The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-03-10

Il should be pleased to have you do so, y
the guamaker said; and thus it was arran-
ged. zaI saif % 'Hasis t.fsa sautt
On the following m,rnins Ruric was up
betmcs, and at the breakfast table not word
Of the one all-absorbing theme was uttered.
After the meal was finished the gunmakei
went out to his shop, and took down from
one of the closets a long leathern case in
which were two swords. They were ToIedt,
blades and of most exquisite workmanship
and finish. Ruric took out the heaviest one
which was a two-edged weapon, with crc.s
hilt,of heavily g,ldcd metal He placed the
point upon tine floor, and then, with all hi.
weight, he bent the blade till the pomme]
touched the point The 1.-THE steel srranc
back to its place with a sharp slang, and the
texture was not started, Then he struck
the fiat ofthe blade upon the anvil with rraat
force The ring was sharp and clear, and the
weapon remained unharlned. zis at ae
''By st. Michael said the gunmaker to
his boy. ''Moscow does not contain another
blade like that. Damascus never saw bat
/ ter" ...
Il think you are right, my master" the
boy returned, who had beheli the trial OF
the blade with unbounded admiration
But, he added, could you not tomper blade
like that ?"
Perhaps, ii had the steel. But have
it not. The steel of those two blades came
from India, and was orig g,nally in one weapon
a ponderous, two o-hand:d affair, belonging
to Bengal chieftain. The metal possesses
all the hardness of tn. finest razor. with the
elasticity Of the most subtle spring. NJ old
master at Toledo gave me these as mernen-
4 to. Were to mention the SUN of money
he was once offered for the largest one, you
would hardly credit it."
After this Ruric gave Paul few directions
about the work, promising to be back before
night. Just then Orsa drove up to the door
Ruric was all ready. His mother was in
the kitchen. He went to her with smile
upon his face. lie put his arms about her
and drew her to his bosom.
! "God bless you, my mother. shall come
] back" he said, AND then he kissed h.r.
| He dared not stop to say more, but opened
the door and passed out,
Have you good weapon? ?" asked Orsa,
q, the horse started on
| II have Ruric said, quietly; "ani on,
which has stood NOR. tests tlan IN ,st sword,
will bear" Aad after som, further remarks
he related the peculiar cream stances attend
ing the making of the sword, and his posses,
sion Of it.
At length they struck upol the r:ver, and
in hall an hour more they relched n, ap-
pointed spot. The day was b .autif,I They
had been upon the, ground but a few min,
utes when tie other rarty came in sigh;
around the nd Of the river, The monk
was there also.
As soon as the Count and his second and
surgeon had arrived, and tie horses had been
secured, the lieutenant proposed that taey
Should repair. to al oA b, ildins which wss
close at hand.
Aye added Damonof "Let Us have
tais business done, for I would be back t,
dinner. dine with Olga to-day, and fail
maiden awaits my coming" ....
Notice him not,' whispered Orsa, whe
walked close by Ruri, siie. That is on
Of hi, chief points when enga ged in an attai,
.of this kind. lie hopes to st yoa an sr.y
and SO unhinge your nerves"
Never fear" replied the gunlnaker
| The party balted when they reached til.
interior OF the rough structure, and the Coua
threw, of his pe!isse and drew his sword
Ruric followed his example
Sir Count" the latter said, as he moves
a step forward, ''ere we commence this work
wish all present to understand distinctly
how stand. You have sought this quarr>
fsoin the first. Without the least prosoca
ton from me you have insulted me mos,
grossly, and this is the climax So, betor.
uod and man, be the result upon your owr
head" esS''s '''"
"out, lying knave -" .''
Hold cried the surgeon, laying his hand
heavily upon the Counts arm. "You hav,
no right TO speak thus, for you lower your
self when you do it. If you have come t
fight, do SO honorably."
An angry reply was upon Damonoff's lip.
but he did not speak it. He turned to hi.
antagonist and said: .a5GT r0a45
"Will you measure weapons, sir' Mine
may be a mite the longest seek no advan
tage; and have one here Of the same length
and weight as my own, if you wish it,"
1 II am well satisfied as it is" replied Ru
ric.
"Then take your ground Are you r.ady?'
81 ami"
The two swords crossed in an instant, with
clear, sharp clang.
The abo,e is all of this story that win b,
published in our columns. We give this q.
a sample. The continuation of it from wher,
it leaves off here can only be found in tn,
i New York Ledger, the great family nan,r