THE CRACK SHOT.
I.
t f I J V
Wan Cwm a id ever Sinn points
d. Bwit. Qiwp, qtc
5fi,fsse,
PITCimR'S CASTOBIA is not
5Jreotlc. Children grrow fat
upon. Mothers like, and Physi
cians recommend C ASTORIA.
It rarolates the Bowels, cures
Wind Colic, allays Feverislines
tud destroys Worms.
The gambling continued tor s few mimitjes
but s w,saw that the master joc
more
9E i
WTI DE MEYER'S CATARRH
Cuti Comatitntion! Antidote for
M twritl mtUilT, by Absorption,
T it Import nt Discovery since
VMMMtuii Other remedies may
relieve C trrn- tbli csuree mX uy
l itter Comiiaptioa sets la.
Albany Furaiture House.
JASnES D ANNALS,
Manufacturer end Dealer In
FURNITURE,
- edroetn Stilts; Walnut. Ash and Maple Parlor
salts ; relent Rockers, fcjisv Chairs ana
Lounge a specialty.
SprinG MattresseS,
Extension Centre Tables,
Pillar Extension, etc
splendid lot of
Walnut and Hardwood Chairs of all kinds,
T7Atacts,
Bookcases. .
Siie'boards;
In fact, I intend to keep a first class
FurniturE HousE.
I am thankftrl for past patronage, and
intend to make it to the interest of all
residents of this city and vicinity to
com e and see me.
Corner of Secondand Ferry streets,
ALBA. XT, (.rl2ni4 OBEHvSf.
Qrcaa Qan&y pactcry.
C.W.OSBORN,
, first atrest. opposite Mcll wain's
ALBANY, : OREGON.
Maaa&scturer and dealer In all kinds of
Keeps tor sale
Frrnch and
wirrsu..
American
XOI1ACO,
hbtk 111 tie anld et nriees toeutt the time.
. Parties and bulls unpolled wttti candies, nuts.
etc at rt-anoea reie-.
Ton are respectfully invited to Rive me a call
" " - C. W. OSBOI1N.
Hot. 1, 1880-n8TU
V i ALBANY
. Albany,
Oregon.
Tk.tciid Term will spen on
Wednesday, Sept. '.1st, lSO.
For part leulear oncoming; the courses
etedr and the r4ee of tmtion, mlr to
v' irt. i-rf h. cx3rtfTj rnreatf
Jmly SO, leSOvlSntf - .
Great, chance t nutWe money. We
1 . narann ta PV.TV Uttt n IO take
enbecrtntions tor the larireet . . .-epe-t ana oest
Illustrated family pnliiieaiion 1" world.
Anvitnemn become a nici"tnl Olent. felx
.c v. rt mrt tr vt-i iwe " 'o suliseribers,
!) nrin. u in t Ini Imwi everybody snb-
eorlbes. Oneanent rior' isi.t.- ftO solmcrt.
bm in a riv. A hi Iv nscritit rrnri inakin
.mvtAtf nmllf it, fAn i. All who en-
a-ara make monev fast. Voti u devote all
vour time to the IravincMi. or ,!- orwre time
Von nd not be awnv from - over niarht.
Too can do It a .e'l other.. r"u:l directions
end torms free. V.Uvant- xpi'wal Out-At
ffee. if you want nrodiabh- w .. 1c rnd n your
avdatOM at on . it oimis n.i'btnr ro try the
feeainess. Sonne n ho to make
frrmt per. 'rt we EiC(.-Ti-
(rWUKMU, aiHDi. S13
f w-l. In mtr n
ajllltwa. luid, 1.
mn. fS Ontflt
if von- want
tiuMiXTw at wliU'lt M-mnn nf nthnr
w inak- r.tiv h)i ilw titnethry work,
tor inwu)ur' u II. ILai.lj tt A Co-
IS COCSTBT QCAOTEKS.
Tli mlr of Piodorskow, in the geTern-
merit ol Suwslfcl, U a dull hole. We lay
there. A monotonous life of It we led
about as lull of emotion as that ot s tor
toise in a state of hybernation. This was
the dally routine ; ruorning, drill and the
riding-school; rnlddsy, dinner at the
commandant's or ttte Jewish restaurant ;
evening, punch and card-playing. There
was not a bouse In the place worth visit
ing, nor a girl worth falling In love with.
