The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-08-26

tess 0aO Deem Guexe O1kL once, lOr
month during the first year Of her maj
riage. In the second spring of my te
dious country life, q rumor spread al
at once tiaat the beautiful Counties
would pass the summer with her hus
hand OF the castle, and, in fact. at tin
|bdSinning Of June they both arrived
IN arrival Of 3 rich neigtbor In th,
country, where every one suffers from
e,s,sssi, Is an event Of vast importanc,
"a world shaking occurrence. TIL,
nable families of the neighborhood
their servants, and peasants could speal
!, of nothing else for two months befor,
the Arrival Of the Count and for thret
months after his departure; indeed,
must confess that the intelligence O
the arrival u the noble pair made nv
blood run quicker also; burned witt
curiosity to zee them. On the yery
first Sunday 7 ~ out to pay my res.
poets to their Excollencies.
"A gold d-laoed laekey, in handsome
livery, c0ntlucteda au1e to the Counts
cabinet, which w furnished in the
most tasteful ele&aoce. Along the
wall extended a row of3agKe book cases,
each one adorned with q bronze bust 81
the author whose hoo2 e contained
oyersthe marble mentol aras :. Will
4iry9 and TIE Aoas - 49, M
~. =. onn
long nqd3 cpst0med IN ny A{l| q village
to see slIclla display OF wealth, and j
must admit it to my shame, / Elf Al
most embarrassed by 1t. With Tie ag-
itation of a c0untryman apprcaebina
the Minister with a petition, and desir-
ing an audience, awaited the coming
Of my distinguished neighbor. Ths
door. opened, and a man of about IS, IS
with a noble and handsome counten.
auce, entered the room. He approach
ed me frankly and courteously, as |
uttered a few words Of excuse for TAX
ing the liberty but lie interrupted me
atonce: mo complimsnts, neighbor. .
Wesat down: and his gay and unecn-
strained manner quickly banlShed my
timidity, and l began to Be myself
again. The Countess NV came in,
and my embarrassment rekllfIed. The
Count introduced me, and the two, in
order to give me time, e5nveEsed to-
gether freely, and treated me like an
old acquaintance. In the meantime
opened the books on the table, looked
at the pictures on the val, one ol
which especially attFscted my atten-
ton. 1t representelta > 6WH landscape;
but it was not the Sceuo which the ar
tist had painted, nor Els skill which
drew my gaze, but marx in the can
vas made by two bullets, one resting
on the other. "That was wonderful
shot, Count ~ cried.
Yes, and there is a remarkable cir
connected with it. Are you
a good shot?'' #
am sure ofhitting the ace ofhearts
at thirty paces.'' Il
Really 2" cried The Countess. ssrhat
shows great skill. Can you do 1t, Wa
sil"
"There WAS a time, when / was in
practice; but have not touched a pis-
tol in five years"
"I will wager that you cannot bill
the card at twenty PAGES. Such dex-
terity requires daily practice. The besl
shot that know cut daily three bulletl
on the edge of knife; II he saw a fly
on the wall-ah, you are smiling, gra-
cious Countess, but l assure You that II
IS the exact TRUTH" -
"Ah? What was the mans name?''
"Sylvio, your Excellency.n
"Have you known him 2" cried the
Count, springing from his chair.
"Have you known him? You have
known Sylvio?"
"Why should l not? We were
he lived in Wologda as my
cOmrade. But for 1--WE years have
heard nothing of him. You then also
are acquainted with him p,
"Yes, 1 was. And if you were a
friend Of his he has certainly told you
of curious story.n
All, ha, you mean the blow he once
received"
~ do. Did he tell you the name OF
the giverw
No, your Excellency."
Struck by a sudden thought, 1 gazed
at the Count. "Could it possibly have
been your
at was; and the bullets in the pic
ture there are the last memorial of
him.
81 beg you, Wasil, do not tell the
story; cannot bear to hear it."
But must, Nadejda. This gentle
man knows that / once injured his
friend; he must also learn how he
avenged himself 1t is five years ago
since We were married. Our hOney3
moon was passed at this castle. L had
ridden out one evening with the COun-
tess, and was returning home, when
her horse suddenly reared and would
90 no further. She became frightened,
,prang of, and throwing me the bridle,
went home OH foot. What can be the
matter with the animal" she said; it
IS usually SO quiet and gentle. Ialmost
ear that some misfortune is awaiting
is at home.' / laughed her out of it as
went beside her, leading her horse by
he bride until we reached the castle.
noticed strange dorschke i'm the
and l inquired to whom
t belonged. Twas told that it belong
I'd to n gentleman who had declined to
give his name, and who was awaiting
ne in the cabinet. I went there, In
.he corner sat lOng-bearded man,
covered with dust. / gazed at him in
Irliringly.
"'YOu do not recognize me, Count?"
"'Sylviou l confess that my hair
stood on end.
" 1T is my turn nowu' lie growled,
a pistol out of his case. Are
you ready now?
i silently bowed, acknowledged his
light, and measuring off ten PAGES,
placed myself in that corner, praying
lim to end it quickly before my wife
should come in.
~ cannot see distinctly. Order lights
o be brought
"1 rang, and they brought what lie
'equired. l placed myself for the sec
md time in position. He took aim. /
counted the seconds. Perhaps a min
lte passed-itseemed a century to me.
He said: No, don't like this. I am
lot accustomed to fire at an unarmed
nan; We will therefore begin anew.
Come, let us draw for the first shot,
II was bewildered. l believe that /
esisted at first; but lots were drawn
rom his perforated cap. 1 had again
he first shot.
You have excellent luck, my dear
JOunt,' he said, with smile which /
hall never forget. Then-I know not
low 1t happened-I shot, and instead
# my opponent. struck that picture
here.n
The face of the Count became
leeply flushed, while that of the Coun-
ess grew deathly pale.
"SylviO now raised his pistol,p the
Jount continued, land his manner told
ne that this time had no pity to ex-
,ect. The door all at once opened, and
Naieda rushed in with a cry, and threw
lerselfon my breast. Her presence re-
tored my self-possessiOn. / broke out
ntoa gay laugh: SILLY one,' 1 said,
do you not see that we are only i'm
un? There is wager pending. How
AN you be such coward? Go, drink