Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-02-27

wife's horse became unmanageablei she
got frightened, gave me he bride, and
set out homeward on foot. ] saw upon
entering the slable.yard travelling telegd,
and was informed that a gentleman, who
had refused to give his name and had
simply said that he had some business to
transact, was waiting for me in the
library. entered the room, and in the
twilight saw a man covered with dust
and wearing a long beard. He was
standing by the fireplace. / approached
him, trying to feCall to mind his features.
Thou dost not recognize me, Count
said he, with trembling voice. 'Silviol
exclaimed I; and / confess ] felt my
hair stand on end! Yes, II is L. he CON
tinued the shot remains with me; have
come TO discharge my pistol; art thou
ready2 The pistol protruded out Of his
side pocket measured twelve PAGES and
stood there in that corner, begging him
to fire quickly, before my wife returned.
He hesitated-he asked for lights. Can
dies we're brought ip shut the door,
gave orders that no one should cUme in,
and again begged bin to fire He took
out his pistol and proceeded to take aim.
81 was counting the seconds. i
thought of her. One dreadful minute
gfet,' said he, that my pistol is not
loaded with cherry stones. e.. The bullet
is heavy This appears to me not duel
but murder | am not accustomed TO aim
at an unarmed man; let us begin anew;
let us draw lots who is to have the first
fire. My head swan. Il suppose was
not c0nsentiHg. AT last another pistol
was loaded two bits Of paper were rolled
up; he placed them In the cap | had once
shot through; again drew the winning
number. Thou art deviish lucky,
Count said he, with an ironical smile l
can never forget. | do not understand
what possessed me and by what means he
forced me to it,. but [ fired-and hit
that picture there"
The Count pointed to the perforated
pictures his face was crimson; the Count
ess had become whittier than her handker-
chief; could not suppress an exclama-
tion.
"I fred" the Count went on. "and,
thank God, missed. Then SilviO (he
looked really dref dful at that moment)-
Silvio aimed at me. Suddenly the doors
opened, Masha rushed in, and with a
scream threw herself on my neck. Her
presence restored to me all my courage.
Darling said /, don't you see that we
are iokingP How frightened you arel Go
and take glass of water and come back to
me shall introduce an old friend and com
rade to you Masha still doubted. Tell
me, is what my husband says true?' said
she, turning to the somber Silvio; is it
true that you are both in fupS' He is
always in fun, Countess replied SlviO.
Once upon time he gave me box on
the ear, in fun; in fun, he shot through
this cap; in fun, he Just now missed me
now / have fancy to be in fun also.'
So saying, he was about to take
aim before her! Masha threw herself at
his feet. Get up, Masha, for shamep |
exclaimed, enraged; and you, sir, will
you cease jeering at a poor woman2 Are
you, or are you not, going to fireT
am not going to- answered Silvio; am
content. l have seen your hesitation,
your timidity. | made you fire at me. |
am satisfied. You will remember me.
| leave you to your coDsciencep
but, stopping in the doorway, he
looked at the perforated picture, fired his
pistol at it, almost without aiming, and
disappeared. My wife had tainted;
the servants dared not stop him,
and looked at him with terror; he walked
out, called the SGmshtchik and drove off,
before had even time to recover my
self"
The Count concluded. Thus did
learn the ending of a story which had so
interested me at its commencement I
did not again n Get its hero. 1t was said
that at the time of the revolt under Alex
ander Ypsilanti Silvio commanded a
detachment of the Hertare. and was
killed in the combat before Skulleni.-
Translated from the Russian for So. PluS's
lNaaaztne.