Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-03-25

nations. When I saw ladies OF the
same nationality doing the same thing
as the skaters at the Iusoupof Gar
denS, but not on quite so steep an ice
hill, it was also revelation. For some
reason or other people abroad imagine
that all women in Russia lead a Ian
gorous existence, reclining on luXur-
ious divans and eating bOnbons. On
the contrary, the beau Scrc here does
not seem TO have lost its vivacity in the
least, in spite of the centuries OF maScu-
line predominance, not TO call it by a
harSher name.
What a gay scene it is when tho
troops Of r0sy-cheeked skaters enter
the clubhouse az the end OF the even
ing. Having Invested themselves Of
their broad, curved steels, which as a
general rule are screwed TO high laced
boots, the crowd assemblies in the long
room where refreshments are dispen-
sed. Everybody seems 10 know every
body else, for this is fashionable
gathering. The queens OF the ballroom
hold court In dainty skating attire.
Our friends Of the Guards appear gor-
geous in their uniforms, with clanking
sabers and spurs. Heavy furs are pro-
duced, into which the fair skaters are
coyly hidden and quickly wbired away
to other scenes OF gayety.
Returning from the festive skating
scene had to cross the Neva between
the Winter Palace and the Stock Ex-
change. The Bridge OF Boats which
spans the river at this point is removed
before the ice appears. But when the
river is frozen hard, roads traverse the
smooth surface in every direction. In
fact the river is q common highway
with lamps-oil lamps it is true-and
snowy sidewalks.
1t was one Of the most enchanting
scenes ! have ever witnessed-thi drive
across the Neya on frosty starlit
night. Imagine Venice with the la
goons ice blocked There is the same
mysterious silence The sleighs as they
whirl across the smooth track make no
more noise than the silent gondOla.
Stretching away for miles on this, the
Grand,Canal Of the Northern Venice, are
tho lordly palaces trimmed with pearly
dots that make the gasit embankments.
L
itself solemRly into the heavens; and on
the other side OF tho river is the tall
straight spire OF the fortress church Of
81. Peter and Paul, beneath which the
Cars have their last rest. over all is
the glory OF the northern sky.
On the way We pass a clean swept ice
path, backed by high walls of snow.
These paths are kept clear for a curious
reason. The boatmen, who In summer
will row you from place to place for a
kopeck, have devised a scheme for
continuing their work when the water
is al hard frozen. They keep an ice
road across the river, over which they
will convey you on rough chair on
runners fos five kopecks, e. cents J
OF course these men use skates. You
can hnd such crossings at regular in
tervals along the embankment.
In the middle OF the frozen river we
drove by scene that brought back
memories of Fenimors Cooper Three
concal masses, with poles sticking out
al the apex whence a thin line OF smoke
assembled. proclaimed the typical wig
wan. But this was not an encamp-
ment OF Sioux. The occupants OF the
skin tents are SamOyedes A number
OF them come here with their reindeer
and dogs every winter. 10 Is quite a
treat for the ST. Petersburg younRster
TO indulge in ride on one of the COM
ical reindeer sleighs. The other at
fractions Of the camp are mostly in the
eating line, that Is watching the
Sans" at their repast. II Is dis
gushing sight. In the absence OF
bIubber these heathens eat raw fsh.
But they are particularly delighted n 3
visitor buys them i've fish from the