We passed our abundant leisure In. going
from Peter to Paul, and from Paul to
Peter and back again the same perpetual
round and is criticizing the buttons on
each other's uniforms. Nevertheless there
was just one In our little society who was
not a military man. lie might be about
av&4aU-4irt-vrM ofcleostsawfcgr the
'yoong tellows" looked upon nlnr with
something akin to veneration. Ilia ex
perience gave him an ascendancy over us ;
aitd his taciturnity, his haughty bearing.
and the sarcastic manner lit which lie spoke
added to tlie impression and strengthened
tlie Kiipcrity of age. It was often a puzzle
to me what mysterious destiny overshadow
ed him. - He appeared to be Russian, but
lie had a foreign name. He had formerly
served in a Hussar rt-glment. and had even
built himself up some reputation in it ; but
be hattvlvd lit hU papers abruptly one
morning nobody cou'd tell why aiul he
estubliohc-d himself in this mi-erable
village, wliere h lived very roughly, but
managed ail lite same to spend a great
deal ot m.tuey. He took his airing on
toot, wrapped in a. soexly black paletot ;
and, for ail thai, lie kept open house for
every oflicer iti our regiment. To M-1I tlie
truth, his dinners were not luxurious ior
was tin cook a cordon lieu. We usually
had two or three plain dishes served up by
a discharged soldier. But his champagne
was a flrst-rate brand, and was sent round
in bucketful. I hare no pity tor the mau
who cannot wash down a bad meat with
good wine. Nobody knew what was his
fortune, or whether be was married or
single, and nobody cared to ask him." He
looked too stern to answer Interrogatory
dt that tvpe. He ba a tolerably large
library, particularly strong in military
books and in romances, which he freely
lent and never asked back. On the other
hand, he never thought of returning a
book once lent to him. His absorbing oc
ctioation it was moru Until imMiine was
pUtol-practivo. Tlie walls of his dining
room, riddiuu witii iniiiei-oents. looKeii
like a honey-comb. A splendid collection
ot pistols, of every age and make, was the
ue vanity of the wretched gazebo he call
ed his mansion. The dexterity he had ac
quired by his practice was something in
credible : it be tiad a bet tliat he wintld
knock the tuft otT a foraging-cap with a
shot, I do not think there was a fellow
In the regiment who would have hesitated
put tint foraging-cap on his head.
Sometimes, amongst us, the conversation
turned upon duelling. Silvio (with your
permission, that isliow I mean to call him)
never took part in it. If he were asked j
had be ever been out, lie dryly answered
'Yes," but entered into no details, and if
was eay to perceive tliat the question did
not gratify him. We came to the conclu
sion tliat some victim of his terrible skill
bad leit a burden on his conscience. None
of us tor a moment bad tlie slightest sus
picion that tlie re was any element of
leeblenefcS iu his composition. There are
men whose exterior Is enough to scout sup
positions of the kind. He was one ot
tlieni. Notwithstanding, an event which
unexpectedly turned up singularly aston
ished all of us.
One day a dozen el us, officers, dined at
Silvio's. We drank as it was the custom,
that is to ay, too much. As soon as
dinner was over, wc asked the master of
the house to make a bank at faro. Alter
refusing for a long time, for he very sel
dom played, he called for cards, placed
titty ducats before litin on the table, and
sat down to cut. We made a ring around
hiru, and the play began. When he play
ed, it was Siivio's habit to preserve au
absolute alienee ; he never made any ob
jections and never gave any explanations,
It a l UntBi- won or lost, lie paid ;um exact
ly wtutt was coming to him, or marked
down to his own credit, what lie had gain
ed. We all knew bis peciiiiaritv, ami we
let l.'mi arrange the matter after his own
la-hion : l-ut there was with us on that
occasion an otlicer newly joinea, who, in
a iioiiu:.t of distraction, made a ialse
double. Silvio took tin the chaik and
made his mark in his usual manner. The
otlicer, persuaded tliat tlie re was a mis
take, expostulated. Silvio, never break.
itig silence, continued to cut. The officer,
losing patience, took the brush and tubbed
out w'lat lie thought to be the wrong mark
Silvio quietly took t'ne chalk and made the
mark again. Upon this, tlie ufficee heated
by the wine, tlie play and tlie laughter of
bla comrades took serious offense, and
seizing a copper chandelier in his fury.
burled It at tlte bead of Silvio, who. by a
rapid duck, just contrived to avoid being
struck. There was a tearful row ! Silvio
started up, pale with anger, and, with fire
in his eyes, lie said ;
'My good sir, have the kindness to leave
the room, sod thank your God that this
has passed under my roof."
