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

4 quay inc ilOUF NnS SttllCk.
Sivio pulled from his pocket letter,
which he had received in the morning, aud
handed it over 10 me.
Somebody Git would seem, his Gdcioium)
wrote to him, from Moscow, stating that a
certain person was soon to be mar led to a
young and beautiful gil.
'lou guess said Silvio, 'who the certain
pGrSon is. 90 10 Moscow. We shall see
whether he will confront death with as
much indifference before his marriage as
he did at one time while eating cherlies!'
With these words, Silvo arose, threw his
cap on the floor, and began to strut and
stride to and fro in the room, like a tiger in
his range. | listened without moving. !
vas overwhelmed by strange conflicting
emotions. The servant came in and an
nounced that the horses were ready 81.
vic pressed my hand with great warmth I;
we embraced each other. lie sat down in
the teiaggd, where there were only two
trunks the one with pistols, the other with
victuoS. lie took leave once more, and
the horses galIopcd away.
Some years had passed away, and do
meStic affairs had obliged me To settle in
the poor village OF A, in the n
province. In the midst Of myrural occupa-
tons, could not help signing now and then
at the recollection of my former life, noisy
as it was free from care. found it most
difficult to accuStom myself TO pass my an
tumn and winter evenings in perfect sell
tude. ! could somehow or other contrive
to draw ont the hours until dinner time
either by taking to the 'Starost,' surveying
the works. or visiting the new institution ;
but as soon a it grew dark, was quite at
a loss TO know what to do with myself.
The small number Of books which had
found under the chest of drawers, and in
the lumber room, already knew By heart.
All the fairy and other tales. the house
keeper, kISOwna, could possibly remem-
Der, or invent-why, heard them over
and over again the songs Of the village
woman made me melancholy. A. one time
! took to the Na'iOka but it made my head
ache, and, to tell the truth, feared lest
should become drunkdrd from rOe-that
is, most wOiul drunkard of which there
were several instances in my district
There were no near nighbors about me,
except two or three tcOctW ones, whose
conversation consisted for the most part In
hiccoughS and SpirationS.-S Solitude was
certainly less intolerable. At length de-
termined TO 60 to bed as early as possible
and to dine as late as possible: thus short.
ened the evening aud heightened the day
and found this good plan.
At four rcrStd distance from me, there
was rich estate, belonging TO the Counties,
Of b; nobody lived on it but the stew.
ard. The Countess had herself only one,
visited it for the short space Of month il
the first year Of her marriage. However
in the second year Of my hermit life, the
rumor spread that the Countess and hcl
husband would pass the summer in her I'll
lagc. Indeed, they arrived in the begin
ming Of June
The arrival of a rich neishbor is an i'm
| portant epoch in the life Of villagers. The
proprietors and their servants speak of i
two months beforehand, and three year.
| afterwards. As 10 me, | confess, the new,
OF the arrival of young and beautiful
neighbor had considerable effect upon me
| burned with Impotence to see her, anC
therefore. the very first Sunday after he
arrival, | went in the afternoon to the vii
laSe Ola, TO offer my respects TO thei
EXcelencieS, as their nearest peighbor AM
HloNl numOIt servant.
The servant took me into the Count
study, and went to announce me. The vas
apartment was furnished with the creates
possible luxury; around the walls Their
stood book-Shelves, surmounted by bronz
OustS; over the mantlepiecc there was
large looking glass; the floor was coveret
with green cloth, and carpets thrown owe
II. In my obscure corner | had become
stranger 20 the luxury. and not having an,
OF the riches of othelpcople, felt uncom
Portable and awaited the Count with Ger
tain degree of fear, something like a peti
toner from the country who awaits the ap
pearance OF miniSter.--The doors were o
pened, and a distinguished looking man
ot about thirty.two years of age, came int
the room. The Count approached me wit
an open and benevolent cOuntenancc.
summoned mp sufficient courage 10 begin a
apology, but he did not, allow me 10 com
plete the sentence. We sat down: his con
verSation free and pleasant, soon di>pcrsc
the unusual modesty, had acquired in III
wilderness, already began TO feel mysel
Mt home, when suddenly the Countess cam
III, and | was more confused than before
Truly she was most beautiful. The Coun
introduced me to her; | wished TO appea
AT ease, but the more tried TO pm, on
graceful mlen, the more iclt G0WChe an
ridiculous. In order 10 give me time 90 col
lcct my senses, audi get accustomed to m
new acquaiEthnceS. they spoke for som
minutes TO each other, treating me ms the
wonld a good neighbor, without ceremony
Meantime | began to walk up and down
looking at the books and pictures. Iamn
connoi>Scur Of paintings, but there was on
which strongly attracted my attention.
was some view in Switzerland hOwcv
il was not the painting Of the picture whic
struck me, but the fact that il was pierce
by two balls, one struck upon the other.
THAT'S good shot said |, addrcSSin
the Count.
'YcS, said nc, "a very remarkable sho,
DO You shoot wcll?' he continued.
'So.So,' replied, glad that the convcrSa
ton had at last turned upon subject i
which ] felt some interest; Il should n,
mss card at Thirty paces-cf course, wi,
tried pistols
'Non said the Countess. with an air ,
great attention. 'And you, my fr.cn,
would you hit a caid at thirty PAGES di,
tance.'
Some day we will try our skill,' said III
Count. AT one time was No bad shot
but now il is full four years since | touchc
a pistol