The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1865-07-18


this house we owe the happies, mo.
menis oi my ilc, aud. al The same time
some Of the mo { cruel recolIectiaAs.
'One day my wife and | we're rid
inC out on horseback, Her horse be.
came unmansggablc, and, disnount
ing, She threw me the bride, and 70.
turned 10 The house on foot ! got
back before her, aud saw in the court
a travelling carriage. I gas inform
ed thar gentleman was awaiting me
in The cabinet, tha, be had not given
his name. but desirrd 10 see me on an
affair Of importance. ! entered this
chamber, where ! saw a man covered
with dust, and whose beard had not
been cut for several days. lie was
standing here al this eheuinee. lap
preached him, trying to recognize his
features.
You do not recollec' me, Count,
be said at last, in a savage voice.
'Sylyio, | cried and | confess
my hair stood on end.
Yes, il is 7, you know the last
SHOT belongs TO me. i have come TO
discharge my pistol; are you ready 2
! saw the end Of his pistol sticking
out Of one Of the pockets Of his tray.
cling coat. | measured off twelve
steps. ! placed myself there, in the
corner, and begged him to shoot quick
ly, before my wife entered. But he
was not in hurry, aud demanded
more light; ! opened the shutters of
the chamber. | closed the door, pro.
hibited the entrance Of any one, and
begged him again to FIRE. counted
the seconds thought of her--it was
a horrible moment Sylvio lowered
the pistol.
cit is pity he said, this pistol is
not charged with cherry stones. The
ball is heavy. I hardly think this
could be called duel, il is m re like
assassination. | am not accustomed
;o fire at a disarmed man. Let us
commence anew, the sort shall decide
who shall have the first shot
i was no longer conscious Of what
| was doing; only remember that
would not consent. Finally, we charg-
ed a second pistol Two numbered |
slips Of paper were thrown into his
bonnet, and, as before, drew number
one.
''You are lucky devil he ex-
claimed with a frightful smile.
i scarcely know what occurred, nor
how he induced me 10 consent, but ]
fired, and struck that picture
The Count pointed to the scene in
Switzerland. His face seemed on fire,
and The Countess was paler than her
handerkerchief.
i fired, continued the Count, 'and,
thank God, | missed. Sylyo raised
his pistol the door opened, and Ma
RE threw herself, screaming, into my
arms. Her presence restored me TO
myself. Mon ami said to her, do
you not see that we are jesling2 Why
this terror =? Go, my love, get a glass
a glass OF water, and return to US.
will then present TO you my ancient
friend, comrade de Serrita.'
Marie would not believe me-
Speak, oh, speak, monsieur, and tell
me if my husband has spoken the
truth she exclaimed, turning to Syl-
vic, who regarded her with severe
aud sullen air. is it true that you
are only jestiug"
"lle alwaysjests, madam, replied
SJlyio; 'once in jesting, he slapped
me on the cheek; in jesiing. he put
ball through my bonnet he just now
missed me by way of jesting; now it
is my turn to jest
Upon finishing these words he
brought his pistol to bear upon me, be-
'ore her. She threw herself at his
.eet. Get up Marie, this is shame
ul, ! cried angrily; 'and you, mon
'ieur, cease to torture feeble woman
10 you wish to fire, or not?
II no longer wish it, replied Syl-
1io; | am satisfied | have seen your i.
lgony, your fears; | have compelled
you to fire at me, that Is sufficient.
sill leave its recollection to your con-
cience. You will always remember ,
ne.
Here he made movement 10 90
'ut. but stopped at the door, turned
round, glanced at the picture that my /,
'aII had pierced, and firing bis own !
Immediately above it, he disappeared. :,
My wife had tainted. TIE serv.
nts dared not stop Sylyio; they look
d after him, frightened and amazed. =
Ie des cended The staircase, called for Z
is roiture, and departed before was
ompletely restored TO my seuses. =
Here the Count ceased to speak I
! was mus 1 learned The end OF this
istory, the commencement Of which I
ad 50 troubled my mind never !
aw again the hero Of this singular !.
nd extraordinary adventure. g
Ii was said that Sylyio espoused I
le cause Of tie Greeks. in tie time
The revolt Of Alexandra Ip,iIauti. n
nd that he was killed near SkouIany. J