Connecticut western news., 1880-11-03
THE CRACK SHOT.
A Story from the Russian,

A Story from the Russian,
 I had been more intimate with Silvio than the others of our mess, and when he was about to leave us, and gave his farewell supper, we had jolly time.
 It was late when we quilted the fes- tive board. When we were looking for our caps, Silvio bade each of us adieu !; but he caught me by the hand, and held me as I was on the point of going out.
 "Stay," he said, in an undertone. "I want to have few words with you. |"
 I stopped behind.
 At the end of few moments, he broke the silence.
 !" Itis possible" he said to me, "that we may never see each other again. Before separating, wish to have few words with you. You may have re- marked that care little for the opinion of the indifferent but I have liking for you, and feel that it would cost me @ pang to leave you with an unfavorable opinion of me-"
 He paused to knock the ashes off the top of his pipe. I said nothing, but turned my gaze to the floor and waited.
 It must have appeared singular to you," he continued, "that I did not exact fuller satisfaction from that drunken fool of lieutenant who in. suited me few days ago. You will agree that, having the choice of weapons, the idiots life was in my power, and that I ran no very great risk. might speak of my moderation as generosity ]; but I do not wish to lie. If could have administered correction to the fellow without hazarding my ife-mark me, without hazarding it in the least he would not have got out of my clutches so easily" I looked at Silvio with surprise. An avowal like this mys- tified and pained me. He resumed:
 Unfortunately, I have not the right to expose myself to death. Six years ago got box on the ear, and my enemy is still living"
 My curiosity was wildly stirred.
 "And you did not fight him ?" de- manded "Assuredly, some extraor- dinary circumstance musthaye prevented the affair from coming of. :"
 "I did fight him, !" said Silvio, quietly, 'ta and here is souvenir of our meet. ing"
 He rose and drew from box cap ot red cloth with gold stripe and gland cap of the make of those worn in cay. airy undress, such as the French cal bonnet de police. He put it on his head Itwas penetrated by 8 bullet about ar inch above the temple.
 "You know," said Silvi,, "that served in the Hussars. You can see the sort of man anna trife overbearing I have the habit of command to domi nate is an instinct of my nature. Tn my earlier days it was passion with me In my time, the roysterers were thu mode. l was the greatest roysterer ant rowdy in the army. All bragged thel about getting drunk. I put under tn table the famous B. mentioned in tn song by D. D., that used to be sung a the mess of the Preobrajenski Guards Every day there were duels in our corps every day I played my part as second c ! principal. My comrades venerated me the superior officers, who changed ever E other month, regarded me as scoure , that they could not get rid of. For m ! own part, I pursued my career of glor tranquilly, or rather tumultuously, unt they sent to the regiment rich youn fellow who belonged to distinguishe family. shall not tell you his nam, \ Never did meet luckier dog bis lue was almost insolent. Picture to you li self youth, wit, fine figure, sprightl spirits, bravery, reckless of danger, a honored name, as much money as l wished, and more than he could ev, possibly spend and now try and brir before your mind the effect that h arrival produced amongst us. was n where. My sceptre was broken. At u outset, dazzled by my reputation, < sought to make me his friend. But \ received his advances coldly, and he pa me of in my own coin. Without a
 bearing in the least mortified, he le me to myself. I conceived mort grudge against him. His success in u ! regiment and amongst the petticoa .I drove me to desperation. I swore l pick quarrel with him. To my el
 grams he retorted with epigrams th
 always struck me as more piquant al
 original than mine, and which, mu
 admit, in any case, were moch mo
 lively. He tested hated that ma
 the difference. At last, one day. at
 ball at Polish landed proprietor's, st
 i.g that he'was the object of attenti from several ladies, especially from [
 mistress of the house, with whom h been pet, went over to him and wh
 pered some gross and stupid imper nensus7.sip uurspinto . paesaou anu gs
 me box on the ear. We flew to (
 aabres, the ladies tainted, the que