Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-03-05

meet death as coolly on the eve of hi
marriage as he once awaited it at his mea
of cherries"
The servant walked in and reported the
horses ready. Silvio pressed my hano
warmly; we embraced each other. He
| took his place in the telegd, wherein lay
two boxes, one containing his pistols the
other his necessaries. We babe each
other good-by once more and the horses
were off.
Several years had elapsed and nay pri
vate affairs necessitated my settling in q
poverty stricken little village in the dis
trict of N. Though occupied with
the duties of landlord 1 could not help
silently signing after my former rackety
and reckless existence, | found it so diff
ficult TO get accustomed to spend the long
dismal spring and winter evenings In
such complete seclusion.
-Four versts from me lay very valuable
estate belonging to the Countess B.
it was occupied by the agent only; the
Countess had visited it but once, and that
IN the first year Of her marriage, when
she had not stayed over month. During
the second year of my seclusion rumors
were current that the Countess and her
husband were coming to spend the sum-
mer. They really did arrive at about the
beginning of June.
The appearance OF a well-to-do neigh
Dor is an important event to rustics.
Landlords and tenants speak of it for two
months previously, and for three years
subsequently. l confess that, so far as
was concerned, the presence of a young
and beautiful neighbor seemed matter
of considerable Importance to nae. I
burned with Impotence 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 Counts
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 a bronze bust; over
the marble chimney piece was placed a
large mirror; the floor was covered with
green cloth and spread with carpets.
Having lost all habits Of luxury in my
poor retreat, and having ceased to be IA
miliar with the effects produced by the
riches of others, [ became timid, and
awaited the Count with certain trepida-
ton, like a provincial petitioner expect
ing the approach ola minister. The door
opened, and a handsome man of two-and-
thirty came in. The Count approached
me with frankness and friendliness. |
endeavOred to muster courage and to eX-
plain the object of my call; but he antic-
ipated me. We sat down. His easy and
agreeable conversation soon dispelled my
awkward shyness. I had already resumed
my usual manner, when suddenly the
Countess entered, and my perturbation
became greater than before. She was
beautiful indeed. The Count introduced
me; | wished to seem to be at my ease
but the more l tried the more awkward
did | feel. My new acquaintance wish
ing to give me time to recover, and to feel
myself more at home, conversed together,
dispensing with all etiquette, thus treating
me like an old friend. | had risen from
my seat in the meanwhile, and was pacing
the room inspecting the books and pic
lures. l am no judge of paintings, but
one there was which specially attracted
my attention. 1t represented landscape
in Switzerland; but was struck, not by
the beauty of the artists touch, but be-
cause it was perforated by two bullets, one
hole being just above the other.
"This is a good shot," said I, turning
to the Count.
EYES," said he; L" a very remarkable
shot. Do you shoot well?" he went on.
Pretty well" replied, overjoyed that
the conversation had turned upon sub.
ject of interest. 81 mean I could not
miss card at thirty PAGES; of course,
when | know the pistols"
look of great attention; " and you, my
dear, could you hit a card at thirty
paces?"
"Some day." answered the Count, eve
shall try. l was not bad shot in my
time, but it is now four years since l held
a pistol
"Oh," remarked I, ''that being the
case, do not mind betting that your EX-
cellency will not be able to hit card at
twenty PAGES even; pistol shooting re-
quires daily practice. know this by ex-
perience. [ used to be considered one of
the best shots in our regiment. 1t so hap
pened once that [ had not touched pistol
for whole month my own were under
going repair, and will your Excellency
believe ii, when took to shooting again, |
missed bottle four successive times at
twenty PAGES Our riding master, a
sharp, amusing fellow, happening to be
present, cried out, 4 say, old boy, thou
canst not lift thy hand against the bottle,
eh?' No, your Excellency, it is prac-
tice 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 shoot at
least three times before dinner. This was
a rule with him, as was his glass of
g0dka"
The Count and Countess appeared
pleased at my having become laxative
"And what kind of a shot was he p"
asked the Count.
"Of that sort, your Excellency, that if
he happened to see fly on the wall. $.
You are smiling, Countess. But it is true,
indeed. :. :. When he CHANGED to see a fly,
he would call out 'Kooska, my pistolsr
Kooska brings him a loaded pistol.
Bang! and there is the fly flattened to the
wallw
"That was wonderful" said the Count.
"What was his name?"
Silvio, your Excellency."
" Silvion' exclaimed he, jumping up;
"you knew Silvio?"
"Knew him? Of course, your Excel
lency. We were friends; he was consid
cred by the regiment as being quite one
of ourselves; but it is now five years
since heard anything of him"
~ knew him-knew him very well.
Did he ev4 relate very strange occur
renee 10 your"
Your Excellency cannot possibly
mean box on the ear which some young
scamp gave him at a ball?"
And did he name that scamp to
YOU ?"