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

mental office was crowded with officers
some expecting remittances, some letters,
and some newspapers. Letters and par
GELS were opened on the spot, news com
municated, and the office presented the
| most animated appearance. SllVlo's let
tiers were addressed under cover to our
regiment, and he was therefore usually
| present. Upon one of these occasions a
| letter was handed to him, the seal OF
which he broke with look of the
greatest Impotence. His eyes bright
ened I'D as he perused it. The
| officers were themselves too much
engaged to notice anything. Gentle
men, said Silvio, circumstances re
| uuire me to leave without delay. L GO
this night, and hope you will not refuse
| to dine with me for the last time. | ex
pect YOU ALSO" he continued, turning to
me; &c | expect you without fail" With
| these words he fastened out, and we
shortly dispersed, having agreed to meet
at Silvio's.
I arrived at the appointed hour, and
found nearly the whole of my brother Off
GERS. SilviO's movables were all packed,
and little remained but the bare and bat
tered walls. We sat down to dinner; our
host was in high spirits, and his cheer
fitness was soon participated in; the
corks flew necessarily, and we wished the
traveller with all possible sincerity God
speed and every blessing. 1t was already
late when we rose. While the caps were
being sorted, Silvio, bidding every one
"go0d-by," took me by the hand and de-
tanned me, just as l was upon the point of
leaving. 81 must speak to you," said he
in a low voice. l remained.
l, oft haI oil
opposite to each other, and silently began
to smoke our pipes. Silvio was care
worn, and there were no longer any
traces of his affected cheerfulness. The
pallor of his somber face, his sparkling
eyes, and the dense smoke issuing from
his mouth gave him truly demoniacal
look Several minutes passed away, and
Silvio broke silence:
We may perhaps never meet again"
said he; Il wish TO have an explanation
with you before we part. You must have
noticed how little | value the opinion of
the world; but | like you, and feel that
it would prey upon me were [ to leave an
unjust impression respecting myself on
your mind"
He stopped and began to refill his emp
tied pipe; I remained silent with lowered
eyes.
" You thought it strange" he continued,
that did not demand satisfaction from
that tipsy fool R. You will doubtless
own that, the right to choose weapons
being mine, his life was in my hands, my
own being almost beyond the reach
danger. Knight ascribe this forbearance
to pure generosity, but will not deceive
YOU. Had it been in my power to punish
ID rio lvIn nv in 10
least degree | would by no means have
let him off"
l looked at Silvio in surprise, and was
completely taken aback by such confes-
sion. Silvio went on:
"That's just it. L have no right to i'm
peril my life. received box on the ear
six years ago and my enemy still lives"
My curiosity was thoroughly awak-
ened. "You did notight him?" asked l.
Circumstances probably parted your"
81 did fight him." answered Silvio;
/" and here is the memorial of our duel?"
Silvio rose and took out of hat box a
red cap ornamented with gold tassel
and braid what the French would call
bonnet de p0E5ce); he put it on; it had a
hole about an inch from its edge.
"You know" continued SilviO, that |
served in the-Hussars My disposition
is known to you. | am accustomed to
take the lead, but in my early days it was
a passion. At that time practical jokes
were in fashion, and [ was the greatest
scamp in the whole army. We prided
ourselves upon our drinking powers.
outdio the famous Bourzoff, whom Denis
Davidotf has sung Duels took place
constantly in our regiment. Il ooka part
in all of them, either as a witness or as a
principal. My comrades idolized me, and
the regimental commanders, who were
constantly changing, looked upon me as
an unavoidable evil.
q was thus quietly enjoying my popu-
larity, when there joined us a wealthy
youth, member of a well-known family.
Never inmY life have met such favored
child OF fOrtunei Imagine to yourself
youth, talent, good looks, the most exuber-
ant Cheerfulness, the most undaunted
courage, a high-sounding name, wealth to
which he knew no bounds, and
you will form some idea of the impression
his presence produced among us. My
pre-eminence received a check. Dazzled
by my reputation, he would have sought
my friendship, but received him coldly,
and he turned from me without any show
of regret. | began to hate him. His sue
cess in our regiment and in the society
ladies threw me into complete despair. |
sought opportunities for QUARREL but
my epigrams were answered by epigrams,
which always seemed to me more unex-
pected and more singing than my own
they were Of course immeasurably more
lively. He was facetious; l was vicious.
AT last, upon the occasion of ball given
by Polish gentleman, seeing that he was
the object of attention of the ladies, and
especially of the hostess herself, who was
an ally of mine, whispered to him some
grossly rude remark. He warmed up and
gave me box on the ear. We flew to
our swords. The ladies tainted; we were
separated, but that same night we drove
off to fight duel.
"The day was breaking. I stood at the
appointed spot, attended by my three
seconds. | awaited with inexpressible
Impotence the arrival of my opponent.
The. sun had already risen, and its rays
were gathering heat | observed him in
the distance. He was on foot, in uniform,
wearing his sword, and accompanied by
one second. We walked on to meet him.
He approached, holding in his hand his
cap, which was full of cherries. Our
seconds proceeded to measure twelve
PAGES. l was to have fired first, but my
rage was so great that l could not rely
upon the steadiness of my hand, and to
gain time | conceded to him the first
shot. My opponent would not consent to
this. 1t was decided that we should draw
lots; he, with his usual good luck, won
the toss. He aimed, and his ball went
through my cap. 1t was now my turn.
His life was in my hands at last. l looked
eagerly at him, irving to detect even a