- Not one of u s had the slightest doubt as
to what would be the sequel ot the affair,
We already looked upon our new comrade
as s dead man. The oQIcer left, saying
he was ready to give satisfaction to the
banker as tooo as it suited his couvcnieac9.
the house pv .io further interest to the
play, we left one by one, and as we stroll
ed back to our quarters we chatted on the
vacancy we Were about to have iu the regi
ment. The following day, in the riding-school,
we were asking If the poor lieutenant were
dead or merly wounded, when who should
walk in but himself. We plied him with
questions. He simply answered that he
had not beard from Silvio. We were as
tonished. We went to visit Silvio; we
came upon him in his court-yard, sending
bullet atter bullet Into au ace ot heart
nailed to s door. He received us in bis
usual way, aud never saiJ s word about
the transaction oi the night before. Three
days passed aud the lieutenant still lived.
No message had come. We began to ask
one another in amazement : "Is It possible
that Silvio won't light Sihrlw dW not
light. He was satisfied with s very lame
explanation, and al! was over.
This magnanimity did him a lot of harm
amongst ti3 ' vounz fellows. Want of
hardihood is the fault that youth pardons
tlie least. Courage is the greatest of all
merits, tlie excuse for every blemish
Neverthless, by little and little all was
forgotten, and Silvio reassumed his former
influence lu our circle.
1 alone found it hard to reconcile myself
to him. Thanks to a . romantic Imagina
tion, I had grown more attached than
any of my friends to this mau. whose life
was such an enigma. 1 had made of him
the hero of a mysterious drama. He , lmd
a preference for me at least 1 was! tlie
only one with whom he almndonedj hi
harshness of tone and eyniei.-m of language,
and conversed mi different subjects Iwkh
else, ami sometime with a v-rv happy
grace Since that unfortunate evening the
thought tliat his honor was soiled-
that tlie re was a blot on his esctitcheou
and that, of his owu tree will, be hail de
clined to wipe it out. tormented me with
out ceasing, and drove away my sclf-pos
- . L
essiou when I was. In his socielv. 1 was
no loncer on the same terms with Mill. I
made it a matter of conscience to watch
his every movement. Silvio had too mtieh
penetration uot to perceive what fj '
doing, and to goes the mi'tive ot my con
duct. He apieared more hurt than Vexed
at it. Twice I thought that I could de
tect a desire on his part to come to au ex
planatiou with me ; but I avoided him,
and Silvio did not pres the matter. Prm
that tim 1 only saw ii.tV ?n company will
niv couirales. Our . sy intimate, chat
were dropped.
The lucky nweler in tin- enpirai. tn-s
ed about by distracting pea tinf . re
Ignorant of many sensations familiar to
thrwA who live iti remote villam-s or small
towns ; for example, the waiting kir the
mail day. On Tned:y ami Friday tw
Dostofflce of mir ii-eiiiifi.l v a. full of
officers. One expected mo. ey. ai. oilier
letters, a third newspaiiers Ordinarily.
the packets were unseahd iiwii the spot
news was parsed from mouth to mouth
aud the scene in tlie office was of tlie most
animated description, biivio s letters were
ddressed to bin al our quarters, and he
came to look for them with tlie rest of us.
One day that he was handed s letter he
broke the seal with great eagerness. As
he ran over its contents Ids eyes positively
burned with a strange fire. Our officers,
occupied over tlieir owu correspondence.
took ne notice of him.
Gentlemen," exclaimed Silvio, "urgent
affairs compel me to leave Immediately.
As I shall be on the road to-night ; 1 hope
you wou't refuse to dine with ine for the
last time. I count upon you," he added.
turning to me, "I wish you particularly to
come." -
Thereupon he retired hastily, and alter
we had all agreed to make - rendezvous at
his place, we separated each Ins own way
got to Silvio's at the appointed hour, r.nd
found every officer off duty lite re. His
luggage was already packed up. Nothing
was to be seen on the naked walls but the
network of bullet-holes. We sat down
Our host was in best of humors, and his
high spirits soon spread to the couaiiy
of
Corks popped brisk as skirmishing fire
tlie beady froth mounted in the glasses.
which were filled and enmtied witlnut In
terruption. We grew "tenderhearted
maudlin, it you like--aiMl wished God
Kneed, sate hKiiiey. Joy. and all kinds of
prosperity to our departing host.? f
it was late wlien we quitted llie festive
board. When " we were looking for our
cans. Silvio bale each of us adieu : but lie
caught me bv tlie hand and lield me as I
was oo the point ot going out.
