Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-11

Translated from the Russian by Claire Won Glue
mer. From the German by Thurow Weed
Barnes.
We were stationed at the little town of
- and led the customary life of reg
ular army officers. In the morning, drill
and dash about the bleak country on
horseback; at noon. dinner with the COM
mander OF the post or at the hut OF some
jew sutler; in the evening punch and
cards.
There was no house in the place that
received us as guests; no chance for fiirt-
tons. We had our gatherings now at the
quarters OF one comrade, again at those
OF another, but uniforms were the only
things visible.
In our little circle there was but one
person not connected with the army. He
was perhaps thirty five Years OF age,
though generally looked upon as consid-
erably older. His knowledge of the world
gave him certain authority, and his dig
nified manner, his clear judgment and his
sharp tongue made great impression up
on our young souls. This person kept
his past life shrouded in deep mystery; he
seemed like Russian, though his name
was that OF foreigner. We knew that
he had formerly, and with honor.
| served in the Huzzars. but no one could
tell what had caused him to abandon the
service and take up his abode in this out
ltndish nest, where he lived life that
| was at the same time miserable and ex-
travagant.
He always went about on foot, always
| wore the same old dark overcoat but still
kept his table generously spread for all
the officers in our regiment. His meals
consisted. to be sure, OF but two or three
courses, which were prepared by PEN
stoned veteran; still, at these unpreten-
tious teasts the champagne flowed in
streams. No one seemed to know any
thing about his family or fortune. and we
never ventured to ask him about them.
His chief employment was practice
with a pistol the walls of his room being
completely honeycombed by bullet holes
| and valuable collection of his favorite
weapons formed the single ornament
about his quarters. By dint of constant
practice he had acquired an incredible ac-
curacy of aim.
Often at our evening meetings we used
to discuss dueling; but in these conver-
| sations SilviO. as ! will call him, never
took part. Had he ever fought a duel ?
some one asked him one day. The reply
was short, he had u number of times but
he vouchsafed no further information,
and observing that questions on the sub
ject annoyed him, we concluded that per-
| haps the recollection of some unfortunate
victim of his terrible aim weighed on his
conscience. The idea that Silvio might
be coward never entered our thoughts.
There are men whose appearance and
actions forbid the supposition that they
are faint of heat. The incident, there
fore. which | will describe, caused us the
most intense amaz.ment.
One day we had been dining with Sill
vic, there were ten OF US, or therea-
| bouts. We had, as usual. been drinking
rather freely, and at last urged him to call
for the cards and put up stake. At first
he refused, for he played very seldom;
but finally ordered p ick, laid htty ducats
| on the board and began game.
On such occasions it was his nvariable
custom to keep the most profound silence,
| and to avoid any discussion or interruption.
| Should his opponent lay down too small
sum, he would make up the deficit without
| remark and chalk down on the table
memorandum of the balance in his favor.
We knew his peculiarly and never doubt
ed his figures but this time there was
| was only slightly acquainted with SiIyio,
and who himself played very carelessly.
| He soon made natural mIscalculation,
which Slvio corrected in his usual man.
ner. the officer noticed him, was surprised
and demanded an explanation. Our host
played on silently. The officer lost pa.
uence. seized brush and wiped out the
record. Silvio quietly wrote it down
again. Heated with wine, excited by the
game and vexed by smiles of his COM
rades, the lieutenant, believing thai he had
| been insulted, snatched up one of the cam
dlesticks from the table and threw it at
Silvio. who cleverly avoided the missile.
but, pale with rage, his eyes sparkling.
spraUg up and cried:
"Out OF this house. sir and thank God
that this happens under my roof"
We never for moment questioned the
sequel OF this business, and already looked
upon our comrade as dead man. lie left
the room saying that he Was ready TO give
satisfaction. We continued our game a
while longer, but noticing our host was
not in the spirit OF it, one att another
broke off, aud thought as each returned TO
his quarters, OF the imp ,nding vacancy in
| our regiment
AT parade the next morning, we were
wondering il the poor lieutenant was still
| alive, when he suddenly appeared safe and
sound and told US that he had not received
any message from Silvio. Ii was not 10 he
believed we sought Silyio, and found him
busy sending one ball alter another into
curass that was nailed to the wall. He
received Us with his usual courtesy, aud
| spoke not Il syllable oil the occurrences OF
the previous evening. Three days passed,
the Lieutenant lived On. Can it be possible
that Silvio will not fghtP we asked our
| selves. And Silvio did not send chal-
lenge, but expressed himself satisfied with
a superficial apology.
At first this course prejudiced US very
strongly against him. Cowardice is the
unioi givable sin in the eyes of young off,
GERS, to whom mettle seems the crown of
manly virtues, and leniency the most con-
tenp p,ible of crimes.
Stll, as time wore on, all this was for
gotten, and Silsio gradually regained bis
iormer influence. alone did not need to
be converted 10 the old regard. From the
ha ping had hean atfraptad mara fha