Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-19
LITTLE BUT FAMOUS.
Diminutive People Who Have Enter.
tanned Noble and Plebeian.
ONE WAS SERVED UP IN A PIE.
Bebe Went to his Baptism Tucked in his
Mothers Wooden Shoe
ADVENTURES OF PAINTER PREYER
rwn,rrEN ron THE p1sPArcH,1

principal duties Wero TO look - ugly rs
possible and to receive with equal mani
festations of gratitude the chidings OF his
mistress and the kicks Of her guests No
royal court was considered complete with
out dwarf who, as court jester, amused
by his wit, or, more commonly, served as
butt for the wit of Others
Among the most celebrated Of these was
Richard Gibson, who held the important
Office of page of the back stairs in the
Court of Charles I. Numerous stories are
told of him-how he was served up at table
in pie; how he engaged in mortal combat
with turkey cock; and how, when offended
beyond bearing by one of the courtiers, he
challenged him to duel, and with the
pistol, which makes one man as tall a.
another, shot his antagonist dead. Then we
read that he offered his small but manly
heart, together with his hand, to a minia-
ture lady named Ann Shepherd, and that
his royal master graced his marriage cere-
lnony with his presence, and gave away the
bride. The wedding was followed by great
festivity, and the poet Waller composed an
ode to the little pair. Both bride and
bridegroom were under four feet in height,
but the numerous children with which they
were blessed we're all full-sized, and as they
grew up may be said to have looked down
upon their parents The little couple lived
beyond the allotted span, and saw ave mon
archs reign.
A Novel weddin. at 81. Petersburg.
When a couple of dwarfs residing in the
Russian Court decided to link their fates
together, Peter the Great took ali intense
interest in the match, and made arrange
ments for the ceremony being carried out
amid great festivity. All the dwarfs resid-
ing within many miles of ST. Petersburg
were ordAred to attend, and vehicles were
provided to bring them to the city. On the
appointed day the progress Of these car
riages, some of them containing a dozen
little men and women, caused great excite
ment among the inhabitants, and the pro-
cession was attended by the usual crowds.
When all were gathered the assemblage
numbered 70
Every article in use at the wedding feast
was made on q miniature scale, and Peter
ordered that the most diminutive guest
should occupy the chief place at the table.
Some confusion resulted from this order,
none being willing to acknowledge himself
the least; and, as everyone sternly declined
the seat Of honor. the proceedings nearly
eliminated in fight Different arrange
ments as to the disposal of the guests were
accordingly made. Dancing followed the
dinner, the ball being opened with minuet
BY the happy pair, who measured little over
three feet high.
Charles Stretton, known to fame as Cen
eral Tom Thumb, fell in love with q young
lady named Lavinia Warren. That distin-
cuished naval officer, Commodore Mutt, was
also enamored of the same damsel, and on
one occasion his jealousy led him to knock
his military rival down.
How General Tom Thumb Proposed.
Mars was in the ascendant, however, and
from two young ladies who concealed them
selves in order to witness the interview, we
have an account of how General proposes.
He first produced bundle of papers almost
as large as himself These referred to his
property, and after proving himself of good
worldly position he gently stole his arm
around her waist and kissed her They
were soon afterward made one, or, more
strictly speaking. half q one. Mrs. Thumb
outlived the General, and has recently
taken another husband in the person of
Count Magri, also dwarf, and, notwith-
SLduQluK tlGlc, III InC suOW AhSs
Another popular warrior is General Mite.
When he attained his majority he had
scarcely more inches than years, and for
tunateiy happened to meet little lady who
seemed expressly made for him, she being
nearly the same height. They were mar
ried at St. James Hall. Manchester, which
was crowded with people who assembled to
witness the ceremony, and who heartily
cheered the little pair as they were escorted
to their carriage.
Borulawski was Polish dwarf who, in
1879, became the protege of the Countess
Humieski. He grew to mans estate,
though not to mans dimensions, and, when
the time came for him to TALL in love,
he was nightly e1asperated by the
lady treating him as very small
boy. His marriage caused him to
lose the protection of his patroness,
and he was obliged to exhibit himself for
support. Though he gave up so much for
his wife, she does not seem to have treated
him with too much respect, for, when angry,
she used to place him on the mantelpiece.
and leave him there looking down from the
giddy height in great terror.
Little Husband and Big Wife.
A Dutch dwarf named Lolkes, about
feet high, distinguished himself. by stop
ping a restive horse which George III. was
riding over Westminster bridge. He was
engaged at Astley's Amphitheater, and his
diminutive size did not prevent him aspir-
ing to the hand of q full-grown woman. He
married and had three children. 1t was q
touching sight to see the lady leading her
husband BY the hand TO reach which she
had to stoop), and thus escorting him
through the streets as though taking him to
school .,,s ss.
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arms or legs, and attained, when full.
grown, an altitude of 20 inches. He sup
ported himself by his musical talents, and
though we know nothing OF his courtships,
that he was favorite with the fair sex we
may gather from the fact that he married
four times and had II children.
Poor Andrew Winston, too, was doomed
to disappointment in his love affairs
Owing to deformity he used to push him.
self along in small cart, the height
of both man and cart not exceed
ing two feet. Having accumulated .
fortune by the exercise of his pro-
fession (begging), he retired from business
and looked about for wife. He selected
Mrs Marshall, widow, and retailer Of
fish at the corner of Surrey road. The
presents from her afianced. The banns
were put up, but the ridicule of her
induced her to jilt her lover
at the last moment, and Andrew had to re.
main single.
Wore Ring on Her Great Toe.
A troupe of dwarfs performing In Paris
two or three years ago caused some commo-
tion in the capital when their love affairs
were made public. One diminutive fellow
presented ring to the wife of another
member of the company, and she honorsd