Slav.'" lie said iu ait undertone. "I
want to have a few wo.-ds with you."
I stopped behind.
SILVIO'S EXPLANATION.
The others liad departed, aud We were
left alone, seated face to face, ; smoking
our pipes lu silence. Silvio had a care
worn air. There was not the: slightest
trace on Ids features of his convulsive gay
ety. HU sinister pallor, his blazing eyes.
tlie long curls of smoke which lie puffed
from rug mouth, gave lilm tlw aspect or a
veritable demon. At the end of a few
minutes he broke the silence.
"It is possible," he said to me, "tivit we
may never see each other again. Before
separating I wish to have s few words
with you. You may have remarked that I
care little for tlie opinion of tlie indifferent;
but I have a liking for you. and f. feel tliat
it would cost me pang to leave you with
au unfavorable opinion of me." -
Tic paused to knock the Milts off the top
of his pipe, il said nothing, .but turned
my gaze to the floor ami waited.
"It must have appeared singular to yoo,"
be continued, "tliat I did not exact fuller
satisfaction from that drunken : fool of s
Lieutenaut. You will agree that having
the choice of weapons, tlie Idiot's lite was
in my power, and that I ran no very great
risk. I might speak of rav moderation as
generosity , but I do not wish to lie. It I
could liave administered a correction to the
fellow without hazarding my life mark
me, , without hazarding It In the least
he would nor have got out of my clutches
so easily." I looked at Silvio with sur
prise. An avowal like this mystified and
pained me. He resumed : i ?
"Unfortunately, I have hot the right to
expose myself to death. Six yesrs ago -1
got a box on the ear. and my enemy is
still living."
' My eurloslty was TlTldlyfatlrred.
"And you did not fight " Mof" I de
manded. ' "Assuredly, Some cxtraordi
nary circumstances roust have prevented
the affair trom coming off."
"I did fight hi o." said Silvio, quietly,
and liere is a souvenir of our meeting."
He ro? and drew from a box a cap ot
red cloth with a gold stripe and gland a
cap of the make of those worn in cavalry
undress; such as the French call bonnet tie
police. He put it on his head. It was
penetrated by a bullet about an Inch above
tlie temple.
"You know," nid Silvio, "that I served
iu the Hussars. You out see the sort ol
man I am a trifle ovcrber.rlng. I have
the habit of command ; dominate is an
instinct ot my nature. In my earlier days
it was a passion with me. In my time
the rovsterers were the mode. I was the
greatest rovsterer and rowdy in the army
All bragged tlien about getting drunk. I
put under the table tlie famous B. men
tinned in the song by D. !., that used to
lie sung at the me of tlie Preobrajenski
Guards. Every day there were duels In
our corps ; every day I played my part us
second or principal. My comrades vener
ated me ; the suiierinr officers, who changed
everv other month, regarded me as s
scourge that they could not get rid of.
For mi' owu part, I pursued my career of
glory tranquilly, or rattier tumnltnou!y
until they sent to the regiment a rih young
fellow wIh lielotiged to a . distinguished
fa mi it. I shall not tell rou his name.
Never did I meet :t luckier dog ; his luck
was almost insolent. Picture to yourself
yonth, H, a tine figure, sprightly spirits,
hrstverv iwkle- of danger, sn honored
name, as imii li money as lie wished, and
m"re than Ik- o-old ever poslbly spend ;
ai.ft ww rrv n-.irt irlttg fcefiwe- your mind
the eflVit that hi arrival produced among
us. I was nowhere. My scepter was
broken. At the outset, dazzled by my re
putation, he sought to make me his friend.
But I received hi advances Coldly, and h
p;iid me . fT'iii thy iivn coin. Without
appearii g iu tlie leat mortified, he left
me to myself. I conceived a mortal grudge
against him. Ill success in tlie regiment
ami amongst tlw petticoats drove me to
desperation. I swore I'd pick a quarrel
with him. To my eplgratn he retorted
th epigrams that always struck me as
more piquant ami original llian mine, ami
which, I iniit admit, iu any case, were
much more lively. He jested ; I hated
tliat made the difference. At last one day
at a ball at a Polish landed proprietor's,
seeing that lie was the object ot attention
from several ladies, especially the mistress
of the house, with whom I had been a
pet, I went over to him and whlsjiered
some gross and stupid impertinence. He
flew Into a passion and gave me a box on
tlie ear. We flew to our sabres, tlie Indies
fainted, the guests parted us, and. on the
soot, we onttred the chateau to make our
preparations tor mortal combat.
