CHI A SUMMER SOLITUDE. feroad slopes, robed regally In purple ling. Where green, moist mpss and scented thyme lie hid; And harebells' hang the wind stirred grass amid; And ferns and foxgloves fringe the peat stained . spring. Here flames a yellow tuft of furze, and there A narrow patch of vivid color shows The ant built hillocks where the cistos grows; And ruddy bracken starts up everywhere. The scattered sheep stray singly o'er the waste; Above, the plover sounds his plaintive pipe. Out yonder rise a pair of startled snipe. And seek fresh shelter with a timid haste. And far out west there gleams the wide gray A silver glory where the snnsprite spills His subtle charm and 'neath the northern hills Faint smoke goes np of cities of the plain. A silent, solemn place and holy ground, . Where God speaks in a still small voice, which they Hear not who hurry by; but those who stay Aad hearken catch the tender whispered sound, ' And hearing, gain a strange, strong peace of heart; A new, sweet patience for the pains of life; A calmer courage for its stern, fierce strife; A conscious power to do a nobler part. G. Duncan Grey in Chambers' Journal. THE COUNTS PICTURE. We were stationed at the little village of Z. We used to meet at each other's rooms, where we never saw anything bat one another's uniforms. There was only one man among us who did not belong to the regiment. He was about thirty-five, and, of course, we looked upon him as an old fellow. He had the advantage of experience, and his ' habitual gloom, stern features and his sharp tongue gave him great influence over his juniors. He was surrounded by a certain mys tery. His principal recreation was pistol shooting. The walls of his room were rid dled with bullets a perfect honeycomb. One afternoon about ten officers were dining with Silvio. They drank as nsnal; that is to say, a great deal. After dinner we asked our host to make a pool. For a long time ho refused on the ground that he seldom played. At last he ordered cards to be brought iu. Among us on tiiis occasion was an of ficer who. had but lately joined." While playing he Jibsentmindedly scored a .point too much. Silvio took-the chalk and corrected the score in his own fash ion. The- officer, supposing him to have Blade a mistake, began to explain. Sil vio went on dealing in silence. The officer, losing patience, took the brush and rubbed out what he thought was wrong. Silvio took the chalk and recorrected it The officer, heated with . wine and play and irritated by the laughter of the company, t thought himself aggrieved, and in a fit of passion seized a brass can dlestick and threw it at Silvio, who only -just managed to avoid the missile. Great was our confusion. Silvio got np, wliite with rage, and said with sparkling eyes: ? "Sir, have the goodness to withdraw, and you may thank God that this has happened in my own house!" At the riding school next day we were already asking one another, whether the young lieutenant -was etiH alive, when he appeared among us. We asked him the same question, and were told that he had not yet heard from Silvio. We were astonished. ' ' We went to Silvio's and found him in the courtyard popping bullet after bullet into an ace which he had gummed to the gate. . Silvio did not fight. He accepted a flimsy apology and became reconciled to the man who had insulted him. Silvjo's letters tised to be addressed to our regiment, and he usually called for them himself. On on.e occasion a letter having been, handed to him, I saw him break the seal and, with a look of great impatience, read the contents. "Gentlemen," said Silvio, "circum stances demand my immediate depar ture." With these words he flurriedly left. I went to Silvio's shortly after 'to bid him goodby. "Perhaps we shall never meet again," he said. "Before saying goodby I want to have a few words with you. "You thought it odd,' he continued, tha$ I did not require satisfaction from - that drunken maniac. Six years ago 1 received a slap -in the face, and my enemy still lives." "Did you not fight him?" I inquired. i "I did fight him," replied Silvio, "and ' here is a memento of our duel." He rose and took from a cardboard box a red cap with a gold tassel and gold . braid. 