Gyc gailcys, under the command Of
his son. Ohio, with orders To destroy
all that came in their way. The Doge
had only forty galleys; but he was an
expert seamen, aud drove the Emper-
Or's feet of the coast and took Ohio
prisoner. After this battle, peace was
made. and Frederick consented 10 come
to Venice 20 be reconciled with the
Pope.
TO reward the Vouetians for their
services, the Pope bestowed on them
the sovereignty Of the Adriatic Sea, aud
presented the Doge with ring, saying,
Receive this as symbol Of your
sovereignty, and celebrate your espous-
ais with the sea every year"
Z This fsIa afs agguatfsp Ilog tssaa "a nttf-
vorsal holiday. The poor and the rich
put on their gaycst dresses and went to
witness the marriage of the Dogo with
from daybreak their most joyful chimes,
the canals were thronged with gundolas
Ornamented with banners. In one of
the largest harbors. called La Piazzetta,
was anchored largo vessel, called the
." Buoentaur,' which belonged TO the
Doge The crew were chosen from
among the strongest and handsomcst OF
the Venetian seamen. The prov of the
ship was gilded and ornamented with
figures and in the center was criul-
son-yclvet tent embroidered with gold,
above which iloatel the flag of San
Marco When the hour Of noon sound
ed, tho door q the church was thrown
open and grand procession moved
forth. First came eight standard
bearers with the flags OF the Republic
in red, blue. white and violet, and six
men with silver trumpets; then came
the officers in the service of the Doge,
dressed in their State robes. Next fol-
lowed the musicians. aud q deacon
carrying a large wax taper sent by the
Pope, and men bearing tho throne
and cushions Of tho Doge. The
City Magistrates made part of
tho procession, and, lastly, the
Dogo himself. in his ducal robes, his
mantle OF ermine fastened with gold
buttons. his robes Of blue and cloth Of
gold; his head covered with the ducal
cap Of Venice, over which WAS a crown
OF gold sparkling with precious stones.
The procession advanced slowly up the
quay and embarked on the "Bucen-
taur,' with the Admiral of the Vene-
tian feet at the helm. As they drew
up the anchors, all the bells I the city
poured forth their most joyful sounds.
The large vessel went slowly on, sur
rounded by numerous smaller barges
and gondolas, all filed with people gay
ly dressed. After the fleet had adj
vanced some distance into the Adriatic,
the Doge rose from his throne, walked
TO the PROV OF the vessel on a raised
gallery. and threw into the blue waves
a gold ring, saying, 1--WE espouse thee.
o Sea, in sign Of real and perpetual
sovereignty Then the Doge and his
suite attended service in the church mt
San Nicolas OH another island, called
Lido. and the feet returned TO Venice,
where the grand personagos attended n
sumptuous repast at the ducal palace.
III q. gray, iB So Nicholas.