'Day was breaking. I was at tlie tryat-
Ing ground with my three witnesses wait-
lug my adversary with a mad lnipativuce.
The summer's sun rose, anil the heat al
ready began to grill us. I saw him In the
distance. He was on taot, Ik his shirt
sleeves, carrying Ids jacket over his sabre
hilt, ami accompanied by a single second.
We set out to meet them. As he came
iearer to me. I could perceive that in one
hand lie held Id cap. which was full of
cherries. ' Our seconds placed us at twelve
paces aart. It was my privilege to fire
first ; hut passion and hatred got so much
the le: tor f me that I was afraid I should
not be able to keep my wrist steady. ' lu
order 10 gain time to cool down I conceded
tlie first fire to him. He refused It. We
then determined to settle It by drawing
lot. He Won, ibis eternally spoiled child
oi fortune. He pulled trigger, awl pie reed
m v bonnet de police. It. , was my turn
now. At last I Itad his life in my grasp.
I scrutinized htm with fierce avidity.
trying to catch In tlie expression or his
features, at the least a shade of emotion.
No ! There he was. under cover ot my
pistol, and not twitch in brows or Ilpk,
uot the symptom of a change of color in
hisclteek. He was quietly picking the
rijiest cherries out of his cap and blowing
the stones from his mouth. like a school
boy. until they almost fell at my feet.
Tills cold-blooded composure made me feel
like a devil.
What i to be gained," said I to my
self, 'by taking this man's life, seeing
that he sets such nall store by It V
"An atrocious idea shot across my brain.
I let down the hammer of my pistol.
-It seems.' said I. that you're hardly
In a mnl to rile at present. You prefer
to breakfast. Take it easy ; l have no
wish to disturb yoo."
' 'Don't mix yourself wp In ! my con
cerns lie answered, 'but take the trouble
of firing, pray. For the matter of that,
do as yon please: You have always that
pistol -shot to your credit ; and I shall be
at your service whenever you wish to dis
charge it.'
'I left with my friends, to whom I. said
that I did not intend to effect the exchange
of shots for the moment. And thus the
affair terminated.
I sent in my resignation and retired to
this village.' Not s day lias passed since
then that I have not dreampt of revenge.
Now tlie hour has come.
Silvio drew from Lis pocket the letter he
had received in the morning and gave It to
me to read. Somebody hi lawyer pre
suinobly wrote to him from Moscow that
the Derson in Question was on the eve of
marrying a young and beautiful lady.
"You divine," said Silvio, who is the
person in question. I - am storting lor
Moscow. We'U see if eH face death In
the middle of s wedding 'With" the same
composure that he did in front of pound
of cherries!
At these words he rose, threw Ms cap
on the floor, au began striding to and
fro like a tiger in s cage. 1 had listened
to him, outwardly passive, but racked by a
thousand contending sentiments.
A servant, entering, announced that tlie
horses had arrived. Silvio shook me warm
ly by the bnd, and we embraced. He
'imped Into a caleche. In which there were
two boxes, tlie one containing his eollec
c! pistols, the other his ti'ggage. We said
au.eu once more, and the horses weut ml
at a canter.
III.
THK FERSON IN QCISTION.
' Several years passed, wlien family affairs
obliged me to exile myself in a wretched
petty hamlet of the volosta of Podjaritzki.
Busy though I was with my property, I
could not help sighing whenever I thought
ot the noisy life, gay and careless, I bad
led up to that period. Iu Podjaritzki one
did not live did not exist even, one vege
tated. Tlie greatest trouble I had was to
accustom myself to pass the evenings of
spring and summer in complet solitude.
Until d'.nner-hour I succeeded in killing
time, more or less effectually, by talking
to the starosta. superintending my work
men, inspecting new buildings and over
looking improvements. But as soon as
dusk came on. I was at perfect loss to know
what to do with myself. I could almost
repeat by rote the tew books I bad un
earthed In the drawers and In a cockloft.
I made my hnuekeeer. Kirllovua, tell me
over ami over again, all the old country
tale she recollected. The s tings of the
peasant-girls made me inelauclioly. I took
to drinking, but that gave me the headache.