1 "In my time dissipation was the fashion," he went on, "and I was the jnoet dissipated man in the army. "My comrades adored me, while the commanders of the regiment,' who were constantly being changed, looked upon me as an incurable evil. - -VI was calmly, or rather boisterously, enjoying my reputation, when a certain young man joined our regiment. He was rich and came of a distinguished family I will not name him. . '' "I took a dislike to him. His success in the regiment and in the society of women brought me to despair. I tried to pick a quarrel with him. "At a ball at the house of Polish landed proprietor, seeing him receive marked attention from all the ladies and especially from the lady of the house, who had formerly been on very friendly terms with me; I whispered some low . insult in his ear. "He flew into a passion and gave me a slap on the cheek. We clutched our swords; the ladies fainted; we were sepa rated, and the same night we drove out to fight. "It was nearly daybreak. I was stand ing at the appointed spot with my three seconds. How impatiently I awaited my opponent! The spring sun had risen and it was growing hot. "At. last I saw him in the distance. He was on foot, accompanied only by one Mcond. We advanced to meet him. He J approached, holding in his hand his regt i mnnfnl mi) filled full of black cherries. ' "The seconds measured twelve paces.' It was forme to. fire first. But my ex citement was so great that I could not depend upon the certainty of my hand; and in order to give myself time to get calm, I ceded the first shot to my adver sary. He would not accept it, and we decided to cast lots. "The number fell to him, constant fa vorite of fortune that he was! He timed, and put a bullet through my cap. . "It was now my turn. His life at last was in my hands; I looked at him eagerly, trying hard to detect some faint shadow- of uneasiness. But he stood beneath my pistol, picking put ripe cherries from his cap and spitting out the stones, some of which fell near me. "His indifference enraged me, " 'What is the use,' thought 1, 'of de priving him of life, when he sets no value upon it 7 As this savage thought flitted through my brain I lowered the pistol. " 'You don't seem tb be ready for death,' ! said; 'you are eating your breakfast, and I don't want to interfere with you.' " 'You don't interfere with me in the least,' he replied. 'Be good ' enough to fire; or don't fire if you prefer it; the shot remains with you, and I shall be at your service at any moment.' - "I turned to the seconds, informing them that I had no intention of firing that day, and with this the duel ended. I resigned my commission and retired to this little place. Since then not a single day has passed that I have not thought of my revenge, and now the hour has arrived." . Silvio took from his pocket the letter he had received that morning, and handed it to me to read. Some one (it seemed to be his business agent) wrote to him from Moscow, that a certain individual was soon to be married to a young and beau tiful girl. "You guess," said Silvio, "who the certain individual is. I am starting for Moscow. We shall see whether he will be as indifferent now as he was some time ago, when in presence of death he ate cherries!" Many years passed, and family cumstances obliged me to settle in cir ,the poor little village of N. Four versts from my place was a large estate belonging to Count B., but the steward alone lived there. The countess had visited her domain once only, just after her marriage, and she then only lived there about a month. However, in the second spring of my retirement there was a report that the countess, with her husband, would come to spend the summer on her estate, and they arrived at the beginning of June. The first Sunday after her "arrival I went to the village and presented myself to the count and countess as their near neighbor and humble servant. The doors opened, and a man, about thirty-two and very handsome, entered the apartment. I tried to be self pos sessed, and began to introduce myself, but he forestalled me. His easy and agreeable conversation Boon dissipated my nervous timidity. I was already passing into my usual manner when suddenly the countess en tered and I became more confused than ever. - SHe was indeed beautiful. The count presented me. I was anx ious to appear at ease, but the more I tried to assume an air of restraint the more awkward I felt myself becoming. Meanwhile I walked about the room examining the books and pictures. In pictures I am no connoisseur, but one of the count's attracted my particu lar notice. It represented a view of Switzerland. I was not, however, struck by the painting, but by the fact that it was shot through by two bullets, one planted just on top of the other. "A good shot," I remarked, turning to the count. "Yes," he replied; "a very remarkable shot.". . V ' "The best shot I ever knew used to shoot every day," I said, "and at least three times every day before dinner." "And what sort of a shot was he?" asked the count. " '. . "This sort, count; if he saw a fly settle on the wall you smile, countess, but I assure you. it is a fact when he saw the" fly he would call out, 'Kouska, my pistol V Kouska brought him the loaded pistol. A crack, and the fly was crushed into the wall!" "And