Litchfield enquirer., 1874-02-19

of me. ,..fe t#s.--, .-, r.~lz.-, .-1 The servant walked in and reported tn. horses ready. Silvio pressed my hanc warmly; we embraced each other. H, took his place in the telega, wherein Ia, two boxes-one containing his pistols the other his necessaries. We bade eacl other goodbye once more, and the horse. were off
 Several years had elapsed, and my pri vatesafairs necessitated my settling in poverty stricken little village in the dis trict of N. Though occupied witl the duties of landlord, I could not hel, silently signing after my former racket and reckless. existence. found it SO diff cultto get accustomed to spend the lone dismal spring and winter evenings in sucl complete seclusion. By chatting with tho mayor, or going over new buildings il progress, I managed somehow to drae through the day, up to the dinner hour but I literally knew not what to do with myself at dusk. I had read the limited number of books which I had found on the bookshelves and in the lumber room until knew them by heart. All the sto- rles which the housekeeper Kirilovna knew had been told me over and over again grew weary of listening to the peasant woman's songs, and might have had recourse to sweet liquors, but that they made my head ache; and I confess that l feared that I might become g drunkard from feeling of wretchedness, that IS to say, the most wretched ol drunkards, of which l saw number of instances in our district.
 ! m fo.1>1 or three of these wretched fellows, whose conversation consisted chiefly of hiccoughs and slghs. Solitude was more endurable. At last decided upon going to bed as early as possible, and upon dining as late length of the days, which spent in use full occupation.
 Four versts from me lay valuable es- tate belonging to the Countess B.; it was occupied by the agent only; the Countess had visited it but once, and that ill the first year of her marriage, when she had not stayed over month. During the second year of my seclusion, rumors husband were coming to spend the sum- beginning of June.
 AC d dpptdIduC0 O4 d WGll-LO-uO u0lgn- Dor is an important event to rustics. Landlords and tenants speak of it for two months previously and for three years subsequently,. I confess that, so far as was concerned, the presence of Q young and beautiful neighbor seemed a matter of considerable importance to me. l burned with impatience to see her, and betook myself, therefore, after dinner, the first Sunday subsequently, to their arrival, to pay my respects to their excellencies, as their nearest neighbor and most de- voted of servants.
 A footman showed me into the Count S library and went to announce me. The spacious apartment was furnished with the greatest possible luxury; the walls were lined with bookcases, each of which was surmounted by Q bronze; over the marble chimney piece was placed Q large mirror; the floor was covered with green cloth and spread with carpets. Having lost all habits of luxury in my poor re- treat, and having long since ceased to be familiar with the effects produced by the riches of others. l became timid, and awaited the Count with certain trepida- ton, like provincial petitioner expecting the approach of a minister. The doors opened, and handsome man of two-and- thirty came in. The Count approached me with frankness and friendliness. en- deavored to muster courage and to explain the object of my call; but he anticipated me. He sat down. His easy and agreed ble conversation soon dispelled my awk. ward shyness; had already resumed my usual manner, when suddenly the Count ess entered, and my perturbation became greater than before. She was beautiful indeed. The Count introduced me: l wished to seem to be at my ease, but the more tried the more awkward did I feel. My new acquaintances, wishing to give me time to recover, and to feel myself more at home, conversed together, dis pensing with all etiquette, thus treating me like an old friend I had risen from my seat in the meanwhile, and was pacing the room, inspecting the books and pie lures. am no judge of paintings, but one there was which specially attracted my attention. It represented landscape Tn Switzerland: but I was struck, not only by the beauty of the artists touch, but because it was perforated by two bullets, one hole being just above the other.
 ''This is good shot, ," said I, turning to the Count.
 ''Yes," said he, ga very remarkable shot. Do you shoot well ?" he went on.
 "Pretty well" replied, overjoyed that the conversation had turned upon a sub Ject of interest. ''I mean I could not miss card at thirty paces; of course, when I know the pistols
 ''Indeed," said the Countess, with a look of great attention; 'and you, my dear, could you hit a card at thirty paces ?"
 ''Some day." answered the Count, "we shall try. was not a bad shot in my time, but it is now four years since I held a pistol"
 ''Oh, '" remarked I, ''that being the case I do not mind betting that your Excellen- cy will not be able to hit card at twelve paces even; pistol shooting requires daily practice. I know this by experience. used to be considered one of the best shots in our regiment. It so happened once that had not touched pistol for g whole month; my own were undergoing repairs, and will your Excellency believe 1t, when l took to shooting again missed a bottle four successive times at twenty paces? Our riding-master, a sharp amusing fellow, happening to be present cried out: I say, old boy, thou canst moi lift thy hand against the bottle, eh ? No your Excellency,it is practice that ought not to be neglected, if one does not wish to become rusty at it. The best shot ever happened to come across practiced every day, and would fire at least three times before dinner. This was rule with him, as was his glass of Vodka."
 The Count and Countess appeared pleased at my having become talkative.
 "And what kind of a shot was he !? asked the Count. .. err.
 ''Of that sort, your Excellency, that i he happened to see fly on the wall. -. You are smiling, Countess. But i is true indeed. =. When he chancet to see fly he would call out: 'Kooska my pistols ? Kooska brings him loaded pistol. Bang and there is the fly, fiat tened to the wall P z@1 }el iI g"
 ''sThat was wonderful, 1" said the Count ssWhat was his name r g. +~,st ae-
 ''Silvio, your Excellency." ,..
 s'Silvio !" exclaimed he, jumping up ssyou knew SilvioY' a2a3at7*stG 8i@& s@ t s'Know him? Of course, your Excel lency. We were friends; he was consid cred by the regiment as being quite ont of o,-oaIxao. I,,k if ;c now f;vo vnarG cinct