Yes, I will own it; for an instant I was
afraid that I should become a drunkard
through pure spiie, the worst ot all drun
kard, as tnv own district anorded me
only ton many proof. As near neighbors
there were but two or three of these dis
tinguished topers, whose conversation con
sisted principally of yawns and hiccoughs.
Solitude was a lesser evil than their com
panionship. At lat I made up my mind
to get to bed as early as possible, and to
dine as late as possible; so that I solved
the problem of shortening the evenings
aud prolonging the days, and I found that
to pay best of any.
Four versts from my place was a very
fine domain, belonging to the Countess B
; but there was nobody there save her
Stewart. 1 he Countess had resided iu her
el is tea u but once the first year of her
wedding lite; and tten she would not re
main there beyond a month. ' One day.
during the second spring ot my hermit's
existence,. I was told that the Countess
meant to pass tlie summer with her hus
band In tlie chateau. The report was cor
rect. They took up their quarters there In
the beginning of June. -
The arrival of a rich neighbor is an event
l,i rural life. The landed proprietors and
their people speak of it tor two months
beforehand, and - three years ' afterward.
As for myself, I candidly avow that the
announcement of the coming of a young
and handsome lady neighbor threw me
into considerable agitation. I was dying
of impat ience to see her, and tlie first Sun
day alter their arrival I set out, after din
ner, for her chateau, to present my homage
to Madame la Comtes, in the character ot
her nearest neighbor and very humble ser
vant, i . ..; .J-.' -,r,-.ft
A lackey ushered me into the Count's
study and went to acquaint his master
with my visit. This study was spacious
ami fumUhed in a very rich style. Along
tlie walls were ranged massive presses full
ot books, and on the top of each a bust lu
bronze. Over tbe marble chimney-piece
there was an immense mirror. The floor
was hidden by a green cloth, upon 'which
were spread Persian carpets. I bad' been
divorced from comfort so long in my den
that I was overcome at tlie spectacle of all
suinptuousness was positively seized with
timidity, and waited for' the Count very
much in the frame of being of a petitioner
from tlie province who lias obtained
audience ot some powerful Minister, and
sits in an antechamber. . The door opened,
aud gave admission to a young man abont
SO. of a charming countenance.: Be re
ceived me In the frankest and most arolbla
manner. I made an -effort to recover my
calmness, and was commencing my com
pliments as a neighbor, when he anticipa
ted me by gracefully telling me tliat I
should always ba welcome to his house
while lie was there; ! We seated ourselves.
Tlie conversation, full of natnraliiess and
affability, soon soothed my savage timidi
ty, and 1 began to fee! myself in my ordi
nary gvcoYs, when suddenly the Countess
appeared, and threw me into an embar
rassment greater Un . berore. She was
truly a beauty. The Count presented me.
I endeavored to assume a free and easy
manner, but the mere I tried the more
awkward I became.. My hosts, In order
to give me an opportunity to collect . my
self and get accustomed to my new ac
quaintances, began chatting to One another
as if to show me they treated me without
ceremony, . as an estimable neighbor.
Meanwhile I walked about tl.e study, look
ing at the books and pictures. I am not
much of a connoisseur, as tar as pictures
go, but there was one which riveted my
attention. It was a sketch of a valley In
Switzerland; but it was not the merit of
tlie landscape which struck toe most. I
remarked that the janvss was pierced by
two bullets, one evidently aimed at the
other. . . .
"Ha! that wets soroenIng lUm a shot, t
cried, rtmilrig toward tboCouut." . A
- Yes," be said; -rat&er a singular snot.
Are you a good baud at j the pistol?" be
continued. -'
"Well, yes so-so." I answered delight
ed at tbe chance of specking on a subject I
was not totally ignorant of. ; "At thirty
paces I warrant myself never ' to miss a
card, always provided I know the pistols."
"Really!" said the Countess with an air
of profound Interest. Then addressing her
husband, she added: "And you, dearest
do you think you could bit a card at thirty
paces"
"We shall see." replied the Count
used not to be a bad shot in my day; but it
is auite four years since I had a pistol in
my hand."
"In that case, Count, I don't mind bet
ting that, even at twenty paces, you're not
able to bit the spot. The pistol Insists on
constant practice. 1 know it by experience
In my regiment I passed for one of the
beft marksmen. It happened once tliat
jvas a month without taking up a pistol.
