The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-09-30
that. said the Countess. :. it terrilies

that" said the Countess, it terrifes
me still"
~" said the Count must relate
the affair 10 tue gentleman lie kno rs
how [ had the misfortune to offend his
friend, it is but just that he should
know how he avenged himself
The Count drew up a chair and |
listened with the most lively curiosity
to the following narrative
60 was married five years ago. The
first month, the honeymoon, / passed
here in this chateau. One night we
went out riding; nv wife's horse be-
came FESTIVE; she dismOunted and re-
turned to the chateau on foot, while /
led her horse. At the door found a
travelling carriage. l was informed
that a man who had refused to give his
name was waiting for me in my cabinet.
l entered and in the twilight saw a
man with long beard and covered with
dust, standing up before the chimney
piece. l approached, trying to recol-
lect his features. 1t was Silvio. l avow
that thought felt my hair standing
on end. Silvior l cried. Quite so,
he said, and it is my turn to shoot. l
have come to fire my pistol. Are you
ready% saw a pistol in his side
pocket. l measured twelve PAGES and
went to place myself in that corner
there, and begging him to shoot quickly
before my wife came in. He refused,
and asked for some light. Some can
dies were brought in. / shut the door,
gave orders that no one should be al
lowed to enter, and again summoned
him to fire. He raised his pistol and
took aim-I counted the seconds
thought of her-it was a terrible mo-
ment. Silvio lowered his arm. Il am
sorry he said. but my pistol is not
charged with cherry-stones-a ball is
hard-but it seems to me that what we
are about is more like murder than a
duel. | am not accustomed to fire on
a disarmed man. Let us begin the mat
ter over again. Let us draw lots to see
who shall fire first
"My head was turning. 1t appears
that | refused. At last we loaded
another pistol; we placed two slips of
paper in the very cap that my ball had
traTersed formerly. l again had the
number one. You are confoundedly
lucky said Silvio, with smile which
l shall never forget. l do not know
what happened, or how he managed to
constrain me, but l fired and my ball
struck that picture"
The Count pointed to the picture.
His face was red as fire. The Countess
was whittier than her handkerchief, and
1 could hardly repress cry.
81 fired then" continued the Count,
"and thank heaven l missed him.
Then Silvio-at that moment he was
really terrible took aim at me. Sud
denly the door opened. Macha rushed
in. Her presence restored my firmness.
My DEAR said l to her. do you not
see that we are joking? Go and drink a
glass of water and then come back. l
will introduce you to an old friend and
companion-in-arms.' Macha hardly be-
lieved nae. Tell me, is what my hus-
band says true?' she asked of the ter
rible Silvio. is it true that you are
joking?' He is always joking, Count
ess,' replied Silvio. 'Once in a. joke he
gave me slap in the face in joke he
sent ball through my cap; in a joke
he has Just missed me. Now it is my
turn to joke With these words he
took aim at me under my wife's eyes,
Macha had fallen at my feet. Rise,
Macha are you not ashamed?' ex-
claimed with rage. And you, sir; do
you wish to drive the poor woman mad?
Will you fire, yes or mop No. re-
piled Silvio.; Il am satisfied. 1 have
seen your confusion, your weakness; l
have forced you to fire at me. am
satisfied. You will remember me l
abandon you to your conscience He
took a step towards the door, stopped
on the threshold, glanced at the picture
and, almost without taking aim, fired
and doubled my ball. My wife tainted.
My servants did not dare to stop him.
He went out and called his position
and was gone before L recovered my
presence of mind"
1t was thus that learned the end of
a story the commencement of which
had so much puzzled me. | have never
seen the hero since. heard that Silvio,
at the time of the instruction of Alex
ander Ypsilanti, was killed at the head
of company of hetairiSts in the defeat
of Skouliani. From the Russian Of Pom
chine.