The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-03-11

was soon in the open court. Here he en-
ered his,sedge, and then drove to the
barracks in the khitagorod, where he IN
luired for young friend named Orsa, |
lieutenant Of the guard. The officer was
quickly found, and as he met Ruric his
saluation was warm and cordial. Alter
the first friendly greetings had passed,
Ruric remarked, " may have a meeting
with Conrad Count Damonoff. lie has
sought quarrel-.insulted me most
grossly aimed a blow at my head-and
| knocked him down. You can Judge as
well as what the result must be-"
I" Most surely be will challenge YOU"
cried the officer. excitedly.
L" So think" resumed Ruric, calmly.
" And now will you serve me in the
event ?"
With pleasure"
And thcrcupon Ruric related all that
had occurred at the time Of the Counts
visit to his shop, and then look his leave.
He reached home Just as his mother
was spreading the board Tor dinner. lie
often went away on business, and she
thought not Of asking him any questions.
On questioning Paul, in the shop, in
the afternoon, Ruric, to his great surprise,
| learned that the Black Monk had been
/ there during his absence, to purchase a
dagger that he had drawn out OF the
boy n minute account Of the visit Of Ur'
zen and Damouoif, and that he seemed to
be much pleased with Ruric's conduct
As they were talking, Urzrn called and
IL, Ill. h.,
Rurc at once referred him o his friend,
aud took his leave.
That evening, about eight o'clock,
sledge drove up 20 Ruric's door, and
Young Orsa entered the house. He called
Rurc aside, and informed him that the
arrangements had all been made.
"DamonoT is in a hurry" he said,
"and we have appointed the meeting at
| ten O'Clock tomorrow forenoon. 1t will
lake place at the bend Of the river just
. beyond the Viska Hill"
"And the weapons ?" asked Ruric.
Swords" " returned Orsa. 1.-The
Count will bring his own, and he gives
you the privilege cf selecting such an one
as you choose"
Il thank you, orsN, for your kindness
thus far, and you may rest assured that |
shall be prompt"
"Suppose cal here in the morning
- for you 2" suggested the visitor.
IL should be pleased TO have you dc
so," the gunmaker said and thus 1t wa'
v arranged
3 On tho following morning Ruric was
up betimes, and at the breakfast table no
: a word of the one all absorbing theme was
a uttered. After The meal was finished the
c gunmakcr went out to his shop, and took
. down from one Of The closets long
/. Ieathern case, in which were two swords
v They were Toledo blades, and of mos
Z cquisile work manship and finish. Rurlc
Il took out the heaviest one, which was {
two edged weapon, with n cross hiIt o
). heavily glded metal. He placed tho
It point upon the floor and then, with al
h his weight he bent the blade ill the pom
- mel touched the point. The 1.-the stce
IL sprang back to its place with sharE
clang, and the texture was not started
e Then he struck the fiat OF the blade upol
d the anvil! with great force. The ring wa
n sharp and clear, and the weapon re
malnutu unnhTlncu'
is "By St. Michael" said the gunmake
&c TO His boy, "Moscow does not contai
ce another blade like that. Damascus neve
le saw a better"
IL think you are right, my master,
g, the boy returned, who had beheld til
e. trial of the blade with unbounded admire
ton. "Bul," he added, "Could yon ne
y, temper blade like that p
uf Perhaps, if l had the steel. But
have it not. The steel OF these two blade
.ic came from India, and was originally
"a one weapon "A ponderous, two-hande
he affair, belonging TO Bengal chieftan.-
ne The metal possesses all the hardness {
as the finest razor, with the elasticity OF tn
I'd most subtle spring. My old master 1
10 Toledo gave mo these as memento.-
IN Were to mention the sum OF money h
W once offered for the largest one, you woul
hardly credit it,"
ID After this Rurc gave Paul few dire
&c tons, promising to be back before nigh
Just then Orsa drove up to the door.
ed Ruric WAS all ready. His mother WI
of in the kitchen. He went to her with
a smile upon his face. He put his arm
N, about her and drew her to his bosom.
,r, God bless you, my MOTHER shf
ct. come back" lie said this, and then
IL. kissed her.
en- He dared stop to speak no more, b
of opened the door and passed out.
ID, "Have you good weapon ?" askC
We Orsa, rs the horse started on.
IL have" Ruric said, quietly "aT
Nd. one which has stood more tests than nc
swords will bear" And, after some fu
ho ther remarks. he related the peculiar C
cums,ances attending the making OF t
aid sword. and his possession OF il.
At length they struck upon the, rive
S." and in half an hour they reached the a
en-, pointed spot The day was beautiful
ted They had been upon the grolnd but
lad few minutes, when the other party cal
ely in sight around the bend Of the river.
e. THE monk tras there also
er. AS soon as the Count and his seco
He and surgeon had arrived, and the hor'
,aG had been secured, the lieutenant propos
her that they should repair to an old buiIdi
Lis ,,,b;ch u,,S cInsp nt hand