Mine were at the armorer's. We went
out tor target practice. What do you
think came to pass. Count. ; I missed
bottle at nve-aud-twenty paces tour con
secutive times. We had a squadron-leader
in ours a jolly fellow, but a twible joker.
Phew! comrade, he said. you 'era' togeth
er too sober. You have too much repect
for the bottle. Believe me. Count, if you
don't practice you must rust. Tbe best
shot lever met kept his band in by firing
his pistol everyday, if It was only three
shots before dinner. He would as soon
fail to have his three shots as to take his
nip or brandy before socy.
Tlie Count and Countess seemed to take
a pleasure In hearing me rattle on thus. .
"And what sort of shots used be to
make ?" demanded tbe Count.
What sort? Watt till you hear. Sup
pose he saw a fly creeping along the wall,
You laugh. Countess ? I swear to you it's
true. Eh. Kouza. a pistol. Kouza
brought htm a loaded pistol. Ping! There
was the fly flattened upon tbe wall."
"What skill!" exclaimed the Count,
springing to his feet. "You know Silvio?'
"Did I know him? We were tlie best
ot friends. He used to mix with our corps
as if he were ot ourselves. -But It Is a good
five years since I heard any tidings of him
So, as It appears, he had tbe honor to be
known to you. Count." ;
"Yes, known vary well known.
"I wonder did be ever tell you a curious
story of an adventure that occurred to him
once? A story about a box on tbe ear be
got one evening from an animal"
"Did he not tell you the name ot the
animal?"
"No, he never mentioned It, Pardon,
Count,' I cried, suspecting tbe fact, "I
was not aware. Am I right la thinking it
was you?
"I am the person In question," answered
the Count, confused lu his turn; "and the
hole in that picture Is a souvenier ot our
last interview.
t "For tlie love ol God, dear, don't speck
of it ! cried tbe Couutess, "it makes me
shudder still.
"No," said the Count, "I must tell the
story to this gentle in u. He knows f had
the misfortune to offend his friend. It is
only right be should know how his friend
avenged himself."
Tbo Count motioned me to an arm-chair,
and I listened with the liveliest curiosity to
the following recital;
side pocket." I stepped twelve paces,' am
I stood there, f n that corner, praying LiA "
to make haste and fire before my wif -
came back. . lie was In no hurry, be saWt,
and he asked for lights, i They brought id
some wax candles. r - -
"I shut the door, ordered the servants to '
let nobody enter, and again I called oa
him to fire. He raised his pistol, and too-
aim at me. w l counted the sec
onds. . I thought of her.
This lasted one awful minute Bilvlo
lowered his weapon. ; j
I am very much annoyed. he said.
that my pistol Is not charged with cherry
stones. A bullet is hard. .
But I have another Idea. : This bntlnew
is inore like a murder than duel, f am
not accustomed to pall trigger oo au Un
armed man. .. Let tea begin it all over,
again, and draw lotai for the first fire.'
"My head turnetl. -- At first, X bnasims,
I refuaedC -but uailr we' loscted another' -pistol.
- We rolled two serf ps of -paper,'
and he put them into the ory cap he b .
worn when I sent a bullet whizzing throm?'
it. I dipped it Into the cap, and T drew .
the paper marked number cnev
" 'Yoo have the devil's Ineay Cotmt f
he' said with a grin I shall never f&rgeC-
"I cannot understand what power- took
possession of rue, or how lis succeeded lis
constraining me ; but 1 did fire, and my
bullet lodged in that picture.".
The Count pointed with his finger tot w
canvass traversed by tbe pistol-shot. Hi
face was as red as hot iron. Tlie Coun
tess was whiter than her lace handkerchief!
As for me. I eooid hardly repress a cry.
'I had fired my shot, UMrcfere,'r pur-
rued tbe Count, "and. thank be. to God, I
had. missed, i Then Silvio-how
demoniac a visage he had at that moment t
deliberately adjusted his weapon,- aud
leveled the deadly barrel atratgb between
my eyes. Suddenly the door flew open.
Macha burst Into the room and clasped .
herself round my ueclu Ber presenss m
stored me to firmness. j .
'aSdear,-! said, 'can you not see tUst.
we' are joking t What a tremor you . are
ftr? Go. go drink a glass ot water, and
return, and I will Introduce you to an oUt
friend aud comarde.''
"Macha mistrusted me.