what was his name?". "Silvio was his name." "Silvio!" exclaimed the count, starting from his seat. "You knew Silvio?" How could I fail to know him? We were comrades; he was received- at our mess like a orotner omcer. it is now about five years since I last had tidings of him. Then you, count,' also knew him?" "I knew him very well. Did he never tell you of one very extraordinary inci dent in his life?" "Do you mean the slap in the face. count, that he received from a black guard at a ball?" "He did not tell you the name of this blackguard?" ; "No, count, he did not. " Forgive me,' I added, guessing the truth, "forgive me I did not could Or' really have, been your - "It was myself," replied the count, greatly agitated, "and the shots in the picture are a memento of our last meet ing." ' "Oh, my dear," said the countess, "for God's sake do not relate it! It frightens me to think of it." "No," replied the count; "I must tell him all. He knows how I insulted his friend. He shall also know how Silvio revenged himself." The count pushed a chair toward me, and with the liveliest interest I listened to the following story: "Five years ago," began the count, "I got married. The honeymoon I spent here in this village. To this house I am indebted for the happiest moments of my life and for one of its saddest re membrances. . "One afternoon we went out riding together. My-wife's horse, became rest-'' ive. Sbe was frightened, got off the horse, handed the reins oyer to me and walked home. ' - - - "I rode on before her. In' the yard I saw a traveling carriage, and I was told that in my study sat a man who would not give his name, but simply said that he wanted to see me on business. - "I entered the study and saw in the darkness a man, dusty and unshaven. He stood there by the fireplace. -. I ai proached him, trying to recollect his face. " 'You don't remember me, count? he said in a tremulous voice. ' '"Silviof I cried, and I confess I felt that my hair was standing on end. "'Exactly so,' he added. 'You "owe me a shot; I have come to claim it. Are you ready?" A, pistol protruded from his side pocket. "I measured twelve paces, and stood there in that corner,' begging him to fire quickly, before my -wife came in. "He hesitated and asked for a light. Candles were brought in. ' I locked the doors, gave orders that no . one! should enter, and again called upon him to fire. He took out his pistol and aimed. . ' . "I counted the seconds. I thought of her. A terrible moment passed! Then Silvio lowered his hand. " 'I only regret, he said, 'that the pistol is not loaded with cherry stones. My bullet is heavy; and it always Beems to me that an affair of this kind is not a duel, but a murder. " . " 'I am not accustomed to .aim at un armed men. Let us begin again from the beginning. Let us cas8 lots as to who shall fire first.' ; ' "My. head went round. I 'think I ob jected.' . Finally, however, we loaded another pistol and rolled up two pieces pf paper. These he placed inside his cap; the one through which, at our first meet ing, I had put the bullet. I again drew the lucky number. " 'Count, you have the devil's luck,' he said, with a smile which I shall never forget. . . "I don't know what I was about, or. how it happened that he succeeded in inducing me. a But. I fired and hit that picture." The count pointed with his finger to the picture with the shot marks. TTig face had become red with agitation. The countess was whiter than her own handkerchief, and I could not restrain an exclamation. , . "I fired," continued the count, "and, thank heaven, missed. Then Silvio at this' moment he was really terrible--then Silvio raised his pistol to take aim at me. "Suddenly the door flew open; Masha rushed into the room. She threw her self upon my neck with a loud shriek. tier presence courage. . ". "My dear, see that we restored to me all my 1 " said to. her, 'don't you are only joking? .How frightened yon look. Go and drink a glass of water and then come back; I will introduce you to an old friend and comrade,' "Masha was still in doubt. 'Tell me, is my husband speaking the truth?1 she asked, turning to the terrible Silvio; 'is t true that you are only joking?' , "'He is always joking, countess,' Sil vio replied. 'He once in a joke gave me a slap in the face; in joke he put a bullet through this cap while I was wearing it, and in joke, too, he missed me when he fired just now. And now I have a fancy for a joke. With these words he raised his pistol as if to shoot me down before her eyes. "Masha threw herself at his feet. " 'Rise, Masha! For shame 1' I cried an my passion: 'and you, sir, cease to amuse yourself at the expense of an un- uappy woman. Will you fire or not? , I will not, replied Simo. 