The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-09-08

the bottle Now yonr Excellency, yon
must not neglect this exercise, or you will
forget the art altogether. The best shot
ever met used 10 practice every day at
least he used to shoot three times before
dinner. This was as much custom with
him as glass of bI randy The Count and
the Countess were glad that began to
talk.
'And how did he shoot . asked the
Count.
'Why, in this manner, your eycellsncy
sometimes he would see fly sitting on the
wall,-yOu laugh, Countess; | assure you
il is true. Well, he would see the ily, and
call out, 'kuSka, a pistol , and Kuska
would bring HIN loaded pistol: he would
pull the trigger, and the fly would be stuck
in the wallP
'Tha, is wonderful said the Count, 'And
what was his name?
'Silvio. your EXcellcncy.'
'Slvio = exclaimed the Count, rising from
his seat. you knew Siiviop
Go be snre KNEW him. He and were
friends. He was received in our regiment
As a brother. officer. Bat now it Is more
than five years since we heard Of him. So
it seems your EXcellency knew him al
so?'
Il knew him WELL Did he never tell
you Of very strange occurrence?
WAS it not ofa blow on the face which
he received at a ball from some ill-manner-
ed boor?'
| GAY but did he tell you the name Of that
ill-manncred boor,'
mo! your Excelency, he did mott said
guessing how matters stood. pray excuse
i did not know-Can it be you =
1T was L. said the Count. with troub
led air. : and the pierced picture is mem
oral Of our lastlmeeting.'
'Ah mon cher,' said the Countess, 'pray
do not tell. 1t will be terrible for me to lis
ten
'No 2 replied the Count. q shall relat,
the whole story. lie knows how Iinsulte,
his friend. Let him know, also, Si!vio'S re
venge.'
The Count offered me an easy chair, ant
with the greatest curiosity | listened TO tn,
following tale -
'Five years ago I married. The frs
month. the honey moon, passed here, il
this village. To this house ! am indebte,
for the best minutes Of my life, and for on,
of the most painful rec collections. One eve
ming we rode out on horseback. My wife
horse gotuneaSy. She was frightened, sav'
me the renS, and went home on foot. II
the courtyard found travelling teiaggG
was told that INN study there was a per
son who declined giving his name, but wh'
had simply said that he had some cuisines
with me. entered this room, aud saw, il
a n h.4ar lab ,,,tt \, I,,s,
/ He stood near the fire place. approache,
him, endeavoring TO recolect his features
'lou do not recognize me, Count " he said
with trembling voice. 'Silvio,' cxclam
ed and, | confess, felt as ifmy hair real
! ly stood on end. you are right he con
tlnued. ut is my turn TO shoot now.
came TO discharge my pistol. Are 20,
ready| y pistol was sticking out Of hi
side pocket. / measured twelve pace.
and placed myself in the corner, begging
( him TO shoot quickly, before my wiie's re
turn. He delayed. He wanted light
They brought the candles. ! shut the door
ordered that no ont should be allowed I,
enter, and again begged he wonld shoot
He pulled out the pistol, and a:med.-
counted the SecoGus--I thought Of her
terrible minute elapsed--Silvio lowcre
his hand. q am sorry > he said, shat III
pistol is not loaded with cherry stones
ball is heavy thing. cannot help think
ing that this is not a duel. but murder
lam not accustomed TO take aim at an ur
armed adversary. Let us begin anew
Let us draw lots who is 10 shoot first NJ
head went round. MethouGht would NJ
agree. At last, we loaded another pis,o
and numbered two cards. He put them in
to the cap which had shot through. ! a
gain drew out the first number. 'You ar
devlish lucky, Count said he, with a smil
| shall never forget. | do not understan
what was the matter with me, or by wha
means he could oblige me to do it--but-
shot-and hit that pc,ure.'
The Count pointed with his finger TO tn
pierced picture. His face was red tn
Countess paler than her handkerchief.
} could not check an exclamation.
q shot, continued the Connt, sand, than
God, missed; then Silvio-that momer
! he was really iearful-began to aim at HI,
Suddenly the door flew open. Mary rush
ed in, and threw her arms around my necl
Her presence restored me 10 my sense
My poor girl, do you not see we play
How frightened youarc Go! drink gla,
of water, and come back. I Twill n.roduc
you TO an old friend and companion.' Ma
ry still doubted.-'Say, does my kusban
: speak the truth p she said, turning to ia
formidable Silvio. is it true that you ar
only playnC!' He is always playing
Countess answered Silvio.-'Oncc he CAV
me blow on the face. II was in fun tbs
} he pierced my cap with ball. It was in
joke that even this minute he missed III,
aud now really think that it is my turn ,
have a bit otiun.' With this he was coin
to aim al me, in herprcSencc. Mary tire
herself at his feet, Rise, Merry shame
| exclaimed in a rage. 'And You, sir, wi
YOU desiSt tamperng with q woman
VIII you shoot or not? Il will no,,' NJ
swcred Silvio. Il am satisfied. hay
seen your confusion, your fear. have
bhged You to sLoo, at me. ldelivrr 20
up to your own conscience He was G
the po'nt al going, but he stopped at Il
door, looked round for the picture had hi
fred almost withou, taking aim. and dSaI
pearcd. My wife had tainted; the Servan
did not dare to stop him. lie wcit out
the entrance. gate. called his yomSehoiE, At
was away before could recover my sci
{ seS.'
The Count stopped. In this manner
. learnt the end oithe tale, the beginning
bi,l, Ial n, =.