Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-10-02
tste elegant leondolas were seen on the

waters, carry ing people dressed In holi-
day attire to the appointed place, and
the young couples landed to the sound
of sweet and j0yons music. The jewels
and other presents given to the brides
were carried in the procession, and a
long train of friends, relatives and at
PENDANTS came after. II ~
In A. ID. 933 an event happened at
this ceremony which Gamer very near
ending tragicalIy for the hSppy lovers.
The pirates of Istria, a neighbOring
country, were in the habit of securing
the Adriatic, and were the terror of all
the cities on the coast. Always alert
for plumber. they decided that the time
of the Venetian wedding feast would be
favorable one to enrich themselves
very easily. Near to OlivolO was a
small island, at that time uninhabited,
and here, the day before the fete, the
willy Istriotes concealed themselves and
their light vessels. afRn y 90
The next day, the gay companies
passed slowly along to the church, I'M
conscious of danger. The services be-
gan, and the espOused couples stood be-
fore the altar. Then suddenly the Is
triote pirates, swift as arrows. rowed
their boats into the harbor where the
gay procession had just disembarked.
In the midst of the solemn service, the
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,
snatching up the terrified brides. they
rushed to their boats, not forgetting to
secure the caskets with the bridal gifts.
Before the Mortified bridcgrooms and
guests could realizewhat had happened,
the robbers were carrying their prize.
with swift and steady strokes, toward
the shores of Istria. The Doge was as
sisting at the ceremonies; but, rushing
from the church, he called on all to fol-
low, till the number of citizens soon
swelled to hundreds, as they ran to the
wharf, shouting for vengeance.
There were several ships in the har-
Dor. 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 lagoons, or
low water near the shore. 1t was not
to be expected that any quarter would
be given to the robbers. The girls
were restored unhurt to their lovers,
and all the jewels we're recovered. 1t
is said that every pirate was fettered
and thrown headlong into the sea, not
one escaping to tell the story tohis coun-
trymen.
Another gorgeous festival at Venice
was the marriage of the city to the Adri-
attic Sea. 1t was celebrated every year
on Ascension Day, 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.
ty-five galleys, 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, and drove the Emper-
or's feet off the coast and took Ohio
prisoner. After this battle, peace was
made, and Frederick consented to come
to Venice to be reconciled with the
Pope. i A"
To reward the Venetians for their
services, the Pope bestowed on them
the sovereignty Of the Adriatic Sea, and
presented the Doge with ring, saying,
"Receive this as a symbol of your
sovereignty. and celebrate your espous-
ais with the sea every year"
This fete on Ascension Day was a uni
versal holiday. The poor and the rich
put on their gayest dresses and went to
witness the marriage of the Doge with
the sea. The bells of the city rang
from daybreak their most joyful chimes.
the canals were thronged with gondolas
with banners. In one Of
the LARGEST harhars called La Piazzetta