'I am satisfied. I have witnessed your agita tion, your terror. I forced you to fire at me. That is enough; you will re- mem Wr me. I leave you to your con science. He was now about to go. But he stopped at the door, looked round at the picture which my shot had passed through, fared at it almost without tak ing aim and disappeared. ' "My wife had sunk down fainting. The servants had not ventured to stop Silvio, whom they looked . upon with terror. He passed out to the steps, called his coachman, and before I could collect myself drove off." The count was silent. I had now heard the end of the story of which the beginning had long before surprised me. The hero of it I never saw again. . I heard, however, that Silvio, during- the rising of Alexander Ipsilanti, command ed a detachment of .insurgents and was killed in action. Translated from the Russian of Alexander Pushkin, Boston Globe. . How to Eat Ilananas at the Table. Bananas ought never to be peeled en tirely and the skinned fruit taken in the fingers. This is not nice at all. It is admissible) to peel the fruit gradually, eating it as it is peeled; it is better, in this case, to nearly sever the mouthful with the fruit knife before attempting the bite, as it is never elegant to leave .the print of the teeth in any article of food. ', Very dainty folk, however, object even to this way of eating the fruit, as after one or two mouthfuls the skin hangs over the hand in an undesirable way. . such prefer . to cut tne banana through longitudinally, skin and all, and then with spoon or fork ', preferably the former, take out small portions at a time. Her Point of View, in New York Times. : . ' . ' Hide and Tie.. "Ride and lie" is an old Salem saying. . Two men would start out on a journey with one horse. One would ride a speci fied distance, then, dismounting and ty ing the horse, he would walk on to the next chanjjing place, where be would find the horse tied and waiting for him, having been ridden there by the man who started ont afoot. And soothe whole distance would be traversed, each one riding and walking in turn. The item "Ride and tie and go to Boston" is found in an old account book, at a .charge of "four and" ttxpence," Boston Tran Women; The common afflictions of women arc sick head aches, .indigestion and nervous troubles. They exiso largely from stomach disorders. As Joy's Vegcfablo Sarsaparilla is tho only bowel regu lating preparation, yoa can sco why it is more effective than any other Sarsaparilla in those troubles." It is daily relieving hundreds. The action -A" mild, -direct and effective. We have scores of letters from grateful women. We refer to a few: Nervous debility, Mrs. J. Barron, 142 7lh St., S. F. r.ervous debility, Mrs. Fred. Loy, S27 Ellis St, S.F. General debility, Mrs. Beldcn, 610 Mason St., 8.F, Nervous debility, Mrs. J. Lamphere, 735 Turk St., Nervous debility. Miss E. Rosenblum, 232 17th Stomach troubles, Mrs. K. L. Wbeaton, 7M Post St., 8. F. . . - , Sick headaches, Mrs. M. B. Price. 16 Prosnect Place, 8. F. . , Sick headaches, Mrs. M. Fowler, 827 Ellis St-,8.F. Indigestion, Mrs. C. D. Stuart, 1221 Mission St., . .. B- Constipation. Mrs. C. Melvln, 126 Kearny St.S.F. S' Vegetable Sarsaparilla Most modern, most effective, largest bottle. Borne price, fl.00 or 6 for $5.00. For Sale by SNIPES & KINERSLY, .- ;-' THE DALLES. OREGON. Health is Wealth ! Dr. E. C. West's Nebvb anb Beain Tkkai mint, a guaranteed specific for Hysteria, Dizzi ness, Convulsions, Fits, Nervous Neuralgia, Headache, Nervous Prostration caused by the use of alcohol or tobacco, Wakefulness, Mental De pression, Softening of the Brain, resulting in in sanity and leading to misery, decay and death, Premature Old Age, Barrenness, Loss of Power in either sex, Involuntary Losses and Spermat orrhoea caused by over exertion of the brain, seii abuse'or over indulgence. Each box contains one month's treatment. J 1.00 a box, or six boxes for 5.00, sent by mail prepaid on receipt of price. VTK GUARANTEE SIX BOXES To cure any case. With each order received by us for six boxes, accompanied by fo-00, we wili sena roe purcnaser our written guarantee to re fund the money if the treatment does not effee a cure. Guarantees issued only by .' BLAKELEY & HOUGHTON, ' Prescription Druggists, 175 Second St. The Dalles. Or. SEAL MERIT v . PEOPLE Say the S. B. Cough Cure is the best thing they ever saw. . We are not flattered for we known Real Merit will Win. All we ask is an honest tiial. For sale by all druggists. S. B. Medicine Mfg. Co., Dufur, Oregon. $500 Reward! We will pay the above reward for an j case of Liver Complaint, Dyspepsia, Sick Headache, In digestion, Constipation or Costivcness we caunot cure with West's Vegetable Liver Pills, when the directions are strictly compiled with. They are