" Tell me. is this tliat my husband says
true ?' she Implored of the terrible Silvio
'Is It true that you are joking r
,tinc 6 always joking. Countess. ' re
plied Silvio. Once out or pure jest bo
gave me a box on the ear j out of pure j.
lie planted a builet in my cap ; out of pars
jest a while ago be missed me with his
pistol- Now is 1a my ,turu to have my
little laugh.' . j
'At these words he covered m anew
tinder the eyes of my wife. Macha fell at
l
his feet.
" 'Itise Macha ! Are you not . ashamed
of yourself ?r I sliouted With rage. 'And
you, sir, do you wish to drive an uufor
innate woman delirious S ' Will you first
Yes or no.r .. 1 1
" I do not care to now, thank you. I '
am satisfied. I have enjoyed your su Car
ing and your weakness, -: I have compelled '
you to fire upon me. Yo will recollect.
me. I leave you to your conscience.
"He mado a step toward the door, andr
halting at tlie threshold.; he threw a quid
glance at the prelorated ; picture,- andr al
most without troubling tu take aim, be
fired, doubled my ballet, and walked out. "
aiy wiui swooneuv my :aom8cics cia not
dare to bar his passage, "be retreated be
fore him appal leO. Uej reached t&e e&,
trance steps, called his postilion, and, be
fore I bad time to recover my p jsenca ot
mind, lie had disappeared.' .;
The Count had told bis story. I
Thus I learned the end oi an. eiv
tlie opening of which bad pnzrJed ms. X
never saw the hero ot It again. They say
that Silvio joined tba ii surrection of
Alexandre Ypsllantl, ami was slain at that
head of a band of partisans at the dUaatsr
ot Skouliaiii TiTtaleu't Magazine
. THK COCST'S START. -'
"Fire years ago I got' married. I speii
the honeymoon here In this ciiateau. To
this ok) building wc attached recollections
of the happiest boors ot my tile, and like-
wise one of the most fearful and afflicting.'
"One evening we went out riding.' My
wife's horse began to shy and rear : she
was somewhat alarmed, and dismounted,
asking me to lead him home by the bridle,
while she regained the chateau on foot.
At the gate I found a post caleche. Z was
Informed there was a strange gentleman
in my study, who hsd refused to give his
name, but said he wanted to see me on
very serious private business. ' I . came
into this .very room, and In the twilight I
could distinguish a man, dustcovercd, and
with s long beard, standing before the
chimney. I went up to him, vainly jogg
ing my memory as to where I had seen
the face before.
. " Yoo do not recognise me, Count ? he
said In a tremu'ous voice.
"Silvio? 1 cried ; and I confess I
could almost believe I felt my hairs stand
ing erect on my head. . ;
- 'rrecieeiy,' ne added,' -ixi it la my
turn to fire. : I have coma to discharge my
debt. Ana yon ready ?
"I coold eeo a pistol peeping from Lis
I'll be at the windows ho goes by
As he goes by f
Hell lift his head to look at tbe sky,
, : The western sky,
To see if the sou has set for faIr,T -
Ana suddenly titers
Against the sky iu tlie golden air
He'll see a pair
Of familiar eyes ; and I ; shall see
A he looks xt me
A sudden smile and a nod, maybe ?
All this in three
Or perhaps In four swift moments tiioo,
An i men, - !
In another moment the world ot men '
For him, or. when- "
The street is turned, a different facs
To take ot Dlace.
While I by my window here retrace
Each line of the face
Which smiled at me as it passed me by.
With a glance of the eve
That swept me la with the western skr.
The sunset sky. ;
To-morrow i shall be at the window when
He passes again ; . . ,
He will smiiesnd nod, and then ah ! then,
The same old story over sain.
-JVora 2-crrjf.
The Democrats In Congress were th
only advocates of a financial policy wblclt
contemplated carrying tlie national debt
for an indefinite period' without rrASiur-
any attempt to reduce It materiaHy. Such
a policy, had it been followed out, c&Ad
have had no other result than to irry txp
the high rates ot Interest paid uposi Gov,
eminent loans at the close oi t'm vr-r. .
Nothing lias contributed mora to t"r,s con
fidence which lis permSUed m to tz" -3 .
large portion of our debt at 3V r - cj!
and which premises ta !& i s t.. f .
another new rrftsndir'; k vj ri 3 t t :.
than the steady liql.lrtion,j ttt fkr yt r
ofa fart of our tKtt, j