Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1906-11-22
A Cars Terrible Jest.

From the very beginning the pages
are filled with accounts of monstrous
cruelties perpetrate1 by rulers who
do not appear to have been regarded
as particularly distinguished for their
ierocity. The acts of these were SO
appalling that the mind sickens at the
thought of what the really famous ty-
rants must have done to bring them
selves distinction as butchers.
Ivan the terrible was the first great
example, and he was uuquestionably
superlative in all that he did. He
tore out the eyes Of the artist who
built the beautiful church of Vassili
Bligennoi, to prevent him from dupli-
tating it. He nailed the hat Of an
envoy to his head because he appear
ed in the royal presence without re-
moving it-this as practical joke.
Even more terrible than Ivan was
Peter the Great-terrible in his own
peculiar way, and quite unlike any
other in his fearful individuality.
Among his atrocities not the least
was the tragic practical joke" Incl
dent to the marriage of his dwarf.
The story of this, as told by the Cour-
Ter des Etats.Unis a number of years
ago, is as follows:
Peter the Great had in his service
buffoon named Nickolief, a dwarf
in size, and particularly ugly in ap-
pearance, but possessed of mind full
of intelligence and overlooking with
wit and sarcasm, in the exercise Of
which even the sacred majesty Of the
Car was not always respected. He
one day approached his master and
requested permission to marry.
And who do you suppose would
marry you ?" demanded the Gar.
Catherine I.alivaski," replied the
dwarf.
Catherine Italivaski That ma
iestic, beautiful creature, attached as
file de chambre to one of the En-
press ladies.ln- waiting Impossible
my poor Nickolietf She is young
and beautiful, and you are old and
ugly"
"She loves me- said Nickolief,
swelling with offended pride. Every
body does not look upon me with the
unfavorable eyes of your majesty.
you must be very rich, then, or
she would not love you" said the
Car.
ALLOWING that to be, l should not
be the first one who has been loved
for his wealth |" replied the buffoon,
with a cynical smile. II know of one
far more rich and powerful than l
am, who has thought himself loved
for himself alone, instead of for his
piles of yellow gold, and was so
plainly deceived that he alone was
unsuspicious of the true object Of that
affection. "
The Emperor turned pale with
anger. and bit his lip until the blood
flowed ; for the bufoon alluded to a
love adventure of the monarch well
known at court, but of which none
had dared to speak above whisper.
Very WE'LL" said he, controlling
his anger by violent effort. "Since
you desire to marry Catherine Itali-
vaski, you shall do 80. l charge my
self with the whole of the nuptials,
and you will receive from me the
palace which you will occupy with
your charming bride. Meantime you
are forbidden to leave your chamber,
under penalty of being made acquaint'
ed with the knout, in comparison
| with which the blows Of my wife,
which have often made your shoulders
ache, are mere love caresses.
Fifteen days after, the first day Of
January, 1920, the buffoOn was awak'
ened at daybreak by the sound Of
music at the door of OF the chamber
which served him as a prison.
A number of the servants of the
Gar entered, clothed him in a mag
ni6cent suit of garments, then placed
him on sledge to which were at
tached four of the most beautiful
horses in the imperial stables, and
surrounded by cortege composed o
the greatest lords and ladies of tn
imperial court, conducted him to the
cathedral of Notre Dame de kazan
where the nuptial ceremony was eel
ebrated with spleDdor and eItrava
gance, which not only treasured bu
delighted the proud Nickolief.
The nuptial benediction Pronounc
ed, the happy couple were placed OF