purely vegetable, and never fail to give satisfac tion. Sugar Coated. Large boxes containing 80 Pills, 25 cents. Beware of counterfeits and imi tations. The genuine manufactured only by THE JOHN C. WF8T COMPANY, CHIGAGO, ILLINOIS. RLAKELET HOUGHTON, . Prescription Druggists, 78 Second St. The Dalles. Or. A Revelation. Few people know that tha bright bluish-green color of the ordinary teas exposed in the windows is not the nat nral'color. Unpleasant as the fact may Be, it is nevertheless artificial; mineral coloring matter being used far this purpose. The effect is two fold. It not only makes the tea a bright, shiny green, but also permit the in of off-color " and worthless teas, which, onoe ander the green cloak, are readily worked off as a good quality of tea. An eminent authority writes on this sub ject: " The manipulation of poor teas, to give them sinner appearance, is carried on exten sively. Green teas, being in this country especially popular, are produced to meet the demand by coloring chearer black kinds by glazing or facing with Prussian blue, tumeric, gypsum, and Indigo. ThU method it to gen eral that very little genuine imcolortd green tea it offered Jot tote." ' . It was the knowledge of this condition ri affairs that prompted theplae i:g of Beech's Tea before the public. - It is absolutely pure : and without color. Did yoa ever, seo any genuine uncolored Japan tea T Ask your grocer to open a package of Beech's, and you win see It, and probably for the very first time. ' It will be found iu color to bo fut be tween th,e artificial green tea that you have been acenctomed to and the blnch Unh. ' It drawsarielightfcl canary cu!ir, sad is so ' fragrant that It will be a revelation to tea - drinkers. Its purity makes it alxo more . economical than the artificial teas, for les of it is required per cup. Sold only in pound packages bearing this trade-mark: BEEC 'Pore'As-fJhiTdhood: - If your grocer does not have it, he will gel it lor yoa. Price COB per pound. For sale a! Xreslie X3xx-tXox'j3, THE DALLES, OREGON.-. Joy Still on Deek. Phoenix Like has Arisen From the Ashes! - James white, . The Restauranteur Has Opened the Baldwin - Hestawant ON MAIN STREET Where he will be glad to see any and all of his old patronB. Open day and Night. First class meals twenty ?five cents. YOUR flTCEIlTIOli Is called to the fact that Glenn, Dealer in Glass, Lime, Plaster, Cement and Building Material of all kinds. Carries the Finest Line of Picture To be foand in the City. 72 Washington Street. A NEW PRINZ & NITSCHKE. DEALERS IN- Furniture and Carpets. We have added to our business a complete Undertaking. Establishment, and as we are in no way - connected with the Undertakers' Trust our prices will be low accordingly. Jttemember our place on becond street, next to Moody's bank. Hugh mouiaings undertaking Establishment ! , : DEALERS IN:- Staple anj Fancy Gioceiies, Hay, Grain Masonic Block, Corner Third and jvfeu Columbia J-lotel, THE DALLES, OREGON". Best Dollar a Day , First-CIass Meals, 25 Cents.; First Class Hotel in Every Respect. Wington Jtoftb DcIHBS, Washin?toa SITUATED AT THE Destined to be the Best Manufacturing Center In the Inland Empire. . ' For Further Information Call at tha Office of - Interstate Investment Go;, 0. D.' TAYIORTHE D&llES. 72 WASHINGTON ST.. PORTUtsD. JOHN PASHEK, 1 - Tailor, Uext door to Wasco San. Madison's Latest System used in cutting garments, and a fit guaranteed each time. epaitdncj and Cleaning Neatly and Quickly Done. R. B. HOOD, Livery, Feed and Sale Horses Bought and Sold on Commission andMoney Advanced on Horses Left for Sale. OFFICE OF The Dalles and Goldendale Stage Line. Stage Leaves The Dalles Every Morning at 7:30 and Goldendale at 7;30 All freight must be leit at R. B. Hood's office the eve ning before. R. B. HOOD, Opposite old Stand. Proprietor. . The Dalles, Or. THE Dalles, Portland & Astoria NAVIGATION COMPANY'S Elegant Steamer REGULATOR Will leave the foot of Court Street every morning at 7 A. M. for Portland and Way Points ' Connections Will be Made with the Fast Steamer MliliES GITY, At the Foot of the Cascade Locks. For Passenger or Freight Rates, Apply to Agent, or Purser on Board. Office northeast corner of Court and Main street NOTICE. B. E. French has for sale a number of . improved ranches and unimproved lands in the Grass Valley neighborhood in Sherman county. They will be sold very cheap and on reasonable terms. Mr. French can locate settlers on some good unsettled claims in the same neigh borhood. His address is Grass Valley, Sherman county, Oregon. and Feed. Court Streets, The Dalles.Oregcn House on the Coast! Norie but the Best of White Help Employed. T. T. Nicholas, Prop. ? HEAD OF NAVIGATION. Best Selling Property of the Season in the North